npr--2020-08-01--Pandemic May Be The Push To Open Cuba's State-Controlled Economy

Pandemic May Be The Push To Open Cuba 's State-Controlled Economy Cuba 's communist leaders appear to be ready to make good on long promised reforms to the island 's state-controlled economy , which has been in a tailspin since the coronavirus lockdown began in March .
Even before the pandemic , the economy was in recession , suffering from reduced Venezuelan subsidies and escalating Trump administration sanctions .
Then in March , Cuba banned all air and sea travel to the island , cutting off tourism — a major source of hard currency for the government .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez acknowledged , `` We can not continue doing the same thing ... because the current economic model is n't producing results that Cuba needs . ''
That same week the regime opened up dozens of new stores for shoppers with hard currency : dollars and euros .
The hope is to lure those dollars and euros out of homes and into circulation .
The new `` dollar stores , '' as Cubans call them , sell food and cleaning products and will add to the roughly 80 the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appliances and electronics .
But there is little resemblance to `` dollar store '' discount chains in the U.S. Prices are steep by Cuban standards .
In this socialist economy plagued by chronic shortages , the draw of the dollar store is well-stocked shelves .
Video blogger Frank Camallerys used his camera phone to show off some of the pricier items as he strolled through the Línea y 12 shop in Havana .
An 8-pound block of gouda cheese costing $ 30 ; a beef steak for $ 11 a pound ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollar apiece .
The prices are way beyond the means of the average Cuban .
State salaries in the communist nation are , on average , the equivalent of US $ 30 a month .
It 's not just the prices that put the stores off limits for many Cubans .
It 's also the hassle of getting into one .
`` I 'd have to get up before dawn , grab a bus , and then wait in a line that every day seems to be growing longer , '' said would-be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He works for a state agency and did n't want to give his full name for fear of reprisals .
Enrique said that the last time he looked , the wait was at least several hours long .
Cuba 's government is hoping residents will endure the wait and give up their dollars , which are mostly sent by relatives abroad .
The government even dropped a 10 % tax on all dollar transactions that had been in place since 2004 .
Ted Henken of Baruch College in New York , an expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's regime is facing a huge liquidity crisis .
`` This is a quick way they can transfer the money that is in the pockets of Cuban citizens and/or their citizens abroad to fill up its empty coffers so it can buy things abroad , '' he said .
Cuba buys as much as 80 % of its food and fuel on international markets , something it ca n't do with the Cuban peso .
And fuel is in short supply as Venezuela has cut back on shipments of subsidized oil .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropping the tax on dollar transactions , senior officials , including Cuba 's vice president and minister of foreign investment , announced measures to ease restrictions on Cuba 's private sector , which had been growing before the pandemic .
They promised private businesses greater legal protections and the ability to import and export goods .
Additionally , the government will give private businesses access to wholesale markets .
Richard Feinberg , an economist at the University of California San Diego , called the reforms a move in the right direction .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skepticism , '' cautioned Feinberg .
`` Many of these measures have been announced before several times , so the proof will be in the speed and efficiency and implementation of these measures . ''
Communist Party leader Raúl Castro proposed similar reforms a decade ago but was stymied by hardliners in the party .
Feinberg says Castro 's hand-picked president , Díaz-Canel , may have better luck .
`` Of course , there is no transparency , it 's hard to know , '' said Feinberg , `` but perhaps the reformers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of President Díaz-Canel . ''
Many Cubans , like computer business owner Liber Puente , are optimistic about the government 's willingness to ease restrictions on the private sector now , because of the worldwide slump .
Puente is struggling after four months of the coronavirus lockdown , but he 's holding on .
`` To be alive , breathing and keep operating is a success in Cuba , '' said Puente by phone from Havana .
And he 's hopeful he 'll soon be able to fulfill his dream and actually @ @ @ @ @

Pandemic May Be The Push To Open Cuba's State-Controlled Economy
Enlarge this image toggle caption Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images
Cuba's communist leaders appear to be ready to make good on long promised reforms to the island's state-controlled economy, which has been in a tailspin since the coronavirus lockdown began in March.
Even before the pandemic, the economy was in recession, suffering from reduced Venezuelan subsidies and escalating Trump administration sanctions. Then in March, Cuba banned all air and sea travel to the island, cutting off tourism — a major source of hard currency for the government.
In a speech broadcast on state TV July 16, President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez acknowledged, "We cannot continue doing the same thing ... because the current economic model isn't producing results that Cuba needs."
That same week the regime opened up dozens of new stores for shoppers with hard currency: dollars and euros. The hope is to lure those dollars and euros out of homes and into circulation.
The new "dollar stores," as Cubans call them, sell food and cleaning products and will add to the roughly 80 the government opened last year that sell mostly appliances and electronics.
But there is little resemblance to "dollar store" discount chains in the U.S. Prices are steep by Cuban standards. In this socialist economy plagued by chronic shortages, the draw of the dollar store is well-stocked shelves.
Video blogger Frank Camallerys used his camera phone to show off some of the pricier items as he strolled through the Línea y 12 shop in Havana.
An 8-pound block of gouda cheese costing $30; a beef steak for $11 a pound; and rows of small soda bottles at a dollar apiece. The prices are way beyond the means of the average Cuban. State salaries in the communist nation are, on average, the equivalent of US$30 a month.
It's not just the prices that put the stores off limits for many Cubans. It's also the hassle of getting into one. "I'd have to get up before dawn, grab a bus, and then wait in a line that every day seems to be growing longer," said would-be shopper Enrique, reached by phone. He works for a state agency and didn't want to give his full name for fear of reprisals. Enrique said that the last time he looked, the wait was at least several hours long.
Cuba's government is hoping residents will endure the wait and give up their dollars, which are mostly sent by relatives abroad. The government even dropped a 10% tax on all dollar transactions that had been in place since 2004.
Ted Henken of Baruch College in New York, an expert on the Cuban economy, says Cuba's regime is facing a huge liquidity crisis.
"This is a quick way they can transfer the money that is in the pockets of Cuban citizens and/or their citizens abroad to fill up its empty coffers so it can buy things abroad," he said.
Cuba buys as much as 80% of its food and fuel on international markets, something it can't do with the Cuban peso.
And fuel is in short supply as Venezuela has cut back on shipments of subsidized oil.
So along with opening hard currency stores and dropping the tax on dollar transactions, senior officials, including Cuba's vice president and minister of foreign investment, announced measures to ease restrictions on Cuba's private sector, which had been growing before the pandemic. They promised private businesses greater legal protections and the ability to import and export goods.
Additionally, the government will give private businesses access to wholesale markets.
Richard Feinberg, an economist at the University of California San Diego, called the reforms a move in the right direction.
"However, there are reasons for some skepticism," cautioned Feinberg. "Many of these measures have been announced before several times, so the proof will be in the speed and efficiency and implementation of these measures."
Communist Party leader Raúl Castro proposed similar reforms a decade ago but was stymied by hardliners in the party. Feinberg says Castro's hand-picked president, Díaz-Canel, may have better luck.
"Of course, there is no transparency, it's hard to know," said Feinberg, "but perhaps the reformers have gained the upper hand with the support of President Díaz-Canel."
Many Cubans, like computer business owner Liber Puente, are optimistic about the government's willingness to ease restrictions on the private sector now, because of the worldwide slump.
Puente is struggling after four months of the coronavirus lockdown, but he's holding on.
"To be alive, breathing and keep operating is a success in Cuba," said Puente by phone from Havana. And he's hopeful he'll soon be able to fulfill his dream and actually grow his computer business.


npr--2020-08-01--Public Health Expert Calls To Repair Distrust In A COVID-19 Vaccine

Scientists are in a sprint to find a vaccine that could stamp out the coronavirus pandemic .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top infectious diseases expert , said on Friday he 's `` cautiously optimistic '' that a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine will be ready for distribution in early 2021 .
But it 's unclear how many people will actually get a vaccine if it 's approved .
Only about half of Americans said in May that they were willing to get a coronavirus vaccine .
That resistance does n't surprise Dr. Sandra Quinn , a professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the University of Maryland , whose work at the start of the H1N1 pandemic showed even more vaccine skepticism .
A 2009 study she co-authored found that less than 10 % of all respondents said they would embrace a vaccine , with many believing the perceived side effects would outweigh a relatively mild illness .
But COVID-19 is deadlier than the swine flu , and she says the current opposition to a coronavirus vaccine is rooted in a climate of conflicting information .
`` We have forces that undermine science , contradictory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create skepticism and diminish trust in government , '' she told NPR 's Weekend Edition Saturday .
For example , she said Operation Warp Speed , the Trump administration 's name for the push to deliver an effective COVID-19 vaccine by early 2021 , sends the wrong message .
She thinks that terminology has Americans worried that a speedy rollout for a vaccine might come at the expense of safety .
`` What that does , I think , is automatically raise a concern by many that , you know , we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research saying typically it takes years , '' she said .
`` We are still looking for an HIV vaccine , right ?
Decades later . ''
Boosting American confidence in vaccines starts with educating the public about the vaccine trial processes , Quinn said — a handful of which are well underway .
Biotech company Moderna and the National Institutes of Health have entered the third phase of a vaccine trial , the penultimate phase that assesses a vaccine 's side effects before studying long-term safety and effective immunity .
Tens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruited for all of the vaccine trials that show promise .
The current pandemic has shown that COVID-19 hits some communities at higher rates , especially those of African Americans and Latinos , where the disparities are fueled in part by underlying health conditions and structural discrimination .
Quinn said it 's imperative that the vaccine trials include enough diverse participants of all races and genders to know whether a vaccine will be safe for populations with different health issues .
Unlike H1N1 , she says , `` people are going to perceive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Quinn says because of that perception , greater transparency is required .
`` We ca n't sugarcoat perceived risk of a vaccine , '' she said .
`` Talking about just disease risk to people will not do the trick . ''
Another way to repair public trust , Quinn said , is to launch robust public outreach efforts that encourage communities to ask : `` What are your questions about the vaccine ? ''
She suggests that state and local health departments work with community partners , from NAACP chapters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups .
If vaccine skeptics ' trust in science is shaky , Quinn 's research has found social norms can go a long way in persuading people to get vaccinated .
`` If you believe that all the people you love and that care for you think you should get the vaccine , you are more likely to get it , '' she said .
Ned Wharton and Hadeel Al-Shalchi produced and edited the interview for broadcast .

Public Health Expert Calls To Repair Distrust In A COVID-19 Vaccine
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ted S. Warren/AP Ted S. Warren/AP
Scientists are in a sprint to find a vaccine that could stamp out the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious diseases expert, said on Friday he's "cautiously optimistic" that a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine will be ready for distribution in early 2021.
But it's unclear how many people will actually get a vaccine if it's approved. Only about half of Americans said in May that they were willing to get a coronavirus vaccine.
That resistance doesn't surprise Dr. Sandra Quinn, a professor and chair of the family science department at the University of Maryland, whose work at the start of the H1N1 pandemic showed even more vaccine skepticism. A 2009 study she co-authored found that less than 10% of all respondents said they would embrace a vaccine, with many believing the perceived side effects would outweigh a relatively mild illness.
Distrust in government
But COVID-19 is deadlier than the swine flu, and she says the current opposition to a coronavirus vaccine is rooted in a climate of conflicting information.
"We have forces that undermine science, contradictory messages day in and day out that create skepticism and diminish trust in government," she told NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday.
For example, she said Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration's name for the push to deliver an effective COVID-19 vaccine by early 2021, sends the wrong message.
She thinks that terminology has Americans worried that a speedy rollout for a vaccine might come at the expense of safety.
"What that does, I think, is automatically raise a concern by many that, you know, we have Dr. Fauci and others who know vaccine research saying typically it takes years," she said. "We are still looking for an HIV vaccine, right? Decades later."
A call to bolster communication outreach
Boosting American confidence in vaccines starts with educating the public about the vaccine trial processes, Quinn said — a handful of which are well underway.
Biotech company Moderna and the National Institutes of Health have entered the third phase of a vaccine trial, the penultimate phase that assesses a vaccine's side effects before studying long-term safety and effective immunity. Tens of thousands of people will need to be recruited for all of the vaccine trials that show promise.
The current pandemic has shown that COVID-19 hits some communities at higher rates, especially those of African Americans and Latinos, where the disparities are fueled in part by underlying health conditions and structural discrimination. Quinn said it's imperative that the vaccine trials include enough diverse participants of all races and genders to know whether a vaccine will be safe for populations with different health issues.
Unlike H1N1, she says, "people are going to perceive the [COVID-19] risk as high." Quinn says because of that perception, greater transparency is required.
"We can't sugarcoat perceived risk of a vaccine," she said. "Talking about just disease risk to people will not do the trick."
Another way to repair public trust, Quinn said, is to launch robust public outreach efforts that encourage communities to ask: "What are your questions about the vaccine?" She suggests that state and local health departments work with community partners, from NAACP chapters to Boys & Girls Clubs to religious groups.
If vaccine skeptics' trust in science is shaky, Quinn's research has found social norms can go a long way in persuading people to get vaccinated. "If you believe that all the people you love and that care for you think you should get the vaccine, you are more likely to get it," she said.
Ned Wharton and Hadeel Al-Shalchi produced and edited the interview for broadcast.


npr--2020-08-02--Tracking The Pandemic: Are Coronavirus Cases Rising Or Falling In Your State?

Tracking The Pandemic : Are Coronavirus Cases Rising Or Falling In Your State ?
More than 4 million people in the U.S. have tested positive for the coronavirus and more than 150,000 have died .
Though growth in new cases slowed in late spring , by mid-June new cases began to trend upward nationally .
In the graphics below , explore the trend in new cases in your state to see whether cases are rising , falling or staying level .
You can view the data via a heat map ( immediately below ) , a curve chart and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case trends over the last three weeks .
Or to see states ' total cases and deaths on a map , click here .
The following chart displays states ' trends in new daily case counts , total cases , and per capita totals .
To compare state outbreaks , the trend lines for average new daily cases are graphed against each state 's total case count to date .
This highlights a state 's daily growth relative to the overall size of its outbreak .
When both new and total case counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As cases slow , the curve levels or bends down .
In New York , site of the country 's largest outbreak , the state 's curve rose sharply before reaching over 170,000 total cases in April .
Since then , new cases have fallen from about 10,000 per day in mid-April to under 800 per day in mid July .
Conversely , Florida peaked around 1,200 new cases per day on average in April , only to surge again to nearly 12,000 per day in mid-July Coronavirus case totals are much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the spring , a large share of U.S. cases were centered around New York City .
As of mid July , other large , populous states such as California , Florida and Texas have reached high totals as well .
Some other states such as Arizona and Louisiana show a heavy burden of infection relative to their population size .
Explore the map below to see totals and per capita figures around the country for both cases and deaths .
Click here to see a global map of confirmed cases and deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the table below shows the change in average new cases per day in each state , week over week .
States marked in shades of red are showing growth , those in shades of green , are showing declines .
The graphics on this page pull from data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources , including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ; the World Health Organization ; national , state and local government health departments ; 1point3acres ; and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its data uploads and regularly checks them for anomalies .
This may result in occasional data discrepancies on this page as the JHU team resolves anomalies and updates its feeds .
State-by-state recovery data are unavailable at this time .
There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department 's website .
Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships .
In early June , Michigan health authorities started including probable cases in its totals .
This resulted in a brief spike in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ JHU team was able to reconcile the historical data .
On June 25 , New Jersey included 1,854 previously-unreported probable deaths in its totals , resulting in a spike in the state 's daily death numbers .
This story was originally published on March 16 , 2020 .
Elena Renken was a co-author on that version .
Sean McMinn contributed to and Carmel Wroth edited this story .

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


npr--2020-08-02--Americans Go Home: Canadians Track U.S. Boaters Sneaking Across The Border

Americans Go Home : Canadians Track U.S. Boaters Sneaking Across The Border Audio will be available later today .
Canadians are typically seen as pretty friendly people , and until the coronavirus pandemic , most were happy to welcome Americans .
But when the coronavirus began to quickly spread in March , the U.S. and Canada shut their shared border to all nonessential traffic .
Since then , Canada 's border patrol has effectively prevented caravans of Americans — and their RVs and their campers — from surging across the border as they normally do each summer .
But Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to enter Canada by telling border patrol officers that they are on their way to Alaska .
This is known as the `` Alaska loophole . ''
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police fined several Americans who were hiking near Lake Louise in Alberta .
Lake Louise is not on the way to Alaska .
Fed up , Canada announced last week that it is cracking down on Americans who apparently do n't know which way is north .
The Americans are coming , the Americans are coming Foreigners are also arriving by boat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many seek refuge in British Columbia 's protected inland waters and marine parks , which are home to pods of killer whales and abundant wildlife .
But the number of American pleasure craft arriving from Washington state has alarmed Canadians living just across the border .
For George Creek , a former insurance agent , whose home overlooks Nanaimo Harbor in B.C.
, it 's been a call to action .
`` A number of us that are retired boaters and still members of the Council of B.C .
Yacht Clubs started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were crossing our border , in spite of the prohibition by the federal government , '' says Creek , president of B.C .
Marine Parks Forever .
And they can do so from their living rooms .
Under international maritime law , every passenger boat must be equipped with an automatic identification system , which is to remain on at all times .
This allows tracking boats in real time and helps prevent collisions in fog and bad weather .
Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can click to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where they 've recently been and which country they are from .
And plenty are from the U.S. Creek estimates that right now there are some 30 to 40 American pleasure boats cruising through British Columbia 's pristine waterways .
Lately , however , many have gone dark .
Creek says that the Americans have figured out that they are being tracked through their transponders .
`` They 're turning them off as they cross the border , '' says Creek .
`` We see them on the computer and at a particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're not there anymore . ''
The maritime posse of retirees knows the boats did n't suddenly turn around , or sink .
That 's because Canadian boaters up and down the inland coast call and radio in the location of suspicious vessels , i.e.
, American boats .
They report sightings to the RCMP 's marine division , though it 's unclear if any arrests have been made .
`` The biggest Petri dish in the world '' American yachts sneaking across the border makes Creek , and a lot of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alarm at how fast the coronavirus has spread through the Lower 48 and what many Canadians view as Americans ' flagrant disregard for mask wearing and maintaining a safe social distance .
A poll conducted by Nanos Research found that eight in 10 Canadians want the border to remain closed to nonessential U.S. traffic because of fears of the coronavirus .
`` When I called the U.S. the biggest petri dish in the world , that was not just off the cuff , '' says Creek .
Creek is particularly concerned about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cove on Desolation Sound , where boaters stop for fuel and food .
Many are home to First Nations people and have no medical facilities .
Canadian boaters recently got riled up after a large yacht from the U.S. stopped in at one of the small outposts for supplies .
`` They wandered the dock , '' says Creek bitterly .
`` Three or four adults and the rest were teenagers with no social distancing , no masks , and went through the store as if they were just shopping at Walmart .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoy its marine parks and secluded coves , George Creek wants you to know : You are being watched .

Americans, Go Home: Canadians Track U.S. Boaters Sneaking Across The Border
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Goodnow/AFP via Getty Images Mark Goodnow/AFP via Getty Images
Canadians are typically seen as pretty friendly people, and until the coronavirus pandemic, most were happy to welcome Americans.
But when the coronavirus began to quickly spread in March, the U.S. and Canada shut their shared border to all nonessential traffic.
Since then, Canada's border patrol has effectively prevented caravans of Americans — and their RVs and their campers — from surging across the border as they normally do each summer.
But Americans can be crafty.
Some have managed to enter Canada by telling border patrol officers that they are on their way to Alaska. This is known as the "Alaska loophole."
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police fined several Americans who were hiking near Lake Louise in Alberta. Lake Louise is not on the way to Alaska.
Fed up, Canada announced last week that it is cracking down on Americans who apparently don't know which way is north.
The Americans are coming, the Americans are coming
Foreigners are also arriving by boat, often on sailboats and luxury yachts. Many seek refuge in British Columbia's protected inland waters and marine parks, which are home to pods of killer whales and abundant wildlife.
But the number of American pleasure craft arriving from Washington state has alarmed Canadians living just across the border.
For George Creek, a former insurance agent, whose home overlooks Nanaimo Harbor in British Columbia, it has been a call to action.
"A number of us that are retired boaters and still members of the Council of BC Yacht Clubs started looking at the number of American boats that were crossing our border, in spite of the prohibition by the federal government," says Creek, president of BC Marine Parks Forever.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Barbara Creek/George Creek Barbara Creek/George Creek
And they can do so from their living rooms.
Under international maritime law, every passenger ship must be equipped with an automatic identification system that is to remain on at all times. This allows for tracking ships in real time and helps prevent collisions in fog and bad weather.
Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can click to see what kind of vessels are sailing, where they've recently been and which country they are from.
And plenty are from the United States.
Creek estimates that right now some 30 to 40 American pleasure boats are cruising through British Columbia's pristine waterways.
Lately, however, many have gone dark. Creek says that the Americans have figured out that they are being tracked through their transponders.
"They're turning them off as they cross the border," says Creek. "We see them on the computer, and at a particular point a few minutes later, they're not there anymore."
The maritime posse of retirees knows the boats didn't suddenly turn around, or sink. That's because Canadian boaters up and down the inland coast call and radio in the location of suspicious vessels, i.e., American boats. They report sightings to the RCMP's marine division, though it's unclear if any arrests have been made.
"The biggest petri dish in the world"
American yachts sneaking across the border makes Creek, and a lot of other Canadians, angry.
There is widespread alarm at how fast the coronavirus has spread through the Lower 48 and what many Canadians view as Americans' flagrant disregard for mask wearing and maintaining a safe social distance.
A poll conducted by Nanos Research found that eight in 10 Canadians want the border to remain closed to nonessential U.S. traffic because of fears of the coronavirus.
"When I called the U.S. the biggest petri dish in the world, that was not just off the cuff," says Creek.
Creek is particularly concerned about the tiny isolated communities, such as Refuge Cove on Desolation Sound, where boaters stop for fuel and food. Many are home to First Nations people and have no medical facilities.
Canadian boaters recently got riled up after a large yacht from the U.S. stopped at one of the small outposts for supplies.
"They wandered the dock," says Creek bitterly. "Three or four adults and the rest were teenagers with no social distancing, no masks, and went through the store as if they were just shopping at Walmart."
To boaters sneaking into Canada to enjoy its marine parks and secluded coves, George Creek wants you to know: You are being watched.


npr--2020-08-02--Washington Farmworkers Ask State Supreme Court For Overtime Pay

For Ana , a farmworker , that means long days bent nearly doubled over to snap ripe strawberries from low bushes .
`` You have to lean over a lot to pick strawberries , so of course everything hurts — your legs , your back — everything , '' she said in an interview in Spanish .
Ana moved to the U.S. from Mexico nearly 20 years ago .
She asked that we not use her last name because she 's undocumented .
Coronavirus cases in farm country have focused new attention on essential workers there , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is overtime .
In most states , farm owners do n't have to pay overtime to their employees .
Now , a case before the Washington State Supreme Court could change that .
Ana said she works at least 70 hours a week to support her five kids .
She 's paid by the pound or Washington 's minimum wage — $ 13.50 per hour — whichever is more .
`` I have a big family , and I spend everything I make on things my children need , '' she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ protections , but they excluded farmworkers .
And most states , like Washington , copied that rule when they wrote state labor laws .
farmworkers are challenging that exclusion in the state 's Supreme Court .
`` It 's an injustice that 's been on the books for a very long time , '' said Lori Isley , the lawyer who argued on behalf of the workers .
Isley said , back in the 1930s , agriculture was one of the few jobs available to black people in the South .
And Southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as long as they did n't cover farmworkers .
`` If we establish here in Washington state that these exclusions are informed by their racist origins , '' Isley said , `` advocates and farmworkers in other states would be able to bring similar challenges where they are . ''
In the past couple of years , lawmakers in California and New York have mandated that farmers pay overtime to their employees .
But Washington would be the first state to extend overtime to farmworkers through the courts .
Then its approximately 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get overtime .
`` To say that these laws were created with these racial undertones is detracting from the issue at hand , '' said Bre Elsey , with the Washington State Farm Bureau .
Elsey said , when the state passed its labor laws in the late 1950s , the majority of farmworkers here were white .
She said the issue at hand is the nature of farming .
`` Agriculture is an inherently unpredictable industry , '' she said .
`` You know , it does n't really fit into this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elsey said farmers are worried that the Court could award three years of retroactive overtime pay .
That would leave many of them `` kind of looking bankruptcy straight in the eyes right now , '' she said .
If he had to start paying overtime , fifth-generation hops farmer Brad Carpenter said he 'd be hemorrhaging cash until he could renegotiate his contracts with brewers and charge more for his hops .
`` It does n't only put a burden on us , '' Carpenter said , `` but it puts a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the way through to the market . ''
The costs being passed along would eventually mean beer drinkers could end up paying more at stores and bars as well .
During harvest , the Carpenter family farm employs 300 to 400 people , who work 70 or more hours a week to get hops off the vine at just the right time .
`` Once you get behind , you 're in trouble , '' Carpenter said , `` and you almost have to just say , 'OK , I missed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variety .
I 've got to go to the next variety . '
'' The importance and difficulty of getting the harvest in on time are things Ana , back in the Skagit Valley , understands well .
That 's why she wants to be paid more for her work , which , during the pandemic , is deemed essential .
`` I hope they can raise farmworkers ' wages , '' she said , `` because working in the fields is really hard . ''
Ana said she would n't even mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Washington Farmworkers Ask State Supreme Court For Overtime Pay
Enlarge this image toggle caption Elaine Thompson / AP Elaine Thompson / AP
It's strawberry season in northwest Washington's Skagit Valley.
For Ana, a farmworker, that means long days bent nearly doubled over to snap ripe strawberries from low bushes.
"You have to lean over a lot to pick strawberries, so of course everything hurts — your legs, your back — everything," she said in an interview in Spanish.
Ana moved to the U.S. from Mexico nearly 20 years ago. She asked that we not use her last name because she's undocumented.
Coronavirus cases in farm country have focused new attention on essential workers there, as well as the food supply chain. One issue is overtime. In most states, farm owners don't have to pay overtime to their employees. Now, a case before the Washington State Supreme Court could change that.
Ana said she works at least 70 hours a week to support her five kids.
She's paid by the pound or Washington's minimum wage — $13.50 per hour — whichever is more.
"I have a big family, and I spend everything I make on things my children need," she said.
In 1938, federal lawmakers created overtime protections, but they excluded farmworkers. And most states, like Washington, copied that rule when they wrote state labor laws. farmworkers are challenging that exclusion in the state's Supreme Court.
"It's an injustice that's been on the books for a very long time," said Lori Isley, the lawyer who argued on behalf of the workers.
Isley said, back in the 1930s, agriculture was one of the few jobs available to black people in the South. And Southern Democrats agreed to vote for worker protections as long as they didn't cover farmworkers.
"If we establish here in Washington state that these exclusions are informed by their racist origins," Isley said, "advocates and farmworkers in other states would be able to bring similar challenges where they are."
The nature of farming
In the past couple of years, lawmakers in California and New York have mandated that farmers pay overtime to their employees. But Washington would be the first state to extend overtime to farmworkers through the courts. Then its approximately 100,000 farmworkers, including undocumented workers, would get overtime.
"To say that these laws were created with these racial undertones is detracting from the issue at hand," said Bre Elsey, with the Washington State Farm Bureau.
Elsey said, when the state passed its labor laws in the late 1950s, the majority of farmworkers here were white.
She said the issue at hand is the nature of farming.
"Agriculture is an inherently unpredictable industry," she said. "You know, it doesn't really fit into this 9 to 5 employment box."
Elsey said farmers are worried that the Court could award three years of retroactive overtime pay.
That would leave many of them "kind of looking bankruptcy straight in the eyes right now," she said.
If he had to start paying overtime, fifth-generation hops farmer Brad Carpenter said he'd be hemorrhaging cash until he could renegotiate his contracts with brewers and charge more for his hops.
"It doesn't only put a burden on us," Carpenter said, "but it puts a burden on everyone in the system, all the way through to the market." The costs being passed along would eventually mean beer drinkers could end up paying more at stores and bars as well.
During harvest, the Carpenter family farm employs 300 to 400 people, who work 70 or more hours a week to get hops off the vine at just the right time.
"Once you get behind, you're in trouble," Carpenter said, "and you almost have to just say, 'OK, I missed out on these last 100 acres of whatever variety. I've got to go to the next variety.'"
The importance and difficulty of getting the harvest in on time are things Ana, back in the Skagit Valley, understands well. That's why she wants to be paid more for her work, which, during the pandemic, is deemed essential.
"I hope they can raise farmworkers' wages," she said, "because working in the fields is really hard."
Ana said she wouldn't even mind paying a little more for food herself.


npr--2020-08-02--George Floyd's Death And Years Of Dialogue Are Helping The Dutch Disown Black Pete

George Floyd 's Death And Years Of Dialogue Are Helping The Dutch Disown Black Pete The Dutch Sinterklaas differs from Santa Claus in a few key respects .
His physique is slimmer ( less paunch under the white beard ) , he resides not in the North Pole but in Madrid — and instead of driving a reindeer-powered sled , he travels by boat to Dutch shores to deliver presents .
And instead of relying on helper elves , Sinterklaas is assisted by a character known as Zwarte Piet or Black Pete — traditionally depicted by white people wearing blackface @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After long defending the character and even admitting to painting his own face black in the past , Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced in June that his views on Black Pete had changed .
Though he stopped short of calling for a ban , he said that societal pressure would soon force the character to retire .
He also admitted that there are `` systemic problems '' with racism in the Netherlands .
Rutte 's announcement came in the wake of George Floyd 's killing by Minnesota police , as large crowds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other Dutch cities to demonstrate against racial injustice .
For Jerry Afriyie , who leads an Amsterdam-based advocacy organization called Kick Out Zwarte Piet , Rutte 's words were long overdue .
Getting others to understand Black Pete as racist has been his mission for a decade .
Over the years , for his stance against Black Pete , Afriyie has been pelted with beer cans and bananas and targeted with death threats .
Last November in The Hague , a group of masked men armed with baseball bats and fireworks tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afriyie and fellow activists .
Still , Afriyie ( whose middle names are Luther and King ) is committed to dialogue .
Every Sinterklaas season , he leaves his home in Amsterdam and travels to Dutch cities and towns where Black Pete is still publicly celebrated to try to build consensus on admitting that Black Pete is racist .
`` You talk and talk and talk and talk until you reach consensus '' Last year , committees in several Dutch cities agreed that Black Pete should not appear in their city 's Sinterklaas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smaller towns affirmed the opposite : Black Pete would be welcome in their parades and school plays .
Many of Afriyie 's fellow activists have told him that achieving consensus on the issue of Black Pete is impossible ; the country is too divided .
But building consensus has a unique place in Dutch politics and society .
Some scholars say the Dutch value placed on collective action is engineered into the landscape .
Much of the Netherlands would be underwater if not for a system of dikes that protects the country from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' of consensus-building takes its name from the Dutch word for land below sea level that used to be seafloor .
Former Prime Minister Wim Kok used his polder consensus-building skills to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001 , making the Netherlands the first country in the world to do so .
Amma Asante , a former member of Parliament and the only woman of color to serve during her term , says the polder model means `` you talk and talk and talk and talk until you reach consensus , '' and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to lay aside our strongest convictions of how things should be done or how the world should look like . ''
Black Pete attained prominence in the 1850s , around the time when minstrel shows became popular in the United States .
The Netherlands banned slavery in its colonies in 1863 , but prior to that , some wealthy families brought enslaved people from those colonies to work in their Amsterdam homes .
The original costume of Black Pete , with colorful , satiny sleeves , mimicked the way the families would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , defenders of the tradition often claim that Black Pete is simply `` dirty '' from coming down the chimney — he is n't even Black .
Afriyie always saw the chimney explanation as a way to silence Black perspectives .
He , Asante and many other Black Dutch citizens have been called `` Black Pete '' as an insult .
`` What the country tells you is 'Try to unsee it , ' `` Afriyie says .
`` Like what you are seeing is not true . ''
But he came to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might in fact offer a solution .
He started to suggest replacing Black Pete with a new character called Chimney Pete , with just a smudge of soot on his face — someone like Bert the chimney sweep in Mary Poppins .
Defenders of Black Pete hated this idea .
Blackface was the tradition , they argued .
But many Afro-Dutch thinkers objected as well .
Gloria Wekker , author of White Innocence : Paradoxes of Colonialism and Race , says Chimney Pete was `` a surface solution . ''
Soot or blackface @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Chimney Pete has caught on .
In cities where Black Pete has been banned from Sinterklaas parades , Chimney Pete has taken his place .
This November , the boat carrying Sinterklaas will once again arrive at Dutch shores , accompanied by an entourage of Chimney Petes .
Asante admits she was doubtful that consensus-building could work when it came to racism , and she was surprised when she saw large crowds gather in the Netherlands this spring in support of the Black Lives Matter movement .
If not for all those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in dialogue about Black Pete , she wondered if the killing of George Floyd would have started a conversation about racism in the Netherlands .
`` There 's quite a risk that we could have said , 'Oh , that 's in the United States .
That 's not us , ' `` she says .
`` And now there 's no denial anymore . ''

George Floyd's Death And Years Of Dialogue Are Helping The Dutch Disown Black Pete
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bas Czerwinski/AFP via Getty Images Bas Czerwinski/AFP via Getty Images
The Dutch Sinterklaas differs from Santa Claus in a few key respects. His physique is slimmer (less paunch under the white beard), he resides not in the North Pole but in Madrid — and instead of driving a reindeer-powered sled, he travels by boat to Dutch shores to deliver presents.
And instead of relying on helper elves, Sinterklaas is assisted by a character known as Zwarte Piet or Black Pete — traditionally depicted by white people wearing blackface, Afro wigs and red lipstick.
After long defending the character and even admitting to painting his own face black in the past, Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced in June that his views on Black Pete had changed. Though he stopped short of calling for a ban, he said that societal pressure would soon force the character to retire. He also admitted that there are "systemic problems" with racism in the Netherlands.
Rutte's announcement came in the wake of George Floyd's killing by Minnesota police, as large crowds of protesters took to the streets of Amsterdam and other Dutch cities to demonstrate against racial injustice.
For Jerry Afriyie, who leads an Amsterdam-based advocacy organization called Kick Out Zwarte Piet, Rutte's words were long overdue. Getting others to understand Black Pete as racist has been his mission for a decade.
Over the years, for his stance against Black Pete, Afriyie has been pelted with beer cans and bananas and targeted with death threats. Last November in The Hague, a group of masked men armed with baseball bats and fireworks tried to break up a peaceful meeting between Afriyie and fellow activists.
toggle caption Robin Utrecht/ANP/AFP via Getty Images
Still, Afriyie (whose middle names are Luther and King) is committed to dialogue. Every Sinterklaas season, he leaves his home in Amsterdam and travels to Dutch cities and towns where Black Pete is still publicly celebrated to try to build consensus on admitting that Black Pete is racist.
"You talk and talk and talk and talk until you reach consensus"
Last year, committees in several Dutch cities agreed that Black Pete should not appear in their city's Sinterklaas parades, but more than a dozen smaller towns affirmed the opposite: Black Pete would be welcome in their parades and school plays.
Many of Afriyie's fellow activists have told him that achieving consensus on the issue of Black Pete is impossible; the country is too divided. But building consensus has a unique place in Dutch politics and society.
Some scholars say the Dutch value placed on collective action is engineered into the landscape. Much of the Netherlands would be underwater if not for a system of dikes that protects the country from flooding. The Dutch "polder model" of consensus-building takes its name from the Dutch word for land below sea level that used to be seafloor.
Former Prime Minister Wim Kok used his polder consensus-building skills to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001, making the Netherlands the first country in the world to do so.
Amma Asante, a former member of Parliament and the only woman of color to serve during her term, says the polder model means "you talk and talk and talk and talk until you reach consensus," and it "works the best when we are able to lay aside our strongest convictions of how things should be done or how the world should look like."
From Black Pete to Chimney Pete?
Black Pete attained prominence in the 1850s, around the time when minstrel shows became popular in the United States. The Netherlands banned slavery in its colonies in 1863, but prior to that, some wealthy families brought enslaved people from those colonies to work in their Amsterdam homes. The original costume of Black Pete, with colorful, satiny sleeves, mimicked the way the families would dress enslaved Black children.
And yet, defenders of the tradition often claim that Black Pete is simply "dirty" from coming down the chimney — he isn't even Black.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Peter Dejong/AP Peter Dejong/AP
Afriyie always saw the chimney explanation as a way to silence Black perspectives. He, Asante and many other Black Dutch citizens have been called "Black Pete" as an insult.
"What the country tells you is 'Try to unsee it,' " Afriyie says. "Like what you are seeing is not true."
But he came to wonder if this denial of the problem might in fact offer a solution. He started to suggest replacing Black Pete with a new character called Chimney Pete, with just a smudge of soot on his face — someone like Bert the chimney sweep in Mary Poppins.
Defenders of Black Pete hated this idea. Blackface was the tradition, they argued. But many Afro-Dutch thinkers objected as well. Gloria Wekker, author of White Innocence: Paradoxes of Colonialism and Race, says Chimney Pete was "a surface solution." Soot or blackface, the tradition itself was tainted.
But Chimney Pete has caught on. In cities where Black Pete has been banned from Sinterklaas parades, Chimney Pete has taken his place. This November, the boat carrying Sinterklaas will once again arrive at Dutch shores, accompanied by an entourage of Chimney Petes.
Asante admits she was doubtful that consensus-building could work when it came to racism, and she was surprised when she saw large crowds gather in the Netherlands this spring in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. If not for all those years of "poldering" and engaging in dialogue about Black Pete, she wondered if the killing of George Floyd would have started a conversation about racism in the Netherlands.
"There's quite a risk that we could have said, 'Oh, that's in the United States. That's not us,' " she says. "And now there's no denial anymore."


npr--2020-08-02--Melania Trump To Oversee "Renewal" Of White House Rose Garden

There are many rose gardens but in Washington , D.C. at least , there is only one capital-R capital-G Rose Garden .
`` It 's one of the few spaces at the White House that I think most Americans know , both by name and by sight , says Stewart McLaurin , president of the White House Historical Association .
`` You say 'the Rose Garden at the White House , ' and it brings back presidential daughters weddings and state dinners . ''
The Trump administration announced that it is undertaking a `` significant renewal '' of the Rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wing of the White House .
The work is expected to be completed later this summer .
The project is being overseen by First Lady Melania Trump , much as one of her predecessors , Jackie Kennedy , helped design the garden as it exists today .
`` The very act of planting a garden involves hard work and hope in the possibility of a bright future , '' Melania Trump said in announcing the work .
McLaurin says President John F. Kennedy wanted `` an outdoor room to the White House where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ familiar to us now . ''
At the time of the initial design in 1961 , there were flowers as well as vegetables in the space .
`` President Kennedy was the first to envision that row of steps that we are now familiar with , where the president will come out of the Oval Office and address people or participate in a ceremony , '' McLaurin says .
There had been other gardens at the site , at least as far back as President Theodore Roosevelt .
First Lady Edith Wilson reworked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy became president , McLaurin says , he called on a family friend , Rachel Lambert `` Bunny '' Mellon , to help with the design .
`` They pirated some saucer magnolias from down by the Jefferson Memorial and brought those to the White House .
It 's just become a wonderful space . ''
McLaurin says there have been eight state dinners in the Rose Garden since the Johnson Administration .
The most recent state dinner was hosted by President Trump for his Australian counterpart .
Trump has made frequent use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 briefings and news conferences .
He is said to favor the outdoor lighting .
Chapman University political science professor Lori Cox Han , who has written about women and politics , says the Rose Garden project is a chance for the White House to highlight Melania Trump 's role .
`` This is an opportunity for her to do something that 's very traditional for a first lady , because Rose Gardens really are connected to first ladies , probably , maybe even more than how presidents use them , Cox Han @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her to to get some attention for something that is probably mostly uncontroversial — although where the Trump presidency is concerned , everything seems to have some controversy , depending on who you 're talking to . ''
One goal for the renovation Melania Trump is overseeing includes making the garden compliant with the Americans with Disabilities act .
There will be drainage improvements , and new lighting , as well as better connections for broadcast coverage of events there .
New walkways will be added , with some subtractions , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trees .
The White House also says there will be some new plantings as well , including more roses .

Melania Trump To Oversee 'Renewal' Of White House Rose Garden
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
There are many rose gardens, but in Washington, D.C., at least, there is only one capital-R capital-G Rose Garden.
"It's one of the few spaces at the White House that I think most Americans know, both by name and by sight," says Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association."You say 'the Rose Garden at the White House,' and it brings back presidential daughter's weddings and state dinners."
The Trump administration announced that it is undertaking a "significant renewal" of the Rose Garden, just outside of the West Wing of the White House.
The work is being funded by private donations and is expected to be completed later this summer. The project is being overseen by First Lady Melania Trump, much as one of her predecessors, Jackie Kennedy, helped design the garden as it exists today.
"The very act of planting a garden involves hard work and hope in the possibility of a bright future," Melania Trump said in announcing the work.
Beloved outdoor venue
McLaurin says President John F. Kennedy wanted "an outdoor room to the White House where he could have events which are very familiar to us now."
At the time of the initial design in 1961, there were flowers as well as vegetables in the space.
"President Kennedy was the first to envision that row of steps that we are now familiar with, where the president will come out of the Oval Office and address people or participate in a ceremony," McLaurin says.
There had been other gardens at the site, at least as far back as President Theodore Roosevelt. First Lady Edith Wilson reworked the site to include roses.
When Kennedy became president, McLaurin says, he called on a family friend, Rachel Lambert "Bunny" Mellon, to help with the design.
"They pirated some saucer magnolias from down by the Jefferson Memorial and brought those to the White House. It's just become a wonderful space."
McLaurin says there have been eight state dinners in the Rose Garden since the Johnson administration.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
The most recent state dinner was hosted by President Trump for his Australian counterpart. Trump has made frequent use of the garden for bill signings, COVID-19 briefings and news conferences. He is said to favor the outdoor lighting.
Chapman University political science professor Lori Cox Han, who has written about women and politics, says the Rose Garden project is a chance for the White House to highlight Melania Trump's role.
"This is an opportunity for her to do something that's very traditional for a first lady, because Rose Gardens really are connected to first ladies, probably, maybe even more than how presidents use them," Cox Han says.
"This is an opportunity for her to get some attention for something that is probably mostly uncontroversial — although where the Trump presidency is concerned, everything seems to have some controversy, depending on who you're talking to."
One goal for the renovation Melania Trump is overseeing includes making the garden compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. There will be drainage improvements and new lighting, as well as better connections for broadcast coverage of events there.
New walkways will be added, with some subtractions, as well, including a row of crabapple trees. The White House also says there will be some new plantings as well, including more roses.


npr--2020-08-02--DHS Reassigns Official Following Intelligence Reports On Journalists, Protesters

DHS Reassigns Official Following Intelligence Reports On Journalists , Protesters The Department of Homeland Security has reassigned its top intelligence official , according to media outlets , following news that his office compiled intelligence reports on journalists and protesters in Portland , Ore. Brian Murphy , who has been the acting undersecretary for the department 's Office of Intelligence and Analysis , was removed from the position , according to the Washington Post , which was first to report the news .
In the days leading up to Murphy 's removal , The Post broke news that the DHS had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to federal law enforcement agencies .
The publication says the reports describe tweets from two journalists — a reporter for The New York Times and the top editor of the blog Lawfare — `` noting they had published leaked , unclassified documents about DHS operations in Portland . ''
Murphy has reportedly been moved to an administrative support role within the department 's management directorate .
The call for Murphy 's removal was made by acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf on Friday , who , following the Post 's revelations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the press and ordered an investigation into its proceedings .
In another intelligence report , according to the newspaper , the DHS had tracked and documented exchanges between protestors found on the Telegram messaging app .
Murphy had previously denied his office had access to protesters ' devices and messages , according to the Post .
House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff issued a statement Saturday saying the committee had been conducting an investigation into Murphy and the Office of Intelligence and Analysis for more than two weeks before the reassignment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are concerned that Murphy may have provided incomplete and potentially misleading information to Committee staff during our recent oversight engagement , and that the Department of Homeland Security and I & A are now delaying or withholding underlying intelligence products , legal memoranda , and other records requested by the Committee that could shed light on these actions , '' Schiff said .
He added that his committee would be `` expanding '' its oversight in the coming days .
Murphy 's removal fuels criticism around the DHS , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its use of federal officers at Portland protests .
Agents from various departments within Homeland Security were deployed to the city to protect federal property during the ongoing protests for racial justice sparked by the police killing of George Floyd .
The federal agents have clashed with protesters .
Earlier in July , Homeland Security Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli acknowledged that federal agents had used unmarked vehicles to pick up people in Portland .
He said the action was meant to keep officers safe and away from crowds .
He later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House Judiciary Committee that his office would be investigating allegations that law enforcement officers from his agency `` improperly detained and transported protesters . ''
On July 23 , U.S. District Judge Michael Simon issued a restraining order Thursday preventing federal agents from `` arresting , threatening to arrest , or using physical force '' directed at anyone they know to be a journalist or legal observer , unless they have probable cause to believe they have committed a crime .

DHS Reassigns Official Following Intelligence Reports On Journalists, Protesters
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nathan Howard/Getty Images Nathan Howard/Getty Images
The Department of Homeland Security has reassigned its top intelligence official, according to media outlets, following news that his office compiled intelligence reports on journalists and protesters in Portland, Ore.
Brian Murphy, who had been the acting undersecretary for the department's Office of Intelligence and Analysis, was removed from that position, according to The Washington Post, which was first to report the news.
In the days leading up to Murphy's removal, the Post broke news that the DHS had circulated three "Open Source Intelligence Reports" to federal law enforcement agencies. The newspaper says the reports describe tweets from two journalists — a reporter for The New York Times and the top editor of the blog Lawfare — "noting they had published leaked, unclassified documents about DHS operations in Portland."
Murphy has reportedly been moved to an administrative support role within the department's management directorate.
The call for Murphy's removal was made on Friday by the acting secretary of homeland security, Chad Wolf, who, following the Post's revelations, instructed the office to stop collecting information on the press and ordered an investigation into its proceedings.
Another intelligence report, according to the newspaper, showed that the DHS had tracked and documented exchanges among protesters found on the Telegram messaging app.
Murphy had previously denied that his office had access to protesters' devices and messages, according to the Post.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff issued a statement Saturday saying the committee had been conducting an investigation into Murphy and the Office of Intelligence and Analysis for more than two weeks before the reassignment.
"In light of recent public reports, we are concerned that Murphy may have provided incomplete and potentially misleading information to Committee staff during our recent oversight engagement, and that the Department of Homeland Security and I&A are now delaying or withholding underlying intelligence products, legal memoranda, and other records requested by the Committee that could shed light on these actions," Schiff said.
He added that his committee would be "expanding" its oversight in the coming days.
Murphy's removal fuels criticism around the DHS, which has been under heavy scrutiny in recent weeks for its use of federal officers at Portland protests. Agents from various divisions within the department were deployed to the city to protect federal property during the ongoing protests for racial justice sparked by the police killing of George Floyd.
The federal agents have clashed with protesters. In July, the acting deputy secretary of homeland security, Ken Cuccinelli, acknowledged that federal agents had used unmarked vehicles to pick up people in Portland. He said the action was meant to keep officers safe and away from crowds. He later said in a letter to Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee that his office would be investigating allegations that law enforcement officers from his agency "improperly detained and transported protesters."
On July 23, U.S. District Judge Michael Simon issued a restraining order preventing federal agents from "arresting, threatening to arrest, or using physical force directed against" anyone they know to be a journalist or legal observer, unless they have probable cause to believe the person has committed a crime.


npr--2020-08-02--Not Flying This Summer? Many Americans Are Hitting The Road — In RVs

Not Flying This Summer ?
Many Americans Are Hitting The Road — In RVs Amy Holditch is n't the kind of woman to let fear dictate her life .
`` No , she 's not , '' says her mom , 73-year-old Sandra Gillis .
`` She pretty much gets her mind on something , then it 's probably going to happen . ''
So when the coronavirus cancelled her family trip to Hawaii , she did n't postpone the trip with her mom and 12-year-old son for another year .
`` I just kind of jumped off the cliff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a recreational vehicle , or RV , to rent even though she had never driven anything larger than an SUV — not even a van or U-Haul .
And she set about mapping a route from Madison , Ala. to Cape Cod , Mass .
The summer vacation , an annual rite for so many , is not an easy thing to give up , even during a pandemic .
Families long-accustomed to getting out of their houses each summer yearn to get away , but not if it means being exposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or even the elevator in a hotel .
Cruises are definitely out , but cruising the highway in what is essentially a land boat ?
There will be a lot of new RV drivers pulling-in to campgrounds this summer .
The peer-to-peer renting web site RVshare says it is seeing three times the amount of bookings this summer compared to last summer .
CEO Jon Gray says people wanting to avoid shared spaces are giving it a go .
`` People can bring the bathroom with them .
They can bring their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of control that has always existed in RV travel is even more of a premium this year . ''
Plus , with gas prices down , it 's more affordable than it 's been in years .
Gray says the cost of renting an RV runs from around $ 50 a night for a popup camper to $ 1,000 a night , depending on size and level of luxury .
But he says for most , he says the cost averages $ 1,000 a week .
A skin care specialist who sets her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more things on her own since she and her husband separated a couple years ago .
`` And so there was a little bit of uncertainty , of doing it myself , but I 've always been able to do it myself before , '' Holditch says .
`` For the most part .
And , you know , I struggle sometimes .
But , I think I can do it .
I feel confident in my driving skills .
I 'm a good driver . ''
Though , she admits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 32-foot house on wheels on the New Jersey Turnpike .
The first hurdle to overcome is learning everything she needs to know about how the RV works , which she does before setting off on the journey .
First , there 's all the indoor stuff : how the benches turn into beds , when to hook up to electricity , when to use the generator , how to turn on the generator .
Not to mention all the outside stuff , like power and water hookup , and the all-important sewage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remember , and it takes the RV owner two hours to show her everything .
Duncan and her mom have maxed out by this point and it 's up to Holditch to remember how to use the blocks and pads to level the vehicle when they park in the campgrounds at night .
For anyone interested in renting an RV , there is one additional level of difficulty this summer : making sure the place you 're going is actually open .
`` It 's even more important that you 're doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a spokesperson for the American Automobile Association .
`` You want to plan your trip from point A to point B , not just to know how you 're going to get there , but where and when you 're going to make stops .
You want to know that when you get off at the next exit , things are open . ''
It 's also important to know if you 're travelling to any state that will require you to quarantine once you get there .
`` Do as much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you can enjoy your trip and relieve any anxiety you have before you get there , '' Casellano says .
If things go well , the thousands of people trying out the RV life this summer , might decide to stretch it out into the fall .
With more people working from home , and schools deciding to offer virtual learning for students , life on the road could become regular life .

Not Flying This Summer? Many Americans Are Hitting The Road — In RVs
Enlarge this image toggle caption Russell Lewis/NPR Russell Lewis/NPR
Amy Holditch isn't the kind of woman to let fear dictate her life.
"No, she's not," says her mom, 73-year-old Sandra Gillis. "She pretty much gets her mind on something, then it's probably going to happen."
So when the coronavirus cancelled her family trip to Hawaii, she didn't postpone the trip with her mom and 12-year-old son for another year.
"I just kind of jumped off the cliff and did it."
She found a recreational vehicle, or RV, to rent even though she had never driven anything larger than an SUV — not even a van or U-Haul. And she set about mapping a route from Madison, Ala. to Cape Cod, Mass.
The summer vacation, an annual rite for so many, is not an easy thing to give up, even during a pandemic.
Families long-accustomed to getting out of their houses each summer yearn to get away, but not if it means being exposed to the coronavirus in an airplane, restaurant, or even the elevator in a hotel. Cruises are definitely out, but cruising the highway in what is essentially a land boat?
toggle caption Russell Lewis/NPR
There will be a lot of new RV drivers pulling-in to campgrounds this summer. The peer-to-peer renting web site RVshare says it is seeing three times the amount of bookings this summer compared to last summer. CEO Jon Gray says people wanting to avoid shared spaces are giving it a go.
"People can bring the bathroom with them. They can bring their kitchen with them. And that premium of control that has always existed in RV travel is even more of a premium this year."
Plus, with gas prices down, it's more affordable than it's been in years. Gray says the cost of renting an RV runs from around $50 a night for a popup camper to $1,000 a night, depending on size and level of luxury. But he says for most, he says the cost averages $1,000 a week.
A skin care specialist who sets her own hours, she's conquering more and more things on her own since she and her husband separated a couple years ago.
"And so there was a little bit of uncertainty, of doing it myself, but I've always been able to do it myself before," Holditch says. "For the most part. And, you know, I struggle sometimes. But, I think I can do it. I feel confident in my driving skills. I'm a good driver."
Though, she admits, she is a bit nervous about driving the 32-foot house on wheels on the New Jersey Turnpike.
The first hurdle to overcome is learning everything she needs to know about how the RV works, which she does before setting off on the journey.
toggle caption Russell Lewis/NPR
First, there's all the indoor stuff: how the benches turn into beds, when to hook up to electricity, when to use the generator, how to turn on the generator. Not to mention all the outside stuff, like power and water hookup, and the all-important sewage dumping protocol.
It's a lot to remember, and it takes the RV owner two hours to show her everything. Duncan and her mom have maxed out by this point and it's up to Holditch to remember how to use the blocks and pads to level the vehicle when they park in the campgrounds at night.
For anyone interested in renting an RV, there is one additional level of difficulty this summer: making sure the place you're going is actually open.
"It's even more important that you're doing your research," says Jeanette Casellano, a spokesperson for the American Automobile Association.
toggle caption Russell Lewis/NPR
"You want to plan your trip from point A to point B, not just to know how you're going to get there, but where and when you're going to make stops. You want to know that when you get off at the next exit, things are open."
It's also important to know if you're travelling to any state that will require you to quarantine once you get there.
"Do as much research as you possibly can, so that you can enjoy your trip and relieve any anxiety you have before you get there," Casellano says.
If things go well, the thousands of people trying out the RV life this summer, might decide to stretch it out into the fall. With more people working from home, and schools deciding to offer virtual learning for students, life on the road could become regular life.


npr--2020-08-02--'Cocoon' Actor Wilford Brimley Dies At 85

Wilford Brimley , the mustached actor known for Cocoon , The Natural and The Firm , has died .
He was 85 .
The actor died Saturday morning at a Utah hospital , according to his manager , Lynda Bensky .
He was on dialysis and had several medical issues .
`` Wilford Brimley was a man you could trust , '' Bensky said .
`` He said what he meant and he meant what he said .
He had a gruff exterior and a tender heart .
I 'm sad that I will no longer get to hear my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of a kind . ''
He was born in Salt Lake City , Utah on September 27 , 1934 .
Brimley is best known for his role in Cocoon , where he was one of a group of older adults who discover aliens and gain youthful rejuvenation from them .
The film won two Academy Awards , and Brimley returned for a 1988 sequel .
On the small screen , Brimley was also known for his work as the Quaker Oats spokesman in a series of commercials in the '80s and '90s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mellitus in 1979 and has worked to raise awareness for the disease .
He became a beloved Internet meme after appearing in a Liberty Mutual ad because of his pronunciation of diabetes .
The video earned him the name `` diabeetus '' guy , a moniker he has personally accepted in a tweet .
Brimley was also a talented singer and musician , and has released several albums including `` This Time , the Dream 's On Me , '' and `` Wilford Brimley with the Jeff Hamilton Trio . ''
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actor broke out a harmonica to play a rendition of `` Oh , Susannah '' He is survived by his wife Beverly and three sons .

'Cocoon' Actor Wilford Brimley Dies At 85
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bryan Bedder/Getty Images Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
Wilford Brimley, the mustached actor known for Cocoon, The Natural and The Firm, has died. He was 85.
The actor died Saturday morning at a Utah hospital, according to his manager, Lynda Bensky. He was on dialysis and had several medical issues.
"Wilford Brimley was a man you could trust," Bensky said. "He said what he meant and he meant what he said. He had a gruff exterior and a tender heart. I'm sad that I will no longer get to hear my friend's wonderful stories. He was one of a kind."
He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 27, 1934. Brimley is best known for his role in Cocoon, where he was one of a group of older adults who discover aliens and gain youthful rejuvenation from them. The film won two Academy Awards, and Brimley returned for a 1988 sequel.
On the small screen, Brimley was also known for his work as the Quaker Oats spokesman in a series of commercials in the '80s and '90s.
YouTube
The actor was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in 1979 and had worked to raise awareness of the disease. He became a beloved Internet meme after appearing in a Liberty Medical ad because of his pronunciation of diabetes. The video earned him the name "diabeetus" guy, a moniker he personally accepted in a tweet.
YouTube
Brimley was also a talented singer and musician, and has released several albums including "This Time, the Dream's On Me," and "Wilford Brimley with the Jeff Hamilton Trio." In a 2011 interview with Craig Ferguson, the actor broke out a harmonica to play a rendition of "Oh, Susannah"
He is survived by his wife Beverly and three sons.


npr--2020-08-02--Lord & Taylor, Oldest U.S. Department Store, Files For Bankruptcy

Lord & Taylor , the oldest U.S. department store chain , has joined the cascade of retailers tumbling into bankruptcy during the coronavirus pandemic .
Sunday 's filing comes less than a year after Lord & Taylor was acquired by an online clothing-rental startup called Le Tote .
Lord & Taylor had struggled to revive its relevance with shoppers for years .
Last year , San Francisco-based Le Tote bought it for $ 100 million from Canada 's Hudson 's Bay Co. , taking over its 38 locations and hoping to propel the venerable department store toward new , younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ havoc on brick-and-mortar retailers , combing with particular ruthlessness through flagging apparel stores .
As people spent months holed up at home , clothing sales collapsed .
Companies including the parent of Ann Taylor and Loft , J .
Crew , Neiman Marcus , J.C. Penney , Brooks Brothers and New York & Co. were among those turning to bankruptcy proceedings as a way to restructure and survive .
Now both Lord & Taylor and Le Tote join this list .
At almost 200 years old , Lord & Taylor is credited with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1950s and even inventing the department store window display in the 1930s , featuring bleached cornflakes for snowflakes .
Selling itself to a 7-year-old startup was the company 's last-ditch effort to bounce back .
Last year , before the sale to Le Tote , Lord & Taylor had closed its flagship store on Manhattan 's 5th Avenue and sold the iconic building to WeWork .

Lord & Taylor, Oldest U.S. Department Store, Files For Bankruptcy
Enlarge this image toggle caption Spencer Platt/Getty Images Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Lord & Taylor, the oldest U.S. department store chain, has joined the cascade of retailers tumbling into bankruptcy during the coronavirus pandemic. Sunday's filing comes less than a year after Lord & Taylor was acquired by an online clothing-rental startup called Le Tote.
Lord & Taylor had struggled to revive its relevance with shoppers for years. Last year, San Francisco-based Le Tote bought it for $100 million from Canada's Hudson's Bay Co., taking over its 38 locations and hoping to propel the venerable department store toward new, younger shoppers.
But the pandemic has wreaked havoc on brick-and-mortar retailers, combing with particular ruthlessness through flagging apparel stores. As people spent months holed up at home, clothing sales collapsed.
Companies including the parent of Ann Taylor and Loft, J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, J.C. Penney, Brooks Brothers and New York & Co. were among those turning to bankruptcy proceedings as a way to restructure and survive. Now both Lord & Taylor and Le Tote join this list.
At almost 200 years old, Lord & Taylor is credited with launching the first personal shoppers in the 1950s and even inventing the department store window display in the 1930s, featuring bleached cornflakes for snowflakes.
Selling itself to a 7-year-old startup was the company's last-ditch effort to bounce back. Last year, before the sale to Le Tote, Lord & Taylor had closed its flagship store on Manhattan's 5th Avenue and sold the iconic building to WeWork.


npr--2020-08-02--Microsoft Consults With Trump About Ongoing Talks To Buy TikTok From Chinese Firm

Microsoft Consults With Trump About Ongoing Talks To Buy TikTok From Chinese Firm Microsoft said Sunday it has discussed with President Trump its plan to acquire TikTok 's U.S. operations , just as the White House threatens to blacklist the hugely popular Chinese-owned app .
`` Following a conversation between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and President Donald J. Trump , Microsoft is prepared to continue discussions to explore a purchase of TikTok in the United States , '' the software giant said in a blog post .
It 's Microsoft 's first public acknowledgement that it 's in talks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be worth billions of dollars .
News of the talks first trickled out on Friday .
`` Microsoft fully appreciates the importance of addressing the President 's concerns .
It is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States , including the United States Treasury , '' Microsoft said .
An acquisition of TikTok would open up a vast user base of digitally savvy teens and 20-somethings for Microsoft , a $ 1.5 trillion company that owns Xbox , LinkedIn and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Windows software products .
It is unclear if such a deal would mollify the Trump administration , which has for weeks vowed to clamp down on the app over fears that TikTok 's Beijing-based parent company , ByteDance , could turn over personal data about American citizens to the Chinese Communist Party .
On Saturday , Trump told reporters he does not support an American company seizing control of TikTok 's U.S. assets , but Microsoft 's announcement on Sunday appears to indicate that the parties may have been able to hammer out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has been downloaded more than 180 million times in the U.S. , says it has never received a request from Chinese authorities and that the company would deny any such attempt to review the data of U.S. citizens .
But experts who study Chinese law say Beijing has broad powers to compel private companies to comply with government requests for information if any such request was sought .
TikTok has landed in the White House 's cross hairs amid a moment in which the Trump administration has turned up the heat on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country 's handling of the coronavirus outbreak .
But it has since morphed into a larger fight over the fear that China will attempt to grow its global reach by stealing technological and medical secrets from the U.S .
In its statement , Microsoft said it hopes to complete discussions about acquiring TikTok no later than Sept. 15 .
Microsoft is also looking to purchase TikTok 's service in Canada , Australia and New Zealand , the company said .
The possible merger has been relayed to the Committee on Foreign Investment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel that has been considering sanctions against TikTok and even challenging its 2017 acquisition of Musical.ly , a TikTok predecessor that had assembled a large American following and helped fuel TikTok 's rise in the U.S. Microsoft said it would ensure that the private data of TikTok users in the U.S. remains in America .
`` To the extent that any such data is currently stored or backed-up outside the United States , Microsoft would ensure that this data is deleted from servers outside the country after it is transferred , '' Microsoft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data on U.S. citizens is stored in China .
Instead , the company says it maintains servers in Virginia with backup storage in Singapore .
TikTok maintains that its ByteDance headquarters in Beijing does not have direct access to data linked to its U.S. users .
Some in the Trump administration remain skeptical about a deal .
Peter Navarro , Trump 's trade adviser , suggested on Fox News on Saturday that a Microsoft-TikTok merger would not resolve the administration 's national security concerns .
Microsoft , Navarro said , is the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Chinese government run on , '' he said .
`` Microsoft helped China build its great firewall that is used to surveil and monitor and censor and imprison sometimes , the Chinese people . ''

Microsoft Consults With Trump About Ongoing Talks To Buy TikTok From Chinese Firm
Enlarge this image toggle caption Elaine Thompson/AP Elaine Thompson/AP
Microsoft said Sunday it has discussed with President Trump its plan to acquire TikTok's U.S. operations, just as the White House threatens to blacklist the hugely popular Chinese-owned app.
"Following a conversation between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and President Donald J. Trump, Microsoft is prepared to continue discussions to explore a purchase of TikTok in the United States," the software giant said in a blog post.
It's Microsoft's first public acknowledgement that it's in talks to take over TikTok, a deal that could be worth billions of dollars. News of the talks first trickled out on Friday.
"Microsoft fully appreciates the importance of addressing the President's concerns. It is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury," Microsoft said.
An acquisition of TikTok would open up a vast user base of digitally savvy teens and 20-somethings for Microsoft, a $1.5 trillion company that owns Xbox, LinkedIn and Skype, in addition to its legacy Windows software products.
It is unclear if such a deal would mollify the Trump administration, which has for weeks vowed to clamp down on the app over fears that TikTok's Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, could turn over personal data about American citizens to the Chinese Communist Party.
On Saturday, Trump told reporters he does not support an American company seizing control of TikTok's U.S. assets, but Microsoft's announcement on Sunday appears to indicate that the parties may have been able to hammer out terms that placate Trump.
TikTok, which has been downloaded more than 180 million times in the U.S., says it has never received a request from Chinese authorities and that the company would deny any such attempt to review the data of U.S. citizens. But experts who study Chinese law say Beijing has broad powers to compel private companies to comply with government requests for information if any such request was sought.
TikTok has landed in the White House's cross hairs amid a moment in which the Trump administration has turned up the heat on China, at first over the the country's handling of the coronavirus outbreak. But it has since morphed into a larger fight over the fear that China will attempt to grow its global reach by stealing technological and medical secrets from the U.S.
In its statement, Microsoft said it hopes to complete discussions about acquiring TikTok no later than Sept. 15.
Microsoft is also looking to purchase TikTok's service in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the company said.
The possible merger has been relayed to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, a federal interagency panel that has been considering sanctions against TikTok and even challenging its 2017 acquisition of Musical.ly, a TikTok predecessor that had assembled a large American following and helped fuel TikTok's rise in the U.S.
Microsoft said it would ensure that the private data of TikTok users in the U.S. remains in America.
"To the extent that any such data is currently stored or backed-up outside the United States, Microsoft would ensure that this data is deleted from servers outside the country after it is transferred," Microsoft sad.
TikTok says none of its data on U.S. citizens is stored in China. Instead, the company says it maintains servers in Virginia with backup storage in Singapore.
TikTok maintains that its ByteDance headquarters in Beijing does not have direct access to data linked to its U.S. users.
Some in the Trump administration remain skeptical about a deal.
Peter Navarro, Trump's trade adviser, suggested on Fox News on Saturday that a Microsoft-TikTok merger would not resolve the administration's national security concerns.
Microsoft, Navarro said, is the "software that the People's Liberation Army and Chinese government run on," he said. "Microsoft helped China build its great firewall that is used to surveil and monitor and censor and imprison sometimes, the Chinese people."


npr--2020-08-02--Tropical Storm Isaias Grazes Florida En Route To The Carolinas

Tropical Storm Isaias skirted the east coast of Florida on Sunday and is now on track to hit the Carolinas Monday night .
As of 8:00 p.m. the National Hurricane Center said the storm was located about 55 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral , Fla. and 385 miles south of Myrtle Beach , S.C. Its maximum sustained winds have increased slightly to 70 miles per hour .
South Florida is emerging from the storm with relatively little damage , though local officials had braced for more serious damage including widespread power outages .
Between 2 and 4 inches of rain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the storm knocked out power for a few hundred people , according to the Miami Herald .
Member station WLRN reported that Florida Power and Light had restored power to nearly 20,000 customers as of 9 a.m. Sunday .
Isaias , which was downgraded from hurricane to tropical storm over the weekend , is expected to be a `` strong tropical storm '' when it reaches the coast of eastern South Carolina or southern North Carolina on Monday night .
A hurricane watch and storm surge warning are in effect for portions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a tropical storm watch is in effect for the U.S. mid-Atlantic coast .
Isaias could bring 1 to 8 inches of rainfall in areas from Florida to New England in the coming week , according to the National Hurricane Center .
It warned that `` dangerous storm surge '' is possible from the city of Edisto Beach , S.C. to Cape Fear , N.C .
The center said water could rise between 2 and 4 feet above ground level along that stretch of coast in the next 48 hours .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weakening '' after the storm makes landfall and moves across the U.S. mid-Atlantic region late Monday and Tuesday .
Isaias is expected to remain a tropical storm well into midweek as it tracks up the East Coast .
The NHC said that in addition to storm surge , much of the East Coast could see flash flooding and urban flooding as well as ocean swells and tornadoes .
On Saturday , South Carolina Gov .
Henry McMaster called evacuations `` unnecessary , '' but urged people to take personal precautions .
And North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday afternoon that he had declared a state of emergency and received a federal declaration of emergency for 25 counties .
He urged residents to follow local evacuation orders and make a plan to seek shelter outside of the danger zone .
In a hurricane season further complicated by the coronavirus pandemic , Cooper said shelters in the state will screen people and direct those with symptoms to other locations accordingly .
`` During the pandemic , your home has been the safest place , but that may change as Isaias arrives , @ @ @ @

Tropical Storm Isaias Grazes Florida En Route To The Carolinas
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Updated at 5:40 a.m. ET on Monday
Tropical Storm Isaias skirted the east coast of Florida on Sunday and is now on track to hit the Carolinas Monday night.
As of 5:00 a.m. Monday, the National Hurricane Center said the storm was located about 155 miles east southeast of Jacksonville, Fla. and 280 miles south-southwest of Myrtle Beach, S.C. Its maximum sustained winds have were at 70 miles per hour.
South Florida is emerging from the storm with relatively little damage, though local officials had braced for more serious damage including widespread power outages.
Between 2 and 4 inches of rain fell in some South Florida areas and the storm knocked out power for a few hundred people, according to the Miami Herald. Member station WLRN reported that Florida Power and Light had restored power to nearly 20,000 customers as of 9 a.m. Sunday.
Isaias, which was downgraded from hurricane to tropical storm over the weekend, is expected to be a "strong tropical storm" when it reaches the coast of eastern South Carolina or southern North Carolina on Monday night.
A hurricane watch and storm surge warning are in effect for portions of the Carolinas as of early Sunday evening, and a tropical storm watch is in effect for the U.S. mid-Atlantic coast.
Isaias could bring 1 to 8 inches of rainfall in areas from Florida to New England in the coming week, according to the National Hurricane Center.
It warned that "dangerous storm surge" is possible from the city of Edisto Beach, S.C. to Cape Fear, N.C. The center said water could rise between 2 and 4 feet above ground level along that stretch of coast in the next 48 hours.
The National Hurricane Center is forecasting "slow weakening" after the storm makes landfall and moves across the U.S. mid-Atlantic region late Monday and Tuesday.
Isaias is expected to remain a tropical storm well into midweek as it tracks up the East Coast. The NHC said that in addition to storm surge, much of the East Coast could see flash flooding and urban flooding as well as ocean swells and tornadoes.
On Saturday, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called evacuations "unnecessary," but urged people to take personal precautions.
And North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said on Sunday afternoon that he had declared a state of emergency and received a federal declaration of emergency for 25 counties. He urged residents to follow local evacuation orders and make a plan to seek shelter outside of the danger zone.
In a hurricane season further complicated by the coronavirus pandemic, Cooper said shelters in the state will screen people and direct those with symptoms to other locations accordingly.
"During the pandemic, your home has been the safest place, but that may change as Isaias arrives," he said.


npr--2020-08-02--7 Marines, 1 Sailor Presumed Dead After Training Accident

After an amphibious assault vehicle ( AAV ) sank with 16 crew members inside during training on Thursday off the Southern California coast , the Marine Corps announced Sunday that the eight missing service members are now presumed dead .
Eight Marines on board were rescued .
One of those died soon after being hospitalized and two are in critical condition .
The eight now presumed dead are seven Marines and one Navy sailor .
The 26-ton vehicle started sinking around 5:45 p.m. Thursday when water started to get in , Marine Corps Times reports .
The Marine Corps said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordination with the Navy and the Coast Guard , leadership `` determined that there was little probability of a successful rescue given the circumstances of the incident . ''
The Marine Corps says the vehicle sank into several hundred feet of water between 0.6 and 1.2 miles off San Clemente Island 's beach and was within the sight of other AAVs .
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger says the search ended because `` all resources were exhausted . ''
Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman said in a press conference that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amphibious assault vehicle training until they find the cause of the accident .
Only two AAVs have completely sunk in the past 25 years , Osterman said .
All the Marines involved were assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit , based in Camp Pendleton , Reuters reports .
The names of the Marines and sailor will be released 24 hours after notifying next of kin .

7 Marines, 1 Sailor Presumed Dead After Training Accident
Enlarge this image toggle caption Lenny Ignelzi/AP Lenny Ignelzi/AP
After an amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) sank with 16 crew members inside during training on Thursday off the Southern California coast, the Marine Corps announced Sunday that the eight missing service members are now presumed dead.
Eight Marines on board were rescued. One of those died soon after being hospitalized and two are in critical condition.
The eight now presumed dead are seven Marines and one Navy sailor.
The 26-ton vehicle started sinking around 5:45 p.m. Thursday when water started to get in, Marine Corps Times reports. The Marine Corps said that after conducting a 40-hour search in coordination with the Navy and the Coast Guard, leadership "determined that there was little probability of a successful rescue given the circumstances of the incident."
The Marine Corps says the vehicle sank into several hundred feet of water between 0.6 and 1.2 miles off San Clemente Island's beach and was within the sight of other AAVs.
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger says the search ended because "all resources were exhausted."
Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman said in a press conference that the Marine Corps will suspend all waterborne amphibious assault vehicle training until they find the cause of the accident.
Only two AAVs have completely sunk in the past 25 years, Osterman said.
All the Marines involved were assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based in Camp Pendleton, Reuters reports. The names of the Marines and sailor will be released 24 hours after notifying next of kin.