npr--2020-09-02--Making Gyms Safer: Why The Virus Is Less Likely To Spread There Than In A Bar

Making Gyms Safer : Why The Virus Is Less Likely To Spread There Than In A Bar After shutting down in the spring , America 's empty gyms are beckoning a cautious public back for a workout .
To reassure wary customers , owners have put in place — and now advertise — a variety of coronavirus control measures .
At the same time , the fitness industry is also trying to rehabilitate itself by pushing back against what it sees as a misleading narrative that gyms have no place during a pandemic .
In the first months of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advised closing gyms , erring on the side of caution .
As infections exploded across the country , states ordered gyms and fitness centers closed , along with restaurants , movie theaters and bars .
State and local officials consistently branded gyms as high risk venues for infection , akin to bars and nightclubs .
In early August , New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called gym-going a `` dangerous activity , '' saying he would keep them shut — only to announce later in the month that most gyms could reopen in September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New York , New Jersey , and North Carolina were among the last state holdouts — only recently allowing fitness facilities to reopen .
Many states continue to limit capacity and have instituted new requirements .
Although the benefits of gyms are clear ( staying fit as a way to avoid a serious case of COVID-19 ) , so too are the risks : lots of people moving around indoors , sharing equipment and air , breathing heavily — it could be a recipe for easy viral spread .
There are scattered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific gyms .
But gym owners say those are outliers and argue the dominant portrayal overemphasizes potential dangers and ignores their brief , but successful track record of safety during the pandemic .
A Seattle gym struggles to comply with new rules and survive At NW Fitness in Seattle , everything from a set of squats to a run on the treadmill requires a mask .
Every other cardio machine is off limits .
The owners have marked up the floor with blue tape to show where each person can work out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ resumed his workout routine with the punching bag , after the gym 's forced closure in the spring .
`` I was honestly just losing my mind , '' says Corniel , 27 .
He says he feels comfortable being back in the gym , now that there are new safety protocols .
`` Everybody wears their mask , everybody socially distances , so it 's no problem here at all , '' Corniel says .
But there 's no longer the usual morning `` rush '' of people working out before heading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's coronavirus rules , only about 10 to 12 people at a time are permitted in this 4,000 square foot gym .
`` It 's drastically reduced our ability to serve our community , '' says John Carrico .
He and his wife Jessica purchased NW Fitness at the end of last year .
Meanwhile , the cost of running the businesses has gone up dramatically .
The gym now needs to be staffed around the clock to keep up with the frequent cleaning requirements , and to ensure people are wearing masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gym open 24/7 — previously a big selling point for members — is no longer feasible .
In the last three months , they 've lost over a third of their membership .
`` If the trend continues , we wo n't be able to stay open , '' says Jessica Carrico , who also works as a nurse at a homeless shelter run by Harborview Medical Center .
Given her medical background , Carrico was initially inclined to trust the public health authorities who ordered all gyms to shut down , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the city , I 'd still see lines outside of pot shops and Baskin-Robbins , '' she says .
`` The arbitrary decision that had been made was very clear , and it became really frustrating . ''
Even after gyms in the Seattle area were allowed to reopen , their frustrations continued — especially with the strict cap on operating capacity .
The Carricos believe that falls hardest on smaller gyms that do n't have much square footage .
`` People want this space to be safe , and will self-regulate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes he could responsibly operate with twice as many people as currently allowed .
Public health officials have mischaracterized gyms , he adds , and underestimated their potential to operate safely .
`` There 's this fear-based propaganda that gyms are a cesspool of coronavirus , which is just super not true , '' Carrico says .
Gyms seem less risky than bars .
But there 's very little research either way The fitness industry has begun to push back at the pandemic-driven perceptions and prohibitions .
`` We should not be lumped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Helen Durkin , an executive vice president for the International Health , Racquet & Sportsclub Association ( IHRSA ) .
John Carrico feels the comparison with bars is particularly unfair .
`` It 's almost laughable .
I mean , it 's almost the exact opposite ... .
People here are investing in their health .
They 're coming in , they 're focusing on what they 're trying to do as far as their workout .
They 're not socializing , they 're not sitting at a table and laughing and drinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many gyms have overhauled operations and now look very different : Locker rooms are often closed and group classes halted .
Many gyms check everyone for symptoms upon arrival .
They 've spaced out equipment and begun intensive cleaning regimes .
Gyms have a big advantage over other retail and entertainment venues , Durkin claims , because the membership model means those who may have been exposed in an outbreak can be easily contacted .
A company that sells member databases and software to gyms has been compiling data during the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gyms , is by no means comprehensive , because it relies on gym owners to self-report incidents in which a positive coronavirus case was detected at the gym , or was somehow connected to the gym . )
The resultant report says that the overall `` visits to virus '' ratio of 0.002 % is `` statistically irrelevant '' because only 1,155 cases of coronavirus were reported among more than 49 million gym visits .
Similarly , data collected from U.K. gyms found only 17 cases out of more than 8 million visits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Only a few U.S. states have publicly available information on outbreaks linked to the fitness sector , and those states report very few cases .
In Louisiana , for example , the state has identified 5 clusters originating in `` gym/fitness settings , '' with a total of 31 cases .
None of the people died .
By contrast , 15 clusters were traced to `` religious services/events , '' sickening 78 , and killing five of them .
`` The whole idea that it 's a risky place to be ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are n't seeing those numbers anywhere , '' says IHRSA 's Durkin .
A study from South Korea published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is often cited as evidence of the inherent hazards of group fitness activities .
The study traced 112 coronavirus infections to a Feb. 15 training workshop for fitness dance instructors .
Those instructors went on to teach classes at 12 different sports facilities in February and March , transmitting the virus to students in the dance classes , but also to coworkers and family members .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that the outbreak began before South Korea instituted social distancing measures .
The study authors note that the classes were crowded and the pace of the dance workouts was fast , and conclude that `` intense physical exercise in densely populated sports facilities could increase the risk for infection '' and `` should be minimized during outbreaks . ''
They also found that no transmission occurred in classes with fewer than five people , or when an infected instructor taught `` lower intensity '' classes such as yoga and Pilates .
Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be cautious It 's clear that there are many things gym owners — and gym members — can do to lower the risk of infection at a gym , but that does n't mean the risk is gone .
Infectious disease doctors and public health experts caution that gyms should not downplay their potential for spreading disease , especially if coronavirus is widespread in the surrounding community .
`` There are very few [ gyms ] that can actually implement all the infection control measures , '' says Saskia Popescu , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` That 's really the challenge with gyms , there is so much variety that it makes it hard to put them into a single box . ''
Popescu and two colleagues developed a COVID risk chart for different activities .
Gyms were classified as `` medium high , '' on par with eating indoors at a restaurant or getting a haircut , but less risky than going to a bar or riding public transit .
Popescu acknowledges there 's not much recent evidence that gyms are major sources of infection , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of assurance .
`` The mistake would be to assume that there is no risk , '' she says .
`` It 's just that a lot of the prevention strategies have been working and when we start to loosen those , though , is where you 're more likely to see clusters occur . ''
Any location that brings people together indoors increases the risk of contracting coronavirus , and breathing heavily adds another element of risk on top .
Interventions such as increasing the distance between cardio machines might help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel farther than six feet , Popescu says .
The mechanics of exercising also make it hard to ensure people comply with crucial preventive measures like wearing a mask .
`` How effective are masks in that setting ?
Can they really be effectively worn ? ''
asks Dr. Deverick Anderson , director of the Duke Center for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention .
`` The combination of sweat and exertion is one unique thing about the gym setting . ''
`` I do think that in the big picture , gyms would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type of activity and potential for interaction there , '' Anderson says .
The primary way people could catch the virus at a gym would be coming close to someone who is releasing respiratory droplets and smaller airborne particles , called `` aerosols , '' when they breathe , talk or cough , says Dr. Dean Blumberg , chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Health .
He 's less worried about people catching the virus from touching a barbell or riding a stationary bike that someone else used .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission is n't driving infection as much as airborne droplets and particles .
`` I 'm not really worried about transmission that way , '' Blumberg says .
`` There 's too much attention being paid to disinfecting surfaces and 'deep cleaning ' , spraying things in the air , I think a lot of that 's just for show . ''
Blumberg says he believes gyms can manage the risks better than many social settings like bars or informal gatherings .
`` A gym where you can adequately social distance and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and force mask wearing , that 's one of the safer activities , '' he says .
Adapting to the pandemic 's prohibitions does n't come cheap In Bellevue , Wash. , PRO Club is an enormous , upscale gym with spacious workout rooms — and an array of medical services such as physical therapy , hormone treatments , skin care and counseling .
PRO Club has managed to keep the gym experience relatively normal for members since reopening , according to employee Linda Rackner .
`` There is plenty of space for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people a day and have capacity for almost 3,000 , '' says Rackner .
`` We 'd love to have more people in the club . ''
The gym uses the same air-cleaning units as hospital ICUs , deploys ultraviolet robots to sanitize the rooms and requires temperature checks to enter .
`` I feel like we have good compliance , '' says Dean Rogers , one of the personal trainers .
`` For the most part , people who come to a gym are in it for their own health , fitness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is n't the norm everywhere .
In fact , his own mother back in Oklahoma believes she contracted the coronavirus at her local gym .
`` I was upset to find out that her gym had no guidelines they were following , no safety precautions , '' he says .
`` There are always going to be some bad actors . ''
Carrie Feibel , an editor for the NPR-Kaiser Health News reporting partnership , contributed to this story .

Making Gyms Safer: Why The Virus Is Less Likely To Spread There Than In A Bar
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
After shutting down in the spring, America's empty gyms are beckoning a cautious public back for a workout. To reassure wary customers, owners have put in place — and now advertise — a variety of coronavirus control measures. At the same time, the fitness industry is also trying to rehabilitate itself by pushing back against what it sees as a misleading narrative that gyms have no place during a pandemic.
In the first months of the coronavirus outbreak, most public health leaders advised closing gyms, erring on the side of caution. As infections exploded across the country, states ordered gyms and fitness centers closed, along with restaurants, movie theaters and bars. State and local officials consistently branded gyms as high risk venues for infection, akin to bars and nightclubs.
In early August, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called gym-going a "dangerous activity," saying he would keep them shut — only to announce later in the month that most gyms could reopen in September at a third of the capacity and under tight regulations.
New York, New Jersey and North Carolina were among the last state holdouts — only recently allowing fitness facilities to reopen. Many states continue to limit capacity and have instituted new requirements.
Although the benefits of gyms are clear (staying fit as a way to avoid a serious case of COVID-19), so too are the risks: lots of people moving around indoors, sharing equipment and air, breathing heavily — it could be a recipe for easy viral spread. There are scattered reports of coronavirus cases traced back to specific gyms. But gym owners say those are outliers and argue the dominant portrayal overemphasizes potential dangers and ignores their brief but successful track record of safety during the pandemic.
A Seattle gym struggles to comply with new rules and survive
At NW Fitness in Seattle, everything from a set of squats to a run on the treadmill requires a mask. Every other cardio machine is off limits. The owners have marked up the floor with blue tape to show where each person can work out.
Esmery Corniel, a member, has resumed his workout routine with the punching bag, after the gym's forced closure in the spring.
"I was honestly just losing my mind," says Corniel, 27. He says he feels comfortable being back in the gym now that there are new safety protocols.
"Everybody wears their mask, everybody socially distances, so it's no problem here at all," Corniel says.
But there's no longer the usual morning "rush" of people working out before heading to their jobs.
Under Washington state's coronavirus rules, only about 10 to 12 people at a time are permitted in this 4,000-square-foot gym.
"It's drastically reduced our ability to serve our community," says John Carrico. He and his wife Jessica purchased NW Fitness at the end of last year.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Will Stone/ NPR Will Stone/ NPR
Meanwhile, the cost of running the businesses has gone up dramatically. The gym now needs to be staffed around the clock to keep up with the frequent cleaning requirements, and to ensure people are wearing masks and following the rules.
Keeping the gym open 24/7 — previously a big selling point for members — is no longer feasible. In the past three months, they've lost over a third of their membership.
"If the trend continues, we won't be able to stay open," says Jessica Carrico, who also works as a nurse at a homeless shelter run by Harborview Medical Center.
Given her medical background, Carrico was initially inclined to trust the public health authorities who ordered all gyms to shut down, but gradually her feelings changed.
"Driving around the city, I'd still see lines outside of pot shops and Baskin-Robbins," she says. "The arbitrary decision that had been made was very clear, and it became really frustrating."
Even after gyms in the Seattle area were allowed to reopen, their frustrations continued — especially with the strict cap on operating capacity. The Carricos believe that falls hardest on smaller gyms that don't have much square footage.
"People want this space to be safe, and will self-regulate," says John Carrico. He believes he could responsibly operate with twice as many people as currently allowed. Public health officials have mischaracterized gyms, he adds, and underestimated their potential to operate safely.
"There's this fear-based propaganda that gyms are a cesspool of coronavirus, which is just super not true," Carrico says.
Gyms seem less risky than bars. But there's very little research either way
The fitness industry has begun to push back at the pandemic-driven perceptions and prohibitions. "We should not be lumped with bars and restaurants," says Helen Durkin, an executive vice president for the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA).
John Carrico feels the comparison with bars is particularly unfair. "It's almost laughable. I mean, it's almost the exact opposite. ... People here are investing in their health. They're coming in, they're focusing on what they're trying to do as far as their workout. They're not socializing, they're not sitting at a table and laughing and drinking."
Since the pandemic began, many gyms have overhauled operations and now look very different: Locker rooms are often closed and group classes halted. Many gyms check everyone for symptoms upon arrival. They've spaced out equipment and begun intensive cleaning regimes.
Gyms have a big advantage over other retail and entertainment venues, Durkin claims, because the membership model means those who may have been exposed in an outbreak can be easily contacted.
A company that sells member databases and software to gyms has been compiling data during the pandemic. (The data, drawn from 2,877 gyms, is by no means comprehensive, because it relies on gym owners to self-report incidents in which a positive coronavirus case was detected at the gym, or was somehow connected to the gym.) The resultant report says that the overall "visits to virus" ratio of 0.002% is "statistically irrelevant" because only 1,155 cases of coronavirus were reported among more than 49 million gym visits. Similarly, data collected from U.K. gyms found only 17 cases out of more than 8 million visits in the weeks after gyms reopened there.
Only a few U.S. states have publicly available information on outbreaks linked to the fitness sector, and those states report very few cases. In Louisiana, for example, the state has identified five clusters originating in "gym/fitness settings," with a total of 31 cases. None of the people died. By contrast, 15 clusters were traced to "religious services/events," sickening 78, and killing five of them.
"The whole idea that it's a risky place to be ... around the world, we just aren't seeing those numbers anywhere," says IHRSA's Durkin.
A study from South Korea published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is often cited as evidence of the inherent hazards of group fitness activities.
The study traced 112 coronavirus infections to a Feb. 15 training workshop for fitness dance instructors. Those instructors went on to teach classes at 12 different sports facilities in February and March, transmitting the virus to students in the dance classes, but also to coworkers and family members.
But defenders of the fitness industry point out that the outbreak began before South Korea instituted social distancing measures.
The study authors note that the classes were crowded and the pace of the dance workouts was fast, and conclude that "intense physical exercise in densely populated sports facilities could increase the risk for infection" and "should be minimized during outbreaks." They also found that no transmission occurred in classes with fewer than five people, or when an infected instructor taught "lower intensity" classes such as yoga and Pilates.
Public health expert continue to urge gym members to be cautious
It's clear that there are many things gym owners — and gym members — can do to lower the risk of infection at a gym, but that doesn't mean the risk is gone. Infectious disease doctors and public health experts caution that gyms should not downplay their potential for spreading disease, especially if coronavirus is widespread in the surrounding community.
"There are very few [gyms] that can actually implement all the infection control measures," says Saskia Popescu, an infectious disease epidemiologist in Phoenix. "That's really the challenge with gyms, there is so much variety that it makes it hard to put them into a single box."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Will Stone/NPR Will Stone/NPR
Popescu and two colleagues developed a COVID-19 risk chart for different activities. Gyms were classified as "medium high," on par with eating indoors at a restaurant or getting a haircut, but less risky than going to a bar or riding public transit.
Popescu acknowledges there's not much recent evidence that gyms are major sources of infection, but that should not give people a false sense of assurance.
"The mistake would be to assume that there is no risk," she says. "It's just that a lot of the prevention strategies have been working and when we start to loosen those, though, is where you're more likely to see clusters occur."
Any location that brings people together indoors increases the risk of contracting the coronavirus, and breathing heavily adds another element of risk on top. Interventions such as increasing the distance between cardio machines might help, but tiny infectious airborne particles can travel farther than 6 feet, Popescu says.
The mechanics of exercising also make it hard to ensure people comply with crucial preventive measures like wearing a mask.
"How effective are masks in that setting? Can they really be effectively worn?" asks Dr. Deverick Anderson, director of the Duke Center for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention. "The combination of sweat and exertion is one unique thing about the gym setting."
"I do think that in the big picture, gyms would be riskier than restaurants because of the type of activity and potential for interaction there," Anderson says.
The primary way people could catch the virus at a gym would be coming close to someone who is releasing respiratory droplets and smaller airborne particles, called "aerosols," when they breathe, talk or cough, says Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Health.
He's less worried about people catching the virus from touching a barbell or riding a stationary bike that someone else used. That's because scientists now think "surface" transmission isn't driving infection as much as airborne droplets and particles.
"I'm not really worried about transmission that way," Blumberg says. "There's too much attention being paid to disinfecting surfaces and 'deep cleaning,' spraying things in the air, I think a lot of that's just for show."
Blumberg says he believes gyms can manage the risks better than many social settings like bars or informal gatherings.
"A gym where you can adequately social distance and you can limit the number of people there and force mask wearing, that's one of the safer activities," he says.
Adapting to the pandemic's prohibitions doesn't come cheap
In Bellevue, Wash., PRO Club is an enormous, upscale gym with spacious workout rooms — and an array of medical services such as physical therapy, hormone treatments, skincare and counseling. PRO Club has managed to keep the gym experience relatively normal for members since reopening, according to employee Linda Rackner. "There is plenty of space for everyone, we are seeing about 1,000 people a day and have capacity for almost 3,000," Rackner says. "We'd love to have more people in the club."
The gym uses the same air-cleaning units as hospital ICUs, deploys ultraviolet robots to sanitize the rooms and requires temperature checks to enter. "I feel like we have good compliance," says Dean Rogers, one of the personal trainers. "For the most part, people who come to a gym are in it for their own health, fitness and wellness."
But Rogers knows this isn't the norm everywhere. In fact, his own mother back in Oklahoma believes she contracted the coronavirus at her local gym.
"I was upset to find out that her gym had no guidelines they were following, no safety precautions," he says. "There are always going to be some bad actors."
Carrie Feibel, an editor for the NPR-Kaiser Health News reporting partnership, contributed to this story.


npr--2020-09-02--There's A Big Focus On Suburbs, But Democrats See Potential Gains Farther Out

There 's A Big Focus On Suburbs , But Democrats See Potential Gains Farther Out The historic district in the town of Waxhaw , N.C. , is marked with lines of traditional shops and the sounds of the train that runs through it .
Sixty-nine-year-old Allen Cronk is visiting a used-book store in town .
The Marine Corps veteran is a Republican voter and supporting President Trump for reelection , though he says the current state of retirement benefits , like Social Security and assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs , are `` a mess . ''
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , '' Cronk said .
`` He does a lot of good things , does some that are n't .
But [ Joe ] Biden , he just does it all wrong . ''
Waxhaw is in Union County , a Republican stronghold south of Charlotte that saw 63 % of its vote go for Trump in 2016 .
Trump points to the suburbs as places where he garners strong enthusiasm , but in 2016 a lot of his strength was found in exurban areas like Union County .
Now , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be under threat .
Democrats think they 're making inroads into new , fast-growing population centers in communities like Waxhaw and with what they see as a growing wave of Republican disillusionment .
Steve and Sharon Smith are part of that wave .
The Waxhaw residents were lifelong Republicans , but that loyalty has waned .
`` With Trump as president , I 'm embarrassed , '' said Steve Smith , 50 .
`` I mean , I tell people if they ask , 'Well , I 'm a Republican , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Sharon Smith , 53 , has a one-word response when asked why she is n't a Republican anymore : `` Trump , '' she says with a laugh .
The Smiths live in a newer residential area in Waxhaw that is surrounded by lush greenways and developments fueled by an influx of new residents .
Waxhaw is one of the fastest-growing communities in the Charlotte metropolitan region .
The Smiths say the past few years , under Trump 's presidency , have resulted in chaos .
Steve Smith , who works as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Sharon Smith is deeply worried about the coronavirus .
She adds that Trump is n't qualified to be president .
The Smiths are part of a worrisome national trend for the GOP : party members who do n't think Trump is what Republicanism is supposed to be .
And in battleground states , voters like the Smiths could tip the scales , with both of them planning to vote for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
`` I know I would walk over broken glass , through fire , on my hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on that coronavirus ballot if I have to and try to vote this guy out , '' Steve Smith said .
`` And luckily , I live in North Carolina , where I may actually have some impact . ''
In 2016 , Trump won North Carolina by less than 4 percentage points , fueled in part by Republican strongholds like Union County .
But Democrats are betting that they can start to turn a tide there .
`` We 're seeing little pockets of change that are ticking towards blue , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Union County Democratic Party .
De Maria says when she moved to Union County more than 20 years ago , the word `` Democrat '' was virtually considered a dirty word .
Now , she 's pumped about communities like Waxhaw .
`` It 's bursting with new Democrats , '' De Maria said .
Since 2016 , voter rolls have grown about 10 % , to more than 160,000 , said Brett Vines , a spokesman for the Union County Board of Elections , while during that same period , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their party affiliations .
Between July 2016 and July 2020 , Union County has seen 3,086 voters change their affiliation to Republican , while 3,335 have switched to Democratic , Vines said .
But the biggest shift has been seen among those changing to unaffiliated : 3,834 have re-registered as independents .
De Maria is betting that the flood of new unaffiliated voters in the region will swing toward Democrats .
`` I am more hopeful than I 've ever been , '' De Maria said .
`` I think there 's disappointment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives consent to everything that 's being done . ''
Dan Barry , a Union County resident and a longtime area Republican Party official , disagrees .
He thinks the influx of new voters represents residents escaping urban centers and looking for the conservative lifestyle that Union County offers .
`` I think folks that are coming are saying , ' I 'm leaving a situation that was intolerable to me for raising my family and educating my children .
I do n't want to take that with me , ' `` Barry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] Union County Republican vote will hold . ''
But politics professor Michael Bitzer at Catawba College says he 's also seeing signs of softening Republican support in Union County , and that could spell larger trouble for Trump .
`` That to me sends a signal that maybe there 's slippage in other staunch Republican suburban counties , '' Bitzer said .
`` And that 's where the Republican base is . ''
Back at the historic district in Waxhaw , three generations — grandmother Cindy Carroll , daughter Lauren Harrah and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit the local antique store .
Carroll and Harrah are not Biden fans .
`` It 's like he 's relying too much on his team , telling him what to do , '' Harrah , 29 , said .
Harrah and her mom are not completely happy with Trump ; they say he 's too fixated on social media .
And Carroll worries he tries to be front and center too much .
They 're also worried about the coronavirus .
But Carroll is betting Trump is the right candidate to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were better times , including a stronger economy , at the start of the year .
`` Unemployment was down , and , you know , everything was looking really good , '' Carroll , 55 , said .
`` So I am praying that if he gets reelected , that that is kind of where we will head back to after COVID gets resolved . ''

There's A Big Focus On Suburbs, But Democrats See Potential Gains Farther Out
Enlarge this image toggle caption Claudia Grisales/NPR Claudia Grisales/NPR
The historic district in the town of Waxhaw, N.C., is marked with lines of traditional shops and the sounds of the train that runs through it.
Sixty-nine-year-old Allen Cronk is visiting a used-book store in town. The Marine Corps veteran is a Republican voter and supporting President Trump for reelection, though he says the current state of retirement benefits, like Social Security and assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs, are "a mess."
"He ain't my greatest thought of a president," Cronk said. "He does a lot of good things, does some that aren't. But [Joe] Biden, he just does it all wrong."
Waxhaw is in Union County, a Republican stronghold south of Charlotte that saw 63% of its vote go for Trump in 2016. Trump points to the suburbs as places where he garners strong enthusiasm, but in 2016 a lot of his strength was found in exurban areas like Union County.
Now, Trump's dominance in places like this could be under threat. Democrats think they're making inroads into new, fast-growing population centers in communities like Waxhaw and with what they see as a growing wave of Republican disillusionment.
Steve and Sharon Smith are part of that wave. The Waxhaw residents were lifelong Republicans, but that loyalty has waned.
"With Trump as president, I'm embarrassed," said Steve Smith, 50. "I mean, I tell people if they ask, 'Well, I'm a Republican, but I'll never vote Republican again.' "
Sharon Smith, 53, has a one-word response when asked why she isn't a Republican anymore: "Trump," she says with a laugh.
The Smiths live in a newer residential area in Waxhaw that is surrounded by lush greenways and developments fueled by an influx of new residents. Waxhaw is one of the fastest-growing communities in the Charlotte metropolitan region.
The Smiths say the past few years, under Trump's presidency, have resulted in chaos.
Steve Smith, who works as a landscaper, says Trump lies, while Sharon Smith is deeply worried about the coronavirus. She adds that Trump isn't qualified to be president.
The Smiths are part of a worrisome national trend for the GOP: party members who don't think Trump is what Republicanism is supposed to be. And in battleground states, voters like the Smiths could tip the scales, with both of them planning to vote for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
"I know I would walk over broken glass, through fire, on my hands and knees, to put my finger on that coronavirus ballot if I have to and try to vote this guy out," Steve Smith said. "And luckily, I live in North Carolina, where I may actually have some impact."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Claudia Grisales/NPR Claudia Grisales/NPR
In 2016, Trump won North Carolina by less than 4 percentage points, fueled in part by Republican strongholds like Union County. But Democrats are betting that they can start to turn a tide there.
"We're seeing little pockets of change that are ticking towards blue," said Pam De Maria, chair of the Union County Democratic Party.
De Maria says when she moved to Union County more than 20 years ago, the word "Democrat" was virtually considered a dirty word. Now, she's pumped about communities like Waxhaw.
"It's bursting with new Democrats," De Maria said.
Since 2016, voter rolls have grown about 10%, to more than 160,000, said Brett Vines, a spokesman for the Union County Board of Elections, while during that same period, more than 10,000 voters have asked to change their party affiliations.
Between July 2016 and July 2020, Union County has seen 3,086 voters change their affiliation to Republican, while 3,335 have switched to Democratic, Vines said. But the biggest shift has been seen among those changing to unaffiliated: 3,834 have re-registered as independents.
De Maria is betting that the flood of new unaffiliated voters in the region will swing toward Democrats.
"I am more hopeful than I've ever been," De Maria said. "I think there's disappointment with the Republican Party because their silence gives consent to everything that's being done."
Dan Barry, a Union County resident and a longtime area Republican Party official, disagrees. He thinks the influx of new voters represents residents escaping urban centers and looking for the conservative lifestyle that Union County offers.
"I think folks that are coming are saying, 'I'm leaving a situation that was intolerable to me for raising my family and educating my children. I don't want to take that with me,' " Barry said. "I think [the] Union County Republican vote will hold."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Claudia Grisales/NPR Claudia Grisales/NPR
But politics professor Michael Bitzer at Catawba College says he's also seeing signs of softening Republican support in Union County, and that could spell larger trouble for Trump.
"That to me sends a signal that maybe there's slippage in other staunch Republican suburban counties," Bitzer said. "And that's where the Republican base is."
Back at the historic district in Waxhaw, three generations — grandmother Cindy Carroll, daughter Lauren Harrah and 11-month-old granddaughter Austin — are about to visit the local antique store.
Carroll and Harrah are not Biden fans.
"It's like he's relying too much on his team, telling him what to do," Harrah, 29, said.
Harrah and her mom are not completely happy with Trump; they say he's too fixated on social media. And Carroll worries he tries to be front and center too much. They're also worried about the coronavirus.
But Carroll is betting Trump is the right candidate to get the U.S. back to what she believes were better times, including a stronger economy, at the start of the year.
"Unemployment was down, and, you know, everything was looking really good," Carroll, 55, said. "So I am praying that if he gets reelected, that that is kind of where we will head back to after COVID gets resolved."


npr--2020-09-02--Prosecutors' Plea Deal Required Drug Suspect To Name Breonna Taylor A 'Co-Defendant'

A man charged with running a drug syndicate was offered a plea deal in July if he would name Breonna Taylor , the 26-year-old Black woman killed by police in her Louisville , Ky. apartment , as a member of his alleged criminal gang , according to the man 's attorney .
Taylor was shot dead March 13 by white Louisville Metro Police officers who had broken into her apartment at night using a `` no-knock '' warrant .
Her death has led to nationwide protests against police brutality .
The purpose of the raid on Taylor 's home was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ex-boyfriend , Jamarcus Glover , a convicted felon with a history of drug trafficking , according to court documents .
Now it appears prosecutors attempted to tie Taylor to a life of crime after her death .
Glover was arrested the same night Taylor was killed , in a separate raid on an alleged drug house about 10 miles away .
Police say they `` recovered approximately 119.032 grams ( 4.2 ounces ) of cocaine and over 10 dosage units of opiates , '' according to court records .
Glover 's attorney , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jefferson Commonwealth 's Attorney 's office , as part of a lengthy plea negotiation , offered Glover a deal that included naming Taylor as a member of his `` organized crime syndicate . ''
Barton said he no longer has a copy of the initial plea offer but that his client `` immediately rejected anything with her name in it . ''
`` He felt terrible about the whole thing .
That 's not a secret .
And , you know , any type of plea that had her involved in any way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , '' Barton said .
Based on the charges brought after the search , Glover could face up to a decade in prison .
It would be his third felony conviction .
The proposed plea agreement was first reported by WDRB-TV in Louisville .
The station said the July 13 plea offer listed Taylor as a `` co-defendant '' of Glover 's , even though she had been dead four months .
The deal required Glover to acknowledge that he , Taylor and others engaged in organized crime by trafficking large amounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Had he accepted , the station reported , Glover could have seen his 10-year prison sentence drop to only probation .
Barton said he and his client received four or five plea offers in all .
`` And it was the same outcome in every case , '' he said .
`` It was n't like there was an incentive '' to name Taylor , Barton explained .
`` Like if Glover puts her name in there , then we 'll give you a better deal .
It was the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 20 years experience , Barton said he 's never seen a person posthumously identified as a co-defendant .
He called it `` very unique . ''
`` I 've not run across this before , '' he said .
`` I would not call it something that 's normal . ''
Prosecutors Claim The Plea Offer Was Just A 'Draft' Commonwealth 's Attorney Tom Wine said in a statement that the offer that included Taylor 's name was a `` draft '' and part of ongoing negotiations with Glover .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court record and are not court documents .
`` You make offers and you get counteroffers , '' Jeff Cooke , a spokesman for the Commonwealth 's Attorney 's office told NPR .
`` That was just the first shot , '' Cooke said , adding that the final plea sheet given to Glover and his lawyer does not include Taylor as a co-defendant .
`` We were aware of the information in the warrants as well as the jail phone calls where Mr. Glover implicated Ms. Taylor in his criminal activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was advised of the discussions , out of respect for Ms. Taylor , I directed that Ms. Breonna Taylor 's name be removed . ''
He conceded that the prosecuting attorney who named Taylor as one of several of Glover 's co-defendants had gone too far .
`` It was a mistake , '' he admitted .
`` He mischaracterized her , '' Cooke said , not naming the prosecutor .
`` He should not have said 'co-defendant . '
He should have 'co-conspirator . '
That would have been more appropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not posthumously indict individuals .
Like Barton , Cooke noted that all offers presented to Glover included the same prison term — 10 years — regardless of the mention of Taylor .
Sam Aguiar , the lawyer who represents the Taylor family in a wrongful death lawsuit , says the plea offer was an attempt by Jefferson Commonwealth 's Attorney Tom Wine to tarnish the 26-year-old EMT 's reputation .
`` Read this bulls**** , '' Aguiar wrote next to a screenshot of the document in a post on Facebook .
`` Breonna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a criminal case .
She 's dead , '' he wrote .
`` Way to try and attack a woman when she 's not even here to defend herself . ''
`` This goes to show how desperate Tom Wine ... is , '' Aguiar wrote , `` to justify the wrongful search of Breonna Taylor 's home , her killing and arrest of [ her boyfriend ] Kenneth Walker . ''
Walker was with Taylor the night officers entered the apartment in search of drugs and money with their guns drawn .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that followed , Walker grabbed his licensed gun and fired , allegedly hitting one officer in the leg .
That gunshot prompted the volley of bullets that killed Taylor .
By the end of the violent night , Walker had been arrested and charged with attempted murder of a police officer .
But the charges were eventually dropped .
On Tuesday , Walker announced he is suing the City of Louisville , the Louisville Metro Police Department and others , to prevent future prosecution under Kentucky 's `` stand your ground '' law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good family .
I am a legal gun owner and I would never knowingly shoot at a police officer , '' he said at a news conference .
Additionally , Walker 's lawyer Steve Romines adamantly contests claims by police that the 27-year-old fired the shot that wounded the officer .
Romines noted that there were two distinct bouts of gunfire more than a minute apart and that Officer Jonathan Mattingly was reported to be wounded after the second volley .
`` And yet the police have alleged all along that [ Walker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mattingly .
We absolutely do not concede that fact , '' he said .
`` We think it is much more likely that one of the 35 to 45 shots fired by LMPD is what struck Officer Mattingly , '' Romines said .
Romines said they are waiting on a ballistics report .
Walker is also seeking damages in part `` for the trauma , humiliation , indignity , physical pain , mental suffering , or mental anguish he suffered , '' according to the complaint .

Prosecutors' Plea Deal Required Drug Suspect To Name Breonna Taylor A 'Co-Defendant'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Amy Harris/Invision/AP Amy Harris/Invision/AP
A man charged with running a drug syndicate was offered a plea deal in July if he would name Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old Black woman who had been killed by police in her Louisville, Ky., apartment, as a member of his alleged criminal gang, according to the man's attorney.
The deal was one of several offered by prosecutors in the months after Taylor's death. All of which carried a penalty of 10 years and none of which were ultimately accepted.
Taylor was shot dead on March 13 by white Louisville Metro Police officers who had broken into her apartment at night using a "no-knock" warrant. Her death has led to nationwide protests against police brutality.
The purpose of the raid on Taylor's home was to find evidence linking her to an ex-boyfriend, Jamarcus Glover, a convicted felon with a history of drug trafficking, according to court documents.
Police didn't find any.
Now it appears prosecutors attempted to tie Taylor to a life of crime after her death.
Glover was arrested the same night Taylor was killed, in a separate raid on an alleged drug house about 10 miles away. Police say they "recovered approximately 119.032 grams (4.2 ounces) of cocaine and over 10 dosage units of opiates," according to court records.
Glover's attorney, Scott Barton, told NPR that as part of a lengthy plea negotiation, the Jefferson Commonwealth's Attorney's office offered Glover a deal that included naming Taylor as a member of his "organized crime syndicate."
Barton said that he no longer has a copy of the initial plea offer but that his client "immediately rejected anything with her name in it."
"He felt terrible about the whole thing. That's not a secret. And, you know, any type of plea that had her involved in any way was not going to be acceptable to him," Barton said.
Based on the charges brought after the search, Glover could face up to a decade in prison. It would be his third felony conviction.
A posthumous "co-defendant"
The proposed plea agreement was first reported by WDRB-TV in Louisville.
The station said the July 13 plea offer listed Taylor as a "co-defendant" of Glover's, even though she had been dead four months. The deal required Glover to acknowledge that he, Taylor and others engaged in organized crime by trafficking large amounts of drugs "into the Louisville community."
Had he accepted, the station reported, Glover could have seen his 10-year prison sentence drop to only probation.
But Glover's lawyer says that's not true.
Barton said he and his client received four or five plea offers in all each with the same 10 year sentence.
"It wasn't like there was an incentive" to name Taylor, Barton explained. "Like if Glover puts her name in there, then we'll give you a better deal. It was the same deal regardless."
Still, in more than 20 years experience, Barton said he has never seen a person posthumously identified as a co-defendant. He called it "very unique."
"I've not run across this before," he said. "I would not call it something that's normal."
Prosecutors say the plea offer was just a 'draft'
Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Wine said in a statement that the offer that included Taylor's name was a "draft" and part of ongoing negotiations with Glover. He added that drafts are never part of the court record and are not court documents.
"You make offers and you get counteroffers," Jeff Cooke, a spokesman for the Commonwealth's Attorney's office told NPR.
"That was just the first shot," Cooke said, adding that the final plea sheet given to Glover and his lawyer does not include Taylor as a co-defendant.
"We were aware of the information in the warrants as well as the jail phone calls where Mr. Glover implicated Ms. Taylor in his criminal activity," Wine said. "When I was advised of the discussions, out of respect for Ms. Taylor, I directed that Ms. Breonna Taylor's name be removed."
Cooke went a step further.
He conceded that the prosecuting attorney who named Taylor as one of several of Glover's co-defendants had gone too far. "It was a mistake," he admitted.
"He mischaracterized her," Cooke said, not naming the prosecutor. "He should not have said 'co-defendant.' He should have said 'co-conspirator.' That would have been more appropriate."
Cooke said the office does not posthumously indict individuals.
Like Barton, Cooke noted that all offers presented to Glover included the same prison term — 10 years — regardless of the mention of Taylor.
'Read this bulls***'
Sam Aguiar, the lawyer who represents the Taylor family in a wrongful death lawsuit, says the plea offer was an attempt by Jefferson Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Wine to tarnish the 26-year-old EMT's reputation.
Taylor had no criminal record.
"Read this bulls***," Aguiar wrote next to a screenshot of the document in a post on Facebook.
"Breonna Taylor is not a 'co-defendant' in a criminal case. She's dead," he wrote. "Way to try and attack a woman when she's not even here to defend herself."
"This goes to show how desperate Tom Wine ... is," Aguiar wrote, "to justify the wrongful search of Breonna Taylor's home, her killing and arrest of [her boyfriend] Kenneth Walker."
Walker was with Taylor the night officers entered the apartment in search of drugs and money with their guns drawn. Terrified by the loud crashing and chaos that followed, Walker grabbed his licensed gun and fired, allegedly hitting one officer in the leg.
That gunshot prompted the volley of bullets that killed Taylor.
By the end of the violent night, Walker had been arrested and charged with attempted murder of a police officer. But the charges were eventually dropped.
On Tuesday, Walker announced he is suing the city of Louisville, the Louisville Metro Police Department and others to prevent future prosecution under Kentucky's "stand your ground" law.
"I was raised by a good family. I am a legal gun owner and I would never knowingly shoot at a police officer," he said at a news conference.
In fact, Walker's lawyer Steve Romines adamantly contests statements by police that the 27-year-old fired the shot that wounded the officer.
Romines noted that there were two distinct bouts of gunfire more than a minute apart and that Officer Jonathan Mattingly was reported to be wounded after the second volley.
"And yet the police have alleged all along that [Walker's] one shot somehow hit officer Mattingly. We absolutely do not concede that fact," he said.
"We think it is much more likely that one of the 35 to 45 shots fired by LMPD is what struck Officer Mattingly," Romines said.
Romines said they are waiting on a ballistics report.
Walker is also seeking damages in part "for the trauma, humiliation, indignity, physical pain, mental suffering, or mental anguish he suffered," according to the complaint.


npr--2020-09-02--Kenosha Protests, Violence Expose Racial Disparities Among The Worst In The Country

Kenosha Protests , Violence Expose Racial Disparities Among The Worst In The Country The old metal gumball machine is still there - standing in a corner near the door .
It 's scorched and some of its plastic is melted but it 's still standing there .
But very little else inside what was The Good Taste Ice Cream Shoppe in Kenosha is recognizable as the blackened remains of the roof , walls , tables , chairs , and other fixtures are scattered about in heaps of charred wood and twisted and scorched metal .
It 's one of several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22nd Avenue in Kenosha 's mostly Black Uptown neighborhood that were burned to the ground or severely damaged during a few nights of rioting last week in Kenosha .
The fires also destroyed second floor apartments above some of these shops ; dozens of residents lost nearly everything and are now homeless .
As residents of this city of 100,000 along the shores of Lake Michigan between Chicago and Milwaukee clean up the damage , they lament the violence and destruction that left this and other swaths of their city damaged or destroyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anger and frustration that led to it .
The shooting of Jacob Blake on Sunday , Aug. 23 , set off a series of protests that gave way to violence for three straight nights .
Downtown Kenosha , storefronts and vehicles were damaged .
A used car dealership , a furniture store and the state parole office were burned to the ground .
But the destruction was much greater in Kenosha 's Uptown area .
Walking down 22nd Ave. with his young son , Kenneth Smith , 42 , takes in the damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's really sad .
There 's no other word for it but just sad , man , '' Smith said .
`` To look at it like this and to see it how it was just a week ago , it 's sad . ''
Smith ticked off the businesses he 'd once patronized that are now damaged or destroyed : The Mexican ice cream shop called The Good Taste .
A men 's clothing store called Trends .
Uptown Pantry , the convenience store .
`` I think people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know ? ''
Smith said , referencing the police shooting of Jacob Blake on August 23 .
But says he does n't believe anyone local would have torched those shops , `` because why would they ?
You know , you got a lot of people in this area that eat in the Uptown area .
I do n't see 'em burning down a place that they spend money at on a regular basis . ''
`` This is one of the ways that – unfortunately – people know how to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the '60s have not evidently been too effective , '' says Eric Vines , 58 , who was walking down the block surveying the damage with his brother , both of whom were born and raised in Kenosha .
`` I 'm not saying this is the proper way to do it , but it 's gotten a lot of attention . ''
Since the fires , a stream of volunteers , many of them white , have come to Uptown to help clean the area and install plywood .
On this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plywood , mostly with generic inoffensive messages like `` Peace and Love '' and `` Kenosha Strong . ''
Some include Bible verses and messages of faith .
Asked whether he thought the volunteers came to 22nd Avenue often before all this , Vines , who is Black , laughed .
`` Obviously and evidently , we can look around and see that , no .
The [ answer ] is no , '' he says .
`` But it 's just unity , that 's what it is .
It 's people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That 's what this is .
And I appreciate that . ''
`` I do n't even know how long it will take all this to come back , or if it will .
I hope it does , '' Vines says .
Keye Voigt , a public insurance adjuster , was working inside a salon on 22nd Avenue .
He said he 's working for multiple businesses in Kenosha , many of whom he guessed may not reopen .
`` Covid crushed them .
Kenosha 's having its own issues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affairs , a lot of these businesses are n't going to make it , '' he said .
One of Voigt 's clients had been offered just $ 5000 by the insurance company , he said .
Another 's claim had been denied entirely because the insurance company said the fires fell under a policy exemption for acts of terrorism .
The city of Kenosha has not yet released an estimate of the total damage , but Voigt guessed it would be in the tens of millions of dollars .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is their building being burned down , their business being destroyed .
So I hope it ends , '' says Voigt .
The recovery could be especially difficult because Black Kenoshans are already at significant economic disadvantage compared to their white neighbors .
Southeast Wisconsin is by some measures the most racially segregated region of the country , and the economic conditions for Black residents in this region rank among the worst in the country in a number of metrics .
A study published in July by Marc Levine , a professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out a sobering list of statistics about the status of Black residents in the region in 2020 .
`` On almost all of the indicators ... from poverty to employment to general income trends , to income inequality , incarceration trends , school segregation levels — Black Milwaukee ranked either the worst or next to worst among the nation 's fifty largest metropolitan areas , '' Levine says .
`` And in fact , on most indicators that I 've looked at , the status of the Black community in Kenosha is actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ median Black household in the Milwaukee area earns just 44 % of the median white household .
Among the nation 's largest metro areas , Milwaukee has the second-lowest Black home ownership rate .
School segregation in the Milwaukee area , measured by how likely Black children are to attend a school where students are 90 % non-white , is essentially unchanged since 1965 .
A white high school dropout has about the same likelihood of having a job as Black high school graduate .
Here in Kenosha , a third of Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while just 13 % of white residents do .
A Black worker in Kenosha earns about half that which a white worker earns .
It 's not just that Black Kenoshans are worse off than their white neighbors ; it 's that they 're worse off here than almost anywhere else in the country on almost every measure .
`` In most communities , there is n't this uniformity of poor standing on all of these indicators , '' Levine says .
`` The startling thing is how almost uniformly on almost any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , [ southeast Wisconsin ] ranks worst . ''
Another startling aspect of the study , Levine says , is how little the trends in Southeast Wisconsin have changed over the years .
`` In some communities ( elsewhere around the country ) , there have been improvements on a number of indicators , '' he says .
But not in Milwaukee and the cities of Racine and Kenosha .
Levine points to segregation levels as a key indicator , where even in notoriously segregated cities like Chicago and Boston there have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the linchpin separating Black Americans in their neighborhoods from economic opportunities .
Milwaukee has had only a tiny decline . ''
says Levine .
`` And that does make us stand out . ''
`` It 's very divided and it always has been , '' says Tanya McLean , who was born and raised in Kenosha , and she says she found out just how much so when moving back here after college and serving in the military .
`` Actually , I was trying to buy a house , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I was just like , 'oh , man . '
I was disheartened , and that 's when I realized that this town is completely divided . ''
`` I mean , all of the poverty is in one spot .
So what does that say ? ''
McLean adds .
`` I mean , the jobs are lacking here .
The opportunities are lacking .
Something has to change here or this ( unrest ) is going to continue . ''
All of this plus a history of poor relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the current discontent , Black residents say .
`` I do feel that we are marching backwards , people of color are getting pushed backwards , at a rapid rate , '' says Lorna Revere , a small business owner in Racine , the city next door to Kenosha .
`` I have to admit that right now , my hope for change is only this big , '' Revere says , holding her finger and thumb barely a smidge apart .
And the reason she says she has very little hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office .
I mean , he is inciting hate and people are drinking the kool-aid . ''
But Revere says local leaders deserve criticism for the wide racial inequities and racially biased policing , too .
At a huge protest march and rally Saturday , she carried a sign calling for the resignations of Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth and the city 's Police Chief Daniel Miskinis .
Beth has a history of racially charged comments .
Two years ago , he called five people of color arrested for stealing goods from an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` We need to build warehouses to put these people into it and lock them away for the rest of their lives , '' Beth said at the time of the incident in 2018 .
`` Let 's stop them from truly , at least some of these males , from going out and getting 10 other women pregnant and having small children . ''
And both have been criticized by local residents for what they say are `` tone deaf '' responses to the police shooting of Jacob Blake and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two them , by a 17-year old who was part of self styled local militia .
Cell phone video recorded before the shooting of the protesters show police officers thanking the white armed men patrolling the streets and giving them water , with one unidentified officer heard saying `` We appreciate you guys , we really do . ''
`` I feel he should step down , '' says Carey Norris , referring to Chief Miskinis .
Norris is a local entertainer , entrepreneur and community leader who goes by the name DJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheriff ) David Beth should step down . ''
Norris also says the mayor and some city aldermen should resign .
`` Not saying they 're not good people , but they 're not in position to handle these types of things , '' Norris says .
In the city of Kenosha , Black residents make up just about 12 % of the population , and Norris is one of several residents who told NPR that local politicians take the Black community for granted .
`` It 's easy for them .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says .
`` They do n't need our vote !
And that 's the honest truth . ''
`` Stop asking us about Trump , '' Norris told us , even though we had n't asked about the president .
Instead he urged us to ask him and other Kenosha residents about local officials , from the school board to the aldermen to the mayor 's office .
`` Some of them ( local voters ) , they do n't know .
They think it just starts and ends with the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't . ''
Many here agree that changing deep-seeded racial inequalities starts at the ballot box ( or mailbox ) this November .
And in a county that President Trump won by just 255 votes four years ago , in a state he unexpectedly and narrowly won , the police shooting of Jacob Brown , and the protests and violence that followed , are likely to influence election results from Kenosha 's city hall to the White House .

Kenosha Protests, Violence Expose Racial Disparities Among The Worst In The Country
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Maturen for NPR Stephen Maturen for NPR
The old metal gumball machine is still there - standing in a corner near the door. It's scorched and some of its plastic is melted but it's still standing there. But very little else inside what was The Good Taste Ice Cream Shoppe in Kenosha is recognizable as the blackened remains of the roof, walls, tables, chairs, and other fixtures are scattered about in heaps of charred wood and twisted and scorched metal.
It's one of several shops on this busy commercial strip on 22nd Avenue in Kenosha's mostly Black Uptown neighborhood that were burned to the ground or severely damaged during a few nights of rioting last week in Kenosha.
The fires also destroyed second floor apartments above some of these shops; dozens of residents lost nearly everything and are now homeless.
As residents of this city of 100,000 along the shores of Lake Michigan between Chicago and Milwaukee clean up the damage, they lament the violence and destruction that left this and other swaths of their city damaged or destroyed. But many said they understand the anger and frustration that led to it.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Urquhart for NPR Jim Urquhart for NPR
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Urquhart for NPR Jim Urquhart for NPR
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Urquhart for NPR Jim Urquhart for NPR
The shooting of Jacob Blake on Sunday, Aug. 23, set off a series of protests that gave way to violence for three straight nights. Downtown Kenosha, storefronts and vehicles were damaged. A used car dealership, a furniture store and the state parole office were burned to the ground. But the destruction was much greater in Kenosha's Uptown area.
Walking down 22nd Ave. with his young son, Kenneth Smith, 42, takes in the damage in disbelief.
"It's sad, it's really sad. There's no other word for it but just sad, man," Smith said. "To look at it like this and to see it how it was just a week ago, it's sad."
Smith ticked off the businesses he'd once patronized that are now damaged or destroyed: The Mexican ice cream shop called The Good Taste. A men's clothing store called Trends. Uptown Pantry, the convenience store.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Urquhart for NPR Jim Urquhart for NPR
"I think people were just looking for a little justice, you know?" Smith said, referencing the police shooting of Jacob Blake on August 23. But says he doesn't believe anyone local would have torched those shops, "because why would they? You know, you got a lot of people in this area that eat in the Uptown area. I don't see 'em burning down a place that they spend money at on a regular basis."
"This is one of the ways that – unfortunately – people know how to take out their anger, because peaceful protests since the '60s have not evidently been too effective," says Eric Vines, 58, who was walking down the block surveying the damage with his brother, both of whom were born and raised in Kenosha. "I'm not saying this is the proper way to do it, but it's gotten a lot of attention."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Maturen for NPR Stephen Maturen for NPR
Since the fires, a stream of volunteers, many of them white, have come to Uptown to help clean the area and install plywood. On this day, the volunteers were painting the plywood, mostly with generic inoffensive messages like "Peace and Love" and "Kenosha Strong." Some include Bible verses and messages of faith.
Asked whether he thought the volunteers came to 22nd Avenue often before all this, Vines, who is Black, laughed.
"Obviously and evidently, we can look around and see that, no. The [answer] is no," he says. "But it's just unity, that's what it is. It's people having empathy and love for each other. That's what this is. And I appreciate that."
"I don't even know how long it will take all this to come back, or if it will. I hope it does," Vines says.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Maturen for NPR Stephen Maturen for NPR
Keye Voigt, a public insurance adjuster, was working inside a salon on 22nd Avenue. He said he's working for multiple businesses in Kenosha, many of whom he guessed may not reopen.
"Covid crushed them. Kenosha's having its own issues, obviously. With the current state of affairs, a lot of these businesses aren't going to make it," he said.
One of Voigt's clients had been offered just $5000 by the insurance company, he said. Another's claim had been denied entirely because the insurance company said the fires fell under a policy exemption for acts of terrorism. The city of Kenosha has not yet released an estimate of the total damage, but Voigt guessed it would be in the tens of millions of dollars.
"This is the last thing people need right now, is their building being burned down, their business being destroyed. So I hope it ends," says Voigt.
The recovery could be especially difficult because Black Kenoshans are already at significant economic disadvantage compared to their white neighbors.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Maturen for NPR Stephen Maturen for NPR
Southeast Wisconsin is by some measures the most racially segregated region of the country, and the economic conditions for Black residents in this region rank among the worst in the country in a number of metrics.
A study published in July by Marc Levine, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, laid out a sobering list of statistics about the status of Black residents in the region in 2020.
"On almost all of the indicators... from poverty to employment to general income trends, to income inequality, incarceration trends, school segregation levels — Black Milwaukee ranked either the worst or next to worst among the nation's fifty largest metropolitan areas," Levine says. "And in fact, on most indicators that I've looked at, the status of the Black community in Kenosha is actually slightly worse than Milwaukee."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Maturen for NPR Stephen Maturen for NPR
The median Black household in the Milwaukee area earns just 44% of the median white household. Among the nation's largest metro areas, Milwaukee has the second-lowest Black home ownership rate. School segregation in the Milwaukee area, measured by how likely Black children are to attend a school where students are 90% non-white, is essentially unchanged since 1965. A white high school dropout has about the same likelihood of having a job as Black high school graduate.
Here in Kenosha, a third of Black residents live below the poverty line, while just 13% of white residents do. A Black worker in Kenosha earns about half that which a white worker earns.
It's not just that Black Kenoshans are worse off than their white neighbors; it's that they're worse off here than almost anywhere else in the country on almost every measure.
"In most communities, there isn't this uniformity of poor standing on all of these indicators," Levine says. "The startling thing is how almost uniformly on almost any indicator of consequence that one looks at, [southeast Wisconsin] ranks worst."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Maturen for NPR Stephen Maturen for NPR
Another startling aspect of the study, Levine says, is how little the trends in Southeast Wisconsin have changed over the years. "In some communities (elsewhere around the country), there have been improvements on a number of indicators," he says. But not in Milwaukee and the cities of Racine and Kenosha.
Levine points to segregation levels as a key indicator, where even in notoriously segregated cities like Chicago and Boston there have been slight improvements. "Because segregation is the linchpin separating Black Americans in their neighborhoods from economic opportunities. Milwaukee has had only a tiny decline." says Levine. "And that does make us stand out."
"It's very divided and it always has been," says Tanya McLean, who was born and raised in Kenosha, and she says she found out just how much so when moving back here after college and serving in the military.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Urquhart for NPR Jim Urquhart for NPR
"Actually, I was trying to buy a house, and it was an issue," McLean said. "I was just like, 'oh, man.' I was disheartened, and that's when I realized that this town is completely divided."
"I mean, all of the poverty is in one spot. So what does that say?" McLean adds. "I mean, the jobs are lacking here. The opportunities are lacking. Something has to change here or this (unrest) is going to continue."
All of this plus a history of poor relations with Kenosha police have laid the groundwork for the current discontent, Black residents say.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Urquhart for NPR Jim Urquhart for NPR
"I do feel that we are marching backwards, people of color are getting pushed backwards, at a rapid rate," says Lorna Revere, a small business owner in Racine, the city next door to Kenosha.
"I have to admit that right now, my hope for change is only this big," Revere says, holding her finger and thumb barely a smidge apart. And the reason she says she has very little hope is "because of Trump being in office. I mean, he is inciting hate and people are drinking the kool-aid."
But Revere says local leaders deserve criticism for the wide racial inequities and racially biased policing, too. At a huge protest march and rally Saturday, she carried a sign calling for the resignations of Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth and the city's Police Chief Daniel Miskinis.
Beth has a history of racially charged comments. Two years ago, he called five people of color arrested for stealing goods from an area outlet mall "garbage people."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Maturen for NPR Stephen Maturen for NPR
"We need to build warehouses to put these people into it and lock them away for the rest of their lives," Beth said at the time of the incident in 2018. "Let's stop them from truly, at least some of these males, from going out and getting 10 other women pregnant and having small children."
And both have been criticized by local residents for what they say are "tone deaf" responses to the police shooting of Jacob Blake and the subsequent shooting of three protesters, killing two them, by a 17-year old who was part of self styled local militia.
Cell phone video recorded before the shooting of the protesters show police officers thanking the white armed men patrolling the streets and giving them water, with one unidentified officer heard saying "We appreciate you guys, we really do."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Maturen for NPR Stephen Maturen for NPR
"I feel he should step down," says Carey Norris, referring to Chief Miskinis. Norris is a local entertainer, entrepreneur and community leader who goes by the name DJ Mr. 262. "I feel (Sheriff) David Beth should step down."
Norris also says the mayor and some city aldermen should resign.
"Not saying they're not good people, but they're not in position to handle these types of things," Norris says.
In the city of Kenosha, Black residents make up just about 12% of the population, and Norris is one of several residents who told NPR that local politicians take the Black community for granted.
"It's easy for them. They don't need our vote," he says. "They don't need our vote! And that's the honest truth."
"Stop asking us about Trump," Norris told us, even though we hadn't asked about the president. Instead he urged us to ask him and other Kenosha residents about local officials, from the school board to the aldermen to the mayor's office.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Maturen for NPR Stephen Maturen for NPR
"Some of them (local voters), they don't know. They think it just starts and ends with the president," Norris says. "It doesn't."
Many here agree that changing deep-seated racial inequalities starts at the ballot box (or mailbox) this November. And in a county that President Trump won by just 255 votes four years ago, in a state he unexpectedly and narrowly won, the police shooting of Jacob Blake, and the protests and violence that followed, are likely to influence election results from Kenosha's city hall to the White House.


npr--2020-09-01--Trump Administration Seeking To Expand Collection Of Biometric Data From Immigrants

Trump Administration Seeking To Expand Collection Of Biometric Data From Immigrants The Trump administration is considering drastically expanding the government 's collection of biometric information from immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship , the Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Tuesday .
The proposal would allow the government to demand more personal data , from more people , more often as part of the immigration application process .
U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services currently requires biometrics , or biological measurements , from anyone over the age of 14 who applies for certain immigration benefits .
That information is limited to fingerprints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be expanded under the proposed policy change to include DNA , eye scans , voice prints and photographs for facial recognition .
According to a draft policy obtained by BuzzFeed News , the government would be allowed to request biometrics from immigrants with green cards or work permits at any point until they become a U.S. citizen , in what amounts to continuous vetting .
BuzzFeed also reported that the policy would further modify existing procedures so that anyone who has received an immigration benefit , including their U.S. citizen sponsors , would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by USCIS .
It would also do away with the age limit on the collection of such data , requiring even minors to comply .
DHS issued a statement on Tuesday confirming the `` imminent publication of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking . ''
The department said the proposed change would improve its screening and vetting process , as well as reduce its dependence on paper documents to prove `` identity and familial relationships . ''
Voice , iris and facial recognition technologies , DHS explained , are quick ways to verify someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The proposed policy would also authorize the the collection of DNA to verify certain familial relationships .
The department said confirming the genetic relationship between adults and minors in DHS custody is in the interest of protecting childrens ' well-being .
Ken Cuccinelli , who is performing the duties of the Deputy Secretary for Homeland Security , said in the statement that collecting biometric information protects against identity theft and `` thwarts fraudsters who are not who they claim to be . ''
Sarah Pierce , a policy analyst for the U.S. Immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , called the move `` stunningly unnecessary . ''
`` They 're implementing this as if there 's some sort of rampant fraud going through the immigration system , with very little evidence to show for it , '' Pierce told NPR .
She said the new policy could subject millions of people to continued surveillance , and potentially have a chilling effect on family-based applications , because U.S. nationals and legal permanent residents may not be willing to go through invasive biometrics exams to sponsor relatives for a green card .
Individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay a fee when providing biometrics , Pierce said , noting that USCIS is struggling financially .
The American Civil Liberties Union condemned the draft regulation in a statement issued Tuesday , in which it said the Trump administration is `` once again , trying to radically change America 's immigration system '' by collecting unprecedented personal information and potentially storing it even after immigrants become citizens .
`` Collecting a massive database of genetic blueprints wo n't make us safer — it will simply make it easier for the government to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring us closer to a dystopian nightmare , '' said Andrea Flores , ACLU 's deputy director of immigration policy .
Once the notice of proposed rulemaking is published in the Federal Register , members of the public will have an opportunity to comment on it .

Trump Administration Seeking To Expand Collection Of Biometric Data From Immigrants
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images Joe Raedle/Getty Images
The Trump administration is considering drastically expanding the government's collection of biometric information from immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Tuesday.
The proposal would allow the government to demand more personal data, from more people, more often as part of the immigration application process.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services currently requires biometrics, or biological measurements, from anyone over the age of 14 who applies for certain immigration benefits. That information is limited to fingerprints, photographs and signatures, but would be expanded under the proposed policy change to include DNA, eye scans, voice prints and photographs for facial recognition.
According to a draft policy obtained by BuzzFeed News, the government would be allowed to request biometrics from immigrants with green cards or work permits at any point until they become a U.S. citizen, in what amounts to continuous vetting.
1A 'Get In Line:' What It Takes To Legally Immigrate To The United States 'Get In Line:' What It Takes To Legally Immigrate To The United States Listen · 35:35 35:35
BuzzFeed also reported that the policy would further modify existing procedures so that anyone who has received an immigration benefit, including their U.S. citizen sponsors, would need to provide biometrics unless told otherwise by USCIS. It would also do away with the age limit on the collection of such data, requiring even minors to comply.
DHS issued a statement on Tuesday confirming the "imminent publication of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking."
The department said the proposed change would improve its screening and vetting process, as well as reduce its dependence on paper documents to prove "identity and familial relationships."
Voice, iris and facial recognition technologies, DHS explained, are quick ways to verify someone's identity without using physical contact.
The proposed policy would also authorize the the collection of DNA to verify certain familial relationships. The department said confirming the genetic relationship between adults and minors in DHS custody is in the interest of protecting childrens' well-being.
Ken Cuccinelli, who is performing the duties of the Deputy Secretary for Homeland Security, said in the statement that collecting biometric information protects against identity theft and "thwarts fraudsters who are not who they claim to be."
Sarah Pierce, a policy analyst for the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute, called the move "stunningly unnecessary."
"They're implementing this as if there's some sort of rampant fraud going through the immigration system, with very little evidence to show for it," Pierce told NPR.
She said the new policy could subject millions of people to continued surveillance, and potentially have a chilling effect on family-based applications, because U.S. nationals and legal permanent residents may not be willing to go through invasive biometrics exams to sponsor relatives for a green card.
Individuals going through the immigration process also have to pay a fee when providing biometrics, Pierce said, noting that USCIS is struggling financially.
The American Civil Liberties Union condemned the draft regulation in a statement issued Tuesday, in which it said the Trump administration is "once again, trying to radically change America's immigration system" by collecting unprecedented personal information and potentially storing it even after immigrants become citizens.
"Collecting a massive database of genetic blueprints won't make us safer — it will simply make it easier for the government to surveil and target our communities and to bring us closer to a dystopian nightmare," said Andrea Flores, ACLU's deputy director of immigration policy.
Once the notice of proposed rulemaking is published in the Federal Register, members of the public will have an opportunity to comment on it.


npr--2020-09-01--Markey Fends Off Kennedy Challenge In High Profile Mass. Senate Primary

Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey has fended off the highest-profile Democratic primary challenge of his decades in federal office , defeating the rising Rep. Joe Kennedy III , a member of the state 's legendary political dynasty .
Kennedy conceded the contest nearly two and a half hours after polls closed Tuesday night .
The Associated Press projected Markey as the winner a short time later .
Prior to this race , no member of the Kennedy family had lost an election in Massachusetts , according to the Cook Political Report .
Markey 's victory means the 74-year-old incumbent , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy was born , advances to November 's general election and will likely continue to represent the solidly liberal state in the Senate for another six years , while Kennedy — at least for a time — will be out of Congress , since state law prohibited him from running for reelection to his House seat and in the Senate primary at the same time .
The outcome adds a new twist to an emerging narrative in Democratic politics .
Over the last two years , young progressive challengers have toppled well-known longtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City .
In the Massachusetts race , though , it was Markey who received support from progressive figures and organizations for his reelection , and his challenger , Kennedy , whose famous surname boosted his name recognition .
Indeed , before Kennedy even entered the race , polling found him to be the favorite — and some analysts were counting Markey out .
But Markey ran up big margins in Boston and many of its well-heeled surrounding communities , eclipsing Kennedy 's advantages in more working-class cities .
Speaking from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledged the young voices who energized his winning campaign .
`` Tonight is more than just a celebration of a movement ; it is a reaffirmation of the need to have a movement — a progressive movement of young people , '' he said .
Both Markey and Kennedy mentioned the sometimes contentious nature of their primary .
`` The senator is a good man .
You have never heard me say otherwise , '' Kennedy told supporters after conceding .
`` It was difficult at times between us .
Good elections often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the debates , for his commitment to our commonwealth and for the energy and enthusiasm that he brought to this race .
Obviously , these results were not the ones we were hoping for . ''
Kennedy 's bold challenge of the incumbent rubbed many of the states voters the wrong way , and some Democrats , including former Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank , bemoaned the fact that the primary would take resources and focus away from the party 's efforts to topple Republicans in races elsewhere .
During the campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was taking on Markey , since the two agree on most major policy issues .
Kennedy would say it was time for new leadership , and that being one of the state 's senators means more than just how that politician votes .
`` For most who are struggling and scraping and striving across our commonwealth , the status quo does n't come close [ to helping them ] , '' Kennedy said this past weekend , according to WBUR .
`` And we will not change that by doing the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years : by entrusting our future to the same people who built our past . ''
Markey stressed his working-class roots , legislative accomplishments and progressive credentials , especially on climate change with his co-authorship of the Green New Deal with New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , who endorsed him .
( Kennedy also supports the Green New Deal . )
`` Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is right when she says , 'It 's not a question of your age ; it 's the age of your ideas , ' `` Markey told reporters this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign is about ] ideas , I 'm the youngest guy in this race . ''
Kennedy , a former Peace Corps volunteer who speaks Spanish fluently , tried to counter by pointing to Markey 's vote to authorize the Iraq war and his record on criminal justice , including his vote for the 1994 crime bill — positions now out of step with the party 's progressives .
Markey was backed by his progressive colleague , Sen. Elizabeth Warren , and his campaign 's quirky digital presence boosted his appeal with young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online harassment from some Markey supporters . )
Markey reportedly outspent Kennedy nearly four to one on ads in the Boston market in the final week of the campaign .
The incumbent topped the final several polls in the race , led by support among young voters , white residents and college-educated liberals .
Kennedy , meanwhile , polled stronger among moderates , nonwhite voters and voters without a college degree .
Markey now faces Kevin O'Connor , the winner of the Republican primary , in November .
Another longtime Massachusetts incumbent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also fended off a younger challenger on Tuesday .

Markey Fends Off Kennedy Challenge In High Profile Mass. Senate Primary
Enlarge this image toggle caption Allison Dinner/Getty Images Allison Dinner/Getty Images
Updated at 11:30 p.m. ET
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey has fended off the highest-profile Democratic primary challenge of his decades in federal office, defeating the rising Rep. Joe Kennedy III, a member of the state's legendary political dynasty.
Kennedy conceded the contest nearly two and a half hours after polls closed Tuesday night. The Associated Press projected Markey as the winner a short time later.
Prior to this race, no member of the Kennedy family had lost an election in Massachusetts, according to the Cook Political Report.
Markey's victory means the 74-year-old incumbent, who became a Massachusetts congressman before the 39-year-old Kennedy was born, advances to November's general election and will likely continue to represent the solidly liberal state in the Senate for another six years, while Kennedy — at least for a time — will be out of Congress, since state law prohibited him from running for reelection to his House seat and in the Senate primary at the same time.
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The outcome adds a new twist to an emerging narrative in Democratic politics. Over the last two years, young progressive challengers have toppled well-known longtime incumbents in places like St. Louis and New York City.
In the Massachusetts race, though, it was Markey who received support from progressive figures and organizations for his reelection, and his challenger, Kennedy, whose famous surname boosted his name recognition.
Indeed, before Kennedy even entered the race, polling found him to be the favorite — and some analysts were counting Markey out.
But Markey ran up big margins in Boston and many of its well-heeled surrounding communities, eclipsing Kennedy's advantages in more working-class cities.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charles Krupa/AP Charles Krupa/AP
Speaking from his hometown of Malden, Mass., Markey acknowledged the young voices who energized his winning campaign.
"Tonight is more than just a celebration of a movement; it is a reaffirmation of the need to have a movement — a progressive movement of young people," he said.
Both Markey and Kennedy mentioned the sometimes contentious nature of their primary.
"The senator is a good man. You have never heard me say otherwise," Kennedy told supporters after conceding. "It was difficult at times between us. Good elections often get heated. But I'm grateful for the debates, for his commitment to our commonwealth and for the energy and enthusiasm that he brought to this race. Obviously, these results were not the ones we were hoping for."
Two well-liked Democrats square off
Kennedy's bold challenge of the incumbent rubbed many of the states voters the wrong way, and some Democrats, including former Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank, bemoaned the fact that the primary would take resources and focus away from the party's efforts to topple Republicans in races elsewhere. During the campaign, Kennedy was often asked to explain why he was taking on Markey, since the two agree on most major policy issues. Kennedy would say it was time for new leadership, and that being one of the state's senators means more than just how that politician votes.
"For most who are struggling and scraping and striving across our commonwealth, the status quo doesn't come close [to helping them]," Kennedy said this past weekend, according to WBUR. "And we will not change that by doing the same thing we've been doing for 50 years: by entrusting our future to the same people who built our past."
Markey stressed his working-class roots, legislative accomplishments and progressive credentials, especially on climate change with his co-authorship of the Green New Deal with New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who endorsed him. (Kennedy also supports the Green New Deal.)
"Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is right when she says, 'It's not a question of your age; it's the age of your ideas,' " Markey told reporters this past weekend. "If [this campaign is about] ideas, I'm the youngest guy in this race."
Kennedy, a former Peace Corps volunteer who speaks Spanish fluently, tried to counter by pointing to Markey's vote to authorize the Iraq war and his record on criminal justice, including his vote for the 1994 crime bill — positions now out of step with the party's progressives.
Markey was backed by his progressive colleague, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and his campaign's quirky digital presence boosted his appeal with young people. (Team Kennedy complained of online harassment from some Markey supporters.)
Markey reportedly outspent Kennedy nearly four to one on ads in the Boston market in the final week of the campaign.
The incumbent topped the final several polls in the race, led by support among young voters, white residents and college-educated liberals. Kennedy, meanwhile, polled stronger among moderates, nonwhite voters and voters without a college degree.
Markey now faces Kevin O'Connor, the winner of the Republican primary, in November.
Another longtime Massachusetts incumbent, 1st Congressional District Rep. Richard Neal, also fended off a younger challenger on Tuesday.


npr--2020-09-01--Majority Of Hurricane Laura Deaths Linked To Improper Use Of Portable Generators

Majority Of Hurricane Laura Deaths Linked To Improper Use Of Portable Generators More deaths associated with Hurricane Laura were caused by the improper use of portable generators than the storm itself .
And officials warn that the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning persists , as thousands of households in Louisiana remain without power .
Eight of the 15 hurricane-related deaths confirmed by the Louisiana Department of Health are attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators , which can provide life-saving power in emergency situations but also pose a deadly threat if used incorrectly .
The unidentified victims of carbon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 84 years old , and outnumber the deaths caused by drowning , fallen trees and storm cleanup .
Officials in Lake Charles said at a press briefing on Friday that five people in one house succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning after fumes from their generator — which was running in an attached garage — entered through a door that was either partially or fully open .
Most generator-related fatalities are caused by carbon monoxide , a colorless , odorless gas that can build up especially quickly in enclosed spaces .
At certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is enough to be fatal .
Lake Charles Police Chief , Shawn Caldwell , acknowledged that many people are likely relying on generators in the aftermath of the storm but cautioned they should be used at a distance .
The safest place for a portable generator is at least 20 feet away from any door or window .
`` Chain it to a tree if there 's one left out in the yard , '' he said , `` but do n't let a generator cost your life . ''
Hard-hit Louisiana is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be fully restored for weeks .
As of Tuesday afternoon , some 250,000 electric customers were still in the dark as thousands of utility workers from nearly 30 states showed up to help .
`` But the damage is extensive , and complete restoration will take time , '' Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards said Monday night .
In the meantime , the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal announced that search and rescue teams are making it a part of their mission to ensure people are using generators safely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an elderly couple in Vernon Parish refuel their generator and move it from their front porch to the back of their home , as the wind was blowing exhaust towards the windows and doors .
Officials also warned not to refuel generators while they are running .
Federal agencies stress the importance of having working carbon monoxide detectors installed , particularly after natural disasters when portable generators get the most use .
And some health experts are calling for broader reform , like stronger industry regulation and better safety features on portable generators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first place .
In fact , some generator models now include a sensor that triggers an automatic shutoff if carbon monoxide builds up too quickly , while others emit less of the gas in the first place .
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache , dizziness , weakness , stomach pain , chest pain and confusion .
Health officials urge anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to carbon monoxide to get to fresh air immediately and seek medical help .

Majority Of Hurricane Laura Deaths Linked To Improper Use Of Portable Generators
Enlarge this image toggle caption David J. Phillip/AP David J. Phillip/AP
More deaths associated with Hurricane Laura were caused by the improper use of portable generators than the storm itself.
And officials warn that the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning persists, as thousands of households in Louisiana remain without power.
Eight of the 15 hurricane-related deaths confirmed by the Louisiana Department of Health are attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators, which can provide life-saving power in emergency situations but also pose a deadly threat if used incorrectly.
The unidentified victims of carbon monoxide poisoning range in age from 24 to 84 years old, and outnumber the deaths caused by drowning, fallen trees and storm cleanup.
Officials in Lake Charles said at a press briefing on Friday that five people in one house succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning after fumes from their generator — which was running in an attached garage — entered through a door that was either partially or fully open.
Most generator-related fatalities are caused by carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can build up especially quickly in enclosed spaces. At certain levels, just five minutes of exposure is enough to be fatal.
Lake Charles Police Chief, Shawn Caldwell, acknowledged that many people are likely relying on generators in the aftermath of the storm but cautioned they should be used at a distance. The safest place for a portable generator is at least 20 feet away from any door or window.
"Chain it to a tree if there's one left out in the yard," he said, "but don't let a generator cost your life."
Hard-hit Louisiana is dealing with widespread power outages that may not be fully restored for weeks. As of Tuesday afternoon, some 250,000 electric customers were still in the dark as thousands of utility workers from nearly 30 states showed up to help.
"But the damage is extensive, and complete restoration will take time," Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said Monday night.
In the meantime, the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal announced that search and rescue teams are making it a part of their mission to ensure people are using generators safely.
For example, it said responders helped an elderly couple in Vernon Parish refuel their generator and move it from their front porch to the back of their home, as the wind was blowing exhaust towards the windows and doors.
Officials also warned not to refuel generators while they are running.
Federal agencies stress the importance of having working carbon monoxide detectors installed, particularly after natural disasters when portable generators get the most use.
And some health experts are calling for broader reform, like stronger industry regulation and better safety features on portable generators, to help prevent potentially-fatal user error in the first place.
In fact, some generator models now include a sensor that triggers an automatic shutoff if carbon monoxide builds up too quickly, while others emit less of the gas in the first place.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, stomach pain, chest pain and confusion. Health officials urge anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to carbon monoxide to get to fresh air immediately and seek medical help.