npr--2020-10-29--Polling Places Are Closing Due To COVID-19, It Could Tip Races In 1 Swing State

Polling Places Are Closing Due To COVID-19 , It Could Tip Races In 1 Swing State This story was co-reported by Iowa Public Radio News , the Center for Public Integrity and NPR .
The New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Waterloo .
The Senior High School in Fort Dodge .
The Masonic Temple in Council Bluffs .
But Iowa voters wo n't be able to cast their ballot at any of those polling places this Election Day , due to hundreds of closures and consolidations that have rippled across the state due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to look up where we need to go .
I mean , I 'm not sure which place I would go , '' said Sheena Thomas , a voter in Des Moines .
`` That 's going to be an issue for everybody . ''
Thomas was n't able to vote at her usual polling site this year , a senior care center on the west side of the city .
She decided it would be easier to vote absentee instead .
`` There 's precinct numbers and House district numbers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of those is used for my polling place ? ''
she asked .
`` I am pretty sure of its precinct number , but even so , that 's not readily available in your head . ''
Everything about the act of voting in 2020 has been shaken by COVID-19 .
A record number of ballots have been cast early , either by mail or in-person .
All over the country , sports teams are turning over their arenas to be used as large-scale , socially-distanced polling places .
But in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reduction in the number of polling places , a potential roadblock for voters amid a period of already-heightened stress and confusion .
Since the 2016 general election , Iowa has lost 261 polling places , according to an analysis by the Center for Public Integrity , Stateline and NPR .
The polling place changes vary across the state ; while some counties are able to keep all of their sites open , others must close or consolidate half .
Overall , this affects some 670,000 Iowans , 30 % of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the changes overwhelmingly live in the state 's urban areas , which reliably vote Democratic .
And the closures are happening at a time of multiple competitive races in the state , including the presidential contest .
This spring , the pandemic prompted unprecedented polling place consolidations during the primaries in jurisdictions across the U.S. , sparking an outcry over images of voters standing in hours-long lines in places such as Milwaukee and Atlanta .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called for election administrators to `` maintain or increase the total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public on Election Day to improve the ability to social distance . ''
The guidance also says to avoid increasing the number of potential registered voters assigned to each polling place `` unless there is no other option . ''
The pandemic-related closures follow a scaling back of polling places across the country in recent years as some communities have begun voting primarily by mail or using larger `` vote centers , '' and in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that limited federal oversight of election administration .
In 2013 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holder decision struck down a provision of the Voting Rights Act that required jurisdictions with a history of racially discriminatory practices to seek permission from the federal government before making changes to voting policies and procedure .
Since then , voting rights advocates have expressed alarm about how polling place closures and relocations may impact communities of color in previously-covered states and jurisdictions .
Iowa was n't covered .
In general , `` on Election Day , we can anticipate to see long lines in areas where there have been mass closures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the voting rights program at the Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights , which has issued reports on polling place closures in places affected by Shelby .
Despite advocates ' efforts , local election officials in Iowa have struggled to find poll workers and been kicked out of churches and community centers that do n't feel comfortable hosting voters during a pandemic .
`` That 's just the reality .
Insufficient poll workers means less polling places , '' said Joel Miller , the top election official in Linn County , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed or consolidated 37 % of his polling places this year .
`` I know that may create additional hardships on it , but you know , there 's a lot of people that could be volunteering to work the polls that are choosing not to and I understand , '' Miller said , `` but when we said that we need younger people to get involved and stand up this year , we were n't kidding . ''
Many , if not most Iowans are expected to vote early or absentee this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least one turnout record .
But for those who do want to vote in-person on Election Day , research has shown that polling place closures , consolidations and relocations can depress turnout .
University of Northern Iowa political scientist Chris Larimer says that 's a concern this cycle .
`` If there 's that big of an increase in those other forms of voting , absentee or early , is that enough to offset the consolidation of polling places ?
Or the closure of certain polling places ? ''
Larimer asked .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet . ''
Finding a new site can be time-consuming and confusing for voters .
People with low incomes and people of color may be less able to overcome those barriers .
Across the country , Black voters have faced longer wait times at the polls even before the pandemic .
`` That 's the concern , is voter suppression , '' Larimer said .
`` And/or just adding costs to the act of voting , which is something we do n't want to do , because it 's already hard enough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The analysis by the Center for Public Integrity , Stateline and NPR found that in Black Hawk County , one of the state 's most diverse areas , Census tracts with more people of color lost a larger share of polling places than whiter Census tracts .
Black Hawk County Auditor Grant Veeder said he did n't account for demographics when he closed or consolidated 30 % of his sites .
His county includes the city of Waterloo , which is home to the state 's largest Black population , proportionally .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of demographic information , '' Veeder said .
`` We were just looking for the places that we needed to make combinations and tried to make as few of them as we could and spread them out as much as we could . ''
Veeder , like many local election officials , is hoping Iowans take advantage of early and absentee voting , to prevent overcrowding and longer lines at the pared-back polling places .
The prospect of decreasing access to the polls in Black communities is n't exactly surprising for Vikki Brown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats .
`` It seems that things have always been made harder for us .
But we 're resilient .
And we always find a way to do what we need to do , '' Brown said .
`` We overcome . ''
Iowa voters do have other ways to cast their ballot .
Early voting in the state began on Oct. 5 and every county has at least one early voting site .
Additionally , no-excuse absentee voting is much more established here than in other states , with 40 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 election .
Overall , Iowans tend to vote at higher rates than residents of other states , with turnout often hitting 70 % during presidential elections .
Despite everything , Brown is optimistic voters will find a way , even during a pandemic .
`` I 'm certain that it 's going to make it harder for people to vote .
But I am seeing a resolve right now , where people are determined , '' Brown said .
`` Whatever you do , we 're going to counteract it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had received a record number of absentee ballots .
But how these polling place changes affect turnout could have impacts beyond Iowa .
Races for the White House , U.S. Senate and multiple House districts in Iowa have all been labeled toss-ups .
The races are so close , Larimer says the polling place changes could affect the outcome , especially down the ballot .
Payne is a reporter for Iowa Public Radio News , Rebala is a news developer for the Center for Public Integrity , Levine is a senior reporter at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a news apps developer for NPR .

Polling Places Are Closing Due To COVID-19. It Could Tip Races In 1 Swing State
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charlie Neibergall/AP Charlie Neibergall/AP
Updated on Oct. 30 at 9:32 p.m.
This story was co-reported by Iowa Public Radio News, the Center for Public Integrity and NPR.
The New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Waterloo. The senior high school in Fort Dodge. The Masonic Temple in Council Bluffs.
Iowa voters won't be able to cast their ballot at those locations this Election Day, or at many of the state's other usual polling places. Closures and consolidations have rippled across Iowa due to the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in hundreds fewer Election Day polling places than the state had in 2016.
Nonetheless, Iowa has already seen record turnout, with voters casting more absentee ballots than they ever have before. Early in-person voting has also been underway for weeks. But those who do want to cast a ballot in-person on Election Day should first check to see if their polling place has changed.
"All of us, we are going to have to look up where we need to go. I mean, I'm not sure which place I would go," said Sheena Thomas, a voter in Des Moines. "That's going to be an issue for everybody."
Thomas wasn't able to vote at her usual polling site this year, a senior care center on the west side of the city. She decided it would be easier to vote absentee instead.
"There's precinct numbers and House district numbers and there's Senate district numbers and which one of those is used for my polling place?" she asked. "I am pretty sure of its precinct number, but even so, that's not readily available in your head."
Everything about the act of voting in 2020 has been shaken by COVID-19. A record number of ballots have been cast early, either by mail or in person. All over the country, sports teams are turning over their arenas to be used as large-scale, socially distanced polling places.
But in some states, the pandemic has also meant a reduction in the number of polling places, a potential roadblock for voters amid a period of already-heightened stress and confusion. (Find your polling place anywhere in the U.S. here or use Iowa's tool to find polling places in that state.)
Since the 2016 general election, Iowa has lost 261 polling places, according to an analysis by the Center for Public Integrity, Stateline and NPR. The polling place changes vary across the state; while some counties are able to keep all of their sites open, others must close or consolidate half.
Overall, this affects some 670,000 Iowans, 30% of the state's registered voters. Those affected by the changes overwhelmingly live in the state's urban areas, which reliably vote Democratic. And the closures are happening at a time of multiple competitive races in the state, including the presidential contest.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charlie Neibergall/AP Charlie Neibergall/AP
Pandemic sparks polling place consolidations
This spring, the pandemic prompted unprecedented polling place consolidations during the primaries in jurisdictions across the U.S., sparking an outcry over images of voters standing in hours-long lines in places such as Milwaukee and Atlanta.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called for election administrators to "maintain or increase the total number of polling places available to the public on Election Day to improve the ability to social distance." The guidance also says to avoid increasing the number of potential registered voters assigned to each polling place "unless there is no other option."
The pandemic-related closures follow a scaling back of polling places across the country in recent years as some communities have begun voting primarily by mail or using larger "vote centers," and in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that limited federal oversight of election administration.
In 2013, the court's Shelby County v. Holder decision struck down a provision of the Voting Rights Act that required jurisdictions with a history of racially discriminatory practices to seek permission from the federal government before making changes to voting policies and procedure. Since then, voting rights advocates have expressed alarm about how polling place closures and relocations may impact communities of color in previously covered states and jurisdictions. Iowa wasn't covered.
In general, "on Election Day, we can anticipate to see long lines in areas where there have been mass closures," said Leigh Chapman, director of the voting rights program at the Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights, which has issued reports on polling place closures in places affected by Shelby.
Despite advocates' efforts, local election officials in Iowa have struggled to find poll workers and been kicked out of churches and community centers that don't feel comfortable hosting voters during a pandemic.
"That's just the reality. Insufficient poll workers means less polling places," said Joel Miller, the top election official in Linn County, the state's second largest.
Miller has closed or consolidated 37% of his polling places this year.
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"I know that may create additional hardships on it, but you know, there's a lot of people that could be volunteering to work the polls that are choosing not to and I understand," Miller said, "but when we said that we need younger people to get involved and stand up this year, we weren't kidding."
Many, if not most Iowans are expected to vote early or absentee this cycle and voters have already broken at least one turnout record.
But for those who want to vote in person on Election Day, research has shown that polling place closures, consolidations and relocations can depress turnout.
University of Northern Iowa political scientist Chris Larimer says that's a concern this cycle.
"If there's that big of an increase in those other forms of voting, absentee or early, is that enough to offset the consolidation of polling places? Or the closure of certain polling places?" Larimer asked. "I just don't think we know yet."
Finding a new site can be time-consuming and confusing for voters. People with low incomes and people of color may be less able to overcome those barriers. Across the country, Black voters have faced longer wait times at the polls even before the pandemic.
"That's the concern, is voter suppression," Larimer said. "And/or just adding costs to the act of voting, which is something we don't want to do, because it's already hard enough to get people to the polls."
Diverse communities among those affected
The analysis by the Center for Public Integrity, Stateline and NPR found that in Black Hawk County, one of the state's most diverse areas, census tracts with more people of color lost a larger share of polling places than whiter census tracts.
Loading...
Black Hawk County Auditor Grant Veeder said he didn't account for demographics when he closed or consolidated 30% of his sites. His county includes the city of Waterloo, which is home to the state's largest Black population, proportionally.
"We really didn't use that kind of demographic information," Veeder said. "We were just looking for the places that we needed to make combinations and tried to make as few of them as we could and spread them out as much as we could."
Veeder, like many local election officials, is hoping Iowans take advantage of early and absentee voting, to prevent overcrowding and longer lines at the pared-back polling places.
The prospect of decreasing access to the polls in Black communities isn't exactly surprising for Vikki Brown, chair of the Black Hawk County Democrats.
"It seems that things have always been made harder for us. But we're resilient. And we always find a way to do what we need to do," Brown said. "We overcome."
Iowa voters do have other ways to cast their ballot. Early voting in the state began on Oct. 5 and every county has at least one early voting site. Additionally, no-excuse absentee voting is much more established here than in other states, with 40% of Iowa voters casting an absentee ballot during the 2016 election.
Overall, Iowans tend to vote at higher rates than residents of other states, with turnout often hitting 70% during presidential elections.
Despite everything, Brown is optimistic that voters will find a way, even during a pandemic.
"I'm certain that it's going to make it harder for people to vote. But I am seeing a resolve right now, where people are determined," Brown said. "Whatever you do, we're going to counteract it."
As of Friday, the state had received a record number of absentee ballots.
But how these polling place changes affect turnout could have effects beyond Iowa. Races for the White House, U.S. Senate and multiple House districts in Iowa have all been labeled toss-ups.
The races are so close, Larimer says the polling place changes could affect the outcome, especially down the ballot.
Payne is a reporter for Iowa Public Radio News, Rebala is a news developer for the Center for Public Integrity, Levine is a senior reporter at the Center for Public Integrity and Talbot is a news apps developer for NPR.


npr--2020-10-29--U.S. Hospitals Targeted In Rising Wave Of Ransomware Attacks, Federal Agencies Say

U.S .
Hospitals Targeted In Rising Wave Of Ransomware Attacks , Federal Agencies Say Some U.S. hospitals have been hit by coordinated ransomware attacks designed to infect systems for financial gain , federal agencies and a private-sector cybersecurity company warned on Wednesday .
A joint advisory by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency , the Department of Health and Human Services and the FBI says there is `` credible information of an increased and imminent cybercrime threat '' to U.S. hospitals and health care providers .
They are urging institutions to take necessary precautions to protect their networks .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — malicious software used to encrypt data and keep it locked up — and the Trickbot network of infected computers to steal data , disrupt health care services and extort money from health care facilities .
Such data hijacking often cripples online systems , forcing many to pay up to millions of dollars to restore their services .
The agencies warned health care providers to step up protections of their networks , including regularly updating software , backing up data and monitoring who is accessing their systems .
Beyond health care facilities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the rise for several years against hospitals , school districts , state and local governments and even law enforcement .
Officials do not recommend paying ransoms , as it does not guarantee data will be recovered and could `` embolden '' hackers to carry out further attacks .
CNN reports that an unnamed Trump administration official said several hospitals have been targeted in the attacks over the past two days .
The official said the incidents may be connected and that the federal government is investigating the attacks .
Experts at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest spate of attacks were carried out by cyberattackers in Eastern Europe seeking financial gain .
`` We are experiencing the most significant cybersecurity threat we 've ever seen in the United States , '' said Charles Carmakal , Mandiant 's chief technology officer , describing the group as `` one of most brazen , heartless and disruptive threat actors I 've observed over my career . ''
A FireEye Mandiant report on Wednesday said the same group has this year `` actively targeted hospitals , retirement communities , and medical centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global health crisis , demonstrating a clear disregard for human life . ''
The company said the attacks typically start as emails masquerading as corporate communications containing Google Docs and PDFs with malicious links .

U.S. Hospitals Targeted In Rising Wave Of Ransomware Attacks, Federal Agencies Say
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images
Updated Thursday at 10:55 a.m. ET
Some U.S. hospitals have been hit by coordinated ransomware attacks designed to infect systems for financial gain, federal agencies and a private-sector cybersecurity company warned on Wednesday.
A joint advisory by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Department of Health and Human Services and the FBI says there is "credible information of an increased and imminent cybercrime threat" to U.S. hospitals and health care providers.
They are urging institutions to take necessary precautions to protect their networks.
The agencies said hackers are using Ryuk ransomware — malicious software used to encrypt data and keep it locked up — and the Trickbot network of infected computers to steal data, disrupt health care services and extort money from health care facilities. Such data hijacking often cripples online systems, forcing many to pay up to millions of dollars to restore their services.
The agencies warned health care providers to step up protections of their networks, including regularly updating software, backing up data and monitoring who is accessing their systems.
Beyond health care facilities, the FBI says ransomware attacks have been on the rise for several years against hospitals, school districts, state and local governments and even law enforcement.
Officials do not recommend paying ransoms, as it does not guarantee data will be recovered and could "embolden" hackers to carry out further attacks.
CNN reports that an unnamed Trump administration official said several hospitals have been targeted in the attacks over the past two days. The official said the incidents may be connected and that the federal government is investigating the attacks.
Experts at the cybersecurity firm FireEye's Mandiant division said the latest spate of attacks were carried out by cyberattackers in Eastern Europe seeking financial gain.
"We are experiencing the most significant cybersecurity threat we've ever seen in the United States," said Charles Carmakal, Mandiant's chief technology officer, describing the group as "one of most brazen, heartless and disruptive threat actors I've observed over my career."
Carmakal told NPR's Steve Inskeep that what makes these attacks notable is their target: hospitals.
"Most threat actors aren't willing to deploy ransomware and cause destruction to hospitals right now during the pandemic because they're worried about impacting lives," he said. But in this case, the attacker is deliberately targeting hospitals "and has no real fear of potential human impact, and is just looking to make money."
The company said the attacks typically start as emails masquerading as corporate communications containing Google Docs and PDFs with malicious links.
And such attacks could have life and death consequences.
As hospital administrators find out their systems are under attack, they often take those systems offline, Carmakal said. They then have to revert to paper-based systems to treat patients — and sometimes end up diverting patients to other hospitals, which could be minutes or hours away.
"No matter what, you're going to deal with situations where the ability for the healthcare practitioners to give care to patients — it's going to get delayed, which could certainly impact people's lives."


npr--2020-10-29--Want To Buy A Gun At Walmart? You've Got To Ask For It

Want To Buy A Gun At Walmart ?
You 've Got To Ask For It Walmart pulled guns and ammunition from its store shelves as a precautionary measure , following the unrest in Philadelphia this week after police fatally shot a Black man more than a dozen times on Monday .
Both weapons and bullets are still available for purchase in the stores that carry them , but customers will have to specifically request the items as opposed to grabbing them from display shelves .
`` It 's important to note that we only sell firearms in approximately half of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large concentrations of hunters , sportsmen , and sportswomen , '' a Walmart spokesperson said in a statement Thursday .
The retail giant operates 4,700 stores in the U.S. '' We have seen some isolated civil unrest and as we have done on several occasions over the last few years , we have moved our firearms and ammunition off the sales floor as a precaution for the safety of our associates and customers , '' the company added .
The killing of Walter Wallace Jr. , whose family says they called 911 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wandered in and out of traffic carrying a knife during a `` psychological episode , '' was captured in multiple graphic cellphone videos .
They went viral almost immediately , prompting further national outrage over excessive use of force by police , especially when dealing with Black Americans .
In Philadelphia , that outrage spilled into the streets as people railed against the police department in protest .
But what started off as peaceful demonstrations quickly turned violent on Monday night .
That led to two days of clashes between law enforcement in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them hurling objects at police .
As of Wednesday morning police said 30 officers had been hurt and 81 people were arrested , including 53 for burglary .
The Wall Street Journal , which first reported the story , said Walmart had decided to remove firearms and ammunition `` aiming to head off any potential theft of firearms if stores are broken into amid social unrest . ''
Walmart has taken similar actions in the past , including earlier this year after George Floyd , another Black man , was killed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were damaged during the spate of protests that broke out in that city .
And after a shooter in El Paso killed 23 people in a Walmart , the retail giant moved to stop selling ammunition that can be used in semi-automatic rifles and handguns .
For the most part , stores in the U.S. stopped selling handguns in the early 1990s .
They 're only available for sale in Alaska .
In 2015 , Walmart discontinued sales of modern sporting rifles , and in 2018 , it raised the gun-buying age to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has been defined by panic over the spread of COVID-19 and waves of social unrest , the appetite for weapons has reached unprecedented demand , that , in many places , ca n't keep up with supply .
Gunmakers have seen their stock prices trade higher and gun sales have skyrocketed .
Research from the Brookings Institution found that President Trump 's proclamation declaring a national emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak on March 13 , kicked off a 12-day surge in sales .
Average daily sales of firearms jumped from 92,000 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day following the coronavirus proclamation .
The National Shooting Sport Foundation , which tracks the background checks associated with sale of a firearm based on the FBI 's background check system , reported that a record 12.1 million people went through the system between January and July .
That is up nearly 72 % for the same period in 2019 .
Additionally , NSSF found nearly 5 million Americans purchased a firearm for the very first time in 2020 .
Fifty-eight percent of those buyers are African-American men and women .

Walmart Yanks Guns Off Shelves Citing Rising Tensions
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alan Diaz/AP Alan Diaz/AP
Walmart pulled guns and ammunition from its store shelves as a precautionary measure, following the unrest in Philadelphia this week after police fatally shot a Black man more than a dozen times on Monday.
Both weapons and bullets are still available for purchase in the stores that carry them, but customers will have to specifically request the items as opposed to grabbing them from display shelves.
"It's important to note that we only sell firearms in approximately half of our stores, primarily where there are large concentrations of hunters, sportsmen, and sportswomen," a Walmart spokesperson said in a statement Thursday.
The retail giant operates 4,700 stores in the U.S.
"We have seen some isolated civil unrest and as we have done on several occasions over the last few years, we have moved our firearms and ammunition off the sales floor as a precaution for the safety of our associates and customers," the company added.
The killing of Walter Wallace Jr., whose family says they called 911 to summon an ambulance for help as he wandered in and out of traffic carrying a knife during a "psychological episode," was captured in multiple graphic cellphone videos. They went viral almost immediately, prompting further national outrage over excessive use of force by police, especially when dealing with Black Americans.
In Philadelphia, that outrage spilled into the streets as people railed against the police department in protest. But what started off as peaceful demonstrations quickly turned violent on Monday night.
That led to two days of clashes between law enforcement in helmets and shields and protesters, some of them hurling objects at police. As of Wednesday morning police said 30 officers had been hurt and 81 people were arrested, including 53 for burglary.
The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the story, said Walmart had decided to remove firearms and ammunition "aiming to head off any potential theft of firearms if stores are broken into amid social unrest."
Walmart has taken similar actions in the past, including earlier this year after George Floyd, another Black man, was killed by police in Minneapolis. Several Walmart stores were damaged during the spate of protests that broke out in that city. And after a shooter in El Paso killed 23 people in a Walmart, the retail giant moved to stop selling ammunition that can be used in semi-automatic rifles and handguns.
For the most part, stores in the U.S. stopped selling handguns in the early 1990s. They're only available for sale in Alaska. In 2015, Walmart discontinued sales of modern sporting rifles, and in 2018, it raised the gun-buying age to 21.
Over the past year, which has been defined by panic over the spread of COVID-19 and waves of social unrest, the appetite for weapons has reached unprecedented demand, that, in many places, can't keep up with supply. Gunmakers have seen their stock prices trade higher and gun sales have skyrocketed.
Research from the Brookings Institution found that President Trump's proclamation declaring a national emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak on March 13, kicked off a 12-day surge in sales. Average daily sales of firearms jumped from 92,000 in January and February to over 120,000 per day following the coronavirus proclamation.
The National Shooting Sport Foundation, which tracks the background checks associated with sale of a firearm based on the FBI's background check system, reported that a record 12.1 million people went through the system between January and July. That is up nearly 72% for the same period in 2019. Additionally, NSSF found nearly 5 million Americans purchased a firearm for the very first time in 2020. Fifty-eight percent of those buyers are African-American men and women.


npr--2020-10-29--Zeta Causes 2 Million Power Outages, Speeds Its Way Into Virginia

Zeta Causes 2 Million Power Outages , Speeds Its Way Into Virginia Rescue and emergency teams are sorting through the damage wrought by Hurricane Zeta , which made landfall in Louisiana as a very strong Category 2 storm Wednesday afternoon .
Zeta brought powerful winds to much of the southeast , where more than 2 million power customers are now without electricity .
The hurricane struck Louisiana 's coast with winds of 110 mph , arriving Wednesday afternoon near Cocodrie , in Terrebonne Parish .
Its eye then pushed inland over New Orleans and neighboring areas before rushing on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six deaths are blamed on the storm , according to The Associated Press .
The number includes four people killed by falling trees in Alabama and Georgia , a man who drowned in Mississippi and another man who was electrocuted by live power lines .
In Louisiana , Zeta toppled massive oak trees into houses and downed power lines .
It also caused several breaches in the `` burrito levee '' in Grand Isle , in Jefferson Parish .
The parish has canceled school through Friday because of damage from the storm .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage was in the Grand Isle area , '' Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards said Thursday morning , as crews took advantage of the daylight to assess the worst-hit areas .
Power outages also contributed to at least one car crash , when two vehicles collided at an intersection where the traffic signals were dark in Slidell , La.
, police said .
Because of the storm 's rapid forward motion — it made landfall traveling at 24 mph — its heavy rains did not trigger the type of perilous inland flooding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The flood damage that we had really came from surge right along the coast , '' Edwards said .
Most of the power outages are in Georgia , where 677,842 customers lost electricity , according to the tracking site poweroutage.us .
Louisiana , Alabama and North Carolina each saw more than 400,000 accounts go dark , along with more than 200,000 in Mississippi and 150,000 in South Carolina .
The power outages are complicating election plans , bringing hazardous conditions for people waiting in lines to vote early and knocking out power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in 16 counties found their polling sites without power , according to Emil Moffatt of NPR member station WABE in Atlanta .
Officials say they 're prioritizing turning the lights back on at those sites .
`` Elections officials say at least one county in northeast Georgia wo n't open at all Thursday , leaving just one final day there for early in-person voting , '' Moffatt says .
Edwards said 1,940 National Guard soldiers and airmen have been activated to help Louisiana 's disaster and emergency response .
He also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — most of them were already displaced by earlier storms in what has been a catastrophic hurricane season for the Gulf Coast .
`` Urban search-and-rescue operations are underway across the damaged area , '' Edwards said in a briefing after surveying affected areas Thursday afternoon .
Zeta is now a tropical depression , the National Hurricane Center said early Thursday afternoon .
But the storm is still bringing strong wind gusts to North Carolina and Virginia , and some tornadoes could form in those states this afternoon , the center added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 mph as it crosses over southern Virginia , the NHC said .
Nearly 24 hours after making landfall on the Gulf Coast , the storm was racing across the southeastern U.S. at 53 mph , the hurricane center said in its 2 p.m .
ET update .
`` An even faster motion toward the east-northeast is expected tonight and on Friday , '' the center said .

Zeta Causes 2 Million Power Outages, Speeds Its Way Into Virginia
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images
Rescue and emergency teams are sorting through the damage wrought by Hurricane Zeta, which made landfall in Louisiana as a very strong Category 2 storm Wednesday afternoon. Zeta brought powerful winds to much of the southeast, where more than 2 million power customers are now without electricity.
The hurricane struck Louisiana's coast with winds of 110 mph, arriving Wednesday afternoon near Cocodrie, in Terrebonne Parish. Its eye then pushed inland over New Orleans and neighboring areas before rushing on to Mississippi and nearby states.
At least six deaths are blamed on the storm, according to The Associated Press. The number includes four people killed by falling trees in Alabama and Georgia, a man who drowned in Mississippi and another man who was electrocuted by live power lines.
In Louisiana, Zeta toppled massive oak trees into houses and downed power lines. It also caused several breaches in the "burrito levee" in Grand Isle, in Jefferson Parish. The parish has canceled school through Friday because of damage from the storm.
YouTube
"It appears that the most catastrophic damage was in the Grand Isle area," Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said Thursday morning, as crews took advantage of the daylight to assess the worst-hit areas.
Power outages also contributed to at least one car crash, when two vehicles collided at an intersection where the traffic signals were dark in Slidell, La., police said.
Because of the storm's rapid forward motion — it made landfall traveling at 24 mph — its heavy rains did not trigger the type of perilous inland flooding that other recent storms have brought.
"The flood damage that we had really came from surge right along the coast," Edwards said.
Most of the power outages are in Georgia, where 677,842 customers lost electricity, according to the tracking site poweroutage.us. Louisiana, Alabama and North Carolina each saw more than 400,000 accounts go dark, along with more than 200,000 in Mississippi and 150,000 in South Carolina.
The power outages are complicating election plans, bringing hazardous conditions for people waiting in lines to vote early and knocking out power at polling places.
In Georgia, people in 16 counties found their polling sites without power, according to Emil Moffatt of NPR member station WABE in Atlanta. Officials say they're prioritizing turning the lights back on at those sites.
"Elections officials say at least one county in northeast Georgia won't open at all Thursday, leaving just one final day there for early in-person voting," Moffatt says.
Edwards said 1,940 National Guard soldiers and airmen have been activated to help Louisiana's disaster and emergency response. He also said more than 3,000 people are in shelters — most of them were already displaced by earlier storms in what has been a catastrophic hurricane season for the Gulf Coast.
"Urban search-and-rescue operations are underway across the damaged area," Edwards said in a briefing after surveying affected areas Thursday afternoon.
Zeta is now a tropical depression, the National Hurricane Center said early Thursday afternoon. But the storm is still bringing strong wind gusts to North Carolina and Virginia, and some tornadoes could form in those states this afternoon, the center added.
Zeta is still carrying sustained winds of 50 mph as it crosses over southern Virginia, the NHC said. Nearly 24 hours after making landfall on the Gulf Coast, the storm was racing across the southeastern U.S. at 53 mph, the hurricane center said in its 2 p.m. ET update.
"An even faster motion toward the east-northeast is expected tonight and on Friday," the center said.


npr--2020-10-29--Gray Wolves To Be Removed From Endangered Species List

Gray Wolves To Be Removed From Endangered Species List Gray wolves , a species that has long been vilified and admired , will no longer receive federal protections under the Endangered Species Act in the Lower 48 U.S. states , the Trump administration announced Thursday .
The long-anticipated move is drawing praise from those who want to see the iconic species managed by state and tribal governments , and harsh criticism from those who believe federal protections should remain in place until wolves inhabit more of their historical range .
Gray wolves used to exist across most of North America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a listed species , the gray wolf has exceeded all conservation goals for recovery , '' said Interior Secretary David Bernhardt , announcing the delisting , which will revert management of wolf populations to local wildlife agencies .
Federal wildlife officials are hailing the move as a success story , similar to endangered species recovery stories such as the bald eagle and American alligator .
After being nearly wiped clean from the contiguous U.S. by the mid-20th century , there are now more than 6,000 gray wolves in the Lower 48 states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mountains and the Western Great Lakes region .
Critics are calling the move premature , though , and are already promising to sue .
`` This is no 'Mission Accomplished ' moment for wolf recovery , '' said Kristen Boyles , an attorney for Earthjustice .
`` Wolves are only starting to get a toehold in places like Northern California and the Pacific Northwest , and wolves need federal protection to explore habitat in the Southern Rockies and the Northeast . ''
Some critics are portraying the move as another environmental attack by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back dozens of environmental regulations , including protections for endangered species and migratory birds .
But wolves have a complicated history that does n't fit cleanly into the bipartisan rancor that now dominates U.S. environmental policies .
After being hunted , trapped , poisoned and harassed to the point of near extirpation in the contiguous U.S. , all gray wolves south of Canada were given federal protections under the Endangered Species Act in 1978 .
Under that protection , their numbers slowly recovered in the Great Lakes region , and in 1995 federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Idaho and Yellowstone National Park , where their population has since flourished .
In 2013 , the Obama administration also proposed to delist gray wolves , saying that the species had rebounded to the point where they were no longer at risk of extinction and should be managed by state and tribal governments .
A couple of years earlier , wolf populations in Montana and Idaho were delisted by a congressional budget rider , authored by a Democrat and Republican senator in each of those states who were pressured by agricultural and sportsmen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , at times , kill livestock .
Subsequent lawsuits saw gray wolves get delisted , relisted and delisted again in Wyoming .
Today , state wildlife agencies manage wolf populations in Montana , Idaho and Wyoming , and hunting of the species is permitted .
Similar hunting seasons are expected in some Midwestern states if the national delisting survives the anticipated court challenges , and wildlife groups contend that hunting seasons will limit wolves ' ability to repopulate other parts of the country .
Randy Johnson , a large carnivore specialist for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Wisconsin Public Radio this month that if wolf management fell back to the state , it would use all of the tools available to find a balance `` between a healthy and sustainable wolf population , but also addressing those social concerns and livestock concerns when and where needed . ''

Gray Wolves To Be Removed From Endangered Species List
Enlarge this image toggle caption Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife/AP Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife/AP
Gray wolves, a species that has long been vilified and admired, will no longer receive federal protections under the Endangered Species Act in the Lower 48 U.S. states, the Trump administration announced Thursday.
The long-anticipated move is drawing praise from those who want to see the iconic species managed by state and tribal governments, and harsh criticism from those who believe federal protections should remain in place until wolves inhabit more of their historical range. Gray wolves used to exist across most of North America.
"After more than 45 years as a listed species, the gray wolf has exceeded all conservation goals for recovery," said Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, announcing the delisting, which will revert management of wolf populations to local wildlife agencies.
Federal wildlife officials are hailing the move as a success story, similar to endangered species recovery stories such as the bald eagle and American alligator.
After being nearly wiped clean from the contiguous U.S. by the mid-20th century, there are now more than 6,000 gray wolves in the Lower 48 states, largely clustered in the Northern Rocky Mountains and the Western Great Lakes region.
Critics are calling the move premature, though, and are already promising to sue.
"This is no 'Mission Accomplished' moment for wolf recovery," said Kristen Boyles, an attorney for Earthjustice. "Wolves are only starting to get a toehold in places like Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, and wolves need federal protection to explore habitat in the Southern Rockies and the Northeast."
Some critics are portraying the move as another environmental attack by the Trump administration, which has rolled back dozens of environmental regulations, including protections for endangered species and migratory birds. But wolves have a complicated history that doesn't fit cleanly into the bipartisan rancor that now dominates U.S. environmental policies.
After being hunted, trapped, poisoned and harassed to the point of near extirpation in the contiguous U.S., all gray wolves south of Canada were given federal protections under the Endangered Species Act in 1978.
Under that protection, their numbers slowly recovered in the Great Lakes region, and in 1995 federal wildlife officials reintroduced gray wolves to central Idaho and Yellowstone National Park, where their population has since flourished.
In 2013, the Obama administration also proposed to delist gray wolves, saying that the species had rebounded to the point where they were no longer at risk of extinction and should be managed by state and tribal governments.
A couple of years earlier, wolf populations in Montana and Idaho were delisted by a congressional budget rider, authored by a Democrat and Republican senator in each of those states who were pressured by agricultural and sportsmen groups. Wolves are an apex predator that, at times, kill livestock. Subsequent lawsuits saw gray wolves get delisted, relisted and delisted again in Wyoming.
Today, state wildlife agencies manage wolf populations in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, and hunting of the species is permitted.
Similar hunting seasons are expected in some Midwestern states if the national delisting survives the anticipated court challenges, and wildlife groups contend that hunting seasons will limit wolves' ability to repopulate other parts of the country.
Randy Johnson, a large carnivore specialist for Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources, told Wisconsin Public Radio this month that if wolf management fell back to the state, it would use all of the tools available to find a balance "between a healthy and sustainable wolf population, but also addressing those social concerns and livestock concerns when and where needed."


npr--2020-10-29--Long Island 'Superspreader Events' Threaten To Undo Its Success At Controlling Virus

Long Island 'Superspreader Events ' Threaten To Undo Its Success At Controlling Virus Two recent `` superspreader events '' on Long Island , N.Y. , show the impact of large gatherings during virus outbreaks — and threaten to undo the months-long efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus in the area .
Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone announced fines on Wednesday against a country club and a homeowner for hosting events in violation of social-gathering limits .
The North Fork Country Club hosted a wedding on Oct. 17 with 91 people in attendance , Bellone said .
An executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonessential gatherings in New York to no more than 50 people .
Now 30 people who attended the wedding have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 .
`` One-third of all those in attendance , '' Bellone lamented at a news conference Wednesday .
Those individuals are now in isolation , and an additional 159 contacts are under quarantine .
County officials recommended the maximum fine of $ 17,000 for the club for violating the governor 's executive order and the county 's sanitary code .
Also facing fines is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home was the site of a house party attended by an estimated 200 to 300 people , most of them under the legal drinking age , authorities say .
Suffolk County police broke up the party after receiving multiple 911 calls about it .
County officials have recommended a $ 2,500 fine for the host for violating coronavirus restrictions and hosting a party where underage people were drinking .
This marks the first time a resident in Suffolk County has been fined for violating the governor 's executive order , Bellone said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been identified as a source of new infections .
But not all superspreader events are illegal .
A birthday party in Bellport on Oct. 17 had about 50 people in attendance — right at the legal limit .
Nonetheless , 26 people from the party have now tested positive for the coronavirus , Bellone said , and additional 132 contacts are now in quarantine .
`` Between this wedding and this birthday party , there are 56 positive COVID-19 cases and nearly 300 under quarantine , '' Bellone said .
`` These kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our public health and to our continued economic recovery . ''
This month , the Miller Place Inn was fined $ 12,000 for hosting a sweet 16 party that led to more than 35 cases — `` Long Island 's first superspreader event , '' Bellone called it .
The county executive noted that such events , whether legal or not , can quickly unravel the tenuous control that the area has gained over the virus since the spring , when the county was an early epicenter of cases .
He cautioned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will want to get together — but he urged them to take precautions and follow official guidance to limit the spread of the virus .
He pointed to renewed lockdowns in nearby New Jersey , as well as in Europe .
`` Because when you do n't , we now have clear examples of what happens and what can happen .
And we do n't want to see this happen again , '' Bellone said .
`` We have come too far to go back now . ''

Long Island 'Superspreader Events' Threaten To Undo Its Success At Controlling Virus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Screen grab by NPR/Suffolk County Executive/Facebook Screen grab by NPR/Suffolk County Executive/Facebook
Two recent "superspreader events" on Long Island, N.Y., show the impact of large gatherings during virus outbreaks — and threaten to undo the months-long efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus in the area.
Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone announced fines on Wednesday against a country club and a homeowner for hosting events in violation of social-gathering limits.
The North Fork Country Club hosted a wedding on Oct. 17 with 91 people in attendance, Bellone said. An executive order from Gov. Andrew Cuomo limits nonessential gatherings in New York to no more than 50 people.
Now 30 people who attended the wedding have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.
"One-third of all those in attendance," Bellone lamented at a news conference Wednesday. Those individuals are now in isolation, and an additional 159 contacts are under quarantine.
County officials recommended the maximum fine of $17,000 for the club for violating the governor's executive order and the county's sanitary code.
Also facing fines is a resident in the hamlet of Farmingville whose home was the site of a house party attended by an estimated 200 to 300 people, most of them under the legal drinking age, authorities say.
Suffolk County police broke up the party after receiving multiple 911 calls about it. County officials have recommended a $2,500 fine for the host for violating coronavirus restrictions and hosting a party where underage people were drinking.
This marks the first time a resident in Suffolk County has been fined for violating the governor's executive order, Bellone said. Thus far, the party has not been identified as a source of new infections.
But not all superspreader events are illegal. A birthday party in Bellport on Oct. 17 had about 50 people in attendance — right at the legal limit.
Nonetheless, 26 people from the party have now tested positive for the coronavirus, Bellone said, and additional 132 contacts are now in quarantine.
"Between this wedding and this birthday party, there are 56 positive COVID-19 cases and nearly 300 under quarantine," Bellone said. "These kind of superspreader events are a threat to our public health and to our continued economic recovery."
This month, the Miller Place Inn was fined $12,000 for hosting a sweet 16 party that led to more than 35 cases — "Long Island's first superspreader event," Bellone called it.
The county executive noted that such events, whether legal or not, can quickly unravel the tenuous control that the area has gained over the virus since the spring, when the county was an early epicenter of cases.
He cautioned that with Halloween this weekend, he knows people will want to get together — but he urged them to take precautions and follow official guidance to limit the spread of the virus. He pointed to renewed lockdowns in nearby New Jersey, as well as in Europe.
"Because when you don't, we now have clear examples of what happens and what can happen. And we don't want to see this happen again," Bellone said. "We have come too far to go back now."


npr--2020-10-29--Democratic Lawmakers Denounce DHS 'Ad Hoc' Migrant Deportations In Guatemala

Democratic lawmakers are demanding more information from the Trump administration about an incident in January in which U.S. agents working in Guatemala rounded up U.S.-bound Honduran migrants and transported them back to the Guatemala-Honduras border .
Forty-five members of Congress , all Democrats , signed a letter released Wednesday asking Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf to provide a full report on what happened .
An Oct. 13 report by Democratic staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee detailed how U.S. agents rented three unmarked vans and shuttled the migrants to the Honduran border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a State Department agreement to help train local police , mostly in combating narcotics trafficking .
The agreement prohibits the use of funds for direct enforcement operations by U.S. agents abroad .
President Trump has made the effort to curb illegal immigration along the U.S. southern border a centerpiece of his election campaigns and presidency .
Among his policies : forcing asylum-seekers to wait out adjudication of their U.S. claims in Mexico .
The administration has also flown other asylum-seekers to third countries in Central America to apply for relief there .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden has denounced Trump for curbing access to asylum in the U.S. and for separating children from migrant parents .
`` Kids in cages '' has become a battle cry in the Democrats ' campaign for a more humane approach to migrants and asylum-seekers .
In their letter about the activities of the U.S. agents in Guatemala , the Democratic lawmakers charged the Department of Homeland Security `` carried out an ad hoc operation that appears to have lacked protocols related to security , personal safety , and the screening of migrants who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
They also asked if Honduran migrant families had been separated and , if so , whether proper measures were taken to ensure reunification .
When Democratic congressional staffers first asked the State Department in January about the incident in Guatemala , the department relayed their questions to DHS , which denied its agents participated in the roundup .
DHS reversed itself and acknowledged its involvement eight days later — but not before the State Department had informed Congress of the denial .
In their letter , congressional Democrats , including Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was born in Guatemala , accused the administration of transmitting false information to Congress .
`` We trust you recognize the gravity of this matter and will take immediate steps to prevent future incidents , '' they wrote .
Earlier , Menendez , the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , asked the inspectors general of both DHS and the State Department to investigate .
Calls for comment to DHS were not returned .
A State Department spokesman said , `` As a general matter , we do not comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worry such actions by DHS agents abroad could hurt agreements U.S. agencies have with countries in the region .
`` It 's hard to imagine any foreign government welcoming U.S. agents carrying out immigration enforcement actions in their country , and that could easily undermine other forms of cooperation , '' said Andrew Selee , president of the Migration Policy Institute .
At the time of the incident , Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei had just taken office .
When the Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff report was made public this month , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to verify the story .
Guatemala 's migration agency referred NPR 's request for comment to the president 's office , which did not respond .

Democratic Lawmakers Denounce DHS 'Ad Hoc' Migrant Deportations In Guatemala
Enlarge this image toggle caption Santiago Billy/AP Santiago Billy/AP
Democratic lawmakers are demanding more information from the Trump administration about an incident in January in which U.S. agents working in Guatemala rounded up U.S.-bound Honduran migrants and transported them back to the Guatemala-Honduras border.
Forty-five members of Congress, all Democrats, signed a letter released Wednesday asking Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf to provide a full report on what happened.
An Oct. 13 report by Democratic staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee detailed how U.S. agents rented three unmarked vans and shuttled the migrants to the Honduran border.
The agents were in Guatemala under a State Department agreement to help train local police, mostly in combating narcotics trafficking. The agreement prohibits the use of funds for direct enforcement operations by U.S. agents abroad.
President Trump has made the effort to curb illegal immigration along the U.S. southern border a centerpiece of his election campaigns and presidency. Among his policies: forcing asylum-seekers to wait out adjudication of their U.S. claims in Mexico. The administration has also flown other asylum-seekers to third countries in Central America to apply for relief there.
In his presidential bid, Democratic nominee Joe Biden has denounced Trump for curbing access to asylum in the U.S. and for separating children from migrant parents. "Kids in cages" has become a battle cry in the Democrats' campaign for a more humane approach to migrants and asylum-seekers.
In their letter about the activities of the U.S. agents in Guatemala, the Democratic lawmakers charged the Department of Homeland Security "carried out an ad hoc operation that appears to have lacked protocols related to security, personal safety, and the screening of migrants who may have been eligible for international protection." They also asked if Honduran migrant families had been separated and, if so, whether proper measures were taken to ensure reunification.
When Democratic congressional staffers first asked the State Department in January about the incident in Guatemala, the department relayed their questions to DHS, which denied its agents participated in the roundup. DHS reversed itself and acknowledged its involvement eight days later — but not before the State Department had informed Congress of the denial.
In their letter, congressional Democrats, including Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. Norma Torres, who was born in Guatemala, accused the administration of transmitting false information to Congress. "We trust you recognize the gravity of this matter and will take immediate steps to prevent future incidents," they wrote. Earlier, Menendez, the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, asked the inspectors general of both DHS and the State Department to investigate.
Calls for comment to DHS were not returned. A State Department spokesman said, "As a general matter, we do not comment on congressional correspondence."
Migrant advocates worry such actions by DHS agents abroad could hurt agreements U.S. agencies have with countries in the region.
"It's hard to imagine any foreign government welcoming U.S. agents carrying out immigration enforcement actions in their country, and that could easily undermine other forms of cooperation," said Andrew Selee, president of the Migration Policy Institute.
At the time of the incident, Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei had just taken office. When the Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff report was made public this month, a Guatemalan official told Al-Jazeera his government would try to verify the story.
Guatemala's migration agency referred NPR's request for comment to the president's office, which did not respond.


npr--2020-10-29--Amid COVID-19 Upswing, El Paso, Texas, Doctor Says ICU Is 'Surreal' And 'Strange'

Amid COVID-19 Upswing , El Paso , Texas , Doctor Says ICU Is 'Surreal ' And 'Strange' A dramatic upswing in COVID-19 cases and positivity rates in El Paso , Texas , has led officials to ask residents to stay at home for two weeks and to impose a mandatory countywide curfew .
Dr. Ogechika Alozie , chief medical officer of the Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso , told NPR 's Morning Edition that as you walk through the intensive care unit `` it hits you just how surreal and how strange this is . ''
`` A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you walk into an ICU , that it 'll be loud and the hustle and bustle , '' Alozie said .
`` But the nurses and the physicians and the teams are just going about their business . ''
`` We 're used to being in the ICU , '' he continued .
`` But having this many patients in the ICU , paralyzed and prone , and truly knowing that there 's a large number of them that over the course of time are going to be added to that human tragedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , Texas has seen an average of 6,122 new cases per day , up from 4,149 two weeks ago .
Since the beginning of the pandemic , at least 911,835 people in Texas have tested positive and 18,162 people have died from the virus , making it the state with the second-highest number of coronavirus cases in the country , as of Oct. 29 .
In his statement ordering the curfew , El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said that there has been a 160 % increase in the positivity rate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last three weeks .
In excerpts from his interview , Alozie , who is also co-chair of the El Paso COVID-19 task force , discusses the surge in cases , the patients who are struggling and what the local response has been .
Is there a patient or a certain story that stands out to you in recent days that you just ca n't get out of your mind ?
The one that haunts me the most , I think , is something that , for us , happened over the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a patient settled and told me as she was breaking down — because the toll is a lot — about this 50-year-old gentleman that had come in , had been engaged in a family gathering and was now in our ICU struggling for breath .
And before they intubated him , he said , `` Hey , can I have a cup of Sprite ? ''
And they were giving him the Sprite , knowing that this very well could be his last cup of Sprite that he 'll ever have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so I think for me , that 's been the one that had punched me in the gut the most .
It sounds like you saw this coming — the potential of a second spike — but did n't think it would happen this early in the year .
Why do you think we 're seeing this spike now ?
From an [ epidemiological ] standpoint , infectious disease standpoint , understanding the dynamics of the virus , it was always expected that the fall would be a troublesome time .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught us by surprise .
We had struggled through the July , August time period .
We had gone down .
We had positivity rates as low as 4.5 % early in September , and the city was really rejoicing over that .
And I think what happened is that as a community , we let down our guard .
And whether parts of it is Juárez , [ Mexico ] , which is our neighbor sister city , is experiencing the same spike , and traffic to Juárez is only down about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
I think multigenerational homes that we have , a lot of family gatherings , and if you look sort of globally at the population dynamics for El Paso , one of our ZIP codes , 79938 , is actually one of the most populous ZIP codes in America .
And that layer on top , just a city that has some health care , comorbid conditions , specifically diabetes , that just make combating [ the ] coronavirus difficult .
There is a curfew now .
People are being told to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What is your advice to residents of your community in the coming days and weeks ?
We as a community are going to need to find a way to get through this .
I understand the discourse that has been around mask versus no mask , [ and ] stay at home versus not stay at home .
But at the end of the day ... politics and policy are not going to save a community .
The individuals in the community have to do the due diligence and really take care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through this .
I implore everybody : If you do n't need to go out , stay at home .
Lisa Weiner , Dalia Mortada and Ziad Buchh produced and edited the audio version of this story .
Christianna Silva adapted it for the Web .

Amid COVID-19 Upswing, El Paso, Texas, Doctor Says ICU Is 'Surreal' And 'Strange'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Cengiz Yar/Getty Images Cengiz Yar/Getty Images
A dramatic upswing in COVID-19 cases and positivity rates in El Paso, Texas, has led officials to ask residents to stay at home for two weeks and to impose a mandatory countywide curfew.
Dr. Ogechika Alozie, chief medical officer of the Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, told NPR's Morning Edition that as you walk through the intensive care unit "it hits you just how surreal and how strange this is."
"A lot of people just assume that when you walk into an ICU, that it'll be loud and the hustle and bustle," Alozie said. "But the nurses and the physicians and the teams are just going about their business."
"We're used to being in the ICU," he continued. "But having this many patients in the ICU, paralyzed and prone, and truly knowing that there's a large number of them that over the course of time are going to be added to that human tragedy count is really unsettling."
This week, Texas has seen an average of 6,122 new cases per day, up from 4,149 two weeks ago. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 911,835 people in Texas have tested positive and 18,162 people have died from the virus, making it the state with the second-highest number of coronavirus cases in the country, as of Oct. 29.
In his statement ordering the curfew, El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said that there has been a 160% increase in the positivity rate and a 300% increase in hospitalizations in the last three weeks.
In excerpts from his interview, Alozie, who is also co-chair of the El Paso COVID-19 task force, discusses the surge in cases, the patients who are struggling and what the local response has been.
Is there a patient or a certain story that stands out to you in recent days that you just can't get out of your mind?
The one that haunts me the most, I think, is something that, for us, happened over the weekend. One of the nurses was trying to get a patient settled and told me as she was breaking down — because the toll is a lot — about this 50-year-old gentleman that had come in, had been engaged in a family gathering and was now in our ICU struggling for breath. And before they intubated him, he said, "Hey, can I have a cup of Sprite?" And they were giving him the Sprite, knowing that this very well could be his last cup of Sprite that he'll ever have because he was really sick. And so I think for me, that's been the one that had punched me in the gut the most.
It sounds like you saw this coming — the potential of a second spike — but didn't think it would happen this early in the year. Why do you think we're seeing this spike now?
From an [epidemiological] standpoint, infectious disease standpoint, understanding the dynamics of the virus, it was always expected that the fall would be a troublesome time. I think for our community, it sort of caught us by surprise. We had struggled through the July, August time period. We had gone down. We had positivity rates as low as 4.5% early in September, and the city was really rejoicing over that. And I think what happened is that as a community, we let down our guard. And whether parts of it is Juárez, [Mexico], which is our neighbor sister city, is experiencing the same spike, and traffic to Juárez is only down about 25% to 30% year over year. I think multigenerational homes that we have, a lot of family gatherings, and if you look sort of globally at the population dynamics for El Paso, one of our ZIP codes, 79938, is actually one of the most populous ZIP codes in America. And that layer on top, just a city that has some health care, comorbid conditions, specifically diabetes, that just make combating [the] coronavirus difficult.
There is a curfew now. People are being told to stay home for the next few weeks. What is your advice to residents of your community in the coming days and weeks?
We as a community are going to need to find a way to get through this. I understand the discourse that has been around mask versus no mask, [and] stay at home versus not stay at home. But at the end of the day ... politics and policy are not going to save a community. The individuals in the community have to do the due diligence and really take care of themselves and their families to get through this. I implore everybody: If you don't need to go out, stay at home.
Lisa Weiner, Dalia Mortada and Ziad Buchh produced and edited the audio version of this story. Christianna Silva adapted it for the Web.


npr--2020-10-29--Here's How NPR Reports Election Results

Here's How NPR Reports Election Results

There have been a lot of questions heading into Election Day 2020 about how much information will and will not be available on election night , as everyone waits to see who has won the presidential contest and other races .
NPR provides live coverage of the results on the radio and online , and we rely on The Associated Press for all vote counting and race calls .
That means we explicitly cite the AP when reporting results — there are no `` NPR calls . ''
We will display AP results of the presidential election and other contests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report the results being tallied or projected by news outlets that are not The Associated Press .
Yes , that means we could be in a position in which others have called a key state or the overall presidential race , whether on Nov. 3 or later , but NPR is not reporting that because the AP has not yet made a call .
We rely on the AP in large part because it has a track record of precision and caution .
One distinction between what you will read and hear on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other places is that there wo n't be `` projections . ''
Here is the explanation from the AP : The guiding question for AP in calling a race is this : `` Can the trailing candidates catch the leader ?
Only when the answer is an unquestionable 'no ' is the race ready to be called . ''
NPR will also give as much context as possible as to how these calls are made , particularly when we are in the heat of the moment on election night with a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the overall vote count and weighing other factors such as demographics , historical patterns of how states or individual counties have voted and data about early voting .
Given the partisan splits in voting behavior this year , with Democrats voting more heavily ahead of time and Republicans expected to turn out more heavily on Election Day , this data may be key as the results are reported .
The AP will also have information on voter preferences from AP VoteCast , a massive survey that has replaced traditional exit polls for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But that survey is never the only factor in calling a race .
There are occasions when the AP will call races as soon as the polls close in a particular place .
That is based on two major factors : a history of wide margins for one party or candidate , confirmed by AP VoteCast data that the pattern has held up .
The AP says it is `` applying the same standard of absolute assurance to a race call made at poll close as we do all others . ''
Too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the AP made `` too close to call '' an official designation for some races .
Until an uncalled race is officially designated as such , NPR will say that it is `` too early to call . ''
How much of the vote is in ?
For major statewide races , NPR is scrapping the traditional measure of precincts reporting in our results .
That measure can easily distort how much of the vote has been counted , because of how early ballots , late-arriving mail-in ballots or other variables factor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead to a percentage the AP provides of the estimated overall total ballots being cast in a particular state , based on turnout in recent elections and information about early-vote totals , among other information .
The exact number of ballots being cast wo n't be known until all of the votes are counted , so there may be some small fluctuations in this estimate as the number progresses toward 100 % .
Races below the statewide contests for president , U.S. Senate and governor ( such as U.S. House contests ) will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show up in our results with the percentage of precincts reporting .
You can read more about the AP 's process for counting votes and calling races on its website .

Here's how NPR reports election results
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Voss/NPR Stephen Voss/NPR
Finding out who won an election isn't always quick and easy, as results can take time. Clear and accurate information is key with close outcomes and protracted legal fights common. Now, with unprecedented disruptions in public health that affect the process and disinformation campaigns, the reliability of that information is crucial.
NPR provides live coverage of election results on the radio and online, and we rely on The Associated Press for all vote counting and race calls.
That means we explicitly cite the AP when reporting results — there are no "NPR calls." We display AP results of presidential elections, congressional races and some state-level contests on our website.
We do not report the results being tallied or projected by news outlets that are not The Associated Press. Yes, that means we could be in a position in which others have called a key state or even an entire presidential race, but NPR is not reporting that because the AP has not yet made a call.
We rely on the AP in large part because it has a track record of precision and caution.
One distinction between what you will read and hear on NPR and what you may hear in other places is that we don't give "projections" because the AP does not.
Here is their explanation:
AP does not make projections or name apparent or likely winners. If our race callers cannot definitively say a candidate has won, we do not engage in speculation. AP did not call the closely contested race in 2000 between George W. Bush and Al Gore – we stood behind our assessment that the margin in Florida made it too close to call. Only when AP is fully confident a race has been won – defined most simply as the moment a trailing candidate no longer has a path to victory – will we make a call. In the race for president in 2016, that moment came at 2:29 a.m. ET the day after Election Day. Our APNewsAlert put it simply: "WASHINGTON (AP) – Donald Trump elected president of the United States."
The guiding question for AP in calling a race is this: "Can the trailing candidates catch the leader? Only when the answer is an unquestionable 'no' is the race ready to be called."
NPR will also give as much context as possible as to how these calls are made, particularly when we are in the heat of the moment on an election night with a lot of information coming in.
AP analyzes the overall vote count and weighs other factors such as demographics, historical patterns of how states or individual counties have voted before and data about early voting. Given the partisan splits in voting behavior that have developed, with Democrats voting more heavily ahead of time and Republicans expected to turn out more heavily on Election Day, this data may be key as the results are reported.
The AP also has information on voter preferences from AP VoteCast, a massive survey that has replaced traditional exit polls for the AP, NPR and other outlets. But that survey is never the only factor in calling a race.
There are occasions when the AP will call races as soon as the polls close in a particular place. That is based on two major factors: a history of wide margins for one party or candidate, confirmed by AP VoteCast data that the pattern has held up. The AP says it is "applying the same standard of absolute assurance to a race call made at poll close as we do all others."
Too close to call? As of 2019, the AP made "too close to call" an official designation for some races. Until an uncalled race is officially designated as such, NPR will say that it is "too early to call."
How much of the vote is in? For major statewide races, NPR has scrapped the traditional measure of precincts reporting in our results. That measure can easily distort how much of the vote has been counted, because of how early ballots, late-arriving mail-in ballots or other variables factor into the count.
We refer instead to a percentage the AP provides of the estimated overall total ballots being cast in a particular state, based on turnout in recent elections and information about early-vote totals in that particular election, among other information.
The exact number of ballots being cast won't be known until all of the votes are counted, so there may be some small fluctuations in this estimate as the number progresses toward 100%.
Races below the statewide contests for president, U.S. Senate and governor (such as U.S. House contests) do not have this feature available and will show up in our results with the percentage of precincts reporting.
You can read more about the AP's process for counting votes and calling races on its website.


npr--2020-10-29--Poll Worker Numbers Have Many Election Officials Breathing Sigh Of Relief

Poll Worker Numbers Have Many Election Officials Breathing Sigh Of Relief Months ago , as the primary season was unfolding , election experts began to sound the alarm on what they saw as a glaring threat to a smooth voting process come fall : a shortage of poll workers .
The workers , who are responsible for managing polling places and assisting voters , are typically over 60 years old , an age group that faces higher risks for complications with the coronavirus .
Election officials feared the ongoing pandemic would prevent tried-and-true staffers from showing up to work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and celebrities such as NBA star LeBron James organizing young people to get trained on how to staff the polls .
One such effort , called Power the Polls , set a goal of recruiting 250,000 new poll workers ; it says more than 700,000 people signed up .
With less than a week until Election Day , some election officials are looking at the volunteer numbers and breathing a sigh of relief , while other voting experts say some shortages may remain .
`` We were really in dire straits '' '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come out of the April 7 [ primary ] election was that our voters really had a visual of what a poll worker shortage looks like .
We made national news for how long our lines were , '' says Claire Woodall-Vogg , executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission .
`` We were really in dire straits and did n't have enough poll workers to operate more polling places . ''
Her team set a goal of recruiting 4,000 new poll workers to staff roughly 175 polling locations — 1,600 more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election year .
Woodall-Vogg says the election offices formally closed applications for poll workers two weeks ago once they hit their goal .
Not every place in Wisconsin has fully hit the ideal number of workers , though .
`` There are some municipalities , mainly in rural areas , that do still have shortages , '' she says .
`` But when I say shortages , it 's ' I need five poll workers , I need seven . '
It 's not like when you 're looking at the scope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ' I need 750 . '
`` '' We 've absolutely had to turn folks away '' Arizona 's Maricopa County , the country 's fourth-most populous county , is another place that feared a lack of poll workers on Election Day .
The elections department looked to hire 1,800 poll workers .
Ultimately , it got more than 20,000 requests .
`` We 've absolutely had to turn folks away , because we do n't need 20,000 volunteers for this election , '' says Megan Gilbertson , communications director for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's polling locations have changed because of the pandemic .
Gilbertson says they moved to a `` voter center model . ''
`` We moved into large locations that could accommodate physical distancing , from assisted living facilities and small conference rooms in city halls to large locations at our convention centers and retail facilities , '' she says .
`` Because these are larger locations and have more check-in stations , we needed more poll workers at each individual location . ''
The number of poll workers per site has shifted from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the county was to have 90 polling locations open , and that number will expand to 175 on Election Day .
Despite high engagement and recruitment , some voting experts warn there are still areas at risk of not having enough poll workers .
Working alongside Carnegie Mellon University , the nonprofit Voter Protection Corps looked at eight key states this election cycle and developed a risk matrix based on public data to identify counties where there 's a heightened risk of shortages .
`` We looked at 745 counties , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of two weeks ago , we thought there was a lot more work to be done , '' says Quentin Palfrey , chair of the Voter Protection Corps .
Palfrey was the voter protection director for Barack Obama 's 2008 campaign in Ohio and ran on the Democratic ticket for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts in 2018 .
`` It 's been really encouraging to see an outpouring of interest in serving as a poll worker , but we should n't let up , '' he says .
`` We should make sure there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly as we 're seeing spikes in the coronavirus incidence rate in some of these key states .
That may affect the willingness of some poll workers to participate , and that 's understandable , but also suggests that election officials should build in more capacity in their recruiting to make sure that they have enough folks . ''
That 's playing out in Iowa , where election officials have struggled to find poll workers because of the coronavirus .
In Linn County , the state 's second-most populous county , election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 37 % of polling places this year .
Palfrey suggests a remedy for any possible short-staffing would be for counties to train one extra poll worker for every two poll workers needed .
It 's a strategy Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson embraced early , boosting recruitment efforts in the spring because of the pandemic .
`` We launched an effort called Democracy MVP , recognizing that our most valuable players in our democracy are our election workers , '' she says .
As of now , Michigan has recruited more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says far exceeds the needs of the state , which has 5,000 precincts .
`` It 's enabled us not only to ensure all of our precincts are fully staffed and ready to go for Tuesday , but also have a reserve corps in place of a thousand standby workers , '' Benson says , calling the reserve list the `` backup A team . ''
On Election Day in Michigan , over 70 staffers throughout the state will check in with clerks in each precinct to identify any unexpected vacancies and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benson says they 're also putting in effort to maintain contact with the newly trained poll workers .
`` Particularly in areas where we 've seen high levels of no-shows in the past like Detroit , we 've created an ongoing communication system so we 're not just recruiting someone , training them and telling them where to show up on Election Day , '' she says .
`` We 're consistently staying in contact with them , offering them additional trainings , webinars , making them feel like they 're part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are . ''
For Milwaukee 's Woodall-Vogg , she says she 's hopeful the recruitment efforts this year will help staff the polls for years to come .
`` We really hope that we are building a new generation of poll workers who will view this as their civic responsibility and continue to take the day off from work or school and help out , '' she says .

Poll Worker Numbers Have Many Election Officials Breathing Sigh Of Relief
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephanie Keith/Getty Images Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
Months ago, as the primary season was unfolding, election experts began to sound the alarm on what they saw as a glaring threat to a smooth voting process come fall: a shortage of poll workers.
The workers, who are responsible for managing polling places and assisting voters, are typically over 60 years old, an age group that faces higher risks for complications with the coronavirus. Election officials feared the ongoing pandemic would prevent tried-and-true staffers from showing up to work.
Heavy recruitment efforts unfolded, with nonprofits and celebrities such as NBA star LeBron James organizing young people to get trained on how to staff the polls. One such effort, called Power the Polls, set a goal of recruiting 250,000 new poll workers; it says more than 700,000 people signed up.
With less than a week until Election Day, some election officials are looking at the volunteer numbers and breathing a sigh of relief, while other voting experts say some shortages may remain.
"We were really in dire straits"
"For us, the only good thing to come out of the April 7 [primary] election was that our voters really had a visual of what a poll worker shortage looks like. We made national news for how long our lines were," says Claire Woodall-Vogg, executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission. "We were really in dire straits and didn't have enough poll workers to operate more polling places."
Her team set a goal of recruiting 4,000 new poll workers to staff roughly 175 polling locations — 1,600 more than they'd normally require in a presidential election year.
Woodall-Vogg says the election offices formally closed applications for poll workers two weeks ago once they hit their goal.
Not every place in Wisconsin has fully hit the ideal number of workers, though.
"There are some municipalities, mainly in rural areas, that do still have shortages," she says. "But when I say shortages, it's 'I need five poll workers, I need seven.' It's not like when you're looking at the scope of the city of Milwaukee, saying, 'I need 750.' "
"We've absolutely had to turn folks away"
Arizona's Maricopa County, the country's fourth-most populous county, is another place that feared a lack of poll workers on Election Day.
The elections department looked to hire 1,800 poll workers. Ultimately, it got more than 20,000 requests.
"We've absolutely had to turn folks away, because we don't need 20,000 volunteers for this election," says Megan Gilbertson, communications director for the Maricopa County Elections Department.
The county's polling locations have changed because of the pandemic. Gilbertson says they moved to a "voter center model."
"We moved into large locations that could accommodate physical distancing, from assisted living facilities and small conference rooms in city halls to large locations at our convention centers and retail facilities," she says. "Because these are larger locations and have more check-in stations, we needed more poll workers at each individual location." The number of poll workers per site has shifted from four to 10.
Starting on Wednesday, the county was to have 90 polling locations open, and that number will expand to 175 on Election Day.
Pandemic surges could affect poll workers
Despite high engagement and recruitment, some voting experts warn there are still areas at risk of not having enough poll workers.
Working alongside Carnegie Mellon University, the nonprofit Voter Protection Corps looked at eight key states this election cycle and developed a risk matrix based on public data to identify counties where there's a heightened risk of shortages.
"We looked at 745 counties, and we identified about 485 where, as of two weeks ago, we thought there was a lot more work to be done," says Quentin Palfrey, chair of the Voter Protection Corps.
Palfrey was the voter protection director for Barack Obama's 2008 campaign in Ohio and ran on the Democratic ticket for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts in 2018.
"It's been really encouraging to see an outpouring of interest in serving as a poll worker, but we shouldn't let up," he says.
"We should make sure there is a large pool of poll workers, particularly as we're seeing spikes in the coronavirus incidence rate in some of these key states. That may affect the willingness of some poll workers to participate, and that's understandable, but also suggests that election officials should build in more capacity in their recruiting to make sure that they have enough folks."
That's playing out in Iowa, where election officials have struggled to find poll workers because of the coronavirus. In Linn County, the state's second-most populous county, election officials have had to close or consolidate 37% of polling places this year.
Palfrey suggests a remedy for any possible short-staffing would be for counties to train one extra poll worker for every two poll workers needed.
It's a strategy Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson embraced early, boosting recruitment efforts in the spring because of the pandemic.
"We launched an effort called Democracy MVP, recognizing that our most valuable players in our democracy are our election workers," she says.
As of now, Michigan has recruited more than 32,000 poll workers, a number Benson says far exceeds the needs of the state, which has 5,000 precincts.
"It's enabled us not only to ensure all of our precincts are fully staffed and ready to go for Tuesday, but also have a reserve corps in place of a thousand standby workers," Benson says, calling the reserve list the "backup A team."
On Election Day in Michigan, over 70 staffers throughout the state will check in with clerks in each precinct to identify any unexpected vacancies and then start deploying the backup poll workers.
Benson says they're also putting in effort to maintain contact with the newly trained poll workers.
"Particularly in areas where we've seen high levels of no-shows in the past like Detroit, we've created an ongoing communication system so we're not just recruiting someone, training them and telling them where to show up on Election Day," she says. "We're consistently staying in contact with them, offering them additional trainings, webinars, making them feel like they're part of something bigger, which of course, they are."
For Milwaukee's Woodall-Vogg, she says she's hopeful the recruitment efforts this year will help staff the polls for years to come.
"We really hope that we are building a new generation of poll workers who will view this as their civic responsibility and continue to take the day off from work or school and help out," she says.