npr--2020-10-09--Michigan Domestic Terror Plot Sends Shockwaves Through Militia World

The news raced through the encrypted chats of leaders in the far-right militia movement : The Feds got Barry Croft .
Croft , one of 13 men charged Thursday in connection with a domestic terrorism plot to kidnap Michigan Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , was a visible figure on the message boards and Facebook pages of the so-called Patriot Movement .
NPR interviews with associates who know him from that world portray a power-hungry figure whose angling for stature was unsettling at times .
Now that Croft is in custody and his connections under scrutiny , their fear is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was very out and open in the movement , '' one militia leader said .
The leader said that around two years ago Croft , a Delaware resident , made waves as an unknown who tried to streamline national leadership of the Three Percent , a fragmented movement of loosely affiliated armed groups .
But regional Three Percent leaders began to question Croft about his motives , the leader said , and were n't satisfied with the answers .
A separate account from another state leader described Croft as `` radical '' even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last year , Delaware Gov .
John Carney , a Democrat , pardoned Croft for charges from the 1990s , including possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony , assault and burglary , according to documents obtained by Delaware Online/The News Journal .
The militia leader said he 's never heard Croft talking about violence .
For him , the red flag was more mundane – it was when Croft allegedly moved to buy one of the biggest domain names associated with the national Three Percent movement .
The leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' saw it as an attempt by Croft to buy his way into a senior role in the movement .
The leader distanced his organization from national ties and said he has no idea whether Croft eventually took the reins .
`` I 've seen them come and go , the ones who want some sort of title , '' he said .
None of Croft 's associates agreed to speak on the record for fear of retaliation from the authorities or people within the movement , and they did n't have information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the alleged kidnap plot .
The leader of a self-proclaimed national Three Percent umbrella organization did n't return messages seeking comment .
The case has sent armed Patriot groups across the country into damage-control mode , worried that the unusually high number of arrests in a months-long domestic terrorism investigation means more are coming .
If so , it 's about time , according to Mary McCord , a former head of the Justice Department 's National Security Division , in a New York Times op-ed about the Michigan case .
McCord wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in court , exist to address the paramilitary threat but are rarely enforced .
`` All these laws point to a single conclusion : There is no right in any state for groups of individuals to arm themselves and organize either to oppose or augment the government , '' McCord wrote .
`` Now , more than ever , state and local officials must enforce these statutes . ''
NPR could n't reach an attorney for Croft , and it was impossible to verify the militia members ' accounts independently .
Croft 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of him as an avid President Trump supporter and an activist for right-wing causes .
In one photo , Croft is wearing an American Revolutionary tricorn and a green hoodie with a Three Percent logo .
SITE Intelligence Group , which monitors extremist propaganda , posted a video that purportedly shows Croft , speaking from his garage , mocking people who dismiss him as a conspiracy theorist .
`` Well , it 's factual now , '' Croft says on camera , again wearing a tricorn .
`` They 're coming for your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religion , and they 're not going to stop .
Period . ''
In the charging documents , Croft is portrayed as laying the early groundwork for what would snowball into a plot to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home as a symbolic stand against tyranny before the November election .
The investigation began early in the year when the FBI was alerted to social media forums that were discussing attacks on law enforcement and the `` boogaloo '' trend calling for the violent overthrow of government .
Prosecutors zeroed in on Croft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who `` agreed to unite others in their cause and take violent action against multiple state governments that they believe are violating the U.S .
Constitution . ''
Charging papers put Croft at key planning meetings throughout the summer in Michigan , Ohio and Wisconsin .
At one gathering , Croft displayed his `` chemistry set , '' components for a homemade bomb .
`` During the exercise , the group set the device in a clearing surrounded by human silhouette targets , and Croft detonated it to test its anti-personnel effectiveness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participated in a nighttime surveillance of Whitmer 's vacation home and was so eager to attack that he advocated an operation that night and had to be dissuaded , according to prosecutors .
The documents include a chilling conversation between Fox and Croft that evening about the governor , who 's a target of nonstop misogynistic and political attacks from the right , including from Trump .
Fox : `` She has no checks and balances at all .
She has uncontrolled power right now . ''
Croft : `` All good things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Cooter , a sociologist at Vanderbilt University who 's conducted extensive field research with Michigan militia groups , said the core of the militia movement is law-abiding `` in normal times '' and is n't known for staging big , premeditated plots such as the alleged one against the governor .
She said the scope of this case makes it an outlier even at a time when militia rhetoric is increasingly fiery , with guys getting together to `` talk about how big and bad they are . ''
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put those things into action , '' Cooter said .
`` And even when they 're standing around and talking , a lot of it does n't go this far . ''
The Michigan case offers a rare look inside the kind of fringe paramilitary organizing that extremism researchers have been warning about in an ugly election season that 's further inflamed by tensions over the pandemic , a dismal economy and racial justice protests .
The court papers reference several meetings and trainings attended by the suspects and other far-right extremists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 13 suspects have been identified – six facing federal charges , and seven facing prosecution under Michigan 's state terrorism laws .
J.J. MacNab , an extremism researcher who closely follows militia activity , tweeted Thursday : `` I do n't think this is over , in terms of arrests and indictments . ''
Throughout the summer , there was chatter in the militia world about clandestine meetings going on to discuss `` constitutional flashpoints '' – when and how the various factions might take a coordinated stand on pet issues such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandates , or the imagined invasion of leftist `` looters and rioters . ''
But the movement is diffuse , and rife with infighting and suspicion .
One militia leader said he stopped attending big gatherings because they often turned into `` bravado '' about revolution in a room that 's likely under surveillance .
`` They fancy themselves some kind of Continental Congress , '' the leader said , with sarcasm .
One prominent militia figure , texting in response to NPR 's questions about how the Michigan case was playing within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a `` reminder that Patriots are being monitored . ''
He said he issued a message to his own group saying that `` we are not vigilantes '' and that they do n't support anti-government activity .
`` This is a reminder that comments can get you in trouble , '' he wrote .
He added the names of other Patriot figures who served time because `` friends '' surveilled them .
`` Plans or acts against the government will definitely put you in prison and hurt the rest of the movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Chicago history professor and an expert on far-right paramilitary groups , argues that leaders ' attempts at such distinctions should be taken with a grain of salt .
Days before news of the Michigan story broke , Belew said on Twitter that it was dangerous to start a sliding scale of evaluating militia extremism .
`` I worry that the push to qualify definitions might create the idea of good , or neutral militias that ARE legitimate , '' Belew tweeted .
`` These are not .
They are not neutral observers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and order .
They are paramilitary groups . ''
Extensive recordings and surveillance described in the court papers show how deeply the FBI had infiltrated the alleged plotters – sometimes with more than one informant or undercover operative at the same event .
Investigators were inside encrypted chats where the suspects allegedly communicated in code , using `` baker '' and a `` cake '' in reference to an explosives provider and a bomb .
They were along for a car ride to case the vacation home where the suspects allegedly planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin for a `` trial . ''
In June , at a meeting site in Grand Rapids , Mich. , court documents said , the suspects entered a basement through a trapdoor hidden by a rug .
Once inside , the men were ordered to turn over their cellphones , which were placed in a box and taken upstairs as a security precaution .
But one of the people present was an informant wearing a device .
Prosecutors said that meeting , too , was recorded .

Michigan Domestic Terror Plot Sends Shockwaves Through Militia World
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
The news raced through the encrypted chats of leaders in the far-right militia movement: The Feds got Barry Croft.
Croft, one of 13 men charged Thursday in connection with a domestic terrorism plot to kidnap Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, was a visible figure on the message boards and Facebook pages of the so-called Patriot Movement. NPR interviews with associates who know him from that world portray a power-hungry figure whose angling for stature was unsettling at times. Now that Croft is in custody and his connections under scrutiny, their fear is: Who's next?
"He was very out and open in the movement," one militia leader said.
The leader said that around two years ago Croft, a Delaware resident, made waves as an unknown who tried to streamline national leadership of the Three Percent, a fragmented movement of loosely affiliated armed groups. But regional Three Percent leaders began to question Croft about his motives, the leader said, and weren't satisfied with the answers. A separate account from another state leader described Croft as "radical" even within the heavily armed Patriot milieu.
Law Michigan Authorities Charge 13 In Plot To Kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Michigan Authorities Charge 13 In Plot To Kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer Listen · 4:40 4:40
Last year, Delaware Gov. John Carney, a Democrat, pardoned Croft for charges from the 1990s, including possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, assault and burglary, according to documents obtained by Delaware Online/The News Journal.
The militia leader said he's never heard Croft talking about violence. For him, the red flag was more mundane – it was when Croft allegedly moved to buy one of the biggest domain names associated with the national Three Percent movement. The leader, a self-described "true believer," saw it as an attempt by Croft to buy his way into a senior role in the movement. The leader distanced his organization from national ties and said he has no idea whether Croft eventually took the reins.
"I've seen them come and go, the ones who want some sort of title," he said.
None of Croft's associates agreed to speak on the record for fear of retaliation from the authorities or people within the movement, and they didn't have information about the others charged in connection with the alleged kidnap plot. The leader of a self-proclaimed national Three Percent umbrella organization didn't return messages seeking comment. The case has sent armed Patriot groups across the country into damage-control mode, worried that the unusually high number of arrests in a months-long domestic terrorism investigation means more are coming.
If so, it's about time, according to Mary McCord, a former head of the Justice Department's National Security Division, in a New York Times op-ed about the Michigan case. McCord wrote that federal and state laws, upheld in court, exist to address the paramilitary threat but are rarely enforced.
"All these laws point to a single conclusion: There is no right in any state for groups of individuals to arm themselves and organize either to oppose or augment the government," McCord wrote. "Now, more than ever, state and local officials must enforce these statutes."
NPR couldn't reach an attorney for Croft, and it was impossible to verify the militia members' accounts independently. Croft's social media presence backs up their descriptions of him as an avid President Trump supporter and an activist for right-wing causes. In one photo, Croft is wearing an American Revolutionary tricorn and a green hoodie with a Three Percent logo. SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist propaganda, posted a video that purportedly shows Croft, speaking from his garage, mocking people who dismiss him as a conspiracy theorist.
"Well, it's factual now," Croft says on camera, again wearing a tricorn. "They're coming for your freedom. They're coming for your religion, and they're not going to stop. Period."
In the charging documents, Croft is portrayed as laying the early groundwork for what would snowball into a plot to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home as a symbolic stand against tyranny before the November election. The investigation began early in the year when the FBI was alerted to social media forums that were discussing attacks on law enforcement and the "boogaloo" trend calling for the violent overthrow of government.
Prosecutors zeroed in on Croft and a co-defendant, Adam Fox, who "agreed to unite others in their cause and take violent action against multiple state governments that they believe are violating the U.S. Constitution." Charging papers put Croft at key planning meetings throughout the summer in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. At one gathering, Croft displayed his "chemistry set," components for a homemade bomb.
"During the exercise, the group set the device in a clearing surrounded by human silhouette targets, and Croft detonated it to test its anti-personnel effectiveness," court documents said.
Croft also participated in a nighttime surveillance of Whitmer's vacation home and was so eager to attack that he advocated an operation that night and had to be dissuaded, according to prosecutors. The documents include a chilling conversation between Fox and Croft that evening about the governor, who's a target of nonstop misogynistic and political attacks from the right, including from Trump.
Fox: "She has no checks and balances at all. She has uncontrolled power right now."
Croft: "All good things must come to an end."
Amy Cooter, a sociologist at Vanderbilt University who's conducted extensive field research with Michigan militia groups, said the core of the militia movement is law-abiding "in normal times" and isn't known for staging big, premeditated plots such as the alleged one against the governor. She said the scope of this case makes it an outlier even at a time when militia rhetoric is increasingly fiery, with guys getting together to "talk about how big and bad they are."
"It's really rare that they actually take steps to put those things into action," Cooter said. "And even when they're standing around and talking, a lot of it doesn't go this far."
The Michigan case offers a rare look inside the kind of fringe paramilitary organizing that extremism researchers have been warning about in an ugly election season that's further inflamed by tensions over the pandemic, a dismal economy and racial justice protests. The court papers reference several meetings and trainings attended by the suspects and other far-right extremists from around the country. So far, 13 suspects have been identified – six facing federal charges, and seven facing prosecution under Michigan's state terrorism laws. J.J. MacNab, an extremism researcher who closely follows militia activity, tweeted Thursday: "I don't think this is over, in terms of arrests and indictments."
Throughout the summer, there was chatter in the militia world about clandestine meetings going on to discuss "constitutional flashpoints" – when and how the various factions might take a coordinated stand on pet issues such as gun rights, lockdowns and mask mandates, or the imagined invasion of leftist "looters and rioters." But the movement is diffuse, and rife with infighting and suspicion. One militia leader said he stopped attending big gatherings because they often turned into "bravado" about revolution in a room that's likely under surveillance.
"They fancy themselves some kind of Continental Congress," the leader said, with sarcasm.
One prominent militia figure, texting in response to NPR's questions about how the Michigan case was playing within the broader movement, wrote that it's a "reminder that Patriots are being monitored." He said he issued a message to his own group saying that "we are not vigilantes" and that they don't support anti-government activity.
"This is a reminder that comments can get you in trouble," he wrote. He added the names of other Patriot figures who served time because "friends" surveilled them. "Plans or acts against the government will definitely put you in prison and hurt the rest of the movement."
Kathleen Belew, a University of Chicago history professor and an expert on far-right paramilitary groups, argues that leaders' attempts at such distinctions should be taken with a grain of salt. Days before news of the Michigan story broke, Belew said on Twitter that it was dangerous to start a sliding scale of evaluating militia extremism.
"I worry that the push to qualify definitions might create the idea of good, or neutral militias that ARE legitimate," Belew tweeted. "These are not. They are not neutral observers. They are not keepers of law and order. They are paramilitary groups."
(15) I worry that the push to qualify definitions might create the idea of good, or neutral militias that ARE legitimate. These are not. They are not neutral observers. They are not keepers of law and order. They are paramilitary groups. — Kathleen Belew (@kathleen_belew) October 1, 2020
Extensive recordings and surveillance described in the court papers show how deeply the FBI had infiltrated the alleged plotters – sometimes with more than one informant or undercover operative at the same event. Investigators were inside encrypted chats where the suspects allegedly communicated in code, using "baker" and a "cake" in reference to an explosives provider and a bomb. They were along for a car ride to case the vacation home where the suspects allegedly planned to kidnap the governor and spirit her to Wisconsin for a "trial."
In June, at a meeting site in Grand Rapids, Mich., court documents said, the suspects entered a basement through a trapdoor hidden by a rug. Once inside, the men were ordered to turn over their cellphones, which were placed in a box and taken upstairs as a security precaution. But one of the people present was an informant wearing a device.
Prosecutors said that meeting, too, was recorded.


npr--2020-10-09--Coronavirus FAQ: What's The Deal With The '15 Minute Rule'?

Coronavirus FAQ : What 's The Deal With The '15 Minute Rule ' ?
Each week , we answer `` frequently asked questions '' about life during the coronavirus crisis .
If you have a question you 'd like us to consider for a future post , email us at goatsandsoda @ npr.org with the subject line : `` Weekly Coronavirus Questions . ''
How long do you need to be exposed to someone with COVID-19 before you are at risk for being infected ?
The question was brought to the forefront this week after the White House announced it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had spent more than 15 minutes within 6 feet of President Trump , who tested positive for the coronavirus on Oct. 1 .
That `` 15-minute rule '' is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's guideline for defining a close contact of an infected person .
But experts say the risk of infection is a lot more nuanced than that guidance might imply .
The 15-minute rule does not necessarily put you at zero risk if your exposure to an infected person was of a shorter duration .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off scot-free , nor does the ' 6-foot rule , ' `` says Dr. Joshua Barocas , an infectious disease specialist at Boston University School of Medicine .
`` There is no magic number when it comes to distance or duration , '' says Emily Gurley , an epidemiologist and contact-tracing expert at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health .
The coronavirus spreads when an infected person releases infectious particles while talking , coughing , singing , sneezing or even just breathing .
Some of these particles are released as droplets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within a few feet of the person who exhaled them .
That 's where the 6-foot guideline comes from – though it 's just a guideline , not a shield of impenetrability .
A person can also expel infectious droplets in smaller particles that linger in the air for minutes or even hours and travel farther than 6 feet in a room , Barocas notes .
In a poorly ventilated , enclosed space , these smaller particles can build up over time .
If you 're in a crowded room with lots of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're [ in contact for ] 15 minutes or within 6 feet , it may not actually be that important anymore because there 's so much virus in the air , '' Barocas says .
Gurley says in some jurisdictions , contact tracers also look for so-called proximate contacts – people who were in an enclosed room with an infected person at greater than 6 feet from the infected person – though they are n't considered close contacts under CDC guidance .
So where did that 15-minute part of the guideline come from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier data from China on who was being infected and how infections occurred .
`` Even when they found lots and lots of very casual , quick contacts , that 's not where they saw evidence of transmission , '' she says .
Instead , she says , infections were occurring when people had `` meaningful '' amounts of close contact – such as traveling , dining or living together – that had a higher probability of resulting in transmission .
She says the 15-minute guideline is a way to help contact tracers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to be meaningful in this context .
But again , it 's just a guideline , not a hard and fast rule .
`` We do n't have strong evidence for exactly what the right distance or the right duration is , or else we 'd use that , '' Gurley says .
And lots of variables can affect the risk of infection from close interactions , experts say .
`` Certainly , if you 're in very close contact with somebody who 's shedding a lot of virus , and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand and then wipe your nose , that could take far less than 15 minutes '' to infect you , says Angela Rasmussen , a virologist at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health .
How you interacted also matters a great deal , Barocas says .
For example , was the infected person coughing ?
Was the person wearing a mask , which can help contain a lot of the infectious particles someone might be breathing out ?
Were you indoors or outdoors , where airflow would quickly disperse any infectious particles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infectious was the person at the time of interaction ?
( Studies have shown that people with the coronavirus are most infectious just before and in the first few days after they start to show symptoms . )
If an infected person were to cough on you while walking past , that would constitute a high-risk interaction – even if it was brief , he says .
`` All of those [ factors ] go into what I would think of as a combined likelihood or combined probability '' of getting infected , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type of lengthy interaction is equally risky , he says .
Talking outdoors on the beach on a windy day for longer than 15 minutes with someone who is asymptomatic at the time is going to be less of a risk , he says .
While indoor settings are generally higher risk than outdoor ones , the context is key , Rasmussen says .
An indoor bar where people are drinking , which requires unmasking , and possibly shouting to be heard over loud music ( thus emitting more particles as they talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trip to a hair salon where everyone is masked and only a limited number of clients are in the room at the same time .
`` I finally got my first pandemic haircut a couple of weeks ago , '' Rasmussen notes .
`` And I was there for two hours . ''
But she would n't dine indoors , she says , because you ca n't eat while wearing a mask .
Rasmussen says because so many variables can influence the risk of transmission , it 's important to focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce our risk of infection – wearing a mask , washing your hands , keeping your distance , trying to keep interactions outdoors as much as possible , avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces .
You might not always be able to do all of these things all of the time , she says – but the more of them you can do at once , the more you 'll reduce your risk of infection .

Coronavirus FAQ: What's The Deal With The '15 Minute Rule'?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
Each week, we answer "frequently asked questions" about life during the coronavirus crisis. If you have a question you'd like us to consider for a future post, email us at goatsandsoda@npr.org with the subject line: "Weekly Coronavirus Questions."
How long do you need to be exposed to someone with COVID-19 before you are at risk for being infected?
The question was brought to the forefront this week after the White House announced it would only perform contact tracing for people who had spent more than 15 minutes within 6 feet of President Trump, who tested positive for the coronavirus on Oct. 1. That "15-minute rule" is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guideline for defining a close contact of an infected person.
But experts say the risk of infection is a lot more nuanced than that guidance might imply.
The 15-minute rule does not necessarily put you at zero risk if your exposure to an infected person was of a shorter duration. "It doesn't mean that you're getting off scot-free, nor does the '6-foot rule,' " says Dr. Joshua Barocas, an infectious disease specialist at Boston University School of Medicine.
"There is no magic number when it comes to distance or duration," says Emily Gurley, an epidemiologist and contact-tracing expert at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
The coronavirus spreads when an infected person releases infectious particles while talking, coughing, singing, sneezing or even just breathing. Some of these particles are released as droplets, which generally fall to the ground within a few feet of the person who exhaled them. That's where the 6-foot guideline comes from – though it's just a guideline, not a shield of impenetrability.
A person can also expel smaller infectious particles that linger in the air for minutes or even hours and travel farther than 6 feet in a room, Barocas notes. In a poorly ventilated, enclosed space, these smaller particles can build up in the air over time. If you're in a crowded room with lots of unmasked people talking, "whether you're [in contact for] 15 minutes or within 6 feet, it may not actually be that important anymore because there's so much virus in the air," Barocas says.
Gurley says in some jurisdictions, contact tracers also look for so-called proximate contacts – people who were in an enclosed room with an infected person at greater than 6 feet away – though they aren't considered close contacts under CDC guidance.
So where did that 15-minute part of the guideline come from? Gurley says it's based on earlier data from China on who was being infected and how infections occurred. "Even when they found lots and lots of very casual, quick contacts, that's not where they saw evidence of transmission," she says.
Instead, she says, infections were occurring when people had "meaningful" amounts of close contact – such as traveling, dining or living together – that had a higher probability of resulting in transmission. She says the 15-minute guideline is a way to help contact tracers quantify which types of interactions were long enough to be meaningful in this context.
But again, it's just a guideline, not a hard and fast rule. "We don't have strong evidence for exactly what the right distance or the right duration is, or else we'd use that," Gurley says.
And lots of variables can affect the risk of infection from close interactions, experts say.
"Certainly, if you're in very close contact with somebody who's shedding a lot of virus, and you happen to get a droplet on your hand and then wipe your nose, that could take far less than 15 minutes" to infect you, says Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
How you interacted also matters a great deal, Barocas says. For example, was the infected person coughing? Was the person wearing a mask, which can help contain a lot of the infectious particles someone might be breathing out? Were you indoors or outdoors, where airflow would quickly disperse any infectious particles the person might have exhaled? How infectious was the person at the time of interaction? (Studies have shown that people with the coronavirus are most infectious just before and in the first few days after they start to show symptoms.) If an infected person were to cough on you while walking past, that would constitute a high-risk interaction – even if it was brief, he says.
"All of those [factors] go into what I would think of as a combined likelihood or combined probability" of getting infected, Barocas says.
Conversely, not every type of lengthy interaction is equally risky, he says. Talking outdoors on the beach on a windy day for longer than 15 minutes with someone who is asymptomatic at the time is going to be less of a risk, he says.
While indoor settings are generally higher risk than outdoor ones, the context is key, Rasmussen says. An indoor bar where people are drinking, which requires unmasking, and possibly shouting to be heard over loud music (thus emitting more particles as they talk) is going to be riskier than a trip to a hair salon where everyone is masked and only a limited number of clients are in the room at the same time.
"I finally got my first pandemic haircut a couple of weeks ago," Rasmussen notes. "And I was there for two hours." But she wouldn't dine indoors, she says, because you can't eat while wearing a mask.
Rasmussen says because so many variables can influence the risk of transmission, it's important to focus on doing all the things we know can reduce the risk of infection – wearing a mask, washing your hands, keeping your distance, trying to keep interactions outdoors as much as possible, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. You might not always be able to do all of these things all of the time, she says – but the more of them you can do at once, the more you'll reduce your risk of infection.


npr--2020-10-09--Nobel Peace Prize Goes To The Dog (aka The Mascot Of WFP)

Nobel Peace Prize Goes To The Dog ( aka The Mascot Of WFP ) This year 's Nobel Peace Prize has been given to the U.N. World Food Programme for its efforts to fight hunger and to prevent the use of starvation as a weapon of war .
But did you know that the World Food Programme has a canine mascot named Foxtrot ?
He was all over Instagram on Friday expressing his excitement about snagging a Nobel .
`` Woweee , '' he said capturing the magnitude of the award with a brevity rare among winners in the science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succinct than the head of the World Food Programme , David Beasley , who said , `` Holy mackerel .
It 's the first time in my life I 've been without words . ''
The World Food Programme is one of the largest aid organizations in the world .
It does a lot of serious stuff .
Much of its work gets overlooked by many humans but not by Foxtrot or Berit Reiss-Andersen , chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee .
`` With this year 's award , the Norwegian Nobel Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world towards the millions of people who suffer from or face the threat of hunger , '' Reiss-Andersen said from Stockholm .
`` The World Food Programme plays a key role in multilateral cooperation on making food security an instrument of peace and has made a strong contribution toward mobilizing U.N. member states to combat the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict . ''
Foxtrot put it more simply : `` Without a doubt ... hunger is a cause and effect of conflict . ''
The World Food Programme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of planes in the midst of famines and airlifting tons of rice to villages destroyed by typhoons .
But the work of the organization goes far beyond food .
In Foxtrot 's backyard in Bangladesh , the organization literally moved mountains , flattening hillsides to make space for shelters for Rohingya refugees .
Day in and day out , it supports long-term nutrition programs , including subsidizing local farmers and markets .
`` Thank you so much for all your support , '' Foxtrot howled Friday on his social media feed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleagues in doing everything we can to keep food on families ' tables as we work toward a more peaceful and inclusive world . ''
Here 's a profile of Foxtrot and his work in the Cox 's Bazar office of the World Food Programme that NPR published in April 2019 .

Nobel Peace Prize Goes To The Dog (aka The Mascot Of WFP)
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jason Beaubien/NPR Jason Beaubien/NPR
This year's Nobel Peace Prize has been given to the U.N. World Food Programme for its efforts to fight hunger and to prevent the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
But did you know that the World Food Programme has a canine mascot named Foxtrot?
He was all over Instagram on Friday expressing his excitement about snagging a Nobel. "Woweee," he said capturing the magnitude of the award with a brevity rare among winners in the science categories. His reaction was also more succinct than the head of the World Food Programme, David Beasley, who said, "Holy mackerel. It's the first time in my life I've been without words."
The World Food Programme is one of the largest aid organizations in the world. It does a lot of serious stuff. Much of its work gets overlooked by many humans but not by Foxtrot or Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
"With this year's award, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to turn the eyes of the world towards the millions of people who suffer from or face the threat of hunger," Reiss-Andersen said from Oslo. "The World Food Programme plays a key role in multilateral cooperation on making food security an instrument of peace and has made a strong contribution toward mobilizing U.N. member states to combat the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict."
Foxtrot put it more simply: "Without a doubt ... hunger is a cause and effect of conflict."
The World Food Programme is known for dropping bags of grain out of planes in the midst of famines and airlifting tons of rice to villages destroyed by typhoons. But the work of the organization goes far beyond food. In Foxtrot's backyard in Bangladesh, the organization literally moved mountains, flattening hillsides to make space for shelters for Rohingya refugees. Day in and day out, it supports long-term nutrition programs, including subsidizing local farmers and markets.
"Thank you so much for all your support," Foxtrot howled Friday on his social media feed, "and for joining me and my colleagues in doing everything we can to keep food on families' tables as we work toward a more peaceful and inclusive world."
Here's a profile of Foxtrot and his work in the Cox's Bazar office of the World Food Programme that NPR published in April 2019.


npr--2020-10-09--Biden Has The Advantage On The Airwaves With Weeks To Go In Campaign

Biden Has The Advantage On The Airwaves With Weeks To Go In Campaign Despite reports of the Trump campaign canceling TV advertising in Ohio and Iowa , it turns out the campaign has $ 11 million still reserved for ads in the states , according to the latest ad spending data provided to NPR by the ad-tracking firm Advertising Analytics .
The Trump campaign ran no ads in either state for the week of Oct. 4 , but it still has $ 8 million in Ohio and almost $ 3 million in Iowa reserved for the final four weeks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be states where Trump is favored .
He won them both in 2016 , and high percentages of their populations are white voters without a college degree , a strong pro-Trump group .
But polls have shown the races in both places to be within the margin of error , and the ad spending bares that out .
With limited resources to spread around among key states , TV ad spending is as good an indicator as almost anything else for where the campaigns and outside groups supporting them see the contest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his campaign are extremely confident that we 'll win Iowa and Ohio , '' Samantha Zager , deputy national press secretary for the Trump campaign , said in a statement .
`` We have been talking directly with voters for years in these states about the success of President Trump 's America First agenda , whether through our top-tier ground game , in-person and online events , or utilizing digital , TV , and radio ads .
Unlike Joe Biden , campaign ads are n't the only way we know how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then that Florida and Pennsylvania are the two states seeing the most spending , head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to ads run or booked between the end of September through Election Day .
Florida , with its many TV markets and history of close races , is perennially one of the most expensive states to campaign in .
That 's no different in 2020 , as $ 112.5 million is being spent there in the final six weeks of the campaign between the campaigns and outside groups .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Michigan at $ 43.7 million , North Carolina at $ 36.9 million , Arizona at $ 31.7 million and Wisconsin at $ 29.8 million round out the big six states , where the campaigns are betting the election will largely be decided .
After that , there 's a significant drop off — Minnesota and Nevada are at about $ 16 million , followed by Ohio at $ 13.1 million , Georgia at $ 10.4 million , Iowa at $ 8 million , Texas at $ 6.7 million and New Hampshire at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of what gets seen on TV that benefits one side or the other .
There are almost three dozen groups that are spending about $ 209 million in 10 states in this final six-week stretch of the campaign .
To put that in perspective , it 's more than half of all the TV spending .
( The campaigns are spending about $ 189 million total . )
By far , Biden is benefitting most from outside groups , almost 3 to 1 .
Pro-Biden outside groups are spending $ 152 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million by pro-Trump outside groups .
The pro-Biden groups are walloping pro-Trump ones in seven of the 10 states , including seven of the top eight — Florida , Pennsylvania , Michigan , Arizona , Wisconsin , Minnesota and Nevada .
Pro-Trump outside groups are outspending pro-Biden groups in North Carolina , Georgia and Iowa .
So which groups are spending the most ?
By far , the outside group spending the most in these last six weeks of the campaign is the Democratic super PAC Future Forward USA , buying up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That includes $ 24 million in Pennsylvania , $ 18 million in Michigan , $ 9 million in Nevada and Wisconsin , and $ 8 million in Florida .
It 's a fairly new group that is run by two former Obama campaign officials .
After that , the top spending pro-Biden group is Priorities USA at $ 21 million .
On the Republican side , America First tops all groups , spending $ 36 million , followed by Preserve America PAC at about $ 15 million .
A deeper look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a state-by-state breakdown in order of where the campaigns are spending the most .
The list is in order of the amount spent overall , and the totals include the outside groups supporting each candidate and/or opposing his opponent .
Data include TV ad spending from Sept. 27 through the week of Nov. 1 .
Florida : $ 112.5 million Biden and allies : $ 70 million ( $ 18.5 million from campaign ) Trump and allies : $ 42.5 million ( $ 25 million from campaign ) Pennsylvania : $ 68.3 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 13.6 million from campaign ) Trump and allies : $ 22.6 million ( $ 9.6 million from campaign ) Michigan : $ 43.7 million Biden and allies : $ 36.5 million ( $ 10.7 million from campaign ) Trump and allies : $ 7.2 million ( $ 7 million from campaign ) North Carolina : $ 36.9 million Trump and allies : $ 20.8 million ( $ 11 million from campaign ) Biden and allies : $ 16.1 million ( $ 13.7 million from campaign ) Arizona : $ 31.7 million Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 12.2 million from campaign ) Trump and allies : $ 9.5 million ( $ 6.3 million from campaign ) Wisconsin : $ 29.8 million Biden and allies : $ 20.4 million ( $ 7.6 million from campaign ) Trump and allies : $ 9.4 million ( $ 3.4 million from campaign ) Minnesota : $ 16.2 million Biden and allies : $ 9.5 million ( $ 3.5 million from campaign ) Trump and allies : $ 6.7 million ( all from campaign ) Nevada : $ 15.7 million Biden and allies : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from campaign ) Trump and allies : $ 3.5 million ( all from campaign ) Ohio : $ 13.1 million Trump and allies : $ 7.9 million ( all from campaign ) Biden and allies : $ 5.2 million ( all from campaign ) Georgia : $ 10.4 million Trump and allies : $ 5.9 million ( $ 1.5 million from campaign ) Biden and allies : $ 4.5 million ( $ 4.3 million from campaign ) Iowa : $ 8 million Trump and allies : $ 5.5 million ( $ 2.7 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2.5 million ( all from campaign ) Texas : $ 6.7 million Biden and allies : $ 6.7 million ( $ 6.6 million from campaign ) Trump and allies : $ 29,000 ( $ 27,000 from campaign ) New Hampshire : $ 5.1 million Trump and allies : $ 2.8 million ( all from campaign ) Biden and allies : $ 2.3 million ( $ 2.2 million from campaign )

Biden Has The Advantage On The Airwaves With Weeks To Go In Campaign
Enlarge this image Caroline Amenabar/NPR; 401(K) 2012/Flickr Caroline Amenabar/NPR; 401(K) 2012/Flickr
Updated 6:57 p.m. ET
Despite reports of the Trump campaign canceling TV advertising in Ohio and Iowa, it turns out the campaign has $11 million still reserved for ads in the states, according to the latest spending data provided to NPR by the ad-tracking firm Advertising Analytics.
The Trump campaign ran no ads in either state for the week of Oct. 4, but it still has $8 million in Ohio and almost $3 million in Iowa reserved for the final four weeks of the campaign.
Both Ohio and Iowa should be states where Trump is favored. He won them both in 2016, and high percentages of their populations are white voters without a college degree, a strong pro-Trump group.
But polls have shown the races in both places to be within the margin of error, and the ad spending bears that out. With limited resources to spread around among key states, TV ad spending is as good an indicator as almost anything else for where the campaigns and outside groups supporting them see the contest as most competitive.
"President Trump and his campaign are extremely confident that we'll win Iowa and Ohio," Samantha Zager, deputy national press secretary for the Trump campaign, said in a statement. "We have been talking directly with voters for years in these states about the success of President Trump's America First agenda, whether through our top-tier ground game, in-person and online events, or utilizing digital, TV, and radio ads. Unlike Joe Biden, campaign ads aren't the only way we know how to campaign."
It's no surprise then that Florida and Pennsylvania are the two states seeing the most spending, head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to ads run or booked between the end of September through Election Day.
Florida, with its many TV markets and history of close races, is perennially one of the most expensive states to campaign in. That's no different in 2020, as $112.5 million is being spent there in the final six weeks of the campaign between the campaigns and outside groups.
In Pennsylvania, it's $68.3 million. Michigan at $43.7 million, North Carolina at $36.9 million, Arizona at $31.7 million and Wisconsin at $29.8 million round out the big six states, where the campaigns are betting the election will largely be decided.
After that, there's a significant drop off — Minnesota and Nevada are at about $16 million, followed by Ohio at $13.1 million, Georgia at $10.4 million, Iowa at $8 million, Texas at $6.7 million and New Hampshire at $5.1 million.
Outside spending
Campaigns only fund part of what gets seen on TV that benefits one side or the other.
There are almost three dozen groups that are spending about $209 million in 10 states in this final six-week stretch of the campaign. To put that in perspective, it's more than half of all the TV spending. (The campaigns are spending about $189 million total.)
By far, Biden is benefitting most from outside groups, almost 3 to 1. Pro-Biden outside groups are spending $152 million on ads, compared to $56 million by pro-Trump outside groups.
The pro-Biden groups are walloping pro-Trump ones in seven of the 10 states, including seven of the top eight — Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nevada.
Pro-Trump outside groups are outspending pro-Biden groups in North Carolina, Georgia and Iowa.
So which groups are spending the most?
By far, the outside group spending the most in these last six weeks of the campaign is the Democratic super PAC Future Forward USA, buying up a whopping $79 million in ads. That includes $24 million in Pennsylvania, $18 million in Michigan, $9 million in Nevada and Wisconsin, and $8 million in Florida.
It's a fairly new group that is run by two former Obama campaign officials.
After that, the top spending pro-Biden group is Priorities USA at $21 million.
On the Republican side, America First tops all groups, spending $36 million, followed by Preserve America PAC at about $15 million.
A deeper look at the ad spending in each state
Here's a state-by-state breakdown in order of where the campaigns are spending the most. The list is in order of the amount spent overall, and the totals include the outside groups supporting each candidate and/or opposing his opponent. Data include TV ad spending from Sept. 27 through the week of Nov. 1.
Florida: $112.5 million
Biden and allies: $70 million ($18.5 million from campaign)
Trump and allies: $42.5 million ($25 million from campaign)
Pennsylvania: $68.3 million
Biden and allies: $45.7 million (13.6 million from campaign)
Trump and allies: $22.6 million ($9.6 million from campaign)
Michigan: $43.7 million
Biden and allies: $36.5 million ($10.7 million from campaign)
Trump and allies: $7.2 million ($7 million from campaign)
North Carolina: $36.9 million
Trump and allies: $20.8 million ($11 million from campaign)
Biden and allies: $16.1 million ($13.7 million from campaign)
Arizona: $31.7 million
Biden and allies: $22.2 million ($12.2 million from campaign)
Trump and allies: $9.5 million ($6.3 million from campaign)
Wisconsin: $29.8 million
Biden and allies: $20.4 million ($7.6 million from campaign)
Trump and allies: $9.4 million ($3.4 million from campaign)
Minnesota: $16.2 million
Biden and allies: $9.5 million ($3.5 million from campaign)
Trump and allies: $6.7 million (all from campaign)
Nevada: $15.7 million
Biden and allies: $12.2 million ($2.7 million from campaign)
Trump and allies: $3.5 million (all from campaign)
Ohio: $13.1 million
Trump and allies: $7.9 million (all from campaign)
Biden and allies: $5.2 million (all from campaign)
Georgia: $10.4 million
Trump and allies: $5.9 million ($1.5 million from campaign)
Biden and allies: $4.5 million ($4.3 million from campaign)
Iowa: $8 million
Trump and allies: $5.5 million ($2.7 million from campaign)
Biden and allies: $2.5 million (all from campaign)
Texas: $6.7 million
Biden and allies: $6.7 million ($6.6 million from campaign)
Trump and allies: $29,000 ($27,000 from campaign)
New Hampshire: $5.1 million
Trump and allies: $2.8 million (all from campaign)
Biden and allies: $2.3 million ($2.2 million from campaign)


npr--2020-10-09--Trump To Speak At White House Saturday, 1st Public Event Since COVID-19 Diagnosis

Trump To Speak At White House Saturday , 1st Public Event Since COVID-19 Diagnosis President Trump plans to deliver remarks on Saturday at an outdoor event , his first public event since being hospitalized for the coronavirus , a White House official confirmed to NPR 's Tamara Keith .
The official was not authorized to speak publicly about the plans .
The event , first reported by ABC News , is expected to take place on the South Lawn of the White House .
Earlier , White House spokeswoman Alyssa Farah had said the White House would give an update @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is cleared by his medical team .
Speaking to Fox News on Friday in a pre-recorded , televised interview , Trump said he felt `` really , really strong '' in his recovery after bouts of weakness following his initial diagnosis .
Trump 's doctor said Thursday that he expected Trump would be ready to resume public activities on Saturday .
When asked on Fox about his most recent testing for the virus , Trump said : `` I have been retested , and I have n't even found out numbers or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm at the bottom of the scale or free . ''
Trump added that he would be tested again `` probably tomorrow , '' but he did not say definitively that he had tested negative for the virus .
And White House physician Sean Conley has not issued any updates on Trump 's conditions since late Thursday .
The news last week that the president had contracted the coronavirus threw into chaos an already tumultuous election year .
Questions about the president 's health and Republicans ' ability to fast-track Trump 's nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett , remain , even as Trump has assured the American public of his full recovery and Senate GOP lawmakers push to begin hearing proceedings for Barrett 's confirmation .
Several attendees to Trump 's Sept. 26 Rose Garden announcement of Barrett 's nomination have since tested positive for the coronavirus , including the first lady , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , and close Trump contacts Kellyanne Conway and Chris Christie .
Late Friday afternoon , the Trump campaign announced the president would deliver remarks at the Orlando Sanford International Airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
ET .
This will be the first time Trump has traveled since an Oct. 1 fundraiser , after which he tested positive for the coronavirus .

Trump To Speak At White House Saturday, 1st Public Event Since COVID-19 Diagnosis
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
Updated at 8:47 p.m. ET
President Trump plans to deliver remarks on Saturday at an outdoor event, his first public event since being hospitalized for the coronavirus, a White House official confirmed to NPR's Tamara Keith. The official was not authorized to speak publicly about the plans.
The event, first reported by ABC News, is expected to take place on the South Lawn of the White House.
Earlier, White House spokeswoman Alyssa Farah had said the White House would give an update when Trump tests negative for the virus and is cleared by his medical team.
Speaking to Fox News on Friday in a pre-recorded, televised interview, Trump said he felt "really, really strong" in his recovery after bouts of weakness following his initial diagnosis.
Trump's doctor said Thursday that he expected Trump would be ready to resume public activities on Saturday.
When asked on Fox about his most recent testing for the virus, Trump said: "I have been retested, and I haven't even found out numbers or anything yet. And I know I'm at the bottom of the scale or free."
Trump added that he would be tested again "probably tomorrow," but he did not say definitively that he had tested negative for the virus. And White House physician Sean Conley has not issued any updates on Trump's conditions since late Thursday.
The news last week that the president had contracted the coronavirus threw into chaos an already tumultuous election year.
Questions about the president's health and Republicans' ability to fast-track Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett, remain, even as Trump has assured the American public of his full recovery and Senate GOP lawmakers push to begin hearing proceedings for Barrett's confirmation.
Several attendees to Trump's Sept. 26 Rose Garden announcement of Barrett's nomination have since tested positive for the coronavirus, including the first lady, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, and close Trump contacts Kellyanne Conway and Chris Christie.
Late Friday afternoon, the Trump campaign announced the president would deliver remarks at the Orlando Sanford International Airport in Florida on Monday at 7 p.m. ET.
This will be the first time Trump has traveled since an Oct. 1 fundraiser, after which he tested positive for the coronavirus.


npr--2020-10-09--New York Yankee Hall Of Fame Pitcher Whitey Ford Dies At 91

New York Yankee Hall Of Fame Pitcher Whitey Ford Dies At 91 Legendary New York Yankee Whitey Ford , the southpaw pitcher whose dominance during the 1950s and 1960s helped cement the Bronx Bombers as perennial champions , has died .
He was 91 .
The Yankees announced his death on their official Twitter page , calling Ford `` one of the best lefties to ever toe the rubber . ''
The organization did not disclose the cause of death .
It added that `` he will be sorely missed . ''
Ford spent his entire career with the franchise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ championships and named to 10 All-Star teams .
Nicknamed `` Chairman of the Board , '' Ford still holds the team record for most wins by a pitcher ( 236 ) , with a career .690 winning percentage .
In 1961 , he also won the Cy Young Award , which honors the MLB 's top pitchers .
`` Today all of Major League Baseball mourns the loss of Whitey Ford , a New York City native who became a legend for his hometown team , '' Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earned his status as the ace of some of the most memorable teams in our sport 's rich history , '' Manfred continued .
`` Beyond the Chairman of the Board 's excellence on the mound , he was a distinguished ambassador for our National Pastime throughout his life .
I extend my deepest condolences to Whitey 's family , his friends and admirers throughout our game , and all fans of the Yankees . ''
He pitched on the powerhouse Yankees teams of the 1950s and 60s with other well-known names of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mantle , Roger Maris and Yogi Berra .
He was not overpowering , but struck out batters with finesse and mixing up his pitching style from batter to batter .
He also was known to doctor the baseball using saliva , dirt and cutting baseballs with his ring .
But Ford 's excellence on the mound was never in question .
According to a remembrance by the National Baseball Hall of Fame , Ford made his major league debut in 1950 where `` he immediately established himself in a Yankee rotation filled with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Allie Reynolds . ''
Ford finished the season 9-1 with a 2.81 earned-run average , finishing second in the American League for rookie of the year , according to the Hall of Fame .
He also pitched in Game 4 of the 1950 World Series , where he recorded all but one of the 27 outs , helping the Yankees win the game 5-2 .
They clinched the series sweep over the Philadelphia Phillies .
The Hall of Fame also notes Ford took the next two years off from baseball to serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1953 season .
`` Ford picked up where he left off , going 18-6 while helping New York win its fifth straight World Series championship – a record that has not been approached since , '' the remembrance said .
He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1974 , along with teammate Mantle .
`` Cool .
Crafty .
Nerves of steel , '' said Mantle of his teammate , according to the Hall of Fame .
`` That was Whitey . ''

New York Yankee Hall Of Fame Pitcher Whitey Ford Dies At 91
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kathy Willens/AP Kathy Willens/AP
Legendary New York Yankee Whitey Ford, the southpaw pitcher whose dominance during the 1950s and 1960s helped cement the Bronx Bombers as perennial champions, has died. He was 91.
The Yankees announced his death on their official Twitter page, calling Ford "one of the best lefties to ever toe the rubber."
The organization did not disclose the cause of death. It added that "he will be sorely missed."
Ford spent his entire career with the franchise, where he won six World Series championships and named to 10 All-Star teams.
Nicknamed "Chairman of the Board," Ford still holds the team record for most wins by a pitcher (236), with a career .690 winning percentage. In 1961, he also won the Cy Young Award, which honors the MLB's top pitchers.
"Today all of Major League Baseball mourns the loss of Whitey Ford, a New York City native who became a legend for his hometown team," Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred said in a statement.
"Whitey earned his status as the ace of some of the most memorable teams in our sport's rich history," Manfred continued. "Beyond the Chairman of the Board's excellence on the mound, he was a distinguished ambassador for our National Pastime throughout his life. I extend my deepest condolences to Whitey's family, his friends and admirers throughout our game, and all fans of the Yankees."
Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford was loved or loathed.
He pitched on the powerhouse Yankees teams of the 1950s and 60s with other well-known names of that era: Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Yogi Berra.
He was not overpowering, but struck out batters with finesse and mixing up his pitching style from batter to batter. He also was known to doctor the baseball using saliva, dirt and cutting baseballs with his ring. But Ford's excellence on the mound was never in question.
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Rooney/AP John Rooney/AP
According to a remembrance by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Ford made his major league debut in 1950 where "he immediately established himself in a Yankee rotation filled with veterans like Vic Raschi, Eddie Lopat and Allie Reynolds."
Ford finished the season 9-1 with a 2.81 earned-run average, finishing second in the American League for rookie of the year, according to the Hall of Fame.
He also pitched in Game 4 of the 1950 World Series, where he recorded all but one of the 27 outs, helping the Yankees win the game 5-2. They clinched the series sweep over the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Hall of Fame also notes Ford took the next two years off from baseball to serve in the Army, returning for the 1953 season.
"Ford picked up where he left off, going 18-6 while helping New York win its fifth straight World Series championship – a record that has not been approached since," the remembrance said.
He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1974, along with teammate Mantle.
"Cool. Crafty. Nerves of steel," said Mantle of his teammate, according to the Hall of Fame. "That was Whitey."
NPR's Russell Lewis contributed to this report.


npr--2020-10-09--Yelp Will Label Businesses Accused Of Racist Behavior

In what the company calls a `` firm stance against racism , '' the review site Yelp will warn consumers when a business has been reported for racist behavior .
The company said it would only add this alert to a business page `` when there 's resounding evidence of egregious , racist actions from a business owner or employee . ''
This will include behavior such as `` using overtly racist slurs or symbols . ''
`` As the nation reckons with issues of systemic racism , we 've seen in the last few months that there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associated with egregious , racially-charged actions to help people make more informed spending decisions , '' the San Francisco-based company said in a Thursday statement .
On social media , the announcement prompted some praise , but also skepticism from users who questioned how the initiative would be enforced .
The company said the alert will require a news article from a `` credible media outlet . ''
A link to the article will accompany the notice , and it will appear over the reviews until dismissed .
`` Incidents that warrant this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Yelp spokesperson told NPR .
The Law Office of Aaron M Schlossberg in New York was one of the first businesses for which the alert was used .
Schlossberg went viral in 2018 after shouting a racist rant at employees at a Manhattan restaurant for speaking Spanish .
He later apologized .
If more reviews are coming in than usual , the company may put up a less prominent `` public attention '' notice , warning that the business `` may be receiving an influx of reviews as a result of increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderators will investigate and temporarily disable content as we place an alert on the business 's page to warn users that some of these reviews may not be based on firsthand experiences , '' the Yelp spokesperson said .
`` After we 've seen activity dramatically decrease or stop , we will then clean up the page so that only firsthand consumer experiences are reflected . ''
The company said it placed more than 450 of the public attention alerts on business pages either accused of or the target of racist behavior from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Consumers are also increasingly voicing support for Black-owned businesses .
The number of reviews mentioning Black-owned businesses increased by more than 617 % this summer compared with last summer , the company said .
Reviews mentioning women-owned businesses more than doubled during the same period .
Yelp only allows firsthand reviews — not ones spurred by online attention or media reports — which the company has had trouble with in the past .
In 2019 , the review site removed at least 3,000 reviews that were either politically motivated or influenced by celebrities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 133 % increase in the number of `` media-fueled '' incidents compared with the same period last year .
This is n't Yelp 's first foray into tackling social issues with new features .
In 2017 , it allowed customers to find businesses that had gender-neutral bathrooms .
Back in 2011 , a Harvard Business researcher found on average , a one-star increase can mean up to a 9 % increase in revenue .
Marketing software company BrightLocal surveyed more than 1,000 consumers and 82 % reported using online reviews when looking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing 12 % of their customers , according to the study .
`` Increasingly , consumers across the U.S. are voting with their dollars by supporting businesses that align with their values , '' Yelp said Thursday .
`` As always , we continue to evaluate how we can best use our platform to build a better , more equitable and inclusive environment . ''
Reese Oxner is an intern on NPR 's News Desk .

Yelp Will Label Businesses Accused Of Racist Behavior
Enlarge this image toggle caption Scott Eells/Bloomberg via Getty Images Scott Eells/Bloomberg via Getty Images
In what the company calls a "firm stance against racism," the review site Yelp will warn consumers when a business has been reported for racist behavior.
The company said it would only add this alert to a business page "when there's resounding evidence of egregious, racist actions from a business owner or employee."
This will include behavior such as "using overtly racist slurs or symbols."
"As the nation reckons with issues of systemic racism, we've seen in the last few months that there is a clear need to warn consumers about businesses associated with egregious, racially-charged actions to help people make more informed spending decisions," the San Francisco-based company said in a Thursday statement.
On social media, the announcement prompted some praise, but also skepticism from users who questioned how the initiative would be enforced.
The company said the alert will require a news article from a "credible media outlet." A link to the article will accompany the notice, and it will appear over the reviews until dismissed.
"Incidents that warrant this escalated alert are extremely rare," a Yelp spokesperson told NPR.
The Law Office of Aaron M Schlossberg in New York was one of the first businesses for which the alert was used. Schlossberg went viral in 2018 after shouting a racist rant at employees at a Manhattan restaurant for speaking Spanish. He later apologized.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Yelp/Screenshot by NPR. Yelp/Screenshot by NPR.
If more reviews are coming in than usual, the company may put up a less prominent "public attention" notice, warning that the business "may be receiving an influx of reviews as a result of increased attention."
"Our team of moderators will investigate and temporarily disable content as we place an alert on the business's page to warn users that some of these reviews may not be based on firsthand experiences," the Yelp spokesperson said.
"After we've seen activity dramatically decrease or stop, we will then clean up the page so that only firsthand consumer experiences are reflected."
The company said it placed more than 450 of the public attention alerts on business pages either accused of or the target of racist behavior from the end of May to September.
Consumers are also increasingly voicing support for Black-owned businesses.
The number of reviews mentioning Black-owned businesses increased by more than 617% this summer compared with last summer, the company said. Reviews mentioning women-owned businesses more than doubled during the same period.
Yelp only allows firsthand reviews — not ones spurred by online attention or media reports — which the company has had trouble with in the past.
In 2019, the review site removed at least 3,000 reviews that were either politically motivated or influenced by celebrities.
This year, Yelp reports a 133% increase in the number of "media-fueled" incidents compared with the same period last year.
This isn't Yelp's first foray into tackling social issues with new features. In 2017, it allowed customers to find businesses that had gender-neutral bathrooms.
For companies, a bad rating can make a big difference.
Back in 2011, a Harvard Business researcher found on average, a one-star increase can mean up to a 9% increase in revenue.
Marketing software company BrightLocal surveyed more than 1,000 consumers and 82% reported using online reviews when looking for businesses. Those without five stars risk losing 12% of their customers, according to the study.
"Increasingly, consumers across the U.S. are voting with their dollars by supporting businesses that align with their values," Yelp said Thursday. "As always, we continue to evaluate how we can best use our platform to build a better, more equitable and inclusive environment."
Reese Oxner is an intern on NPR's News Desk.


npr--2020-10-09--Texas Police Officer Fired, Charged With Murder In Fatal Shooting Of Black Man

Texas Police Officer Fired , Charged With Murder In Fatal Shooting Of Black Man Shaun Lucas , a white police officer facing a murder charge in the killing of a Black man in Wolfe City , Texas , has been fired .
Lucas is accused of killing Jonathan Price on Saturday after he responded to a call about a possible fight in the city , which is about 70 miles northeast of Dallas .
His termination , which city officials announced Thursday , comes amid intense scrutiny of cases in which law enforcement has used excessive force against communities of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national protests sparked by other Black Americans being killed or severely injured by law enforcement , including George Floyd , Rayshard Brooks , Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake .
`` Mr. Lucas was terminated for his egregious violation of the City 's and police department 's policies , '' the Wolfe City government said in a statement on its Facebook page .
The city 's statement did not provide details about what policies Lucas violated .
It thanked the community for keeping protests peaceful following Price 's killing .
`` Wolfe City is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you in mourning Jonathan 's death and the events of the last week , '' the statement continued .
According to an affidavit prepared by Texas Ranger Laura Simmons , Lucas arrived on the scene at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday and was `` greeted '' by Price .
The document added that Price asked the officer several times , `` You doing good ? ''
while also `` extending his hand in a handshake gesture . ''
Lucas then attempted to detain him , according to the affidavit .
He later told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I ca n't be detained , '' Price said , according to the document .
After grabbing Price 's arm and issuing verbal commands , the officer warned Price that he would use his service stun gun if he did not comply .
The document said Price did not comply and began to walk away , prompting Lucas to `` deploy the taser which was not fully effective . ''
As he was being shocked with the Taser , Price reportedly walked back toward Lucas and appeared to reach for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discharged his service weapon , striking Price four times , the document said .
He was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital .
The affidavit said an officer-worn body camera captured the encounter .
That video has not been released to the public .
Lucas is being held at the Collin County Jail , according to The Dallas Morning News .
The paper reported that an attorney for Lucas said Price was the aggressor and that his client only fired when Price tried to `` take his Taser . ''
`` Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and attempted to take it away from Officer Lucas , '' attorney Robert Rogers said , according to the paper .
`` Officer Lucas only discharged his weapon in accordance with Texas law when he was confronted with an aggressive assailant who was attempting to take his Taser . ''
But Lee Merritt , an attorney for Price 's family , told The Associated Press that witnesses said Price was `` too far away to even be considered as reaching for the '' Taser .
He added that after Price was hit with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at that point were involuntary , so he was n't reaching for anything consciously . ''
As NPR member station KETR reported , Lucas was arrested and charged on Monday , with a bail set at $ 1 million .
Earlier in the week , the station reported that Price 's family said he had tried to break up an altercation between another man and a woman at a Kwik Chek convenience store .
The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a statement Monday that Lucas ' actions `` were not objectionably @ @ @

Texas Police Officer Fired, Charged With Murder In Fatal Shooting Of Black Man
Enlarge this image toggle caption Hunt County, Texas, Sheriff's Office via AP Hunt County, Texas, Sheriff's Office via AP
Shaun Lucas, a white police officer facing a murder charge in the killing of a Black man in Wolfe City, Texas, has been fired.
Lucas is accused of killing Jonathan Price on Saturday after he responded to a call about a possible fight in the city, which is about 70 miles northeast of Dallas.
His termination, which city officials announced Thursday, comes amid intense scrutiny of cases in which law enforcement has used excessive force against communities of color. It also comes amid ongoing national protests sparked by other Black Americans being killed or severely injured by law enforcement, including George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake.
"Mr. Lucas was terminated for his egregious violation of the City's and police department's policies," the Wolfe City government said in a statement on its Facebook page.
The city's statement did not provide details about what policies Lucas violated. It thanked the community for keeping protests peaceful following Price's killing.
"Wolfe City is a tight-knit community, and we join you in mourning Jonathan's death and the events of the last week," the statement continued.
According to an affidavit prepared by Texas Ranger Laura Simmons, Lucas arrived on the scene at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday and was "greeted" by Price. The document added that Price asked the officer several times, "You doing good?" while also "extending his hand in a handshake gesture."
Lucas then attempted to detain him, according to the affidavit. He later told the ranger that he thought Price was intoxicated.
"I can't be detained," Price said, according to the document.
After grabbing Price's arm and issuing verbal commands, the officer warned Price that he would use his service stun gun if he did not comply.
The document said Price did not comply and began to walk away, prompting Lucas to "deploy the taser which was not fully effective."
As he was being shocked with the Taser, Price reportedly walked back toward Lucas and appeared to reach for the stun gun. That's when Lucas discharged his service weapon, striking Price four times, the document said.
He was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The affidavit said an officer-worn body camera captured the encounter. That video has not been released to the public.
Lucas is being held at the Collin County Jail, according to The Dallas Morning News.
The paper reported that an attorney for Lucas said Price was the aggressor and that his client only fired when Price tried to "take his Taser."
"Mr. Price resisted the effects of the Taser and attempted to take it away from Officer Lucas," attorney Robert Rogers said, according to the paper. "Officer Lucas only discharged his weapon in accordance with Texas law when he was confronted with an aggressive assailant who was attempting to take his Taser."
But Lee Merritt, an attorney for Price's family, told The Associated Press that witnesses said Price was "too far away to even be considered as reaching for the" Taser. He added that after Price was hit with the stun gun, "muscle movements at that point were involuntary, so he wasn't reaching for anything consciously."
As NPR member station KETR reported, Lucas was arrested and charged on Monday, with a bail set at $1 million. Earlier in the week, the station reported that Price's family said he had tried to break up an altercation between another man and a woman at a Kwik Chek convenience store.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a statement Monday that Lucas' actions "were not objectionably reasonable."