npr--2020-10-08--Key Legal Fights Over Voting Remain Unresolved As Election Day Draws Close

Many of the approximately 300 lawsuits filed this year over voting rules have been settled .
But some key ones remain unresolved and court decisions could still reshape how voting is conducted in some crucial battleground states .
The flurry of last-minute legal action comes as more than 5 million people have already cast ballots early or by mail , causing some confusion over what voters have to do to ensure that their votes count .
On Monday , the U.S. Supreme Court ordered that voters in South Carolina need a witness signature on their absentee ballots .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apply to tens of thousands of voters in the state who have already voted , because a lower court ruled last month that the witness signature was not required .
The case is only one example of the legal whiplash voters are experiencing this year , as political parties , campaigns and interest groups take their differences over voting to the courts .
In South Carolina , Democrats argued that the witness requirement was unnecessary and burdensome , especially during a pandemic .
Republicans argued that the requirement discourages voter fraud .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court before Election Day .
Republicans have already asked the high court to block a recent decision by Pennsylvania 's Supreme Court that would allow absentee ballots to be counted if they 're received up to three days after Election Day , as long as they 're mailed by Election Day .
Democrats and state election officials argue that this deadline extension is needed to protect voters against possible mail delays .
But Republicans say the state Supreme Court overstepped its authority and that this a decision for the state legislature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wind up before the Supreme Court include one in Wisconsin , where Republicans are fighting a federal court ruling allowing ballots there to be counted up to six days after Election Day .
Alabama officials are also trying to block a recent federal court decision that would waive that state 's identification and witness requirements for absentee voters who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19 .
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said the state will seek relief from the Supreme Court because `` we believe that it 's federal judicial overreach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' trying to override state voting laws .
Several other important cases are working their way through the court system .
Democrats and voting rights groups are challenging a recent decision by Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott to limit the number of ballot drop-off sites to only one per county .
Republicans and Democrats are in court in Iowa fighting over whether tens of thousands of absentee ballot request forms are valid if most of the information was filled out in advance by county election officials .
The political parties are also at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have to fix signature problems with their ballots .
A similar fight is being waged in North Carolina over how absentee voters can correct ballot mistakes .
Voting rights groups are also challenging a requirement in Missouri that some voters need to have their mail-in ballots notarized .
Such vote-by-mail requirements have become more significant — and controversial — this year because of the large number of voters who are expected to cast their ballots by mail .
A recent NPR analysis found that more than half a million absentee ballots were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of errors and missed deadlines .
With so many cases still up in the air , legal experts say it 's difficult to tell whether Democrats or Republicans are coming out ahead .
Democrats have won numerous victories — including fending off a Republican effort to prevent Nevada from automatically sending out ballots to all registered voters .
But Democrats have also had some of their earlier wins overturned .
The South Carolina witness requirement is the most recent example .
Republicans have been successful in a number of cases , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay off all fees and penalties before they can vote .
`` I would say Democrats and voting rights group had some important victories , but on those cases that made it up the food chain , they have tended to do not as well , '' said Rick Hasen , an election law expert at the University of California , Irvine .
Hasen thinks such victories could be even rarer in the weeks ahead because courts are reluctant to make changes in voting rules too close to an election .
`` Any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting rights coming now are going to have a really tough road as they go up the appellate process , '' he said .
How such cases are decided could prove crucial after the election , when potential legal challenges to the outcome might end up before the Supreme Court .
President Trump has already said that he thinks that will happen .
Alabama Secretary of State Merrill this week also released a letter , signed by a number of Republican secretaries of state , that calls for swift Senate confirmation of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coney Barrett , to ensure that all the seats on the high court are filled by Election Day .
`` In the case an election issue is challenged in court , America can not afford a tie vote , '' they wrote Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham .
Justin Levitt of Loyola Law School is more optimistic such an outcome can be avoided .
The former Justice Department official thinks one benefit of all the current litigation is that it reduces the chance of a legal challenge after Election Day revolving around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Day can be counted .
`` The fact that the courts have weighed in on that issue now means it 's far less likely to want to weigh in on that issue after Election Day .
And that 's true for a lot of the different claims that have been pressed so far about which ballots are legitimate and which are n't , '' he said .

Key Legal Fights Over Voting Remain Unresolved As Election Day Draws Close
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images
Many of the approximately 300 lawsuits filed this year over voting rules have been settled. But some key ones remain unresolved and court decisions could still reshape how voting is conducted in some crucial states.
The flurry of last-minute legal action comes as more than 5 million people have already cast ballots early or by mail, causing some confusion over what voters have to do to ensure that their votes count.
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered that voters in South Carolina need a witness signature on their absentee ballots. But the high court said the order did not apply to tens of thousands of voters in the state who have already voted, because a lower court ruled last month that the witness signature was not required.
The case is only one example of the legal whiplash voters are experiencing this year, as political parties, campaigns and interest groups take their differences over voting to the courts. In South Carolina, Democrats argued that the witness requirement was unnecessary and burdensome, especially during a pandemic. Republicans argued that the requirement discourages voter fraud.
Several other important cases could end up before the Supreme Court before Election Day.
Republicans have already asked the high court to block a recent decision by Pennsylvania's Supreme Court that would allow absentee ballots to be counted if they're received up to three days after Election Day, as long as they're mailed by Election Day.
Democrats and state election officials argue that this deadline extension is needed to protect voters against possible mail delays. But Republicans say the state Supreme Court overstepped its authority and that this a decision for the state legislature to make.
Other cases that could wind up before the Supreme Court include one in Wisconsin, where Republicans are fighting a federal court ruling allowing ballots there to be counted up to six days after Election Day.
Alabama officials are also trying to block a recent federal court decision that would waive that state's identification and witness requirements for absentee voters who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said the state will seek relief from the Supreme Court because "we believe that it's federal judicial overreach and ... a legislator in a robe" trying to override state voting laws.
Several other important cases are working their way through the court system. Democrats and voting rights groups are challenging a recent decision by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to limit the number of ballot drop-off sites to only one per county.
Republicans and Democrats are in court in Iowa fighting over whether tens of thousands of absentee ballot request forms are valid if most of the information was filled out in advance by county election officials.
The political parties are also at odds over how much time Arizona voters will have to fix signature problems with their ballots. A similar fight is being waged in North Carolina over how absentee voters can correct ballot mistakes. Voting rights groups are also challenging a requirement in Missouri that some voters need to have their mail-in ballots notarized.
Such vote-by-mail requirements have become more significant — and controversial — this year because of the large number of voters who are expected to cast their ballots by mail. A recent NPR analysis found that more than half a million absentee ballots were rejected in this year's primaries alone because of errors and missed deadlines.
With so many cases still up in the air, legal experts say it's difficult to tell whether Democrats or Republicans are coming out ahead. Democrats have won numerous victories — including fending off a Republican effort to prevent Nevada from automatically sending out ballots to all registered voters.
But Democrats have also had some of their earlier wins overturned. The South Carolina witness requirement is the most recent example. Republicans have been successful in a number of cases, including one to require felons in Florida to pay off all fees and penalties before they can vote.
"I would say Democrats and voting rights group had some important victories, but on those cases that made it up the food chain, they have tended to do not as well," said Rick Hasen, an election law expert at the University of California, Irvine.
Hasen thinks such victories could be even rarer in the weeks ahead because courts are reluctant to make changes in voting rules too close to an election. "Any kind of last-minute changes that expand voting rights coming now are going to have a really tough road as they go up the appellate process," he said.
How such cases are decided could prove crucial after the election, when potential legal challenges to the outcome might end up before the Supreme Court. President Trump has already said that he thinks that will happen.
Alabama Secretary of State Merrill this week also released a letter, signed by a number of Republican secretaries of state, that calls for swift Senate confirmation of Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, to ensure that all the seats on the high court are filled by Election Day.
"In the case an election issue is challenged in court, America cannot afford a tie vote," they wrote Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
Justin Levitt of Loyola Law School is more optimistic such an outcome can be avoided. The former Justice Department official thinks one benefit of all the current litigation is that it reduces the chance of a legal challenge after Election Day revolving around such questions as whether ballots received after Election Day can be counted.
"The fact that the courts have weighed in on that issue now means it's far less likely to want to weigh in on that issue after Election Day. And that's true for a lot of the different claims that have been pressed so far about which ballots are legitimate and which aren't," he said.


npr--2020-10-08--Could The Live Flu Vaccine Help You Fight Off COVID-19?

Could The Live Flu Vaccine Help You Fight Off COVID-19 ?
In case you were still procrastinating getting a flu shot this year , here 's another reason to make it a priority .
There 's a chance the vaccine could offer some protection against COVID-19 itself , says virologist Robert Gallo , who directs the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is chairman of the Global Virus Network .
The key is getting the right flu vaccine , says Gallo , who was one of the main scientists credited with discovering HIV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a live virus in it .
The virus is attenuated so it does n't cause disease , but otherwise the virus is alive . ''
A live virus may sound a bit terrifying , but it 's a standard way to make safe and effective vaccines .
In fact , you 've probably already had a few `` live , attenuated '' vaccines in your lifetime , such as the measles vaccine or oral polio vaccine .
Now scientists are just beginning to learn that these vaccines may offer some unexpected advantages to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine , scientists have a few strategies to try .
They can take a piece or component of the bacteria and use that to trigger an immune response in a person .
They can kill the pathogen and use its corpse as the vaccine .
Or they can take a live pathogen and weaken it in the lab .
The latter are called `` live , attenuated vaccines , '' and over the past century , scientists have noticed something peculiar about these vaccines : They seem to offer some protection , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also against many different diseases , including respiratory infections .
`` There 's plenty of evidence for it , '' Gallo says .
`` The weakness is we do n't really know the longevity [ of the protection ] .
It will probably work only for months , but we ca n't say for sure . ''
Take for instance , the vaccine for tuberculosis .
It 's called bacille Calmette-Guerin , or BCG , and it contains a live , but weakened , strain of TB from cows .
When doctors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1920s , they noticed the vaccine not only reduced a child 's risk from dying of TB , but that children who got it had a mortality rate from all causes that was almost three times lower than unvaccinated children .
Since the 1970s , scientists in West Africa have documented a similar pattern with both the BCG vaccine but also the live measles vaccine .
In other words , they were doing something to boost the immune system 's response to many kinds of pathogens .
Recently , doctors in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a placebo , to see if it could help volunteers fight off a weakened form of yellow fever .
The conclusion ?
People who received the BCG vaccine mounted a stronger immune response against the virus and cleared out the virus more effectively than those who received the placebo , the study reported .
It 's not just BCG that seems to have this effect .
There 's growing evidence that any live vaccines can offer some broad , nonspecific protection , including the oral polio vaccine , measles and the live flu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time believing the evidence because the idea goes against the way they thought vaccines work , says immunologist Zhou Xing at McMasters University in Ontario : `` It 's a new concept that has emerged in the field of immunology over the past five to 10 years or so . ''
In general , vaccines work by tricking the body to produce antibodies .
These molecules are very specific .
They typically target and neutralize only one type of infection .
Live vaccines also work through antibodies , but they likely do something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our body 's frontline defenders — the cells that first recognize an invader and try to clear it out before the infection gets out of control , Zhou says .
Specifically , scientists think live vaccines epigenetically reprogram immune cells in the bone marrow , called myeloid cells .
Unlike antibodies , myeloid cells are nonspecific — they work on many types of invaders .
And they work quickly , when the virus first enters a person 's body .
Now the big question is : Will live vaccines help a person clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they get sick or before the infection becomes severe ?
To figure that out , scientists around the world are currently running more than a dozen clinical trials with both BCG and the live polio vaccine to see if they offer some protection against the virus that causes COVID-19 .
No one believes the protection will be as strong — or as long-lived — as that provided by a specific COVID-19 vaccine , says Dr. Moshe Arditi , who leads one of the trials at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles .
But he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantages to a specific vaccine .
It 's cheap .
A dose only costs a few dollars .
And we already know it 's safe .
`` More than 130 million kids every year — every year — receive the BCG vaccine so the safety profile has been very strong , '' Arditi says .
So the BCG vaccine could be approved — and available — by early next year , he says .
`` It could be a bridge until we have a safe , effective COVID-19 vaccine . ''
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why not go get the live flu vaccine , if you can ?
This year , the flu vaccine comes in two major forms : a shot or a nasal spray .
The shot , which is approved for people all above age six months ( who do n't have contraindications ) , contains an inactivated virus or components of the virus .
The nasal spray ( FluMist ) , which is approved for people ages 2 to 49 , contains live , attenuated flu viruses .
`` You watch , '' Gallo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live flu vaccine will also be protected against the COVID-19 .
That 's the hypothesis . ''
And , no matter what , even if you get a vaccine , you should still exercise all the same cautious you would otherwise : Wear a mask , keep your distance , wash your hands and avoid large , indoor gatherings .

Could The Live Flu Vaccine Help You Fight Off COVID-19?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tim Sloan/AFP via Getty Images Tim Sloan/AFP via Getty Images
In case you were still procrastinating getting a flu shot this year, here's another reason to make it a priority.
There's a chance the vaccine could offer some protection against COVID-19 itself, says virologist Robert Gallo, who directs the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is chairman of the Global Virus Network.
The key is getting the right flu vaccine, says Gallo, who was one of the main scientists credited with discovering HIV. "The vaccine has to have a live virus in it. The virus is attenuated so it doesn't cause disease, but otherwise the virus is alive."
A live virus may sound a bit terrifying, but it's a standard way to make safe and effective vaccines. In fact, you've probably already had a few "live, attenuated" vaccines in your lifetime, such as the measles vaccine or oral polio vaccine.
Now scientists are just beginning to learn that these vaccines may offer some unexpected advantages to the immune system.
When developing a vaccine, scientists have a few strategies to try. They can take a piece or component of the bacteria and use that to trigger an immune response in a person. They can kill the pathogen and use its corpse as the vaccine. Or they can take a live pathogen and weaken it in the lab.
The latter are called "live, attenuated vaccines," and over the past century, scientists have noticed something peculiar about these vaccines: They seem to offer some protection, not just from the targeted disease, but also against many different diseases, including respiratory infections.
"There's plenty of evidence for it," Gallo says. "The weakness is we don't really know the longevity [of the protection]. It will probably work only for months, but we can't say for sure."
Take for instance, the vaccine for tuberculosis. It's called bacille Calmette-Guerin, or BCG, and it contains a live, but weakened, strain of TB from cows.
When doctors in Sweden first started using BCG back in the 1920s, they noticed not only that the vaccine reduced a child's risk from dying of TB, but also that children who got it had a mortality rate from all causes that was almost three times lower than unvaccinated children. Since the 1970s, scientists in West Africa have documented a similar pattern with both the BCG vaccine and the live measles vaccine. In other words, the vaccines were doing something to boost the immune system's response to many kinds of pathogens.
Recently, doctors in the Netherlands directly tested the BCG vaccine against a placebo, to see if it could help volunteers fight off a weakened form of yellow fever. The conclusion? People who received the BCG vaccine mounted a stronger immune response against the virus and cleared out the virus more effectively than those who received the placebo, the study reported.
It's not just BCG that seems to have this effect. There's growing evidence that any live vaccines can offer some broad, nonspecific protection, including the oral polio vaccine, measles and the live flu vaccine.
Scientists have had a hard time believing the evidence because the idea goes against the way they thought vaccines work, says immunologist Zhou Xing at McMasters University in Ontario. "It's a new concept that has emerged in the field of immunology over the past five to 10 years or so."
In general, vaccines work by tricking the body to produce antibodies. These molecules are very specific. They typically target and neutralize only one type of infection.
Live vaccines also work through antibodies, but they likely do something else, as well. They supercharge our body's front-line defenders — the cells that first recognize an invader and try to clear it out before the infection gets out of control, Zhou says. Specifically, scientists think live vaccines epigenetically reprogram immune cells in the bone marrow, called myeloid cells.
Unlike antibodies, myeloid cells are nonspecific — they work on many types of invaders. And they work quickly when the virus first enters a person's body.
Now the big question is: Will live vaccines help a person clear out the coronavirus from their body before they get sick or before the infection becomes severe?
To figure that out, scientists around the world are currently running more than a dozen clinical trials with both BCG and the live polio vaccine to see whether they offer some protection against the virus that causes COVID-19.
No one believes the protection will be as strong — or as long-lived — as that provided by a specific COVID-19 vaccine, says Dr. Moshe Arditi, who leads one of the trials at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles.
But, he says, the BCG vaccine has several advantages to a specific vaccine. It's cheap. A dose only costs a few dollars. And we already know it's safe. "More than 130 million kids every year — every year — receive the BCG vaccine so the safety profile has been very strong," Arditi says.
So the BCG vaccine could be approved — and available — by early next year, he says. "It could be a bridge until we have a safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine."
In the meantime, virologist Robert Gallo says, why not go get the live flu vaccine, if you can?
This year, the flu vaccine comes in two major forms: a shot or a nasal spray. The shot, which is approved for all people above age 6 months who don't have contraindications, contains an inactivated virus or components of the virus. The nasal spray (FluMist), which is approved for people ages 2 to 49, contains live, attenuated flu viruses.
"You watch," Gallo says. "People who get the live flu vaccine will also be protected against the COVID-19. That's the hypothesis."
However, even if you get a vaccine, you should still exercise all the same cautious you would otherwise: Wear a mask, keep your distance, wash your hands and avoid large indoor gatherings.


npr--2020-10-08--He's Part Of The 1%. And He Thinks His Taxes Aren't High Enough

He 's Part Of The 1 % .
And He Thinks His Taxes Are n't High Enough With an apartment on glitzy Park Avenue and a hefty portfolio of stocks , retired investment manager Morris Pearl seems comfortably ensconced in the 1 % .
And one thing helps him stay there : The taxes he pays are lower than that of the average elementary school teacher .
`` All my money comes from investments .
I 'm doing fairly well .
But my tax rate is in the teens , '' says Pearl , a former managing director at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't the only wealthy person believed to pay little or no federal taxes .
The U.S. tax code favors people who make money through investments like stocks and real estate , including a lot of people in finance , such as hedge fund titans and money managers .
Instead of paying income taxes , which rise to about 37 % as a person 's income goes up , investors pay the much lower long-term capital gains tax , which tops out at 20 % .
This inequity in the tax code is something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon , noting that he pays taxes at a lower rate than his own secretary .
`` Our system allows rich people , particularly real estate developers and investors , to pay far lower taxes than people that work for a living , '' says Pearl , who chairs the group Patriotic Millionaires , a group that advocates for a more equitable tax system .
When Trump ran for president , he repeatedly promised to strip the tax code of loopholes that allow rich people like him to pay less in taxes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ let some special interests — including myself in all fairness .
This is going to cost me a fortune this thing , believe me .
Believe me .
This is not good for me , '' he said , in a speech in St. Louis in December 2017 , when Congress was preparing to vote on a tax cut bill .
The tax bill he ultimately signed did strip the tax code of some deductions that tend to benefit the well heeled , but it retained the lower tax rate for investment income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go , it is one of the more well-known tax loopholes , more because it is so ridiculous , '' says Charles Khan , organizing director at the Strong Economy For All Coalition , a partnership of liberal community and labor groups .
Trump 's tax bill also retained the very controversial carried interest provision , which allows many people who work in finance to take the money they make as investment income instead of salary .
That sharply lowers their tax rate .
Trump has long argued that his tax bill was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , generating a surge in jobs , at least until the pandemic struck last March .
But William Spriggs , an economics professor at Howard University , says the bill did little to address the inequities in the tax code .
`` People who were owning stock were the big beneficiaries because their income was going up whereas wages had stagnated , '' says Spriggs , who served as assistant secretary for policy at the Department of Labor in the Obama administration .
In fact , the corporate tax cuts included in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further , says Pearl from BlackRock .
`` The reasons stock prices have gone up is because the companies we own stock in are making more profits .
The reason they 're making more profits is because they 're paying less taxes , '' Pearl says .
Pearl says that the inequities in the system are dangerous and could even lead to `` civil unrest . ''
Most of the other wealthy people he knows share that conviction , according to Pearl .
`` I think most wealthy people understand that we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current system is not sustainable , '' he says .

He's Part Of The 1%. And He Thinks His Taxes Aren't High Enough
Enlarge this image toggle caption Elias WIlliams Elias WIlliams
With an apartment on glitzy Park Avenue and a hefty portfolio of stocks, retired investment manager Morris Pearl seems comfortably ensconced in the 1%.
And one thing helps him stay there: The taxes he pays are lower than those of the average elementary school teacher.
"I, for instance, have not worked since 2014," says Pearl, who was a managing director at BlackRock, one of the world's largest investment firms. He now earns a living from his investments. "I'm doing fairly well ... my tax rate is in the teens."
President Trump isn't the only wealthy person believed to pay little or no federal taxes. The U.S. tax code favors people who make money through investments like stocks and real estate, including a lot of people in finance, such as hedge fund titans and money managers.
Instead of paying income taxes, which rise to about 37% as a person's income goes up, investors pay the much lower long-term capital gains tax, which tops out at 20%.
This inequity in the tax code is something investment giant Warren Buffett has frequently remarked upon, noting that he pays taxes at a lower rate than his own secretary.
"Our system allows rich people, particularly real estate developers and investors, to pay far lower taxes than people that work for a living," says Pearl, who chairs the group Patriotic Millionaires, a group that advocates for a more equitable tax system.
When Trump ran for president, he repeatedly promised to strip the tax code of loopholes that allow rich people like him to pay less in taxes.
"It is riddled with loopholes that let some special interests — including myself in all fairness. This is going to cost me a fortune this thing, believe me. Believe me. This is not good for me," he said in a speech in St. Louis in December 2017, when Congress was preparing to vote on a tax cut bill.
The tax bill he ultimately signed did strip the tax code of some deductions that tend to benefit the well-heeled, but it retained the lower tax rate for investment income.
"As far as tax loopholes go, it is one of the more well-known tax loopholes, more because it is so ridiculous," says Charles Khan, organizing director at the Strong Economy For All Coalition, a partnership of liberal community and labor groups.
Trump's tax bill also retained the very controversial carried interest provision, which allows many people who work in finance to take the money they make as investment income instead of salary. That sharply lowers their tax rate.
Trump has long argued that his tax bill was "rocket fuel" for the economy, generating a surge in jobs, at least until the pandemic struck last March.
But William Spriggs, an economics professor at Howard University, says the bill did little to address the inequities in the tax code.
"People who were owning stock were the big beneficiaries because their income was going up whereas wages had stagnated," says Spriggs, who served as assistant secretary for policy at the Department of Labor in the Obama administration.
In fact, the corporate tax cuts included in the 2017 bill have benefited rich people even further, says Pearl from BlackRock.
"The reasons stock prices have gone up is because the companies we own stock in are making more profits. The reason they're making more profits is because they're paying less taxes," Pearl says.
Pearl says the inequities in the system are dangerous and could even lead to "civil unrest."
Most of the other wealthy people he knows share that conviction, according to Pearl. "I think most wealthy people understand that we have to change our system — because the current system is not sustainable," he says.


npr--2020-10-08--Protesters March Against Decision Not To Charge Officer In Wauwatosa, Wis., Death

Protesters March Against Decision Not To Charge Officer In Wauwatosa , Wis. , Death Demonstrators marched in Wauwatosa , Wis. , Wednesday night to protest the decision not to charge a police officer in the killing of a Black 17-year-old youth in February .
Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm said Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah acted in self-defense by shooting Alvin Cole after police responded to a disturbance at a shopping mall .
In a 14-page letter addressed to Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber , Chisholm presented details of the investigation into the incident and the reasons for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the investigation found that Cole had a stolen 9mm pistol which he displayed at the Mayfair Mall during an argument with another person .
Chisholm said when police arrived and encountered Cole in the parking lot , he ran from officers , discharged the gun , refused to surrender it and was then fired on by Mensah .
`` In this case , '' concluded Chisholm , `` there is sufficient evidence that Officer Mensah had an actual subjective belief that deadly force was necessary and that belief was objectively reasonable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ could disprove self-defense or defense of others in this case and therefore could not meet the burden required to charge Officer Mensah . ''
In addition to Chisholm 's report , an independent investigator , former U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic , recommended that Mensah — who also is Black — be fired .
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Cole was the third person shot and killed by Mensah in the line of duty since 2015 .
The two earlier shootings were also found to be in self-defense and the officer was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the force `` creates an extraordinary , unwarranted and unnecessary risk to the Wauwatosa Police Department and the City of Wauwatosa . ''
That recommendation was harshly criticized by the state 's largest police union .
`` To use something that has n't occurred , a fourth shooting , as a basis for terminating Officer Mensah now is ridiculous , '' said Jim Palmer , executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association , according to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinal .
Protesters surrounded the Milwaukee County Public Safety Building while Cole 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to The Associated Press .
Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers announced during the day on Wednesday that he had activated the National Guard as a precaution to assist law enforcement in the event of demonstrations over the decision not to charge Mensah in Cole 's death .
The city of Wauwatosa , a Milwaukee suburb with about 48,000 residents , enacted a 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew through Monday .
Protests were largely peaceful , though late Wednesday Wauwatosa police tweeted video of protesters throwing rocks through store windows .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a large disturbance of public order that has caused property damage , and is threatening to cause injury to persons , '' Wauwatosa police said in a statement .
`` While not all members of the group intend harm , '' it said , `` everyone must disperse immediately . ''

Protesters March Against Decision Not To Charge Officer In Wauwatosa, Wis., Death
Enlarge this image toggle caption Taleavia Cole/AP Taleavia Cole/AP
Demonstrators marched in Wauwatosa, Wis., Wednesday night to protest the decision not to charge a police officer in the killing of a Black 17-year-old youth in February.
Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm said Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah acted in self-defense by shooting Alvin Cole after police responded to a disturbance at a shopping mall. In a 14-page letter addressed to Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber, Chisholm presented details of the investigation into the incident and the reasons for his decision not to charge Mensah.
Chisholm said the investigation found that Cole had a stolen 9mm pistol which he displayed at the Mayfair Mall during an argument with another person. Chisholm said when police arrived and encountered Cole in the parking lot, he ran from officers, discharged the gun, refused to surrender it and was then fired on by Mensah.
"In this case," concluded Chisholm, "there is sufficient evidence that Officer Mensah had an actual subjective belief that deadly force was necessary and that belief was objectively reasonable. I do not believe that the State could disprove self-defense or defense of others in this case and therefore could not meet the burden required to charge Officer Mensah."
In addition to Chisholm's report, an independent investigator, former U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic, recommended that Mensah — who also is Black — be fired. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Cole was the third person shot and killed by Mensah in the line of duty since 2015. The two earlier shootings were also found to be in self-defense and the officer was not disciplined.
Biskupic wrote that keeping Mensah on the force "creates an extraordinary, unwarranted and unnecessary risk to the Wauwatosa Police Department and the City of Wauwatosa."
That recommendation was harshly criticized by the state's largest police union. "To use something that hasn't occurred, a fourth shooting, as a basis for terminating Officer Mensah now is ridiculous," said Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, according to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinal.
Protesters surrounded the Milwaukee County Public Safety Building while Cole's attorney and family members met with Chisholm, according to The Associated Press.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced during the day on Wednesday that he had activated the National Guard as a precaution to assist law enforcement in the event of demonstrations over the decision not to charge Mensah in Cole's death. The city of Wauwatosa, a Milwaukee suburb with about 48,000 residents, enacted a 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew through Monday.
Protests were largely peaceful, though late Wednesday Wauwatosa police tweeted video of protesters throwing rocks through store windows.
"What started as a protest has become a large disturbance of public order that has caused property damage, and is threatening to cause injury to persons," Wauwatosa police said in a statement.
"While not all members of the group intend harm," it said, "everyone must disperse immediately."


npr--2020-10-08--Michigan AG Says White Supremacist Groups Behind Plot To Kidnap Gov. Whitmer

Michigan AG Says White Supremacist Groups Behind Plot To Kidnap Gov .
Whitmer Following the arrest of 13 people who plotted to kidnap the governor of Michigan and instigate a civil war , the state 's attorney general warns American extremist ideology is on the rise — spurred in part , she says , by President Trump .
Early reports of the thwarted plan suggested members of two militia groups , including one called the Wolverine Watchmen , were behind the conspiracy to violently overthrow the state government , abduct Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer before next month 's election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But in an interview with NPR , Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said multiple white supremacist and anti-government groups acted `` in concert based on a shared extreme ideology . ''
Nessel on Thursday announced state charges against seven people related to the bizarre plan .
They are all under arrest and accused of 19 state felonies , ranging from providing material support for terrorist acts to gang membership , among others .
A joint task force investigation lasting several months culminated in the arrest of Paul Bellar , 21 , Sean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 36 , Michael Null , 38 , William Null , 38 , Peter Musico , 42 , and Joseph Morrison , 42 .
The FBI , which says the men began planning as early as June , charged another six individuals , who , according to a 15-page criminal complaint , tracked down the governor 's Delaware vacation home and began building bombs .
`` The people that we charged are affiliated with this Wolverine Watchmen group , '' Nessel said , adding that it is a Michigan-based group .
`` But there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups that have been acting in accordance with one another . ''
Investigators found the men 's mission is what white supremacist groups call `` the Boogaloo , '' which Nessel described as an uprising or a second civil war .
`` This effort to have a mass uprising nationally is something that we should be very concerned about because , again , it 's not just a Michigan problem , this is an American problem . ''
FBI Director Christopher Wray in February announced that the threat posed racially motivated violent extremists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority . ''
Nessel said she concurs with that assessment and contends racist militia groups currently operating across the country are taking advantage of the unrest that 's been caused by the COVID-19 epidemic and the Black Lives Matter movement .
`` They 're using it to recruit and to formulate plots , '' she charged .
Part of the recruitment effort took place during a protest at the state capitol over the summer where militia members stood on the steps holding guns and rifles .
`` I think that those protests were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more members and to find people that were angry with the governor , angry with the government , and frankly , I think encouraged by the words of our president , '' Nessel said .
Individuals arrested in connection with the plot to kidnap the governor also schemed to overtake the state capitol and potentially kill a number of public officials there , and threatened to execute members of law enforcement , she said .

Michigan AG Says White Supremacist Groups Behind Plot To Kidnap Gov. Whitmer
Enlarge this image toggle caption Paul Sancya/AP Paul Sancya/AP
Following the arrest of 13 people who plotted to kidnap the governor of Michigan and instigate a civil war, the state's attorney general warns American extremist ideology is on the rise — spurred in part, she says, by President Trump.
Early reports of the thwarted plan suggested members of two militia groups, including one called the Wolverine Watchmen, were behind the conspiracy to violently overthrow the state government, abduct Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer before next month's election and put her on trial for treason.
But in an interview with NPR, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said multiple white supremacist and anti-government groups acted "in concert based on a shared extreme ideology."
Nessel on Thursday announced state charges against seven people related to the bizarre plan. They are all under arrest and accused of 19 state felonies, ranging from providing material support for terrorist acts to gang membership, among others.
A joint task force investigation lasting several months culminated in the arrest of Paul Bellar, 21, Sean Fix, 38, Eric Molitor, 36, Michael Null, 38, William Null, 38, Peter Musico, 42, and Joseph Morrison, 42.
The FBI, which says the men began planning as early as June, charged another six individuals, who, according to a 15-page criminal complaint, tracked down the governor's vacation home and began building bombs.
"The people that we charged are affiliated with this Wolverine Watchmen group," Nessel said, adding that it is a Michigan-based group. "But there are multiple white supremacy groups and militia groups that have been acting in accordance with one another."
Investigators found the men's mission is what white supremacist groups call "the Boogaloo," which Nessel described as an uprising or a second civil war.
"This effort to have a mass uprising nationally is something that we should be very concerned about because, again, it's not just a Michigan problem, this is an American problem."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Michigan Office of the Governor via AP Michigan Office of the Governor via AP
FBI Director Christopher Wray in February announced that the threat posed racially motivated violent extremists had reached a new "national threat priority."
Nessel said she concurs with that assessment and contends racist militia groups currently operating across the country are taking advantage of the unrest that's been caused by the COVID-19 epidemic and the Black Lives Matter movement.
"They're using it to recruit and to formulate plots," she charged.
Part of the recruitment effort took place during a protest at the state capitol over the summer where militia members stood on the steps holding guns and rifles.
"I think that those protests were used actually as recruiting stations to add more members and to find people that were angry with the governor, angry with the government, and frankly, I think encouraged by the words of our president," Nessel said.
Individuals arrested in connection with the plot to kidnap the governor also schemed to overtake the state capitol and potentially kill a number of public officials there, and threatened to execute members of law enforcement, she said.


npr--2020-10-08--Supreme Court Refuses To Block Lower Court Order On Abortion Pills

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused , for now , to reimpose FDA regulations that require women seeking medication abortion to pick up the prescribed pills in person at a clinic instead of by mail .
The court 's decision came Thursday night on a 6-to-2 vote that rejected an emergency appeal from the Trump administration .
The challenge to the FDA regulation was brought by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists after the the agency relaxed similar regulations for other drugs -- including opioids -- in order to limit patients ' exposure to Covid-19 during the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those with prescriptions for abortions with pills in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy .
Federal Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland ruled in favor of ACOG , declaring that requiring such in-person pick-ups of pills during a pandemic posed `` a substantial obstacle to women seeking an abortion . ''
The Supreme Court has long ruled that such substantial obstacles unconstitutionally interfere with a woman 's right to terminate a pregnancy .
On Thursday night , the Supreme Court turned down the Trump administration 's attempt to block the lower court order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a punt , than a long-lasting decree .
The high court said it would hold the Trump administration 's request `` in obeyance '' to permit the district court judge to promptly consider other efforts by the administration to `` dissolve , modify , or stay '' its previous order if `` relevant circumstances have changed . ''
And the justices said that their decision did not indicate their views on the merits of the case should it come to them again .
The language of the one-paragraph order seemed to suggest that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any decision in an abortion case two weeks after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died , and just days before the U.S. Senate is scheduled to take up the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett as Ginsburg 's replacement .
`` It is a relief that for the next few weeks the Trump administration can not force abortion patients to needlessly risk contracting a life-threatening disease as a condition of obtaining care , '' said Julia Kaye , lead counsel for ACOG in the case .
But , she added , `` When President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third Supreme Court justice with the express goal of overturning Roe v. Wade , the court 's delayed ruling in this case gives little comfort that the right to abortion is secure . ''
Dissenting from Thursday night 's decision were Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas .
Writing for the two , Alito said that `` for all practical purposes there is little difference between what the court has done and an express denial '' of the Trump administration 's emergency motion to block the lower court order .
Alito went on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has taken during the pandemic in upholding bans on large church gatherings , decisions that he characterized as `` unimaginable restraints '' on the `` free exercise of religion . ''

Supreme Court Punts On Abortion Pills, Allowing Them To Be Mailed — For Now
Enlarge this image toggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP J. Scott Applewhite/AP
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused, for now, to reimpose FDA regulations that require women seeking medication abortion to pick up the prescribed pills in person at a clinic instead of by mail.
The court's decision came Thursday night on a 6-to-2 vote that rejected an emergency appeal from the Trump administration.
The challenge to the Food and Drug Administration regulation was brought by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists after the the agency relaxed similar regulations for other drugs — including opioids — in order to limit patients' exposure to COVID-19 during the pandemic. The FDA refused to relax the same rule for those with prescriptions for abortions with pills in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Federal Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland ruled in favor of ACOG, declaring that requiring such in-person pickups of pills during a pandemic posed "a substantial obstacle to women seeking an abortion." The Supreme Court has long ruled that such substantial obstacles unconstitutionally interfere with a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy.
On Thursday night, the Supreme Court turned down the Trump administration's attempt to block the lower court order. But the decision was more of a punt than a long-lasting decree.
The high court said it would hold the Trump administration's request "in abeyance" to permit the district court judge to promptly consider other efforts by the administration to "dissolve, modify, or stay" its previous order if "relevant circumstances have changed." And the justices said that their decision did not indicate their views on the merits of the case should it come to them again.
The language of the one-paragraph order seemed to suggest that the court was simply unwilling to make any decision in an abortion case three weeks after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died, and just days before the U.S. Senate is scheduled to take up the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett as Ginsburg's replacement.
"It is a relief that for the next few weeks, the Trump administration cannot force abortion patients to needlessly risk contracting a life-threatening disease as a condition of obtaining care," said Julia Kaye, lead counsel for ACOG in the case. But, she added, "When President Trump is trying to rush through a third Supreme Court justice with the express goal of overturning Roe v. Wade, the court's delayed ruling in this case gives little comfort that the right to abortion is secure."
But Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, which opposes abortion rights, said her group was "disappointed by the lack of a ruling."
"We thank the Trump administration for fighting for vitally important health and safety protections and are confident we will ultimately prevail," she said.
Dissenting from Thursday night's decision were Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas. Writing for the two, Alito said that "for all practical purposes there is little difference between what the court has done and an express denial" of the Trump administration's emergency motion to block the lower court order.
Alito went on to blast his colleagues for other actions it has taken during the pandemic in upholding bans on large church gatherings, decisions that he characterized as "unimaginable restraints" on the "free exercise of religion."


npr--2020-10-08--New Scrutiny On Trump's Gold Star Family Event After COVID-19 Outbreak

New Scrutiny On Trump 's Gold Star Family Event After COVID-19 Outbreak A growing list of attendees to a reception last month for President Trump 's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett have tested positive for coronavirus .
But the next day , the annual Gold Star Mother 's Day event was held indoors at the White House , and official photos from the reception show very few people wearing masks .
Gold Star Mother 's Day has been around since the 1930s , but was highlighted recently by Presidents Obama and Trump with White House receptions .
Despite this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus pandemic , the White House decided not to cancel it .
President Trump says when he met these family members and heard their stories , he could n't bear to keep them at arms-length .
`` They come within an inch of my face sometimes , they want to hug me , and they want to kiss me .
And they do .
And , frankly , I 'm not telling them to back up .
I 'm not doing it .
But I did say it 's like , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dangerous thing I guess if you go by the COVID thing , '' Trump told Fox Business on Thursday .
Days after the event , the president and first lady tested positive .
Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Charles Ray was also at the Gold Star reception .
Later he too had a positive test .
Now , more than a week later , the Joint Chiefs of Staff are in quarantine .
One more of them is known to have tested positive , Assistant Marine Commandant Gen. Gary Thomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in attendance from all over the country .
They were given rapid COVID tests before entering the event , but there is some controversy around the accuracy of those tests .
The White House later clarified that the president was n't blaming anyone present for him getting the virus .
He has been at many events , talking to many people , according to spokeswoman Alyssa Farah who said there is no evidence that anyone became sick from that event .
`` We did take a lot of precautions for that event , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on contact tracing , the data we have , we do n't think it arose from that event . ''
On Wednesday White House deputy press secretary Brian Morgenstern said the White House only traces contacts of people who are diagnosed by the White House Medical Unit , he said , and then under a specific guideline .
`` They look back 48 hours to find people who may have been within 6-feet for at least 15 minutes , '' he explained .
`` It 's the CDC guideline .
And the purpose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
It 's not to go back and identify Patient Zero , '' Morgenstern said .
The White House defended holding these events indoors , saying the president needs to continue the business of government .

New Scrutiny On Trump's Gold Star Family Event After COVID-19 Outbreak
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrea Hanks/White House Andrea Hanks/White House
A growing list of attendees to a reception last month for President Trump's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett have tested positive for coronavirus.
But the next day, the annual Gold Star Mother's Day event was held indoors at the White House, and official photos from the reception show very few people wearing masks.
Gold Star Mother's Day has been around since the 1930s, but was highlighted recently by Presidents Obama and Trump with White House receptions. Despite this year's event landing in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the White House decided not to cancel it. President Trump says when he met these family members and heard their stories, he couldn't bear to keep them at arms-length.
"They come within an inch of my face sometimes, they want to hug me, and they want to kiss me. And they do. And, frankly, I'm not telling them to back up. I'm not doing it. But I did say it's like, it's obviously dangerous, it's a dangerous thing I guess if you go by the COVID thing," Trump told Fox Business on Thursday.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrea Hanks/White House Andrea Hanks/White House
Days after the event, the president and first lady tested positive. Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Charles Ray was also at the Gold Star reception. Later he too had a positive test. Now, more than a week later, the Joint Chiefs of Staff are in quarantine. One more of them is known to have tested positive, Assistant Marine Commandant Gen. Gary Thomas.
About 20 Gold star families were in attendance from all over the country. They were given rapid COVID tests before entering the event, but there is some controversy around the accuracy of those tests.
The White House later clarified that the president wasn't blaming anyone present for him getting the virus. He has been at many events, talking to many people, according to spokeswoman Alyssa Farah who said there is no evidence that anyone became sick from that event.
"We did take a lot of precautions for that event," Farah said. "So based on contact tracing, the data we have, we don't think it arose from that event."
On Wednesday, White House deputy press secretary Brian Morgenstern said the White House only traces contacts of people who are diagnosed by the White House Medical Unit, he said, and then under a specific guideline.
"They look back 48 hours to find people who may have been within 6-feet for at least 15 minutes," he explained. "It's the CDC guideline. And the purpose is to mitigate further transmission of the virus. It's not to go back and identify Patient Zero."
The White House defended holding these events indoors, saying the president needs to continue the business of government.


npr--2020-10-08--White House Physician Expects Trump's 'Safe Return To Public Engagements' Saturday

White House physician Sean Conley said in a memo Thursday that `` I fully anticipate the president 's safe return to public engagements '' on Saturday , based on the date he tested positive for the coronavirus and his response to treatment .
Conley did not provide any information about whether Trump has or will be tested for the virus .
He said Trump 's physical example `` has remained stable and devoid of any indications to suggest progression of illness . ''
Conley 's estimation of Trump 's return to the public is a bit sooner than what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So we 're looking to this weekend , if we can get through to Monday with him remaining the same or improving better yet , then we will all take that final deep sigh of relief , '' Conley said at the time .
In the Thursday memo , Conley said Trump has responded `` extremely well to treatment '' and said there is no sign of `` adverse therapeutic effects . ''
`` Today the President has completed his course of therapy for COVID-19 as prescribed by his team of physicians , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be day 10 since Thursday 's diagnosis , and based on the trajectory of advanced diagnostics the team has been conducting , I fully anticipate the President 's safe return to public engagements at that time . ''
The memo comes as Trump and his campaign fight with the Commission on Presidential Debates , which decided to make the next debate – scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami – virtual for safety reasons .
Trump said he was not interested in that idea .
Trump 's illness , and the virus 's rapid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circles in Washington , led to increased scrutiny on the administration 's response to the coronavirus that has already claimed the lives of more than 200,000 Americans .
The president has repeatedly downplayed the risk of the coronavirus and contradicted public health officials on the importance of social distancing and wearing masks .
Still , despite having been `` very sick '' with the virus early on , Trump on Wednesday said he felt it was a `` blessing from God '' that he had contracted the illness .
He touted antibody-based drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regeneron , for having `` cured '' him .
As of this week , nearly two dozen close contacts to the White House , including the president and first lady Melania Trump , had publicly tested positive for the virus .

White House Physician Expects Trump's 'Safe Return To Public Engagements' Saturday
Enlarge this image toggle caption Win McNamee/Getty Images Win McNamee/Getty Images
Updated at 7:43 p.m. ET
White House physician Sean Conley said in a memo Thursday that "I fully anticipate the president's safe return to public engagements" on Saturday, based on the date he tested positive for the coronavirus and his response to treatment.
Conley did not provide any information about whether Trump has or will be tested for the virus. He said Trump's physical example "has remained stable and devoid of any indications to suggest progression of illness."
Conley's estimation of Trump's return to the public is a bit sooner than what the doctor had suggested on Monday.
"So we're looking to this weekend, if we can get through to Monday with him remaining the same or improving better yet, then we will all take that final deep sigh of relief," Conley said at the time.
In the Thursday memo, Conley said Trump has responded "extremely well to treatment" and said there is no sign of "adverse therapeutic effects."
"Today the President has completed his course of therapy for COVID-19 as prescribed by his team of physicians," Conley said.
"Saturday will be day 10 since Thursday's diagnosis, and based on the trajectory of advanced diagnostics the team has been conducting, I fully anticipate the President's safe return to public engagements at that time."
The memo comes as Trump and his campaign fight with the Commission on Presidential Debates, which decided to make the next debate – scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami – virtual for safety reasons. Trump said he was not interested in that idea.
Trump's illness, and the virus's rapid spread through some of the top Republican circles in Washington, led to increased scrutiny on the administration's response to the coronavirus that has already claimed the lives of more than 200,000 Americans.
The president has repeatedly downplayed the risk of the coronavirus and contradicted public health officials on the importance of social distancing and wearing masks.
Still, despite having been "very sick" with the virus early on, Trump on Wednesday said he felt it was a "blessing from God" that he had contracted the illness. He touted antibody-based drug REGN-COV2, made by the biotech company Regeneron, for having "cured" him.
As of this week, nearly two dozen close contacts to the White House, including the president and first lady Melania Trump, had publicly tested positive for the virus.


npr--2020-10-08--Map: Mail-In Voting Rules By State — And The Deadlines You Need

Map : Mail-In Voting Rules By State — And The Deadlines You Need In response to the coronavirus pandemic , dozens of states have modified their rules for mail-in voting in November 's elections .
Some of those changes are more substantial than others .
California , Nevada , New Jersey and Vermont , along with Washington , D.C. , are sending mail-in ballots to all voters , joining the handful of states that conduct all-mail elections .
In Montana , individual counties are now authorized to send voters ballots .
And many more states are mailing voters absentee ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big expansion in who can vote absentee .
Many states , including New Hampshire and New York , have suspended the need for an excuse to obtain an absentee ballot , or said fear of contracting COVID-19 while voting is a valid excuse .
Other states have altered deadlines and/or loosened rules for submitting an absentee ballot .
Some states — often as the result of litigation — have said mail-in ballots only need to be postmarked by Election Day , rather than received by then .
And in Virginia , for instance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a witness signature .
The graphic above gives a broad overview of mail-in voting procedures for each state and some basic deadlines voters should know .
Here are a few caveats as you look up your state 's information : • Many states have options for voter registration , perhaps at specific locations , even after the statewide deadline .
• In states that have early voting , the dates often vary by county , or can be on weekdays and not weekends .
• If your state has no true early voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an absentee ballot early .
In short , the voting rules and procedures vary widely , so be sure to check with your state for the most detailed and up-to-date information .
With ( lots of ) research help by Washington Desk editorial assistant Elena Moore .
This map was originally published on Sept. 14 .

Map: Mail-In Voting Rules By State — And The Deadlines You Need
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In response to the coronavirus pandemic, dozens of states have modified their rules for mail-in voting in November's elections.
Some of those changes are more substantial than others.
California, Nevada, New Jersey and Vermont, along with Washington, D.C., are sending mail-in ballots to all voters, joining the handful of states that conduct all-mail elections. In Montana, individual counties are now authorized to send voters ballots. And many more states are mailing voters absentee ballot applications.
There's also been a big expansion in who can vote absentee. Many states, including New Hampshire and New York, have suspended the need for an excuse to obtain an absentee ballot, or said fear of contracting COVID-19 while voting is a valid excuse.
Other states have altered deadlines and/or loosened rules for submitting an absentee ballot. Some states — often as the result of litigation — have said mail-in ballots only need to be postmarked by Election Day, rather than received by then. And in Virginia, for instance, an absentee ballot won't need a witness signature.
The graphic above gives a broad overview of mail-in voting procedures for each state and some basic deadlines voters should know.
Here are a few caveats as you look up your state's information:
Many states have options for voter registration, perhaps at specific locations, even after the statewide deadline.
In states that have early voting, the dates often vary by county, or can be on weekdays and not weekends.
If your state has no true early voting period, you can likely still drop-off an absentee ballot early.
In short, the voting rules and procedures vary widely, so be sure to check with your state for the most detailed and up-to-date information.
With (lots of) research help by Washington Desk editorial assistant Elena Moore. This map was originally published on Sept. 14.


npr--2020-10-08--Past CDC Director Urges Current One To Stand Up To Trump

Past CDC Director Urges Current One To Stand Up To Trump Dr. William Foege does n't know how his private letter to the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Robert Redfield , got leaked — but he stands by its contents .
`` I think we 've got about the worst response to this pandemic that you could possibly have , '' said Foege , who served as CDC director from 1977 to 1983 , spanning the Carter and Reagan administrations , in an interview with NPR .
He blames the White House , which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation 's public health agency , to apply its considerable knowledge to the pandemic response : `` It felt to me like President Trump had his knee on the neck of the public health community holding them down so that they could not actually do their work , '' he says .
In a scathing letter sent Sept. 23 , Foege tells Redfield that , while the CDC director has `` shown great resilience in being willing to take [ the Trump administration 's ] abuse , '' current and former CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` At the moment , they feel you accepted the White House orders without sufficient resistance , '' he wrote .
The letter was obtained and published this week by USA Today .
Foege says he penned the letter because he was frustrated that the nation 's messy , piecemeal efforts have led to many unnecessary deaths .
The situation in the U.S. `` is a slaughter and not just a political dispute , '' he wrote .
`` We have 75 years of experience at CDC on how to handle outbreaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 've learned a lot of lessons .
And it appears to me that every one of those lessons has been violated . ''
Those mistakes include : lacking a strong federal strategy — which has led to 50 states having 50 different plans ; ceding the CDC 's authority as a source of credible , timely information to the opinions of myriad academics across the country ; and maintaining an isolationist `` America First '' policy and refusing to coordinate with other countries during a pandemic that spans the globe .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reputation has gone `` from gold to tarnished brass , '' Foege wrote , which could make it difficult for the agency to recruit top scientists and set global standards , as it has for decades .
`` It 's incredible that one person or a group of people can tarnish your reputation to that degree , '' Foege says , `` It 's going to be hard to regain that position . ''
Until now , Foege has not been openly critical of the CDC 's performance , but he says he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If you know how to prevent torture and do n't do it , you become the torturer , '' Foege said , citing writings by Auschwitz survivor Primo Levi .
`` This is the burden I found myself living under : that silence was complicity . ''
Foege hoped the personal letter to Redfield would compel the CDC director to take steps toward restoring the credibility of the public health agency .
He counseled Redfield not to resign , but to take measures that would likely get him fired .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all CDC staff , elucidating and rejecting the political pressures he was under , `` and to say 'We are now going to come up with a national plan , and I 'll stand behind you . '
'' While Foege acknowledged that such a letter would probably get him fired , `` he could leave with his head held high , knowing that he had done the right thing to try to correct the course of this pandemic . ''
What 's unacceptable , Foege says , is to stay the course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Pence are doing the best they can .
And that is a tragic statement , '' he says .
The U.S. continues to lead the world in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths .
Foege says he and Redfield have exchanged emails since the letter was sent — but that those exchanges will remain private .

Past CDC Director Urges Current One To Stand Up To Trump
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charles Dharapak/AP Charles Dharapak/AP
Dr. William Foege doesn't know how his private letter to the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Robert Redfield, got leaked — but he stands by its contents.
"I think we've got about the worst response to this pandemic that you could possibly have," said Foege, who served as CDC director from 1977 to 1983, spanning the Carter and Reagan administrations, in an interview with NPR.
He blames the White House, which he says has not allowed the CDC, the nation's public health agency, to apply its considerable knowledge to the pandemic response: "It felt to me like President Trump had his knee on the neck of the public health community holding them down so that they could not actually do their work," he says.
In a scathing letter sent Sept. 23, Foege tells Redfield that, while the CDC director has "shown great resilience in being willing to take [the Trump administration's] abuse," current and former CDC employees have lost confidence in his leadership. "At the moment, they feel you accepted the White House orders without sufficient resistance," he wrote. The letter was obtained and published this week by USA Today.
Foege says he penned the letter because he was frustrated that the nation's messy, piecemeal efforts have led to many unnecessary deaths. The situation in the U.S. "is a slaughter and not just a political dispute," he wrote.
"We have 75 years of experience at CDC on how to handle outbreaks," he says, "And we've learned a lot of lessons. And it appears to me that every one of those lessons has been violated."
Those mistakes include: lacking a strong federal strategy — which has led to 50 states having 50 different plans; ceding the CDC's authority as a source of credible, timely information to the opinions of myriad academics across the country; and maintaining an isolationist "America First" policy and refusing to coordinate with other countries during a pandemic that spans the globe.
In just six months, the CDC's reputation has gone "from gold to tarnished brass," Foege wrote, which could make it difficult for the agency to recruit top scientists and set global standards, as it has for decades. "It's incredible that one person or a group of people can tarnish your reputation to that degree," Foege says, "It's going to be hard to regain that position."
Until now, Foege has not been openly critical of the CDC's performance, but he says he felt a moral urgency to speak up. "If you know how to prevent torture and don't do it, you become the torturer," Foege said, citing writings by Auschwitz survivor Primo Levi. "This is the burden I found myself living under: that silence was complicity."
Foege hoped the personal letter to Redfield would compel the CDC director to take steps toward restoring the credibility of the public health agency. He counseled Redfield not to resign, but to take measures that would likely get him fired. He advised Redfield to write a letter to all CDC staff, elucidating and rejecting the political pressures he was under, "and to say 'We are now going to come up with a national plan, and I'll stand behind you.'" While Foege acknowledged that such a letter would probably get him fired, "he could leave with his head held high, knowing that he had done the right thing to try to correct the course of this pandemic."
What's unacceptable, Foege says, is to stay the course. "I think President Trump and Vice President Pence are doing the best they can. And that is a tragic statement," he says. The U.S. continues to lead the world in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths.
Foege says he and Redfield have exchanged emails since the letter was sent — but that those exchanges will remain private.


npr--2020-10-08--Ex-Officials' Lawsuit Says Trump-Appointed CEO Broke Laws At Voice Of America

Ex-Officials ' Lawsuit Says Trump-Appointed CEO Broke Laws At Voice Of America Five suspended officials at the U.S. Agency for Global Media are suing the agency , its new CEO and several of his most senior aides , alleging they are breaking the law — routinely — in pursuing a pro-Trump agenda for the Voice of America news service .
The primary defendant , CEO Michael Pack , was nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in early June after a tumultuous process that lasted more than two years .
Since beginning the job , Pack has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of America and the other government networks he oversees .
He has also moved to investigate and even punish journalists responsible for certain stories about Trump , Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and the racial justice protests that roiled the nation this summer .
In one example included in the lawsuit , Samuel Dewey , a senior adviser to Pack who has frequently tweeted praise for the president and criticism of Biden , asked the chief of Voice of America 's Urdu service for detailed explanations of the network 's coverage of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why damage caused by rioting was not more heavily covered .
According to the lawsuit , Dewey said , `` [ A ] re there videos that contain some of the statements by Attorney General [ William ] Barr on these issues ? ''
Barr has called the tactics of Black Lives Matters protesters `` fascistic '' and described the group as driven by revolutionaries .
The lawsuit alleges that Dewey 's actions violate the statutory `` firewall '' intended to insulate Voice of America and other federally funded international broadcasters from political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia , fleshes out several similar incidents , including ones previously reported by NPR .
U.S. Agency for Global Media officials , including Pack , did not immediately reply to requests for comment on the lawsuit .
The suit was filed on behalf of current employees at the government broadcasting networks who , the plaintiffs ' lawyers say , fear retaliation for speaking out .
Together , the networks reach more than 350 million people overseas each week .
`` The lawsuit we filed today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that protect the independence and credibility of this country 's publicly funded media organizations , like Voice of America , which are under siege by the current administration , '' Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. , a First Amendment attorney leading the legal team that filed the suit , said in a statement to NPR .
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit have been suspended by Pack and are seeking reinstatement through whistleblowing complaints and administrative processes .
Pack said that , under their leadership , the agency had lax security procedures for its employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He later told the pro-Trump website The Federalist that the agency was ripe for infiltration by foreign spies .
As The Washington Post noted , Pack did not point to any specific evidence as the foundation of his concerns .
The suit alleges Pack is endangering the networks ' ability to operate independently by withholding funds and denying the extension of specialized visas for non-Americans who work for the foreign-language services .
The plaintiffs say Pack 's restrictions have made it harder for the broadcasters to serve their audiences .
`` Basic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for cleaning services — essential during a pandemic — languished , '' the lawsuit says .
`` Numerous essential contracts lapsed .
At least two of the agency 's news organizations — Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty — were brought to the brink of not being able to pay their employees . ''
The Voice of America was created in 1942 as a subtle form of diplomacy to provide reliable news coverage in places without a free press and to model U.S. ideals through free and fair reporting on contentious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the U.S. Agency for Global Media 's own website , `` the firewall prohibits interference by U.S. government officials , including the USAGM 's Chief Executive Officer , in the objective , independent reporting of news by USAGM networks . ''
When there are suspected problems with the journalism , those are supposed to be reviewed by newsroom leaders at Voice of America or by outside journalists and subject experts on their behalf .
Yet under Pack , top aides have challenged and even punished employees for editorial decisions .
Dewey helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's coverage of the Biden campaign , and veteran Voice of America journalist Steve Herman 's coverage of Trump .
Herman , the White House bureau chief , had been an organizer and signatory of a letter to VOA Acting Director Elez Biberaj protesting Pack 's leadership .
Dewey and senior agency official , Frank Wuco , demanded Herman 's recusal from campaign and political coverage , pointing to his stories and tweets that contained information that did not reflect well on the president .
`` In recent weeks , '' the lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America leadership to report to him which Voice of America journalists were working on every story being developed at the network — something he called a chain of custody . ''
The U.S. Agency for Global Media had previously denied to NPR that Dewey sought to influence election coverage .
`` At no time did Mr. Dewey , or any other USAGM Front Office official , seek to be involved in planning election ( or any ) coverage , or to otherwise 'steer ' such coverage , '' Jonathan Bronitsky , a senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPR early last month .
However , as the lawsuit notes , Dewey 's investigation of the Urdu language service led to the suspension of an editor and the severing of ties with four contractors .
According to the lawsuit , at an editorial meeting last month , `` managers at Voice of America killed multiple stories on political issues specifically because of the increased scrutiny , the investigations , and the risks of retaliation by Defendants . ''
Journalism groups , human rights activists and members of both parties in Congress have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's actions .
Earlier this week , after NPR revealed the investigation of Herman by Dewey and Wuco , leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee condemned the move .
`` If true , this is very troubling and potentially illegal , '' said U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas , the panel 's top Republican .
When Pack denounced his staffers for `` substandard journalism '' this week , one of the world 's leading human rights attorneys , International Council of Jurists Secretary General Saman Zia-Zarifi , tweeted , `` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all those repressive governments around the world who routinely dismiss VoA/RFA/RFE reporting as fake or biased . ''
David Kligerman , who has been suspended from his position as general counsel of the agency by Pack , told NPR that the case was necessary to get the courts to enforce the firewall .
( He is not a party to the case , though he is cited in it as a whistleblower harmed by Pack 's actions . )
Kligerman and the five plaintiffs jointly filed a whistleblower complaint late last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pretext of `` security concerns '' because they challenged his intrusion into journalistic decision-making .
`` We fought to protect the firewall until we were removed ; and this case is the logical extension of that , '' Kligerman wrote in a statement he emailed to NPR .
`` These are journalistic organizations , not political playthings .
This is not a partisan issue ; we would have taken the same position irrespective of the administration . ''
Pack has been unapologetic about his action .
`` People need to suffer consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sara Carter on a recent podcast .
`` And I think I 'm getting the Voice of America to do that now . ''
The agency released an unsigned statement Tuesday after the backlash to the disclosure of the investigation of Herman .
`` It is unfortunate that there is selective outrage by some members of Congress and the press at implementing federal agency policy , '' the U.S. Agency for Global Media said .
`` USAGM leadership will not allow any effort to distract attention away from the real issues of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mismanaged for years . ''
Disclosure : This story was reported by NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by NPR media and technology editor Emily Kopp .
Because of NPR CEO John Lansing 's prior role as CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media , no senior news executive or corporate executive at NPR reviewed this story before it was published .

Ex-Officials' Lawsuit Says Trump-Appointed CEO Broke Laws At Voice Of America
Updated at 10:30 a.m. ET, Fri. Oct 9
Five suspended officials at the U.S. Agency for Global Media are suing the agency, its new CEO and several of his most senior aides, alleging they are breaking the law — routinely — in pursuing a pro-Trump agenda for the Voice of America news service.
The primary defendant, CEO Michael Pack, was nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in early June after a tumultuous process that lasted more than two years. Since beginning the job, Pack has sidelined executives and fired leaders at Voice of America and the other government networks he oversees. He has also moved to investigate and even punish journalists responsible for certain stories about Trump, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and the racial justice protests that roiled the nation this summer.
In one example included in the lawsuit, Samuel Dewey, a senior adviser to Pack who has frequently tweeted praise for the president and criticism of Biden, asked the chief of Voice of America's Urdu service for detailed explanations of the network's coverage of the Black Lives Matter movement. Dewey asked why damage caused by rioting was not more heavily covered. According to the lawsuit, Dewey said, "[A]re there videos that contain some of the statements by Attorney General [William] Barr on these issues?"
Barr has called the tactics of Black Lives Matters protesters "fascistic" and described the group as driven by revolutionaries.
The lawsuit alleges that Dewey's actions violate the statutory "firewall" intended to insulate Voice of America and other federally funded international broadcasters from political interference. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, fleshes out several similar incidents, including ones previously reported by NPR.
On Friday morning, Pack wrote that the lawsuit was totally without merit.
"Every decision and action made by me and implemented by my senior leadership has been correct and lawful," Pack wrote in a statement sent to NPR. "USAGM leadership will not allow any effort to distract attention away from the real issues of an agency that has been poorly run and mismanaged for years, to the detriment of national security and the American people and the agency's ability to perform its important mission of promulgating American ideals such as democracy and freedom around the world."
The suit was filed on behalf of current employees at the government broadcasting networks who, the plaintiffs' lawyers say, fear retaliation for speaking out. Together, the networks reach more than 350 million people overseas each week.
"The lawsuit we filed today seeks to vindicate core First Amendment principles that protect the independence and credibility of this country's publicly funded media organizations, like Voice of America, which are under siege by the current administration," Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., a First Amendment attorney leading the legal team that filed the suit, said in a statement to NPR.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit have been suspended by Pack and are seeking reinstatement through whistleblowing complaints and administrative processes. Pack said that, under their leadership, the agency had lax security procedures for its employees and contractors that could compromise national security. He later told the pro-Trump website The Federalist that the agency was ripe for infiltration by foreign spies. As The Washington Post noted, Pack did not point to any specific evidence as the foundation of his concerns.
The suit alleges Pack is endangering the networks' ability to operate independently by withholding funds and denying the extension of specialized visas for non-Americans who work for the foreign-language services. The plaintiffs say Pack's restrictions have made it harder for the broadcasters to serve their audiences.
"Basic tasks like ordering toilet paper and contracting for cleaning services — essential during a pandemic — languished," the lawsuit says. "Numerous essential contracts lapsed. At least two of the agency's news organizations — Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty — were brought to the brink of not being able to pay their employees."
The Voice of America was created in 1942 as a subtle form of diplomacy to provide reliable news coverage in places without a free press and to model U.S. ideals through free and fair reporting on contentious issues within the United States. According to the U.S. Agency for Global Media's own website, "the firewall prohibits interference by U.S. government officials, including the USAGM's Chief Executive Officer, in the objective, independent reporting of news by USAGM networks."
When there are suspected problems with the journalism, those are supposed to be reviewed by newsroom leaders at Voice of America or by outside journalists and subject experts on their behalf.
Yet under Pack, top aides have challenged and even punished employees for editorial decisions.
Dewey helped lead investigations of the Urdu language service's coverage of the Biden campaign, and veteran Voice of America journalist Steve Herman's coverage of Trump. Herman, the White House bureau chief, had been an organizer and signatory of a letter to VOA Acting Director Elez Biberaj protesting Pack's leadership. Dewey and senior agency official, Frank Wuco, demanded Herman's recusal from campaign and political coverage, pointing to his stories and tweets that contained information that did not reflect well on the president.
"In recent weeks," the lawsuit says, "Dewey asked Voice of America leadership to report to him which Voice of America journalists were working on every story being developed at the network — something he called a chain of custody."
The U.S. Agency for Global Media had previously denied to NPR that Dewey sought to influence election coverage.
"At no time did Mr. Dewey, or any other USAGM Front Office official, seek to be involved in planning election (or any) coverage, or to otherwise 'steer' such coverage," Jonathan Bronitsky, a senior agency aide to Pack, wrote to NPR early last month.
However, as the lawsuit notes, Dewey's investigation of the Urdu language service led to the suspension of an editor and the severing of ties with four contractors.
According to the lawsuit, at an editorial meeting last month, "managers at Voice of America killed multiple stories on political issues specifically because of the increased scrutiny, the investigations, and the risks of retaliation by Defendants."
Journalism groups, human rights activists and members of both parties in Congress have raised concerns about the implications of Pack's actions.
Earlier this week, after NPR revealed the investigation of Herman by Dewey and Wuco, leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee condemned the move.
"If true, this is very troubling and potentially illegal," said U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, the panel's top Republican.
When Pack denounced his staffers for "substandard journalism" this week, one of the world's leading human rights attorneys, International Commission of Jurists Secretary General Saman Zia-Zarifi, tweeted, "This statement absolutely plays into the hands of all those repressive governments around the world who routinely dismiss VoA/RFA/RFE reporting as fake or biased."
David Kligerman, who has been suspended from his position as general counsel of the agency by Pack, told NPR that the case was necessary to get the courts to enforce the firewall. (He is not a party to the case, though he is cited in it as a whistleblower harmed by Pack's actions.) Kligerman and the five plaintiffs jointly filed a whistleblower complaint late last month, alleging Pack sought to oust them under a pretext of "security concerns" because they challenged his intrusion into journalistic decision-making.
"We fought to protect the firewall until we were removed; and this case is the logical extension of that," Kligerman wrote in a statement he emailed to NPR. "These are journalistic organizations, not political playthings. This is not a partisan issue; we would have taken the same position irrespective of the administration."
Pack has been unapologetic about his action. "People need to suffer consequences," Pack told the conservative journalist Sara Carter on a recent podcast. "And I think I'm getting the Voice of America to do that now."
The agency released an unsigned statement Tuesday after the backlash to the disclosure of the investigation of Herman.
"It is unfortunate that there is selective outrage by some members of Congress and the press at implementing federal agency policy," the U.S. Agency for Global Media said. "USAGM leadership will not allow any effort to distract attention away from the real issues of an agency that has been poorly run and mismanaged for years."
Disclosure: This story was reported by NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by NPR media and technology editor Emily Kopp. Because of NPR CEO John Lansing's prior role as CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, no senior news executive or corporate executive at NPR reviewed this story before it was published.


npr--2020-10-08--51 Arrested In Minneapolis Protests Following Ex-Officer Derek Chauvin's Release

Police in Minneapolis say more than four dozen people were arrested during protests Wednesday night .
Demonstrators descended on downtown streets following the release of a former Minneapolis police officer who faces murder charges in the killing of George Floyd in May .
Officials said Thursday that Minneapolis police and other law enforcement agencies made 51 arrests overnight , including one person charged with a felony and another with fourth-degree assault .
The rest were misdemeanors .
Derek Chauvin , the former officer who is facing charges of second-degree and third-degree murder and manslaughter in Floyd 's killing , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chauvin is the officer seen in the Memorial Day cellphone video kneeling on the neck of Floyd for several minutes , video that help spark nationwide protests against police brutality .
Three other former Minneapolis police officers on the scene with Chauvin that day face lesser charges .
Demonstrators marched Wednesday through the southern part of the city , including the neighborhood where Floyd was killed , according to Minnesota Public Radio .
It added that the protesters eventually made their way to the Minneapolis Police Department 's 5th Precinct .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a law enforcement official .
The Star Tribune reported about 300 people took part in Wednesday 's demonstrations that were largely peaceful .
The newspaper said another protest is planned for Thursday evening outside the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis .

51 Arrested In Minneapolis Protests Following Ex-Officer Derek Chauvin's Release
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chris Juhn/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Chris Juhn/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Police in Minneapolis say more than four dozen people were arrested during protests Wednesday night. Demonstrators descended on downtown streets following the release of a former Minneapolis police officer who faces murder charges in the killing of George Floyd in May.
Officials said Thursday that Minneapolis police and other law enforcement agencies made 51 arrests overnight, including one person charged with a felony and another with fourth-degree assault. The rest were misdemeanors.
Derek Chauvin, the former officer who is facing charges of second-degree and third-degree murder and manslaughter in Floyd's killing, was released after posting $1 million bond. Chauvin is the officer seen in the Memorial Day cellphone video kneeling on the neck of Floyd for several minutes, video that help spark nationwide protests against police brutality.
Three other former Minneapolis police officers on the scene with Chauvin that day face lesser charges.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chris Juhn/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Chris Juhn/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Demonstrators marched Wednesday through the southern part of the city, including the neighborhood where Floyd was killed, according to Minnesota Public Radio. It added that the protesters eventually made their way to the Minneapolis Police Department's 5th Precinct.
One arrest was apparently on suspicion of assault on a law enforcement official.
The Star Tribune reported about 300 people took part in Wednesday's demonstrations that were largely peaceful. The newspaper said another protest is planned for Thursday evening outside the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis.


npr--2020-10-08--Singapore Will Launch Cruises Again, But With No Destinations

Singapore Will Launch Cruises Again , But With No Destinations Singapore announced cruises will start sailing next month — but in order to keep crew and passengers safe amid the coronavirus pandemic , the ships will make no stops and simply return to the port they came from .
The island country is trying to creatively fire up its travel and tourism industry , as these businesses worldwide struggle due to the pandemic .
The Singapore Tourism Board announced the plan on Thursday to start up the cruises with no ports of call , which will only be open to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operate at `` reduced capacity of up to 50 percent , '' according to a statement from the STB .
The tourism board will require cruise operators to comply with stringent rules and regulations , such as requiring coronavirus testing for passengers and crew before boarding , masking and social distancing .
`` Public health and safety are our utmost priority as we reopen various sectors of the economy in a gradual and safe manner , '' said STB 's Chief Executive Keith Tan .
Genting Cruise Lines , one of the companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advertising these cruises as a `` Super Seacation . ''
It 'll start sailing the no-destination trips in November .
`` This cruise pilot is a valuable opportunity for cruise operators to reinvent the entire cruise experience in order to regain the confidence of passengers , '' said Tan .
Early on in the pandemic , multiple cruise ships around the world saw large and dramatic coronavirus outbreaks .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cruise ships pose a particularly high risk of COVID-19 transmission due to the high population density @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` CDC 's surveillance data show that drastically decreasing population onboard does not end transmission . ''
The U.S. government has encourage U.S. travelers to postpone cruise travel .
Singapore has had 57,849 confirmed coronavirus cases and 27 deaths , according to the Johns Hopkins University dashboard .
In recent days , health officials have reported small numbers of new confirmed cases , such as nine on Thursday .
The Port of Singapore is the largest and busiest in Southeast Asia and the second largest in the world , after Shanghai .

Singapore Will Launch Cruises Again, But With No Destinations
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
Singapore announced cruises will start sailing next month — but in order to keep crew and passengers safe amid the coronavirus pandemic, the ships will make no stops and simply return to the port they came from.
The island country is trying to creatively fire up its travel and tourism industry, as these businesses worldwide struggle due to the pandemic.
The Singapore Tourism Board announced the plan on Thursday to start up the cruises with no ports of call, which will only be open to Singapore residents. The ships will also operate at "reduced capacity of up to 50 percent," according to a statement from the STB.
The tourism board will require cruise operators to comply with stringent rules and regulations, such as requiring coronavirus testing for passengers and crew before boarding, masking and social distancing.
"Public health and safety are our utmost priority as we reopen various sectors of the economy in a gradual and safe manner," said STB's Chief Executive Keith Tan.
Genting Cruise Lines, one of the companies taking part in the pilot, is advertising these cruises as a "Super Seacation." It'll start sailing the no-destination trips in November.
Royal Caribbean International will join Genting in December, offering similar cruises.
"This cruise pilot is a valuable opportunity for cruise operators to reinvent the entire cruise experience in order to regain the confidence of passengers," said Tan.
Early on in the pandemic, multiple cruise ships around the world saw large and dramatic coronavirus outbreaks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cruise ships pose a particularly high risk of COVID-19 transmission due to the high population density onboard. Last month, it warned, "CDC's surveillance data show that drastically decreasing population onboard does not end transmission." The U.S. government has encourage U.S. travelers to postpone cruise travel.
Singapore has had 57,849 confirmed coronavirus cases and 27 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University dashboard. In recent days, health officials have reported small numbers of new confirmed cases, such as nine on Thursday.
The Port of Singapore is the largest and busiest in Southeast Asia and the second largest in the world, after Shanghai.