npr--2020-09-24--Court Orders Census Counting To Continue Through Oct. 31; Appeal Expected

Updated Friday at 2:41 a.m .
ET A federal court has ordered the Trump administration to abandon last-minute changes to the 2020 census schedule and extend the time for counting for an additional month .
The preliminary injunction issued Thursday by U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in the Northern District of California requires the Census Bureau to keep trying to tally the country 's residents through Oct. 31 .
The ruling is the latest development in a federal lawsuit over the administration 's decision to shorten the timeline for the national head count .
The Justice Department , which did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment , is expected to appeal the order , further complicating what could be the final days of counting for this year 's census .
Koh found that the administration 's truncated census schedule is likely to produce inaccurate numbers about historically undercounted groups , including people of color and immigrants .
That , in turn , would harm the constitutional purpose of the count — to redistribute the seats in the House of Representatives among the states based on their latest populations .
The judge also found that the challengers in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the National Urban League — are ultimately likely to succeed in the lawsuit by arguing that the administration 's decision was arbitrary and capricious .
In response to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic , the administration had previously called for more time for the once-a-decade census and asked Congress to pass four-month extensions to the legal deadlines for reporting results .
But in July , the administration changed its position with no public explanation .
The Census Bureau 's director , Steven Dillingham , later confirmed that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directed it to speed up all counting efforts to end by Sept. 30 — a month earlier than the bureau had planned — in order to deliver the first set of results to President Trump , as federal law requires , by the end of this year .
Congress has yet to pass any laws to extend the census reporting deadlines , although a bipartisan group of senators recently introduced a bill with extensions .
Justice Department attorneys have attempted to present speeding up the count as a way for the Census Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for reporting results in light of Congress not giving the bureau more time .
Koh noted , however , that explanation `` runs counter to the facts . ''
`` Those facts show not only that the Bureau could not meet the statutory deadline , but also that the Bureau had received pressure from the Commerce Department to cease seeking an extension of the deadline , '' the judge wrote in the order , which cites multiple internal emails and other documents the administration was required to release for the lawsuit .
Top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early as May that because of COVID-19 , the bureau could no longer meet the Dec. 31 reporting deadline for the latest state population counts .
According to the bureau 's own internal analysis , truncating the time for the census increases the risk of serious errors in the results , which are also used to guide the distribution of an estimated $ 1.5 trillion a year in federal money to local communities for Medicare , Medicaid and other public services .
Recently released internal documents show that officials tried to warn the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would lead to `` fatal data quality flaws that are unacceptable for a Constitutionally-mandated national activity '' and risked the perception of `` politically-manipulated results . ''
`` As the Court recognized , the Census Bureau has itself repeatedly recognized that a full , fair , and accurate count takes time , especially when faced with a historic pandemic , '' said Melissa Arbus Sherry , a partner at the law firm Latham & Watkins who helped represent the challengers .
While the case continues playing out in court , plaintiffs are hoping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the accuracy of the count .
`` The coronavirus pandemic has set all of us back and created many challenges to get people counted , especially for rural areas such as the Navajo Nation , '' Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a statement .
`` Today 's ruling should be respected to allow the census count to continue without disruption . ''
`` For the Black community , this decision means we have extra time to claim the governmental resources and representation that we 've been denied , '' said Nana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alliance for Just Immigration , another plaintiff in the lawsuit .
In Maryland , the bureau is facing a similar legal challenge over the shortened timeline .
The federal court there is expected to issue a ruling soon on a separate request to extend the census schedule .
Before ending a virtual hearing on Tuesday , Koh noted that the administration had already signaled it was preparing to appeal even before the judge issued her latest ruling .
When DOJ attorney Aleks Sverdlov attempted to push back in the hearing 's last minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Go ahead and appeal me , '' Koh said .

Trump Administration Appeals Order That Bars Census From Ending Early
Enlarge this image toggle caption Matthew Brown/AP Matthew Brown/AP
Updated Sept. 28 at 10:27 p.m. ET
The Trump administration is appealing a federal court order that calls for it to abandon last-minute changes to the 2020 census schedule.
The preliminary injunction issued Thursday by U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in the Northern District of California suspends Sept. 30 as the revised end date for tallying the country's residents.
The Justice Department filed a notice Friday that they are appealing that order to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, further complicating what could be the final days of counting for this year's census.
The move is the latest development in a federal lawsuit over the administration's decision to shorten the timeline for the national head count.
Koh found that the administration's truncated census schedule is likely to produce inaccurate numbers about historically undercounted groups, including people of color and immigrants. That, in turn, would harm the constitutional purpose of the count — to redistribute the seats in the House of Representatives among the states based on their latest populations.
The judge also found that the challengers in the lawsuit — a coalition of groups led by the National Urban League — are ultimately likely to succeed in the lawsuit by arguing that the administration's decision was arbitrary and capricious.
In response to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the administration had previously called for more time for the once-a-decade census and asked Congress to pass four-month extensions to the legal deadlines for reporting results.
But in July, the administration changed its position with no public explanation. The Census Bureau's director, Steven Dillingham, later confirmed that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who oversees the bureau, had directed it to speed up all counting efforts to end by Sept. 30 — a month earlier than the bureau had planned — in order to deliver the first set of results to President Trump, as federal law requires, by the end of this year.
Congress has yet to pass any laws to extend the census reporting deadlines, although a bipartisan group of senators recently introduced a bill with extensions.
Justice Department attorneys have attempted to present speeding up the count as a way for the Census Bureau to meet the Dec. 31 legal deadline for reporting results in light of Congress not giving the bureau more time.
Koh noted, however, that explanation "runs counter to the facts."
"Those facts show not only that the Bureau could not meet the statutory deadline, but also that the Bureau had received pressure from the Commerce Department to cease seeking an extension of the deadline," the judge wrote in the order, which cites multiple internal emails and other documents the administration was required to release for the lawsuit.
Top career officials at the bureau warned as early as May that because of COVID-19, the bureau could no longer meet the Dec. 31 reporting deadline for the latest state population counts.
According to the bureau's own internal analysis, truncating the time for the census increases the risk of serious errors in the results, which are also used to guide the distribution of an estimated $1.5 trillion a year in federal money to local communities for Medicare, Medicaid and other public services.
Recently released internal documents show that officials tried to warn the administration in July that shortening the schedule would lead to "fatal data quality flaws that are unacceptable for a Constitutionally-mandated national activity" and risked the perception of "politically-manipulated results."
"As the Court recognized, the Census Bureau has itself repeatedly recognized that a full, fair, and accurate count takes time, especially when faced with a historic pandemic," said Melissa Arbus Sherry, a partner at the law firm Latham & Watkins who helped represent the challengers.
While the case continues playing out in court, plaintiffs are hoping the extra time for counting will improve the accuracy of the count.
"The coronavirus pandemic has set all of us back and created many challenges to get people counted, especially for rural areas such as the Navajo Nation," Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a statement. "Today's ruling should be respected to allow the census count to continue without disruption."
"For the Black community, this decision means we have extra time to claim the governmental resources and representation that we've been denied," said Nana Gyamfi, executive director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, another plaintiff in the lawsuit.
In Maryland, the bureau is facing a similar legal challenge over the shortened timeline. The federal court there is expected to issue a ruling soon on a separate request to extend the census schedule.
Before ending a virtual hearing on Tuesday, Koh noted that the administration had already signaled it was preparing to appeal even before the judge issued her latest ruling. When DOJ attorney Aleks Sverdlov attempted to push back in the hearing's last minutes, the judge had heard enough.
"Go ahead and appeal me," Koh said.


npr--2020-09-24--Pac-12 Reversal: Football To Start In November

The Pac-12 has changed its mind about playing football , voting unanimously to start the 2020 season on Nov. 6 .
The reversal by the Pac-12 's CEO group on Thursday comes about a month after the conference decided to halt all sports until Jan. 1 at the earliest in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
In a statement Thursday , officials said their concerns over players ' health and safety had been assuaged after arriving at a deal with COVID-19-test maker Quidel .
New tests provided by the company , they said , will allow regular testing of players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of this crisis , our focus has been on following the science , data and counsel of our public health and infectious disease experts , '' said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott .
`` Our agreement with Quidel to provide daily rapid-results testing has been a game-changer in enabling us to move forward with confidence that we can create a safe environment for our student-athletes while giving them the opportunity to pursue their dreams , '' Scott added .
In May , the company 's initial coronavirus test met the FDA 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could generate a false negative result 20 % of the time , Science Magazine reported .
But in July , the company shared data showing its COVID-19 antigen test has 96.7 % sensitivity within five days of the onset of patient symptoms .
The conference , which includes elite sports programs Stanford , UCLA , USC and University of Oregon , will play a seven-game football season with the Pac-12 Championship Game scheduled for Dec. 18 .
No fans will be in the stands .
Further details about the football schedule will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the statement .
The move follows a similar decision by the Big Ten , which announced on Sept. 16 that it plans to play , starting in late October .
Both conferences , which rake in millions for universities , faced immense pressure to return to the field , even in light of the potential medical risks to student athletes .
As NPR 's Tom Goldman reported , `` There was growing concern about heart inflammation called myocarditis in athletes who tested positive .
It can cause arrhythmias and sudden death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Sports cardiology expert Dr. Jonathan Drezner from the University of Washington told Goldman that health officials remain concerned about the risks .
`` We 're still concerned that it can be an issue , and there will be more , you know , cases of confirmed myocarditis in young athletes who are infected with COVID , '' Drezner said .
But , he added , `` if we can identify them , then we can hopefully manage them very safely . ''
The Pac-12 will also resume its basketball and winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as early as January the idea of letting fans attend .

Pac-12 Reversal: Football To Start In November
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tony Avelar/AP Tony Avelar/AP
The Pac-12 has changed its mind about playing football, voting unanimously to start the 2020 season on Nov. 6.
The reversal by the Pac-12's CEO group on Thursday comes about a month after the conference decided to halt all sports until Jan. 1 at the earliest in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement Thursday, officials said their concerns over players' health and safety had been assuaged after arriving at a deal with COVID-19-test maker Quidel. New tests provided by the company, they said, will allow regular testing of players ensuring their well being.
"From the beginning of this crisis, our focus has been on following the science, data and counsel of our public health and infectious disease experts," said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott.
"Our agreement with Quidel to provide daily rapid-results testing has been a game-changer in enabling us to move forward with confidence that we can create a safe environment for our student-athletes while giving them the opportunity to pursue their dreams," Scott added.
In May, the company's initial coronavirus test met the FDA's minimum of 80% sensitivity, meaning it could generate a false negative result 20% of the time, Science Magazine reported. But in July, the company shared data showing its COVID-19 antigen test has 96.7% sensitivity within five days of the onset of patient symptoms.
The conference, which includes elite sports programs Stanford, UCLA, USC and University of Oregon, will play a seven-game football season with the Pac-12 Championship Game scheduled for Dec. 18. No fans will be in the stands.
Further details about the football schedule will be released in the coming days, according to the statement.
The move follows a similar decision by the Big Ten, which announced on Sept. 16 that it plans to play, starting in late October.
Both conferences, which rake in millions for universities, faced immense pressure to return to the field, even in light of the potential medical risks to student athletes. As NPR's Tom Goldman reported, "There was growing concern about heart inflammation called myocarditis in athletes who tested positive. It can cause arrhythmias and sudden death in athletes taking part in strenuous exercise."
Sports cardiology expert Dr. Jonathan Drezner from the University of Washington told Goldman that health officials remain concerned about the risks.
"We're still concerned that it can be an issue, and there will be more, you know, cases of confirmed myocarditis in young athletes who are infected with COVID," Drezner said. But, he added, "if we can identify them, then we can hopefully manage them very safely."
The Pac-12 will also resume its basketball and winter sport seasons. The conference will reconsider as early as January the idea of letting fans attend.


npr--2020-09-24--Feds, In Unusual Statement, Announce They're Investigating A Few Discarded Ballots

The FBI and the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania said Thursday that they are investigating `` potential issues '' with nine military ballots in one county .
They believe the ballots were opened improperly , though they have not filed any charges or taken official action .
U.S. Attorney David Freed noted that the investigation remains active but said he is releasing the news publicly `` based on the limited amount of time before the general election and the vital public importance of these issues . ''
Voting rights experts and Justice Department veterans , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the preliminary nature of the investigation make Freed 's announcement highly unusual .
The potential voting irregularities in Pennsylvania came to light after President Trump mentioned them , offhand , in an interview with a Fox radio host Thursday .
`` We have to be very careful with the ballots , '' the president told reporters later , according to a news pool report .
He described what he called a `` scam '' where ballots had been found in the trash .
The president has been criticizing the integrity of this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to make sure the election is honest , and I 'm not sure that it can be , '' Trump continued .
Officials said Luzerne County Elections Director Shelby Watchilla discovered the ballots last week and the matter was immediately reported to authorities .
Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis then asked Freed to investigate , according to the Justice Department 's statement .
That led to the involvement of the FBI .
Salavantis leads a working group on the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to a letter from U.S. Attorney Freed to the county elections director , the inquiry into Luzerne County 's ballot handling began Monday and found that nine military ballots had been `` improperly opened '' by elections staff and `` discarded . ''
He wrote that `` the majority '' of the recovered ballots and envelopes were found in an outside dumpster — seven of the nine ballots outside their official envelopes , and two that elections staff had apparently recovered and sealed back in their envelopes .
He said investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absentee ballot envelopes that were empty .
All of the ballots found outside envelopes were cast for Trump , Freed 's letter said ; it 's unknown who two sealed ones are for .
Pennsylvania law dictates all mail ballots — military or otherwise — be securely stored until processing can begin .
In the commonwealth , that 's not until 7 a.m. on Election Day .
Based on interviews , however , Freed said investigators had concluded that all the envelopes — likely a very small number — that had been received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were opened `` as a matter of course . ''
Workers , he wrote , explained that the envelopes used for mail ballot requests were so similar to the ones used for returned mail ballots that they believed they would miss requests if they preserved all the envelopes unopened .
`` Even though your staff has made some attempts to reconstitute certain of the improperly opened ballots , there is no guarantee that any of these votes will be counted in the general election , '' he said .
Justin Levitt , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles , said the timing of the announcement alone raises many questions .
`` It is the vital duty of government not to announce partial facts and 'potential issues ' in pending investigations , '' Levitt said in an email interview .
`` Indeed , it 's quite improper to announce the fact of an inquiry .
And grotesquely improper to announce whom the ballots were cast for , as if that mattered in the investigation . ''
On the other hand , Levitt said , it would not be improper to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set aside and count valid ballots .
But it 's not clear that 's what happened , he added .
Levitt said the Trump Justice Department had issued guidance in 2017 requiring that `` any criminal investigation by the department must be conducted in a way that minimizes the likelihood that the investigation itself may become a factor in the election . ''
Matt Wolking , who handles rapid-response communications for the Trump campaign , highlighted the probe and concluded , `` Democrats are trying to steal the election . ''
The Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballots supported Trump in the 2016 election .
Matthew Miller , a former press spokesman for President Barack Obama 's Justice Department , said in a tweet that the U.S. attorney 's news release amounted to an `` in kind contribution '' to the Trump reelection campaign since it amplified the president 's allegations about the dangers of mail-in voting during the coronavirus pandemic .
David Thornburgh , who heads the nonpartisan election watchdog group Committee of Seventy , told reporter Katie Meyer of NPR member station WHYY in Philadelphia that Freed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Because the U.S. attorney 's office offered so few details about the situation in Luzerne County , Thornburgh said he 's concerned voters might conclude the situation is much worse than it actually is and wrongly conclude there could be wider problems , based on an anecdotal example .
`` You have to be on the lookout for breakdowns in the system , but we have to be careful not to extrapolate from single-digit incidents to more systemic problems , '' he said .
Katie Meyer is a political reporter for WHYY @ @ @

Feds, In Unusual Statement, Announce They're Investigating A Few Discarded Ballots
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gene J. Puskar/AP Gene J. Puskar/AP
Updated Friday, Sept. 25 at 11:08 a.m. ET
The FBI and the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania said Thursday that they are investigating "potential issues" with nine military ballots in one county. They believe the ballots were opened improperly, though they have not filed any charges or taken official action.
U.S. Attorney David Freed noted that the investigation remains active but said he is releasing the news publicly "based on the limited amount of time before the general election and the vital public importance of these issues."
Voting rights experts and Justice Department veterans, however, said that proximity to the election and the preliminary nature of the investigation make Freed's announcement highly unusual.
The announcement comes as President Trump continues to baselessly claim that voting by mail will lead to widespread fraud and as the Justice Department is under scrutiny for allegations that its decisions under Attorney General William Barr are increasingly directed at boosting Trump's reelection efforts.
Trump's campaign immediately seized on the announcement of an investigation to conclude that it was evidence Democrats were trying to "steal" the election.
The potential voting irregularities in Pennsylvania came to light after President Trump mentioned them, offhand, in an interview with a Fox radio host Thursday.
"We have to be very careful with the ballots," the president told reporters later, according to a news pool report. He described what he called a "scam" where ballots had been found in the trash. The president has been criticizing the integrity of this year's election for months.
"We want to make sure the election is honest, and I'm not sure that it can be," Trump continued.
Discovery by local officials
Officials said Luzerne County Elections Director Shelby Watchilla discovered the ballots last week and the matter was immediately reported to authorities.
Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis then asked Freed to investigate, according to the Justice Department's statement. That led to the involvement of the FBI.
Salavantis leads a working group on the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice, which is spearheaded by Attorney General Barr.
According to a letter from U.S. Attorney Freed to the county elections director, the inquiry into Luzerne County's ballot handling began Monday and found that nine military ballots had been "improperly opened" by elections staff and "discarded."
He wrote that "the majority" of the recovered ballots and envelopes were found in an outside dumpster — seven of the nine ballots outside their official envelopes, and two that elections staff had apparently recovered and sealed back in their envelopes. He said investigators also found four "apparently official" absentee ballot envelopes that were empty.
All of the ballots found outside envelopes were cast for Trump, Freed's letter said; it's unknown who two sealed ones are for.
Pennsylvania law dictates all mail ballots — military or otherwise — be securely stored until processing can begin. In the commonwealth, that's not until 7 a.m. on Election Day.
Based on interviews, however, Freed said investigators had concluded that all the envelopes — likely a very small number — that had been received by the Luzerne County Board of Elections were opened "as a matter of course."
Workers, he wrote, explained that the envelopes used for mail ballot requests were so similar to the ones used for returned mail ballots that they believed they would miss requests if they preserved all the envelopes unopened.
"Even though your staff has made some attempts to reconstitute certain of the improperly opened ballots, there is no guarantee that any of these votes will be counted in the general election," he said.
Highly unusual situation
Voting rights experts and Justice Department veterans immediately reacted to Freed's unusual press statement.
Justin Levitt, a law professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, said the timing of the announcement alone raises many questions.
"It is the vital duty of government not to announce partial facts and 'potential issues' in pending investigations," Levitt said in an email interview. "Indeed, it's quite improper to announce the fact of an inquiry. And grotesquely improper to announce whom the ballots were cast for, as if that mattered in the investigation."
On the other hand, Levitt said, it would not be improper to investigate if local officials were refusing to set aside and count valid ballots. But it's not clear that's what happened, he added.
Levitt said the Trump Justice Department had issued guidance in 2017 requiring that "any criminal investigation by the department must be conducted in a way that minimizes the likelihood that the investigation itself may become a factor in the election."
Matt Wolking, who handles rapid-response communications for the Trump campaign, highlighted the probe and concluded, "Democrats are trying to steal the election."
The Pennsylvania county where authorities said they are investigating the ballots supported Trump in the 2016 election.
Matthew Miller, a former press spokesman for President Barack Obama's Justice Department, said in a tweet that the U.S. attorney's news release amounted to an "in kind contribution" to the Trump reelection campaign since it amplified the president's allegations about the dangers of mail-in voting during the coronavirus pandemic.
David Thornburgh, who heads the nonpartisan election watchdog group Committee of Seventy, told reporter Katie Meyer of NPR member station WHYY in Philadelphia that Freed's release left him a bit nonplussed.
Because the U.S. attorney's office offered so few details about the situation in Luzerne County, Thornburgh said he's concerned voters might conclude the situation is much worse than it actually is and wrongly conclude there could be wider problems, based on an anecdotal example.
"You have to be on the lookout for breakdowns in the system, but we have to be careful not to extrapolate from single-digit incidents to more systemic problems," he said.
Katie Meyer is a political reporter for WHYY in Philadelphia.


npr--2020-09-25--Missouri Governor And Wife To Host Fall Festival Days After COVID Diagnosis

Missouri Governor And Wife To Host Fall Festival Days After COVID Diagnosis Just two days after announcing that they have contracted the coronavirus , Republican Gov .
Mike Parson and his wife , Teresa Parson , have reassured Missourians that they still plan to host their annual fall festival next month .
`` WE WILL BE PROCEEDING WITH THIS EVENT , '' the first lady wrote in all caps on Twitter .
`` Come enjoy the outdoor activities and the beautiful fall decorations , '' she urged residents .
Although , the governor has declined to issue a statewide mandate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted on Friday that masks will be available and `` social distancing encouraged ! ''
The festivities will include several vendors , children 's activities , and bluegrass musical entertainment , according to the Associated Press .
The event is scheduled to take place on Oct. 3 , which falls four days short of a 14-day quarantine window .
The response to the announcement has drawn praise and ridicule online .
With those who support the governor pledging they will attend , and those who view the event as a public health risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event to the St. Louis Police Department .
It is unclear what action the police department can take to stop the festival , but Cole County public health guidance discourages large gatherings .
The Parsons were diagnosed with the highly contagious virus on Wednesday , and are currently under quarantine .
Gov .
Parson , who is up for reelection , has come under fire from critics and his own public health officials for regularly eschewing medical advice — choosing not to wear a face covering at public events and campaign rallies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been photographed failing to maintain a 6-foot distance from constituents .
He was also lambasted after he downplayed the risks Missouri children would face upon returning to school amid the pandemic .
Noting that children are less likely to contract the coronavirus , he said , `` If they do get COVID-19 , which they will — and they will when they go to school — they 're not going to the hospitals .
They 're not going to have to sit in doctors ' offices .
They 're going to go home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it . ''
`` We got ta move on , '' he continued .
As of Wednesday , the governor said he and the first lady `` are both fine '' and that he is not suffering any symptoms related to COVID-19 .
State officials have confirmed 120,298 cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic and 1,994 deaths .
In the last 24 hours , 1,987 new cases and 42 deaths were reported .
The average age of a COVID-19 patient is 42 .

Missouri Governor And Wife To Host Fall Festival Days After COVID-19 Diagnosis
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Roberson/AP Jeff Roberson/AP
Just two days after announcing that they have contracted the coronavirus, Republican Gov. Mike Parson and his wife, Teresa Parson, have reassured Missourians that they still plan to host their annual fall festival next month.
"WE WILL BE PROCEEDING WITH THIS EVENT," the first lady wrote in all caps on Twitter.
"Come enjoy the outdoor activities and the beautiful fall decorations," she urged residents.
Although, the governor has declined to issue a statewide mandate for face coverings, the first lady noted on Friday that masks will be available and "social distancing encouraged!"
The festivities will include several vendors, children's activities and bluegrass musical entertainment, according to The Associated Press.
The event is scheduled to take place on Oct. 3, the final day of a 10-day quarantine window recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19.
The response to the announcement has drawn praise and ridicule online. With those who support the governor pledging they will attend, and those who view the event as a public health risk going so far as to report the event to the St. Louis Police Department.
It is unclear what action the police department can take to stop the festival, but Cole County public health guidance discourages large gatherings.
The Parsons were diagnosed with the highly contagious virus on Wednesday and are currently under quarantine.
Gov. Parson, who is up for reelection, has come under fire from critics and his own public health officials for regularly eschewing medical advice — choosing not to wear a face covering at public events and campaign rallies. And on multiple occasions, he has been photographed failing to maintain a 6-foot distance from constituents.
He was also lambasted after he downplayed the risks Missouri children would face upon returning to school amid the pandemic.
Noting that children are less likely to contract the coronavirus, he said, "If they do get COVID-19, which they will — and they will when they go to school — they're not going to the hospitals. They're not going to have to sit in doctors' offices. They're going to go home and they're going to get over it."
"We gotta move on," he continued.
As of Wednesday, the governor said that he and the first lady "are both fine" and that he is not suffering any symptoms related to COVID-19.
State officials have confirmed 120,298 cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic and 1,994 deaths. In the last 24 hours, 1,987 new cases and 42 deaths were reported. The average age of a COVID-19 patient is 42.


npr--2020-09-25--Federal Judge Ousts Trump's Top Public Lands Chief

A federal judge in Montana has ousted President Trump 's top public lands official .
The ruling blocks William Perry Pendley from continuing to serve as the temporary head of the Bureau of Land Management , a post he 's held for more than a year .
The judge ruled in response to a lawsuit filed by Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock who argued it 's illegal for Pendley to lead the agency because he 'd never been confirmed by the Senate .
Bullock is also in a tight race to unseat Montana 's Republican Sen. Steve Daines .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling `` outrageous , '' adding , `` we will be appealing this decision immediately . ''
Trump nominated Pendley to lead the BLM in June .
The Bureau manages roughly one-tenth of the land mass of the United States and approves development of vast publicly owned energy resources including oil and gas wells and coal mines .
Following months of pressure by Democrats and some Republicans , Trump withdrew Pendley 's nomination in August , but he continued to lead the agency as its deputy director for programs and policy .
Pendley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming to the BLM he called for the sale or transfer of federal public lands to the states .
He also spent much of his career as an attorney challenging the agency he now leads .
`` Today 's ruling is a win for the Constitution , the rule of law , and our public lands , '' said Gov .
Bullock .
It 's also seen as a boost for his Senate campaign as the potential sale or transfer of federal public lands is a key issue for Montana voters .

Federal Judge Ousts Trump's Top Public Lands Chief
Enlarge this image toggle caption Matthew Brown/AP Matthew Brown/AP
A federal judge in Montana has ousted President Trump's top public lands official.
The ruling blocks William Perry Pendley from continuing to serve as the temporary head of the Bureau of Land Management, a post he has held for more than a year.
The judge ruled in response to a lawsuit filed by Montana Gov. Steve Bullock who argued it's illegal for Pendley to lead the agency because he had never been confirmed by the Senate.
Bullock is also in a tight race to unseat Montana's Republican Sen. Steve Daines.
A U.S. Department of Interior spokesman called the ruling "outrageous," adding that "we will be appealing this decision immediately."
Trump nominated Pendley to lead the department in June. The bureau manages roughly one-tenth of the land mass of the United States and approves development of vast publicly owned energy resources including oil and gas wells and coal mines.
Following months of pressure by Democrats and some Republicans, Trump withdrew Pendley's nomination in August, but Pendley continued to lead the agency as its deputy director for programs and policy.
Pendley has long been polarizing. Prior to coming to the bureau, he called for the sale or transfer of federal public lands to the states. He also spent much of his career as an attorney challenging the agency he now leads.
"Today's ruling is a win for the Constitution, the rule of law, and our public lands," said Bullock. It's also seen as a boost for his Senate campaign as the potential sale or transfer of federal public lands is a key issue for Montana voters.


npr--2020-09-25--What To Know About Those $200 Drug Cards President Trump Promised

What To Know About Those $ 200 Drug Cards President Trump Promised President Trump promised this week to send cards worth $ 200 to seniors to help them pay for their prescription drugs , but it 's unclear how he will be able to pull it off — or how legal it is .
If he can , that 's $ 6.6 billion dollars to a key voting block weeks before Election Day .
`` Under my plan , 33 million Medicare beneficiaries will soon receive a card in the mail containing $ 200 that they can use to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told a crowd in Charlotte , N.C. , on Thursday .
`` Nobody has seen this before .
These cards are incredible .
The cards will be mailed out in coming weeks . ''
Although anything involving the Treasury usually needs congressional approval , the White House does n't plan to go that route .
Instead , officials say the White House plans to use a section of the Social Security Act that allows Medicare to test out new programs aimed at saving money , for example , to see if they work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are usually proposed by state governments , agency staff , Congress or the private sector .
And the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is tasked with evaluating and approving them .
But not all Medicare demonstrations are approved , says Robin Feldman , a professor at the University of California Hastings College of the Law , who focuses on the pharmaceutical industry and drug policy .
`` In my mind , the question is whether the White House could bypass the considerably extensive procedures established by the agency to evaluate proposals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a process that can take some time .
And the White House seems to have a few weeks in mind so that it happens before the election . ''
Because so few details of the proposal have been released , Feldman says it 's not clear how the administration plans to do this .
What 's more , it 's unclear what , if anything , the Trump administration is studying by sending out $ 200 prescription cards .
`` What is really being tested here ? ''
says Ameet Sarpatwari , assistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Regulation , Therapeutics and Law .
`` Is this a proper use of the demonstration authority ?
...
I think the administration is pushing the envelope in terms of classifying this as a demonstration . ''
Under this section of the Social Security Act , demonstrations also need to be `` cost neutral . ''
White House officials say they can pay for it with savings from the president 's recent `` most favored nation '' executive order , which would tie certain Medicare drug prices to the prices for those drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this detail is fuzzy because it 's unclear how much money the executive order would save — if it 's implemented at all .
There are still more procedural steps that it , too , must go through before it can become a reality .
`` We 're sort of , again , putting the cart before the horse here and saying we assume that this 'most favored nation ' approach will actually happen and that if it happens , what will the savings actually be ? ''
Sarpatwari says .
`` So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaps to say we will have money to pay for this cash giveaway . ''
Officials from the Department of Health and Human Services say many of the details are still being worked out , and they will send the cards out `` as soon as mechanically possible , '' but they wo n't all go out before the election .
Either way , health policy researchers , advocacy groups , members of Congress and even the pharmaceutical industry say the prescription cards fall short of any lasting way to curb high drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time gifts , once the patient pockets the money , the benefits , they still have to pay high drug prices , '' Feldman says .
`` In my view , that $ 6.6 billion would be better spent addressing underlying problems in the pharmaceutical industry . ''

What To Know About Those $200 Drug Cards President Trump Promised
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
President Trump promised this week to send cards worth $200 to seniors to help them pay for their prescription drugs, but it's unclear how he will be able to pull it off — or how legal it is.
If he can, that's $6.6 billion to a key voting bloc weeks before Election Day.
"Under my plan, 33 million Medicare beneficiaries will soon receive a card in the mail containing $200 that they can use to help pay for prescription drugs," Trump told a crowd in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday. "Nobody has seen this before. These cards are incredible. The cards will be mailed out in coming weeks."
Although anything involving the Treasury usually needs congressional approval, the White House doesn't plan to go that route.
Instead, officials say the White House plans to use a section of the Social Security Act that allows Medicare to test out new programs aimed at saving money, for example, to see whether they work. Called "demonstrations," these are usually proposed by state governments, agency staff, Congress or the private sector. And the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is tasked with evaluating and approving them.
But not all Medicare demonstrations are approved, says Robin Feldman, a professor at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, who focuses on the pharmaceutical industry and drug policy.
"In my mind, the question is whether the White House could bypass the considerably extensive procedures established by the agency to evaluate proposals," she says. "That's a process that can take some time. And the White House seems to have a few weeks in mind so that it happens before the election."
Because so few details of the proposal have been released, Feldman says it's not clear how the administration plans to do this.
What's more, it's unclear what, if anything, the Trump administration is studying by sending out $200 prescription cards.
"What is really being tested here?" says Ameet Sarpatwari, assistant director of Harvard Medical School's Program on Regulation, Therapeutics and Law. "Is this a proper use of the demonstration authority?... I think the administration is pushing the envelope in terms of classifying this as a demonstration."
Under this section of the Social Security Act, demonstrations also need to be "cost neutral." White House officials say they can pay for it with savings from the president's recent "most favored nation" executive order, which would tie certain Medicare drug prices to the prices for those drugs in other countries.
But again, this detail is fuzzy because it's unclear how much money the executive order would save — if it's implemented at all. There are still more procedural steps that it, too, must go through before it can become a reality.
"We're sort of, again, putting the cart before the horse here and saying we assume that this 'most favored nation' approach will actually happen and that if it happens, what will the savings actually be?" Sarpatwari says. "So there's quite a bit of inferential leaps to say we will have money to pay for this cash giveaway."
Officials from the Department of Health and Human Services say many of the details are still being worked out, and they will send the cards out "as soon as mechanically possible," but they won't all go out before the election.
Either way, health policy researchers, advocacy groups, members of Congress and even the pharmaceutical industry say the prescription cards fall short of any lasting way to curb high drug prices.
"As with all one time gifts, once the patient pockets the money, the benefits, they still have to pay high drug prices," Feldman says. "In my view, that $6.6 billion would be better spent addressing underlying problems in the pharmaceutical industry."


npr--2020-09-25--Trump Expected To Nominate Amy Coney Barrett To The Supreme Court

Trump Expected To Nominate Amy Coney Barrett To The Supreme Court Republicans expect President Trump to name Judge Amy Coney Barrett as the next nominee to the Supreme Court , according to a source with knowledge of the process , but the source cautioned that Trump could change his mind .
The source declined to be named , because the individual was not authorized to confirm the selection before the president announced it .
Trump told reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Friday that he had made a decision on whom he would nominate to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said that `` we have not made our intentions felt . ''
He added that he did not meet with Judge Barbara Lagoa , who was also under consideration to replace Ginsburg , during his trip to Miami and Atlanta .
Barrett , who has served on the 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago for three years , has a clear conservative record .
If confirmed , the 48-year-old would become the youngest justice on the Supreme Court and would likely serve for decades to come .
Barrett is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against abortion rights and the Affordable Care Act .
Trump considered Barrett to succeed Justice Anthony Kennedy when he retired in 2018 but instead chose Brett Kavanaugh , reportedly saying he was `` saving '' Barrett for Ginsburg 's seat , should she die or retire during his presidency .
Trump nominated Barrett to the federal bench in 2017 .
As a federal judge , she has written about 100 opinions , accumulating a judicial record on issues such as guns , abortion rights and campus sexual assault that conservatives have lauded .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Barrett taught law for 15 years at the University of Notre Dame , where she graduated from law school .
She also clerked for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia , a conservative legend on the court , who like Barrett does , subscribed to an `` originalist '' or `` textualist '' judicial philosophy in which constitutional questions are considered through the lens of the framers ' original intent .
Democrats have raised concerns about how Barrett 's devout Catholic faith may influence her interpretation of legal issues such as abortion rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's confirmation hearing to the appellate bench drew hackles from Republicans ; Barrett said she would not let her religion interfere with her actions as a judge .
Barrett 's stance on abortion and the landmark decision Roe v. Wade are likely to play a prominent role in her confirmation hearing to the high court .
In the past , Barrett has said she could envision the court upholding the basic right to an abortion but chipping away at the precedent in a way that would give states leeway to make it harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Trump 's election and before the court became majority conservative .
If the Senate confirms Barrett to replace Ginsburg , conservatives would solidify their majority at 6-3 and could potentially make a more sweeping ruling on abortion or the Affordable Care Act , which has twice been preserved by the swing vote of Chief Justice John Roberts .
Democrats are framing the fight over the Supreme Court seat as primarily a battle to preserve health care , namely under the Affordable Care Act .
Health care was a winning issue for Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party now hopes that issue can help galvanize opposition to Trump 's pick .
Trump and the Republicans want to vote on a nominee before Election Day and began promising to hold a vote without delay shortly after the court announced Ginsburg had died .
Trump said this week that he wants his nominee confirmed before the election , predicting that the result may come down to a decision before the Supreme Court , as it did in 2000 .
But Democrats point to the successful efforts of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the court , Merrick Garland , in 2016 because the vacancy came up too close to the election .
Now , Democrats , including Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , say Republicans should follow the precedent they set back then and allow whoever wins the 2020 election to nominate Ginsburg 's successor .
Despite early signals from Republican Sens .
Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski that they would join Democrats in opposing a vote before the election , enough Republicans have said they would likely support a vote on Trump 's selection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put a third justice on the court after just four years in office .

Trump Expected To Nominate Amy Coney Barrett To The Supreme Court
Enlarge this image toggle caption Rachel Malehorn/rachelmalehorn.smugmug.com via AP Rachel Malehorn/rachelmalehorn.smugmug.com via AP
Republicans expect President Trump to name Judge Amy Coney Barrett as the next nominee to the Supreme Court, according to a source with knowledge of the process, but the source cautioned that Trump could change his mind.
The source declined to be named, because the individual was not authorized to confirm the selection before the president announced it.
The White House declined comment.
Trump told reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Friday that he had made a decision on whom he would nominate to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg but said that "we have not made our intentions felt."
He added that he did not meet with Judge Barbara Lagoa, who was also under consideration to replace Ginsburg, during his trip to Miami and Atlanta.
Barrett, who has served on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago for three years, has a clear conservative record. If confirmed, the 48-year-old would become the youngest justice on the Supreme Court and would likely serve for decades to come.
Barrett is widely admired among conservatives for her views against abortion rights and the Affordable Care Act.
Trump considered Barrett to succeed Justice Anthony Kennedy when he retired in 2018 but instead chose Brett Kavanaugh, reportedly saying he was "saving" Barrett for Ginsburg's seat, should she die or retire during his presidency.
Trump nominated Barrett to the federal bench in 2017. As a federal judge, she has written about 100 opinions, accumulating a judicial record on issues such as guns, abortion rights and campus sexual assault that conservatives have lauded.
Before her ascent to the federal bench, Barrett taught law for 15 years at the University of Notre Dame, where she graduated from law school. She also clerked for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a conservative legend on the court, who like Barrett does, subscribed to an "originalist" or "textualist" judicial philosophy in which constitutional questions are considered through the lens of the framers' original intent.
Democrats have raised concerns about how Barrett's devout Catholic faith may influence her interpretation of legal issues such as abortion rights. Democrats raising that issue in Barrett's confirmation hearing to the appellate bench drew hackles from Republicans; Barrett said she would not let her religion interfere with her actions as a judge.
Barrett's stance on abortion and the landmark decision Roe v. Wade are likely to play a prominent role in her confirmation hearing to the high court. In the past, Barrett has said she could envision the court upholding the basic right to an abortion but chipping away at the precedent in a way that would give states leeway to make it harder to obtain one.
But that was before Trump's election and before the court became majority conservative. If the Senate confirms Barrett to replace Ginsburg, conservatives would solidify their majority at 6-3 and could potentially make a more sweeping ruling on abortion or the Affordable Care Act, which has twice been preserved by the swing vote of Chief Justice John Roberts.
Democrats are framing the fight over the Supreme Court seat as primarily a battle to preserve health care, namely under the Affordable Care Act. Health care was a winning issue for Democrats during the 2018 midterms, and the party now hopes that issue can help galvanize opposition to Trump's pick.
Trump and the Republicans want to vote on a nominee before Election Day and began promising to hold a vote without delay shortly after the court announced Ginsburg had died. Trump said this week that he wants his nominee confirmed before the election, predicting that the result may come down to a decision before the Supreme Court, as it did in 2000.
But Democrats point to the successful efforts of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to block President Barack Obama's nomination to the court, Merrick Garland, in 2016 because the vacancy came up too close to the election. Now, Democrats, including Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, say Republicans should follow the precedent they set back then and allow whoever wins the 2020 election to nominate Ginsburg's successor.
Despite early signals from Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski that they would join Democrats in opposing a vote before the election, enough Republicans have said they would likely support a vote on Trump's selection, paving the way for the president to put a third justice on the court after just four years in office.


npr--2020-09-25--Novavax Researcher Says No Chance Of A 'Shortcut' In Vaccine Safety

Novavax Researcher Says No Chance Of A 'Shortcut ' In Vaccine Safety Novavax , a vaccine maker in Maryland , is becoming the 10th coronavirus vaccine candidate to enter the final phase of testing , called phase 3 .
The trial is taking place in the U.K. , where researchers plan to enroll up to 10,000 adults of various ages in the next four to six weeks .
Half the participants will get a placebo and half will get the company 's vaccine .
At least a quarter of participants will be over the age of 65 , the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prioritize groups that are most affected by COVID-19 , including racial and ethnic minorities . ''
The company expects to start a U.S. trial with 30,000 volunteers in mid-October .
Companies are working to develop vaccines at an unprecedented pace .
Many Americans are concerned about the safety of a fast-tracked process , done under the purview of a president who contradicts his own health officials .
Novavax was one of nine companies to publicly pledge to not submit their vaccines for Food and Drug Administration review until they 've been shown to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never before brought a vaccine to market .
`` I do n't think that there 's going to be any chance that there 's going to be some shortcut made , '' says Gregory Glenn , Novavax president of research and development .
He talks with NPR 's All Things Considered about why the vaccine trial is taking place in the U.K. and how to reassure Americans that any vaccine will be safe .
Here are excerpts : Why did you choose the U.K. for your vaccine trial , especially rather than here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based ?
We went to the U.K. because they have a very good trial network and we felt that the attack rate would be high , the transmission would zoom up in the wintertime , which it looks like it 's going to do .
...
If we succeed there , we will get a license for our vaccine in the U.K. and Europe , and then that opens the door for many countries that otherwise would not require testing , but normally they would rely on the package of information either from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deploy their vaccine in their own country .
So this opens up the door for a lot of the world in terms of a regulatory approval and licensure for them to take advantage of a highly competent regulatory authority that we have in the U.K. And the U.K. infection rate zooming up , as you put it , is a good thing for you because you 're looking for places in the world where a lot of people are infected and your vaccine might work on them .
Exactly .
The way it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , right ?
So you obviously could n't prove anything if there are no cases .
The more cases in your trial setting , the faster you accumulate the evidence that the vaccine works .
The CEO of Novavax was one of nine pharmaceutical executives who came together to reassure the public in a published statement that their vaccines will be safe and effective , not a rush job that would potentially harm anyone 's health .
It is stunning in a way that they would feel they have to do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they felt they had to ?
Look , I have mixed feelings because our M.O .
here is to be transparent .
We know the FDA [ has ] a formula that they 're not going to deviate from .
So I do n't think that there 's going to be any chance that there 's going to be some shortcut made .
But there 's so much worry in so many areas about vaccination that ... it 's reasonable to reassure the public that 's the case .
And it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-profile topic .
People are interested in the details , which they never were .
They did n't know how vaccines work .
They did n't know how you did , that you even did trials to show how they work , etc .
So there 's a lot of scrutiny on that .
And anything we can do to help the public confidence is good .
But this is also a vaccine trial that has been more politicized , maybe , than any other one .
I 'm interested in how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and science aspect of this for you .
I kind of ignore it all .
My team is focused on generating convincing evidence that the vaccine is safe .
The FDA has laid out the pathway to approval .
There 's nothing unclear about what has to be done .
I 'm a pediatrician .
I believe vaccinations have very positively impacted the world .
And so that 's how I look at the day .
My day is , I 'm going to get up and create that evidence that will lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Art Silverman and Christopher Intagliata produced and edited the audio interview .

Novavax Researcher Says No Chance Of A 'Shortcut' In Vaccine Safety
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
Novavax, a vaccine maker in Maryland, is becoming the 10th coronavirus vaccine candidate to enter the final phase of testing, called phase 3.
The trial is taking place in the U.K., where researchers plan to enroll up to 10,000 adults of various ages in the next four to six weeks. Half the participants will get a placebo and half will get the company's vaccine.
At least a quarter of participants will be over the age of 65, the company says, and it will also "prioritize groups that are most affected by COVID-19, including racial and ethnic minorities."
The company expects to start a U.S. trial with 30,000 volunteers in mid-October.
Companies are working to develop vaccines at an unprecedented pace. Many Americans are concerned about the safety of a fast-tracked process, done under the purview of a president who contradicts his own health officials.
Novavax was one of nine companies to publicly pledge to not submit their vaccines for Food and Drug Administration review until they've been shown to be safe in trials. Novavax has never before brought a vaccine to market.
"I don't think that there's going to be any chance that there's going to be some shortcut made," says Gregory Glenn, Novavax president of research and development.
He talks with NPR's All Things Considered about why the vaccine trial is taking place in the U.K. and how to reassure Americans that any vaccine will be safe. Here are excerpts:
Why did you choose the U.K. for your vaccine trial, especially rather than here in the U.S., where Novavax is based?
We went to the U.K. because they have a very good trial network and we felt that the attack rate would be high, the transmission would zoom up in the wintertime, which it looks like it's going to do. ...
If we succeed there, we will get a license for our vaccine in the U.K. and Europe, and then that opens the door for many countries that otherwise would not require testing, but normally they would rely on the package of information either from the FDA or Europe for them to deploy their vaccine in their own country. So this opens up the door for a lot of the world in terms of a regulatory approval and licensure for them to take advantage of a highly competent regulatory authority that we have in the U.K.
And the U.K. infection rate zooming up, as you put it, is a good thing for you because you're looking for places in the world where a lot of people are infected and your vaccine might work on them.
Exactly. The way it happens in the trial is you need cases, right? So you obviously couldn't prove anything if there are no cases. The more cases in your trial setting, the faster you accumulate the evidence that the vaccine works.
The CEO of Novavax was one of nine pharmaceutical executives who came together to reassure the public in a published statement that their vaccines will be safe and effective, not a rush job that would potentially harm anyone's health. It is stunning in a way that they would feel they have to do that. Would you comment on the fact that they felt they had to?
Look, I have mixed feelings because our M.O. here is to be transparent. We know the FDA [has] a formula that they're not going to deviate from. So I don't think that there's going to be any chance that there's going to be some shortcut made. But there's so much worry in so many areas about vaccination that ... it's reasonable to reassure the public that's the case.
And it's interesting now that this is such a high-profile topic. People are interested in the details, which they never were. They didn't know how vaccines work. They didn't know how you did, that you even did trials to show how they work, etc. So there's a lot of scrutiny on that. And anything we can do to help the public confidence is good.
But this is also a vaccine trial that has been more politicized, maybe, than any other one. I'm interested in how the politics of this are affecting the business and science aspect of this for you.
I kind of ignore it all. My team is focused on generating convincing evidence that the vaccine is safe. The FDA has laid out the pathway to approval. There's nothing unclear about what has to be done. I'm a pediatrician. I believe vaccinations have very positively impacted the world. And so that's how I look at the day. My day is, I'm going to get up and create that evidence that will lead to utilization and saving the world.
Art Silverman and Christopher Intagliata produced and edited the audio interview.


npr--2020-09-25--Trump Administration Moves To Expand Development In Alaska's Tongass National Forest

The Trump administration has cleared the way to open the country 's largest national forest to more development and logging .
In a revised environmental impact study made public on Friday , the Department of Agriculture recommends granting a `` full exemption '' for the Tongass National Forest , which covers some 25,000 square miles in southeastern Alaska .
The forest is currently protected by the Roadless Rule , a 2001 policy passed in the waning days of the Clinton administration , which has long prohibited development on 9.37 million acres of roadless areas , comprising about 55 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the U.S. Forest Service recommends removing nearly the entire Tongass from roadless designation .
`` Acres removed from roadless designation would continue to be managed by the Forest Plan and in accordance with applicable statutory instructions , '' the study says .
For the last two years , the administration has been working to lift the rule in the Tongass and open the forest to logging .
The study says the rule change , which could go into effect after a 30-day period , would not cause significant environment harm .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 168,000 acres of old-growth and 20,000 acres of young-growth available for timbering .
The forest plays a major role in the battle against climate change : The Tongass is an enormous natural carbon sink , holding an estimated 8 % of all carbon stored in U.S. national forests .
But the rule change might not be permanent : If elected , Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden could reverse the decision .
Those in the timber industry say that being able to log in the Tongass would give them much-needed flexibility in a difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alaska Wilderness League says that the Tongass is where many Americans come to experience Alaska , but instead of fixing issues that would benefit tourism and recreation , `` this administration has opted to take the road well-traveled by continuing to spend tens of millions of dollars every year to expand logging roads for a dying old-growth timber industry . ''
He also pointed to the role of old-growth forests in slowing climate change .
`` The Tongass alone stores more than 400 million metric tons of CO2 and sequesters an additional 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking nearly 650,000 cars off the road each year , '' Moderow said .
`` So why , with our climate in crisis and Alaska experiencing climate impacts more acutely than most , are we even discussing chopping down a natural climate solution and a regional economic powerhouse just to ship overseas ?
The timber industry is a relic of the past , and today , we should be focused on what kind of world we leave to our kids . ''
Greenpeace USA 's Amy Moas warned that gutting the rule would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are our guardians in our fight against the climate crisis , and we need forest protections more than ever if we are to avoid the worst impacts of the growing climate emergency , '' Moas said in a statement .
`` Greenlighting logging , road building , and other destructive development in previously untouched portions of our national forests will be catastrophic for our future — both increasing pollution and limiting our ability to reduce it . ''
Alaska 's Republican Gov .
Michael Dunleavy and the state 's congressional delegation , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full exemption for the Roadless Rule , arguing that the protections are stifling the local economy .
Murkowski , a Republican , said that rolling back the rule in Alaska would only open about 1 % of the Tongass to old-growth logging .
Speaking on Friday , she said the proposed rule change amounts `` reasonable access for a wide variety of users , '' pointing to the potential for mining , renewable energy and recreation projects .
But critics say that development in unspoiled areas of the Tongass National Forest could damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Alaska Native tribes .
Comments received last fall on the proposed change were overwhelmingly opposed , with 96 % in favor of keeping the rule as is , according to an internal Forest Service document .
Alaska Energy Desk 's Eric Stone in Ketchikan , Alaska , contributed to this report .

Trump Administration Moves To Expand Development In Alaska's Tongass National Forest
Enlarge this image toggle caption Elissa Nadworny/NPR Elissa Nadworny/NPR
Updated at 7:06 p.m. ET
The Trump administration has cleared the way to open the country's largest national forest to more development and logging.
In a revised environmental impact study made public on Friday, the Department of Agriculture recommends granting a "full exemption" for the Tongass National Forest, which covers some 25,000 square miles in southeastern Alaska.
The forest is currently protected by the Roadless Rule, a 2001 policy passed in the waning days of the Clinton administration, which has long prohibited development on 9.37 million acres of roadless areas, comprising about 55% of the Tongass.
In the final EIS, the U.S. Forest Service recommends removing nearly the entire Tongass from roadless designation.
"Acres removed from roadless designation would continue to be managed by the Forest Plan and in accordance with applicable statutory instructions," the study says.
For the last two years, the administration has been working to lift the rule in the Tongass and open the forest to logging.
The study says the rule change, which could go into effect after a 30-day period, would not cause significant environment harm.
The rule change would make an additional 168,000 acres of the forest's old-growth and 20,000 acres of young-growth available for timbering.
The forest plays a major role in the battle against climate change: The Tongass is an enormous natural carbon sink, holding an estimated 8% of all carbon stored in U.S. national forests.
But the rule change might not be permanent: If elected, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden could reverse the decision.
Those in the timber industry say that being able to log in the Tongass would give them much-needed flexibility in a difficult global market.
Environmental groups decried the administration's move.
Andy Moderow of the Alaska Wilderness League says that the Tongass is where many Americans come to experience Alaska, but instead of fixing issues that would benefit tourism and recreation, "this administration has opted to take the road well-traveled by continuing to spend tens of millions of dollars every year to expand logging roads for a dying old-growth timber industry."
He also pointed to the role of old-growth forests in slowing climate change.
"The Tongass alone stores more than 400 million metric tons of CO2 and sequesters an additional 3 million metric tons annually, equivalent to taking nearly 650,000 cars off the road each year," Moderow said.
"So why, with our climate in crisis and Alaska experiencing climate impacts more acutely than most, are we even discussing chopping down a natural climate solution and a regional economic powerhouse just to ship overseas? The timber industry is a relic of the past, and today, we should be focused on what kind of world we leave to our kids."
Greenpeace USA's Amy Moas warned that gutting the rule would cause irreversible ecological consequences.
"Forests are our guardians in our fight against the climate crisis, and we need forest protections more than ever if we are to avoid the worst impacts of the growing climate emergency," Moas said in a statement. "Greenlighting logging, road building, and other destructive development in previously untouched portions of our national forests will be catastrophic for our future — both increasing pollution and limiting our ability to reduce it."
Alaska's Republican Gov. Michael Dunleavy and the state's congressional delegation, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski, have supported a full exemption for the Roadless Rule, arguing that the protections are stifling the local economy.
Murkowski, a Republican, said that rolling back the rule in Alaska would only open about 1% of the Tongass to old-growth logging.
Speaking on Friday, she said the proposed rule change amounts "reasonable access for a wide variety of users," pointing to the potential for mining, renewable energy and recreation projects.
But critics say that development in unspoiled areas of the Tongass National Forest could damage streams where salmon spawn and hunting grounds for Alaska Native tribes.
Comments received last fall on the proposed change were overwhelmingly opposed, with 96% in favor of keeping the rule as is, according to an internal Forest Service document.
Alaska's Energy Desk's Eric Stone in Ketchikan, Alaska, contributed to this report.


npr--2020-09-25--Biden Says He's Confident Trump Will Leave Office If He Loses

Biden Says He 's Confident Trump Will Leave Office If He Loses Democratic nominee Joe Biden called President Trump 's refusal to commit to a peaceful of transfer of power if he loses the election `` a typical Trump distraction . ''
`` I 'm confident that [ despite ] all of the irresponsible , outrageous attacks on voting , we 'll have an election in this country as we always have had , '' Biden said in an interview Friday with MSNBC .
`` And he 'll leave . ''
The former vice president also said `` it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going , '' a contrast with the warnings of many election experts who say the public should brace for days of uncertainty if the election is close .
Biden said he is confident in the courts , Congress , the military and national security agencies to carry out the rule of law .
`` The last thing we need is the equivalent of a coup , '' Biden said .
`` I mean , this is not who we are .
No one 's going to back him when that occurs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think ... the whole notion of him talking about this ... is to take our eye off the ball , not to talk about what 's happening to the people dying . ''
However , Biden said he has considered that Trump could continue to sow doubts about the validity of the results , even after election night .
`` What I am concerned about is whether he generates some kind of response in a way that unsettles the society or causes some kind of violence , '' Biden said , imagining a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night before all the mailed ballots are counted .
`` But I do n't think it 's going to go anywhere , '' Biden said .
`` I think the American people are onto this guy . ''
Others seem more concerned about Trump 's comments .
In a major speech Thursday , Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont warned that Americans of all political persuasions need to take the president 's words seriously and prepare to stand up for American democracy .
`` This is not just an election between Donald Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy – and democracy must win . ''
Meanwhile , White House escalated its sandblasting of U.S. democratic practices on Friday when chief of staff Mark Meadows criticized and mocked the FBI director 's assurances about the integrity of this year 's presidential election .
Meadows told CBS News that FBI Director Christopher Wray does n't know what 's happening on what the chief of staff called `` the ground '' when Wray affirms , as he did Thursday to the Senate , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meadows alluded to long-running Republican attacks on federal law enforcement in faulting Wray for his responsiveness and his testimony .
`` With all due respect to Director Wray , he has a hard time finding emails in his own FBI , let alone figuring out whether there is any kind of voter fraud , '' the chief of staff told the TV network .
Wray and other intelligence community leaders have been at pains to walk a tightrope between warning Americans about what they call the legitimate perils facing the 2020 presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which they say there 's no evidence — such as widespread mail ballot fraud .
The FBI director described this dynamic to the House earlier this month and repeated as much Thursday to the Senate , which irked Meadows and Trump .
Wray 's testimony conflicts with their messages of criticism about alleged fraud , and Trump also criticized Wray after his earlier appearance .
Trump has made baseless claims about alleged voter fraud for years , including ones that a panel he appointed could n't substantiate , but he and supporters have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and suspicion about elections practices .
This week , Trump initially did n't agree that he 'd accept the results of an election in which he lost , the White House sought to walk back those remarks , and then Trump restated what he called his uncertainty that this year 's race would be legitimate .
Fraud , mishandling or other problems with ballots are rare in the broad scheme of U.S. elections but not nonexistent — and Trump and supporters have sought to play up anecdotal examples as part of their long-running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. election system .
The latest case emerged Thursday in Pennsylvania , where county workers — primed to be on guard by warnings about election security — escalated a local office slip-up over a small number of mailed ballots into a federal investigation .
The county 's district attorney , who is on a task force impaneled by Attorney General William Barr , referred the matter to the local U.S. attorney , David Freed , whom Trump nominated .
The case did n't rise to national attention because of an indictment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investigation that found wrongdoing .
It got into the news cycle from Washington after Trump and other White House officials discussed it .
Justice Department veterans and Barr have restated what they call the importance of not announcing or discussing investigations while they 're underway , citing what 's been called the disruptive example , among others , of FBI Director James Comey in the 2016 election .
Even so , Freed 's office issued a press release on Thursday announcing it had become aware of the small problem within the Luzerne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strategy at work : surface an anecdotal case of mail ballot problems that supports the White House 's line and creates another apparent dot in the scatter plot about the alleged untrustworthiness of this year 's election .
According to a statement by the county Friday , an independent contractor employed by the office to sort mail accidentally threw about nine ballots in the trash .
When the elections director found them , she immediately began an inquiry and the contractor was fired .
The elections staff did not know for whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a press release from the U.S. attorney 's office .
The New York Times reported on Friday that Barr briefed Trump about the Pennsylvania case .
David Thornburgh , leader of the nonpartisan election watchdog group Committee of Seventy , told reporter Katie Meyer of NPR member station WHYY that Americans should guard against reaching any conclusion from any single episode or event .
Sometimes what looks like `` the tip of an iceberg '' is n't an iceberg at all , he said .
Prosecutors ' ability to shade public perceptions about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason they 're supposed to keep silent about cases until the appropriate time , other commentators said .
`` Going forward , the Justice Dept .
should focus on finishing the investigation to help ensure that every eligible vote is counted .
Publicizing investigation updates with incomplete facts and/or preliminary findings close to an election is risky at best and dangerous at worst , '' wrote David Levine , a former elections supervisor who 's now elections integrity fellow with the Alliance for Securing Democracy .
The political countermoves and narrative-framing is taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the election , national security officials said .
The FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have warned about the prospect , among other things , about sabotaged or fake election results reporting in the hours or days after voting ends , which could heighten the tension of a close result .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , waved off concerns about Trump 's comments and Americans ' confidence in the election in a press conference Thursday .
The likeliest scenario , he argued , is that Trump wins and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , obviating all the back-and-forth about the integrity of the vote .
Other critics , including some who served within the Trump administration , argue the president has betrayed his office by seeking to erode Americans ' faith in their own system , including with criticisms that chime closely with those of its adversaries .
Trump 's willingness to `` rely on the words of dictators like Vladimir Putin is an unprecedented betrayal to his oath to the Constitution , '' wrote Robert Cardillo , former director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current president bases his decisions on his instincts , and his instincts are based upon a personal value proposition — what 's in it for me ? ''

Biden Says He's Confident Trump Will Leave Office If He Loses
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carolyn Kaster/AP Carolyn Kaster/AP
Updated at 4:49 p.m. ET
Democratic nominee Joe Biden called President Trump's refusal to commit to a peaceful of transfer of power if he loses the election "a typical Trump distraction."
"I'm confident that [despite] all of the irresponsible, outrageous attacks on voting, we'll have an election in this country as we always have had," Biden said in an interview Friday with MSNBC. "And he'll leave."
The former vice president also said "it will be clear from the beginning where this is going," a contrast with the warnings of many election experts who say the public should brace for days of uncertainty if the election is close.
Biden said he is confident in the courts, Congress, the military and national security agencies to carry out the rule of law.
"The last thing we need is the equivalent of a coup," Biden said. "I mean, this is not who we are. No one's going to back him when that occurs, if that were to occur. I think ... the whole notion of him talking about this ... is to take our eye off the ball, not to talk about what's happening to the people dying."
However, Biden said he has considered that Trump could continue to sow doubts about the validity of the results, even after election night.
"What I am concerned about is whether he generates some kind of response in a way that unsettles the society or causes some kind of violence," Biden said, imagining a scenario where Trump claims victory on election night before all the mailed ballots are counted.
"But I don't think it's going to go anywhere," Biden said. "I think the American people are onto this guy."
Others seem more concerned about Trump's comments.
In a major speech Thursday, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont warned that Americans of all political persuasions need to take the president's words seriously and prepare to stand up for American democracy.
"This is not just an election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden," Sanders said. "This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy — and democracy must win."
White House doubles down
Meanwhile, White House escalated its sandblasting of U.S. democratic practices on Friday when chief of staff Mark Meadows criticized and mocked the FBI director's assurances about the integrity of this year's presidential election.
Meadows told CBS News that FBI Director Christopher Wray doesn't know what's happening on what the chief of staff called "the ground" when Wray affirms, as he did Thursday to the Senate, the absence of coordinated fraud in mailed ballots.
Meadows alluded to long-running Republican attacks on federal law enforcement in faulting Wray for his responsiveness and his testimony.
"With all due respect to Director Wray, he has a hard time finding emails in his own FBI, let alone figuring out whether there is any kind of voter fraud," the chief of staff told the TV network.
Wray and other intelligence community leaders have been at pains to walk a tightrope between warning Americans about what they call the legitimate perils facing the 2020 presidential race from foreign interference and those for which they say there's no evidence — such as widespread mail ballot fraud.
The FBI director described this dynamic to the House earlier this month and repeated as much Thursday to the Senate, which irked Meadows and Trump. Wray's testimony conflicts with their messages of criticism about alleged fraud, and Trump also criticized Wray after his earlier appearance.
Trump has made baseless claims about alleged voter fraud for years, including ones that a panel he appointed couldn't substantiate, but he and supporters have nonetheless sustained a running soundtrack of cynicism and suspicion about elections practices.
This week, Trump initially didn't agree that he'd accept the results of an election in which he lost, the White House sought to walk back those remarks, and then Trump restated what he called his uncertainty that this year's race would be legitimate.
Nuanced picture lost in sound bites
Fraud, mishandling or other problems with ballots are rare in the broad scheme of U.S. elections but not nonexistent — and Trump and supporters have sought to play up anecdotal examples as part of their long-running commentary about alleged mischief or the untrustworthiness of the U.S. election system.
The latest case emerged Thursday in Pennsylvania, where county workers — primed to be on guard by warnings about election security — escalated a local office slip-up over a small number of mailed ballots into a federal investigation.
The county's district attorney, who is on a task force impaneled by Attorney General William Barr, referred the matter to the local U.S. attorney, David Freed, whom Trump nominated.
The case didn't rise to national attention because of an indictment unsealed by Freed at the conclusion of an investigation that found wrongdoing. It got into the news cycle from Washington after Trump and other White House officials discussed it.
Justice Department veterans and Barr have restated what they call the importance of not announcing or discussing investigations while they're underway, citing what's been called the disruptive example, among others, of FBI Director James Comey in the 2016 election.
Even so, Freed's office issued a press release on Thursday announcing it had become aware of the small problem within the Luzerne County Board of Elections.
Skeptics saw a strategy at work: surface an anecdotal case of mail ballot problems that supports the White House's line and creates another apparent dot in the scatter plot about the alleged untrustworthiness of this year's election.
According to a statement by the county Friday, an independent contractor employed by the office to sort mail accidentally threw about nine ballots in the trash.
When the elections director found them, she immediately began an inquiry and the contractor was fired. The elections staff did not know for whom the ballots had been cast until reading a press release from the U.S. attorney's office.
The New York Times reported on Friday that Barr briefed Trump about the Pennsylvania case.
Calls for caution
David Thornburgh, leader of the nonpartisan election watchdog group Committee of Seventy, told reporter Katie Meyer of NPR member station WHYY that Americans should guard against reaching any conclusion from any single episode or event.
Sometimes what looks like "the tip of an iceberg" isn't an iceberg at all, he said.
Prosecutors' ability to shade public perceptions about a suspect or an investigation is one reason they're supposed to keep silent about cases until the appropriate time, other commentators said.
"Going forward, the Justice Dept. should focus on finishing the investigation to help ensure that every eligible vote is counted. Publicizing investigation updates with incomplete facts and/or preliminary findings close to an election is risky at best and dangerous at worst," wrote David Levine, a former elections supervisor who's now elections integrity fellow with the Alliance for Securing Democracy.
Real threats versus political commentary
The political countermoves and narrative-framing is taking place against the backdrop of real threats to the election, national security officials said.
The FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have warned about the prospect, among other things, about sabotaged or fake election results reporting in the hours or days after voting ends, which could heighten the tension of a close result.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., waved off concerns about Trump's comments and Americans' confidence in the election in a press conference Thursday. The likeliest scenario, he argued, is that Trump wins and simply moves on to a second term, obviating all the back-and-forth about the integrity of the vote.
Other critics, including some who served within the Trump administration, argue the president has betrayed his office by seeking to erode Americans' faith in their own system, including with criticisms that chime closely with those of its adversaries.
Trump's willingness to "rely on the words of dictators like Vladimir Putin is an unprecedented betrayal to his oath to the Constitution," wrote Robert Cardillo, former director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, in a column Friday.
"Our current president bases his decisions on his instincts, and his instincts are based upon a personal value proposition — what's in it for me?"