npr--2020-09-07--Inconceivable! 'Princess Bride' Fan Ted Cruz Criticizes Cast Support For Dems

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has made no secret of his affection for The Princess Bride – the 1987 cult classic starring Robin Wright .
But he 's now making it clear he 's no fan of a plan by cast members to stump for Democrats in Wisconsin next week .
On Twitter over the weekend , Cruz expressed sadness for every `` Princess Bride fan who wants to see that perfect movie preserved from Hollywood politics . ''
According to a web post by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin , several cast members including Wright , Cary Elwes , Mandy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will reunite for a live-streamed script reading and a question-and-answer session moderated by comedian and actor Patton Oswalt .
The donation-based event is a fundraiser for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin .
The party is hoping to help Democratic nominee Joe Biden win the critical swing state , which President Trump took in a surprise victory in 2016 .
`` Anything you donate will be used to ensure that Trump loses Wisconsin , and thereby the White House , '' the event announcement says .
Cruz has a flair for the theatrical – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youth and has a penchant for working movie quotes and pop culture impressions into his public appearances .
He 's particularly fond of `` The Princess Bride , '' and once drew criticism from Patinkin after publicly quoting Patinkin 's character in the film , Inigo Montoya , a swordsman bent on avenging his father 's death .
In 2015 , while Cruz was running for the Republican presidential nomination , Patinkin told The New York Times , `` This man is not putting forth ideas that are at the heart of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would love for Senator Cruz , and everyone creating fear-mongering and hatred , to consider creating hope , optimism and love . ''
In an email to the newspaper , Cruz 's then-campaign spokeswoman said , `` Having some fun with a cult classic like 'The Princess Bride ' should be something we can all get behind , politics aside . ''
But five years later , it seems even harder to put politics aside , in a country facing deep and growing polarization .

Inconceivable! 'Princess Bride' Fan Ted Cruz Criticizes Cast Support For Democrats
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jonathan Newton/Getty Images Jonathan Newton/Getty Images
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has made no secret of his affection for The Princess Bride — the 1987 cult classic starring Robin Wright. But he's now making it clear he's no fan of a plan by cast members to stump for Democrats in Wisconsin next week.
On Twitter over the weekend, Cruz expressed sadness for every "Princess Bride fan who wants to see that perfect movie preserved from Hollywood politics."
According to a post by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, several cast members including Wright, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal and others will reunite for a livestreamed script reading and a question-and-answer session moderated by comedian and actor Patton Oswalt.
The donation-based event is a fundraiser for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. The party is hoping to help Democratic nominee Joe Biden win the critical swing state, which President Trump took in a surprise victory in 2016.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
"Anything you donate will be used to ensure that Trump loses Wisconsin, and thereby the White House," the event announcement says.
Cruz has a flair for the theatrical — he was active in theater in his youth and has a penchant for working movie quotes and pop culture impressions into his public appearances.
He's particularly fond of "The Princess Bride," and once drew criticism from Patinkin after publicly quoting Patinkin's character in the film, Inigo Montoya, a swordsman bent on avenging his father's death.
YouTube
In 2015, while Cruz was running for the Republican presidential nomination, Patinkin told The New York Times, "This man is not putting forth ideas that are at the heart of what that movie is all about. I would love for Senator Cruz, and everyone creating fear-mongering and hatred, to consider creating hope, optimism and love."
In an email to the newspaper, Cruz's then-campaign spokeswoman said, "Having some fun with a cult classic like 'The Princess Bride' should be something we can all get behind, politics aside."
But five years later, it seems even harder to put politics aside, in a country facing deep and growing polarization.


npr--2020-09-08--3 Firefighters Hospitalized With Injuries From Battling Wildfire In California

3 Firefighters Hospitalized With Injuries From Battling Wildfire In California Three firefighters battling the growing Dolan Fire in central California on Tuesday were injured and airlifted to a hospital , where one remains in critical condition .
The U.S. Forest Service said 14 firefighters deployed portable fire shelters — a last resort survival tactic — around 8:30 a.m. as fire overtook their station at the Los Padres National Forest .
Nacimiento Station was destroyed , and firefighters suffered burns and smoke inhalation .
Three firefighters were transported to Community Regional Hospital in Fresno , where a hospital spokesperson confirmed one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ categorized as `` fair . ''
The Forest Service described the situation as `` evolving , '' and said it will share additional information as it is confirmed .
`` We have procedures in place for emergencies such as this and are being assisted by local officials as part of that plan , '' it said in a statement .
According to the Forest Service , more than 800 personnel are assigned to help manage the wildfire , which is burning in the Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ since Aug. 18 , and is 40 % contained as of Tuesday evening .
The fire intensified overnight into Tuesday , nearly doubling in size thanks to extreme heat , low humidity and high winds .
Parts of Monterey County are under evacuation orders and warnings , and Los Padres is one of eight national forests that the Forest Service ordered temporarily closed beginning Monday night , citing `` the threat of unprecedented and dangerous fire conditions . ''
Multiple large fires are lashing the state amid a wildfire season that is proving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to CAL Fire , there are 14,000 firefighters battling 25 wildfires that have collectively burned more than 1.8 million acres of land .

3 Firefighters Hospitalized With Injuries From Battling Wildfire In California
Enlarge this image toggle caption Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Three firefighters battling the growing Dolan Fire in central California on Tuesday were injured and airlifted to a hospital, where one remains in critical condition.
The U.S. Forest Service said 14 firefighters deployed portable fire shelters — a last resort survival tactic — around 8:30 a.m. as fire overtook their station at the Los Padres National Forest.
Nacimiento Station was destroyed, and firefighters suffered burns and smoke inhalation.
Three firefighters were transported to Community Regional Hospital in Fresno, where a hospital spokesperson confirmed one injury is considered critical and two are categorized as "fair."
The Forest Service described the situation as "evolving," and said it will share additional information as it is confirmed.
"We have procedures in place for emergencies such as this and are being assisted by local officials as part of that plan," it said in a statement.
According to the Forest Service, more than 800 personnel are assigned to help manage the wildfire, which is burning in the Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest.
It has burned more than 73,000 acres since Aug. 18, and is 40% contained as of Tuesday evening.
The fire intensified overnight into Tuesday, nearly doubling in size thanks to extreme heat, low humidity and high winds.
Parts of Monterey County are under evacuation orders and warnings, and Los Padres is one of eight national forests that the Forest Service ordered temporarily closed beginning Monday night, citing "the threat of unprecedented and dangerous fire conditions."
Multiple large fires are lashing the state amid a wildfire season that is proving particularly destructive.
As of Tuesday, according to CAL Fire, there are 14,000 firefighters battling 25 wildfires that have collectively burned more than 1.8 million acres of land.


npr--2020-09-08--Attorney Hired to Probe VOA's Coverage Has Active Protective Order Against Him

Attorney Hired to Probe VOA 's Coverage Has Active Protective Order Against Him The CEO appointed by President Trump to lead the federal agency that oversees the Voice of America and other U.S.-funded international broadcasters has made strict protocols for scrutinizing job candidates a hallmark of his brief tenure there .
CEO Michael Pack suspended a slew of senior executives at the U.S. Agency for Global Media and stopped routinely renewing visas for foreign employees over hiring protocols , claiming the executives ' lapses threatened national security .
In June , Pack hired a lawyer with no background in news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential anti-Trump bias , in a way that appears to violate Voice of America 's legal protections of journalistic independence .
That investigative attorney has a potentially problematic record himself : he remains under a court order to stay away from his father and to surrender all firearms due to a complaint that he made detailed death threats against his father .
These details appear in publicly available documents from a court proceeding held just 35 miles up the Baltimore-Washington Parkway from USAGM 's headquarters .
It raises questions about how rigorously the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hired legal counselor .
And this is not an ancient episode : the court order was filed in early February .
It remains in effect through February 2021 .
The USAGM investigator 's name is Samuel Dewey , a 37-year-old attorney who has been active in Washington D.C. political circles for nearly a decade .
He was hired by Pack in June , according to colleagues speaking on condition they not be named for fear of retaliation .
( Pack has forced the firings and ousters of numerous staffers in his short stint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emphasized the importance of security clearances in explaining why he suspended the former executives , writing , `` USAGM faces a decade-worth of gross managerial incompetence that imperiled the organization 's viability and the safety of our country . ''
That period covers the four years the agency was led by John Lansing , currently NPR 's CEO .
In response to NPR 's request for this story , Pack blamed Lansing directly for `` gross mismanagement '' at USAGM and accused NPR of `` trashing not only the desperately-needed reforms that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on behalf of the American people , but also the hard-working people who serve this agency and the nation . ''
Lansing has been critical of Pack 's agenda and has called his successor 's stated concerns over security overblown .
Under protocols established years before Lansing joined NPR , Lansing and his corporate aides and top news executives can not guide coverage that involve the network or its senior officials .
Pack and USAGM did not otherwise address questions posed for this story .
Dewey , a political appointee , has strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graduate of Harvard Law School and a former student of U.S. Justice Brett Kavanaugh who wrote to support the latter 's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court .
Dewey started as an associate at the major law firm Gibson Dunn in California ; he subsequently served on the committee staffs of two Republican lawmakers : U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas .
In 2018 , his last year working in Congress , Dewey was paid $ 139,000 as senior counsel to the House Financial Services Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He then moved into private practice , of counsel to McDermott Will & Emery in Washington , D.C .
In early February , Dewey 's father , Joel , wrote a petition to the Maryland court seeking protection .
He warned that Sam Dewey twice texted his mother to threaten Joel Dewey 's life , writing that he was `` seriously contemplating killing '' the elder Dewey .
( The two parents are divorced . )
Late that month , a judge in Baltimore County entered a protective order against Dewey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact his father , or enter his home or office .
And Dewey was also ordered to surrender all firearms until late February 2021 .
According to the petition filed with the court , Sam Dewey threatened to use a specific military pistol and a silencer in killing his father and also threatened his own life .
According to the final court protective order filed by Maryland District Court Judge Leo Ryan Jr. , Sam Dewey consented to the edict `` without admitting to the allegations ... or judicial finding of abuse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ representing Sam Dewey said paying attention to the protective order would take a `` long-standing intrafamily dispute '' out of context .
`` There was absolutely no admission or finding of misconduct by Mr. Dewey Jr. but to save the family , including his siblings and his mother , from further scrutiny , he accepted the restrictions in the order , '' attorney Stuart Simms wrote .
New leader brings upheaval to U.S. broadcasters In early June , the Voice of America 's then-director , Amanda Bennett , resigned just after Pack was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then fired the other broadcast chiefs .
And then he decided to stop approving new and renewed so-called J1 visas for foreign nationals working for VOA and its sister channels in foreign language services .
Instead , USAGM said it would review them on a case-by-case basis .
None are known to have been granted , causing more than 100 to determine whether they will have to return to their home countries , some of which are hostile to citizens who have worked for the U.S. government .
Late last month , without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Trump-friendly conservative site the Federalist that the VOA is `` a great place to put a spy . ''
The remark helped inspire a letter of protest against Pack 's leadership by a growing group of VOA staffers and retirees .
Pack 's line was taken as a direct slap at the professionalism and work of thousands of journalists who work for the agency .
It 's considered especially painful because its journalists for years have had to battle the idea that their work by compromised by their relationship to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequently claimed VOA journalists are American spies to discredit them .
Dewey was the tip of the spear for Pack 's efforts to get inside the working of Voice of America 's newsrooms in ways that violate legal protections , according to numerous former colleagues .
As NPR first reported , Dewey had been assigned to review a video segment produced by Voice of America 's Urdu language service about Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden - Trump 's primary political foe in November .
Four contractors involved had their jobs severed and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's moves to question journalists involved in the story killed the internal and journalistic review initially undertaken by editors at Voice of America , the standard path for scrutinizing a story there .
Even before the investigation was under way , the agency 's announcement claimed that the story may have broken laws against electioneering by federal employees .
Typically those reviews are conducted by news professionals and subject experts , not headquarters officials .
In his initial emails , Dewey did not identify what role he played at the agency , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vardha Khalil .
When she pressed him , Dewey said he was an attorney working as a counselor to CEO Michael Pack , Khalil tells NPR .
The segment reflected Biden 's appeal to Muslims at a conference arranged by a non-partisan group seeking greater engagement of Muslim voters , and it drew on footage of figures from a video put out by the group .
The story was widely criticized for failing to acknowledge some of Biden 's rhetoric was overstated or to reflect the Trump campaign 's outreach to Muslims .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at people in Pakistan , so few U.S. voters are likely to have seen it .
Khalil argues that criticism was unwarranted because the network has done other stories that reflect more positively on Trump , who did not participate in the event .
And she says it drew on the tone of an Associated Press piece about it .
Further , Khalil says she was baffled by Dewey 's involvement in the review and asked to have her own lawyer present if he was going to conduct it .
Khalil says he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next morning at the main USAGM/Voice of America building .
She demurred , asking for more time to arrange legal representation .
The meeting never took place .
She was soon fired and has set up a gofundme page to challenge the agency .
`` If there is a flaw , even if there was a procedural problem , ... whatever the punishment or whatever I deserve is OK , but where does an attorney belong in this whole procedure ? ''
Khalil asks .
Khalil says Dewey repeatedly asked her what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee interviewed by Dewey for his investigation said he repeatedly asked about her personal political beliefs .
Both said they deflected the question .
The USAGM did not reply to questions about that incident .
Through an agency spokesman , Dewey said he never asked anyone about `` political affiliation . ''
`` To the contrary , I along with career agency officials made clear that our concerns would be the same regardless of which politicians were featured in the video , '' Sam Dewey said in the statement .
`` Routine questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the video was appropriate , particularly within the context of the 2020 elections and journalistic standards .
Questions were also asked regarding training as to how to handle election-related stories . ''
In another incident , USAGM 's human resources department is investigating the tone of a segment on Biden 's wife , Jill Biden , who would become First Lady should the Democrat defeat Trump later this fall .
Journalists at the broadcaster say that too is a violation of the legal protections granted to VOA 's newsroom to ensure its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to others at Voice of America and at the U.S. Agency for Global Media , Dewey also sought to insert himself into the broadcaster 's planning for election coverage this season .
Sean Powers , the suspended chief strategy officer , called Dewey 's efforts to review and shape VOA 's reporting part of the `` step-by-step and whole-scale dismantling of the institutions that protect the independence and the integrity of our journalism . ''
A spokesman for the USAGM denied that claim .
`` The allegations that Mr. Dewey 'repeatedly pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the political season , ' 'has repeatedly pushed to participate in planning for election reporting and overarching news coverage , ' and 'sought to help steer future campaign coverage ' are categorically false , '' the spokesman wrote in an email .
`` 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 . ''
The spokesman also said it had commenced an investigation of another case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which a video was posted of a senior Trump adviser warning voters in Spanish of the dangers posed by Biden and his running mate , California Senator Kamala Harris .
The video was pulled down after questions were raised but there had been previously no review or repercussions .
The spokesman said the agency 's leadership only learned of the episode from NPR 's reporting .
In the interview in late August , Pack told the Federalist , `` There are a lot of journalists who are heroically motivated by a desire to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pack defined his mission at the agency this way : `` My job really is to drain the swamp , to root out corruption and to deal with these issues of bias , not to tell journalists what to report . ''
Disclosure : This story was reported by NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by NPR 's 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published .

Attorney Hired To Probe VOA's Coverage Has Active Protective Order Against Him
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Harnik/AP Andrew Harnik/AP
The CEO appointed by President Trump to lead the federal agency that oversees the Voice of America and other U.S.-funded international broadcasters has made strict protocols for scrutinizing job candidates a hallmark of his brief tenure there. CEO Michael Pack suspended a slew of senior executives at the U.S. Agency for Global Media and stopped routinely renewing visas for foreign employees over hiring protocols, claiming the executives' lapses threatened national security.
In June, Pack hired a lawyer with no background in news to investigate his agency's coverage for potential anti-Trump bias, in a way that appears to violate Voice of America's legal protections of journalistic independence. That investigative attorney has a potentially problematic record himself: he remains under a court order to stay away from his father and to surrender all firearms due to a complaint that he made detailed death threats against his father.
These details appear in publicly available documents from a court proceeding held just 35 miles up the Baltimore-Washington Parkway from USAGM's headquarters. It raises questions about how rigorously the security-minded CEO had vetted his own newly hired legal counselor. And this is not an ancient episode: the court order was filed in early February. It remains in effect through February 2021.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Maryland Judiciary/Screenshot by NPR Maryland Judiciary/Screenshot by NPR
The USAGM investigator's name is Samuel Dewey, a 37-year-old attorney who has been active in Washington D.C. political circles for nearly a decade. He was hired by Pack in June, according to colleagues speaking on condition they not be named for fear of retaliation. (Pack has forced the firings and ousters of numerous staffers in his short stint at the agency.)
Pack publicly emphasized the importance of security clearances in explaining why he suspended the former executives, writing, "USAGM faces a decade-worth of gross managerial incompetence that imperiled the organization's viability and the safety of our country." That period covers the four years the agency was led by John Lansing, currently NPR's CEO.
In response to NPR's detailed requests for comment for this story, Pack issued a statement blaming Lansing directly for "gross mismanagement" at USAGM and accused NPR of "trashing not only the desperately-needed reforms that I'm trying to carry out at USAGM on behalf of the American people, but also the hard-working people who serve this agency and the nation."
Lansing has been critical of Pack's agenda and has called his successor's stated concerns over security overblown. Under protocols established years before Lansing joined NPR, Lansing and his corporate aides and top news executives cannot guide coverage that involve the network or its senior officials.
Pack and USAGM did not otherwise address questions posed for this story.
Dewey, a political appointee, has strong conservative credentials. He is a 2009 graduate of Harvard Law School and a former student of U.S. Justice Brett Kavanaugh who wrote to support the latter's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Dewey started as an associate at the major law firm Gibson Dunn in California; he subsequently served on the committee staffs of two Republican lawmakers: U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas. In 2018, his last year working in Congress, Dewey was paid $139,000 as senior counsel to the House Financial Services Committee, for which Hensarling served as chairman. He then moved into private practice, of counsel to McDermott Will & Emery in Washington, D.C.
In early February, Dewey's father, Joel, wrote a petition to the Maryland court seeking protection. He warned that Sam Dewey twice texted his mother to threaten Joel Dewey's life, writing that he was "seriously contemplating killing" the elder Dewey. (The two parents are divorced.)
Late that month, a judge in Baltimore County entered a protective order against Dewey. The judge ordered that Dewey could not contact his father, or enter his home or office. And Dewey was also ordered to surrender all firearms until late February 2021. According to the petition filed with the court, Sam Dewey threatened to use a specific military pistol and a silencer in killing his father and also threatened his own life.
According to the final court protective order filed by Maryland District Court Judge Leo Ryan Jr., Sam Dewey consented to the edict "without admitting to the allegations... or judicial finding of abuse."
In a statement, an attorney representing Sam Dewey said paying attention to the protective order would take a "long-standing intrafamily dispute" out of context.
"There was absolutely no admission or finding of misconduct by Mr. Dewey Jr. but to save the family, including his siblings and his mother, from further scrutiny, he accepted the restrictions in the order," attorney Stuart Simms wrote.
New leader brings upheaval to U.S. broadcasters
In early June, the Voice of America's then-director, Amanda Bennett, resigned just after Pack was confirmed following a drawn-out process. Pack then fired the other broadcast chiefs. And then he decided to stop approving new and renewed so-called J1 visas for foreign nationals working for VOA and its sister channels in foreign language services. Instead, USAGM said it would review them on a case-by-case basis.
None are known to have been granted, causing more than 100 to determine whether they will have to return to their home countries, some of which are hostile to citizens who have worked for the U.S. government.
Late last month, without citing any examples or evidence, Pack told the Trump-friendly conservative site the Federalist that the VOA is "a great place to put a spy." The remark helped inspire a letter of protest against Pack's leadership by a growing group of VOA staffers and retirees. Pack's line was taken as a direct slap at the professionalism and work of thousands of journalists who work for the agency. It's considered especially painful because its journalists for years have had to battle the idea that their work was compromised by their relationship to the U.S. government. Hostile foreign regimes have frequently claimed VOA journalists are American spies to discredit them.
Dewey was the tip of the spear for Pack's efforts to get inside the working of Voice of America's newsrooms in ways that violate legal protections, according to numerous former colleagues.
As NPR first reported, Dewey had been assigned to review a video segment produced by Voice of America's Urdu language service about Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden - Trump's primary political foe in November. Four contractors involved had their jobs severed and an editor was placed on leave.
Dewey's moves to question journalists involved in the story killed the internal and journalistic review initially undertaken by editors at Voice of America, the standard path for scrutinizing a story there. Even before the investigation was under way, the agency's announcement claimed that the story may have broken laws against electioneering by federal employees. Typically those reviews are conducted by news professionals and subject experts, not headquarters officials.
In his initial emails, Dewey did not identify what role he played at the agency, according to one of the fired contractors, Vardha Khalil. When she pressed him, Dewey said he was an attorney working as a counselor to CEO Michael Pack, Khalil tells NPR.
The segment reflected Biden's appeal to Muslims at a conference arranged by a non-partisan group seeking greater engagement of Muslim voters, and it drew on footage of figures from a video put out by the group. The story was widely criticized for failing to acknowledge some of Biden's rhetoric was overstated or to reflect the Trump campaign's outreach to Muslims. The Urdu language service is largely aimed at people in Pakistan, so few U.S. voters are likely to have seen it.
Khalil argues that criticism was unwarranted because the network has done other stories that reflect more positively on Trump, who did not participate in the event. And she says it drew on the tone of an Associated Press piece about it.
Further, Khalil says she was baffled by Dewey's involvement in the review and asked to have her own lawyer present if he was going to conduct it. Khalil says he agreed but insisted the meeting take place the next morning at the main USAGM/Voice of America building. She demurred, asking for more time to arrange legal representation. The meeting never took place. She was soon fired and has set up a gofundme page to challenge the agency.
"If there is a flaw, even if there was a procedural problem, ... whatever the punishment or whatever I deserve is OK, but where does an attorney belong in this whole procedure?" Khalil asks.
Khalil says Dewey repeatedly asked her what she thought of a story. Another employee interviewed by Dewey for his investigation said he repeatedly asked about her personal political beliefs. Both said they deflected the question. The USAGM did not reply to questions about that incident.
Through an agency spokesman, Dewey said he never asked anyone about "political affiliation."
"To the contrary, I along with career agency officials made clear that our concerns would be the same regardless of which politicians were featured in the video," Sam Dewey said in the statement. "Routine questions were asked as to whether individuals thought that the video was appropriate, particularly within the context of the 2020 elections and journalistic standards. Questions were also asked regarding training as to how to handle election-related stories."
In another incident, USAGM's human resources department is investigating the tone of a segment on Biden's wife, Jill Biden, who would become First Lady should the Democrat defeat Trump later this fall. Journalists at the broadcaster say that too is a violation of the legal protections granted to VOA's newsroom to ensure its coverage is insulated against political pressures.
According to others at Voice of America and at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, Dewey also sought to insert himself into the broadcaster's planning for election coverage this season. Sean Powers, the suspended chief strategy officer, called Dewey's efforts to review and shape VOA's reporting part of the "step-by-step and whole-scale dismantling of the institutions that protect the independence and the integrity of our journalism."
A spokesman for the USAGM denied that claim.
"The allegations that Mr. Dewey 'repeatedly pushed to be involved in planning further coverage of the political season,' 'has repeatedly pushed to participate in planning for election reporting and overarching news coverage,' and 'sought to help steer future campaign coverage' are categorically false," the spokesman wrote in an email. "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."
The spokesman also said it had commenced an investigation of another case involving VOA's Latin American service in which a video was posted of a senior Trump adviser warning voters in Spanish of the dangers posed by Biden and his running mate, California Senator Kamala Harris. The video was pulled down after questions were raised but there had been previously no review or repercussions. The spokesman said the agency's leadership only learned of the episode from NPR's reporting.
In the interview in late August, Pack told the Federalist, "There are a lot of journalists who are heroically motivated by a desire to get the truth."
Nonetheless, Pack defined his mission at the agency this way: "My job really is to drain the swamp, to root out corruption and to deal with these issues of bias, not to tell journalists what to report."
Disclosure: This story was reported by NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by NPR's 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--2020-09-08--COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Paused, Due To Illness In One Volunteer

COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Paused , Due To Illness In One Volunteer Drug maker AstraZeneca has announced that it is pausing its COVID-19 vaccine trial due to a `` potentially unexplained illness '' in one of the trial volunteers .
The vaccine was developed by the University of Oxford in partnership with Astra Zeneca .
It 's being studied in thousands of patients in the United States and the United Kingdom .
The illness apparently occurred in a U.K. volunteer .
The company has n't revealed the nature of the illness , but did confirm that a pause in vaccination will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a routine action which has to happen whenever there is a potentially unexplained illness in one of the trials , '' an AstraZeneca spokesperson said in a statement to NPR .
The next step will be to determine if the illness is indeed related to the vaccine , or just a chance event .
The AstraZeneca/Oxford partnership is one of the vaccine development efforts that is furthest along .
The company recently began a Phase 3 trial in the United States that aims to enroll 30,000 volunteers .
The vaccine is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine .
When injected into a volunteer , it tricks that person 's cells into making a protein from SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 .
That has the effect of prompting the vaccinated person to have an immune reaction that should be protective if the person were exposed to the coronavirus .
In late July , results of a preliminary safety and effectiveness study found that more than two-thirds of the people who received the experimental vaccine reported fatigue and headache after inoculation .
Muscle ache and fever were also common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were no `` serious adverse reactions '' among the more than 500 people vaccinated ; most of the effects were `` mild or moderate in severity . ''
In May , the Trump administration awarded the effort up to $ 1.2 billion from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority as part of Operation Warp Speed , the administration 's push to have a widely available coronavirus vaccine by January .
In a statement , AstraZeneca wrote that `` In large trials illnesses will happen by chance but must be independently reviewed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expedite the review of the single event to minimize any potential impact on the trial timeline .
We are committed to the safety of our participants and the highest standards of conduct in our trials . ''
The Astra Zeneca/Oxford vaccine candidate is one of nine that have either started or are about to start being tested in large numbers of volunteers around the world .

COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Paused Due To Illness In Volunteer
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alastair Grant/AP Alastair Grant/AP
Drugmaker AstraZeneca has announced that it is pausing its COVID-19 vaccine trial because of a "potentially unexplained illness" in one of the trial volunteers.
The vaccine was developed by the University of Oxford in partnership with AstraZeneca. It's being studied in thousands of patients in the United States and the United Kingdom. The illness apparently occurred in a U.K. volunteer.
The company hasn't revealed the nature of the illness but did confirm that a pause in vaccination will allow a safety review. "This is a routine action which has to happen whenever there is a potentially unexplained illness in one of the trials," an AstraZeneca spokesperson said in a statement to NPR.
The next step will be to determine whether the illness is related to the vaccine, or just a chance event.
The AstraZeneca/Oxford partnership is one of the vaccine development efforts that is furthest along. The company recently began a Phase 3 trial in the United States that aims to enroll 30,000 volunteers.
The vaccine is what's known as a nonreplicating viral vector vaccine. When injected into a volunteer, it tricks that person's cells into making a protein from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. That has the effect of prompting the vaccinated person to have an immune reaction that should be protective if the person were exposed to the coronavirus.
In late July, results of a preliminary safety and effectiveness study found that more than two-thirds of the people who received the experimental vaccine reported fatigue and headache after inoculation. Muscle ache and fever were also common. But the researchers said that there were no "serious adverse reactions" among the more than 500 people vaccinated; most of the effects were "mild or moderate in severity."
In May, the Trump administration awarded the effort up to $1.2 billion from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority as part of Operation Warp Speed, the administration's push to have a widely available coronavirus vaccine by January.
In a statement, AstraZeneca wrote, "In large trials illnesses will happen by chance but must be independently reviewed to check this carefully. We are working to expedite the review of the single event to minimize any potential impact on the trial timeline. We are committed to the safety of our participants and the highest standards of conduct in our trials."
The AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine candidate is one of nine that have either started or are about to start being tested in large numbers of volunteers around the world.
You can contact NPR science correspondent Joe Palca at jpalca@npr.org.


npr--2020-09-08--California Scientists Build A Camera To Take Pictures Of Huge Swath Of Sky

California Scientists Build A Camera To Take Pictures Of Huge Swath Of Sky Scientists and engineers in California are building a unique camera for a unique telescope .
The Rubin Observatory telescope going up on Cerro Pachón in north-central Chile can capture an unusually large swath of sky in a single image .
The camera capable of capturing those images has to be enormous .
The one researchers are building at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park , Calif. , certainly is .
`` The whole camera is about 13 feet from the front lens to the back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the 5 feet in diameter -- so , massive , '' says Aaron Roodman , the scientist in charge of assembling and testing the camera .
Inside the camera are lenses , filters , cables , refrigeration equipment , and a focal plane consisting of 189 detectors capable of taking 3.2 billion pixel image .
The refrigeration is needed to chill the detectors to their operating temperature of negative 150 degrees Fahrenheit .
It 's not a camera you can throw together in your garage .
`` Oh boy , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Definitely not . ''
When it 's fully assembled , a series of lenses will help focus the light from celestial objects .
Roodman says he and his colleagues wanted a way to project an image onto the detectors in the focal plane that would n't need lenses to be in focus .
`` So I invented a little thing I call a pinhole projector , '' he says .
`` Basically a metal box with a tiny pinhole at the top of it , and lights inside the box .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camera . ''
The image of whatever is in the box will be projected into the camera 's detectors .
But what to project for a test ?
They started by putting various images into the projector , including a picture of Vera Rubin , the astronomer after whom the telescope is named .
But then they wanted something a bit more optically challenging , so they decided on Brassica oleracea , the kind known as Romanesco broccoli .
`` Mostly for fun , '' Roodman says .
`` It has an interesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would look cool , which I think it does . ''
The broccoli picture assured them the detectors were working as intended .
COVID-19 has delayed the completion of the camera .
Roodman says there still hoping to finish it in time to get it to Chile and installed in telescope by the fall of 2022 , where it can be used to search the sky for interesting celestial objects -- and heads of broccoli if they happen to be out there .

California Scientists Build A Camera To Take Pictures Of Huge Swath Of Sky
toggle caption LSST Camera team/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Rubin Observatory
Scientists and engineers in California are building a unique camera for a unique telescope.
The Rubin Observatory telescope going up on Cerro Pachón in north-central Chile can capture an unusually large swath of sky in a single image.
The camera capable of capturing those images has to be enormous. The one researchers are building at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, Calif., certainly is.
"The whole camera is about 13 feet from the front lens to the back where we have all our support equipment, and the 5 feet in diameter--so, massive," says Aaron Roodman, the scientist in charge of assembling and testing the camera.
Inside the camera are lenses, filters, cables, refrigeration equipment, and a focal plane consisting of 189 detectors capable of taking 3.2 billion pixel image. The refrigeration is needed to chill the detectors to their operating temperature of negative 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
It's not a camera you can throw together in your garage. "Oh boy, no, no," Roodman replies. "Definitely not."
When it's fully assembled, a series of lenses will help focus the light from celestial objects. Roodman says he and his colleagues wanted a way to project an image onto the detectors in the focal plane that wouldn't need lenses to be in focus.
"So I invented a little thing I call a pinhole projector," he says. "Basically a metal box with a tiny pinhole at the top of it, and lights inside the box. So kind of the opposite of a pinhole camera."
The image of whatever is in the box will be projected into the camera's detectors.
But what to project for a test? They started by putting various images into the projector, including a picture of Vera Rubin, the astronomer after whom the telescope is named.
But then they wanted something a bit more optically challenging, so they decided on Brassica oleracea, the kind known as Romanesco broccoli.
Why broccoli?
"Mostly for fun," Roodman says. "It has an interesting fractal structure, and we thought it would look cool, which I think it does."
The broccoli picture assured them the detectors were working as intended.
COVID-19 has delayed the completion of the camera.
Roodman says they're still hoping to finish it in time to get it to Chile and installed in telescope by the fall of 2022, where it can be used to search the sky for interesting celestial objects--and heads of broccoli if they happen to be out there.
You can contact NPR science correspondent Joe Palca at jpalca@npr.org.


npr--2020-09-08--McConnell Proposes Pandemic Relief Bill, Democrats Quickly Dismiss It As 'Emaciated'

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rolled out a new proposal for a smaller version of a pandemic relief aid bill , but it 's unclear how much support the measure could garner even in his own party .
And top Democrats opposed the plan , arguing it was `` emaciated '' even before it was officially released .
The measure includes more money for a small business loan program , a scaled back version of an expanded unemployment payment program , funding for schools and the U.S .
Postal Service .
The plan is slated to get an initial vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unlikely to advance without any significant Democratic support .
McConnell , R-Ky. said the proposal illustrates Republicans ' efforts to keep trying to push through a new wave of stimulus for the economy despite Democratic opposition .
Both parties have been at a standstill to reach a deal on new coronavirus funding for several months .
`` We want to agree where a bipartisan agreement is possible , get more help out the door and keep arguing over the rest later , that 's how you legislate , that 's how you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate floor on Monday following the plan 's introduction .
Although there is bipartisan agreement Congress needs to do more to address the economic impact of the virus negotiations have been at an impasse about the size and substance of what is needed since Congress passed the last wave of relief earlier in the spring .
By May , Republicans wanted to tap the brakes on additional spending , while House Democrats approved their own proposal worth more than $ 3 trillion .
In July , the Senate GOP rolled out a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 trillion mark .
And while it triggered bipartisan talks -- mainly between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , and Trump administration officials — those have stalled , as Democrats told Republicans not to return to the negotiating table until they are ready to spend at least $ 2 trillion .
On Tuesday , McConnell described the plan as targeted , focusing on healthcare , education and economic issues .
`` It 's not a sweeping , multi-trillion dollar plan to rebuild the entire country in Republican 's image .
It does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Republicans ourselves think would help in the short term .
I am confident the Democrats would feel the same , '' McConnell said .
`` But the American people do n't need us to keep arguing over what might be perfect .
They need us to actually make a law . ''
McConnell said the recent moves by Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to block Republican proposals were politically motivated .
His 285-page bill covers some of the same ground addressed in the GOP 's July plan and some new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it extends the popular small business loan effort , the Paycheck Protection Program , and establishes new legal shields for businesses , a marque issue for Republicans supporting in a new round of relief .
It also directs $ 105 billion to schools .
It also reinstates extra unemployment weekly payments , but at $ 300 , which is half of the $ 600 weekly payment that expired July 31 under the CARES Act approved by Congress earlier this year .
This new $ 300 weekly payment would expire by year 's end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposal also directs more spending flexibility for the U.S .
Postal Service , but does n't designate a large , specific appropriation , a key issue for Democrats .
Last month , House Democrats approved a plan to move $ 25 billion to the Postal Service , a measure also included in their $ 3 trillion HEROES Act approved in May .
On Tuesday , Pelosi and Schumer were quick to slam the bill , calling it an `` emaciated '' proposal .
They also said the plan was laced with `` poison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Now , after months of inaction , Republicans are finally realizing the damage their pause has done to the American economy and our nation 's health , '' the two Democrats said in a joint statement .
`` As they scramble to make up for this historic mistake , Senate Republicans appear dead-set on another bill which does n't come close to addressing the problems and is headed nowhere . ''
Democrats said Republicans need to go further with their plan , including additional funding provisions to address disruptions at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

McConnell Proposes Pandemic Relief Bill, Democrats Quickly Dismiss It As 'Emaciated'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jacquelyn Martin/AP Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rolled out a new proposal for a smaller version of a pandemic relief aid bill, but it's unclear how much support the measure could garner even in his own party. And top Democrats opposed the plan, arguing it was "emaciated" even before it was officially released.
The measure includes more money for a small business loan program, a scaled back version of an expanded unemployment payment program, funding for schools and the U.S. Postal Service. The plan is slated to get an initial vote as early as this week, but is unlikely to advance without any significant Democratic support.
McConnell, R-Ky. said the proposal illustrates Republicans' efforts to keep trying to push through a new wave of stimulus for the economy despite Democratic opposition. Both parties have been at a standstill to reach a deal on new coronavirus funding for several months.
"We want to agree where a bipartisan agreement is possible, get more help out the door and keep arguing over the rest later, that's how you legislate, that's how you make law," McConnell argued from the Senate floor on Monday following the plan's introduction.
Although there is bipartisan agreement Congress needs to do more to address the economic impact of the virus negotiations have been at an impasse about the size and substance of what is needed since Congress passed the last wave of relief earlier in the spring. By May, Republicans wanted to tap the brakes on additional spending, while House Democrats approved their own proposal worth more than $3 trillion.
In July, the Senate GOP rolled out a much smaller plan closer to the $1 trillion mark. And while it triggered bipartisan talks --mainly between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Trump administration officials — those have stalled, as Democrats told Republicans not to return to the negotiating table until they are ready to spend at least $2 trillion.
On Tuesday, McConnell described the plan as targeted, focusing on healthcare, education and economic issues.
"It's not a sweeping, multi-trillion dollar plan to rebuild the entire country in Republican's image. It does not even contain every single relief policy that Republicans ourselves think would help in the short term. I am confident the Democrats would feel the same," McConnell said. "But the American people don't need us to keep arguing over what might be perfect. They need us to actually make a law."
Read the full bill below.
McConnell said the recent moves by Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to block Republican proposals were politically motivated.
His 285-page bill covers some of the same ground addressed in the GOP's July plan and some new terrain. Among the familiar provisions, it extends the popular small business loan effort, the Paycheck Protection Program, and establishes new legal shields for businesses, a marque issue for Republicans supporting in a new round of relief. It also directs $105 billion to schools.
It also reinstates extra unemployment weekly payments, but at $300, which is half of the $600 weekly payment that expired July 31 under the CARES Act approved by Congress earlier this year. This new $300 weekly payment would expire by year's end under McConnell's plan.
McConnell's proposal also directs more spending flexibility for the U.S. Postal Service, but doesn't designate a large, specific appropriation, a key issue for Democrats. Last month, House Democrats approved a plan to move $25 billion to the Postal Service, a measure also included in their $3 trillion HEROES Act approved in May.
On Tuesday, Pelosi and Schumer were quick to slam the bill, calling it an "emaciated" proposal. They also said the plan was laced with "poison pills" that Democrats would never support.
"Now, after months of inaction, Republicans are finally realizing the damage their pause has done to the American economy and our nation's health," the two Democrats said in a joint statement. "As they scramble to make up for this historic mistake, Senate Republicans appear dead-set on another bill which doesn't come close to addressing the problems and is headed nowhere."
Democrats said Republicans need to go further with their plan, including additional funding provisions to address disruptions at the U.S. Postal Service and election safety.


npr--2020-09-08--The Return of Colin Kaepernick — To The Madden Franchise

The Return of Colin Kaepernick — To The Madden Franchise It 's been four long years , but Colin Kaepernick is finally getting the chance to take the field again – this time for any team of your choosing .
Developers at EA Sports , the maker of the ubiquitous Madden NFL franchise , announced Tuesday that gamers will now have the opportunity to add the former superstar quarterback to both its Play Now and Franchise modes .
It 's the latest update for Madden NFL 21 , which was released last month .
Kaepernick has not appeared on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NFL during the 2016 season when he was a member of the San Francisco 49ers .
Kaepernick , a once-electrifying , dual-threat quarterback who was perhaps more dangerous running the ball than he was throwing it to receivers downfield , essentially became blackballed after he began kneeling during the playing of `` The Star-Spangled Banner '' in 2016 .
He has maintained the gesture was to call attention to racial injustices , including brutality by police against communities of color and not meant as a sign of disrespect for America 's service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some have suggested .
In announcing the move , EA Sports called Kaepernick `` a starting-caliber quarterback , '' according to a statement posted to Twitter .
`` Knowing that our EA Sports experiences are platforms for players to create , we want to make Madden NFL a place that reflects Colin 's position and talent , rates him as a starting QB , and empowers our fans to express their hopes for the future of football , '' the statement said .
`` We 've worked with Colin to make this possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to all of you today . ''
As NFL.com points out , Kaepernick has an overall rating of 81 .
That places him ahead of current starting quarterbacks Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns , Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders and Ryan Tannehill of the Tennessee Titans and 2015 league MVP Cam Newton now with the New England Patriots .
Kaepernick has fallen from his peak rating of an overall 89 in the anniversary Madden 25 released in 2013 and in Madden 15 , according to The Undefeated .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EA Sports previously removed references to Kaepernick in two songs that were on the game 's soundtracks in Madden 18 and Madden 19 respectively .
Officials with EA alluded to this point it its Tuesday announcement , adding `` We 've had a long relationship with Colin through Madden NFL and worked through our past soundtrack mistakes . ''
In 2018 , EA Sports called it an `` unfortunate mistake '' that Kaepernick 's name was edited out of songs .
It blamed the error on company employees ' misunderstanding that while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's image in those versions of the game , the company was not barred from references to him in the game 's music .
`` Members of our team misunderstood the fact that while we do n't have rights to include Colin Kaepernick in the game , this does n't affect soundtracks , '' EA said in an August 2018 tweet .
`` We messed up , and the edit should never have happened . ''
The developers restored the songs in a subsequent update to the game , and also apologized to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Big Sean , the featured artists whose songs were altered .

The Return Of Colin Kaepernick — To The Madden Franchise
Enlarge this image toggle caption Todd Kirkland/AP Todd Kirkland/AP
It's been four long years, but Colin Kaepernick is finally getting the chance to take the field again — this time for any team of your choosing.
Developers at EA Sports, the maker of the ubiquitous Madden NFL franchise, announced Tuesday that gamers will now have the opportunity to add the former superstar quarterback to both its Play Now and Franchise modes. It's the latest update for Madden NFL 21, which was released last month.
Kaepernick has not appeared on the video game since he last played in the NFL during the 2016 season when he was a member of the San Francisco 49ers.
Kaepernick, a once-electrifying, dual-threat quarterback who was perhaps more dangerous running the ball than he was throwing it to receivers downfield, essentially became blackballed after he began kneeling during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" in 2016.
He has maintained the gesture was to call attention to racial injustices, including brutality by police against communities of color and not meant as a sign of disrespect for America's service members or the U.S. flag, as some have suggested.
In announcing the move, EA Sports called Kaepernick "a starting-caliber quarterback," according to a statement posted to Twitter.
"Knowing that our EA Sports experiences are platforms for players to create, we want to make Madden NFL a place that reflects Colin's position and talent, rates him as a starting QB, and empowers our fans to express their hopes for the future of football," the statement said.
"We've worked with Colin to make this possible, and we're excited to bring it to all of you today."
As NFL.com points out, Kaepernick has an overall rating of 81. That places him ahead of current starting quarterbacks Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns, Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders and Ryan Tannehill of the Tennessee Titans and 2015 league MVP Cam Newton now with the New England Patriots.
Kaepernick has fallen from his peak rating of an overall 89 in the anniversary Madden 25 released in 2013 and in Madden 15, according to The Undefeated.
The sports and culture website also points out EA Sports previously removed references to Kaepernick in two songs that were on the game's soundtracks in Madden 18 and Madden 19 respectively.
Officials with EA alluded to this point it its Tuesday announcement, adding "We've had a long relationship with Colin through Madden NFL and worked through our past soundtrack mistakes."
In 2018, EA Sports called it an "unfortunate mistake" that Kaepernick's name was edited out of songs.
It blamed the error on company employees' misunderstanding that while the game was not licensed to use Kaepernick's image in those versions of the game, the company was not barred from references to him in the game's music.
"Members of our team misunderstood the fact that while we don't have rights to include Colin Kaepernick in the game, this doesn't affect soundtracks," EA said in an August 2018 tweet. "We messed up, and the edit should never have happened."
The developers restored the songs in a subsequent update to the game, and also apologized to Kaepernick as well as to rappers YG and Big Sean, the featured artists whose songs were altered.


npr--2020-09-08--Georgia Reveals Double-Voting Cases But No Evidence Of Malign Intentions

Georgia Reveals Double-Voting Cases But No Evidence Of Malign Intentions Georgia 's top election official sounded the alarm Tuesday because he said 1,000 people voted twice in the state 's elections so far this year — although when pressed , he acknowledged he did n't know whether any of them did so intentionally .
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger , a Republican , made the announcement in a news conference on Tuesday .
He said the thousand voters turned in absentee ballots and then voted in person in the state 's June primary , but he provided few details apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the midst of attempting to find out more about the cases .
`` Every double voter will be investigated thoroughly , '' Raffensperger said , threatening felony prosecutions .
`` A double voter knows exactly what they are doing . ''
It 's unclear , however , that is actually the case .
Raffensperger mentioned only one person his office knew of who deliberately went in person to a polling place for malign reasons after casting a ballot in the mail .
The number of voters in Georgia who used absentee ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over previous years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
That included tens of thousands of people who had never before voted by mail .
Experts have said all year that increases in voting by mail that are expected as a result of the coronavirus disaster would contribute to more mistakes by voters .
`` The way that [ Raffensperger ] is phrasing it makes it sound like [ voters are ] doing it maliciously , '' said Tammy Patrick , a former Arizona election official and now a senior adviser for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they will find in their investigation is that voters were trying to make sure they cast a ballot that counted . ''
Patrick recalled administering elections in Maricopa County , Ariz. , where voters frequently mailed in ballots and then also showed up to vote in person .
She often called them after the election to find out why .
`` I never once had somebody say that they were trying to vote twice or that they did n't think I checked , '' Patrick said .
`` What they said was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have it back by the close of the polls on Election Day and I did n't get it in the mail until Friday , or I did n't get it in the mail until Saturday .
And I was afraid it was n't going to count . '
`` The details in the Georgia situation were n't clear .
Raffensperger was pressed by reporters about how he knew the voters were intentionally trying to vote twice and not just making a mistake .
Thousands of absentee ballots were rejected this year in Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received by election officials late .
`` That 's why we do investigations , '' Raffensperger said , while also mentioning a single instance of a Georgia voter who said he double-voted to `` prove a flaw in the system . ''
Raffensperger added that the double votes did not sway any election results , and he promised that similar issues would not occur in November 's general election .
The announcement followed an earlier flap over double voting sparked by President Trump , who encouraged supporters in North Carolina to vote twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then appeared to row back , then doubled down with more exhortations to follow a mail ballot with an in-person vote .
Trump has spent weeks sowing doubts about the coming election and focusing special criticism on voting by mail even though that 's how the president himself casts his ballot .
In Georgia , voters who request an absentee ballot but want to vote in person instead must sign an affidavit stating they have not voted absentee by mail already .
Workers at polling sites are supposed to call the county elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot has already been received .
The secretary of state 's office said even if someone votes twice , Georgia 's voting system is designed to count only one vote from one person .
Part of the state 's investigation will determine if county officials properly followed that procedure or if some of the double votes were not caught .
As for why a state 's chief election official would hold a news conference threatening felony prosecutions before completing any investigations — at a time when voters nationwide are confused by rapidly changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rachael Cobb said the logic was obvious .
`` It sounds like another method of voter intimidation , '' Cobb said .
`` Who wants to put themselves in jeopardy of being prosecuted for voting ?
In a time when there is a lot of confusion about how to vote , where to vote , when to vote ... it is terrible to make this kind of blanket statement without providing any evidence whatsoever . ''
University of Florida political science professor Michael McDonald also tweeted , `` Everyone should be deeply skeptical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ careful investigation first . ''
Official errors sometimes take place Sometimes election offices also find that perceived double votes were the result of data entry errors .
Voter fraud in which someone maliciously tries to cast more than one ballot happens at an `` infinitesimally small '' rate , Cobb said .
Mistakes and confusion are more frequent , albeit still at low levels .
There are many reasons a voter could return a mail ballot and then also try to vote in person : because they were scared it would n't arrive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who they voted for or they just forgot that they sent it in already .
If some of those votes were counted , Cobb said , that should be viewed as an administrative issue that needs to get fixed by the state of Georgia , not a voter conspiracy issue .
`` [ This ] is sowing doubt in our election system , '' she said .
`` And rather than taking the approach of 'Oh , my goodness , we have some things to get straightened up in our office before we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was , 'OK , people , you 're on notice . '
`` Because of the COVID-19 pandemic , Raffensperger and the State Election Board have made a number of changes to voting in Georgia , including the addition of secure 24/7 drop boxes for absentee ballots , allowing earlier processing of absentee ballots and creating a new online absentee portal for voters to request their ballots .
So far , at least 900,000 of Georgia 's 7.4 million voters have requested an absentee ballot for November .

Georgia Reveals Double-Voting Cases But No Evidence Of Malign Intentions
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brynn Anderson/AP Brynn Anderson/AP
Updated at 5:29 p.m. ET
Georgia's top election official sounded the alarm Tuesday because he said 1,000 people voted twice in the state's elections so far this year — although when pressed, he acknowledged he didn't know whether any of them did so intentionally.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, made the announcement in a news conference on Tuesday. He said the thousand voters turned in absentee ballots and then voted in person in the state's June primary, but he provided few details apart from that.
He said Georgia is in the midst of attempting to find out more about the cases.
"Every double voter will be investigated thoroughly," Raffensperger said, threatening felony prosecutions. "A double voter knows exactly what they are doing."
It's unclear, however, that is actually the case. Raffensperger mentioned only one person his office knew of who deliberately went in person to a polling place for malign reasons after casting a ballot in the mail.
Making sure a vote gets counted
The number of voters in Georgia who used absentee ballots in the state's primary increased exponentially over previous years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. That included tens of thousands of people who had never before voted by mail.
Experts have said all year that increases in voting by mail that are expected as a result of the coronavirus disaster would contribute to more mistakes by voters.
"The way that [Raffensperger] is phrasing it makes it sound like [voters are] doing it maliciously," said Tammy Patrick, a former Arizona election official and now a senior adviser for Democracy Fund. "I think that what they will find in their investigation is that voters were trying to make sure they cast a ballot that counted."
Patrick recalled administering elections in Maricopa County, Ariz., where voters frequently mailed in ballots and then also showed up to vote in person. She often called them after the election to find out why.
"I never once had somebody say that they were trying to vote twice or that they didn't think I checked," Patrick said. "What they said was, 'I know I had to have it back by the close of the polls on Election Day and I didn't get it in the mail until Friday, or I didn't get it in the mail until Saturday. And I was afraid it wasn't going to count.' "
The details in the Georgia situation weren't clear.
Raffensperger was pressed by reporters about how he knew the voters were intentionally trying to vote twice and not just making a mistake. Thousands of absentee ballots were rejected this year in Georgia, for instance, because they were received by election officials late.
"That's why we do investigations," Raffensperger said, while also mentioning a single instance of a Georgia voter who said he double-voted to "prove a flaw in the system."
Raffensperger added that the double votes did not sway any election results, and he promised that similar issues would not occur in November's general election.
The announcement followed an earlier flap over double voting sparked by President Trump, who encouraged supporters in North Carolina to vote twice to "test the system," then appeared to row back, then doubled down with more exhortations to follow a mail ballot with an in-person vote.
Trump has spent weeks sowing doubts about the coming election and focusing special criticism on voting by mail even though that's how the president himself casts his ballot.
Ballot regulations
In Georgia, voters who request an absentee ballot but want to vote in person instead must sign an affidavit stating they have not voted absentee by mail already. Workers at polling sites are supposed to call the county elections office to verify if someone's absentee ballot has already been received.
The secretary of state's office said even if someone votes twice, Georgia's voting system is designed to count only one vote from one person. Part of the state's investigation will determine if county officials properly followed that procedure or if some of the double votes were not caught.
As for why a state's chief election official would hold a news conference threatening felony prosecutions before completing any investigations — at a time when voters nationwide are confused by rapidly changing processes — Suffolk University political science professor Rachael Cobb said the logic was obvious.
"It sounds like another method of voter intimidation," Cobb said. "Who wants to put themselves in jeopardy of being prosecuted for voting? In a time when there is a lot of confusion about how to vote, where to vote, when to vote ... it is terrible to make this kind of blanket statement without providing any evidence whatsoever."
University of Florida political science professor Michael McDonald also tweeted, "Everyone should be deeply skeptical of allegations that jump the gun without careful investigation first."
Official errors sometimes take place
Sometimes election offices also find that perceived double votes were the result of data entry errors.
Voter fraud in which someone maliciously tries to cast more than one ballot happens at an "infinitesimally small" rate, Cobb said.
Mistakes and confusion are more frequent, albeit still at low levels. There are many reasons a voter could return a mail ballot and then also try to vote in person: because they were scared it wouldn't arrive in time, they wanted to change who they voted for or they just forgot that they sent it in already.
If some of those votes were counted, Cobb said, that should be viewed as an administrative issue that needs to get fixed by the state of Georgia, not a voter conspiracy issue.
"[This] is sowing doubt in our election system," she said. "And rather than taking the approach of 'Oh, my goodness, we have some things to get straightened up in our office before we go into the general election,' it was, 'OK, people, you're on notice.' "
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Raffensperger and the State Election Board have made a number of changes to voting in Georgia, including the addition of secure 24/7 drop boxes for absentee ballots, allowing earlier processing of absentee ballots and creating a new online absentee portal for voters to request their ballots.
So far, at least 900,000 of Georgia's 7.4 million voters have requested an absentee ballot for November.


npr--2020-09-08--Congress Launches Investigation Into Fort Hood Deaths

Congress is launching an investigation into a series of deaths at Fort Hood in Texas .
The investigation will look into whether the recent tragedies `` may be symptomatic of underlying leadership , discipline , and morale deficiencies throughout the chain-of-command . ''
It will be carried out jointly by the Committee on Oversight and Reform 's Subcommittee on National Security , and the Committee on Armed Services ' Subcommittee on Military Personnel .
Nearly 30 soldiers have died at the base this year — at least nine of them under unusual or suspicious circumstances , as NPR has reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guillén , who was found dead in July after she told her family she was being sexually harassed at the base .
Guillén 's sister Lupe told NPR in July that Vanessa `` was too afraid to report the harassment because no one would listen to her .
... That 's why we asked for a congressional investigation . ''
Sgt .
Elder Fernandes ' body was found last month .
He formally reported sexual abuse before his death , and police have said that they do n't suspect foul play .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice on behalf of those in uniform , and their families , who may have been failed by a military system and culture that was ultimately responsible for their care and protection , '' Rep. Stephen Lynch , D-Mass.
, and Rep. Jackie Speier , D-Calif. , said in a letter Tuesday to the secretary of the Army .
The Army recently replaced Fort Hood 's senior commander .
It did not immediately respond to NPR 's request for comment about the new probe .
The House investigation will be one of several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Killeen , Texas .
Earlier this month , the Army expanded its own probe into Guillén 's killing and rolled together a few different investigations .
In late July , the Army also announced that it was convening an independent panel to conduct a review of the culture on the base .
But House Democrats say these investigations alone are insufficient .
In their letter , Lynch and Speier said , `` Congressional oversight is necessary to determine whether base leadership – by omission or commission – has allowed or enabled a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and traditions of the U.S .
Army . ''
The Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus had also called for a congressional investigation into the base .

Congress Launches Investigation Into Fort Hood Deaths
Enlarge this image toggle caption Aurora Samperio/NurPhoto via Getty Images Aurora Samperio/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Updated Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. ET
Congress is launching an investigation into a series of deaths at Fort Hood in Texas.
The investigation will look into whether the recent tragedies "may be symptomatic of underlying leadership, discipline, and morale deficiencies throughout the chain-of-command." It will be carried out jointly by the Committee on Oversight and Reform's Subcommittee on National Security, and the Committee on Armed Services' Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Nearly 30 soldiers have died at the base this year — at least nine of them under unusual or suspicious circumstances, as NPR has reported. Among them is Spc. Vanessa Guillén, who was found dead in July after she told her family she was being sexually harassed at the base.
Guillén's sister Lupe told NPR in July that Vanessa "was too afraid to report the harassment because no one would listen to her. ... That's why we asked for a congressional investigation."
Sgt. Elder Fernandes' body was found last month. He formally reported sexual abuse before his death, and police have said they don't suspect foul play. A report from the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office obtained by NPR states that Fernandes died as a result of suicide by hanging.
"Where appropriate, we intend to seek justice on behalf of those in uniform, and their families, who may have been failed by a military system and culture that was ultimately responsible for their care and protection," Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., and Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., said in a letter Tuesday to the secretary of the Army.
The Army recently replaced Fort Hood's senior commander. It did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment about the new probe.
The House investigation will be one of several government investigations into events at the base in Killeen, Texas. Earlier this month, the Army expanded its own probe into Guillén's killing and rolled together a few different investigations.
In late July, the Army also announced that it was convening an independent panel to conduct a review of the culture on the base.
But House Democrats say these investigations alone are insufficient. In their letter, Lynch and Speier said, "Congressional oversight is necessary to determine whether base leadership – by omission or commission – has allowed or enabled a culture to exist that undermines the values and traditions of the U.S. Army."
The Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus had also called for a congressional investigation into the base.
NPR's Matthew S. Schwartz contributed to this report.


npr--2020-09-08--Rochester, N.Y., Police Chief La'Ron Singletary Resigns

La'Ron Singletary is resigning as police chief in Rochester , N.Y. , as protests continue over the March death of a Black man , Daniel Prude , by asphyxiation after being restrained by police .
Much of the encounter was caught on video .
Other senior police leaders are joining Singletary in leaving the department , Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren said .
`` The entire Rochester Police Department command staff has announced their retirement , '' Warren told members of the City Council during a video conference Tuesday afternoon .
`` That includes the police chief '' and deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Department later clarified that Deputy Chief Joseph Morabito and Commander Fabian Rivera announced their retirements .
Deputy Chief Mark Simmons and Commander Henry Favor are both returning to their previously held rank of lieutenant .
`` The chief was not asked to give his resignation , because I do believe he is giving his very best , '' said Warren , who promoted Singletary to the post in April 2019 .
The mayor said Singletary , who spent 20 years on the force , feels that `` his career and integrity [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledged that with the exodus of senior leaders from the department , `` it 's going to be difficult '' to find an interim chief .
In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon , Warren said Singletary will remain in charge of the department through the end of the month , and she will meet with the City Council to `` chart a path forward . ''
`` I know that there are many questions , '' she said .
`` But , this just occurred , and I honestly do n't have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoken about maintaining our restraint regarding the ongoing protests and ask all involved to remain peaceful , '' she added .
She also said she remains committed to instituting necessary reforms in the police department .
Warren ordered the suspension of seven police officers who were involved in Prude 's arrest last week after video footage of the encounter was released .
In the days since the footage surfaced , community members have accused Singletary of covering up the circumstances of Prude 's death and called for him as well as the mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the activist organization that has been coordinating nightly protests outside police headquarters and urging Singletary to step down , celebrated the news in a statement Tuesday .
The organization said `` we accept '' the chief 's and command team 's resignations , saying `` the movement for justice is winning '' but more work is needed to end police violence and hold local leaders accountable .
`` Let 's keep the pressure up until all those responsible for Daniel Prude 's murder and cover up — including Mayor Lovely Warren — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donated their pensions to the families they allowed to be harmed , '' it wrote .
In a statement , Singletary accused `` outside entities '' of attempting to destroy his character and integrity over the past week , according to NPR member station WXXI .
`` The members of the Rochester Police Department and the greater Rochester community know my reputation and know what I stand for , '' Singletary said .
`` The mischaracterization and the politicization of the actions that I took after being informed of Mr. Prude 's death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not what I stand for . ''

Rochester, N.Y., Police Chief La'Ron Singletary Resigns
Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Updated at 5:58 p.m. ET
La'Ron Singletary is resigning as police chief in Rochester, N.Y., as protests continue over the March death of a Black man, Daniel Prude, by asphyxiation after being restrained by police. Much of the encounter was caught on video.
Other senior police leaders are joining Singletary in leaving the department, Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren said.
"The entire Rochester Police Department command staff has announced their retirement," Warren told members of the City Council during a video conference Tuesday afternoon.
"That includes the police chief" and deputy chiefs, she added.
The Rochester Police Department later clarified that Deputy Chief Joseph Morabito and Commander Fabian Rivera announced their retirements. Deputy Chief Mark Simmons and Commander Henry Favor are both returning to their previously held rank of lieutenant.
"The chief was not asked to give his resignation, because I do believe he is giving his very best," said Warren, who promoted Singletary to the post in April 2019.
YouTube
The mayor said Singletary, who spent 20 years on the force, feels that "his career and integrity [have] been challenged."
Warren acknowledged that with the exodus of senior leaders from the department, "it's going to be difficult" to find an interim chief.
In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Warren said Singletary will remain in charge of the department through the end of the month, and she will meet with the City Council to "chart a path forward."
"I know that there are many questions," she said. "But, this just occurred, and I honestly don't have the answers today."
"We have spoken about maintaining our restraint regarding the ongoing protests and ask all involved to remain peaceful," she added. She also said she remains committed to instituting necessary reforms in the police department.
Warren ordered the suspension of seven police officers who were involved in Prude's arrest last week after video footage of the encounter was released.
As NPR reported last week:
"Warren said she was told that Prude had overdosed in police custody, and did not see video of the encounter until Aug. 4.
"She said she has since ordered Singletary to provide her with video from any in-custody death or use of force incident within 24 hours."
In the days since the footage surfaced, community members have accused Singletary of covering up the circumstances of Prude's death and called for him as well as the mayor to resign.
Free the People Roc, the activist organization that has been coordinating nightly protests outside police headquarters and urging Singletary to step down, celebrated the news in a statement Tuesday.
The organization said "we accept" the chief's and command team's resignations, saying "the movement for justice is winning" but more work is needed to end police violence and hold local leaders accountable.
"Let's keep the pressure up until all those responsible for Daniel Prude's murder and cover up — including Mayor Lovely Warren — have resigned, taken responsibility, and donated their pensions to the families they allowed to be harmed," it wrote.
In a statement, Singletary accused "outside entities" of attempting to destroy his character and integrity over the past week, according to NPR member station WXXI.
"The members of the Rochester Police Department and the greater Rochester community know my reputation and know what I stand for," Singletary said. "The mischaracterization and the politicization of the actions that I took after being informed of Mr. Prude's death is not based on facts, and is not what I stand for."


npr--2020-09-08--Drug That Bulked Up Mice In Space Might Someday Help Astronauts Make Long Voyages

Drug That Bulked Up Mice In Space Might Someday Help Astronauts Make Long Voyages Some mighty mice have overcome one of the major obstacles to interplanetary space flight : muscle and bone loss .
The mice got a drug that prevented the usual decreases in muscle and bone mass during a month on the International Space Station , a team reports in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
`` The drug was effective not just in preserving the muscle mass and bone mass , but actually caused the muscles and bones to grow , '' says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Jackson Laboratory and the University of Connecticut .
The mice `` had a phenomenal response to the drug without apparently any bad side effects , '' adds Dr. Emily Germain-Lee , a professor at the University of Connecticut who is a co-author of the paper and married to Lee .
If a drug worked that well in humans , it could help astronauts stay healthy during a voyage to Mars , which could take years .
A human drug also would be a `` miracle '' for millions of people on Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ muscles too weak to allow standing and walking , Germain-Lee says .
Currently , astronauts on the space station exercise two hours a day to preserve muscle and bone mass .
It 's such a big part of their lives that in April , Jessica Meir and Andrew Morgan made a video of their weightless workout .
But even intense exercise only slows down the loss of muscle and bone mass .
So in December , Lee , Germain-Lee and a team of researchers sent some very special mice into orbit .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that had been genetically altered to develop twice the usual amount of muscle .
The group also included regular that received the drug and some other mice that were just along for the ride .
After reaching the space station , all the mice got lots of exercise .
`` Once they get up there they become very active , '' Lee says .
`` In fact , they have a name for it , 'racetracking , ' because they 're running around quite a bit . ''
After a month in orbit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California coast and were rushed to a lab in San Diego .
Normal mice that did not get the drug lost more than 10 % of their muscle mass .
But bone loss was an even bigger problem for these animals .
`` They lost a substantial amount of bone in space and then even after being on earth , they actually continued to lose a little bit more bone mass , '' Lee says .
Meanwhile , the genetically engineered mighty mice retained their muscle and bone mass , and the mice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The drug also helped reverse muscle and bone loss in mice that were treated after they returned to earth .
The drug works by nullifying a regulatory mechanism in the body that usually limits the growth of muscle and bone .
It does this by neutralizing two substances that occur naturally in the body .
They 're called myostatin , which normally limits muscle growth , and activin A , which regulates the growth of both muscle and bone .
Even before the space station experiment , the approach had been shown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But efforts to reproduce these results in people have had mixed results .
The challenge , Lee says , will be to find a version of the drug that builds muscle and bone in people without causing side effects .

Drug That Bulked Up Mice In Space Might Someday Help Astronauts Make Long Voyages
Some mighty mice have overcome one of the major obstacles to interplanetary space flight: muscle and bone loss.
The mice got a drug that prevented the usual decreases in muscle and bone mass during a month on the International Space Station, a team reports in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"The drug was effective not just in preserving the muscle mass and bone mass, but actually caused the muscles and bones to grow," says Dr. Se-Jin Lee, a professor at The Jackson Laboratory and the University of Connecticut.
The mice "had a phenomenal response to the drug without apparently any bad side effects," adds Dr. Emily Germain-Lee, a professor at the University of Connecticut who is a co-author of the paper and married to Lee.
If a drug worked that well in humans, it could help astronauts stay healthy during a voyage to Mars, which could take years.
A human drug also would be a "miracle" for millions of people on Earth who have bones that fracture easily or muscles too weak to allow standing and walking, Germain-Lee says.
Currently, astronauts on the space station exercise two hours a day to preserve muscle and bone mass. It's such a big part of their lives that in April, Jessica Meir and Andrew Morgan made a video of their weightless workout.
But even intense exercise only slows down the loss of muscle and bone mass.
So in December, Lee, Germain-Lee and a team of researchers sent some very special mice into orbit.
Among them were so-called mighty mice, rodents that had been genetically altered to develop twice the usual amount of muscle. The group also included regular mice that received the drug and some others that were just along for the ride.
After reaching the space station, all the mice got lots of exercise.
"Once they get up there they become very active," Lee says. "In fact, they have a name for it, 'racetracking,' because they're running around quite a bit."
After a month in orbit, the mice splashed down off the California coast and were rushed to a lab in San Diego.
Normal mice that did not get the drug lost more than 10% of their muscle mass. But bone loss was an even bigger problem for these animals.
"They lost a substantial amount of bone in space and then, even after being on Earth, they actually continued to lose a little bit more bone mass," Lee says.
Meanwhile, the genetically engineered mighty mice retained their muscle and bone mass, and the mice that got the drug actually added mass. The drug also helped reverse muscle and bone loss in mice that were treated after they returned to Earth.
The drug works by nullifying a regulatory mechanism in the body that usually limits the growth of muscle and bone.
It does this by neutralizing two substances that occur naturally in the body. They're called myostatin, which normally limits muscle growth, and activin A, which regulates the growth of both muscle and bone.
Even before the space station experiment, the approach had been shown to produce spectacular results in mice. But efforts to reproduce these results in people have had mixed results.
The challenge, Lee says, will be to find a version of the drug that builds muscle and bone in people without causing side effects.