usatoday--2020-08-07--GOP appeals after Judge dismisses lawsuit over House's proxy voting system established due to COVID-

WASHINGTON – A federal judge on Thursday tossed out a Republican-led lawsuit aiming to halt an unprecedented proxy voting system established by the House of Representatives due to the coronavirus pandemic , ruling that the House was immune from such a legal challenge .
The lawsuit , filed in federal district court in the District of Columbia by nearly two dozen House Republicans – led by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. – in late May , argued the proxy voting rules violated the U.S. Constitution because under the Constitution , a majority of lawmakers must be present to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The suit specifically targets House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , along with the House clerk and sergeant-at-arms .
U.S. District Judge Rudolph Cortreras wrote in an 18-page opinion dismissing the lawsuit that the House `` unquestionably has the authority , under the Constitution , to 'determine the Rules of its Proceedings , ' `` even though proxy voting had never before been used in the chamber as it is now .
`` The Court can conceive of few other actions , besides actually debating , speaking , or voting , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' than the regulation of how votes may be cast , '' Cortreras wrote before concluding the defendants were `` immune '' from such lawsuits due to the Speech or Debate clause in the U.S. Constitution , which has been used to shield members of Congress from lawsuits over speeches , debates and legislative acts .
More:20 Republican lawmakers file lawsuit against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over new proxy voting system The House GOP officially moved to appeal the decision Friday .
McCarthy said in a statement the `` decision will not deter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the voice and representation of the American people . ''
.
`` There is a history of challenges against unlawful actions taken by the U.S. House of Representatives , which show that unconstitutional actions are not protected by speech or debate , '' he said .
`` While Congress does write its own procedural rules – and we should – we can not write rules that violate the Constitution . ''
The dismissal was welcomed by Pelosi , who said she hoped it would be the end of the GOP 's `` sad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Remote voting by proxy is fully consistent with the Constitution and more than a century of legal precedent , including Supreme Court cases , that make clear that the House can determine its own rules , '' the California Democrat said in a statement .
`` The nation is in the middle of a dangerous pandemic and the House of Representatives must continue to work . ''
She continued : `` The dismissal of the House GOP lawsuit is welcome news and hopefully the end of this sad Republican effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the American people during the coronavirus crisis . ''
More : How safe is Capitol Hill from COVID-19 ?
Here 's what we know .
The House developed and passed its historic proxy voting rules in May as the number of COVID-19 cases continued to rise –including within the halls of the U.S. Capitol .
It allowed members unable to come to Capitol Hill during the coronavirus pandemic to designate another lawmaker as their `` proxy '' and cast floor votes on their behalf .
The goal was to allow lawmakers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel to Washington safely .
The change came after the House passed a number of coronavirus packages that amounted to about $ 3 trillion , bills on which most lawmakers did not have much of a say in negotiations .
But Republicans argued that any measure passed under this system , especially those that pass by slim margins in which proxies cast deciding votes , could be called into question and lead to a domino effect for years to come .
More : Speaker Pelosi mandates wearing masks on House floor after Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Gohmert wonders if wearing a mask led to COVID-19 diagnosis despite health guidance to the contrary Proxy voting has been utilized largely by Democratic lawmakers , though Florida Republican Rep. Francis Rooney voted by proxy last month after a fellow Republican , Rep. Louie Gohmert , R-Texas , tested positive for the virus .
Gohmert had been known for violating social distancing rules and would frequently be spotted without a face mask in the U.S. Capitol and its office buildings .
`` As I have said before , Congress should utilize modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wanted to proxy vote as soon as the Speaker set it up , I agreed to wait until the lawsuit challenging its legality had been heard , which has now happened , '' Rooney , who is retiring , wrote on Twitter after the proxy vote .
He continued : `` Votes have been occurring remotely for several months now , with no adverse consequences .
Given the recent COVID-19 positive test results for my colleagues , including Louie Gohmert today , this method of voting is the prudent and rational course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Steny H. Hoyer , D-Md.
, said in a statement : “ Today , a federal court affirmed what was already clear from our Constitution : the House has the right to determine its own rules , including the allowance of proxy voting as an emergency measure during this pandemic .
`` I hope House Republicans will now join Democrats in using this measure , when necessary , so that Congress can continue to do its work while preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our districts and on Capitol Hill . ''

GOP appeals after Judge dismisses lawsuit over House's proxy voting system established due to COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption McCarthy: House proxy voting is unconstitutional For the first time, House lawmakers intend to vote by proxy, a move to avoid the risk of travel to Washington during the pandemic. To mark Wednesday's history-making moment, House Republicans sued to stop the majority party from going ahead. (May 27) AP
WASHINGTON – A federal judge on Thursday tossed out a Republican-led lawsuit aiming to halt an unprecedented proxy voting system established by the House of Representatives due to the coronavirus pandemic, ruling that the House was immune from such a legal challenge.
The lawsuit, filed in federal district court in the District of Columbia by nearly two dozen House Republicans – led by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. – in late May, argued the proxy voting rules violated the U.S. Constitution because under the Constitution, a majority of lawmakers must be present to take up business and vote on legislation. The suit specifically targets House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., along with the House clerk and sergeant-at-arms.
U.S. District Judge Rudolph Cortreras wrote in an 18-page opinion dismissing the lawsuit that the House "unquestionably has the authority, under the Constitution, to 'determine the Rules of its Proceedings,' " even though proxy voting had never before been used in the chamber as it is now.
"The Court can conceive of few other actions, besides actually debating, speaking, or voting, that could more accurately be described as 'legislative' than the regulation of how votes may be cast," Cortreras wrote before concluding the defendants were "immune" from such lawsuits due to the Speech or Debate clause in the U.S. Constitution, which has been used to shield members of Congress from lawsuits over speeches, debates and legislative acts.
More: 20 Republican lawmakers file lawsuit against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over new proxy voting system
The House GOP officially moved to appeal the decision Friday.
McCarthy said in a statement the "decision will not deter us from continuing to work to protect the voice and representation of the American people." .
"There is a history of challenges against unlawful actions taken by the U.S. House of Representatives, which show that unconstitutional actions are not protected by speech or debate," he said. "While Congress does write its own procedural rules – and we should – we cannot write rules that violate the Constitution."
The dismissal was welcomed by Pelosi, who said she hoped it would be the end of the GOP's "sad" effort to halt the proxy rules.
"Remote voting by proxy is fully consistent with the Constitution and more than a century of legal precedent, including Supreme Court cases, that make clear that the House can determine its own rules," the California Democrat said in a statement. "The nation is in the middle of a dangerous pandemic and the House of Representatives must continue to work."
She continued: "The dismissal of the House GOP lawsuit is welcome news and hopefully the end of this sad Republican effort to obstruct the House from meeting the needs of the American people during the coronavirus crisis."
More: How safe is Capitol Hill from COVID-19? Here's what we know.
The House developed and passed its historic proxy voting rules in May as the number of COVID-19 cases continued to rise –including within the halls of the U.S. Capitol. It allowed members unable to come to Capitol Hill during the coronavirus pandemic to designate another lawmaker as their "proxy" and cast floor votes on their behalf.
The goal was to allow lawmakers to have a voice if they could not travel to Washington safely. The change came after the House passed a number of coronavirus packages that amounted to about $3 trillion, bills on which most lawmakers did not have much of a say in negotiations.
But Republicans argued that any measure passed under this system, especially those that pass by slim margins in which proxies cast deciding votes, could be called into question and lead to a domino effect for years to come.
More: Speaker Pelosi mandates wearing masks on House floor after Rep. Gohmert tests positive for COVID-19
More: Rep. Gohmert wonders if wearing a mask led to COVID-19 diagnosis despite health guidance to the contrary
Proxy voting has been utilized largely by Democratic lawmakers, though Florida Republican Rep. Francis Rooney voted by proxy last month after a fellow Republican, Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, tested positive for the virus. Gohmert had been known for violating social distancing rules and would frequently be spotted without a face mask in the U.S. Capitol and its office buildings.
"As I have said before, Congress should utilize modern technology to permit remote voting. While I wanted to proxy vote as soon as the Speaker set it up, I agreed to wait until the lawsuit challenging its legality had been heard, which has now happened," Rooney, who is retiring, wrote on Twitter after the proxy vote.
He continued: "Votes have been occurring remotely for several months now, with no adverse consequences. Given the recent COVID-19 positive test results for my colleagues, including Louie Gohmert today, this method of voting is the prudent and rational course of action."
House Majority Leader Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., said in a statement: “Today, a federal court affirmed what was already clear from our Constitution: the House has the right to determine its own rules, including the allowance of proxy voting as an emergency measure during this pandemic.
"I hope House Republicans will now join Democrats in using this measure, when necessary, so that Congress can continue to do its work while preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our districts and on Capitol Hill."
Contributing: Savannah Behrmann
pp


usatoday--2020-08-07--Feds expand officer deployments to Memphis, St. Louis in anti-violence push

The Trump administration expanded its deployment of federal law enforcement officers to two additional cities Thursday as part of its controversial anti-crime effort .
The Justice Department announced that it is surging 40 officers to Memphis , Tennessee , and 50 more to St. Louis during the next several weeks , marking a new federal presence in eight U.S. cities where local authorities are grappling with worsening violence .
Last month , Attorney General William Barr launched the effort , known as Operation Legend , despite the widespread concerns for the tactics used by federal officers dispatched to Portland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other cities to quell protests sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police .
Barr has maintained that the additional officers will only assist in combating local violence and will not take part in crowd control duties that have drawn federal agents into clashes with street protesters .
Since last month , Barr has dispatched dozens of officers to Kansas City , Chicago , Albuquerque , New Mexico , Detroit , Cleveland and Milwaukee as part of Operation Legend , a program named for a young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Lyda Krewson said she supports the assistance , citing `` an unprecedented surge '' in violent crimes in the city .
The police department , facing a staffing shortage , responded to 85 homicides in June and July , she said .
`` At a time when our police department is facing a serious shortage of approximately 140 officers , we need additional resources to help us investigate violent crimes , make arrests , and deter additional violent offenses across the city , '' the mayor said .
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal operation as long as federal agents remain focused on violent crime enforcement .
Strickland said the assistance `` is a violent crime reduction effort , with additional resources being provided to federal , state and local law enforcement to assist with traditional crime-fighting directed at gang violence , narcotics-related shootings and illegal firearms . ''
`` That 's what it is , '' he said .
`` What it is not is an introduction of federal riot police , uniformed personnel , or other federal agents to protect federal property , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional ( Immigration and Customs Enforcement ) resources to enforce immigration offenses . ''
The federal forces in Portland and D.C. included large contingents of immigration enforcement authorities drawn from the Department of Homeland Security .
Operation Legend officers are being largely dispatched from the FBI , Drug Enforcement Administration , U.S .
Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives .

Kevin Johnson and Kristine Phillips, USA TODAY

Feds expand officer deployments to Memphis, St. Louis in anti-violence push
The Trump administration expanded its deployment of federal law enforcement officers to two additional cities Thursday as part of its controversial anti-crime effort.
The Justice Department announced that it is surging 40 officers to Memphis, Tennessee, and 50 more to St. Louis during the next several weeks, marking a new federal presence in eight U.S. cities where local authorities are grappling with worsening violence.
More: Federal agents, officers head to Detroit, Cleveland, Milwaukee as Operation Legend expands
Last month, Attorney General William Barr launched the effort, known as Operation Legend, despite the widespread concerns for the tactics used by federal officers dispatched to Portland, Oregon, Washington, D.C., and other cities to quell protests sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
More: 'What a disaster': Aggressive federal response in Portland raises legal questions
Portland protests: Police arrest protesters and seize weapons Violent protests continue near the federal courthouse in Portland, as local police detained two people after a gunshot was heard. USA TODAY
Barr has maintained that the additional officers will only assist in combating local violence and will not take part in crowd control duties that have drawn federal agents into clashes with street protesters. Since last month, Barr has dispatched dozens of officers to Kansas City, Chicago, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Detroit, Cleveland and Milwaukee as part of Operation Legend, a program named for a young Kansas City murder victim.
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson said she supports the assistance, citing "an unprecedented surge" in violent crimes in the city. The police department, facing a staffing shortage, responded to 85 homicides in June and July, she said.
"At a time when our police department is facing a serious shortage of approximately 140 officers, we need additional resources to help us investigate violent crimes, make arrests, and deter additional violent offenses across the city," the mayor said.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, meanwhile said local officials will support the federal operation as long as federal agents remain focused on violent crime enforcement.
Strickland said the assistance "is a violent crime reduction effort, with additional resources being provided to federal, state and local law enforcement to assist with traditional crime-fighting directed at gang violence, narcotics-related shootings and illegal firearms."
"That's what it is," he said. "What it is not is an introduction of federal riot police, uniformed personnel, or other federal agents to protect federal property, and is not intended to introduce any additional (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) resources to enforce immigration offenses."
The federal forces in Portland and D.C. included large contingents of immigration enforcement authorities drawn from the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Legend officers are being largely dispatched from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.


usatoday--2020-08-07--Watchdog says Florida is in 'good shape' for vote-by-mail in November — but adds, 'this is Florida'

Florida , a pivotal battleground that could decide the Nov. 3 presidential election , is well poised to handle an increase in voting by mail spurred by the pandemic , according to an analysis released Wednesday from an independent government watchdog .
The 38-page report also looks at what went wrong in Florida ’ s 2018 elections and reviews legislative fixes passed in 2019 to correct those problems .
`` When it comes to the integrity of an election , perception is everything , '' said Ben Wilcox , Research Director of Integrity Florida , during a Zoom conference with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially true in Florida where close elections and post-election meltdowns are the norm rather than the exception.
” The report took a close look at the 2018 election , with its historic voter turnout for a midterm election and three statewide races that required a recount .
The biggest problems were in Broward and Palm Beach counties , which led to allegations of voter fraud and misconduct by elections officials .
Read the report here —VBM : A Safe Option for Florida Voters – The Implications in a Battleground State Both supervisors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and replaced by Republican governors — Broward ’ s longtime supervisor was replaced by outgoing Gov .
Rick Scott with GOP troubleshooter Pete Antonacci , and Palm Beach ’ s supervisor was replaced by Gov .
Ron DeSantis shortly after he took office with Palm Beach County attorney Wendy Sartory Link , a longtime Republican who became a Democrat this year .
Their replacements raised concerns about partisanship , but both supervisors have worked hard to fix the problems of the past and ensure voter participation , Wilcox said .
The study also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 and 2020 to address problems encountered in 2018 and modify the vote-by-mail process .
The Legislature passed a bill ( SB 7066 ) that was an omnibus of election reforms crafted by election supervisors and lawmakers keen to not repeat the mistakes of the past .
The legislation : • Extended the deadline to cure defective ballots from 5 p.m. on the day before the election to 5 p.m. the second day after the election .
• Modified the ballot envelope to include voters ’ email address to notify them if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last day for voters to request mail ballots from six to 10 days before an election .
• Prohibits supervisors from mailing out such ballots less than eight days prior to an election .
• Allowed supervisors to mail out ballots between 40 and 33 days before an election , rather than the previous 35 to 28 days .
• Allowed voters to drop off their ballots at a secure drop box location at each active early voting site and the supervisor ’ s offices .
• Allowed canvassing of mail ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 days before the election instead of 15 .
`` A lot of work was done by the Legislature and election supervisors to make sure the vote-by-mail system is reliable , '' Wilcox said .
`` I think we ’ re in good shape , but I could easily be proven wrong given that this is Florida . ''
The report also examined the impact COVID-19 will likely have on voting in Florida and nationally .
More people are deciding to vote by mail rather than show up at precincts to vote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
“ I ’ m sure there will be a lot more voters by mail in this election , ” Wilcox said .
The report also explores allegations made by President Donald Trump and other Republicans that increased voting by mail will lead to increased voter fraud .
It looked at the five states that have universal mail ballots — Colorado , Hawaii , Oregon , Utah , and Washington — and 29 “ no excuses ” states , including Florida , where people don ’ t need to give a reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had that option since 2002 .
In 2016 , under Scott , the state replaced the term “ absentee ballot ” to `` vote-by-mail '' to reflect the no-excuse clause .
Despite what officials have said , vote-by-mail doesn ’ t favor any political party , Wilcox said .
Studies have shown it helps increase voter participation of both parties , and it 's exceedingly rare to conduct vote fraud by mail , Wilcox said .
A Washington Post study found only 372 possible cases of double-voting out of 14.6 million votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 and 2018 elections .
Nearly every credible study refutes Trump ’ s warnings about widespread voter fraud by mail , the report said .
The study also showed many Republicans pushing back against Trump ’ s criticism of mail-in voting , and universal voting by mail in particular .
In light of recent reports that more Democrats than Republicans were requesting to vote by mail , Trump recently signaled support for mail-in voting in Florida , which he declared was “ Safe and Secure , Tried and True ” on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Integrity Florida report recommends Florida lawmakers consider it as an option in future elections .
“ I am not sure how seriously people are taking President Trump for his advice for the election , ” Wilcox told reporters .
“ I think it is based more on a re-election strategy than reality.
” Contact Jeff Schweers at jschweers @ gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ jeffschweers .

Jeffrey Schweers, USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau

Watchdog says Florida is in 'good shape' for vote-by-mail in November — but adds, 'this is Florida'
Show Caption Hide Caption Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Florida, a pivotal battleground that could decide the Nov. 3 presidential election, is well poised to handle an increase in voting by mail spurred by the pandemic, according to an analysis released Wednesday from an independent government watchdog.
The 38-page report also looks at what went wrong in Florida’s 2018 elections and reviews legislative fixes passed in 2019 to correct those problems.
"When it comes to the integrity of an election, perception is everything," said Ben Wilcox, Research Director of Integrity Florida, during a Zoom conference with reporters Wednesday morning. "That's especially true in Florida where close elections and post-election meltdowns are the norm rather than the exception.”
The report took a close look at the 2018 election, with its historic voter turnout for a midterm election and three statewide races that required a recount. The biggest problems were in Broward and Palm Beach counties, which led to allegations of voter fraud and misconduct by elections officials.
How to prevent cyberattacks on U.S. elections systems Officials are checking security and instituting drills as America gears up for elections. But not all the threats are from outside the U.S. USA TODAY
Read the report here —VBM: A Safe Option for Florida Voters – The Implications in a Battleground State
Both supervisors, in heavily Democratic counties, were removed and replaced by Republican governors — Broward’s longtime supervisor was replaced by outgoing Gov. Rick Scott with GOP troubleshooter Pete Antonacci, and Palm Beach’s supervisor was replaced by Gov. Ron DeSantis shortly after he took office with Palm Beach County attorney Wendy Sartory Link, a longtime Republican who became a Democrat this year.
Their replacements raised concerns about partisanship, but both supervisors have worked hard to fix the problems of the past and ensure voter participation, Wilcox said.
The study also delved into changes made by the Legislature in 2019 and 2020 to address problems encountered in 2018 and modify the vote-by-mail process.
The Legislature passed a bill (SB 7066) that was an omnibus of election reforms crafted by election supervisors and lawmakers keen to not repeat the mistakes of the past. The legislation:
Extended the deadline to cure defective ballots from 5 p.m. on the day before the election to 5 p.m. the second day after the election.
Modified the ballot envelope to include voters’ email address to notify them if their signatures were defective.
Created a provisional ballot signature "cure" process that mirrors the revised vote-by-mail process.
Moved the last day for voters to request mail ballots from six to 10 days before an election.
Prohibits supervisors from mailing out such ballots less than eight days prior to an election.
Allowed supervisors to mail out ballots between 40 and 33 days before an election, rather than the previous 35 to 28 days.
Allowed voters to drop off their ballots at a secure drop box location at each active early voting site and the supervisor’s offices.
Allowed canvassing of mail ballots to start a week earlier, at 22 days before the election instead of 15.
"A lot of work was done by the Legislature and election supervisors to make sure the vote-by-mail system is reliable," Wilcox said. "I think we’re in good shape, but I could easily be proven wrong given that this is Florida."
The report also examined the impact COVID-19 will likely have on voting in Florida and nationally. More people are deciding to vote by mail rather than show up at precincts to vote, where they could risk exposure to the coronavirus.
“I’m sure there will be a lot more voters by mail in this election,” Wilcox said.
The report also explores allegations made by President Donald Trump and other Republicans that increased voting by mail will lead to increased voter fraud.
It looked at the five states that have universal mail ballots — Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Washington — and 29 “no excuses” states, including Florida, where people don’t need to give a reason to vote by mail.
Florida voters have had that option since 2002. In 2016, under Scott, the state replaced the term “absentee ballot” to "vote-by-mail" to reflect the no-excuse clause.
Despite what officials have said, vote-by-mail doesn’t favor any political party, Wilcox said. Studies have shown it helps increase voter participation of both parties, and it's exceedingly rare to conduct vote fraud by mail, Wilcox said.
A Washington Post study found only 372 possible cases of double-voting out of 14.6 million votes cast in three vote-by-mail states in the 2016 and 2018 elections. Nearly every credible study refutes Trump’s warnings about widespread voter fraud by mail, the report said.
The study also showed many Republicans pushing back against Trump’s criticism of mail-in voting, and universal voting by mail in particular.
In light of recent reports that more Democrats than Republicans were requesting to vote by mail, Trump recently signaled support for mail-in voting in Florida, which he declared was “Safe and Secure, Tried and True” on Tuesday.
While Trump criticizes universal mail-in voting, the Integrity Florida report recommends Florida lawmakers consider it as an option in future elections.
“I am not sure how seriously people are taking President Trump for his advice for the election,” Wilcox told reporters. “I think it is based more on a re-election strategy than reality.”
Contact Jeff Schweers at jschweers@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @jeffschweers.
Subscribe today and never miss a story.


usatoday--2020-08-08--2 bystanders killed in high-speed police chase after car plows into outdoor dining area

CINCINNATI – A car fleeing police plowed into an outdoor dining area Friday afternoon in Newport , Kentucky , killing two people and injuring two others .
Police said the pursuit started in Cincinnati and raced across the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge before ending with the crash at a restaurant on across the state line in Kentucky .
The crash left debris and mangled chairs scattered across the street and sidewalk .
Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac said the chase began at 4:22 p.m. in Cincinnati when police officers attempted to stop a car with three suspects inside .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a federal task force with the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives , were investigating possible weapons violations .
When the car did not pull over , Isaac said , at least two police cruisers gave chase .
He said they followed the suspect 's car through city streets , across the bridge and into Newport , Kentucky , where it struck the four people outside the restaurant .
`` This is a tragedy , '' Isaac said .
'Perfect storm ' : Defund the police , COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade Travel : California hotel brawl near Disneyland involves about 100 people , police say When asked about the suspects , who have not been identified , Isaac said , `` Very , very obviously their actions caused the deaths of two individuals . ''
He did not identify the victims of the crash but said the two who survived are hospitalized with `` non-life-threatening injuries . ''
He said it was unclear how fast the suspect 's car or the police cruisers were going , though witnesses said the suspect was driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Isaac said the three suspects in the car had minor injuries and are in police custody .
Newport police are leading the crash investigation .
Isaac said police will conduct an internal investigation into the pursuit .
`` We will be examining the propriety of our officers ' actions , '' Isaac said .
`` We always examine our pursuits . ''
Police pursuits are both common and dangerous , creating challenges for officers who must balance the risk to public safety with the need to apprehend suspects .
A 2017 study by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that an average of 355 people were killed annually in police pursuits between 1996 and 2015 – roughly one death every day .
`` Pursuits are always a concern , '' Isaac said .
Police spokesman Lt. Steve Saunders said the suspect driving the car was believed to be armed when police began the pursuit .
Officers at the scene of the crash closed off a three-block area around the wreck .
A heavily damaged sedan was visible in front of the building at the intersection .
The Cincinnati Police Department has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Officers must terminate their involvement in motor vehicle pursuits whenever the risks to their safety , the safety of innocent bystanders , or the safety of the suspect ( s ) outweigh the consequences of the suspect 's escape , '' the policy says .
Officers involved in pursuits are told to consider 13 different factors during pursuits .
Among those factors is the degree of risk created by the pursuit to others and the amount of pedestrian traffic .
According to the policy , officers do have the authority to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a warrant provided the pursuit starts within the police officers ' jurisdiction and other factors are met .

Madeline Mitchell, Bobby Nightengale, Bob Strickley and Chris Mayhew, Cincinnati Enquirer

2 bystanders killed in high-speed police chase after car plows into outdoor dining area
CINCINNATI – A car fleeing police plowed into an outdoor dining area Friday afternoon in Newport, Kentucky, killing two people and injuring two others.
Police said the pursuit started in Cincinnati and raced across the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge before ending with the crash at a restaurant on across the state line in Kentucky. The crash left debris and mangled chairs scattered across the street and sidewalk.
Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac said the chase began at 4:22 p.m. in Cincinnati when police officers attempted to stop a car with three suspects inside. He said the officers, who were part of a federal task force with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, were investigating possible weapons violations.
When the car did not pull over, Isaac said, at least two police cruisers gave chase. He said they followed the suspect's car through city streets, across the bridge and into Newport, Kentucky, where it struck the four people outside the restaurant.
"This is a tragedy," Isaac said.
'Perfect storm': Defund the police, COVID-19 lead to biggest police budget cuts in decade
Travel: California hotel brawl near Disneyland involves about 100 people, police say
When asked about the suspects, who have not been identified, Isaac said, "Very, very obviously their actions caused the deaths of two individuals." He did not identify the victims of the crash but said the two who survived are hospitalized with "non-life-threatening injuries."
He said it was unclear how fast the suspect's car or the police cruisers were going, though witnesses said the suspect was driving at a high rate of speed.
Isaac said the three suspects in the car had minor injuries and are in police custody. Newport police are leading the crash investigation.
Isaac said police will conduct an internal investigation into the pursuit.
"We will be examining the propriety of our officers' actions," Isaac said. "We always examine our pursuits."
Police pursuits are both common and dangerous, creating challenges for officers who must balance the risk to public safety with the need to apprehend suspects. A 2017 study by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics found that an average of 355 people were killed annually in police pursuits between 1996 and 2015 – roughly one death every day.
"Pursuits are always a concern," Isaac said.
Police spokesman Lt. Steve Saunders said the suspect driving the car was believed to be armed when police began the pursuit.
Officers at the scene of the crash closed off a three-block area around the wreck. A heavily damaged sedan was visible in front of the building at the intersection.
The Cincinnati Police Department has a 13-page policy governing how pursuits should happen.
"Officers must terminate their involvement in motor vehicle pursuits whenever the risks to their safety, the safety of innocent bystanders, or the safety of the suspect(s) outweigh the consequences of the suspect's escape," the policy says.
Officers involved in pursuits are told to consider 13 different factors during pursuits. Among those factors is the degree of risk created by the pursuit to others and the amount of pedestrian traffic.
According to the policy, officers do have the authority to pursue outside their jurisdiction and arrest without a warrant provided the pursuit starts within the police officers' jurisdiction and other factors are met.
Contributing: Dan Horn.


usatoday--2020-08-09--250 students and staff quarantined in Georgia school district after one week of school

After only one week of school , more than 250 students and teachers from one Georgia school district will be quarantined for two weeks after several teachers and students tested positive for COVID-19 , according to the district 's website .
Cherokee County School District , which is just north of Atlanta , is sharing regular updates on coronavirus cases in its schools on its website .
As of Friday , at least 11 students , ranging in age from first to 12th grade , and two staff members from various elementary , middle and high schools , have tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school to send almost 250 students and staff home for 14 days due to possible exposure .
The students will receive online instruction during the period .
Alex DeBord told USA TODAY his son was among those sent home to quarantine for two weeks – a disappointing start to his kindergarten year .
“ He started school on Monday and sent home on Wednesday , ” DeBord said .
After a summer mostly away from friends and marked by chores , it was tough to spend only a few days in the classroom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like getting away.
” The district has 40 schools and centers , 4,800 employees and more than 42,200 students .
Back to school and COVID-19 : Everything to know as students head back to class In a letter to families on Friday , Superintendent Brian Hightower said that the trend of students and staff testing positive every day `` will continue as we operate schools during a pandemic . ''
`` We know we 're under a microscope , as national media follows the reopening of schools across the country , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions are not based on what people in New York or Kansas think , nor are we concerned about 'optics ' or 'image ' – we 're focused on what 's doing best for our community . ''
He also stressed the need for taking extra measures to prevent the spread of the virus .
`` As we said before reopening , social distancing is not possible in all situations at our schools – this is why we require our staff to wear masks or face shields when they can not distance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks to students and strongly recommending they wear them , '' Hightower said .
`` This is a critical component to keeping schools open . ''
Cherokee County had drawn attention earlier this week after dozens of seniors were seen gathering at two of the district 's high schools to take traditional first-day-of-school photos , with students squeezing together with none of them wearing masks .
Parents in the district understand the scrutiny – and seriousness of the virus , said DeBord , who knows people with underlying conditions who died after getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decisions of local school officials , who he says are trying their best to balance health concerns with the benefits of in-person education .
They deserve support , not judgment or ridicule , he believes .
That 's an opinion echoed by Holly Edge Rylee , a teacher in a neighboring school district who has a first-grade son attending school in Cherokee County .
COVID-19 has hit her family hard – 10 in the family have gotten sick , and she recovered from it herself .
She says her son did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to welcome students back to the classroom when her district starts later in August .
She appreciates districts in the area that are allowing parents to choose in-person or virtual options , saying she knows how vitally important in-person education is to some students ' well-being .
“ At the same time , it ’ s very scary ” to think about sending your loved ones back into the classroom , she acknowledges .
More : New York schools OK 'd for in-person classes .
Here 's where nation 's big districts stand @ @ @

Doug Stanglin and Joel Shannon, USA TODAY

250 students and staff asked to quarantine in Georgia district after one week of school
Show Caption Hide Caption Back to school in Georgia brings caution and tears Putting your child on the bus for the first day of school is always a leap of faith for a parent. Now, on top of the usual worries about youngsters adjusting to new teachers and classmates, there's COVID-19. (Aug. 3) AP
After only one week of school, more than 250 students and teachers from one Georgia school district will be asked to quarantine for two weeks after several teachers and students tested positive for COVID-19, according to the district's website.
Cherokee County School District, which is just north of Atlanta, is sharing regular updates on coronavirus cases in its schools on its website.
As of Friday, at least 11 students, ranging in age from first to 12th grade, and two staff members from various elementary, middle and high schools, have tested positive for the virus, prompting the school to send almost 250 students and staff home for 14 days because of possible exposure. The students will receive online instruction during the period.
Alex DeBord told USA TODAY his son was among those sent home to quarantine for two weeks – a disappointing start to his kindergarten year.
“He started school on Monday and sent home on Wednesday,” DeBord said. After a summer mostly away from friends and marked by chores, it was tough to spend only a few days in the classroom for the boy: “School was like getting away.”
The district has 40 schools and centers, 4,800 employees and more than 42,200 students.
Back to school and COVID-19: Everything to know as students head back to class
Coronavirus: How access to the internet is not created equal As schools debate about returning to online learning, the lack of internet access for many Americans is a big sticking point. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
In a letter to families on Friday, Superintendent Brian Hightower said that the trend of students and staff testing positive every day "will continue as we operate schools during a pandemic."
"We know we're under a microscope, as national media follows the reopening of schools across the country," he wrote. "But know that our decisions are not based on what people in New York or Kansas think, nor are we concerned about 'optics' or 'image' – we're focused on what's doing best for our community."
He also stressed the need for taking extra measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
"As we said before reopening, social distancing is not possible in all situations at our schools – this is why we require our staff to wear masks or face shields when they cannot distance, and this is why we're providing masks to students and strongly recommending they wear them," Hightower said. "This is a critical component to keeping schools open."
Cherokee County had drawn attention this week after dozens of seniors were seen gathering at two of the district's high schools to take traditional first-day-of-school photos, with students squeezing together with none of them wearing masks.
Parents in the district understand the scrutiny – and seriousness of the virus, said DeBord, who knows people with underlying conditions who died after getting sick.
But he and others support the decisions of local school officials, who he says are trying their best to balance health concerns with the benefits of in-person education. They deserve support, not judgment or ridicule, he believes.
That's an opinion echoed by Holly Edge Rylee, a teacher in a neighboring school district who has a first grade son attending school in Cherokee County.
COVID-19 has hit her family hard – 10 in the family have gotten sick, and she recovered from it herself. She says her son did not get sick.
But she is eager to welcome students back to the classroom when her district starts later in August.
She appreciates districts in the area that are allowing parents to choose in-person or virtual options, saying she knows how vitally important in-person education is to some students' well-being.
“At the same time, it’s very scary” to think about sending your loved ones back into the classroom, she acknowledges.
More: New York schools OK'd for in-person classes. Here's where nation's big districts stand on reopening.


usatoday--2020-08-08--Blazers' Damian Lillard claps back at Clippers' Patrick Beverley and Paul George for taunts

LAKE BUENA VISTA , Fla. — The shot clanked off the rim , which set off a sound that became even louder .
Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley cheered and waved his arms frantically from the bench as Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard surprisingly missed a pair of free throws .
Once the Clippers escaped with the 122-117 win Saturday , Clippers forward Paul George waved goodbye to Lillard from afar .
`` The reason why they ’ re reacting like that is what they expect from me , which is a sign of respect and it shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high clip , '' Lillard said afterwards .
`` I ’ m not offended by it .
If anything , it should tell you how much it hurt them , what I put them through in those situations previously . ''
Earlier in his career , Lillard played a direct role in sending Beverley and George home from the playoffs .
In his second season in 2013-14 , Lillard delivered the Trail Blazers ’ first playoff series win since 2000 by sinking a game-winning 3-pointer against the Houston Rockets in a decisive Game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played the same role with the Rockets as a defensive irritant as he currently does with the Clippers .
Nearly six years later , an injured Beverley enthusiastically stood up from the bench to taunt Lillard .
With Portland trailing 118-117 with 18.5 seconds left , Lillard missed two free throws .
Clippers coach Doc Rivers likened that development to Tiger Woods missing a five-foot putt .
And why not ?
Lillard is considered one of the NBA ’ s most clutch players and has shot 88.9 % from the free-throw line during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Lillard ’ s shots fell short , Beverley celebrated in a few ways .
Beverley jumped up and down .
Beverley clapped .
Beverley laughed with teammate Marcus Morris .
Beverley shouted at Lillard .
`` I ’ m sure he has a great memory of that , '' Lillard said of Beverley losing in the 2014 playoffs .
`` That is why that drew that type of reaction from him when he saw me come up short at the end of the game . ''
George shared both Beverley ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In last year ’ s playoffs , Lillard buried a 37-foot game-winner over George in Portland ’ s first-round closeout against the Oklahoma City Thunder .
In what incidentally marked George ’ s final game in a Thunder uniform , Lillard gave George and his teammates a goodbye wave after making the shot .
Afterwards , George described Lillard ’ s 37-footer as `` a bad shot , but he made it . ''
`` PG did the wave because he was also surprised because he experienced being waved at last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points on 10-of-23 shooting .
`` I know what happened .
I expect myself to make those free throws and I didn ’ t when my team needed it .
That is a failure for me that I can accept . ''
Not only did Lillard miss a pair of foul shots .
He also missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with 9.5 seconds remaining .
And Portland failed to capitalize against an undermanned Clippers team that sat Kawhi Leonard ( left knee ) , Beverley ( left calf ) and Montrezl Harrell ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final 5:09 because of a team-imposed minutes restriction on the first night of a back-to-back .
So since Beverley and George could not taunt Lillard with their own play , they taunted Lillard about his own failures .
`` Competition .
It 's part of the game , '' George said .
`` Simple as that .
It 's just competition .
Some people can play with talking , some people ca n't . ''
Lillard can play with talking .
He will talk right back , though .
`` I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midget or somebody I ’ m going to hold onto it , '' Lillard said .
`` I ’ m a shooter .
I ’ m in big situations at the end of the game a lot .
And I ’ ve had success a lot in those situations .
Just the way it goes sometimes , you have to come up short and fail in those moments .
I know it ’ s possible because I ’ m in that situation all the time .
When it does happen , that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel any less confident .
If anything , I ’ m looking at it like I ’ m sure the next time it ’ ll go another way . ''

Blazers' Damian Lillard claps back at Clippers' Patrick Beverley and Paul George for taunts
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The shot clanked off the rim, which set off a sound that became even louder.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley cheered and waved his arms frantically from the bench as Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard surprisingly missed a pair of free throws. Once the Clippers escaped with the 122-117 win Saturday, Clippers forward Paul George waved goodbye to Lillard from afar.
"The reason why they’re reacting like that is what they expect from me, which is a sign of respect and it shows what I’ve done at a high clip," Lillard said afterwards. "I’m not offended by it. If anything, it should tell you how much it hurt them, what I put them through in those situations previously."
Earlier in his career, Lillard played a direct role in sending Beverley and George home from the playoffs.
In his second season in 2013-14, Lillard delivered the Trail Blazers’ first playoff series win since 2000 by sinking a game-winning 3-pointer against the Houston Rockets in a decisive Game 6 first-round win. Then, Beverley played the same role with the Rockets as a defensive irritant as he currently does with the Clippers.
Nearly six years later, an injured Beverley enthusiastically stood up from the bench to taunt Lillard. With Portland trailing 118-117 with 18.5 seconds left, Lillard missed two free throws. Clippers coach Doc Rivers likened that development to Tiger Woods missing a five-foot putt. And why not? Lillard is considered one of the NBA’s most clutch players and has shot 88.9% from the free-throw line during his eight-year career. So after both of Lillard’s shots fell short, Beverley celebrated in a few ways. Beverley jumped up and down. Beverley clapped. Beverley laughed with teammate Marcus Morris. Beverley shouted at Lillard.
"I’m sure he has a great memory of that," Lillard said of Beverley losing in the 2014 playoffs. "That is why that drew that type of reaction from him when he saw me come up short at the end of the game."
George shared both Beverley’s elation on Saturday and previous sorrow. In last year’s playoffs, Lillard buried a 37-foot game-winner over George in Portland’s first-round closeout against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In what incidentally marked George’s final game in a Thunder uniform, Lillard gave George and his teammates a goodbye wave after making the shot. Afterwards, George described Lillard’s 37-footer as "a bad shot, but he made it."
"PG did the wave because he was also surprised because he experienced being waved at last year," said Lillard, who had 22 points on 10-of-23 shooting. "I know what happened. I expect myself to make those free throws and I didn’t when my team needed it. That is a failure for me that I can accept."
Not only did Lillard miss a pair of foul shots. He also missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with 9.5 seconds remaining. And Portland failed to capitalize against an undermanned Clippers team that sat Kawhi Leonard (left knee), Beverley (left calf) and Montrezl Harrell (personal reasons). George also sat the final 5:09 because of a team-imposed minutes restriction on the first night of a back-to-back.
So since Beverley and George could not taunt Lillard with their own play, they taunted Lillard about his own failures.
"Competition. It's part of the game," George said. "Simple as that. It's just competition. Some people can play with talking, some people can't."
Lillard can play with talking. He will talk right back, though.
"I don’t see myself as a mental midget or somebody I’m going to hold onto it," Lillard said. "I’m a shooter. I’m in big situations at the end of the game a lot. And I’ve had success a lot in those situations. Just the way it goes sometimes, you have to come up short and fail in those moments. I know it’s possible because I’m in that situation all the time. When it does happen, that’s not going to discourage me or feel any less confident. If anything, I’m looking at it like I’m sure the next time it’ll go another way."
Follow USA TODAY NBA writer Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


usatoday--2020-08-09--Coronavirus updates: Trump's executive order on unemployment could take months to implement; hundred

After weeks of stalled congressional negotiations over a new coronavirus stimulus package , President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders Saturday evening as the U.S. was approaching 5 million cases of COVID-19 .
Trump , repeatedly referring to the coronavirus as the `` China virus , '' said the orders would provide an additional $ 400 per week in unemployment benefits , suspend payments on some student loans through the end of the year and protect renters from being evicted from their homes .
`` We 're coming back very strong .
We 're doing well with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the U.S. was leading nations worldwide in confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 and confirmed an additional 50,000 new cases Friday .
Top Democrats criticized the move and unemployment experts were left confused about how it might be implemented , speculating it could take months for states to figure it out .
Meanwhile , South Dakota was hosting one of the largest events since the beginning of the pandemic – the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally , an event that is set to attract 250,000 people over the next 10 days , even as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelm the rural health care system .
Here are some significant developments : • Florida , ravaged by a historic spike in COVID-19 cases for weeks , is showing signs of progress in statistics such as hospitalizations and positivity rates , according to its governor .
• After only one week of school , more than 250 students and teachers from one Georgia school district will be quarantined for two weeks after several teachers and students tested positive for COVID-19 , according to the district 's website .
• The Mid-American Conference became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancel its fall season .
• A CDC report found that Hispanic children were hospitalized at a rate eight times higher than white kids , and Black children were hospitalized at a rate five times higher .
• France and Germany have quit talks on reforming the World Health Organization in frustration at efforts by the U.S. to lead the negotiations , despite its decision to leave the WHO , three officials tell Reuters .
📈 Today 's numbers : The U.S. has recorded more than 162,000 deaths and 4.9 million cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Worldwide , there have been more than 723,000 deaths and 19.4 million cases .
📰 What we 're reading : Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine tested positive , then negative for COVID-19 .
That underscores how not all tests work the same way , nor do they always provide identical results .
Even the same test taken twice can show contradictory outcomes .
Here 's answers to common questions on the subject .
Our live blog is being updated throughout the day .
Refresh for the latest news , and get updates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Speaking from his golf resort in Bedminster , New Jersey , Trump said his orders would provide an additional $ 400 per week in unemployment benefits , which is $ 200 less than the supplemental benefit that expired at the end of July .
Trump said he also would suspend payments on some student loans through the end of the year , protect renters from being evicted from their homes , and instruct employers to defer certain payroll taxes through the end of the year for Americans who earn less than $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to act on his own and order the benefits after two weeks of negotiations with congressional Democrats collapsed without an agreement on a new coronavirus relief package .
Trump 's executive order on unemployment could take months to implement Although Trump signed an order to provide enhanced unemployment benefits to millions of out-of-work Americans , it ’ s unclear if he has the authority to do so by executive order while side-stepping Congress .
And it could take months for states to implement .
He directed the use of funds from FEMA ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be capped at $ 44 billion , creating confusion among unemployment experts .
The move could potentially bypass approval from Congress , some lawyers say , but it also leaves the door open to other challenges .
“ This is an administrative nightmare , ” said Michele Evermore , a senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project , a think tank that advocates for labor and employment legislation .
“ States are going to have to set up a new program aside from regular unemployment insurance .
It could take months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is just a false promise to the American people.
” Read more about the challenges Brazil surpassed a grim milestone of 100,000 deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday night , and five months after the first reported case the country has not shown signs of crushing the disease .
The nation of 210 million people has been reporting an average of more than 1,000 daily deaths from the pandemic since late May and reported 905 for the latest 24-hour period .
The Health Ministry said there had been a total of 3,012,412 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and infection tolls second only to the United States .
And as in many nations , experts believe that both numbers are severe undercounts due to insufficient testing .
Nearly 250 students at Georgia school district quarantined after first week of classes After only one week of school , more than 250 students and teachers from one Georgia school district will be quarantined for two weeks after several teachers and students tested positive for COVID-19 , according to the district 's website .
Cherokee County School District , north of Atlanta , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its schools on its website .
The district has more than 42,000 students .
As of Friday , at least 11 students , ranging in age from first to 12th grade , and two staff members , from various elementary , middle and high schools , have tested positive for coronavirus , prompting the quarantine order for almost 250 students and staff .
The students will receive online instruction during the period .
In a letter to families on Friday , Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower said that the trend of students and staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we operate schools during a pandemic . ''
He called on students and staff to use face mask at school .
MAC becomes first major conference to cancel fall football season The Mid-American Conference , facing significant financial losses without the ability to play more than a handful of non-conference games against Power Five opponents this season , became the first Football Bowl Subdivision conference to cancel its fall season on Saturday , a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports .
The person spoke on the condition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made an announcement .
MAC schools have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic , as the majority of their revenues for athletics come from university subsidies and student fees .
Central Michigan and Akron have dropped multiple sports already , and Bowling Green reversed its decision to shut down the baseball program only after a grassroots fundraising effort .
Besides a small slice of TV revenue , MAC schools depend on money from football game guarantees , which amount to appearance fees to play big conference schools .
MAC schools stood to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from non-conference games against the Big Ten .
But with the SEC and notably the Big Ten deciding to play only within their conference , MAC 's only Power Five games were Buffalo at Kansas State , Ball State at Iowa State , Miami at Pitt , Ohio at Boston College and Western Michigan at Notre Dame .
More than 12K crew members still stuck on cruise ships in US waters Nearly five months after the coronavirus pandemic shut down the cruise industry , more than 12,000 crew members remain on ships in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coast Guard .
That 's down from more than 70,000 in May .
There are 57 cruise ships moored , at anchor or underway near or arriving at a U.S. port with about 12,084 crew members , said Lt. Cmdr .
Brittany Panetta , a spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard .
That includes 209 Americans who are spread out among 37 of the ships , the Coast Guard said .
But as of Wednesday , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it knew of 53 U.S. crew members on 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the discrepancy in numbers , it 's unclear how many of those crew members are actually stuck vs. working .
Akash Dookhun , a Celebrity Cruises crew member from Mauritius , an island nation in southeastern Africa , told USA TODAY he has not set foot on dry land since he was on a port call in New Zealand in early March .
And he does n't know when he 'll stand on solid ground again .
Read more here .
Prevalence of depression among college students increased since the pandemic caused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall 2019 , according to a survey of 18,000 college students published by the Healthy Minds Network on July 9 .
And of the nearly 42 % of students who sought mental health care during the pandemic , 60 % said it was either much more or somewhat more difficult to access care .
Mental health among young people has been worsening for years .
A 2019 analysis of teens reported 13 % of U.S. teens ages 12 to 17 said in 2017 they had experienced at least one major depressive episode in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % in 2007 .
The federal government has allocated more than $ 9 billion to develop and manufacture candidate vaccines , and more than $ 2.5 billion more has been earmarked for vials to store the vaccines , syringes to deliver them , and on efforts to ramp up manufacturing and capacity .
The largest sums have gone to pharmaceutical giants Pfizer , AstraZeneca , and a collaboration between Sanofi and GSK , as well as biotech firms Moderna and Novavax – all of which have candidate vaccines being tested in people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been running trials simultaneously that they usually run in sequence .
Moderna , for instance , has n't yet published its Phase 2 trial results , but is already in larger-scale Phase 3 trials , beginning tests last week of its candidate vaccine in 15,000 volunteers .
Phase 3 trials started this summer are expected to return results this fall , with the timing depending on how quickly they can find volunteers .
If any of these approaches prove safe and effective , it could transform vaccine development worldwide , allowing faster attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the future , as well as those that mutate rapidly , like the flu .
• Saying goodbye to dying wife likely cost 90-year-old 'Romeo ' his life .
He had no regrets , family says .
• Michigan university among 1st in US to test campus living during COVID-19 pandemic • Reading this while wearing your comfy pants ?
No one is buying business clothes right now .
That 's bad news for retailers .
• Traveling during coronavirus : How to get through airport security faster – and safer 21-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organs fail A 21-year-old from Florida is warning of potential long-term virus complications after his mild case turned nearly fatal .
Two weeks after Spencer Rollyson tested negative and returned to work , he started suffering from an array of symptoms .
His fever eventually reached 103.4 degrees — and Rollyson fell unconscious in the middle of a June 15 telehealth appointment .
Doctors diagnosed Rollyson with multi-organ failure with heart failure , acute respiratory failure , and severe sepsis with septic shock .
`` I thought I was going to die .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ like , ‘ I ’ m going to die , ' `` Rollyson recalled .
It 's yet another puzzling example of how the virus can damage the body in unpredictable ways .
For example , two German studies published last week found heart abnormalities in COVID-19 patients months after they had recovered from the disease No masks required as 250,000 expected at Sturgis bike rally One of the largest events since the beginning of the pandemic has begun in South Dakota : More than 250,000 people are expected at the iconic Sturgis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from previous years , where about half a million people have descended on the city of about 7,000 for an event that has developed a reputation as an anything-goes festival .
While the 80-year tradition is n't as raucous as it once was , festivalgoers will be largely free of social distancing restrictions common elsewhere in the country during this year 's 10-day festival .
Masks are encouraged , but not required .
More than half of Americans fear job losses About 54 % of Americans fear they may lose their job due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data shows .
Overall , nearly half expect their personal finances to be generally worse off in the coming months .
“ There are two economies in the pandemic , ” Gerzema said .
“ In general , older , wealthy Americans who are white are typically more confident that they ’ ll prosper .
But the ones really feeling the pain are younger , lower income Americans and minorities.
” The labor-market recovery has reached a critical juncture , economists say , with millions of workers at risk of prolonged unemployment just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Crow Tribe orders lockdown in latest spike in virus deaths on a reservation The Crow Tribe in Montana has ordered its members to lock down for two weeks as tribal leaders moved to slow a sharp spike in coronavirus cases and deaths on yet another reservation in the country .
Native Americans have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 across the country , with major outbreaks from Arizona to South Dakota triggering similar lockdowns .
The Navajo Nation that covers parts of Arizona , New Mexico and Utah has tallied 468 confirmed deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown this weekend .
In Montana , Native Americans make up 7 % of residents but have seen 15 % of confirmed virus cases and 36 % of deaths as of July 26 , the state says .
Crow Tribe Chairman Alvin Not Afraid said the lockdown , which began Friday , is necessary because a stay-at-home order in effect since mid-March has been ineffective .
Big Horn County , where the 3,500-square-mile reservation is located , is on pace to record more confirmed virus cases in August than the previous two months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases during the first week of August , compared to 249 in July and 44 in June .
Seven of its 12 confirmed virus deaths have been recorded in the past 10 days .
The figures include cases on the reservation but the tribe doesn ’ t publicly release case counts .
Two sobering government reports released Friday showed that racial disparities in the U.S. coronavirus epidemic extend to children .
One of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports looked at children with COVID-19 who needed hospitalization .
Hispanic children were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than white kids , and Black children were hospitalized at a rate five times higher , it found .
The second report examined cases of a rare virus-associated syndrome in kids .
It found that nearly three-quarters of the children with the syndrome were either Hispanic or Black , well above their representation in the general population .
The hospitalization rate for Hispanic children was about 16.4 per 100,000 .
The rate for Black children was 10.5 per 100,000 , and for white kids it was 2.1 per 100,000 .
As with adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing health problems , including obesity , chronic lung conditions and — in the case of infants — preterm birth .
Georgia student says suspension for posting images of maskless students dropped A Georgia high school dropped its five-day suspension for at least one student who posted a photo of crowded hallways showing students without face masks .
Hannah Watters , 15 , tweeted Friday that she was no longer suspended from North Paulding High School in Dallas , Georgia .
She told the Associated Press that her principal called her mother , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leaving her surprised and “ very grateful.
” The 30,000-student suburban Atlanta school district resumed classes Monday with 70 % of students returning for in-person instruction five days a week .
It received national attention this week when the images of the crowded hallways showed students in clusters without face coverings .
She said that she was then suspended for five days for violating rules on students posting school images on social media .
BuzzFeed News reported that a second , unnamed , student was also suspended .
New York schools can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that New York schools will be able to open for in-person instruction this fall , leaving the ultimate decision on reopening up to local authorities .
Cuomo said the infection rates due to COVID-19 are low enough so the districts can begin to reopen next month .
Friday 's decision is meant to be a preliminary one , as the first day of school is still a month away .
Each district had to submit their own plans to reopen that are being reviewed by the state Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district , New York City , is expected to start classes Sept. 10 .
The district plans to allow students to choose either online learning or a hybrid plan with as many as three days of in-person instruction .
On Facebook : There 's still a lot unknown about the coronavirus .
But what we do know , we 're sharing with you .
Join our Facebook group , Coronavirus Watch , to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19 .
In your inbox : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network .
Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter here .
Tips for coping : Every Saturday and Tuesday we 'll be in your inbox , offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times .
Sign up for Staying Apart , Together here .

Coronavirus updates: Trump's executive order on unemployment could take months to implement; hundreds quarantining in Ga. school district
Show Caption Hide Caption President Donald Trump signs executive orders for coronavirus relief The orders Trump signed would provide an extra $400 in unemployment benefits, suspend some student loan payments and protect renters from eviction. Associated Press, Wochit
After weeks of stalled congressional negotiations over a new coronavirus stimulus package, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders Saturday evening as the U.S. was approaching 5 million cases of COVID-19.
Trump, repeatedly referring to the coronavirus as the "China virus," said the orders would provide an additional $400 per week in unemployment benefits, suspend payments on some student loans through the end of the year and protect renters from being evicted from their homes.
"We're coming back very strong. We're doing well with the virus," Trump said, even as the U.S. was leading nations worldwide in confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 and confirmed an additional 50,000 new cases Friday.
Top Democrats criticized the move and unemployment experts were left confused about how it might be implemented, speculating it could take months for states to figure it out.
Meanwhile, South Dakota was hosting one of the largest events since the beginning of the pandemic – the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, an event that is set to attract 250,000 people over the next 10 days, even as experts warn a spike in cases could overwhelm the rural health care system.
Why people of color are dying at higher rates from COVID-19 Communities of color are dying at higher rates from the novel coronavirus than white Americans. Here's how structural inequities play a role. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Here are some significant developments:
Florida, ravaged by a historic spike in COVID-19 cases for weeks, is showing signs of progress in statistics such as hospitalizations and positivity rates, according to its governor.
After only one week of school, more than 250 students and teachers from one Georgia school district will be quarantined for two weeks after several teachers and students tested positive for COVID-19, according to the district's website.
The Mid-American Conference became the first major college football conference to cancel its fall season.
A CDC report found that Hispanic children were hospitalized at a rate eight times higher than white kids, and Black children were hospitalized at a rate five times higher.
France and Germany have quit talks on reforming the World Health Organization in frustration at efforts by the U.S. to lead the negotiations, despite its decision to leave the WHO, three officials tell Reuters.
📈 Today's numbers: The U.S. has recorded more than 162,000 deaths and 4.9 million cases of COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Worldwide, there have been more than 723,000 deaths and 19.4 million cases.
📰 What we're reading: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tested positive, then negative for COVID-19. That underscores how not all tests work the same way, nor do they always provide identical results. Even the same test taken twice can show contradictory outcomes. Here's answers to common questions on the subject.
Our live blog is being updated throughout the day. Refresh for the latest news, and get updates in your inbox with The Daily Briefing.
Trump signs executive orders providing $400 unemployment benefit, payroll tax cut
Speaking from his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump said his orders would provide an additional $400 per week in unemployment benefits, which is $200 less than the supplemental benefit that expired at the end of July.
Trump said he also would suspend payments on some student loans through the end of the year, protect renters from being evicted from their homes, and instruct employers to defer certain payroll taxes through the end of the year for Americans who earn less than $100,000 annually.
Trump said he decided to act on his own and order the benefits after two weeks of negotiations with congressional Democrats collapsed without an agreement on a new coronavirus relief package.
– David Jackson and Michael Collins
Trump's executive order on unemployment could take months to implement
Although Trump signed an order to provide enhanced unemployment benefits to millions of out-of-work Americans, it’s unclear if he has the authority to do so by executive order while side-stepping Congress. And it could take months for states to implement.
He directed the use of funds from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, which would be capped at $44 billion, creating confusion among unemployment experts. The move could potentially bypass approval from Congress, some lawyers say, but it also leaves the door open to other challenges.
“This is an administrative nightmare,” said Michele Evermore, a senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project, a think tank that advocates for labor and employment legislation.
“States are going to have to set up a new program aside from regular unemployment insurance. It could take months for states to implement this. ... This is just a false promise to the American people.”
Read more about the challenges
— Jessica Menton
Brazil passes 100,000 deaths
Brazil surpassed a grim milestone of 100,000 deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday night, and five months after the first reported case the country has not shown signs of crushing the disease.
The nation of 210 million people has been reporting an average of more than 1,000 daily deaths from the pandemic since late May and reported 905 for the latest 24-hour period.
The Health Ministry said there had been a total of 3,012,412 confirmed infections with the new coronavirus — death and infection tolls second only to the United States. And as in many nations, experts believe that both numbers are severe undercounts due to insufficient testing.
Nearly 250 students at Georgia school district quarantined after first week of classes
After only one week of school, more than 250 students and teachers from one Georgia school district will be quarantined for two weeks after several teachers and students tested positive for COVID-19, according to the district's website.
Cherokee County School District, north of Atlanta, is sharing regular updates on coronavirus cases in its schools on its website. The district has more than 42,000 students.
As of Friday, at least 11 students, ranging in age from first to 12th grade, and two staff members, from various elementary, middle and high schools, have tested positive for coronavirus, prompting the quarantine order for almost 250 students and staff. The students will receive online instruction during the period.
In a letter to families on Friday, Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower said that the trend of students and staff testing positive every day "will continue as we operate schools during a pandemic." He called on students and staff to use face mask at school.
– Doug Stanglin
MAC becomes first major conference to cancel fall football season
The Mid-American Conference, facing significant financial losses without the ability to play more than a handful of non-conference games against Power Five opponents this season, became the first Football Bowl Subdivision conference to cancel its fall season on Saturday, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the league had not yet made an announcement.
MAC schools have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, as the majority of their revenues for athletics come from university subsidies and student fees. Central Michigan and Akron have dropped multiple sports already, and Bowling Green reversed its decision to shut down the baseball program only after a grassroots fundraising effort.
Besides a small slice of TV revenue, MAC schools depend on money from football game guarantees, which amount to appearance fees to play big conference schools. MAC schools stood to make $10.5 million alone this season from non-conference games against the Big Ten.
But with the SEC and notably the Big Ten deciding to play only within their conference, MAC's only Power Five games were Buffalo at Kansas State, Ball State at Iowa State, Miami at Pitt, Ohio at Boston College and Western Michigan at Notre Dame.
– Dan Wolken
More than 12K crew members still stuck on cruise ships in US waters
Nearly five months after the coronavirus pandemic shut down the cruise industry, more than 12,000 crew members remain on ships in U.S. waters, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. That's down from more than 70,000 in May.
There are 57 cruise ships moored, at anchor or underway near or arriving at a U.S. port with about 12,084 crew members, said Lt. Cmdr. Brittany Panetta, a spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard. That includes 209 Americans who are spread out among 37 of the ships, the Coast Guard said.
But as of Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it knew of 53 U.S. crew members on 22 cruise ships in U.S. waters. Despite the discrepancy in numbers, it's unclear how many of those crew members are actually stuck vs. working.
Akash Dookhun, a Celebrity Cruises crew member from Mauritius, an island nation in southeastern Africa, told USA TODAY he has not set foot on dry land since he was on a port call in New Zealand in early March. And he doesn't know when he'll stand on solid ground again. Read more here.
– Morgan Hines
Young people struggle to find mental health support amid pandemic
Prevalence of depression among college students increased since the pandemic caused the closure of campuses this spring compared to fall 2019, according to a survey of 18,000 college students published by the Healthy Minds Network on July 9. And of the nearly 42% of students who sought mental health care during the pandemic, 60% said it was either much more or somewhat more difficult to access care.
Mental health among young people has been worsening for years. A 2019 analysis of teens reported 13% of U.S. teens ages 12 to 17 said in 2017 they had experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year, up from 8% in 2007.
– Elinor Aspegren
Feds earmark almost $12M to develop virus vaccines, store vials, syringes
The federal government has allocated more than $9 billion to develop and manufacture candidate vaccines, and more than $2.5 billion more has been earmarked for vials to store the vaccines, syringes to deliver them, and on efforts to ramp up manufacturing and capacity.
The largest sums have gone to pharmaceutical giants Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and a collaboration between Sanofi and GSK, as well as biotech firms Moderna and Novavax – all of which have candidate vaccines being tested in people.
To save time, the companies have been running trials simultaneously that they usually run in sequence. Moderna, for instance, hasn't yet published its Phase 2 trial results, but is already in larger-scale Phase 3 trials, beginning tests last week of its candidate vaccine in 15,000 volunteers. Phase 3 trials started this summer are expected to return results this fall, with the timing depending on how quickly they can find volunteers.
If any of these approaches prove safe and effective, it could transform vaccine development worldwide, allowing faster attack strategies against dangerous viruses that may emerge in the future, as well as those that mutate rapidly, like the flu.
— Karen Weintraub and Elizabeth Weise
What we're reading
21-year-old recovers from mild case, then his organs fail
A 21-year-old from Florida is warning of potential long-term virus complications after his mild case turned nearly fatal. Two weeks after Spencer Rollyson tested negative and returned to work, he started suffering from an array of symptoms. His fever eventually reached 103.4 degrees — and Rollyson fell unconscious in the middle of a June 15 telehealth appointment.
Doctors diagnosed Rollyson with multi-organ failure with heart failure, acute respiratory failure, and severe sepsis with septic shock. "I thought I was going to die. I was literally sitting in the hospital like, ‘I’m going to die,' " Rollyson recalled.
It's yet another puzzling example of how the virus can damage the body in unpredictable ways. For example, two German studies published last week found heart abnormalities in COVID-19 patients months after they had recovered from the disease
— Rick Neale, Florida Today
No masks required as 250,000 expected at Sturgis bike rally
One of the largest events since the beginning of the pandemic has begun in South Dakota: More than 250,000 people are expected at the iconic Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. That's scaled down from previous years, where about half a million people have descended on the city of about 7,000 for an event that has developed a reputation as an anything-goes festival.
While the 80-year tradition isn't as raucous as it once was, festivalgoers will be largely free of social distancing restrictions common elsewhere in the country during this year's 10-day festival. Masks are encouraged, but not required.
More than half of Americans fear job losses
About 54% of Americans fear they may lose their job due to the coronavirus outbreak, Harris Poll data shows. Overall, nearly half expect their personal finances to be generally worse off in the coming months.
“There are two economies in the pandemic,” Gerzema said. “In general, older, wealthy Americans who are white are typically more confident that they’ll prosper. But the ones really feeling the pain are younger, lower income Americans and minorities.”
The labor-market recovery has reached a critical juncture, economists say, with millions of workers at risk of prolonged unemployment just as emergency unemployment benefits expire.
– Jessica Menton
Montana's Crow Tribe orders lockdown in latest spike in virus deaths on a reservation
The Crow Tribe in Montana has ordered its members to lock down for two weeks as tribal leaders moved to slow a sharp spike in coronavirus cases and deaths on yet another reservation in the country.
Native Americans have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 across the country, with major outbreaks from Arizona to South Dakota triggering similar lockdowns. The Navajo Nation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah has tallied 468 confirmed deaths from the virus and has ordered another lockdown this weekend. In Montana, Native Americans make up 7% of residents but have seen 15% of confirmed virus cases and 36% of deaths as of July 26, the state says.
Crow Tribe Chairman Alvin Not Afraid said the lockdown, which began Friday, is necessary because a stay-at-home order in effect since mid-March has been ineffective.
Big Horn County, where the 3,500-square-mile reservation is located, is on pace to record more confirmed virus cases in August than the previous two months combined. The county reported 85 new cases during the first week of August, compared to 249 in July and 44 in June. Seven of its 12 confirmed virus deaths have been recorded in the past 10 days. The figures include cases on the reservation but the tribe doesn’t publicly release case counts.
– Associated Press
CDC: Hispanic, Black children at higher risk of coronavirus-related hospitalization
Two sobering government reports released Friday showed that racial disparities in the U.S. coronavirus epidemic extend to children.
One of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports looked at children with COVID-19 who needed hospitalization. Hispanic children were hospitalized at a rate eight times higher than white kids, and Black children were hospitalized at a rate five times higher, it found.
The second report examined cases of a rare virus-associated syndrome in kids. It found that nearly three-quarters of the children with the syndrome were either Hispanic or Black, well above their representation in the general population.
The hospitalization rate for Hispanic children was about 16.4 per 100,000. The rate for Black children was 10.5 per 100,000, and for white kids it was 2.1 per 100,000.
As with adults, many of the hospitalized children had existing health problems, including obesity, chronic lung conditions and — in the case of infants — preterm birth.
– Associated Press
Georgia student says suspension for posting images of maskless students dropped
A Georgia high school dropped its five-day suspension for at least one student who posted a photo of crowded hallways showing students without face masks.
Hannah Watters, 15, tweeted Friday that she was no longer suspended from North Paulding High School in Dallas, Georgia. She told the Associated Press that her principal called her mother, apologized, and completely removed her punishment, leaving her surprised and “very grateful.”
The 30,000-student suburban Atlanta school district resumed classes Monday with 70% of students returning for in-person instruction five days a week. It received national attention this week when the images of the crowded hallways showed students in clusters without face coverings. She said that she was then suspended for five days for violating rules on students posting school images on social media. BuzzFeed News reported that a second, unnamed, student was also suspended.
– Wyatte Grantham-Phillips
New York schools can reopen in-person classes, Cuomo says
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that New York schools will be able to open for in-person instruction this fall, leaving the ultimate decision on reopening up to local authorities.
Cuomo said the infection rates due to COVID-19 are low enough so the districts can begin to reopen next month. Friday's decision is meant to be a preliminary one, as the first day of school is still a month away. Each district had to submit their own plans to reopen that are being reviewed by the state Health Department.
The nation's largest school district, New York City, is expected to start classes Sept. 10. The district plans to allow students to choose either online learning or a hybrid plan with as many as three days of in-person instruction.
– Sophie Grosserode and Joseph Spector, New York State Team
More COVID-19 resources from USA TODAY
On Facebook: There's still a lot unknown about the coronavirus. But what we do know, we're sharing with you. Join our Facebook group, Coronavirus Watch, to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19.
In your inbox: Stay up-to-date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter here.
Tips for coping: Every Saturday and Tuesday we'll be in your inbox, offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times. Sign up for Staying Apart, Together here.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-08-08--LSU's Neil Farrell Jr. opts out after COVID-19 hits family hard as season prospects dim

BATON ROUGE - LSU has its first football player to opt out of the 2020 season due to family concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Neil Farrell Jr. , a starting defensive end from Mobile , Alabama , who was entering his senior year , will not play this season , according to a report by Sports Illustrated later confirmed by USA TODAY Network .
`` His family was hit hard by COVID-19 , '' Sports Illustrated writer Ross Dellenger , who formerly covered LSU , tweeted Saturday afternoon .
`` He plans to return to the team next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Farrell will remain on scholarship and could be a senior in 2021 as he has not been red-shirted .
Or the NCAA could grant him a waiver to have two seasons left .
Farrell played in all 15 games and started three for LSU in the 2019 season as a junior as the Tigers won the national championship with a 15-0 record .
He made 46 tackles on the season , including 15 solo stops , with three sacks and seven for losses while hurrying the quarterback four times and forcing a fumble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
1 defensive tackle in the state of Alabama in 2017 out of Murphy High School in Mobile .

Glenn Guilbeau, Lafayette Daily Advertiser

LSU's Neil Farrell Jr. opts out after COVID-19 hits family hard as season prospects dim
Show Caption Hide Caption Amway Coaches Poll: Clemson tops preseason list, LSU in surprising spot USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg breaks down the preseason Amway Coaches Poll which features the Clemson Tigers sitting at the top. Find out where your favorite team landed. USA TODAY
BATON ROUGE - LSU has its first football player to opt out of the 2020 season due to family concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Neil Farrell Jr., a starting defensive end from Mobile, Alabama, who was entering his senior year, will not play this season, according to a report by Sports Illustrated later confirmed by USA TODAY Network.
"His family was hit hard by COVID-19," Sports Illustrated writer Ross Dellenger, who formerly covered LSU, tweeted Saturday afternoon. "He plans to return to the team next season."
Per NCAA rules, Farrell will remain on scholarship and could be a senior in 2021 as he has not been red-shirted. Or the NCAA could grant him a waiver to have two seasons left.
LSU's NEW SCHEDULE: Tigers get easy draw
OPINION: Only a matter of time before college athletes dismantle system
Farrell played in all 15 games and started three for LSU in the 2019 season as a junior as the Tigers won the national championship with a 15-0 record. He made 46 tackles on the season, including 15 solo stops, with three sacks and seven for losses while hurrying the quarterback four times and forcing a fumble.
He was ranked as the No. 1 defensive tackle in the state of Alabama in 2017 out of Murphy High School in Mobile.