usatoday--2020-07-28--Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson get Greek citizenship for wildfire aid, prime minister criticized

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are officially citizens of Greece , the country 's prime minister announced .
The famous couple appeared in an Instagram post from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis , which showed both actors posing with passports alongside Mitsotakis and his wife , Mareva Grabowski .
`` @ ritawilson @ tomhanks are now proud Greek citizens ! ''
the caption read .
Greece offered citizenship to Hanks , Wilson and their two children , in recognition of the family ’ s help in raising funds for the victims of a deadly wildfire near Athens in 2018 .
Wilson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bulgarian ancestry .
She and Hanks , 64 , frequently spend their summer vacations on the Greek island of Antiparos .
USA TODAY has reached out to the couple 's representatives for more information .
Last December , Greece ’ s President Prokopis Pavlopoulos signed an honorary naturalization order allowing the actor to claim Greek citizenship , his office told The Associated Press at the time .
The point of pride for Greece was touched by controversy Monday , as the country ’ s prime minister was criticized by an opposition party for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to celebrate with the famous couple .
Government spokesman Stelios Petsas said Monday that the prime minister and his wife had used a commercial flight on Saturday to travel to the island of Paros , and then traveled to nearby Antiparos , where Hanks and Wilson have a holiday home .
They then used a military helicopter for a trip to the ancient theater of Epidaurus on Sunday to watch a performance of an ancient tragedy .
The main left-wing opposition Syriza party accused the prime minister of using Greece ’ s military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Petsas argued that Mitsotakis was performing his duties as prime minister by attending an “ important cultural event.
” Neither Petsas nor Syriza referred to Hanks by name .
Hanks last celebrated the citizenship news in January , announcing on social media that he was `` starting 2020 as an Honorary citizen of all of Greece ! ''
Under Greek law , honorary naturalization may be granted to people `` who have provided exceptional services to the country or whose naturalization serves the public interest . ''
'Just wear a mask !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'scary ' COVID experience , making music in lockdown Hanks and Wilson have had a roller coaster of a year : After celebrating his honorary citizenship in January , Hanks announced March 11 that he and Wilson had contracted the novel coronavirus while in Australia filming Baz Luhrmann 's Elvis Presley movie .
After two weeks of isolation , the couple was able to return to their home in Los Angeles .
They have since recovered , and Hanks made his first appearance post-coronavirus in April as the first host of a remote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kitchen .
Contributing : Bryan Alexander , USA TODAY and The Associated Press .

Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson get Greek citizenship for wildfire aid, but prime minister is criticized
Show Caption Hide Caption How Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson became Greek citizens Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are now citizens of Greece. On Instagram, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented them with new passports. Entertain This!, USA TODAY
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are officially citizens of Greece, the country's prime minister announced, but what would regularly be a cause for celebration was marred with criticism.
The point of pride for Greece was touched by controversy Monday, when the country’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was criticized by an opposition party for using a military helicopter during a trip to celebrate with the famous couple.
Hanks and Wilson appeared in an Instagram post by Mitsotakis, which showed both actors posing with passports alongside the official and his wife, Mareva Grabowski.
"@ritawilson @tomhanks are now proud Greek citizens!" the caption read.
Government spokesman Stelios Petsas told the Associated Press Monday that the prime minister and his wife had used a commercial flight on Saturday to travel to the island of Paros, and then traveled to nearby Antiparos, where Hanks and Wilson have a holiday home. They then used a military helicopter for a trip to the ancient theater of Epidaurus on Sunday to watch a performance of an ancient tragedy.
The main left-wing opposition Syriza party accused the prime minister of using Greece’s military helicopters like a “personal radio taxi.” Petsas argued that Mitsotakis was performing his duties as prime minister by attending an “important cultural event.” Neither Petsas nor Syriza referred to Hanks by name.
Greece offered citizenship to Hanks, Wilson and their two children, in recognition of the family’s help in raising funds for the victims of a deadly wildfire near Athens in 2018.
Wilson, 63, is of Greek and Bulgarian ancestry. She and Hanks, 64, frequently spend their summer vacations on the Greek island of Antiparos. USA TODAY has reached out to the couple's representatives for more information.
Last December, Greece’s President Prokopis Pavlopoulos signed an honorary naturalization order allowing the actor to claim Greek citizenship, his office told The Associated Press at the time.
Hanks last celebrated the citizenship news in January, announcing on social media that he was "starting 2020 as an Honorary citizen of all of Greece!"
Under Greek law, honorary naturalization may be granted to people "who have provided exceptional services to the country or whose naturalization serves the public interest."
'Just wear a mask!': Rita Wilson reflects on her 'scary' COVID experience, making music in lockdown
Hanks and Wilson have had a roller coaster of a year: After celebrating his honorary citizenship in January, Hanks announced March 11 that he and Wilson had contracted the novel coronavirus while in Australia filming Baz Luhrmann's Elvis Presley movie.
After two weeks of isolation, the couple was able to return to their home in Los Angeles. They have since recovered, and Hanks made his first appearance post-coronavirus in April as the first host of a remote "Saturday Night Live" from his kitchen.
Contributing: Bryan Alexander and The Associated Press.


usatoday--2020-07-28--7 times military members surprised their dogs

Judging by these wagging tails , dogs miss their military moms and dads just as much as humans do .

7 times military members surprised their dogs
Judging by these wagging tails, dogs miss their military moms and dads just as much as humans do.
Militarykind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-07-28--Senate Republicans release info on $1 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package

COVID-19 : Details on the new stimulus plan The new GOP plan includes another check for Americans and continued help @ @ @ @

COVID-19: Details on the new stimulus plan
The new GOP plan includes another check for Americans and continued help for the unemployed.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-07-28--Trump boasts deal with Kodak to fight coronavirus, calls Senate stimulus plan 'semi-irrelevant'

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump returned to the briefing room Tuesday to tout his administration 's deal with camera company Kodak to manufacture pharmaceuticals and dismissed Senate Republicans ' economic stimulus proposal as `` semi-irrelevant . ''
The administration plans to give Eastman Kodak Co. a $ 765 million loan to launch a pharmaceuticals division .
The loan from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation is the first of its kind under the Defense Production Act .
`` It 's a breakthrough in bringing pharmaceutical manufacturing back to the United States , '' Trump told reporters , adding that members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York , where the camera company is based , to `` finalize this groundbreaking deal . ''
Trump said it was the 33rd time his administration had used the Korean War-era law to spur production of medical equipment needed to combat the virus .
Trump said that in many instances , the White House used the DPA as a `` threat '' to pressure companies to voluntarily increase production for ventilators , masks and other items .
As the president spoke , congressional leaders wrapped up talks on Capitol Hill on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grapple with the economic fallout caused by the pandemic .
Trump panned the $ 1 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill unveiled by Senate Republicans , telling reporters there are some provisions in the proposal he does n't support .
`` It 's sort of semi-irrelevant because the Democrats come with their needs and asks and the Republicans go with theirs , '' he said .
`` We 'll be talking about it . ''
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Trump 's chief of staff Mark Meadows , the two White House officials tasked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting with congressional leaders to hash out the details of the GOP plan to ensure it addresses the president 's demands .
The Health , Economic Assistance , Liability protection , and Schools Act , or HEALS Act , includes another round of direct checks to Americans , more help for small businesses and money to help encourage schools to return to the classroom in the fall – a top priority for the administration .
House Democrats in May approved their own version of a relief package with a price tag of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make little progress in their meeting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
The four are due to meet again on Wednesday , according to Pelosi .
Congress is under mounting pressure to pass a bill quickly as federal unemployment insurance expires this week for millions of Americans made jobless by the pandemic .
Democrats want to extend the weekly $ 600 federal unemployment bonus through January while Republicans have settled on capping assistance at 70 % of workers ' pay .
When asked what he thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate GOP plan `` semi-irrelevant , '' Meadows said : `` I think everybody recognizes there 's a long way between $ 1 trillion and $ 3 trillion and to suggest that there 's room for negotiation , it actually is going to be built from the ground up . ''
Asked if both sides were any closer to a stimulus deal following the meeting , Meadows told reporters : `` I do n't know if I would characterize it as getting closer . ''
Trump also reiterated his support for using hydroxychloroquine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed a post the president retweeted in which a group called `` America 's Frontline Doctors '' said `` there is a cure '' for the coronavirus without citing any evidence .
Twitter said Trump 's tweet `` was in violation of our COVID-19 misinformation policy . ''
Trump told reporters that `` many doctors think it is extremely successful . ''
`` I took it for a 14-day period , and I 'm here .
Right ?
I 'm here , '' he said of the antimalarial drug , noting that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do n't think you lose anything by doing it , other than politically .
It does n't seem to be too popular you know why ?
Because I recommend it . ''
The president has continued to promote hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus treatment , despite warnings from his own medical experts .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top infectious disease expert and a member of the White House coronavirus task force , stressed the drug is `` not effective '' in an interview with ABC 's `` Good Morning America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical trials that have looked at the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine have indicated that it is not effective in coronavirus disease , '' he said .
Fauci 's interview came hours after Trump retweeted a post that said Fauci had `` misled the American public '' on the drug , among other things .
When asked if he believed that Fauci misled the public , Trump dismissed the accusation before praising Fauci 's approval rating .
`` He 's got this high approval rating , so why do n't I have a high approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – with respect to the virus ? ''
he asked .
`` It sort of is curious – a man works for us , with us very closely , Dr. Fauci and Dr. ( Deborah ) Birx , also highly thought of – and yet they 're highly thought of , but nobody likes me .
It can only be my personality , '' he added .

John Fritze and Courtney Subramanian, USA TODAY

Trump boasts deal with Kodak to fight coronavirus, calls Senate stimulus plan 'semi-irrelevant'
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump defends his response to coronavirus in Fox News interview President Trump defended his response to coronavirus, including his claims that COVID-19 will "disappear." USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump returned to the briefing room Tuesday to tout his administration's deal with camera company Kodak to manufacture pharmaceuticals and dismissed Senate Republicans' economic stimulus proposal as "semi-irrelevant."
The administration plans to give Eastman Kodak Co. a $765 million loan to launch a pharmaceuticals division. The loan from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation is the first of its kind under the Defense Production Act.
"It's a breakthrough in bringing pharmaceutical manufacturing back to the United States," Trump told reporters, adding that members of his administration are in Rochester, New York, where the camera company is based, to "finalize this groundbreaking deal."
Trump said it was the 33rd time his administration had used the Korean War-era law to spur production of medical equipment needed to combat the virus. Trump said that in many instances, the White House used the DPA as a "threat" to pressure companies to voluntarily increase production for ventilators, masks and other items.
As the president spoke, congressional leaders wrapped up talks on Capitol Hill on the latest economic relief package to help Americans grapple with the economic fallout caused by the pandemic.
Trump panned the $1 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill unveiled by Senate Republicans, telling reporters there are some provisions in the proposal he doesn't support.
"It's sort of semi-irrelevant because the Democrats come with their needs and asks and the Republicans go with theirs," he said. "We'll be talking about it."
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Trump's chief of staff Mark Meadows, the two White House officials tasked with negotiations, have spent the last week meeting with congressional leaders to hash out the details of the GOP plan to ensure it addresses the president's demands.
The Health, Economic Assistance, Liability protection, and Schools Act, or HEALS Act, includes another round of direct checks to Americans, more help for small businesses and money to help encourage schools to return to the classroom in the fall – a top priority for the administration. House Democrats in May approved their own version of a relief package with a price tag of $3 trillion.
Mnuchin and Meadows appeared to make little progress in their meeting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The four are due to meet again on Wednesday, according to Pelosi.
Congress is under mounting pressure to pass a bill quickly as federal unemployment insurance expires this week for millions of Americans made jobless by the pandemic. Democrats want to extend the weekly $600 federal unemployment bonus through January while Republicans have settled on capping assistance at 70% of workers' pay.
When asked what he thought of the president's comments calling the Senate GOP plan "semi-irrelevant," Meadows said: "I think everybody recognizes there's a long way between $1 trillion and $3 trillion and to suggest that there's room for negotiation, it actually is going to be built from the ground up."
Asked if both sides were any closer to a stimulus deal following the meeting, Meadows told reporters: "I don't know if I would characterize it as getting closer."
Trump also reiterated his support for using hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus a day after Twitter removed a post the president retweeted in which a group called "America's Frontline Doctors" said "there is a cure" for the coronavirus without citing any evidence.
Twitter said Trump's tweet "was in violation of our COVID-19 misinformation policy."
Trump told reporters that "many doctors think it is extremely successful."
"I took it for a 14-day period, and I'm here. Right? I'm here," he said of the antimalarial drug, noting that he took it earlier this year. "I don't think you lose anything by doing it, other than politically. It doesn't seem to be too popular you know why? Because I recommend it."
The president has continued to promote hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus treatment, despite warnings from his own medical experts.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert and a member of the White House coronavirus task force, stressed the drug is "not effective" in an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America."
"The overwhelming, prevailing clinical trials that have looked at the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine have indicated that it is not effective in coronavirus disease," he said.
Fauci's interview came hours after Trump retweeted a post that said Fauci had "misled the American public" on the drug, among other things. When asked if he believed that Fauci misled the public, Trump dismissed the accusation before praising Fauci's approval rating.
"He's got this high approval rating, so why don't I have a high approval rating with respect – and the administration – with respect to the virus?" he asked.
"It sort of is curious – a man works for us, with us very closely, Dr. Fauci and Dr. (Deborah) Birx, also highly thought of – and yet they're highly thought of, but nobody likes me. It can only be my personality," he added.
Contributing: Nicholas Wu, Ledyard King


usatoday--2020-07-28--'I'm going to answer the damn question': Barr, House Democrats face off over Portland, politicizatio

'I'm going to answer the damn question': Barr, House Democrats face off over Portland, politicization

WASHINGTON – Attorney General William Barr called riots in Portland , Oregon , `` an assault on the government of the United States , '' countering Democratic lawmakers who have characterized federal officers ' actions against protesters as unconstitutional , politically charged fearmongering .
In his first testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday , Barr offered an unmitigated defense of the deployment of federal officers to Portland , where he said `` a mob '' hijacked legitimate demonstrations against police brutality .
`` Largely absent from these scenes of destruction are even superficial attempts by the rioters to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s death or any legitimate call for reform , '' the attorney general said in a prepared statement .
`` Nor could such brazen acts of lawlessness plausibly be justified by a concern that police officers in Minnesota or elsewhere defied the law .
`` It is , by any objective measure , an assault on the Government of the United States . ''
Barr 's long-sought testimony comes as House Democrats investigate alleged political interference at the Justice Department , claiming that the attorney general has turned it into a political annex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing touched on a year 's worth of grievances , from the widely criticized rollout of special counsel Robert Mueller 's Russia report in 2019 , to interference in criminal investigations involving Trump 's allies , to the controversial ouster of Manhattan 's chief federal prosecutor , to the use of force against protesters in Portland and at Lafayette Square in Washington , D.C. Barr at odds with Trump on election : 'No reason to think ' 2020 election is rigged , AG Bill Barr testifies , breaking with Trump AG Barr defends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'political maelstrom ' ; department used as 'political weapon' During a chaotic five hours filled with partisan hostility , the attorney general repeatedly clashed with committee Democrats , at times growing frustrated and raising his voice to answer questions as they interrupted him .
`` I 'm going to answer the damn question , '' Barr said during a heated exchange with Rep. Joe Neguse , D-Colo. , about the recent firing of Geoffrey Berman as U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York .
Berman had testified that Barr repeatedly pressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's desired nominee and called Barr 's decision to appoint an outsider as a temporary replacement `` unprecedented , unnecessary and unexplained . ''
Republicans defended Barr , accusing Democrats of misrepresenting the unrest in Portland and other cities and echoing Barr ’ s comments that protests have been taken over by violent instigators .
'Each of those lives matter ' : Barr on police and protests Asked whether Barr had discussed the deployment of at least 114 federal officers to Portland with President Donald Trump as part of a reelection campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not discuss conversations he has with the president .
`` Shame on you , Mr. Barr , '' said Chairman Jerry Nadler , D-N.Y. `` Shame on you . ''
Democrats also criticized the expansion of Operation Legend , a federal crime initiative that was launched in Kansas City , Missouri , in which more than 200 agents were dispatched .
Since then , Trump and Barr announced the deployment of 50 agents to Albuquerque , New Mexico , and as many as 300 officers to Chicago .
Democrats questioned whether it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources – against the wishes of local and state officials – or a stunt to help Trump ’ s reelection .
Barr pushed back against such characterizations , saying Democrats are conflating federal deployment to Portland , where federal agents have been the target of violent attacks , and the use of federal resources in cities where he says violent crime has risen .
`` We are on the defense .
We 're not out looking for trouble , '' Barr said , adding that he supports peaceful protests but condemns those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuses that have sparked protests nationwide , Barr said brutality involving police remains rare .
He said Floyd 's death and others like it `` strike a deep chord in the black community because they are perceived as manifestation of the deeper , lingering concern that , in encounters with police , Blacks will not be treated even-handedly ; they will not be given the benefit of the doubt ; they will be treated with greater suspicion than a white person would be in the same circumstances .
`` I think these concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statement , though he suggested police should n't bear all of the blame .
Federal deployments : Mayors see broken trust , political agenda in Trump 's surge of federal officers to US cities '' I think it would be an oversimplification to treat the problem as rooted in some deep-seated racism generally infecting our police departments , '' Barr said .
`` It seems far more likely that the problem stems from a complex mix of factors , which can be addressed with focused attention over time . ''
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the streets is massively greater than any threat posed by police misconduct , '' Barr said .
`` The leading cause of death for young Black males is homicide .
Every year approximately 7,500 Black Americans are victims of homicide , and the vast majority of them – around 90 % – are killed by other Blacks , mainly by gunfire .
Each of those lives matter . ''
Barr also disagreed that there 's systemic racism in police departments , called it `` irresponsible '' to call federal officers `` storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely dangerous '' to defund the police .
Barr defended his decision to intervene in the case of Roger Stone , Trump 's longtime ally , saying he believes the prosecution of Stone was `` righteous '' but the prosecutors ' sentence recommendation of seven to nine years was too harsh .
`` I agree the president 's friends do n't deserve special breaks , but they also do n't deserve to be treated more harshly , '' Barr said , adding that a federal judge ultimately did not agree with the prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Justice Department prosecutor said the department 's leadership gave `` unprecedentedly favorable treatment '' by pushing for a more lenient prison sentence against the recommendation of career prosecutors .
Stone was convicted of lying to Congress to protect Trump and his campaign .
The president has since commuted Stone 's sentence .
Aaron Zelinsky , one of the attorneys who prosecuted Stone , told lawmakers he and the other attorneys who prosecuted the GOP operative were pressured to `` cut Stone a break '' or they could be fired .
Democrats accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting his friends .
Barr pushed back , saying , `` What enemies have I indicted ? ''
Of mounting questions about favorable decisions rendered in a series of cases involving Trump and his allies , Barr said his actions `` have been my own . ''
`` And they have been made because I believed they were right under the law and principles of justice , '' according to Barr 's statement .
`` Ever since I made it clear that I was going to do everything I could to get to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the bogus 'Russiagate ' scandal , many of the Democrats on this committee have attempted to discredit me by conjuring up a narrative that I am simply the president ’ s factotum who disposes of criminal cases according to his instructions , '' he said .
`` Judging from the letter inviting me to this hearing , that appears to be your agenda today . ''
Barr cited the Justice Department 's prosecution of former national security adviser Michael Flynn , who pleaded guilty in 2017 to making false statements during an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department has since moved to dismiss the case , and Barr , who has appointed an outside prosecutor to review the case , said recently uncovered documents show that the FBI interview `` was untethered to any legitimate investigation . ''

Kristine Phillips and Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY

'I'm losing my patience': Jayapal, Nadler spar with Barr over Portland, politicization
Show Caption Hide Caption Barr, Nadler clash on federal response to unrest Attorney General William Barr clashed with the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee over the federal response to unrest in U.S. cities. (July 28) AP
WASHINGTON – Attorney General William Barr called riots in Portland, Oregon, "an assault on the government of the United States," countering Democratic lawmakers who characterized federal officers' actions against protesters as unconstitutional, politically charged fearmongering.
In testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Barr offered an unmitigated defense of the deployment of federal officers to Portland, where he said "a mob" hijacked legitimate demonstrations against police brutality.
"Largely absent from these scenes of destruction are even superficial attempts by the rioters to connect their actions to George Floyd’s death or any legitimate call for reform," the attorney general said in a prepared statement. "Nor could such brazen acts of lawlessness plausibly be justified by a concern that police officers in Minnesota or elsewhere defied the law.
"It is, by any objective measure, an assault on the Government of the United States."
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., also suggested people have been distracted from the original cause of the protests, but any similarities with Barr ended there.
"Let us not be distracted by you or my GOP colleagues as to what these powerful and massive protests were actually about, they were about the persistent killing of black bodies by law enforcement and finally, finally an awakening in America of the conscience of our country, and yet your response, Mr. Barr, was to direct federal officers to ... clear the area just so the president could get a photo op" she said, referring to use of force against protesters in Lafayette Square.
As Barr debated the use of the term tear gas rather than chemical irritant, she said, "I'm losing my patience." Jayapal also said that Barr uses his power unevenly, noting that federal officers were not sent to Michigan when people with guns and Confederate flags threatened Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over the state's COVID-19 stay-at-home order.
"You take an aggressive approach to Black Lives Matter protests but not right-wing extremists threatening to lynch a governor, if it is for the president's benefit," Jayapal said.
Barr's long-sought testimony comes as House Democrats investigate alleged political interference at the Justice Department, claiming that the attorney general has turned it into a political annex of the Trump White House. The hearing touched on a year's worth of grievances, from the widely criticized rollout of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report in 2019, to interference in criminal investigations involving Trump's allies, to the controversial ouster of Manhattan's chief federal prosecutor, to the use of force against protesters in Portland and at Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C.
Barr at odds with Trump on election: 'No reason to think' 2020 election is rigged, AG Bill Barr testifies, breaking with Trump
AG Barr defends actions: DOJ had been drawn into 'political maelstrom'; department used as 'political weapon'
During a chaotic five hours filled with partisan hostility, the attorney general repeatedly clashed with committee Democrats, at times growing frustrated and raising his voice to answer questions as they interrupted him.
"I'm going to answer the damn question," Barr said during a heated exchange with Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., about the recent firing of Geoffrey Berman as U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York. Berman had testified that Barr repeatedly pressed him to resign to make way for Trump's desired nominee and called Barr's decision to appoint an outsider as a temporary replacement "unprecedented, unnecessary and unexplained."
Republicans defended Barr, accusing Democrats of misrepresenting the unrest in Portland and other cities and echoing Barr’s comments that protests have been taken over by violent instigators.
"Americans are scared," said Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz.
'Each of those lives matter': Barr on police and protests
Asked whether Barr had discussed the deployment of at least 114 federal officers to Portland with President Donald Trump as part of a reelection campaign strategy, the attorney general said he would not discuss conversations he has with the president.
"Shame on you, Mr. Barr," said Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y. "Shame on you."
'What a disaster': Aggressive federal response in Portland raises legal questions
Democrats also criticized the expansion of Operation Legend, a federal crime initiative that was launched in Kansas City, Missouri, in which more than 200 agents were dispatched. Since then, Trump and Barr announced the deployment of 50 agents to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and more than 200 officers to Chicago. Democrats questioned whether it was a legitimate deployment of law enforcement resources – against the wishes of local and state officials – or a stunt to help Trump’s reelection.
Barr pushed back against such characterizations, saying Democrats are conflating federal deployment to Portland, where federal agents have been the target of violent attacks, and the use of federal resources in cities where he says violent crime has risen.
"We are on the defense. We're not out looking for trouble," Barr said, adding that he supports peaceful protests but condemns those who commit crime.
Addressing outrage over police abuses that have sparked protests nationwide, Barr said brutality involving police remains rare. He said Floyd's death and others like it "strike a deep chord in the black community because they are perceived as manifestation of the deeper, lingering concern that, in encounters with police, Blacks will not be treated even-handedly; they will not be given the benefit of the doubt; they will be treated with greater suspicion than a white person would be in the same circumstances.
"I think these concerns are legitimate," Barr said in the statement, though he suggested police shouldn't bear all of the blame.
Federal deployments: Mayors see broken trust, political agenda in Trump's surge of federal officers to US cities
"I think it would be an oversimplification to treat the problem as rooted in some deep-seated racism generally infecting our police departments," Barr said. "It seems far more likely that the problem stems from a complex mix of factors, which can be addressed with focused attention over time."
Barr also cited so-called Black-on-Black crimes.
"The threat to Black lives posed by crime on the streets is massively greater than any threat posed by police misconduct," Barr said. "The leading cause of death for young Black males is homicide. Every year approximately 7,500 Black Americans are victims of homicide, and the vast majority of them – around 90% – are killed by other Blacks, mainly by gunfire. Each of those lives matter."
Barr also disagreed that there's systemic racism in police departments, called it "irresponsible" to call federal officers "storm troopers" and said it's "extremely dangerous" to defund the police.
Roger Stone and debate on 'special breaks'
Barr defended his decision to intervene in the case of Roger Stone, Trump's longtime ally, saying he believes the prosecution of Stone was "righteous" but the prosecutors' sentence recommendation of seven to nine years was too harsh.
"I agree the president's friends don't deserve special breaks, but they also don't deserve to be treated more harshly," Barr said, adding that a federal judge ultimately did not agree with the prosecutors' initial recommendation.
Last month, a Justice Department prosecutor said the department's leadership gave "unprecedentedly favorable treatment" by pushing for a more lenient prison sentence against the recommendation of career prosecutors. Stone was convicted of lying to Congress to protect Trump and his campaign. The president has since commuted Stone's sentence.
Aaron Zelinsky, one of the attorneys who prosecuted Stone, told lawmakers he and the other attorneys who prosecuted the GOP operative were pressured to "cut Stone a break" or they could be fired.
Democrats accused Barr of punishing Trump's enemies while protecting his friends. Barr pushed back, saying, "What enemies have I indicted?"
Of mounting questions about favorable decisions rendered in a series of cases involving Trump and his allies, Barr said his actions "have been my own."
"And they have been made because I believed they were right under the law and principles of justice," according to Barr's statement.
"Ever since I made it clear that I was going to do everything I could to get to the bottom of the grave abuses involved in the bogus 'Russiagate' scandal, many of the Democrats on this committee have attempted to discredit me by conjuring up a narrative that I am simply the president’s factotum who disposes of criminal cases according to his instructions," he said. "Judging from the letter inviting me to this hearing, that appears to be your agenda today."
Barr cited the Justice Department's prosecution of former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty in 2017 to making false statements during an interview with the FBI.
The Justice Department has since moved to dismiss the case, and Barr, who has appointed an outside prosecutor to review the case, said recently uncovered documents show that the FBI interview "was untethered to any legitimate investigation."


usatoday--2020-07-28--White House pushed to include $1.75 billion for new FBI headquarters in GOP pandemic aid bill: Senat

WASHINGTON – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to be caught off guard by a $ 1.75 billion provision to rebuild the FBI headquarters in downtown Washington that the White House inserted into the Kentucky Republican 's own coronavirus relief bill he unveiled Monday .
`` This was an administration request , but ( McConnell ) believes this should not have been included in the HEALS Act , '' a Senate source with knowledge of the legislative negotiations told USA TODAY on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity in order to speak freely .
While McConnell distanced himself from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying he would try to remove the line item from the Health , Economic Assistance , Liability protection , and Schools Act , or HEALS Act .
`` I am opposed to non-germane amendments , whether it 's funding for the FBI building or for example in the House bill whether it 's a tax cut for high income earners in blue states or other non-germane amendments like marijuana studies or aid to illegal immigrants , '' he told reporters Tuesday .
The roughly $ 1 trillion measure would be the fifth stimulus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic that has infected more than 4 million Americans , killed more than 150,000 and wreaked havoc on the U.S. economy .
Democrats in the House have passed a much larger relief bill , known as the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act , or HEROES Act .
The FBI headquarters , named after former Director J. Edgar Hoover , has been in a state of disrepair for years and its future has been steeped in controversy .
Previous administrations have endorsed relocating to the Maryland or Virginia suburbs after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more expensive and inefficient to rebuild on the same lot , a parcel of prime real estate only a few blocks from the White House .
Trump has been a proponent of rebuilding on the current site .
Shortly after he took office in 2017 , the Trump administration canceled a site in Maryland that was supposed to be a potential site for the relocation .
`` There ’ s nothing better than the ( current ) site , '' Trump told reporters last week .
`` I ’ ve been encouraging them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're talking about it , whether or not they put it in ( the HEALS Act ) or someplace else .
But the FBI needs a new building , and we ’ ll get it done . ''
Asked about the FBI building funding Monday , McConnell initially said he did n't think it was in there .
When a reporter quoted him the text of the provision , McConnell said `` you 'll have to ask '' the White House about the request .
The confusion represented a rare admission for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a master of the Senate who little gets by as majority leader .
The bill was already under attack from senators in his own party when news of the FBI building funding came out .
`` That makes no sense to me , '' Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , told reporters Tuesday , adding he 'd be `` fine '' stripping out the money .
Other Republicans , including Richard Shelby of Alabama , Mike Braun of Indiana and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania , said they were surprised to find the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff Mark Meadows told reporters on Capitol Hill on Tuesday that a new headquarters is a `` pressing need . ''
While he defended its inclusion , Meadows said it wo n't be an obstacle to passage of another relief bill .
`` There are a number of things in the last bill that had nothing to do with the coronavirus , '' he said .
`` I think everybody acknowledges that it 's a funding mechanism .
And I do n't see it standing in the way of us getting a deal.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill included nearly $ 2 billion for the FBI headquarters while leaving out aid for other priorities , such as expanded food stamps .
Democrats have accused the president of seeking to protect his own private interests by pushing for the rebuilding the FBI headquarters on the current site .
If the government were to give up the downtown site , it could be purchased by a hospitality company that might compete with the nearby Trump International Hotel .
`` They managed to have enough money for two billion dollars for the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they say they have no money for food assistance , '' Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , told reporters Monday .
`` What the heck is going on ? ''

Ledyard King and Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY

White House pushed to include $1.75 billion for new FBI headquarters in GOP pandemic aid bill: Senate source
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19: Trump to resume coronavirus briefings at the White House President Trump says he'll resume coronavirus briefings at the White House amid the recent spike in cases. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to be caught off guard by a $1.75 billion provision to rebuild the FBI headquarters in downtown Washington that the White House inserted into the Kentucky Republican's own coronavirus relief bill he unveiled Monday.
"This was an administration request, but (McConnell) believes this should not have been included in the HEALS Act," a Senate source with knowledge of the legislative negotiations told USA TODAY on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity in order to speak freely.
While McConnell distanced himself from the FBI funding, he stopped short of saying he would try to remove the line item from the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability protection, and Schools Act, or HEALS Act.
"I am opposed to non-germane amendments, whether it's funding for the FBI building or for example in the House bill whether it's a tax cut for high income earners in blue states or other non-germane amendments like marijuana studies or aid to illegal immigrants," he told reporters Tuesday.
The roughly $1 trillion measure would be the fifth stimulus bill Congress has taken up since the COVID-19 pandemic that has infected more than 4 million Americans, killed more than 150,000 and wreaked havoc on the U.S. economy. Democrats in the House have passed a much larger relief bill, known as the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or HEROES Act.
The FBI headquarters, named after former Director J. Edgar Hoover, has been in a state of disrepair for years and its future has been steeped in controversy.
Previous administrations have endorsed relocating to the Maryland or Virginia suburbs after government reports indicated it would be much more expensive and inefficient to rebuild on the same lot, a parcel of prime real estate only a few blocks from the White House.
Trump has been a proponent of rebuilding on the current site. Shortly after he took office in 2017, the Trump administration canceled a site in Maryland that was supposed to be a potential site for the relocation.
"There’s nothing better than the (current) site," Trump told reporters last week. "I’ve been encouraging them to build it. ... I know they're talking about it, whether or not they put it in (the HEALS Act) or someplace else. But the FBI needs a new building, and we’ll get it done."
Asked about the FBI building funding Monday, McConnell initially said he didn't think it was in there. When a reporter quoted him the text of the provision, McConnell said "you'll have to ask" the White House about the request.
The confusion represented a rare admission for McConnell, whose supporters regularly tout him as a master of the Senate who little gets by as majority leader.
The bill was already under attack from senators in his own party when news of the FBI building funding came out.
"That makes no sense to me," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told reporters Tuesday, adding he'd be "fine" stripping out the money.
Other Republicans, including Richard Shelby of Alabama, Mike Braun of Indiana and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, said they were surprised to find the item included.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters on Capitol Hill on Tuesday that a new headquarters is a "pressing need." While he defended its inclusion, Meadows said it won't be an obstacle to passage of another relief bill.
"There are a number of things in the last bill that had nothing to do with the coronavirus," he said. "I think everybody acknowledges that it's a funding mechanism. And I don't see it standing in the way of us getting a deal.”
Democrats were incensed that the GOP bill included nearly $2 billion for the FBI headquarters while leaving out aid for other priorities, such as expanded food stamps.
Democrats have accused the president of seeking to protect his own private interests by pushing for the rebuilding the FBI headquarters on the current site. If the government were to give up the downtown site, it could be purchased by a hospitality company that might compete with the nearby Trump International Hotel.
"They managed to have enough money for two billion dollars for the FBI headquarters that benefits Trump Hotel, and they say they have no money for food assistance," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters Monday. "What the heck is going on?"


usatoday--2020-07-28--Joe Biden plans to name vice presidential running mate next week

Former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee to challenge President Donald Trump , said Tuesday he would choose his running mate the first week of August .
But he was coy about whether he would be able to meet in person with all of the potential candidates because of the challenge of dodging reporters outside his house .
“ I ’ m going to have a choice in the first week in August , '' Biden said .
`` I promise I ’ ll let you know when I do . ''
Biden 's choice has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choosing a woman .
But key Democratic activists have urged him to choose a Black woman , in order to build enthusiasm among voters of color and younger progressives .
The spotlight on top candidates has focused on Sen. Kamala Harris of California , Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , Rep. Val Demings of Florida , Rep. Karen Bass of California , former National Security Adviser Susan Rice , Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham .
Biden dodged a question about whether he 'd be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of news crews staking out his home .
`` I 've got to try to figure out how to trick you all so I can meet with them in person , '' Biden said .
`` You 've got crews outside my house . ''

Joe Biden plans to name vice presidential running mate next week
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden spotted with notes about one of his VP picks As talk swirls around Joe Biden's pick for a VP, the presumptive Democratic nominee was seen holding a note with Sen. Kamala Harris' name at the top. USA TODAY
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee to challenge President Donald Trump, said Tuesday he would choose his running mate the first week of August.
But he was coy about whether he would be able to meet in person with all of the potential candidates because of the challenge of dodging reporters outside his house.
“I’m going to have a choice in the first week in August," Biden said. "I promise I’ll let you know when I do."
Biden's choice has been closely monitored because he has committed to choosing a woman. But key Democratic activists have urged him to choose a Black woman, in order to build enthusiasm among voters of color and younger progressives.
The spotlight on top candidates has focused on Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Rep. Val Demings of Florida, Rep. Karen Bass of California, former National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Biden dodged a question about whether he'd be able to meet with all of his finalists because of news crews staking out his home.
"I've got to try to figure out how to trick you all so I can meet with them in person," Biden said. "You've got crews outside my house."


usatoday--2020-07-29--Hundreds to quarantine after COVID-19 case linked to Florida high school graduation ceremony

BREVARD COUNTY , Fla. – Nearly 300 recent Bayside High School graduates and their guests have been asked to quarantine after health officials said an attendee at Saturday 's commencement ceremony had COVID-19 .
Families were notified about the case Monday in a letter from the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County .
The individual tested positive for the virus `` shortly after attending , '' said Anita Stremmel , the department 's assistant county health director , in an email to FLORIDA TODAY .
`` The Florida Department of Health was notified about the positive case by Brevard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in our lab reporting system , '' Stremmel said .
The letter initially stated families should isolate any students who participated in the ceremony , but Stremmel said the advisory applied to anyone who was present at the event , which took place outdoors on Bayside High 's football field .
`` We are advising anyone who attended the graduation ceremony to self-quarantine and monitor their symptoms for 14 days , '' she said .
July 24 : What Florida 's recent surge in COVID-19 cases means for the state July 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for buying Lamborghini with COVID relief funds The school district had previously announced safety measures for all high school graduations to reduce the risk of spreading the virus , including mandatory masks and spaced seating to promote social distancing .
Physical contact between students and staff and all indoor activities were prohibited .
Brevard Public Schools spokeswoman Nicki Hensley said an exact count of how many people have been impacted was not immediately available .
Nearly 300 students and at least 30 staff members were at the ceremony , and each student was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hensley said .
She declined to give information about the person referenced in the Health Department letter , citing medical privacy laws .
`` As with all school events , it is important our attendees follow the established health and safety protocols .
Upon learning of this situation , BPS worked quickly with our local Department of Health partners to determine the best course of action and proceed with our notification process , '' Hensley said in a texted statement .
School district custodial staff `` followed protocols for post-event cleanup , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process would be forthcoming .
While all attendees at Saturday 's ceremony are being asked to quarantine , positive cases are followed by `` an extensive epidemiological investigation to identify individuals who may have had close contact with the virus , '' Stremmel said .
`` Those individuals are then notified by their county health department and instructed to self-isolate for 14 days after their exposure to the virus , and to contact their county health department and health care provider immediately if they develop symptoms . ''

Hundreds to quarantine after COVID-19 case linked to Florida high school graduation ceremony
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19 in Florida: why the state has had a recent surge in cases Florida has seen a recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Emory University's Dr. Bob Bednarczyk breaks down what this means for the state. USA TODAY
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Nearly 300 recent Bayside High School graduates and their guests have been asked to quarantine after health officials said an attendee at Saturday's commencement ceremony had COVID-19.
Families were notified about the case Monday in a letter from the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County.
The individual tested positive for the virus "shortly after attending," said Anita Stremmel, the department's assistant county health director, in an email to FLORIDA TODAY.
"The Florida Department of Health was notified about the positive case by Brevard Public Schools and we confirmed the positive result in our lab reporting system," Stremmel said.
The letter initially stated families should isolate any students who participated in the ceremony, but Stremmel said the advisory applied to anyone who was present at the event, which took place outdoors on Bayside High's football field.
"We are advising anyone who attended the graduation ceremony to self-quarantine and monitor their symptoms for 14 days," she said.
Coronavirus: How R-0 can be used to fight COVID-19 R-0 may be the most important scientific term you’ve never heard of when it comes to stopping the coronavirus pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
July 24: What Florida's recent surge in COVID-19 cases means for the state
July 27: Feds charge Florida man with fraud for buying Lamborghini with COVID relief funds
The school district had previously announced safety measures for all high school graduations to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, including mandatory masks and spaced seating to promote social distancing. Physical contact between students and staff and all indoor activities were prohibited.
Brevard Public Schools spokeswoman Nicki Hensley said an exact count of how many people have been impacted was not immediately available. Nearly 300 students and at least 30 staff members were at the ceremony, and each student was allowed to bring up to two guests, Hensley said.
She declined to give information about the person referenced in the Health Department letter, citing medical privacy laws.
"As with all school events, it is important our attendees follow the established health and safety protocols. Upon learning of this situation, BPS worked quickly with our local Department of Health partners to determine the best course of action and proceed with our notification process," Hensley said in a texted statement.
School district custodial staff "followed protocols for post-event cleanup," Hensley said, adding details about the process would be forthcoming.
While all attendees at Saturday's ceremony are being asked to quarantine, positive cases are followed by "an extensive epidemiological investigation to identify individuals who may have had close contact with the virus," Stremmel said.
"Those individuals are then notified by their county health department and instructed to self-isolate for 14 days after their exposure to the virus, and to contact their county health department and health care provider immediately if they develop symptoms."
Follow Eric Rogers on Twitter @EricRogersFT


usatoday--2020-07-28--'Unimaginable loss': Chicago police deputy chief dies by apparent suicide in department facility

CHICAGO – A newly-promoted Chicago police officer and father of two has died by suicide , city officials said Tuesday – at least the second officer this year to die by suicide in a department that has long struggled with officers taking their own lives .
Deputy Chief of Criminal Networks Dion Boyd , 57 , died last night , Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said .
Several news outlets reported that Boyd was found at the Homan Square police facility on the West Side Tuesday morning .
Several news outlets in Chicago reported that Boyd died of a gunshot wound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Superintendent David Brown said he was `` heartbroken '' by Boyd 's death , which he referred to as a suicide .
Department spokesperson Anthony Spicuzza said Tuesday afternoon that the incident was being classified as a death investigation .
The Cook County medical examiner said an autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday .
Boyd worked in the Chicago Police Department for more than 30 years , serving the city 's South Side as Commander of Area 1 and the 2nd District , along with numerous other roles , Lightfoot said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of criminal networks on July 15 .
`` Deputy Chief Boyd was a man who commanded respect , and our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends , particularly his two sons , who are now grieving over this unimaginable loss .
Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers , '' Brown said in a statement .
In the afternoon press conference , Brown said that `` the job of a Chicago police officer is not easy , especially at a time when there is intensified stress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need of help to reach out for assistance and said that , over the coming weeks , the city would be taking steps to bolster its support network for first responders .
`` To every officer , we want you to know that you are deserving of help and healing , and no one needs to struggle alone , '' Lightfoot said .
The city 's police union offered condolences to Boyd 's family in a statement Tuesday .
`` Our Condolences go out to the family , friends , and colleagues of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them in your prayers as they navigate their way through this terrible tragedy .
Rest In Peace , Sir , '' the union said .
Boyd 's death by suicide is not the first in recent years in the Chicago Police Department .
An off-duty police detective died in February , according to Lightfoot at the time .
And last year , at least eight officers died by suicide , according to the Sun-Times .
Suicide is a `` significant problem '' in the CPD , a 2017 review of the agency by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s officer suicide rate was more than 60 % higher than the national average , the review found .
Police officers , in general , are at particularly high risk of alcohol abuse , depression , suicidal thoughts , posttraumatic stress disorder and other challenges , according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness .
Nearly 1 in 4 officers has thoughts of suicide at some point in their life .
Moreover , Boyd 's death comes amid the heightened mental and emotional stress of the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide protests for racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have taken on Americans ’ mental health is profound : Three times as many U.S. adults reported symptoms of serious psychological distress in April compared with two years earlier , according to a study in the medical journal JAMA .
The Federal Communications Commission approved a proposal earlier this month to implement a three-digit suicide prevention hotline , 988 .
According to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai , the nation ’ s suicide rates are at the highest point since World War II .
If you or someone you know may be struggling with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK ( 8255 ) any time day or night , or chat online .
Crisis Text Line also provides free , 24/7 , confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741 .

'Unimaginable loss': Chicago police deputy chief dies by apparent suicide in department facility
CHICAGO – A newly-promoted Chicago police officer and father of two has died by suicide, city officials said Tuesday – at least the second officer this year to die by suicide in a department that has long struggled with officers taking their own lives.
Deputy Chief of Criminal Networks Dion Boyd, 57, died last night, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.
Several news outlets reported that Boyd was found at the Homan Square police facility on the West Side Tuesday morning. Several news outlets in Chicago reported that Boyd died of a gunshot wound.
In a press conference Tuesday, Police Superintendent David Brown said he was "heartbroken" by Boyd's death, which he referred to as a suicide.
Department spokesperson Anthony Spicuzza said Tuesday afternoon that the incident was being classified as a death investigation.
The Cook County medical examiner said an autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday.
Boyd worked in the Chicago Police Department for more than 30 years, serving the city's South Side as Commander of Area 1 and the 2nd District, along with numerous other roles, Lightfoot said. He had been sworn in as deputy chief of criminal networks on July 15.
"Deputy Chief Boyd was a man who commanded respect, and our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends, particularly his two sons, who are now grieving over this unimaginable loss. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers," Brown said in a statement.
In the afternoon press conference, Brown said that "the job of a Chicago police officer is not easy, especially at a time when there is intensified stress."
Lightfoot encouraged any officer in need of help to reach out for assistance and said that, over the coming weeks, the city would be taking steps to bolster its support network for first responders.
"To every officer, we want you to know that you are deserving of help and healing, and no one needs to struggle alone," Lightfoot said.
The city's police union offered condolences to Boyd's family in a statement Tuesday.
"Our Condolences go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of Deputy Chief Dion Boyd. Please keep them in your prayers as they navigate their way through this terrible tragedy. Rest In Peace, Sir," the union said.
A 'significant problem' in the Chicago Police Department
Boyd's death by suicide is not the first in recent years in the Chicago Police Department. An off-duty police detective died in February, according to Lightfoot at the time. And last year, at least eight officers died by suicide, according to the Sun-Times.
Suicide is a "significant problem" in the CPD, a 2017 review of the agency by the Department of Justice found.The CPD’s officer suicide rate was more than 60% higher than the national average, the review found.
Police officers, in general, are at particularly high risk of alcohol abuse, depression, suicidal thoughts, posttraumatic stress disorder and other challenges, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Nearly 1 in 4 officers has thoughts of suicide at some point in their life.
Moreover, Boyd's death comes amid the heightened mental and emotional stress of the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide protests for racial justice. The toll that these events have taken on Americans’ mental health is profound: Three times as many U.S. adults reported symptoms of serious psychological distress in April compared with two years earlier, according to a study in the medical journal JAMA.
The Federal Communications Commission approved a proposal earlier this month to implement a three-digit suicide prevention hotline, 988. According to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the nation’s suicide rates are at the highest point since World War II.
Suicide disproportionately affects marginalized groups – Black Americans, Native Americans, rural residents, teens and young adults and LGBTQ people.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night, or chat online.
Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.
Contributing: Joshua Bote


usatoday--2020-07-29--Opinion: What if the Marlins were the Yankees? MLB letting Miami be guinea pigs with COVID-19 outbre

If the New York Yankees had 15 players test positive for COVID-19 and their season was halted for a week , would we still be playing baseball ?
How about if the Los Angeles Dodgers or any other big-market team had the same outbreak ?
But since it ’ s the Miami Marlins , the 2020 season goes on .
With 15 players having tested positive and now sidelined until at least Aug. 4 , the Marlins have become the guinea pigs in Major League Baseball ’ s attempt to play a competitive season in the middle of a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and immediately set up additional safety measures , and reminded club officials that their players and staff better take their protocols seriously or the season could abruptly end .
MLB is instructing teams to issue stronger , protective masks to their players and staff members .
They will reinforce the protocols that players engage in social distancing , which means no high-fives or fist-bumps – let alone celebratory hugs .
And , under no condition , are players permitted to stray from the team hotel on the road to frequent a restaurant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hotel ’ s team dining room .
Marlins CEO Derek Jeter noted in a statement Tuesday that the team had `` conducted a successful and healthy Spring 2.0 before departing on the road and experiencing challenges . ''
Among the 6,400 tests conducted since last Friday .
the Marlins are the only team who had positive test results , MLB said Tuesday .
And only 0.3 % of all tests since the start of summer workouts have been positive .
“ The difficult circumstances of one club reinforce the vital need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways , both on and off the field , ’ ’ MLB said in a statement .
“ We will continue to bolster our protocols and make any necessary adjustments .
The realities of the virus still loom large , and we must operate with that in mind every day .
“ We are confident that clubs and players will act appropriately , for themselves and for others , and the data provides reason to believe that the protocols can work effectively.
’ ’ The Marlins , whether they were careless or not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the MLB schedule .
It may be impossible for every NL East and AL East team to play a 60-game schedule .
The Marlins ’ entire week of games has been postponed .
They won ’ t play again until Tuesday , Aug. 4 , at home against the Philadelphia Phillies – and that 's the best-case scenario .
But that appears unlikely as Miami mayor Carlos Gimenez announced Tuesday that the Marlins should adhere to a 14-day quarantine protocol when returning to South Florida having been knowingly exposed to COVID-19 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playoff berths simply on team ’ s winning percentages , and not records .
Certainly , it has caused massive chaos in the schedule .
The Yankees , who spent the past two days in Philadelphia , never played a game .
They were supposed to play two on the road against the Phillies and then travel home to New York for two more .
Now , they will instead travel to Baltimore by bus to play the Orioles , who originally were supposed to be playing the Marlins .
The Nationals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this weekend in Miami – and players voted not to play before MLB ’ s official announcement – now will have the entire weekend off .
The Phillies will now resume play Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park , but as the visiting team .
The baseball world has been turned upside down by the Marlins , but the show goes on – for now .
“ There are obviously a lot of concerns , ’ ’ Washington Nationals manager Davey Martinez said .
“ It ’ s tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped playing in March .
Think about it .
We stopped playing because of the pandemic .
So it ’ s tough , here we are in the middle of the pandemic , and we ’ re trying to do the best we can to keep these guys safe and healthy and actually play baseball.
’ ’ Cubs star Anthony Rizzo , a cancer survivor , sent a text message to Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto asking about the Reds ' positive COVID-19 tests before taking the field for a game Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conference call Monday with the union , trying to navigate how to play through a pandemic that ’ s only picking up steam , while several players like Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun , are now contemplating whether to opt out .
“ It ’ s disturbing , it ’ s upsetting , ’ ’ Braun said .
“ It ’ s a reminder of how precarious the situation is that were in .
“ There ’ s real fear and anxiety for all of us.
’ ’ The owners had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for calm in the middle of this storm , but at no time talked about shutting down the season .
“ I think most of the owners realize that we built protocols anticipating that we would have positive tests at some point during the season , ’ ’ Manfred said , “ that the protocols were built in order to allow us to continue to play through those positives .
I think there was support for the notion that we believe that the protocols are adequate to keep our players safe.
” MLB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the safety and health protocols they want , but as Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker says , “ nobody ’ s the police around here , but we have to adhere to these protocols if we ’ re going to make it through this season and be safe.
’ ’ But the biggest takeaway may be that it only it takes one team to shake up the entire league .
And while it appears for now that the Marlins ca n't shut down a season by themselves , they sure came close @

Opinion: What if the Marlins were the Yankees? MLB letting Miami be guinea pigs with COVID-19 outbreak
Show Caption Hide Caption MLB season in jeopardy after Marlins' positive tests What I’m Hearing: After 14 Marlins players and employees tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, how will MLB move forward. WhatI'mHearing, USA TODAY
HOUSTON — Let’s be honest.
If the New York Yankees had 15 players test positive for COVID-19 and their season was halted for a week, would we still be playing baseball?
How about if the Los Angeles Dodgers or any other big-market team had the same outbreak?
But since it’s the Miami Marlins, the 2020 season goes on.
With 15 players having tested positive and now sidelined until at least Aug. 4, the Marlins have become the guinea pigs in Major League Baseball’s attempt to play a competitive season in the middle of a pandemic.
Commissioner Rob Manfred wasted no time and immediately set up additional safety measures, and reminded club officials that their players and staff better take their protocols seriously or the season could abruptly end.
MLB is instructing teams to issue stronger, protective masks to their players and staff members. They will reinforce the protocols that players engage in social distancing, which means no high-fives or fist-bumps – let alone celebratory hugs. And, under no condition, are players permitted to stray from the team hotel on the road to frequent a restaurant, a club, or anywhere else but the hotel’s team dining room.
Marlins CEO Derek Jeter noted in a statement Tuesday that the team had "conducted a successful and healthy Spring 2.0 before departing on the road and experiencing challenges."
WORLD SERIES REMATCH: Will Dodgers seek revenge on Astros?
ROYALS: Chiefs QB Pat Mahomes joins ownership group
Among the 6,400 tests conducted since last Friday. the Marlins are the only team who had positive test results, MLB said Tuesday. And only 0.3% of all tests since the start of summer workouts have been positive.
“The difficult circumstances of one club reinforce the vital need to be diligent with the protocols in all ways, both on and off the field,’’ MLB said in a statement. “We will continue to bolster our protocols and make any necessary adjustments. The realities of the virus still loom large, and we must operate with that in mind every day.
“We are confident that clubs and players will act appropriately, for themselves and for others, and the data provides reason to believe that the protocols can work effectively.’’
The Marlins, whether they were careless or not, already are impacting the integrity of the MLB schedule.
It may be impossible for every NL East and AL East team to play a 60-game schedule. The Marlins’ entire week of games has been postponed. They won’t play again until Tuesday, Aug. 4, at home against the Philadelphia Phillies – and that's the best-case scenario.
But that appears unlikely as Miami mayor Carlos Gimenez announced Tuesday that the Marlins should adhere to a 14-day quarantine protocol when returning to South Florida having been knowingly exposed to COVID-19.
The juggling act may force MLB to determine playoff berths simply on team’s winning percentages, and not records.
Certainly, it has caused massive chaos in the schedule. The Yankees, who spent the past two days in Philadelphia, never played a game. They were supposed to play two on the road against the Phillies and then travel home to New York for two more.
Now, they will instead travel to Baltimore by bus to play the Orioles, who originally were supposed to be playing the Marlins. The Nationals, who were supposed to play the Marlins this weekend in Miami – and players voted not to play before MLB’s official announcement – now will have the entire weekend off. The Phillies will now resume play Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park, but as the visiting team.
The baseball world has been turned upside down by the Marlins, but the show goes on – for now.
“There are obviously a lot of concerns,’’ Washington Nationals manager Davey Martinez said. “It’s tough. I revert back to why we stopped playing in March. Think about it. We stopped playing because of the pandemic. So it’s tough, here we are in the middle of the pandemic, and we’re trying to do the best we can to keep these guys safe and healthy and actually play baseball.’’
Cubs star Anthony Rizzo, a cancer survivor, sent a text message to Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto asking about the Reds' positive COVID-19 tests before taking the field for a game Monday.
Player representatives for every team had a conference call Monday with the union, trying to navigate how to play through a pandemic that’s only picking up steam, while several players like Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun, are now contemplating whether to opt out.
“It’s disturbing, it’s upsetting,’’ Braun said. “It’s a reminder of how precarious the situation is that were in.
“There’s real fear and anxiety for all of us.’’
The owners had their own conference call with Manfred calling for calm in the middle of this storm, but at no time talked about shutting down the season.
“I think most of the owners realize that we built protocols anticipating that we would have positive tests at some point during the season,’’ Manfred said, “that the protocols were built in order to allow us to continue to play through those positives. I think there was support for the notion that we believe that the protocols are adequate to keep our players safe.”
MLB and the players association can have all of the safety and health protocols they want, but as Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker says, “nobody’s the police around here, but we have to adhere to these protocols if we’re going to make it through this season and be safe.’’
But the biggest takeaway may be that it only it takes one team to shake up the entire league.
And while it appears for now that the Marlins can't shut down a season by themselves, they sure came close.


usatoday--2020-07-28--Marlins' 2020 season is paused by MLB after COVID-19 outbreak among players, coaches

The Miami Marlins ' season was suspended by Major League Baseball amid an outbreak of COVID-19 cases that resulted in 15 players and two staff members testing positive from Friday to Tuesday , the league announced Tuesday afternoon .
The action is a remarkable but pragmatic pause , sidelining one of the 30 MLB teams attempting to play a 60-game schedule through a pandemic , with one potential outcome being that the Marlins - and their upcoming opponents - may not play the season in full .
`` The health and safety protocols were designed with a challenging circumstance like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' MLB said in a statement .
`` The response outlined in the joint MLB-MLBPA Operations Manual was triggered immediately upon learning of the cluster of positive cases , including contact tracing and the quarantining and testing of all of the identified close contacts .
`` The Marlins ’ personnel who tested positive remain in isolation and are receiving care . ''
MLB noted that no other club has had a positive COVID-19 test in the week beginning Friday ; in the previous seven-day cycle , four players and two staffers tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a positivity rate of 0.05 % .
The Marlins ' outbreak had already resulted in a handful of postponements Monday and Tuesday : Two Marlins games against the Baltimore Orioles in Miami , and a pair of Phillies-New York Yankees games in Philadelphia , site of the Marlins ' three-game weekend series .
Now , the Marlins will have up to seven games to make up : Four against the Orioles and three against the Washington Nationals , their weekend opponents in Miami .
`` After receiving additional test results on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached out to the Commissioner 's Office with concern for the health and safety of our team as well as our opponents , '' Marlins CEO Derek Jeter said in a statement .
`` We look forward to returning to Miami where we conducted a successful and healthy Spring 2.0 before departing on the road and experiencing challenges . ''
Meanwhile , more pieces began moving to accommodate teams jamming as many games in a 66-day calendar as possible .
The Yankees , also marooned in Philadelphia since Monday , will now travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orioles at Camden Yards on Wednesday and Thursday .
That leaves the Phillies without an opponent until Friday , and with four games against the Yankees to make up .
Monday is an off day for the Marlins , Nationals and Phillies , while the Orioles and Yankees were scheduled to play in Baltimore .
Conceivably , the Marlins could use Monday to play a makeup game ( or doubleheader ) against the Nationals or Orioles , freeing the Phillies and Yankees to make up one or two of their four postponed games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this flexibility is greatly aided by the fact games are being played without fans in attendance , rendering such key factors as site and opponent virtually moot .
That 's important , as the Marlins may not have a home in which they can return .
Hours before the Marlins ' season suspension , the Nationals ' players voted not to travel to Miami for the weekend games , expressing the level of concern among players and manager Dave Martinez that he said `` went from an eight to a 12 '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That point now appears moot , as the Marlins wo n't have a scheduled game until next Tuesday at home against the Phillies , although they could use Monday 's off day as a makeup date .
It may be with an entirely new team , in essence .
Fifteen Marlins will be sidelined for a period likely no less than two weeks and probably longer , given the return times of the more than 100 hundred MLB players who have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Each player will have to test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 24 hours in order to return .
The Marlins reportedly testing positive include their top position player , Miguel Rojas , starting catcher Jorge Alfaro , pitcher Jose Urena , designated hitter Garrett Cooper and outfielder Harold Ramirez .
Miami mayor Carlos Gimenez recommended in a Tuesday press conference that all Marlins players quarantine for 14 days upon their return to South Florida , although the ultimate authority may reside with Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis .
Either way , these Marlins will bear little resemblance to the club that won two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
They 'll need to dip significantly into their reserve player pool ; as part of MLB 's protocols for the 2020 season , teams are allowed 60 eligible players , with the 27 not with the major league team headquartered at an alternate training site .
Mixing ostensibly quarantined players from their alternate site with players who were just around a spreading event in the big league clubhouse could have been a recipe for disaster , as negative tests for the coronavirus is no guarantee the person has been infected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an aggressive but probably appropriate approach of quarantining the remaining major league players for 10 to 14 days , per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations , remains to be seen .

Gabe Lacques and Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY

Marlins' 2020 season is paused by MLB after COVID-19 outbreak among players, coaches
Show Caption Hide Caption MLB season in jeopardy after Marlins' positive tests What I’m Hearing: After 14 Marlins players and employees tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, how will MLB move forward. WhatI'mHearing, USA TODAY
The Miami Marlins' season was suspended by Major League Baseball amid an outbreak of COVID-19 cases that resulted in 15 players and two staff members testing positive from Friday to Tuesday, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.
The action is a remarkable but pragmatic pause, sidelining one of the 30 MLB teams attempting to play a 60-game schedule through a pandemic, with one potential outcome being that the Marlins - and their upcoming opponents - may not play the season in full.
"The health and safety protocols were designed with a challenging circumstance like the one facing the Marlins in mind," MLB said in a statement. "The response outlined in the joint MLB-MLBPA Operations Manual was triggered immediately upon learning of the cluster of positive cases, including contact tracing and the quarantining and testing of all of the identified close contacts.
"The Marlins’ personnel who tested positive remain in isolation and are receiving care."
PROTOCOL: MLB teams aim to tighten behavior after outbreak
MARLINS: MLB season suddenly in jeopardy after outbreak
MLB noted that no other club has had a positive COVID-19 test in the week beginning Friday; in the previous seven-day cycle, four players and two staffers tested positive out of more than 10,000 samples, a positivity rate of 0.05%.
The Marlins' outbreak had already resulted in a handful of postponements Monday and Tuesday: Two Marlins games against the Baltimore Orioles in Miami, and a pair of Phillies-New York Yankees games in Philadelphia, site of the Marlins' three-game weekend series.
Now, the Marlins will have up to seven games to make up: Four against the Orioles and three against the Washington Nationals, their weekend opponents in Miami.
"After receiving additional test results on our Major League team this morning, we reached out to the Commissioner's Office with concern for the health and safety of our team as well as our opponents," Marlins CEO Derek Jeter said in a statement.
"We look forward to returning to Miami where we conducted a successful and healthy Spring 2.0 before departing on the road and experiencing challenges."
Meanwhile, more pieces began moving to accommodate teams jamming as many games in a 66-day calendar as possible.
The Yankees, also marooned in Philadelphia since Monday, will now travel south and play two games against the Orioles at Camden Yards on Wednesday and Thursday. That leaves the Phillies without an opponent until Friday, and with four games against the Yankees to make up.
Monday is an off day for the Marlins, Nationals and Phillies, while the Orioles and Yankees were scheduled to play in Baltimore. Conceivably, the Marlins could use Monday to play a makeup game (or doubleheader) against the Nationals or Orioles, freeing the Phillies and Yankees to make up one or two of their four postponed games this week.
Of course, all this flexibility is greatly aided by the fact games are being played without fans in attendance, rendering such key factors as site and opponent virtually moot.
That's important, as the Marlins may not have a home in which they can return.
Hours before the Marlins' season suspension, the Nationals' players voted not to travel to Miami for the weekend games, expressing the level of concern among players and manager Dave Martinez that he said "went from an eight to a 12" in the wake of the Marlins' outbreak.
That point now appears moot, as the Marlins won't have a scheduled game until next Tuesday at home against the Phillies, although they could use Monday's off day as a makeup date.
It may be with an entirely new team, in essence.
Fifteen Marlins will be sidelined for a period likely no less than two weeks and probably longer, given the return times of the more than 100 hundred MLB players who have tested positive for COVID-19. Each player will have to test negative twice in a span of more than 24 hours in order to return.
The Marlins reportedly testing positive include their top position player, Miguel Rojas, starting catcher Jorge Alfaro, pitcher Jose Urena, designated hitter Garrett Cooper and outfielder Harold Ramirez.
Miami mayor Carlos Gimenez recommended in a Tuesday press conference that all Marlins players quarantine for 14 days upon their return to South Florida, although the ultimate authority may reside with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Either way, these Marlins will bear little resemblance to the club that won two of its first three games of the year.
They'll need to dip significantly into their reserve player pool; as part of MLB's protocols for the 2020 season, teams are allowed 60 eligible players, with the 27 not with the major league team headquartered at an alternate training site.
Mixing ostensibly quarantined players from their alternate site with players who were just around a spreading event in the big league clubhouse could have been a recipe for disaster, as negative tests for the coronavirus is no guarantee the person has been infected.
Whether MLB and the Marlins opt for an aggressive but probably appropriate approach of quarantining the remaining major league players for 10 to 14 days, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, remains to be seen.


usatoday--2020-07-28--Andy Cohen says he has 'robust' COVID-19 antibodies but can't donate them because he's gay

Andy Cohen is speaking out about how he has strong COVID-19 antibodies but is prohibited from donating them due to his sexual orientation .
During an appearance on `` The View , '' the Bravo TV host said he 's learned he has `` robust '' antibodies since recovering from COVID-19 .
Cohen revealed he tested positive for the virus on March 20 .
`` I had another test last week for COVID and to see what my antibodies were , '' he said in a clip published Tuesday .
`` The doctor said , 'Oh my God , your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she found to be unusual four months after having originally tested positive for COVID . ''
However , Cohen said that the Food and Drug Administration 's regulations prohibit him from donating plasma because he 's gay .
`` Once again , I thought , 'What a loss .
Here I have these robust antibodies , and I ca n't share my plasma and possibly help anybody , ' '' he added .
Cohen said he signed up for a program with Mount Sinai to donate his plasma but that he was denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` I just thought , 'Well , this is crazy . '
Technology has come so far that you 've got to be looking at this . ''
Andy Cohen slams FDA rules after being 'ineligible ' to donate plasma 'because I 'm a gay man' In April , the FDA updated its policies to require that men abstain from sex with other men for three months before donating blood .
Blood donation guidelines for gay men were first implemented as the HIV/AIDS crisis unfolded in the 1980s and initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That was revised in 2015 to a one-year restriction , but LGBTQ rights activists have criticized these restrictions as discriminatory .
Cohen first opened up about how he was prevented from donating plasma in April during an at-home episode of `` Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen . ''
Andy Cohen shares coronavirus update , reflects on 'the very worst part of this entire thing' During the episode , Cohen noted that the coronavirus pandemic has called on everyone to adapt by wearing masks and practicing social distancing , among other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could n't adapt its restrictions on blood donations .
`` It is bad enough that quarantine has us wondering what day it is , '' he said .
`` I 'm sitting here wondering what year it is .
We need to think about this and do better . ''
FDA eases restrictions on blood donations from gay and bisexual men during coronavirus pandemic

Andy Cohen says he has 'robust' COVID-19 antibodies but can't donate them because he's gay
Show Caption Hide Caption Andy Cohen gushes over his new baby boy The Bravo host describes his experience in the delivery room. Time
Andy Cohen is speaking out about how he has strong COVID-19 antibodies but is prohibited from donating them due to his sexual orientation.
During an appearance on "The View," the Bravo TV host said he's learned he has "robust" antibodies since recovering from COVID-19. Cohen revealed he tested positive for the virus on March 20.
"I had another test last week for COVID and to see what my antibodies were," he said in a clip published Tuesday. "The doctor said, 'Oh my God, your antibodies are so robust,' which she found to be unusual four months after having originally tested positive for COVID."
However, Cohen said that the Food and Drug Administration's regulations prohibit him from donating plasma because he's gay.
"Once again, I thought, 'What a loss. Here I have these robust antibodies, and I can't share my plasma and possibly help anybody,'" he added.
Cohen said he signed up for a program with Mount Sinai to donate his plasma but that he was denied.
"I was hurt," he said. "I just thought, 'Well, this is crazy.' Technology has come so far that you've got to be looking at this."
Andy Cohen slams FDA rules after being 'ineligible' to donate plasma 'because I'm a gay man'
In April, the FDA updated its policies to require that men abstain from sex with other men for three months before donating blood. Blood donation guidelines for gay men were first implemented as the HIV/AIDS crisis unfolded in the 1980s and initially constituted a lifetime ban for gay men. That was revised in 2015 to a one-year restriction, but LGBTQ rights activists have criticized these restrictions as discriminatory.
Cohen first opened up about how he was prevented from donating plasma in April during an at-home episode of "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen."
Andy Cohen shares coronavirus update, reflects on 'the very worst part of this entire thing'
During the episode, Cohen noted that the coronavirus pandemic has called on everyone to adapt by wearing masks and practicing social distancing, among other things, and wondered why the FDA couldn't adapt its restrictions on blood donations.
"It is bad enough that quarantine has us wondering what day it is," he said. "I'm sitting here wondering what year it is. We need to think about this and do better."
FDA eases restrictions on blood donations from gay and bisexual men during coronavirus pandemic
Contributing: Rasha Ali, Jeanine Santucci