usatoday--2020-07-22--House to vote on removing Confederate statues from the Capitol

WASHINGTON – The House is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a bill to require removal from the Capitol of all statues honoring those who served the Confederate State of America during the Civil War .
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
, who introduced the bill , said it will be a `` historic vote to show our country and the world that statues honoring defenders of racism , slavery , segregation , and white supremacy are not welcome in the U.S. Capitol building . ''
`` It is reprehensible that individuals who did so much to divide our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the halls of Congress , '' Hoyer said .
The bill would require states to remove and replace any statues honoring members of the Confederacy in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the Capitol by prohibiting `` persons who served as an officer or voluntarily with the Confederate States of America or of the military forces or government of a State while the State was in rebellion against the United States '' from the collection Each state contributes two statues of people of historical importance to the National Statuary Hall , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Allen from Vermont to Helen Keller from Alabama .
The bill specifically mentions the removal of statues of John C. Calhoun , Charles B. Aycock , and John C. Clarke , whom it identifies as playing a major role in defending slavery and segregation .
The bill , which is likely to pass the Democratic-led House , will next go to the Republican-controlled Senate , where some Republican members have expressed hesitation about removing the statues .
Majority Whip James Clyburn , D-S.C said , `` Memorials that glorify the Confederacy , segregationists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places of honor in our nation ’ s Capitol .
These hallowed halls should be used to promote true American heroes and all its people . ''
The debate over commemorations to Confederates figures and proponents of slavery has simmered since the Civil War ended more than 150 years ago .
It has recently boiled over as anti-police brutality and racial discrimination protesters started to vandalize and take down monuments of Confederate figures ( and , in some cases , slavery 's opponents ) .
More : The fight over monuments asks who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 'symbol of hate ' ?
`` In this moment , the horrors of systemic racism are front and center and the manifestations are before the public each and every day .
The removal of Confederate statues from the U.S. Capitol is an important step in dismantling the systems that hold us back on our path forward , '' said Rep. Barbara Lee , who first introduced similar legislation in 2017 .
The bill also calls for the removal of a bust to former Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney , who wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which declared slaves were not citizens and did not have the right to sue .
Taney 's bust would be replaced with one of Thurgood Marshall , the first African-American Supreme Court justice .

William Cummings and Nicholas Wu, USA TODAY

'Symbols of bigotry and racism': House votes to remove Confederate statues from Capitol
Show Caption Hide Caption Lee descendant urges removing Confederate statues Democratic lawmakers and even descendants of Confederate leaders are urging official removal of Confederate monuments at the center of a politically fraught national debate. (July 21) AP
WASHINGTON – The House voted Wednesday to pass a bill that would require the removal from the Capitol of all statues honoring those who served the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.
The bill passed by a vote of 305-113. All Democrats and 72 Republicans voted for it, along with one independent, Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who introduced the bill, said Wednesday at a news conference that removing the statues would be an act of "principle and conviction."
"Defenders and purveyors of sedition, slavery, segregation and white supremacy have no place in this temple of liberty," he said.
Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said the removal of the statues would be part of honoring the late Rep. John Lewis' legacy, in addition to the passage of a voting rights bill.
"What he fought for every day is the exact opposite of these symbols," she said. "Personally, as a Black lawmaker, the presence of these statues represents an acceptance of white supremacy and racism."
The bill would require states to remove and replace any statues honoring members of the Confederacy in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the Capitol by prohibiting "persons who served as an officer or voluntarily with the Confederate States of America or of the military forces or government of a State while the State was in rebellion against the United States" from the collection.
More: The fight over monuments asks who is an American hero and who is a 'symbol of hate'?
More: Defense Secretary Mark Esper bans Confederate flags from military bases, rejects 'divisive symbols'
Each state contributes two statues of people of historical importance to the National Statuary Hall – ranging from Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen from Vermont to Helen Keller from Alabama. The bill specifically mentions the removal of statues of John C. Calhoun, Charles B. Aycock and John C. Clarke, whom it identifies as playing a major role in defending slavery and segregation.
The bill calls for the removal of a bust of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney, who wrote the infamous Dred Scott decision in 1857, which declared slaves were not citizens and did not have the right to sue. Taney's bust, which sits inside the Old Supreme Court Chamber in the Capitol, would be replaced with one of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court justice.
I'm not for destroying any statue.
I'm here to ask my colleagues to very properly and lawfully return these people to their proper place.
Put them where they can be studied, where people will know exactly who and what they were.
But do not honor them and do not glorify them. pic.twitter.com/APDa9AyRqb — James E. Clyburn (@WhipClyburn) July 22, 2020
In a debate on the House floor, Republican lawmakers said they were open to removing Confederate statues from the Capitol.
Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., said Abraham Lincoln's tomb was in his district in central Illinois and noted the need for national unity. "Today is a day that I can say I proudly am blessed to be a member of Congress," he said.
Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., said he had no problem with the removal, especially if the states that submitted statues removed them, but he objected to removing the bust of Taney.
"If we are going to start down that road, we are going to be swapping out statues like trading cards at the whim of the moment. Our nation's history should be made of sterner stuff," he said.
The bill will go to the Republican-controlled Senate, where some Republican members expressed hesitation about removing the statues.
"What I do think is clearly a bridge too far is this nonsense that we need to airbrush the Capitol and scrub out everybody from years ago who had any connection to slavery," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said last month.
The debate over commemorations to Confederate figures and proponents of slavery has simmered since the Civil War ended more than 150 years ago. It boiled over recently as people protesting police brutality and racial discrimination vandalized and took down monuments of Confederate figures (and, in some cases, slavery's opponents).
"These painful symbols of bigotry and racism have no place in our society and certainly should not be enshrined in the United States Capitol. It's past time that we ended the glorification of men who committed treason against the United States in a concerted effort to keep African Americans in chains," Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., said Wednesday. She introduced similar legislation in 2017.
More: Donald Trump signs order protecting federal monuments and statues from vandalism


usatoday--2020-07-22--Trump campaign raises $20 million during the president's first virtual re-election fundraiser

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump 's first nationwide virtual fundraiser raised $ 20 million , his campaign announced Tuesday night .
The fundraiser was co-hosted by Donald Trump Jr. , the president 's eldest son , and Trump Victory Finance Committee National Chair Kimberly Guilfoyle .
It reportedly raked in 300,000 donations .
'Worse before it gets better . '
Trump delivers sober warning in return to coronavirus briefings “ Trump Victory ’ s groundbreaking fundraising record proves the American people are passionate about gaining four more years under President Trump ’ s strong leadership , ” Guilfoyle said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure of success in this race is enthusiasm , and the enthusiasm from President Trump ’ s supporters can not be matched , ” the statement continued .
In addition to addressing donors and answering questions during the virtual event , the Trump campaign said the president talked via Zoom call with a contest winner : a teacher from Texas .
More : Trump says of sex trafficking suspect Ghislaine Maxwell , ' I wish her well' The president has not been a presence on any of the Trump campaign 's virtual events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from this event outpaces fundraising from individual events for the presumptive Democratic nominee , former Vice President Joe Biden , who has held a number of virtual events since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic .
Both campaigns have been raising , and spending , huge amounts of money .
Biden outraised Trump by $ 10 million in June , marking the second straight month the presumptive Democratic nominee posted a greater campaign fundraising haul than the Republican incumbent .
'Chaos and division ' : Biden decries clashes in Portland as federal officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign ended June with a war chest of $ 295 million on hand to spend for the final four months of the campaign .
The president 's campaign , the Republican Party and affiliated committees , have spent more than record-breaking $ 983 million since 2017 in re-election efforts .
Additionally , Trump 's Tulsa , Oklahoma , campaign rally , the only one since the beginning of the coronavirus cost a whopping $ 2.2 million , though it drew a smaller crowd than his usual campaign events .
Tuesday 's massive event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president trailing by double digits nationally to Biden , especially on his handling of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
The event also included appearances from the president 's daughter Tiffany Trump , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .

Trump campaign raises $20 million during the president's first virtual re-election fundraiser
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's first nationwide virtual fundraiser raised $20 million, his campaign announced Tuesday night.
The fundraiser was co-hosted by Donald Trump Jr., the president's eldest son, and Trump Victory Finance Committee national chair Kimberly Guilfoyle. It reportedly raked in 300,000 donations.
'Worse before it gets better.' Trump delivers sober warning in return to coronavirus briefings
“Trump Victory’s groundbreaking fundraising record proves the American people are passionate about gaining four more years under President Trump’s strong leadership,” Guilfoyle said in a statement.
"The most important measure of success in this race is enthusiasm, and the enthusiasm from President Trump’s supporters cannot be matched,” the statement continued.
In addition to addressing donors and answering questions during the virtual event, the Trump campaign said the president talked via Zoom call with a contest winner: a teacher from Texas.
More: Trump says of sex trafficking suspect Ghislaine Maxwell, 'I wish her well'
The president has not been a presence at any of the Trump campaign's virtual events until this week.
The massive haul from this event outpaces fundraising from individual events for the presumptive Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, who has held a number of virtual events since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
Both campaigns have been raising, and spending, huge amounts of money.
Biden outraised Trump by $10 million in June, marking the second straight month the presumptive Democratic nominee posted a greater campaign fundraising haul than the Republican incumbent.
'Chaos and division': Biden decries clashes in Portland as federal officials defend efforts to end protests
The Trump campaign ended June with a war chest of $295 million on hand to spend for the final four months of the campaign.
The president's campaign, the Republican Party and affiliated committees, have spent more than record-breaking $983 million since 2017 in re-election efforts.
Additionally, Trump's Tulsa, Oklahoma, campaign rally, the only one since the beginning of the coronavirus, cost a whopping $2.2 million, though it drew a smaller crowd than his usual campaign events.
Tuesday's massive event and fundraising haul follows several polls showing the president trailing by double digits nationally to Biden, especially on his handling of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The event also included appearances from the president's daughter Tiffany Trump, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.


usatoday--2020-07-22--'Evil in the flesh': Convicted felon arrested in 'massacre' of 3 Florida friends on fishing trip

BARTOW , Fla. — A chance meeting at a dollar store last Friday night led to the shooting deaths minutes later of three friends who ’ d met to go fishing and the arrest of a Florida man for the killings , Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Wednesday .
Tony “ T.J. ” Lee Wiggins Jr. , 26 , is charged with fatally shooting Brandon Rollins , 27 , and his friends , Keven Springfield , 30 , and Damion Tillman , 30 .
Wiggins ' brother , William “ Robert ” Wiggins , 21 , and Mary Whittemore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The two were charged with three counts of accessory to murder and one count of tampering with evidence .
Investigators linked a shell casing found at the scene to a handgun discovered at Wiggins ’ camper Monday .
Detectives have been told it was dismantled and thrown away , Judd said .
Detectives also found trace evidence of blood in the truck Wiggins was riding in , and it ’ s being processed .
Preliminary investigation reveals Wiggins , in the moments before he allegedly opened fire , had accused Springfield , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his truck .
“ For that , this guy massacres three young men , 23 , 27 and 30 , on their way to fishing on a Friday night in Frostproof ( Florida ) ?
” Judd said while displaying Wiggins ’ photo during Wednesday ’ s press conference .
“ It ’ s gut-wrenching .
This is evil in the flesh.
” Judd said the Wiggins brothers and Whittemore went to the area where Rollins , Springfield and Tillman were found after Robert Wiggins overheard Tillman tell a clerk at a Dollar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some fishing .
After Wiggins got to the scene , he drew a handgun and accused Springfield of selling the engine out of his truck , according to Judd .
Springfield and Rollins had arrived in the same truck .
Wiggins hit Springfield before he started firing at both Springfield and Rollins , Judd said , describing Wiggins as `` out of control . ''
Preliminary investigation indicates Wiggins fired nine to 10 shots at Springfield and Rollins , Judd said .
Tillman tried to intervene , telling Wiggins to `` put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wiggins allegedly shot Tillman , too , and instructed his brother to help him put Tillman 's body in the back of one of the trucks .
After leaving the scene , the Wiggins brothers and Whittemore drove to a McDonald ’ s restaurant .
“ While they ’ re standing in line , or in line at the drive-thru , it ’ s very quiet , ” Judd said .
“ T.J .
simply says , ‘ We weren ’ t there , ’ and that ’ s all the conversation they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s more than that.
” Detectives were told that Robert Wiggins took the borrowed truck they used that night and cleaned it out .
Wiggins , a convicted felon , was arrested Monday after detectives executed a search warrant on his travel trailer and discovered a cache of firearms .
The night of the shooting , Rollins called his father , Cyril Rollins , to say he needed help .
Judd said Wednesday it ’ s believed he called before the shooting began .
By the time Cyril Rollins got there , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after talking with him for moments , the elder Rollins left to call for help because he had left his cellphone at home .
Judd said some have questioned why Rollins didn ’ t use his son ’ s cellphone .
“ His son ’ s phone had fallen down inside the truck , ” he said , “ and in his panic and fear , he didn ’ t see any cellphones .
He just knew the three boys , and his son , were shot to pieces and he ran for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do .
”

Suzie Schottelkotte, The (Lakeland, Fla.) Ledger

'Evil in the flesh': Convicted felon arrested in 'massacre' of 3 Florida friends on fishing trip
Show Caption Hide Caption Frostproof triple homicide investigation: 3 suspects arrested The Polk County Sheriff announced in a press conference that three suspects have been charged in the Frostproof triple homicide investigation. USA TODAY
BARTOW, Fla. – A chance meeting at a dollar store last Friday night led to the shooting deaths minutes later of three friends who’d met to go fishing, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Wednesday. A Lake Wales man was arrested in the killings.
Tony “T.J.” Lee Wiggins, 26, is charged with fatally shooting Brandon Rollins, 27, and his friends, Keven Springfield, 30, and Damion Tillman, 30.
Wiggins' brother, William “Robert” Wiggins, 21, and Mary Whittemore, 27, were also arrested, charged with three counts of accessory to murder and one count of tampering with evidence.
Investigators linked a shell casing found at the scene to a handgun discovered at Wiggins’ camper Monday.
Detectives found trace evidence of blood in a truck Wiggins was riding in, and it’s being processed.
Florida community mourns: Three friends killed in 'massacre' on fishing trip
According to preliminary investigation, Wiggins, in the moments before he allegedly fired, accused Springfield, a mechanic, of selling the engine from his truck.
“For that, this guy massacres three young men, 23, 27 and 30, on their way to fishing on a Friday night in Frostproof (Florida)?” Judd said, displaying Wiggins’ photo during Wednesday’s news conference. “It’s gut-wrenching. This is evil in the flesh.”
Judd said the Wiggins brothers and Whittemore went to the area where Rollins, Springfield and Tillman were found after Robert Wiggins overheard Tillman tell a clerk at a Dollar General he was meeting Springfield to do some fishing.
After Wiggins got to the scene, he drew a handgun and accused Springfield, according to Judd. Springfield and Rollins had arrived in the same truck. Wiggins hit Springfield before he started firing at him and Rollins, Judd said, describing Wiggins as "out of control."
Sheriff: 3 friends on fishing trip killed in 'massacre'
Wiggins fired nine to 10 shots at Springfield and Rollins, Judd said.
Tillman tried to intervene, telling Wiggins to "put the gun away," Judd said. Wiggins allegedly shot Tillman and instructed his brother to help him put Tillman's body in the back of one of the trucks.
After leaving the scene, the Wiggins brothers and Whittemore drove to a McDonald’s restaurant.
“While they’re standing in line or in line at the drive-thru, it’s very quiet,” Judd said. “T.J. simply says, ‘We weren’t there,’ and that’s all the conversation they will admit to. We believe there’s more than that.”
Detectives were told that Robert Wiggins took the borrowed truck they used that night and cleaned it out.
Florida's COVID-19 response: What went wrong? Timing, testing, tourism and mixed signals
Wiggins, a convicted felon, was arrested Monday after detectives executed a search warrant on his travel trailer and discovered a cache of firearms.
The night of the shooting, Rollins called his father, Cyril, to say he needed help. Judd said Wednesday that he called before the shooting began. By the time Cyril Rollins got there, his son was critically wounded, and after talking with him for moments, the elder Rollins left to call for help because he had left his cellphone at home.
Judd said some questioned why Rollins didn’t use his son’s cellphone.
“His son’s phone had fallen down inside the truck,” he said, “and in his panic and fear, he didn’t see any cellphones. He just knew the three boys, and his son, were shot to pieces, and he ran for help, which was all he needed to do.”
Follow Suzie Schottelkotte on Twitter @southpolkscene.


usatoday--2020-07-23--Trump blames spike in COVID cases on protests, increased travel and cases from Mexico, even as exper

WASHINGTON –President Donald Trump on Wednesday blamed a dramatic uptick in U.S. coronavirus cases on young people who attended nationwide protests over police brutality , summer holidays , a `` substantial increase in travel '' and migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border , even though his own advisers have also attributed the surge to some states ' early reopenings .
Surges across the country have led to 10 states setting seven-day records for new cases while five states saw a record number of deaths over that period , according to a USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins data through late Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of causes for the spike in infections .
Cases started to rise among young Americans shortly after demonstrations , which you know very well about , which presumably triggered a broader relaxation of mitigation efforts nationwide , '' Trump told reporters during a White House briefing , referring to mass demonstrations over the death of George Floyd .
`` We 're also sharing a 2,000 mile border with Mexico as we know very well and cases are surging in Mexico ... it 's a big problem for Mexico but cases are surging very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Western Hemisphere.
`` The U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada have been closed since mid-March to help stem the spread of COVID-19 .
As Trump spoke Wednesday evening , one of his own top health experts , Dr. Deborah Birx , told Fox News that some states opening too early was another factor behind the outbreak .
`` This was an event that we think can be traced to Memorial Day and opening up and people traveling again and being on vacations , '' the White House coronavirus task force coordinator said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's top infectious disease expert and a member of the task force , said earlier this month that the rise in cases was attributed to early openings .
`` There are some times when despite the guidelines and the recommendations to open up carefully and prudently , some states skipped over those and just opened up too quickly , '' Fauci told Podcast-19 , FiveThirtyEight 's weekly podcast on COVID-19 .
`` Certainly Florida I know , you know , I think jumped over a couple of checkpoints , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid packed bars '' and other crowded settings that he said were behind the recent surge and , for a second day , insisted people follow federal health guidelines , including wearing a mask and social distancing .
`` I 'm finding more and more people are saying wash your hands .
So wash your hands , '' he added .
Trump said his administration `` did n't anticipate '' the COVID-19 outbreak across the country 's Sun Belt region , including Florida , Texas , Georgia and Arizona , but he failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first to follow his lead to lift coronavirus restrictions in the spring .
After initially backing nationwide shutdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19 for several weeks , Trump began encouraging governors to ease restrictions and reopening businesses as early as April .
Republican governors who are closely allied with Trump , including Georgia 's Gov .
Brian Kemp and Florida 's Gov .
Ron DeSantis were among the first to aggressively implement reopening plans even as their daily rates of coronavirus infection continued to climb .
During Wednesday 's briefing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether he 'll support a short-term extension of the additional $ 600 that millions of Americans received on top of their weekly unemployment benefits to assist with the economic fallout from the pandemic – one of several issues stalling ongoing negotiations over the next coronavirus relief package on Capitol Hill .
`` I think ultimately something good will come out of it , '' he said .
Trump appeared before reporters for a second time this week as he attempts to hit the reset button amid criticism of his administration 's handling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to face questions on his handling of the pandemic as his sinking poll numbers have showed him trailing his Democratic challenger , former Vice President Joe Biden , in several battleground states ahead of November .
In the weeks since the last series of briefings in March and April , Trump has opted to put a positive spin on the country 's coronavirus crisis , touting the expansion of U.S. testing , despite lags in results , and pressuring schools to reopen in the fall as part of a wider effort to revive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reverse course Tuesday , conceding that the pandemic `` will likely unfortunately get worse before it gets better '' and encouraging Americans to wear a mask – a federal health guideline he has repeatedly flouted until a visit to Walter Reed hospital earlier this month .
Despite his about-face on the severity of the pandemic , Trump continued to paint an optimistic outlook , suggesting the health experts could develop a cure `` in a very short period of time . ''
`` We 're doing tremendously well on therapeutic research and tremendously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` We 'll see what happens but that would be great if we could go into the hospital and just cure people ... we think in a very short period of time we 'll be able to do that . ''

Courtney Subramanian and John Fritze, USA TODAY

Trump blames spike in COVID cases on protests, increased travel and cases from Mexico, even as experts point to early reopenings
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Wednesday blamed a dramatic uptick in U.S. coronavirus cases on young people who attended nationwide protests over police brutality, summer holidays, a "substantial increase in travel" and migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, even though his own advisers have also attributed the surge to some states' early reopenings.
Surges across the country have led to 10 states setting seven-day records for new cases while five states saw a record number of deaths over that period, according to a USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins data through late Tuesday.
"There are likely a number of causes for the spike in infections. Cases started to rise among young Americans shortly after demonstrations, which you know very well about, which presumably triggered a broader relaxation of mitigation efforts nationwide," Trump told reporters during a White House briefing, referring to mass demonstrations over the death of George Floyd.
"We're also sharing a 2,000 mile border with Mexico as we know very well and cases are surging in Mexico ... it's a big problem for Mexico but cases are surging very sharply and all across the rest of the Western Hemisphere. "
The U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada have been closed since mid-March to help stem the spread of COVID-19.
As Trump spoke Wednesday evening, one of his own top health experts, Dr. Deborah Birx, told Fox News that some states opening too early was another factor behind the outbreak.
"This was an event that we think can be traced to Memorial Day and opening up and people traveling again and being on vacations," the White House coronavirus task force coordinator said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert and a member of the task force, said earlier this month that the rise in cases was attributed to early openings.
"There are some times when despite the guidelines and the recommendations to open up carefully and prudently, some states skipped over those and just opened up too quickly," Fauci told Podcast-19, FiveThirtyEight's weekly podcast on COVID-19.
"Certainly Florida I know, you know, I think jumped over a couple of checkpoints," he added.
The president urged young Americans to "avoid packed bars" and other crowded settings that he said were behind the recent surge and, for a second day, insisted people follow federal health guidelines, including wearing a mask and social distancing.
"I'm finding more and more people are saying wash your hands. So wash your hands," he added.
Trump said his administration "didn't anticipate" the COVID-19 outbreak across the country's Sun Belt region, including Florida,Texas, Georgia and Arizona, but he failed to acknowledge that those states were among the first to follow his lead to lift coronavirus restrictions in the spring.
After initially backing nationwide shutdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19 for several weeks, Trump began encouraging governors to ease restrictions and reopening businesses as early as April.
Republican governors who are closely allied with Trump, including Georgia's Gov. Brian Kemp and Florida's Gov. Ron DeSantis were among the first to aggressively implement reopening plans even as their daily rates of coronavirus infection continued to climb.
During Wednesday's briefing, the president also sidestepped a question about whether he'll support a short-term extension of the additional $600 that millions of Americans received on top of their weekly unemployment benefits to assist with the economic fallout from the pandemic – one of several issues stalling ongoing negotiations over the next coronavirus relief package on Capitol Hill.
"I think ultimately something good will come out of it," he said.
Trump says of Ghislaine Maxwell, 'I wish her well' President Donald Trump offered sympathetic words to Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime companion who stands accused of facilitating the abuse of girls by the sex offender. But Trump says he hasn't been following her case closely. (July 21) AP
Trump appeared before reporters for a second time this week as he attempts to hit the reset button amid criticism of his administration's handling of the coronavirus crisis. The president continues to face questions on his handling of the pandemic as his sinking poll numbers have showed him trailing his Democratic challenger, former Vice President Joe Biden, in several battleground states ahead of November.
In the weeks since the last series of briefings in March and April, Trump has opted to put a positive spin on the country's coronavirus crisis, touting the expansion of U.S. testing, despite lags in results, and pressuring schools to reopen in the fall as part of a wider effort to revive the economy.
But he appeared to reverse course Tuesday, conceding that the pandemic "will likely unfortunately get worse before it gets better" and encouraging Americans to wear a mask – a federal health guideline he has repeatedly flouted until a visit to Walter Reed hospital earlier this month.
Despite his about-face on the severity of the pandemic, Trump continued to paint an optimistic outlook, suggesting the health experts could develop a cure "in a very short period of time."
"We're doing tremendously well on therapeutic research and tremendously well on the vaccines," he said. "We'll see what happens but that would be great if we could go into the hospital and just cure people ... we think in a very short period of time we'll be able to do that."


usatoday--2020-07-22--Mookie Betts signs mammoth 12-year extension with Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers , who wondered at times whether Mookie Betts would even play a game for them before testing free agency , signed Betts to the richest contract in franchise history .
The Dodgers and Betts have reached agreement on terms of a 12-year , $ 365 million contract and will have a press conference Wednesday afternoon to make the official announcement .
The news of the Betts ’ negotiations was first reported by Lou Merloni of WEEI.com in Boston .
The total represents the largest amount of new money ever given to a player .
Last spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 360 million extension with the Los Angeles Angels .
The Dodgers , who traded for Betts and former Cy Young winner David Price in February from the Boston Red Sox , certainly have the financial clout to sign one of the game ’ s greatest stars .
The only contract they have on the books past 2021 is the final year of Price ’ s contract , paying him $ 32 million , with the Red Sox paying half of it .
POWER RANKINGS : Which team starts the season at No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract disputes the theory that players could take a massive financial hit in free agency with the season shortened to 60 games with no fans .
Betts , 27 , a four-time Gold Glove winner who won the AL MVP in 2018 , rejected an extension before being traded by the Red Sox that would pay him $ 300- $ 325 million over 10 years .
Now , he strikes even a greater deal during the pandemic without testing free agency .

Mookie Betts signs mammoth 12-year extension with Dodgers
Show Caption Hide Caption Mookie Betts gets monster contract extension from Dodgers What I'm Hearing: USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale breaks down the deal between Mookie Betts and the Dodgers. USA TODAY
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who wondered at times whether Mookie Betts would even play a game for them before testing free agency, signed Betts to the richest contract in franchise history.
The Dodgers and Betts have reached agreement on terms of a 12-year, $365 million contract and will have a press conference Wednesday afternoon to make the official announcement.
The news of the Betts’ negotiations was first reported by Lou Merloni of WEEI.com in Boston.
The total represents the largest amount of new money ever given to a player. Last spring, Mike Trout signed a 10-year, $360 million extension with the Los Angeles Angels.
The Dodgers, who traded for Betts and former Cy Young winner David Price in February from the Boston Red Sox, certainly have the financial clout to sign one of the game’s greatest stars. The only contract they have on the books past 2021 is the final year of Price’s contract, paying him $32 million, with the Red Sox paying half of it.
POWER RANKINGS: Which team starts the season at No. 1?
PREDICTIONS: 60-game sprint to the World Series
Certainly, Betts’ contract disputes the theory that players could take a massive financial hit in free agency with the season shortened to 60 games with no fans.
Betts, 27, a four-time Gold Glove winner who won the AL MVP in 2018, rejected an extension before being traded by the Red Sox that would pay him $300-$325 million over 10 years.
Now, he strikes even a greater deal during the pandemic without testing free agency.
Follow Bob Nightengale on Twitter @Bnightengale


usatoday--2020-07-22--'Symbols of bigotry and racism': House votes to remove Confederate statues from Capitol

WASHINGTON – The House voted Wednesday to pass a bill that would require the removal from the Capitol of all statues honoring those who served the Confederate States of America during the Civil War .
The bill passed by a vote of 305-113 .
All Democrats and 72 Republicans voted for it , along with one independent , Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan .
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
, who introduced the bill , said Wednesday at a news conference that removing the statues would be an act of `` principle and conviction . ''
`` Defenders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ segregation and white supremacy have no place in this temple of liberty , '' he said .
Rep. Karen Bass , D-Calif. , chair of the Congressional Black Caucus , said the removal of the statues would be part of honoring the late Rep. John Lewis ' legacy , in addition to the passage of a voting rights bill .
`` What he fought for every day is the exact opposite of these symbols , '' she said .
`` Personally , as a Black lawmaker , the presence of these statues represents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The bill would require states to remove and replace any statues honoring members of the Confederacy in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the Capitol by prohibiting `` persons who served as an officer or voluntarily with the Confederate States of America or of the military forces or government of a State while the State was in rebellion against the United States '' from the collection .
More : The fight over monuments asks who is an American hero and who is a 'symbol of hate ' ?
Each state contributes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the National Statuary Hall – ranging from Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen from Vermont to Helen Keller from Alabama .
The bill specifically mentions the removal of statues of John C. Calhoun , Charles B. Aycock and John C. Clarke , whom it identifies as playing a major role in defending slavery and segregation .
The bill calls for the removal of a bust of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney , who wrote the infamous Dred Scott decision in 1857 , which declared slaves were not citizens and did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's bust , which sits inside the Old Supreme Court Chamber in the Capitol , would be replaced with one of Thurgood Marshall , the first African American Supreme Court justice .
In a debate on the House floor , Republican lawmakers said they were open to removing Confederate statues from the Capitol .
Rep. Rodney Davis , R-Ill. , said Abraham Lincoln 's tomb was in his district in central Illinois and noted the need for national unity .
`` Today is a day that I can say I proudly am blessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
Rep. Tom McClintock , R-Calif. , said he had no problem with the removal , especially if the states that submitted statues removed them , but he objected to removing the bust of Taney .
`` If we are going to start down that road , we are going to be swapping out statues like trading cards at the whim of the moment .
Our nation 's history should be made of sterner stuff , '' he said .
The bill will go to the Republican-controlled Senate , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statues .
`` What I do think is clearly a bridge too far is this nonsense that we need to airbrush the Capitol and scrub out everybody from years ago who had any connection to slavery , '' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said last month .
The debate over commemorations to Confederate figures and proponents of slavery has simmered since the Civil War ended more than 150 years ago .
It boiled over recently as people protesting police brutality and racial discrimination vandalized and took down monuments of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , slavery 's opponents ) .
`` These painful symbols of bigotry and racism have no place in our society and certainly should not be enshrined in the United States Capitol .
It 's past time that we ended the glorification of men who committed treason against the United States in a concerted effort to keep African Americans in chains , '' Rep. Barbara Lee , D-Calif. , said Wednesday .
She introduced similar legislation in 2017 .


usatoday--2020-07-23--Nick Cordero posthumous album 'Live Your Life' will be released on his birthday, Amanda Kloots says

Nick Cordero , a Broadway star who died this month following a three-month hospitalization from coronavirus complications , will have a posthumous album of his work released later this year .
Cordero 's wife , celebrity fitness trainer Amanda Kloots , shared the news Wednesday on her Instagram .
According to Kloots , the album will include songs from Cordero 's one-man show , which he performed in April 2019 at Feinstein's/54 Below , a well-known restaurant and cabaret in New York City .
Kloots wrote that her late husband `` would be absolutely thrilled to hear this news .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my husband work so hard on something and be so nervous to perform , '' she continued .
`` I was so proud of him and absolutely loved watching him onstage these two nights .
He created this show from scratch , choosing songs to tell a story ... his story . ''
The album is called `` Live Your Life , '' a nod to Cordero 's rock song of the same name , which became an anthem for Kloots and his fans who blasted the song while cheering for the actor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sept. 17 , what would have been Cordero 's 42nd birthday .
`` There ’ s some Broadway tunes with fun guest stars , some pop , standards , a little Latin and of course the encore is Live Your Life , '' Kloots added .
Guest performers on the album include Kathryn Gallagher , Drew Gehling , Sara Chase and Zach Braff .
Proceeds will go to benefit Kloots and their 1-year-old son , Elvis .
Amanda Kloots opens up about being 'scared of my new normal ' after Nick Cordero 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 95-day hospital stay with a series of complications from the coronavirus , including a leg amputation , infections in his lungs and the insertion of a temporary pacemaker .
Kloots kept her Instagram followers updated at every turn .
Since Cordero 's death , Kloots has posted on Instagram that she 's doing a `` # ak10daysofhappy '' challenge , with the goal of doing one thing a day that makes her happy .
On Wednesday , she posted to her Instagram story videos of herself baking a chocolate cake as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she wrote that she went swimming in a kiddie pool with her son and niece .
On July 16 , Kloots wrote on Instagram that she discovered the Geico gecko logo on the back of the People magazine issue featuring Cordero on the cover .
Kloots said Cordero had put this logo on his vision board this year and that she saw this as a sign .
`` The spiritual meaning of a gecko , in case you are wondering , it represents incredible healing and cleansing due to its regenerative powers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a gecko in your life means you are strong , fearless and can overcome anything !
She continued : `` I believe this was a sign from Nick !
It was his cheeky way of saying , 'Hi honey .
I ’ m here still !
I ’ m with you . '
`` Broadway star Nick Cordero dies at 41 after coronavirus struggle highlighted by wife Amanda Kloots

Nick Cordero posthumous album 'Live Your Life' will be released on his birthday, Amanda Kloots says
Show Caption Hide Caption Broadway star Nick Cordero dies after battle with COVID-19 Tony nominated actor Nick Cordero spent months fighting the virus. USA TODAY, Wochit
Nick Cordero, a Broadway star who died this month following a three-month hospitalization from coronavirus complications, will have a posthumous album of his work released later this year.
Cordero's wife, celebrity fitness trainer Amanda Kloots, shared the news Wednesday on her Instagram. According to Kloots, the album will include songs from Cordero's one-man show, which he performed in April 2019 at Feinstein's/54 Below, a well-known restaurant and cabaret in New York City.
Kloots wrote that her late husband "would be absolutely thrilled to hear this news."
"I’ve never seen my husband work so hard on something and be so nervous to perform," she continued. "I was so proud of him and absolutely loved watching him onstage these two nights. He created this show from scratch, choosing songs to tell a story... his story."
The album is called "Live Your Life," a nod to Cordero's rock song of the same name, which became an anthem for Kloots and his fans who blasted the song while cheering for the actor's recovery. It comes out on Sept. 17, what would have been Cordero's 42nd birthday.
"There’s some Broadway tunes with fun guest stars, some pop, standards, a little Latin and of course the encore is Live Your Life," Kloots added.
Guest performers on the album include Kathryn Gallagher, Drew Gehling, Sara Chase and Zach Braff. Proceeds will go to benefit Kloots and their 1-year-old son, Elvis.
Amanda Kloots opens up about being 'scared of my new normal' after Nick Cordero's memorial
Cordero died July 5 after a 95-day hospital stay with a series of complications from the coronavirus, including a leg amputation, infections in his lungs and the insertion of a temporary pacemaker. Kloots kept her Instagram followers updated at every turn.
Since Cordero's death, Kloots has posted on Instagram that she's doing a "#ak10daysofhappy" challenge, with the goal of doing one thing a day that makes her happy. On Wednesday, she posted to her Instagram story videos of herself baking a chocolate cake as part of the challenge, and on July 17 she wrote that she went swimming in a kiddie pool with her son and niece.
On July 16, Kloots wrote on Instagram that she discovered the Geico gecko logo on the back of the People magazine issue featuring Cordero on the cover. Kloots said Cordero had put this logo on his vision board this year and that she saw this as a sign.
"The spiritual meaning of a gecko, in case you are wondering, it represents incredible healing and cleansing due to its regenerative powers," she wrote. "The appearance of a gecko in your life means you are strong, fearless and can overcome anything!
She continued: "I believe this was a sign from Nick! It was his cheeky way of saying, 'Hi honey. I’m here still! I’m with you.' "
Broadway star Nick Cordero dies at 41 after coronavirus struggle highlighted by wife Amanda Kloots
Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY; Associated Press


usatoday--2020-07-22--Donald Trump announces a 'surge' of federal law officers in Chicago to work with the city on crime p

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Wednesday he would `` surge '' hundreds of federal law enforcement officials into Chicago to help battle gun violence , even as the city 's mayor cautioned against unwanted political interference in local operations that has plagued the federal response to sustained civil unrest in Portland , Oregon .
Joined by Attorney General William Barr , Trump promised that the action was just the beginning of federal deployments to cities across the country where crime has spiked in recent months and as the president has sought to raise his sagging political standing .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal law enforcement into communities plagued by violent crime , '' Trump said at a White House `` law and order '' event shrouded in political overtones .
Trump , struggling in his re-election bid against Democratic challenger Joe Biden , said he would expand a Justice Department program known as `` Operation Legend '' to Chicago and other cities , including Albuquerque , New Mexico .
About 300 federal law enforcement officers – drawn from the FBI , Drug Enforcement Administration and other parts of the Justice Department , along with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work with state and local police to apprehend violent criminals .
More than 35 officers are expected to be dispatched to do much the same in Albuquerque , which has also seen escalations in violent crime .
The announcement prompted a mix of apprehension and hope in Chicago , which has been ravaged by gun violence .
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot appeared open to the plan , while drawing differences from the Trump administration 's aggressive response to the unrest in Portland , where federal officers clashed with protesters as local and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city .
`` Federal agents who are here in Chicago have been here for decades .
...
They know their city and they live here .
...
They 're not federal troops , '' Lightfoot told reporters Wednesday .
`` They will be plugged in to the existing infrastructure of the agencies , manage and supervise existing cases and investigations .
That 's a big , important difference . ''
Albuquerque officials , however , said the federal assistance had not been requested and feared that the city would suffer the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clashed with federal officers almost nightly .
“ There ’ s no place for Trump ’ s secret police in our city , '' Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said .
`` If this was more than a stunt , these politicians would support constitutional crime fighting efforts that work for our community , not turning Albuquerque into a federal police state . ''
So far , at least , Trump 's plan for Chicago and Albuquerque appears to be a departure from a surge of more than 100 federal officers this month in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal counterparts of inflaming sustained demonstrations against police brutality .
The officers , drawn from the ranks of DHS immigration enforcement units , were dispatched to Portland to secure federal buildings that have been targeted by protesters .
At the White House event , Trump said too many Democratic politicians have stood by while the `` far left '' stages demonstrations in an effort to `` break up our police departments . ''
He said `` there has been a radical movement to defund , dismantle and dissolve our police departments . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign speeches , Trump also linked Democrats to `` extreme radical left '' elements that are seeking massive changes in education and the economy .
As for the crime issue , Trump spoke at length about the high rates of shooting deaths in Chicago , saying `` this bloodshed must end – this bloodshed will end . ''
Trump has clashed over the years with political leaders in the Windy City , including Lightfoot , who has accused the president of seeking to use her city as a political pawn .
Lightfoot has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal forces to the city .
On Tuesday , she tweeted : “ Under no circumstances will I allow Donald Trump ’ s troops to come to Chicago and terrorize our residents . ''
On Wednesday , Lightfoot said it 's still too early to say whether the federal deployments will help Chicago .
She warned that any abuse of authority by federal officers , particularly by the immigration and Border Patrol agents coming from Homeland Security who are n't already in the city , will face legal challenges .
`` I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you see something that doesn ’ t look right , please , don ’ t hesitate to report it , '' she said .
`` We are going to remain diligent .
... And if we see any steps out of line ... we are not going to hesitate to take the president to court and stop any unconstitutional actions . ''
Lightfoot later said Trump called her late Wednesday to discuss the plan .
The mayor said she made clear to Trump that all federal help “ will be investigatory in nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government “ if there is any deviation from what has been announced.
” Lightfoot and several other big-city mayors wrote to Trump administration officials earlier this week decrying the deployment of federal forces in Portland and accusing the president of using officers and agents for political purposes .
“ The unilateral deployment of these forces into American cities is unprecedented and violates the fundamental constitutional protections and tenets of federalism , ” the mayors wrote .
More : President Trump is weighing the deployment of federal officers to Chicago and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dictatorship ! '
: Portland protesters push back harder against Trump , federal agents On Wednesday , more than 100 House Democrats wrote a letter to Trump administration officials demanding more details about the Portland operation .
`` This is not legitimate law enforcement under our Constitution , '' the letter said , `` but a shocking slide into authoritarianism and police state tactics . ''
Trump 's announcement about Operation Legend came two days after he and other officials said they were weighing Portland-like deployments to Chicago and other cities because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More : What you need to know on the federal response in Portland and the legal questions it raises More : 'Tired of burying our children ' : 4 toddlers shot in Chicago amid surge in gun violence '' We 're going to have more federal law enforcement , that I can tell you , '' Trump said , referring to a possible deployment to other cities .
`` In Portland , they 've done a fantastic job . ''
Now , Trump 's plans to expand Operation Legend – using existing federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de-escalation of his threats to deploy special kinds of forces .
`` We will be adding cities in the weeks ahead , '' Barr said during the White House event .
Barr and Chad Wolf , the acting director of homeland security who also spoke at the White House , drew contrasts between the problems in Portland and those of other cities .
They said those different situations require different responses .
The Justice Department announced Operation Legend earlier this month as part of a federal initiative to fight violent crime in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missouri .
The project was named after LeGend Taliferro , a 4-year-old boy from the city who was shot and killed in his sleep last month .
More : Chicago wo n't see 'Portland-style deployment ' of federal agents , Mayor Lori Lightfoot says Police : :15 shot in drive-by shoot-out at Chicago funeral , city 's largest mass shooting in years Officials cited the rising number of homicides in Kansas City as the reason for starting the initiative there .
The Justice Department has so far sent more than 200 federal deputies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Marshals Service , Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives to work with state and local officials .
Last year , Albuquerque was one of seven cities identified by the Justice Department for additional federal assistance because of unusually high violent crime levels .
The program , Operation Relentless Pursuit , also surged additional federal agents and other resources to Baltimore , Cleveland , Detroit , Kansas City , Memphis and Milwaukee .
Keller has described crime as “ the most pressing issue ” in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety my top priority , ” according to a message from Keller on the city ’ s website .
” We are aiming higher when it comes to our expectations of safety and security for the people of Albuquerque by continuing to reform the Albuquerque Police Department . ''

David Jackson, Kevin Johnson and Kristine Phillips, USA TODAY

Donald Trump announces a 'surge' of federal law officers in Chicago to work with the city on crime problem
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump announces surge of federal law enforcement to communities President Donald Trump announces a surge of federal law enforcement into communities "plagued by violent crime." USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Wednesday he would "surge" hundreds of federal law enforcement officials into Chicago to help battle gun violence, even as the city's mayor cautioned against unwanted political interference in local operations that has plagued the federal response to sustained civil unrest in Portland, Oregon.
Joined by Attorney General William Barr, Trump promised that the action was just the beginning of federal deployments to cities across the country where crime has spiked in recent months and as the president has sought to raise his sagging political standing.
"Today I'm announcing a surge of federal law enforcement into communities plagued by violent crime," Trump said at a White House "law and order" event shrouded in political overtones.
Trump, struggling in his re-election bid against Democratic challenger Joe Biden, said he would expand a Justice Department program known as "Operation Legend" to Chicago and other cities, including Albuquerque, New Mexico.
About 300 federal law enforcement officers – drawn from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and other parts of the Justice Department, along with the Department of Homeland Security – were expected to work with state and local police to apprehend violent criminals.
More than 35 officers are expected to be dispatched to do much the same in Albuquerque, which has also seen escalations in violent crime.
The announcement prompted a mix of apprehension and hope in Chicago, which has been ravaged by gun violence.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot appeared open to the plan, while drawing differences from the Trump administration's aggressive response to the unrest in Portland, where federal officers clashed with protesters as local and city officials called for them to leave the city.
"Federal agents who are here in Chicago have been here for decades. ... They know their city and they live here. ... They're not federal troops," Lightfoot told reporters Wednesday. "They will be plugged in to the existing infrastructure of the agencies, manage and supervise existing cases and investigations. That's a big, important difference."
Albuquerque officials, however, said the federal assistance had not been requested and feared that the city would suffer the same fate as Portland, where protesters have clashed with federal officers almost nightly.
“There’s no place for Trump’s secret police in our city," Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said. "If this was more than a stunt, these politicians would support constitutional crime fighting efforts that work for our community, not turning Albuquerque into a federal police state."
So far, at least, Trump's plan for Chicago and Albuquerque appears to be a departure from a surge of more than 100 federal officers this month in Portland where local leaders have accused their federal counterparts of inflaming sustained demonstrations against police brutality.
The officers, drawn from the ranks of DHS immigration enforcement units, were dispatched to Portland to secure federal buildings that have been targeted by protesters.
At the White House event, Trump said too many Democratic politicians have stood by while the "far left" stages demonstrations in an effort to "break up our police departments." He said "there has been a radical movement to defund, dismantle and dissolve our police departments."
In comments that echoed some of his campaign speeches, Trump also linked Democrats to "extreme radical left" elements that are seeking massive changes in education and the economy.
As for the crime issue, Trump spoke at length about the high rates of shooting deaths in Chicago, saying "this bloodshed must end – this bloodshed will end."
Trump has clashed over the years with political leaders in the Windy City, including Lightfoot, who has accused the president of seeking to use her city as a political pawn.
Trump says he'll deploy fed agents to more cities Despite an increase in clashes between protesters and federal officers in Portland, President Donald Trump said Monday he plans to send more law enforcement agents into additional U.S. cities, "all run by Democrats," to help control unrest. (July 20) AP
Lightfoot has repeatedly said that Trump should not send federal forces to the city. On Tuesday, she tweeted: “Under no circumstances will I allow Donald Trump’s troops to come to Chicago and terrorize our residents."
On Wednesday, Lightfoot said it's still too early to say whether the federal deployments will help Chicago. She warned that any abuse of authority by federal officers, particularly by the immigration and Border Patrol agents coming from Homeland Security who aren't already in the city, will face legal challenges.
"I’m calling on all Chicagoans that if you see something that doesn’t look right, please, don’t hesitate to report it," she said. "We are going to remain diligent. ... And if we see any steps out of line ... we are not going to hesitate to take the president to court and stop any unconstitutional actions."
Lightfoot later said Trump called her late Wednesday to discuss the plan. The mayor said she made clear to Trump that all federal help “will be investigatory in nature,” and her city would sue the federal government “if there is any deviation from what has been announced.”
Lightfoot and several other big-city mayors wrote to Trump administration officials earlier this week decrying the deployment of federal forces in Portland and accusing the president of using officers and agents for political purposes.
“The unilateral deployment of these forces into American cities is unprecedented and violates the fundamental constitutional protections and tenets of federalism,” the mayors wrote.
More: President Trump is weighing the deployment of federal officers to Chicago and other cities nationwide
More: 'This is not a dictatorship!': Portland protesters push back harder against Trump, federal agents
On Wednesday, more than 100 House Democrats wrote a letter to Trump administration officials demanding more details about the Portland operation. "This is not legitimate law enforcement under our Constitution," the letter said, "but a shocking slide into authoritarianism and police state tactics."
Trump's announcement about Operation Legend came two days after he and other officials said they were weighing Portland-like deployments to Chicago and other cities because of threats from "anarchists."
More: What you need to know on the federal response in Portland and the legal questions it raises
More: 'Tired of burying our children': 4 toddlers shot in Chicago amid surge in gun violence
"We're going to have more federal law enforcement, that I can tell you," Trump said, referring to a possible deployment to other cities. "In Portland, they've done a fantastic job."
Now, Trump's plans to expand Operation Legend – using existing federal law enforcement officials – may signal a de-escalation of his threats to deploy special kinds of forces.
"We will be adding cities in the weeks ahead," Barr said during the White House event.
Barr and Chad Wolf, the acting director of homeland security who also spoke at the White House, drew contrasts between the problems in Portland and those of other cities. They said those different situations require different responses.
The Justice Department announced Operation Legend earlier this month as part of a federal initiative to fight violent crime in the U.S., beginning in Kansas City, Missouri. The project was named after LeGend Taliferro, a 4-year-old boy from the city who was shot and killed in his sleep last month.
More: Chicago won't see 'Portland-style deployment' of federal agents, Mayor Lori Lightfoot says
Police:: 15 shot in drive-by shoot-out at Chicago funeral, city's largest mass shooting in years
Officials cited the rising number of homicides in Kansas City as the reason for starting the initiative there. The Justice Department has so far sent more than 200 federal deputies and agents from the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to work with state and local officials.
Last year, Albuquerque was one of seven cities identified by the Justice Department for additional federal assistance because of unusually high violent crime levels.
The program, Operation Relentless Pursuit, also surged additional federal agents and other resources to Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis and Milwaukee.
Keller has described crime as “the most pressing issue” in the city.
“I have made public safety my top priority,” according to a message from Keller on the city’s website. ”We are aiming higher when it comes to our expectations of safety and security for the people of Albuquerque by continuing to reform the Albuquerque Police Department."
Contributing: Grace Hauck


usatoday--2020-07-22--One Direction fans lose their minds, beg for reunion after band's first tweet in two years

One Direction sent fans into a frenzy with its first tweet in two years : an announcement celebrating the group 's 10th anniversary .
`` Tomorrow !
You and me got a whole lot of history # 10YearsOf1D , '' One Direction shared Wednesday on Twitter and Instagram .
A simple black-and-white graphic was also posted , with the words `` 10 Years of One Direction . ''
It 's been a decade since the popular boy band got together on `` The X Factor , '' and fans on Twitter can hardly contain their excitement .
Some are brewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the anniversary , like a reunion tour , while others are sharing their thoughts on their childhood favorites .
`` I 'm sure at 100 % that the only thing that can save 2020 is the onedirection reunion , '' speculated one fan .
Another described Directioners ' response as `` absolutely feral . ''
`` Me finding out that One Direction are possibly doing a reunion tour , '' another tweeted with a meme of a sobbing toddler .
It 's unclear what exactly the band has in store , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the things fans can look forward to .
One Direction has announced it will launch a new anniversary website on Thursday for `` an immersive and exciting interactive fan experience , '' which includes an archive of music videos , behind-the-scenes content , and , of course , a much-anticipated 10-year celebration video highlighting the group 's historic moments . '
I 've been to rock bottom ' : Louis Tomlinson from 'One Direction ' opens up about mother 's and sister 's deaths '' A brand new anniversary celebration video for YouTube @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement from Simon Jones PR .
`` The video will document highlights of the band 's career , from forming on 'The X Factor ' to releasing their single 'History , ' including clips from music videos , performances and candid behind-the-scenes video content .
And , of course , the special relationship they have with their fans . ''
The company added that `` fans will also be able to generate their own shareable 'mixtape ' playlist on the site Now , the biggest question : Are Harry Styles , Louis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Zayn Malik finally getting back together ?
They are n't saying , but it seems like they intend on making `` History '' tomorrow .

One Direction fans lose their minds, beg for reunion after band's first tweet in two years
Show Caption Hide Caption One Direction break social media silence amid reunion talk British pop band One Direction have broken their silence on social media. Bang Showbiz - Bang Extra, Bang Showbiz - Bang Extra
One Direction sent fans into a frenzy with its first tweet in two years: an announcement celebrating the group's 10th anniversary.
"Tomorrow! You and me got a whole lot of history #10YearsOf1D," One Direction shared Wednesday on Twitter and Instagram. A simple black-and-white graphic was also posted, with the words "10 Years of One Direction."
One Direction alum Liam Payne commemorated the anniversary with a screenshot of the first text he ever sent about the group: "I'm in a boyband," he wrote to his father on July 23, 2010.
"What a journey," the singer, now 26 and a father, tweeted Thursday morning. "I had no idea what we were in for when I sent this text to my Dad ten years ago at this exact time the band was formed. Thanks to everyone that’s supported us over the years and thanks to the boys for sharing this with me #10YearsOfOneDirection"
More: The 10 best One Direction songs, definitively ranked
What a journey… I had no idea what we were in for when I sent this text to my Dad ten years ago at this exact time the band was formed. Thanks to everyone that’s supported us over the years and thanks to the boys for sharing this with me #10YearsOfOneDirection pic.twitter.com/0d17ggB66x — Liam (@LiamPayne) July 23, 2020
It's been a decade since the popular boy band got together on "The X Factor," and fans on Twitter can hardly contain their excitement. Some are brewing interesting theories about what surprises will come on the anniversary, like a reunion tour, while others are sharing their thoughts on their childhood favorites.
"I'm sure at 100% that the only thing that can save 2020 is the onedirection reunion," speculated one fan.
I'm sure at 100% that the only thing that can save 2020 is the onedirection reunion. 😼😼 #ONEDIRECTIONSAVE2020 pic.twitter.com/0zyNxX0Ogy — ʀɪᴋsᴜ²³ | 🕊 (@kximxsonxta) July 22, 2020
Another described Directioners' response as "absolutely feral."
No one:
Me finding out One Direction are possibly doing a reunion tour: pic.twitter.com/heo5n78xMV — Missguided (@Missguided) July 22, 2020
"Me finding out that One Direction are possibly doing a reunion tour," another tweeted with a meme of a sobbing toddler.
📲 Breaking:Directioners worldwide are going absolutely feral over the possibility of a one direction reunion #10YearsOfOneDirection pic.twitter.com/m1T505PYoA — Amirah 🦋 (@jalboyhamirah) July 22, 2020
It's unclear what exactly the band has in store, but a new website and video are among the things fans can look forward to. One Direction has announced it will launch a new anniversary website on Thursday for "an immersive and exciting interactive fan experience," which includes an archive of music videos, behind-the-scenes content, and, of course, a much-anticipated 10-year celebration video highlighting the group's historic moments.
'I've been to rock bottom': Louis Tomlinson from 'One Direction' opens up about mother's and sister's deaths
Album review: Harry Styles brings the funk on nostalgia-infused 'Fine Line'
Tomorrow! You and me got a whole lot of history #10YearsOf1D pic.twitter.com/nwxrm5MSE9 — One Direction (@onedirection) July 22, 2020
"A brand new anniversary celebration video for YouTube will also be released," says a statement from Simon Jones PR. "The video will document highlights of the band's career, from forming on 'The X Factor' to releasing their single 'History,' including clips from music videos, performances and candid behind-the-scenes video content. And, of course, the special relationship they have with their fans."
The company added that "fans will also be able to generate their own shareable 'mixtape' playlist on the site
Thursday, the band's YouTube channel shared a nearly 5-minute compilation of their decade-long history – giving a glimpse at what life was like behind the scenes and expressing appreciation for their fans.
"The fans have obviously given us so much that we've always felt it important to give them new music," Styles says when it appears he's doing promotion for the band's fifth album "Made in the A.M."
Now, the biggest question: Are Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik finally getting back together? They aren't saying, but it seems like they intend on making "History" tomorrow.


usatoday--2020-07-22--Biden says 'racists' have sought the U.S. presidency before but Trump is first one elected

Former Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday that racists have run for president in the past , but that President Donald Trump was the first to win the nation ’ s highest office .
In a question-and-answer session with the Service Employees International Union , Biden accused Trump of spreading racism by blaming the Chinese for the coronavirus pandemic .
“ What President Trump has done in his spreading of racist – the way he deals with people based on the color of their skin , their national origin , where they ’ re from – is absolutely sickening , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with union members .
“ No sitting president has ever done this .
Never , never , never , ” Biden added .
“ No Republican president has done this .
No Democratic president .
We ’ ve had racists , and they ’ ve existed , they ’ ve tried to get elected president .
He ’ s the first one that has.
” When asked about Biden 's comments , Trump said Wednesday his administration overhauled the criminal justice system , which he said Biden and former President Barack Obama were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in urban areas .
Unemployment rates were low among nearly all groups of racial minorities “ prior to the China plague coming in – floating in – coming into our country and really doing terrible things all over the world , ” Trump said .
“ I ’ ve done more for Black Americans than anybody with the possible exception of Abraham Lincoln , ” Trump said .
“ Nobody has even been close.
” Biden ’ s comments came in response to questions about his proposal to spend $ 775 billion over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the elderly and disabled .
Suk Kim , a home care provider for SEIU Local 2015 in California , said Trump blaming Asians for the pandemic is part of the reason for racial tensions in her community .
Other customers in a store recently looked at her as if she were some kind of germ or `` was n't human , '' she said .
`` They made me uncomfortable and very upset , '' said Kim , who immigrated from South Korea .
“ We are working so hard to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump has routinely referred to the coronavirus as a virus from China and even as a “ Kung Flu , ” phrases that have been criticized as racist and that stigmatize Asian Americans .
“ Kung flu .
COVID .
COVID-19 , ” Trump said in Phoenix on June 23 .
“ Some people can ’ t explain what the 19 – give me the – 'COVID-19 . '
I said , 'That ’ s an odd name . '
I could give you many , many names .
Some people call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ‘ China flu.
’ Right ?
” Katrina Pierson , a Trump campaign spokeswoman , said the president “ loves all people ” and “ works hard to empower all Americans.
” Pierson called Biden 's comments and `` an insult to the intelligence of Black voters . ''
Biden accused Trump of trying to divide the country , to win reelection from his partisans .
“ He ’ s just using it as a wedge , ” Biden said .
“ He ’ s trying to shift the blame.
” Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of supporting immigration , mentioned that his great-grandfather sailed to the U.S. from Ireland .
“ I ’ m sorry to get so worked up about it .
It makes me so angry when I find that people , based on the color of their skin or their national origin , are somehow viewed in a different way , ” Biden said .
“ Look what ( Trump 's ) doing now .
He ’ s blaming everything on China .
He ’ s blaming everything on the Chinese.
” “ We really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Biden says 'racists' have sought the U.S. presidency before but Trump is first one elected
Show Caption Hide Caption Biden snags support from Muslim American community Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, got support from Muslim Americans during an online summit Monday. (July 20) AP
Former Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday that racists have run for president in the past, but that President Donald Trump was the first to win the nation’s highest office.
In a question-and-answer session with the Service Employees International Union, Biden accused Trump of spreading racism by blaming the Chinese for the coronavirus pandemic.
"What President Trump has done in his spreading of racist – the way he deals with people based on the color of their skin, their national origin, where they’re from – is absolutely sickening," Biden said in a virtual chat with union members.
"No sitting president has ever done this. Never, never, never," Biden added. "No Republican president has done this. No Democratic president. We’ve had racists, and they’ve existed, they’ve tried to get elected president. He’s the first one that has."
When asked about Biden's comments, Trump said Wednesday his administration overhauled the criminal justice system, which he said Biden and former President Barack Obama were unable to accomplish, and spurred investment in urban areas. Unemployment rates were low among nearly all groups of racial minorities "prior to the China plague coming in – floating in – coming into our country and really doing terrible things all over the world," Trump said.
"I’ve done more for Black Americans than anybody with the possible exception of Abraham Lincoln," Trump said. "Nobody has even been close.
History does not support Biden's suggestion that Trump is the first racist to win the White House. At least 12 presidents owned slaves – including eight who owned slaves while in office. Many early presidents held racist views.
Although he signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves, President Abraham Lincoln said before the Civil War that he did not think Blacks and whites could coexist and favored sending freed slaves back to Africa.
Such views did not disappear with slavery. President Woodrow Wilson infamously held a White House screening of "Birth of the Nation," which depicts the Ku Klux Klan members as heroes who saved the South from Black domination.
More recently, audio recordings revealed that President Richard Nixon regularly used racist slurs in his conversations.
Biden’s comments came in response to questions about his proposal to spend $775 billion over the next decade on caregivers for children, the elderly and disabled.
Suk Kim, a home care provider for SEIU Local 2015 in California, said Trump blaming Asians for the pandemic is part of the reason for racial tensions in her community. Other customers in a store recently looked at her as if she were some kind of germ or "wasn't human," she said.
"They made me uncomfortable and very upset," said Kim, who immigrated from South Korea. “We are working so hard to support our families, like everybody else."
Trump has routinely referred to the coronavirus as a virus from China and even as a “Kung Flu,” phrases that have been criticized as racist and that stigmatize Asian Americans.
“Kung flu. COVID. COVID-19,” Trump said in Phoenix on June 23. “Some people can’t explain what the 19 – give me the – 'COVID-19.' I said, 'That’s an odd name.' I could give you many, many names. Some people call it the ‘Chinese flu,’ the ‘China flu.’ Right?”
Katrina Pierson, a Trump campaign spokeswoman, said the president “loves all people” and “works hard to empower all Americans.”Pierson called Biden's comments and "an insult to the intelligence of Black voters."
Biden accused Trump of trying to divide the country, to win reelection from his partisans.
“He’s just using it as a wedge,” Biden said. “He’s trying to shift the blame.”
Biden’s voice rose as he talked of supporting immigration, mentioned that his great-grandfather sailed to the U.S. from Ireland.
“I’m sorry to get so worked up about it. It makes me so angry when I find that people, based on the color of their skin or their national origin, are somehow viewed in a different way,” Biden said. “Look what (Trump's) doing now. He’s blaming everything on China. He’s blaming everything on the Chinese.”
Mary Kay Henry, international president of SEIU, welcomed Biden's support.
“We really appreciate your passion,” Henry said.


usatoday--2020-07-23--A third of U.S. museums not confident they can survive coronavirus pandemic, survey finds

America 's museums have suffered serious financial losses during the coronavirus pandemic — and , according to new research , many museum directors fear their institutions will not be able to recover .
According to data from the New Hampshire-based firm Dynamic Benchmarking , many museum directors worry they will not be able to sustain their organizations in the coming months .
The data was published in a report Wednesday from the American Alliance of Museums ( AAM ) .
The researchers surveyed directors of 760 museums from June 8 to 30 .
Of those surveyed , one-third ( 33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ museums ' survival over the next 16 months without additional financial relief .
Seventeen percent said they did n't know if their museums could survive that long without relief , while 16 % believe their museums face significant risk of closing permanently in that time without relief .
“ Museum revenue disappeared overnight when the pandemic closed all cultural institutions , and sadly , many will never recover , ” AAM 's president & CEO Laura Lott said in a statement .
“ Even with a partial reopening in the coming months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no financial safety net for many museums . ''
Additionally , 87 % of museum directors said they have 12 months or less of their financial operating reserves remaining , with 56 % having less than six months left to cover operations .
Take a virtual tour of these 12 amazing museums closed because of coronavirus Employees at these museums have also suffered .
Forty-four percent of museum directors said they furloughed or laid off a portion of their staff , and 41 % expect to reopen with reduced staff .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in isolation , '' Lott continued .
`` The permanent closure of 12,000 museums will be devastating for communities , economies , education systems , and our cultural history . ''
Lott added that funding from public and private sources is `` crucial to saving the museum field . ''

A third of U.S. museums not confident they can survive coronavirus pandemic, survey finds
Show Caption Hide Caption Penguins explore empty Chicago museum ahead of reopening These penguins from the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago got a VIP tour of the empty Field Museum of Natural History ahead of its reopening later this month. USA TODAY, Storyful
America's museums have suffered serious financial losses during the coronavirus pandemic — and, according to new research, many museum directors fear their institutions will not be able to recover.
According to data from the New Hampshire-based firm Dynamic Benchmarking, many museum directors worry they will not be able to sustain their organizations in the coming months. The data was published in a report Wednesday from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).
The researchers surveyed directors of 760 museums from June 8 to 30.
Of those surveyed, one-third (33%) were not confident about their museums' survival over the next 16 months without additional financial relief. Seventeen percent said they didn't know if their museums could survive that long without relief, while 16% believe their museums face significant risk of closing permanently in that time without relief.
“Museum revenue disappeared overnight when the pandemic closed all cultural institutions, and sadly, many will never recover,” AAM's president & CEO Laura Lott said in a statement. “Even with a partial reopening in the coming months, costs will outweigh revenue and there is no financial safety net for many museums."
Additionally, 87% of museum directors said they have 12 months or less of their financial operating reserves remaining, with 56% having less than six months left to cover operations.
Take a virtual tour of these 12 amazing museums closed because of coronavirus
Employees at these museums have also suffered. Forty-four percent of museum directors said they furloughed or laid off a portion of their staff, and 41% expect to reopen with reduced staff.
“The distress museums are facing will not happen in isolation," Lott continued. "The permanent closure of 12,000 museums will be devastating for communities, economies, education systems, and our cultural history."
Lott added that funding from public and private sources is "crucial to saving the museum field."


usatoday--2020-07-22--Amazon introduces boxes that can be recycled into cat condos, forts and other creations

It 's no secret that kids – and cats – like to play with cardboard boxes , sometimes more than with what 's inside .
Starting this week , some Amazon orders will be delivered in `` more environmentally friendly '' boxes that can be turned into a rocket , car or fort for your pet , a robot costume or a mini-golf windmill , the Seattle-based retail giant shared exclusively with USA TODAY .
The boxes are part of Amazon 's `` Less Packaging , More Smiles '' program and include a call to action to recycle the boxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Amazon.com/ThisBox for how to make the cardboard creations .
Save better , spend better : Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox .
Sign up here '' We know customers love to get creative and reuse their Amazon packaging in a number of ways – this inspired us to create these new packaging designs that give customers an easy way to learn how we ’ re making our packaging better , '' the company said in a statement .
Kim Houchens , Amazon 's director of customer packaging experience , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on reducing packaging waste since 2008 .
Amazon sale : The 5 best Amazon deals you can get this Wednesday 'Holiday shopping will be different ' : Walmart says it will keep stores closed this Thanksgiving '' Inventing and innovating in new types of packaging is one of the many actions we are taking as part of The Climate Pledge – our commitment to become net-zero carbon by 2040 – 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement , '' Houchens said in a statement to USA TODAY .
Over the years , Amazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 33 % and eliminated more than 880,000 tons of packaging material , which is equivalent to about 1.5 billion shipping boxes , Houchens said .
According to the American Forest & Paper Association , 92 % of cardboard boxes , also known as corrugated containers , were recycled .
Last year , Amazon released a fully recyclable paper padded mailer , and since the launch , more than 190 million of the mailers have been shipped to U.S. customers .
Amazon has suggestions on how to recycle Amazon packaging and how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and non-Amazon devices and products through its Second Chance program at Amazon.com/amsc .
What have you turned your boxes into ?
Share photos of the cardboard creations you ’ ve made your pets and kids by emailing ktyko @ usatoday.com or tweet them to us @ USATODAYmoney .
Aldi grand openings : Aldi plans to open 70-plus new stores by end of 2020 , while other retailers look at permanent store closings Popular Amazon purchase : These are the 10 popular face masks everyone is buying on Amazon

Amazon introduces boxes that can be recycled into cat condos, forts and other creations
Show Caption Hide Caption Amazon boxes will look a bit different soon Your next Amazon box might look a little different. USA TODAY
It's no secret that kids – and cats – like to play with cardboard boxes, sometimes more than with what's inside.
Amazon is introducing boxes with a built-in play factor.
Starting this week, some Amazon orders will be delivered in "more environmentally friendly" boxes that can be turned into a rocket, car or fort for your pet, a robot costume or a mini-golf windmill, the Seattle-based retail giant shared exclusively with USA TODAY.
The boxes are part of Amazon's "Less Packaging, More Smiles" program and include a call to action to recycle the boxes and a QR code that directs consumers to Amazon.com/ThisBox for how to make the cardboard creations.
Save better, spend better: Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. Sign up here
"We know customers love to get creative and reuse their Amazon packaging in a number of ways – this inspired us to create these new packaging designs that give customers an easy way to learn how we’re making our packaging better," the company said in a statement.
Kim Houchens, Amazon's director of customer packaging experience, said the company has been making progress on reducing packaging waste since 2008.
Amazon sale: The 5 best Amazon deals you can get this Wednesday
'Holiday shopping will be different': Walmart says it will keep stores closed this Thanksgiving
"Inventing and innovating in new types of packaging is one of the many actions we are taking as part of The Climate Pledge – our commitment to become net-zero carbon by 2040 – 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement," Houchens said in a statement to USA TODAY.
Over the years, Amazon has reduced the weight of its packaging by 33% and eliminated more than 880,000 tons of packaging material, which is equivalent to about 1.5 billion shipping boxes, Houchens said.
According to the American Forest & Paper Association, 92% of cardboard boxes, also known as corrugated containers, were recycled.
Last year, Amazon released a fully recyclable paper padded mailer, and since the launch, more than 190 million of the mailers have been shipped to U.S. customers.
Amazon has suggestions on how to recycle Amazon packaging and how to trade in, recycle or repair Amazon and non-Amazon devices and products through its Second Chance program at Amazon.com/amsc.
Thinking outside the box
What have you turned your boxes into? Share photos of the cardboard creations you’ve made your pets and kids by emailing ktyko@usatoday.com or tweet them to us @USATODAYmoney.
Aldi grand openings: Aldi plans to open 70-plus new stores by end of 2020, while other retailers look at permanent store closings
Popular Amazon purchase: These are the 10 popular face masks everyone is buying on Amazon
Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko


usatoday--2020-07-22--Florida community mourns three friends killed in 'massacre' on fishing trip

FROSTPROOF , Fla. – Kris Meyer knelt over the roadside memorial to his friends Tuesday and laid his head on a makeshift cross remembering Brandon Rollins .
“ They need to catch whoever did this , ” he said after laying fresh flowers at the memorial .
“ I don ’ t mean to sound hateful or anything like that , but they need to feel the pain that they did to them – where they beat them to a pulp like that.
” Three best friends , Rollins , Damion Tillman and Keven Springfield , were beaten and shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They had met there for some night fishing .
A can of Sprite sits atop the cross bearing Rollins ’ name .
Brightly colored beads dangle from the crossbar , and a branch from a pine tree leans against the bottom .
Rollins was 27 .
What we know : Manhunt underway for killers of three Florida friends on fishing trip Socks are draped on Springfield ’ s cross , recalling his disdain for shoes , and someone left a sprig from a cotton bush .
He was 30 .
Friends left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dew on the memorial to Tillman , 23 .
His T-shirt is draped over the cross , a hat bearing the Confederate flag sits atop it , and a friend left a McDonald ’ s bacon double cheeseburger at its base .
Meyer said he ’ d spent countless hours fishing Lake Streety with his three friends , and he wants to see their killer or killers convicted .
“ They were killed right here in the road , ” he said .
“ I just wish I knew something about who did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He ’ s convinced that there was more than one assailant and that his friends would have put up a fight , especially Rollins .
“ He wouldn ’ t come looking for a fight , but he wouldn ’ t back down if someone came at him , ” Meyer said , “ and the others would have been right there with him.
” Law enforcement offers a $ 30,000 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of those involved in Friday ’ s murders .
Detectives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheriff ’ s Office spokesman Brian Bruchey .
Neither robbery , drugs nor domestic issues appear to be the motive , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
The three friends had arranged to meet Friday night at a remote boat ramp along Lake Streety for some night fishing , which was a regular pastime for the three , Meyer said .
Dottie Payton , Rollins ’ mother , said his dad received a call for help from him around 10 p.m. By the time Cyril Rollins got to the lake , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk .
The younger Rollins died shortly after that .
The murders galvanized this community of about 3,300 residents , usually a haven from such tragedy .
“ This is a quiet town , and we aren ’ t used to something like this , ” said Levi Shirley , who ’ s lived in Frostproof all of his 37 years .
He said he knows the area where the three friends were murdered , and he wouldn ’ t go out there unless he was armed .
“ I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ Whoever did this was looking for someone.
” Katie Clarke , who ’ s lived in the Frostproof area since 1975 , said her son often goes fishing at night , like Rollins , Springfield and Tillman were doing .
“ That bothers me , ” she said .
“ I hope they catch them .
If they can get away with that , they will do something more.
” She said the murders haven ’ t left her fearful , and her trust is in God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m staying close to home , ” she said .
Candy Hutto , who works at P & J Recreation downtown , said she ’ s worried .
“ We ’ re hearing so many stories that we don ’ t know what to believe , ” she said .
“ But it ’ s scary that ( Polk County Sheriff ) Grady Judd says it ’ s one of the worst murders he ’ s ever seen .
I don ’ t like it at night , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside.
” Like so many others , Don Hodge said he wants answers .
“ Everybody in town is talking about it and giving their opinion ” said Hodge , who owns an auto service center in downtown .
“ I try not to pay no attention to it , but you don ’ t know .
I believe they will catch them , and it had to be somebody who knows them .
They were out there fishing .
Something like this doesn ’ t just happen for no reason .
”

Florida community mourns three friends killed in 'massacre' on fishing trip
Show Caption Hide Caption Frostproof triple homicide investigation: 3 suspects arrested The Polk County Sheriff announced in a press conference that three suspects have been charged in the Frostproof triple homicide investigation. USA TODAY
FROSTPROOF, Fla. – Kris Meyer knelt over the roadside memorial to his friends Tuesday and laid his head on a makeshift cross remembering Brandon Rollins.
“They need to catch whoever did this,” he said after laying fresh flowers at the memorial. “I don’t mean to sound hateful or anything like that, but they need to feel the pain that they did to them – where they beat them to a pulp like that.”
Three best friends, Rollins, Damion Tillman and Keven Springfield, were beaten and shot along Lake Streety Road on Friday night. They had met there for some night fishing.
A can of Sprite sits atop the cross bearing Rollins’ name. Brightly colored beads dangle from the crossbar, and a branch from a pine tree leans against the bottom. Rollins was 27.
What we know: Manhunt underway for killers of three Florida friends on fishing trip
Socks are draped on Springfield’s cross, recalling his disdain for shoes, and someone left a sprig from a cotton bush. He was 30.
Friends left a bottle and a can of Mountain Dew on the memorial to Tillman, 23. His T-shirt is draped over the cross, a hat bearing the Confederate flag sits atop it, and a friend left a McDonald’s bacon double cheeseburger at its base.
Meyer said he’d spent countless hours fishing Lake Streety with his three friends, and he wants to see their killer or killers convicted.
“They were killed right here in the road,” he said. “I just wish I knew something about who did this. I wish I knew why.”
He’s convinced that there was more than one assailant and that his friends would have put up a fight, especially Rollins.
“He wouldn’t come looking for a fight, but he wouldn’t back down if someone came at him,” Meyer said, “and the others would have been right there with him.”
Law enforcement offers a $30,000 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of those involved in Friday’s murders. Detectives pursued leads Tuesday, said Polk County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Brian Bruchey. Neither robbery, drugs nor domestic issues appear to be the motive, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff: 3 Florida friends on fishing trip killed in 'massacre'
The three friends had arranged to meet Friday night at a remote boat ramp along Lake Streety for some night fishing, which was a regular pastime for the three, Meyer said.
Dottie Payton, Rollins’ mother, said his dad received a call for help from him around 10 p.m. By the time Cyril Rollins got to the lake, his son was near death but able to talk. The younger Rollins died shortly after that.
The murders galvanized this community of about 3,300 residents, usually a haven from such tragedy.
“This is a quiet town, and we aren’t used to something like this,” said Levi Shirley, who’s lived in Frostproof all of his 37 years.
He said he knows the area where the three friends were murdered, and he wouldn’t go out there unless he was armed.
“I don’t think this was a random killing,” he said. “Whoever did this was looking for someone.”
Katie Clarke, who’s lived in the Frostproof area since 1975, said her son often goes fishing at night, like Rollins, Springfield and Tillman were doing.
“That bothers me,” she said. “I hope they catch them. If they can get away with that, they will do something more.”
She said the murders haven’t left her fearful, and her trust is in God.
“Between this and the COVID, I’m staying close to home,” she said.
Candy Hutto, who works at P&J Recreation downtown, said she’s worried.
“We’re hearing so many stories that we don’t know what to believe,” she said. “But it’s scary that (Polk County Sheriff) Grady Judd says it’s one of the worst murders he’s ever seen. I don’t like it at night, and I get scared and don’t go outside.”
Like so many others, Don Hodge said he wants answers.
“Everybody in town is talking about it and giving their opinion” said Hodge, who owns an auto service center in downtown. “I try not to pay no attention to it, but you don’t know. I believe they will catch them, and it had to be somebody who knows them. They were out there fishing. Something like this doesn’t just happen for no reason.”
Follow Suzie Schottelkotte on Twitter @southpolkscene.