usatoday--2020-08-21--Coronavirus live updates: CDC director says tide is turning in the South; 10th MLB team postpones ga

Coronavirus live updates: CDC director says tide is turning in the South; 10th MLB team postpones game; Another US senator tests positive

As COVID-19 outbreaks at schools continue to pop up causing students and staff in some states to quarantine , a new study suggests that children may play a larger role in community spread of the new virus than previously thought .
Researchers in Massachusetts found that some children who tested positive for COVID-19 had significantly higher levels of virus in their airways than hospitalized adults in intensive care units , according to the study published Thursday .
The study comes as new federal guidance lists teachers as `` critical infrastructure workers , '' meaning they could be exempt from quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they show no symptoms .
Elsewhere , Massachusetts will now require all of its students to get a flu shot in order to ease the potential impact the flu season could have on hospitals .
• About 1.1 million Americans filed for unemployment last week .
• Dr. Anthony Fauci underwent surgery on his vocal cord Thursday morning to remove a polyp that had been causing hoarseness , media reports said .
• Florida , one of the hardest-hit states from the coronavirus , surpassed 10,000 deaths from COVID-19 .
📈 Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million confirmed infections and more than 173,000 deaths .
Worldwide , there have been more than 789,000 deaths and 22.4 million cases , according to John Hopkins University data .
📰 What we 're reading : How did the stock market hit a record while the U.S. economy is in one of the sharpest economic downturns since the Great Depression ?
Here 's what experts say about the rebound .
This file will be updated throughout the day .
For updates in your inbox , subscribe to the Daily Briefing .
CDC director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against new cases in the South CDC Director Robert Redfield said Thursday he thinks the outbreak in the South is coming under control .
“ We are beginning to turn the tide on what I call the Southern outbreak in the nation , ” he told the editor of the journal JAMA during a public interview late Thursday .
He credited face masks , social distancing , hand-washing , closing bars and limiting indoor dining in restaurants for the shift .
Though it 's not in the South , he cited Arizona as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into play .
Two to four weeks later , you really see that we can get control of this pandemic , ” he said , noting that stores didn ’ t have to close , or people lock themselves in their homes .
“ Be smart about crowds , and we can get this outbreak under control.
” It does take time , though , he noted , adding he expects to see the number of deaths – which have been as high as 1,000 a day in recent weeks -- falling as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more after the state introduced those public health measures .
Thousands of students returned to Arizona State University on Thursday for the first day of the fall semester despite concerns from faculty and students and a shaky track record for universities in other states that have gone back to campus during the pandemic .
Officials at ASU say the campus has been fully stocked with hand sanitizer and many other precautions .
Thursday was relatively quiet on campus .
Mets become 10th team to postpone game as two players test positive The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Met and Miami Marlins was postponed after two Mets players tested positive for the coronavirus , Major League Baseball announced .
The Mets become the 10th team with a postponement related to COVID-19 , meaning one-third of MLB teams have had a game pushed back .
The Mets ’ Friday game against the Yankees at Citi Field was also postponed , MLB said .
The Mets said they will fly back to New York on Thursday night `` with recommended safety precautions in place , '' with all members of the traveling party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two members of the organization who tested positive will remain in Miami , as will those who were determined to be in close contact with them .
Hospital workers file suit against HCA , say they were left unprotected A group of Southern California hospital workers filed a lawsuit Thursday saying they were given inadequate protective equipment and ordered to return to work while still recovering from the coronavirus , potentially spreading the illness to others .
Three workers , the daughter of a fourth who died from COVID-19 and a hospital workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tennessee-based HCA Healthcare , which owns Riverside Community Hospital .
The lawsuit alleges the hospital 55 miles east of Los Angeles didn ’ t provide workers proper equipment in a timely manner and called them back to work after they had the virus even though they still had symptoms .
Phlebotomist Gladys Reyes said she was urged to skip sanitation measures aimed at preventing virus-contaminated materials from leaving patients ’ rooms to keep up the pace of blood draws .
She tested positive for the virus in June .
North Carolina State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ university to transition its undergraduate classes to remote learning after starting classes in-person last week .
Chancellor Randy Woodson blamed unsanctioned parties in off-campus spaces and a lack of “ personal responsibility ” among students .
“ Battling the spread of COVID-19 is a challenging endeavor even when everyone is practicing safety measures , ” Woodson said .
“ Unfortunately , the actions of a few are jeopardizing the health and safety of the larger community.
” The university had started in-person classes on August 10 .
The shift to online learning for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move out of the dorms can do so without penalty , Woodson said .
They will receive a prorated refund based on the number of days they spent on campus .
On-campus housing , though , will remain open .
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Notre Dame both announced this week they would pause their plans for in-person learning after coronavirus spread quickly on campus once students returned .
Tennessee says teachers can work even if exposed to the coronavirus Teachers are considered essential workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for school districts , meaning they can be required to come to work even if they have been exposed to the coronavirus .
On their own , several school districts recently approved policies that allow superintendents to designate certain employees as part of “ critical infrastructure.
” This week , Gov .
Bill Lee said during a news briefing that he supports school districts that adopt such policies .
Under the policies , teachers can be required to come to school and instruct even if they have been exposed to the virus or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for COVID-19 .
They ca n't have any symptoms , however , and must wear a mask .
Another US senator tests positive , and this one 's a doctor Sen. Bill Cassidy , R-La.
, tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday after being exposed to an individual with the coronavirus , his office said .
Cassidy , a gastroenterologist , said he would quarantine for 14 days and notify everyone who may have come into contact with him .
“ I am strictly following the direction of our medical experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same , ” Cassidy said in a statement .
Thirteen members of Congress have tested positive for COVID-19 or been diagnosed with the coronavirus Two recent incidents involving young children who refused to wear face masks show how airlines are struggling to balance safety with compassionate treatment of all their customers during a pandemic .
JetBlue Airways forced a woman and her six children off a plane this week when her 2-year-old daughter wouldn ’ t keep her mask on .
“ It was horrible , the whole experience was traumatizing , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York Daily News from the airport in Orlando , Florida , where the Brooklyn family was stranded .
Last week , a Texas woman said Southwest Airlines booted her family off a plane after one of the children , a 3-year-old with autism , refused to wear a mask .
Alyssa Sadler said her son became upset because he does not like to have his face touched .
All major U.S. airlines have mask rules and have banned at least a couple hundred passengers who have refused to comply .
Typically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there is no government requirement to wear a mask – there isn ’ t ; the Federal Aviation Administration has declined to impose one , leaving it up to the airlines .
How Notre Dame 's plans to reopen classes went awry The University of Notre Dame thought it had a workable plan to bring students back to classes this fall .
But it apparently could n't control student behavior -- the parties and non-compliance with safety protocols .
Now , the university is hoping it can contain the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid sending everyone back home .
The challenges and missteps could serve as a cautionary tale for other universities preparing to re-open their campuses .
It was n't just the parties .
Calls to the university ’ s COVID hotline went unanswered , some students said .
When they were able to get tests , results could take days .
Some professors were outraged they weren ’ t notified that students in their classes had tested positive .
The university acknowledged mistakes this week .
It did not “ respond to all student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ourselves on at Notre Dame , ” it said in a letter to students .
Teachers may be sent back to classrooms even after virus exposure under new Trump guidance New guidance from the Trump administration could send teachers back into their classrooms after potentially being exposed to the new coronavirus , bypassing quarantine rules as `` critical infrastructure workers . ''
The Department of Homeland Security ’ s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency issued a revised guidance on who qualifies as a critical infrastructure worker , listing teachers for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is advisory in nature , not a federal directive or standard .
If one of those workers remains asymptomatic and additional precautions are put in place , they can continue to work in person , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says .
Some school districts in Tennessee and Georgia have already said they may employ this new guidance , drawing sharp criticism among some teachers who say they worry the practice could spread the virus to their students or colleagues .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout the COVID-19 pandemic , underwent surgery Thursday to removed a polyp from his vocal cord , CNN and CNBC reported .
CNBC reported that Fauci is recovering at home , while CNN 's Dr. Sanjay Gupta tweeted that Fauci texted him that we was doing OK and doctors told him `` to curtail his talking for a while to allow his vocal cords to recover . ''
Vocal cord polyps can cause hoarseness , which Fauci has said he 's struggled with in the past few months .
Big Ten parents set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Six weeks after the Ivy League decided not to play fall sports , and one and a half weeks after the Big Ten and Pac-12 made the same call , a group of parents are planning to protest at Big Ten headquarters in the Chicago suburbs on Friday .
Ohio State football dad Randy Wade plans to lead a group of what he hopes will be dozens of other Big Ten football parents in a demonstration against the conference ’ s decision to postpone football to the winter or spring , presuming it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wade , whose son Shaun is a highly regarded cornerback for the Buckeyes , said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon that he had heard from “ 70-100 people ” in the past few days from six of the conference ’ s 14 schools : Ohio State , Penn State , Indiana , Purdue , Iowa and Nebraska .
How many will show up , he has no idea .
He ’ s flying in from Jacksonville , Florida .
Massachusetts now requiring flu vaccine for all students State public health officials announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required for all students 6 months or older who are attending Massachusetts child care , pre-school , kindergarten , grade school and colleges or universities .
The new vaccine requirement is an important step to reduce flu-related illness and the overall impact of respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic , the Massachusetts Department of Health said .
Students have until Dec. 31 to get the vaccine , unless they can provide a medical or religious exemption .
`` It is more important now than ever to get a flu vaccine because flu symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and preventing the flu will save lives and preserve health care resources , '' said Dr. Larry Madoff , medical director for the state ’ s bureau of infectious disease and laboratory sciences .
Thanks to bubbles , doctors have a new clue on why COVID patients are n't getting enough oxygen Doctors at Mount Sinai 's hospitals in New York may have uncovered a new clue as to why some COVID-19 patients ca n't get enough oxygen despite being on ventilators — all thanks to the sound of tiny bubbles .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain , and Dr. Alexandra Reynolds at Mount Sinai created a robotic version so doctors could perform the test safely with COVID-19 patients .
A bubble study , during which saline containing tiny air bubbles is injected into a vein and tracked as it circulates , it is often used to test for stroke risk .
Normally , capillaries in healthy lungs will filter the bubbles out , but Reynolds noticed them reaching the brains of her COVID patients .
COVID-19 can cause dangerous blood clots , so Dr. Hooman Poor , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bubbles were bypassing the clogged blood vessels and passing through wide ones , flowing too quickly to absorb oxygen .
While more research is needed , Poor said the bubbles mystery might be “ essentially the missing link ” on why COVID patients are n't getting oxygen .
The end of the house party ?
Airbnb bans parties and events worldwide Airbnb announced a global ban on parties and events at Airbnb listings , with an occupancy cap of 16 people worldwide .
`` This party ban applies to all future bookings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect indefinitely until further notice , '' according to a company statement provided by Airbnb spokesperson Ben Breit on Thursday .
Parties have been a problem for the short-term rental company for some time , both before and during the coronavirus pandemic .
One party at a New Jersey Airbnb in July attracted more than 700 people .
A gauge of U.S. layoffs rose back above 1 million last week , signaling the recovery from COVID-19-induced recession will continue to be volatile as recent infection surges ease in some states but persist in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-time applications for unemployment insurance , the Labor Department said Thursday , up from 971,000 the prior week .
Economists surveyed by Bloomberg estimated that 920,000 workers sought jobless benefits .
A mind-boggling 57.2 million workers now have filed for unemployment over the past 22 weeks .
Before the pandemic , the previous all-time high for weekly claims were 695,000 during a recession in 1982. WHO checking up on Russia 's vaccine claim World Health Organization officials in Europe said they have begun discussions with Russia concerning the potential COVID-19 vaccine the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had developed the world 's first successful vaccine , despite less than two months of human testing and not completing final trials .
Now , WHO officials say they are in “ direct discussions ” with Russia about what will be needed for the agency to assess the potential vaccine .
President Vladimir Putin claimed the vaccine was safe and effective , saying even one of his daughters had been vaccinated .
But Catherine Smallwood , a senior emergency official at WHO Europe , said her organization wants `` to take our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s at and to get as full information as possible on the steps that have already been taken . ''
WHO ’ s Europe director , Dr. Hans Kluge , said the agency welcomed all advances in vaccine development but that every vaccine must submit to the same clinical trials .
Doctors and public health officials are calling on COVID-19 vaccine trials to include a large number of people of color to ensure their safety and effectiveness .
The first two large-scale vaccine trials began nationwide in late July , and at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall .
Each one will need 30,000 volunteers , half of whom will get an active vaccine and half a placebo .
But early trials have n't been diverse .
`` We must make sure there is appropriate diversity in the clinical trials , '' FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn said in an recent interview with the editor of the scientific journal JAMA .
Even if everyone 's immune system reacts the same way to the virus , differences in care and underlying health may mean people of color respond differently to infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial and ethnic diversity , most of the trials also are looking for people over 65 .
Older immune systems do n't work as well as they used to , and older people have been disproportionately sickened and killed by the virus that causes COVID-19 .
Pelosi : USPS head has no plans to replace sorting machines or reverse other changes The head of the U.S .
Postal Service has no plans to reverse changes to infrastructure that lawmakers feared could disrupt mail-in voting in November , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louis DeJoy on Wednesday and told him `` his announcement is not a solution and is misleading . ''
DeJoy on Tuesday announced a pause in changes until after the election , but his statement did not address whether changes already in place would be reversed .
Democrats fear changes made under DeJoy 's tenure at the Postal Service have slowed the delivery of mail and could threaten the agency 's ability to handle a surge of mail-in ballots in the November election .
Many states have expanded voting by mail to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic .
'Silent spreaders ' of COVID-19 : Kids who seem healthy may be more contagious than sick adults , study says A new study adds to growing evidence that children are not immune to COVID-19 and may even play a larger role in community spread than previously thought .
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Mass General Hospital for Children found that among 192 children , 49 tested positive for the coronavirus and had significantly higher levels of virus in their airways than hospitalized adults in intensive care units , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journal of Pediatrics .
Study author Dr. Alessio Fasano said some children exhibited symptoms , but others showed no symptoms and were brought in because they had been in contact with an infected person or lived in what was considered a high-risk area .
“ Kids are a possible source of spreading this virus , ” Fasano said .
“ And this should be taken into account in the planning stages for reopening schools.
” Los Angeles mayor shuts off power at Hollywood Hills home that hosted large parties Los Angeles Mayor Eric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utility services at a home in Hollywood Hills that hosted large parties in `` flagrant violation '' of a ban on large gatherings amid the coroanvirus pandemic .
`` This house has turned into a nightclub in the hills , hosting large gatherings in flagrant violation of our public health orders , '' Garcetti said Wednesday .
The city has not identified the home 's address or the owner , but New York Times technology reporter Taylor Lorenz on Wednesday tweeted that the home was rented by TikTok personalities Bryce Hall , Noah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order comes days after hundreds attended a party at a mansion without masks or social distancing .
That party ended in a shooting that killed a woman and wounded two other people .


usatoday--2020-08-20--Kanye West misses deadline to appear on Wisconsin ballot in November, elections board rules

MILWAUKEE – The state Elections Commission voted Thursday to keep rapper Kanye West off of Wisconsin 's presidential ballot in November .
On a 5-1 vote , the bipartisan commission ruled that West 's team failed to file its nomination by the deadline of 5 p.m. Aug. 4 .
The panel is made up of three Republicans and three Democrats .
The commissioners rejected the argument made by West 's attorney that the rapper 's team actually had until 5:01 p.m. to file .
West is running on the Birthday Party ticket with vice presidential candidate Michelle Tidball .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Commissioner Dean Knudson , a former GOP state lawmaker .
`` I do not feel they filed timely . ''
West , who is hoping to get on the ballot in a handful of states , turned in more than 2,400 signatures on his nomination papers , more than the 2,000 minimum needed for an independent candidate to get on the ballot in Wisconsin .
Democrats are concerned that a West candidacy will siphon votes from former Vice President Joe Biden , a Democrat who will face Republican President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active part in trying to get West on the ballot .
At least five of his 10 electors are Republican activists or Trump supporters .
Also , Lane Ruhland , an attorney for the Trump campaign in a Wisconsin lawsuit , helped file the nomination papers for the West campaign .
One Wisconsin Republican source has said the goal is for West to get 107,000 votes , about what Libertarian Gary Johnson did in 2016 .
Trump won the state by a little more than 22,000 votes .
When West 's team turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a complaint saying West should be kept off the ballot for a variety of reasons but mostly because they contended his campaign was late with its signatures .
At Thursday 's hearing , Jeffrey Mandell , an attorney for the state Democratic Party , said all of the evidence suggested that West 's team filed the signatures late .
He cited video from a reporter for WISN-TV , an elections staffer and a Democratic Party official .
Bernie Sanders : ' I certainly did not sign ' petition to get Kanye West on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could blame only itself for missing the state deadline .
`` The papers were late , '' Mandell said .
`` Under Wisconsin law , they can not be allowed . ''
West 's lawyer , Michael Curran , argued that the campaign actually had until 59 seconds after 5 p.m. to submit the nomination papers .
But Curran said it was not exactly clear when Ruhland and her assistant turned over the ballot petitions .
He said it was the elections staff 's responsibility to reject the signatures if they came in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted , did not happen .
`` They were accepted ( by a state worker ) , and they ca n't be accepted after the filing deadline , '' Curran said .
Commissioner Robert Spindell , a Republican , was sympathetic to Curran 's argument , noting that the global pandemic has made many things more difficult .
He said he believed West 's team would have clearly beaten the deadline under normal circumstances .
Spindell then attacked Democrats for filing the challenge to West 's papers .
He noted that Democrats are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party presidential candidate who is running with a Black activist , and limited the number of polling places for people to vote in Milwaukee this spring .
`` When are they going to quit suppressing the Black vote , '' said Spindell , a longtime GOP activist , of Democrats .
`` What 's next in trying to suppress the Black choice ? ''
But Knudson , another Republican commissioner , was focused on the issue of whether West 's campaign filed by 5 p.m. '' It just seems to me that everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 o'clock , and 5 o'clock is the deadline , '' said Knudson , a former Hudson mayor .
He asked if the elections staff who actually accepted the nomination papers could testify as to when exactly they received them .
Cody Davies , an employee with the state elections agency , said he met Ruhland at the front door of the building at 12 to 14 seconds after 5 p.m. Davies said he checked his watch again while he was riding in the elevator with Ruhland and her assistant and that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davies said he informed the pair that they were late and he needed to talk to a supervisor about what to do .
He said he considered his watch `` fairly accurate . ''
A second staffer , Riley Willman , said it was his recollection that West 's campaign officials entered the Elections Commission office at 5:01 p.m .
The two then needed to organize and number the pages of the papers .
As a result , Willman said , the elections staff did not get the documents until `` several minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not for us to determine how late the papers were , '' said Commissioner Mark Thomsen , a Democrat .
`` We had unequivocal that they got into the building after 5 o'clock . ''

Kanye West misses deadline to appear on Wisconsin ballot in November, elections board rules
Show Caption Hide Caption Kanye West's presidential campaign draws low numbers in new poll A late presidential bid by Kanye West sees him attract a mere two percent of voters in a national poll. Buzz60
MILWAUKEE – The state Elections Commission voted Thursday to keep rapper Kanye West off of Wisconsin's presidential ballot in November.
On a 5-1 vote, the bipartisan commission ruled that West's team failed to file its nomination by the deadline of 5 p.m. Aug. 4. The panel is made up of three Republicans and three Democrats.
The commissioners rejected the argument made by West's attorney that the rapper's team actually had until 5:01 p.m. to file.
West is running on the Birthday Party ticket with vice presidential candidate Michelle Tidball.
"I regret it's the case," said Commissioner Dean Knudson, a former GOP state lawmaker. "I do not feel they filed timely."
More: Could Kanye West's 2020 bid hurt Joe Biden and give a 'Hail Mary' boost to Donald Trump?
West, who is hoping to get on the ballot in a handful of states, turned in more than 2,400 signatures on his nomination papers, more than the 2,000 minimum needed for an independent candidate to get on the ballot in Wisconsin.
Democrats are concerned that a West candidacy will siphon votes from former Vice President Joe Biden, a Democrat who will face Republican President Donald Trump in November.
Wisconsin Republicans took an active part in trying to get West on the ballot. At least five of his 10 electors are Republican activists or Trump supporters. Also, Lane Ruhland, an attorney for the Trump campaign in a Wisconsin lawsuit, helped file the nomination papers for the West campaign.
One Wisconsin Republican source has said the goal is for West to get 107,000 votes, about what Libertarian Gary Johnson did in 2016. Trump won the state by a little more than 22,000 votes.
When West's team turned in its nomination signatures, Democrats filed a complaint saying West should be kept off the ballot for a variety of reasons but mostly because they contended his campaign was late with its signatures.
At Thursday's hearing, Jeffrey Mandell, an attorney for the state Democratic Party, said all of the evidence suggested that West's team filed the signatures late. He cited video from a reporter for WISN-TV, an elections staffer and a Democratic Party official.
Bernie Sanders: 'I certainly did not sign' petition to get Kanye West on Wisconsin ballot
Mandell said the West campaign could blame only itself for missing the state deadline.
"The papers were late," Mandell said. "Under Wisconsin law, they cannot be allowed."
West's lawyer, Michael Curran, argued that the campaign actually had until 59 seconds after 5 p.m. to submit the nomination papers.
But Curran said it was not exactly clear when Ruhland and her assistant turned over the ballot petitions. He said it was the elections staff's responsibility to reject the signatures if they came in after the deadline. That, he noted, did not happen.
"They were accepted (by a state worker), and they can't be accepted after the filing deadline," Curran said.
Commissioner Robert Spindell, a Republican, was sympathetic to Curran's argument, noting that the global pandemic has made many things more difficult. He said he believed West's team would have clearly beaten the deadline under normal circumstances.
Spindell then attacked Democrats for filing the challenge to West's papers. He noted that Democrats are also opposing the candidacy of a Green Party presidential candidate who is running with a Black activist, and limited the number of polling places for people to vote in Milwaukee this spring.
"When are they going to quit suppressing the Black vote," said Spindell, a longtime GOP activist, of Democrats. "What's next in trying to suppress the Black choice?"
But Knudson, another Republican commissioner, was focused on the issue of whether West's campaign filed by 5 p.m.
"It just seems to me that everything that starts with a 4 is before 5 o'clock, and 5 o'clock is the deadline," said Knudson, a former Hudson mayor.
He asked if the elections staff who actually accepted the nomination papers could testify as to when exactly they received them.
Cody Davies, an employee with the state elections agency, said he met Ruhland at the front door of the building at 12 to 14 seconds after 5 p.m. Davies said he checked his watch again while he was riding in the elevator with Ruhland and her assistant and that it was about 10 seconds to 5:01 p.m.
Davies said he informed the pair that they were late and he needed to talk to a supervisor about what to do. He said he considered his watch "fairly accurate."
A second staffer, Riley Willman, said it was his recollection that West's campaign officials entered the Elections Commission office at 5:01 p.m. The two then needed to organize and number the pages of the papers.
As a result, Willman said, the elections staff did not get the documents until "several minutes after 5 p.m."
"It's not for us to determine how late the papers were," said Commissioner Mark Thomsen, a Democrat. "We had unequivocal that they got into the building after 5 o'clock."
Follow Daniel Bice on Twitter @DanielBice


usatoday--2020-08-21--Minnesota Timberwolves win NBA draft lottery and 2020 No. 1 pick

The Minnesota Timberwolves won the No .
1 pick in the 2020 NBA draft lottery Thursday night in New Jersey .
The draft lottery — originally scheduled to take place in May but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic — largely determines the futures of the teams hoping for a player to elevate their franchise .
The three teams who finished with the league 's worst records each had a 14 percent chance of winning the No .
1 pick in the lottery : the Golden State Warriors ( 15-50 ) , the Cleveland Cavaliers ( 19-46 ) and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Timberwolves ' odds prevailed , earning them the top pick in the draft scheduled to take place Oct. 16 .
`` We couldn ’ t be more pleased to land the first overall pick in this year ’ s draft , marking only the second time in franchise history , '' Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas said in a statement .
`` We are excited for the possibilities ahead of us to bring in a high caliber player now that we secured the first overall selection . ''
Timberwolves guard D @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the lottery , said he looks forward `` to seeing what Gersson and the front office will do to build upon our 2020-2021 roster . ''
`` The number one pick is exciting to have , it makes me think back to when Karl ( Anthony Towns ) and I got drafted 1 , 2 in the 2015 draft , '' said Russell .
Players on the board that could potentially go No.1 include Georgia freshman Anthony Ewards , NBL Illawarra Hawks ' LaMelo Ball , Dayton redshirt sophomore Obi Toppin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top five picks in the lottery are the Golden State Warriors at No .
2 , the Charlotte Hornets at No .
3 , the Chicago Bulls at No .
4 and the Cleveland Cavaliers at No .
5 .
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey @ usatoday.com or on Twitter @ analisbailey .

Minnesota Timberwolves win NBA draft lottery and 2020 No. 1 pick
The Minnesota Timberwolves won the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA draft lottery Thursday night in New Jersey.
The draft lottery — originally scheduled to take place in May but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic — largely determines the futures of the teams hoping for a player to elevate their franchise.
The three teams who finished with the league's worst records each had a 14 percent chance of winning the No. 1 pick in the lottery: the Golden State Warriors (15-50), the Cleveland Cavaliers (19-46) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (19-45).
The Timberwolves' odds prevailed, earning them the top pick in the draft scheduled to take place Oct. 16.
"We couldn’t be more pleased to land the first overall pick in this year’s draft, marking only the second time in franchise history," Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas said in a statement. "We are excited for the possibilities ahead of us to bring in a high caliber player now that we secured the first overall selection."
Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell, who represented Minnesota at the lottery, said he looks forward "to seeing what Gersson and the front office will do to build upon our 2020-2021 roster."
"The number one pick is exciting to have, it makes me think back to when Karl (Anthony Towns) and I got drafted 1, 2 in the 2015 draft," said Russell.
Players on the board that could potentially go No.1 include Georgia freshman Anthony Ewards, NBL Illawarra Hawks' LaMelo Ball, Dayton redshirt sophomore Obi Toppin and Memphis freshman James Wiseman.
Rounding out the top five picks in the lottery are the Golden State Warriors at No. 2, the Charlotte Hornets at No. 3, the Chicago Bulls at No. 4 and the Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 5.
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.


usatoday--2020-08-20--Fox Sports pulls Thom Brennaman from this season's NFL broadcasts after 'abhorrent' slur

Fox Sports ' NFL broadcasts this season will not include Thom Brennaman as one of the play-by-play announcers .
The network made the announcement Thursday , less than 24 hours after Brennaman used a homophobic slur on a live microphone during a telecast of a Cincinnati Reds baseball game .
The Reds suspended Brennaman indefinitely from their TV broadcasts , and Fox 's action came shortly thereafter .
`` The language used was abhorrent , unacceptable , and not representative of the values of Fox Sports , '' the network said in a statement .
`` As it relates to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are moving forward with our NFL schedule which will not include him.
” Brennaman , 56 , issued an on-air apology during the Reds game Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals , acknowledging his career might be in jeopardy and further apologized in a letter to the Cincinnati Enquirer .
`` I could to try to explain it or tell you about who I am and what I believe , but those things would all be excuses .
The simple fact is , what I said was wrong , '' Brennaman wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is both offensive and insulting .
In the past 24 hours , I have read about its history ; I had no idea it was so rooted in hate and violence and am particularly ashamed that I , someone who makes his living by the use of words , could be so careless and insensitive .
It ’ s a word that should have no place in my vocabulary and I will certainly never utter it again . ''
Brennaman said he spoke with MLB vice president Billy Bean , an openly gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's ambassador of inclusion .
`` I am going to start improving my understanding of LGBTQ+ issues and not in a way to simply check a box to keep my job , but to sincerely have an impact and change , '' Brennaman wrote .
`` I immediately plan to participate in diversity , equity and inclusion training and have reached out to PFLAG for resources and guidance . ''
The incident occurred shortly before the start of the doubleheader 's second game as Brennaman was about to promote the pregame show for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audio of Brennaman using the slur – apparently unaware his microphone was on – spread quickly on social media as the hashtag # FireTom quickly began trending .
Late Wednesday night , the Reds also issued an apology and announced Brennaman was suspended indefinitely from its broadcasts .
`` In no way does this incident represent our players , coaches , organization , or our fans , '' the Reds said in a statement .
`` We share our sincerest apologies to the LGBTQ+ community in Cincinnati , Kansas City , all across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reds embrace a zero-tolerance policy for bias or discrimination of any kind , and we are truly sorry to anyone who has been offended . ''
Brennaman , the son of Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman , has called Reds games on radio and television since 2007 .
He has also called MLB , NFL and college football games for Fox Sports since 1994 .

Fox Sports pulls Thom Brennaman from this season's NFL broadcasts after 'abhorrent' slur
Show Caption Hide Caption Thom Brennaman faces uncertain future Sports Pulse: Thom Brennaman has been suspended for using an anti-gay slur SportsPulse, USA TODAY
Fox Sports' NFL broadcasts this season will not include Thom Brennaman as one of the play-by-play announcers. The network made the announcement Thursday, less than 24 hours after Brennaman used a homophobic slur on a live microphone during a telecast of a Cincinnati Reds baseball game.
The Reds suspended Brennaman indefinitely from their TV broadcasts, and Fox's action came shortly thereafter.
"The language used was abhorrent, unacceptable, and not representative of the values of Fox Sports," the network said in a statement. "As it relates to Brennaman’s Fox NFL role, we are moving forward with our NFL schedule which will not include him.”
Brennaman, 56, issued an on-air apology during the Reds game Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals, acknowledging his career might be in jeopardy and further apologized in a letter to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
"I could to try to explain it or tell you about who I am and what I believe, but those things would all be excuses. The simple fact is, what I said was wrong," Brennaman wrote.
"I used a word that is both offensive and insulting. In the past 24 hours, I have read about its history; I had no idea it was so rooted in hate and violence and am particularly ashamed that I, someone who makes his living by the use of words, could be so careless and insensitive. It’s a word that should have no place in my vocabulary and I will certainly never utter it again."
Brennaman said he spoke with MLB vice president Billy Bean, an openly gay former player who serves as the league's ambassador of inclusion.
"I am going to start improving my understanding of LGBTQ+ issues and not in a way to simply check a box to keep my job, but to sincerely have an impact and change," Brennaman wrote. "I immediately plan to participate in diversity, equity and inclusion training and have reached out to PFLAG for resources and guidance."
BREAKING: Thom Brennaman responds to apparent homophobic slur live on air. Jim Day is now broadcasting. @FOX19 pic.twitter.com/n3L0wZ2BWd — Trevor Peters (@TrevorPetersTV) August 20, 2020
The incident occurred shortly before the start of the doubleheader's second game as Brennaman was about to promote the pregame show for the nightcap.
A 17-second clip featuring audio of Brennaman using the slur – apparently unaware his microphone was on – spread quickly on social media as the hashtag #FireTom quickly began trending.
Late Wednesday night, the Reds also issued an apology and announced Brennaman was suspended indefinitely from its broadcasts.
"In no way does this incident represent our players, coaches, organization, or our fans," the Reds said in a statement. "We share our sincerest apologies to the LGBTQ+ community in Cincinnati, Kansas City, all across this country, and beyond. The Reds embrace a zero-tolerance policy for bias or discrimination of any kind, and we are truly sorry to anyone who has been offended."
Brennaman, the son of Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, has called Reds games on radio and television since 2007. He has also called MLB, NFL and college football games for Fox Sports since 1994.


usatoday--2020-08-20--Queen and Adam Lambert will release first live album featuring fan favorites 'We Will Rock You' and

Feeling cooped up during this coronavirus pandemic ?
Queen and Adam Lambert are too .
So they 're reviving that freeing , electric live-music feeling by releasing their first live album .
`` Queen + Adam Live Around the World , '' dropping Oct. 2 , features highlights from the more than 200 performances they 've made around the globe during the last several years .
It will be available in a variety of formats , including CD , DVD and Vinyl .
`` When we couldn ’ t tour this year we wanted to give the fans something in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ album just felt right , '' Lambert said in a press release .
`` It ’ s the first time we have released an album together and we have had a lot of fun putting it together , picking out favorite performances over the past seven years.
” “ We hadn ’ t really watched those clips before , we were always too busy touring , ” Queen drummer Roger Taylor said .
“ We weren ’ t aware of how good the band sounded.
” More : Maya Hawke on debut album @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trolls at 14 '' Queen + Adam Live Around the World '' features clips from performances in Brazil , Portugal and the United Kingdom , among other locales .
It includes their entire Fire Fight Australia concert , which raised funds for those affected by the Sydney brushfire and featured the band performing Queen ’ s 1985 Live Aid set in full .
The CD features 20 tracks , including “ Don ’ t Stop Me Now ” and “ I Want To Break Free.
” The album follows an hourlong `` Tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 38 , and Queen did after their shows were canceled due to coronavirus precautions .
That collaboration drew more than half a million viewers , according to a press release .
More : Tim McGraw interview : On new album , his 'Mama ' and singing about Sheryl Crow Lambert , who released solo album `` Velvet '' earlier this year , says he misses touring and is excited to treat fans to `` Queen + Adam Live Around the World '' in the interim .
Queen and Lambert are set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Queen and Adam Lambert will release first live album featuring fan favorites 'We Will Rock You' and 'Radio Ga Ga'
Show Caption Hide Caption BTS to release 'Dynamite,' their first entirely in English K-pop band BTS told USA TODAY's Rasha Ali about their new single "Dynamite," and why it's their first completely in English. Entertain This!, USA TODAY
Feeling cooped up during this coronavirus pandemic?
Queen and Adam Lambert are too. So they're reviving that freeing, electric live-music feeling by releasing their first live album.
"Queen + Adam Live Around the World," dropping Oct. 2, features highlights from the more than 200 performances they've made around the globe during the last several years. It will be available in a variety of formats, including CD, DVD and Vinyl.
"When we couldn’t tour this year we wanted to give the fans something in place of that, and a live album just felt right," Lambert said in a press release. "It’s the first time we have released an album together and we have had a lot of fun putting it together, picking out favorite performances over the past seven years.”
“We hadn’t really watched those clips before, we were always too busy touring,” Queen drummer Roger Taylor said. “We weren’t aware of how good the band sounded.”
More: Maya Hawke on debut album, famous parents and dealing with online trolls at 14
"Queen + Adam Live Around the World" features clips from performances in Brazil, Portugal and the United Kingdom, among other locales. It includes their entire Fire Fight Australia concert, which raised funds for those affected by the Sydney brushfire and featured the band performing Queen’s 1985 Live Aid set in full.
The CD features 20 tracks, including “Don’t Stop Me Now” and “I Want To Break Free.”
The album follows an hourlong "Tour Watch Party" on YouTube that Lambert, 38, and Queen did after their shows were canceled due to coronavirus precautions. That collaboration drew more than half a million viewers, according to a press release.
More: Tim McGraw interview: On new album, his 'Mama' and singing about Sheryl Crow
Lambert, who released solo album "Velvet" earlier this year, says he misses touring and is excited to treat fans to "Queen + Adam Live Around the World" in the interim. Queen and Lambert are set to, tentatively, resume touring in March.
Follow Gary Dinges on Twitter @gdinges


usatoday--2020-08-20--Cal Ripken Jr. reveals prostate cancer diagnosis, says he has made full recovery

Baltimore Orioles legend and Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. revealed Thursday he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February .
Ripken Jr. also said he is now cancer-free after undergoing immediate treatment and having surgery in March .
He wants to use his diagnosis to encourage others to receive regular checkups , which is how doctors found his cancer .
`` There was no reason for me to think I had any issues , '' Ripken told reporters on a Zoom call , per MASN .
Early detection was key in his case , the former shortstop said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his prostate .
`` Just as a precaution I went to a urologist , and the urologist did a few more tests to determine whether I needed a biopsy , and those tests came back iffy , '' he said .
`` The recommendation was to do a biopsy , which we did in mid-February , and it came back that I had prostate cancer . ''
Fearful of hospitals being overrun and elective surgeries being pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemimc , Ripken said he moved up the date of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' fashion , he went in for the operation on a Friday morning and walked out that evening .
`` There ’ s a saying that most men don ’ t die because of prostate cancer , they die with it , '' Ripken said .
`` It seems like it ’ s a normal occurrence that , as you live and age , that ’ s what happens , and usually it ’ s dealt with .
But the treatments and diagnosing it early , there ’ s been a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s moving all the time .
So the fear that I had to begin with turned into hope , especially when you gather more information , and then you actually go through the experience and realize if you do catch it early , the prognosis is really good .
But if you don ’ t and have complications , it becomes much worse . ''
Ripken set the MLB record by playing in 2,632 consecutive games .
He retired in 2001 and was elected to Cooperstown in 2007 .

Cal Ripken Jr. reveals prostate cancer diagnosis, says he has made full recovery
Show Caption Hide Caption MLB teams surprising this 2020 season What I’m Hearing: Bob Nightengale breaks down the biggest MLB surprises thus far. WhatI'mHearing, USA TODAY
Baltimore Orioles legend and Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. revealed Thursday he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February.
Ripken Jr. also said he is now cancer-free after undergoing immediate treatment and having surgery in March. He wants to use his diagnosis to encourage others to receive regular checkups, which is how doctors found his cancer.
"There was no reason for me to think I had any issues," Ripken told reporters on a Zoom call, per MASN.
Early detection was key in his case, the former shortstop said, as the cancer did not spread beyond his prostate.
"Just as a precaution I went to a urologist, and the urologist did a few more tests to determine whether I needed a biopsy, and those tests came back iffy," he said. "The recommendation was to do a biopsy, which we did in mid-February, and it came back that I had prostate cancer."
Fearful of hospitals being overrun and elective surgeries being pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemimc, Ripken said he moved up the date of his surgery. In true "Iron Man" fashion, he went in for the operation on a Friday morning and walked out that evening.
"There’s a saying that most men don’t die because of prostate cancer, they die with it," Ripken said. "It seems like it’s a normal occurrence that, as you live and age, that’s what happens, and usually it’s dealt with. But the treatments and diagnosing it early, there’s been a lot of progress made and it seems like it’s moving all the time. So the fear that I had to begin with turned into hope, especially when you gather more information, and then you actually go through the experience and realize if you do catch it early, the prognosis is really good. But if you don’t and have complications, it becomes much worse."
Ripken set the MLB record by playing in 2,632 consecutive games. He retired in 2001 and was elected to Cooperstown in 2007.
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.


usatoday--2020-08-20--5 tips to prepare for an interview online, including how to get good lighting and sound

Job tips : How to prepare for a virtual job interview From lighting to sound , here are 5 tips @ @ @ @ @ job interview .

Job tips: How to prepare for a virtual job interview
From lighting to sound, here are 5 tips to prepare for a virtual job interview.
ProblemSolved, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-08-20--A look at who's who in Joe Biden's close-knit family tree

WILMINGTON , Del .
– Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is known for keeping his circle tight .
Family has always been a priority for the Greenville resident .
Here 's a look at who 's who in the Biden family tree .
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was born Nov. 20 , 1942 , in Scranton , Pennsylvania , and lived there until moving to Claymont near Wilmington in the fourth grade .
He is the eldest son of Joseph Robinette Biden Sr. , a Baltimore native , and Catherine Eugenia `` Jean '' Finnegan Biden of Scranton .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and James `` Jimmy '' and sister Valerie Biden Owens , who has led every campaign in Joe Biden ’ s political career .
“ She has been my best friend my entire life , ” Biden wrote in his 2007 autobiography , “ Promises to Keep : On Life and Politics.
” Joseph Biden Sr. had several careers , including sales representative for Amoco Oil Co. in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania , used car salesman and later a real estate agent for Patterson-Schwartz in New Castle County and Rehoboth Beach , Delaware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the children spent summers and holidays in Scranton , mostly with Jean 's family .
And even though Jean lived in Delaware for 50 years , she still liked to say she was from Scranton .
Over the years , the Bidens had lived in a variety of houses throughout New Castle County including a historic home in North Star once owned by Republican Sen. T. Coleman du Pont , in Faulkland Woods near Brandywine Springs Park and in Greenville .
Jill and Joe Biden have owned a house in Rehoboth Beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say “ Beau ’ s gift '' and `` Forever Jill . ''
The backyard overlooks Cape Henlopen State Park .
Joe Biden met his first wife , Neilia Hunter , on a spring break trip to the Bahamas in 1963 .
They married in 1966 , moved to Delaware and had three children , Joseph Robinette `` Beau '' Biden III , Robert `` Hunter , '' and Naomi Christina , known as `` Amy . ''
Neilia aided Biden during his first run for the Senate in 1972 .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the family , '' Neilia said a week before her death in a car accident in December 1972 .
Baby Amy , age 13 months , also died in the crash .
More : Neilia Hunter Biden , the brains behind Joe Biden 's first political victories Joe married Jill Tracy Jacobs Stevenson of Willow Grove , Pennsylvania , in June 1977 .
She is the eldest of five sisters , Previously , she was married to Bill Stevenson , who once owned the Stone Balloon nightclub in Newark .
Jill 's father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in 1999 .
Her mother Bonnie died in 2008 .
They were married about 50 years .
The Bidens had daughter Ashley in June 1981 .
Ashley married Dr. Howard Krein , a Philadelphia otolaryngologist and plastic surgeon , in 2012 .
Her brother Beau introduced the couple , who had their wedding reception at the Biden family home in Greenville .
Robert `` Hunter '' Biden married Kathleen Buhle in 1993 .
They have three children , Naomi , named for Hunter 's sister who died ; Finnegan , his grandmother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a close friend of Sasha Obama .
Naomi Biden sometimes posts family photos on her public Instagram account .
Hunter and Kathleen divorced in 2017 .
Hunter married Melissa Cohen in 2019 .
The couple had their first child , a boy , in March .
A DNA test confirmed that he also has a daughter with Lunden Roberts of Arkansas .
Beau Biden married Hallie Olivere in 2002 in Nantucket , Massachusetts , where the Bidens have annually spent Thanksgiving since 1975 .
The couple had two children , Natalie and Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to their grandchildren .
The day after he left the White House as the 47th vice president , Biden showed up at an indoor track meet at Tower Hill School to watch one of his grandchildren .
More recently , grandchildren gathered behind Joe and Jill Biden at Brandywine High School , where Jill once taught , when Joe was named the Democratic presidential nominee .
The family is known for their sense of humor .
One of the granddaughters wore a T-shirt that read `` No Markley , '' a famed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : What to know about the California senator 's parents , sister and husband Biden Sr. died at age 86 on Sept. 2 , 2002 , at his son 's home after weeks of failing health .
Jean Finnegan Biden , died Jan. 7 , 2010 , at the age of 92 .
She had lived at her son 's Greenville home , in a smaller carriage house on the property .
Beau , who served as Delaware 's Attorney General , died of cancer at age 46 in 2015 .
The Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also includes 12-year-old German shepherd Champ .
The Biden grandchildren gave the dog the name Biden Sr. often used as an endearment when talking to his son .
The Bidens also adopted a rescue German shepherd named Major from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018 after first fostering the animal .
Joe Biden has owned at least three other German Shepherds and had a Great Dane named Governor .

Patricia Talorico, Delaware News Journal

A look at who's who in Joe Biden's close-knit family tree
Show Caption Hide Caption Biden's rise through Delaware politics How Delaware's most prominent statesmen worked his way to the Democratic nominee for President. Jenna Miller, The News Journal
WILMINGTON, Del. – Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is known for keeping his circle tight. Family has always been a priority for the Greenville resident.
Here's a look at who's who in the Biden family tree.
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was born Nov. 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and lived there until moving to Claymont near Wilmington in the fourth grade. He is the eldest son of Joseph Robinette Biden Sr., a Baltimore native, and Catherine Eugenia "Jean" Finnegan Biden of Scranton.
Biden's siblings include brothers Francis "Frank" and James "Jimmy" and sister Valerie Biden Owens, who has led every campaign in Joe Biden’s political career.
“She has been my best friend my entire life,” Biden wrote in his 2007 autobiography, “Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics.”
Biden's nieces and nephews include Catherine Eugenia Owens, Cuffe Biden Owens, Alana Jaquet Biden, Caroline Nicole Biden, Nicholas Coleman Biden and James Brian Biden Jr.
Joseph Biden Sr. had several careers, including sales representative for Amoco Oil Co. in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, used car salesman and later a real estate agent for Patterson-Schwartz in New Castle County and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
While the family lived in Delaware, the children spent summers and holidays in Scranton, mostly with Jean's family. And even though Jean lived in Delaware for 50 years, she still liked to say she was from Scranton.
Over the years, the Bidens had lived in a variety of houses throughout New Castle County including a historic home in North Star once owned by Republican Sen. T. Coleman du Pont, in Faulkland Woods near Brandywine Springs Park and in Greenville.
Jill and Joe Biden have owned a house in Rehoboth Beach since 2017. Signs on the house say “Beau’s gift" and "Forever Jill." The backyard overlooks Cape Henlopen State Park.
Joe Biden met his first wife, Neilia Hunter, on a spring break trip to the Bahamas in 1963. They married in 1966, moved to Delaware and had three children, Joseph Robinette "Beau" Biden III, Robert "Hunter," and Naomi Christina, known as "Amy."
Neilia aided Biden during his first run for the Senate in 1972.
"We have very few close friends outside of the family," Neilia said a week before her death in a car accident in December 1972. Baby Amy, age 13 months, also died in the crash.
More: Neilia Hunter Biden, the brains behind Joe Biden's first political victories
Joe married Jill Tracy Jacobs Stevenson of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, in June 1977. She is the eldest of five sisters, Previously, she was married to Bill Stevenson, who once owned the Stone Balloon nightclub in Newark. Jill's father Donald C. Jacobs, a banker, died in 1999. Her mother Bonnie died in 2008. They were married about 50 years.
The Bidens had daughter Ashley in June 1981. Ashley married Dr. Howard Krein, a Philadelphia otolaryngologist and plastic surgeon, in 2012. Her brother Beau introduced the couple, who had their wedding reception at the Biden family home in Greenville.
Robert "Hunter" Biden married Kathleen Buhle in 1993. They have three children, Naomi, named for Hunter's sister who died; Finnegan, his grandmother's maiden name; and Maisy, a close friend of Sasha Obama. Naomi Biden sometimes posts family photos on her public Instagram account.
Hunter and Kathleen divorced in 2017. Hunter married Melissa Cohen in 2019. The couple had their first child, a boy, in March. A DNA test confirmed that he also has a daughter with Lunden Roberts of Arkansas.
Beau Biden married Hallie Olivere in 2002 in Nantucket, Massachusetts, where the Bidens have annually spent Thanksgiving since 1975. The couple had two children, Natalie and Robert "Hunter."
The Bidens are close to their grandchildren. The day after he left the White House as the 47th vice president, Biden showed up at an indoor track meet at Tower Hill School to watch one of his grandchildren.
More recently, grandchildren gathered behind Joe and Jill Biden at Brandywine High School, where Jill once taught, when Joe was named the Democratic presidential nominee. The family is known for their sense of humor. One of the granddaughters wore a T-shirt that read "No Markley," a famed Biden expression.
Kamala Harris' family: What to know about the California senator's parents, sister and husband
Biden Sr. died at age 86 on Sept. 2, 2002, at his son's home after weeks of failing health.
Jean Finnegan Biden, died Jan. 7, 2010, at the age of 92. She had lived at her son's Greenville home, in a smaller carriage house on the property.
Beau, who served as Delaware's Attorney General, died of cancer at age 46 in 2015.
The Biden are longtime dog lovers. Their family also includes 12-year-old German shepherd Champ. The Biden grandchildren gave the dog the name Biden Sr. often used as an endearment when talking to his son.
The Bidens also adopted a rescue German shepherd named Major from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018 after first fostering the animal. Joe Biden has owned at least three other German Shepherds and had a Great Dane named Governor.
Follow Patricia Talorico on Twitter @pattytalorico


usatoday--2020-08-20--Trump hits Biden over guns, schools and police at campaign stop in Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump delivered a wide-ranging political indictment of Joe Biden on Thursday in a speech near his Democratic challenger 's Pennsylvania birthplace , just hours before Biden accepts his party 's nomination for president .
Trump argued Biden would be a disaster for Americans on taxes , gun rights , aid to migrants , abortion , energy production , school choice and police protection .
`` If you want a vision of your life under a Biden presidency , imagine the smoldering ruins of Minneapolis , the violent anarchy of Portland and the bloodstained sidewalks of Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your town and every single town in America , '' Trump said .
The president delivered his remarks at a building products company in Old Forge , Pa. , about a 10 miles from Scranton , where Biden was born and grew up .
Trump in Pennsylvania : Live updates : At Pa. campaign stop , Trump says Biden has failed America for half a century Trump , who originally planned to focus his Pennsylvania speech on trade and manufacturing , said Biden left Scranton 70 years ago , and `` he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selling out our country and letting other countries steal our jobs . ''
Seeking to link Biden to `` socialist Bernie Sanders , '' Trump said the former vice president will erase economic gains of recent years and `` impose a permanent lockdown combined with a socialist takeover of the U.S .
economy . ''
Pennsylvania Democrats said Trump 's management of the pandemic has already wiped out the economy .
They said Trump is attacking Biden because he has no plans of his own for the economy , the COVID-19 crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-Pa. , said Trump 's speech is `` just smears '' of Biden .
Trump ’ s remarks amounted to a pre-buttal of Biden ’ s acceptance speech Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention .
`` I 'm sure he 'll knock 'em dead , '' Trump said sarcastically .
Later , he said the only way Democrats would beat him `` is by a rigged election . ''
Democrats described Trump 's site selection as a meaningless stunt , but one they welcomed as a way to contrast the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are looking for is a plan to get this virus under control .
My guess is that is not what they ’ re going to get , ” said Kate Bedingfield , a Biden campaign spokeswoman .
“ They ’ re going to get the same old divisive attacks , these recycled political hits that Donald Trump and his campaign have tried to throw at Joe Biden since the moment he got in this race over a year ago.
” Symone Sanders , a senior adviser to the campaign , said Biden would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Trump won ’ t .
“ We actually appreciate President Trump going out there because the American people will get to see a tale of two presidents , ” Sanders said .
Two presidents : Barack Obama called out Donald Trump in his DNC speech , and the current president was not happy It 's rare for a presidential candidate to schedule a high-profile event so close to his opponent 's convention speech , analysts said .
But Trump has proven time and again he likes to do things differently .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analyst Stuart Rothenberg said .
`` It always has to be about him .
He ca n't let it be about someone else . ''
Trump himself is being preempted by other news events .
His speech came shortly after the arrest of former Trump adviser Steve Bannon on fraud charges , as well as a judge 's ruling that the president 's financial records must be turned over to a grand jury , analysts pointed out .
`` Trump wanted to step on Biden ’ s message today , but Bannon and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind , '' said political analyst Rich Galen .
Terry Madonna , a political scientist at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster , Pa. , said Trump drew sharp contrasts with Biden but focused largely on issues important to the region , such as steel and manufacturing .
Trump did not get `` personal '' against his opponent , he said .
`` If he had attacked Biden personally , that would have been a mistake , '' Madonna said .
Trump delivered his remarks in a state that is emerging as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For decades , Republican and Democratic presidential candidates have fought for blue-collar votes in and around the Scranton area , a politically important region in a state with 20 electoral votes .
Biden represented neighboring Delaware in the Senate for three-and-a-half decades before his eight years as vice president .
Four years ago , Trump became the first Republican since 1988 to carry Pennsylvania , a major pick-up in his Electoral College victory over Hillary Clinton .
But this year , Biden holds a 6.4 percentage point lead over Trump in Pennsylvania , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of polls .
Democrats argue case for Joe Biden : Now what would a President Biden do ?
Trump supporters – and opponents – started gathering outside Mariotti Building Products , where Trump delivered his remarks , hours before his arrival .
Steven Andrew Gasdik , an electronics technician who lives in Old Forge , said he has never attended a Trump event before .
So when he heard a rumor the president was coming to his small town near Scranton , he was like , “ Really ?
Really ?
!
Are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day off work to attend , and was outside the speech site at 8 a.m. , having a great time with his family while waiting for the president 's arrival .
Among those with him : Gasdik 's 100-year-old Aunt Dorothy , who plans to vote for Trump .
Gasdik said he supports Trump because of the economy .
“ I ’ m worried about my kids .
My kids need jobs , and Donald Trump will bring them jobs , ” he said .
Gene Stilp of Middle Paxton Township , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was displaying a “ Save the Post Office , cancel Trump ” sign .
He said he ’ s concerned the Trump administration has slowed delivery of mail .
Stilp said he thinks Trump is a racist and a traitor .
Trump 's visit to Old Forge caps a week-long series of speeches across the country designed to counter-program the virtual Democratic convention – and hammer Biden .
During travels to battleground states Wisconsin , Minnesota , Iowa , and Arizona , Trump has accused Biden and the Democrats of wanting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also claims , without evidence , that they want to seize guns – `` they will be taking away your Second Amendment '' – and coddle criminals .

David Jackson and Michael Collins, USA TODAY

Trump hits Biden over guns, schools and police at campaign stop in Pennsylvania
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump mocks Biden, but mixes up own facts President Donald Trump is injecting mockery into the 2020 presidential race by describing his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, as feeble and confused. But Trump got his own facts confused as he took a shot at the press Monday. (Aug. 17) AP
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump delivered a wide-ranging political indictment of Joe Biden on Thursday in a speech near his Democratic challenger's Pennsylvania birthplace, just hours before Biden accepts his party's nomination for president.
Trump argued Biden would be a disaster for Americans on taxes, gun rights, aid to migrants, abortion, energy production, school choice and police protection.
"If you want a vision of your life under a Biden presidency, imagine the smoldering ruins of Minneapolis, the violent anarchy of Portland and the bloodstained sidewalks of Chicago – and imagine the mayhem coming to your town and every single town in America," Trump said.
The president delivered his remarks at a building products company in Old Forge, Pa., about a 10 miles from Scranton, where Biden was born and grew up.
Trump in Pennsylvania: Live updates: At Pa. campaign stop, Trump says Biden has failed America for half a century
Trump, who originally planned to focus his Pennsylvania speech on trade and manufacturing, said Biden left Scranton 70 years ago, and "he has spent the last half century in Washington selling out our country and letting other countries steal our jobs."
Seeking to link Biden to "socialist Bernie Sanders," Trump said the former vice president will erase economic gains of recent years and "impose a permanent lockdown combined with a socialist takeover of the U.S. economy."
Pennsylvania Democrats said Trump's management of the pandemic has already wiped out the economy. They said Trump is attacking Biden because he has no plans of his own for the economy, the COVID-19 crisis, or anything else.
Sen. Robert Casey, D-Pa., said Trump's speech is "just smears" of Biden.
Trump’s remarks amounted to a pre-buttal of Biden’s acceptance speech Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention.
"I'm sure he'll knock 'em dead," Trump said sarcastically. Later, he said the only way Democrats would beat him "is by a rigged election."
Democrats described Trump's site selection as a meaningless stunt, but one they welcomed as a way to contrast the two candidates.
“What the American people are looking for is a plan to get this virus under control. My guess is that is not what they’re going to get,” said Kate Bedingfield, a Biden campaign spokeswoman. “They’re going to get the same old divisive attacks, these recycled political hits that Donald Trump and his campaign have tried to throw at Joe Biden since the moment he got in this race over a year ago.”
Symone Sanders, a senior adviser to the campaign, said Biden would offer a hopeful vision for the future and Trump won’t.
“We actually appreciate President Trump going out there because the American people will get to see a tale of two presidents,” Sanders said.
Two presidents: Barack Obama called out Donald Trump in his DNC speech, and the current president was not happy
It's rare for a presidential candidate to schedule a high-profile event so close to his opponent's convention speech, analysts said. But Trump has proven time and again he likes to do things differently.
"It's classic Trump," political analyst Stuart Rothenberg said. "It always has to be about him. He can't let it be about someone else."
Trump himself is being preempted by other news events.
His speech came shortly after the arrest of former Trump adviser Steve Bannon on fraud charges, as well as a judge's ruling that the president's financial records must be turned over to a grand jury, analysts pointed out.
"Trump wanted to step on Biden’s message today, but Bannon and taxes were not what he had in mind," said political analyst Rich Galen.
Terry Madonna, a political scientist at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., said Trump drew sharp contrasts with Biden but focused largely on issues important to the region, such as steel and manufacturing. Trump did not get "personal" against his opponent, he said.
"If he had attacked Biden personally, that would have been a mistake," Madonna said.
Trump delivered his remarks in a state that is emerging as a key battleground in the upcoming election.
For decades, Republican and Democratic presidential candidates have fought for blue-collar votes in and around the Scranton area, a politically important region in a state with 20 electoral votes. Biden represented neighboring Delaware in the Senate for three-and-a-half decades before his eight years as vice president.
Four years ago, Trump became the first Republican since 1988 to carry Pennsylvania, a major pick-up in his Electoral College victory over Hillary Clinton. But this year, Biden holds a 6.4 percentage point lead over Trump in Pennsylvania, according to the Real Clear Politics average of polls.
Democrats argue case for Joe Biden: Now what would a President Biden do?
Trump supporters – and opponents – started gathering outside Mariotti Building Products, where Trump delivered his remarks, hours before his arrival.
Steven Andrew Gasdik, an electronics technician who lives in Old Forge, said he has never attended a Trump event before. So when he heard a rumor the president was coming to his small town near Scranton, he was like, “Really? Really?! Are you serious?”
He took the day off work to attend, and was outside the speech site at 8 a.m., having a great time with his family while waiting for the president's arrival. Among those with him: Gasdik's 100-year-old Aunt Dorothy, who plans to vote for Trump.
Gasdik said he supports Trump because of the economy. “I’m worried about my kids. My kids need jobs, and Donald Trump will bring them jobs,” he said.
Gene Stilp of Middle Paxton Township, who said he has many postal worker friends, was displaying a “Save the Post Office, cancel Trump” sign. He said he’s concerned the Trump administration has slowed delivery of mail. Stilp said he thinks Trump is a racist and a traitor.
Trump's visit to Old Forge caps a week-long series of speeches across the country designed to counter-program the virtual Democratic convention – and hammer Biden.
During travels to battleground states Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Arizona, Trump has accused Biden and the Democrats of wanting to raise taxes and impose regulations. He also claims, without evidence, that they want to seize guns – "they will be taking away your Second Amendment" – and coddle criminals.
Contributing: Candy Woodall and Kathryne Rubright, USA Today Network Pennsylvania
DNC takeaways: Kamala Harris makes history, Obama accuses Trump of treating presidency like a 'reality show'


usatoday--2020-08-20--Did you catch the BLM, DBFH hidden messages in Elizabeth Warren's speech?

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren displayed the acronym for the Black Lives Matter movement in the background of her virtual speech Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention .
Warren subtly showed her support of the movement with the letters `` BLM , '' spelled out in children blocks in the background of her speech , which was filmed at the Early Childhood Education Center in Springfield , Massachusetts .
The blocks were the only explicit reference to the Black Lives Matter movement during Warren 's speech and she did n't mention the blocks behind her .
More : DNC : Hillary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a president' Warren mentioned several of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden 's policy proposals , including his `` build back better '' jobs plan and student loan initiative , but she mainly focused on his plans for child care .
`` We build infrastructure like roads , bridges and communications systems so that people can work .
That infrastructure helps us all because it keeps our economy going .
It 's time to recognize that childcare is part of the basic infrastructure of this nation—it 's infrastructure for families , '' Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a very crowded Democratic presidential field until dropping out in March .
While out with protesters calling for justice for George Floyd in front of the White House this summer , Warren told the Washington Post , `` I ’ m here today because nothing changes if we don ’ t speak out .
It is not enough to stay comfortable in our homes and offices and say we stand in solidarity .
It ’ s important that we get out on the front lines and call out racism everywhere . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Edward M. Kennedy Institute , Warren also spoke on police brutality .
`` Fifty years later , violence against African Americans has not disappeared .
Consider law enforcement .
The vast majority of police officers sign up so they can protect their communities .
... We know that .
But we also know – and say – the names of those whose lives have been treated with callous indifference , '' Warren said in the 2015 speech .
`` Sandra Bland .
Freddie Gray .
Michael Brown .
We 've seen sickening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down by bullets , choked to death while gasping for air – their lives ended by those who are sworn to protect them . ''
The `` BLM '' letters were not the only hidden message in Warren 's speech .
The letters `` DBFH '' could also be seen .
It stands for `` dream big , fight hard , '' a campaign slogan of her 's .
The Center for Urban and Racial Equity created a Racial Justice Presidential Candidate Scorecard for the 2020 election , in which Warren scored the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A- .
The scorecard `` summarizes the presidential candidates ' policy proposals through a racial equity lens across key areas , '' according to the center 's website .
The candidates were scored on voting and indigenous rights , racial wealth gap , immigration , criminal , environmental and reproductive justice , education equity , reparations , and their record and rhetoric .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , also received an A- , however Warren got a 92 out of 100 grade while Sanders received a 90 .
Biden received a D @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acronyms were n't the only hidden messages slipped into a DNC speech .
On Monday night , former first lady Michelle Obama wore a necklace that spelled `` VOTE . ''
The hidden message was met with many praising Warren .
'When people ask why I chose to support Elizabeth Warren and become a surrogate for her ( campaign ) in 2020 , I tell them 'She just gets it . '
Now I 'll also show them this photo , '' Frederick Joseph , the author of `` The Black Friend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Warren in front of the `` BLM '' letters .
Indiana congressional candidate Jeannine Lake also tweeted her support , saying `` LIZ LOVES BLM ... Subliminal messaging with the alphabet letters . ''
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom also showed his support for Warren in a tweet .

Did you catch the BLM, DBFH hidden messages in Elizabeth Warren's speech?
Show Caption Hide Caption DNC speaker: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren delivers remarks to the Democratic National Convention on the struggle for equality in the face of challenges. USA TODAY
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren displayed the acronym for the Black Lives Matter movement in the background of her virtual speech Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention.
Warren subtly showed her support of the movement with the letters "BLM," spelled out in children blocks in the background of her speech, which was filmed at the Early Childhood Education Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The blocks were the only explicit reference to the Black Lives Matter movement during Warren's speech and she didn't mention the blocks behind her.
More: DNC: Hillary Clinton wishes 'Donald Trump knew how to be a president'
Warren mentioned several of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's policy proposals, including his "build back better" jobs plan and student loan initiative, but she mainly focused on his plans for child care.
"We build infrastructure like roads, bridges and communications systems so that people can work. That infrastructure helps us all because it keeps our economy going. It's time to recognize that childcare is part of the basic infrastructure of this nation—it's infrastructure for families," Warren said.
The senator was one candidate on a very crowded Democratic presidential field until dropping out in March.
While out with protesters calling for justice for George Floyd in front of the White House this summer, Warren told the Washington Post, "I’m here today because nothing changes if we don’t speak out. It is not enough to stay comfortable in our homes and offices and say we stand in solidarity. It’s important that we get out on the front lines and call out racism everywhere."
In 2015, during her remarks at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, Warren also spoke on police brutality.
"Fifty years later, violence against African Americans has not disappeared. Consider law enforcement. The vast majority of police officers sign up so they can protect their communities. ...We know that. But we also know – and say – the names of those whose lives have been treated with callous indifference," Warren said in the 2015 speech. "Sandra Bland. Freddie Gray. Michael Brown. We've seen sickening videos of unarmed, black Americans cut down by bullets, choked to death while gasping for air – their lives ended by those who are sworn to protect them."
More: DNC speakers deliver despite digital format
The "BLM" letters were not the only hidden message in Warren's speech. The letters "DBFH" could also be seen. It stands for "dream big, fight hard," a campaign slogan of her's.
The Center for Urban and Racial Equity created a Racial Justice Presidential Candidate Scorecard for the 2020 election, in which Warren scored the highest of the candidates, receiving an A-.
The scorecard "summarizes the presidential candidates' policy proposals through a racial equity lens across key areas," according to the center's website.
The candidates were scored on voting and indigenous rights, racial wealth gap, immigration, criminal, environmental and reproductive justice, education equity, reparations, and their record and rhetoric.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., also received an A-, however Warren got a 92 out of 100 grade while Sanders received a 90. Biden received a D rating on the scorecard.
Warren's acronyms weren't the only hidden messages slipped into a DNC speech. On Monday night, former first lady Michelle Obama wore a necklace that spelled "VOTE."
The hidden message was met with many praising Warren.
'When people ask why I chose to support Elizabeth Warren and become a surrogate for her (campaign) in 2020, I tell them 'She just gets it.' Now I'll also show them this photo," Frederick Joseph, the author of "The Black Friend," tweeted last night with a photo of Warren in front of the "BLM" letters.
When people ask why I chose to support Elizabeth Warren and become a surrogate for her camapign in 2020, I tell them “She just gets it.”
Now I’ll also show them this photo. #DemConvention pic.twitter.com/xx8YVdqrPa — Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) August 20, 2020
Indiana congressional candidate Jeannine Lake also tweeted her support, saying "LIZ LOVES BLM ...Subliminal messaging with the alphabet letters."
California Gov. Gavin Newsom also showed his support for Warren in a tweet.


usatoday--2020-08-20--'At some point, we obviously will be gone.' Trump declines to give timetable for U.S. withdrawal fro

WASHINGTON – More than 17 years after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq , President Donald Trump said Thursday the United States will eventually withdraw all American troops from the conflict-ridden nation , though he did not provide a timetable .
`` At some point , we obviously will be gone , '' Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi .
`` We look forward to the day when we do n't have to be there , '' he added before the two men met privately .
Trump and the Iraqi leader said they planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran , and Iraq 's internal security , the chief focus for U.S. forces who remain in the country .
There are currently about 5,000 troops in Iraq , after a series of draw-downs in recent years .
Their assignments include counter-terrorism operations and training Iraqi security forces .
More : Donald Trump threatens Iraq with sanctions , says US wo n't leave unless 'they pay us back ' for air base More : Trump defends Syria policy during surprise visit with US troops in Iraq Pressed about a timetable for withdrawal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Mike Pompeo , who said : `` As soon as we can complete that mission .
The president has made very clear he wants to get our forces down to the lowest level as quickly as we possibly can ... and we 're working with the Iraqis to achieve that . ''
For his part , Al-Kadhimi said Iraq is open to U.S. investment ; Trump said several American companies are exploring opportunities in Iraq 's oil business .
While once supportive of U.S. military activity in Iraq and Afghanistan , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington , when he became a presidential candidate .
`` We 're getting out of these endless wars , '' Trump told reporters before the Iraq meeting , `` these ridiculous , endless wars . ''
Trump hosted the Iraqi leader ahead of a busy day on the campaign trail that will take him to the Scranton , Pa. , region for a political speech , in which he is expected to attack newly minted Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Al-Kadhimi took office in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Iraq .
Iraq 's government objected to a Trump-authorized drone strike in January that killed a high-ranking Iranian general who was visiting Baghdad .
The deadly strike inflamed anti-U.S. sentiment in Iraq and prompted calls for the withdrawal of U.S. troops .
Trump threatened Iraq with sanctions if the country 's leaders followed through on threats to expel U.S. forces over the drone strike .
On Thursday in the Oval Office , both leaders said U.S.-Iraq tensions had cooled dramatically .
`` I think we 've had a very , very good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` We 're down to a very small number of soldiers in Iraq now . ''

'At some point, we obviously will be gone.' Trump declines to give timetable for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq
Show Caption Hide Caption Donald Trump makes surprise visit to meet with U.S. troops in Iraq Trump and first lady Melania Trump flew overnight on Christmas from Washington to Iraq on Air Force One. Trump spent about three hours on the ground in Iraq, meeting with soldiers in a dining hall and addressing a large group of troops in a hangar. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – More than 17 years after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, President Donald Trump said Thursday the United States will eventually withdraw all American troops from the conflict-ridden nation, though he did not provide a timetable.
"At some point, we obviously will be gone," Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. "We look forward to the day when we don't have to be there," he added before the two men met privately.
Trump and the Iraqi leader said they planned to discuss oil development, relations with Iran, and Iraq's internal security, the chief focus for U.S. forces who remain in the country.
There are currently about 5,000 troops in Iraq, after a series of draw-downs in recent years. Their assignments include counter-terrorism operations and training Iraqi security forces.
More: Donald Trump threatens Iraq with sanctions, says US won't leave unless 'they pay us back' for air base
More: Trump defends Syria policy during surprise visit with US troops in Iraq
More: Trump heads to Joe Biden's hometown hours before Democratic nominee's convention speech
Pressed about a timetable for withdrawal, Trump referred the question to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said: "As soon as we can complete that mission. The president has made very clear he wants to get our forces down to the lowest level as quickly as we possibly can ...and we're working with the Iraqis to achieve that."
For his part, Al-Kadhimi said Iraq is open to U.S. investment; Trump said several American companies are exploring opportunities in Iraq's oil business.
While once supportive of U.S. military activity in Iraq and Afghanistan, Trump turned against those conflicts, which began after the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington, when he became a presidential candidate.
"We're getting out of these endless wars," Trump told reporters before the Iraq meeting, "these ridiculous, endless wars."
Trump hosted the Iraqi leader ahead of a busy day on the campaign trail that will take him to the Scranton, Pa., region for a political speech, in which he is expected to attack newly minted Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Al-Kadhimi took office in May amid growing tensions between the United States and Iraq.
Iraq's government objected to a Trump-authorized drone strike in January that killed a high-ranking Iranian general who was visiting Baghdad. The deadly strike inflamed anti-U.S. sentiment in Iraq and prompted calls for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
Trump threatened Iraq with sanctions if the country's leaders followed through on threats to expel U.S. forces over the drone strike.
On Thursday in the Oval Office, both leaders said U.S.-Iraq tensions had cooled dramatically.
"I think we've had a very, very good relationship since we started," Trump said. "We're down to a very small number of soldiers in Iraq now."


usatoday--2020-08-20--Trump says QAnon extremist group 'love our country,' 'like me very much'

Trump on QAnon conspiracy theory : 'They like me very much' QAnon has been classified by the FBI as a @ @ @ @ @ to an internal memo first published by Yahoo !
News .

Trump on QAnon conspiracy theory: 'They like me very much'
QAnon has been classified by the FBI as a domestic terror threat, according to an internal memo first published by Yahoo! News.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-08-20--Trump asks Supreme Court to let him block critics from following him on Twitter

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is taking his effort to block his critics on Twitter to the Supreme Court .
The Justice Department on Thursday asked the high court to review a federal appeals court ruling that found the president 's practice of blocking critics violates the First Amendment .
Trump , who now has more than 85 million Twitter followers , prompted the court battle in 2017 by blocking some of the social media company 's users from following his Twitter account .
Seven of them went to court , charging that he was seeking to `` suppress dissent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the president in 2018 , and a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit followed suit in 2019 .
Earlier this year , the full appeals court refused to rehear the case .
“ These tweets are published by a public official clothed with the authority of the state using social media as a tool of governance and as an official channel of communication on an interactive public platform , ” appeals court Judge Barrington Parker wrote .
Acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall told the justices Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he was a private citizen .
Wall said the president has continued to use it for both personal and official pronouncements .
`` The president uses his account to speak to the public , not to give members of the public a forum to speak to him and among themselves , '' Wall said .
`` Denying him the power to exclude third parties ’ accounts from his personal account – a power that every other owner of a Twitter account possesses – would deter holders of his office from using new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public audience . ''
The president tweets regularly at @ realDonaldTrump , often multiple times a day .
Since establishing the account , he has tweeted more than 54,000 times – an average of about 13 per day .
Typical are his rants against opponents , such as one unleashed Wednesday night after Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris ' acceptance speech to the Democratic National Convention .
The Justice Department acknowledged that Trump uses the account for government business but said the appeals court failed to understand that blocking followers is his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical distinction between the president ’ s ( sometimes ) official statements on Twitter and his always personal decision to block respondents from his own account , the opinion blurs the line between state action and private conduct , '' Wall said in asking the Supreme Court to hear the case .
`` The result of the court of appeals ’ novel ruling will be to jeopardize the ability of public officials – from the president of the United States to a village councilperson – to insulate their social-media accounts from harassment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judicial oversight . ''
Typical of the seven Twitter users who brought the case in 2017 was Rebecca Buckwalter of Washington , D.C. After Trump tweeted `` Sorry folks , but if I would have relied on the Fake News of CNN , NBC , ABC , CBS washpost or nytimes , I would have had ZERO chance winning WH , ” she replied : “ To be fair you didn ’ t win the WH : Russia won it for you.
” Those blocked from a Twitter account can not read tweets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribute to the comment threads .
After the 2018 district court ruling , the White House unblocked the seven individuals who brought the case , along with others blocked because of their viewpoints .
But it did not unblock those who could not specify the tweet that caused Trump to block them , or those blocked before he became president .
“ This case stands for a principle that is fundamental to our democracy and basically synonymous with the First Amendment : government officials can ’ t exclude people from public forums simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Jameel Jaffer , executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University , which represents the plaintiffs .
The Supreme Court likely will decide this fall whether to hear the case next year .

Trump asks Supreme Court to let him block critics from following him on Twitter
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump feud escalates with Twitter, social media President Donald Trump is escalating his feud with social media companies, signing an executive order challenging their liability protections. The move comes after Twitter applied fact-check labels on Trump's tweets about mail-in ballots. (May 29) AP
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is taking his effort to block his critics on Twitter to the Supreme Court.
The Justice Department on Thursday asked the high court to review a federal appeals court ruling that found the president's practice of blocking critics violates the First Amendment.
Trump, who now has more than 85 million Twitter followers, prompted the court battle in 2017 by blocking some of the social media company's users from following his Twitter account. Seven of them went to court, charging that he was seeking to "suppress dissent."
A federal district court ruled against the president in 2018, and a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit followed suit in 2019. Earlier this year, the full appeals court refused to rehear the case.
“These tweets are published by a public official clothed with the authority of the state using social media as a tool of governance and as an official channel of communication on an interactive public platform,” appeals court Judge Barrington Parker wrote.
Acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall told the justices Thursday that Trump's account was created in 2009 when he was a private citizen. Wall said the president has continued to use it for both personal and official pronouncements.
"The president uses his account to speak to the public, not to give members of the public a forum to speak to him and among themselves," Wall said.
"Denying him the power to exclude third parties’ accounts from his personal account – a power that every other owner of a Twitter account possesses – would deter holders of his office from using new technology to efficiently communicate to a broad public audience."
The president tweets regularly at @realDonaldTrump, often multiple times a day. Since establishing the account, he has tweeted more than 54,000 times – an average of about 13 per day. Typical are his rants against opponents, such as one unleashed Wednesday night after Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris' acceptance speech to the Democratic National Convention.
BUT DIDN’T SHE CALL HIM A RACIST??? DIDN’T SHE SAY HE WAS INCOMPETENT??? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 20, 2020
The Justice Department acknowledged that Trump uses the account for government business but said the appeals court failed to understand that blocking followers is his personal decision.
"By ignoring the critical distinction between the president’s (sometimes) official statements on Twitter and his always personal decision to block respondents from his own account, the opinion blurs the line between state action and private conduct," Wall said in asking the Supreme Court to hear the case.
"The result of the court of appeals’ novel ruling will be to jeopardize the ability of public officials – from the president of the United States to a village councilperson – to insulate their social-media accounts from harassment, trolling, or hate speech without invasive judicial oversight."
Typical of the seven Twitter users who brought the case in 2017 was Rebecca Buckwalter of Washington, D.C. After Trump tweeted "Sorry folks, but if I would have relied on the Fake News of CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS washpost or
nytimes, I would have had ZERO chance winning WH,” she replied: “To be fair you didn’t win the WH: Russia won it for you.”
Those blocked from a Twitter account cannot read tweets, respond to them directly, or contribute to the comment threads.
After the 2018 district court ruling, the White House unblocked the seven individuals who brought the case, along with others blocked because of their viewpoints. But it did not unblock those who could not specify the tweet that caused Trump to block them, or those blocked before he became president.
“This case stands for a principle that is fundamental to our democracy and basically synonymous with the First Amendment: government officials can’t exclude people from public forums simply because they disagree with their political views,” said Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, which represents the plaintiffs.
The Supreme Court likely will decide this fall whether to hear the case next year.