usatoday--2020-07-10--13 things that make cooking during the summer easier

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed ’ s editors .
Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission .
Summer is arguably the most difficult time to cook .
Yes , the sun stays out longer , but it ’ s all a facade .
Between summer activities and the grueling heat , cooking is often the last thing on our minds .
That means many of us go back to takeout night after night , which can seriously add up .
Thankfully , there are a few items that make cooking during the summer easier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , so you can get back to enjoying the warm weather .
From meal kits to kitchen gadgets , these 13 things will make summer cooking less of a chore this year .
If you have yet to buy a meat thermometer , your life is about to change for the better .
While you might think you know how long to cook your chicken in the oven , a meat thermometer ensures that your meat is perfectly cooked and juicy ( goodbye , dry chicken ) .
Plus , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cutting into whatever you ’ re cooking to check on the doneness .
The ThermoWorks ThermoPop is the best meat thermometer we ’ ve ever tested .
It takes just three ( !
! )
seconds to read temperatures and has a 360-degree screen rotation , so you can easily spot the temperature no matter what angle you 're using it at .
Seriously , our experts love what a game-changer it is while grilling .
Get the ThermoPop at Thermoworks for $ 34 2 .
A meal kit that does all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of cooking is deciding what you want to eat—and then going grocery shopping for your ingredients after .
But meal kits take care of both and ship fresh ingredients and innovative recipes straight to your door .
Hello Fresh is one of our favorite meal kit delivery services because of its delicious recipes ( it had our favorite recipe of all the meal kits we tested ) and affordability at just $ 7.49 per serving .
It does lack a bit of variety in terms of vegetarian and other specialty diets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good choice for most eaters .
My friend who used to rarely step foot in her kitchen , started cooking again because of her Hello Fresh subscription .
3 .
Meals you just need to pop into the microwave While some of us like to use meal kits to improve our cooking skills , some of us just want them for the meals sans chopping .
That ’ s where Freshly comes in .
It ’ s the best pre-made meal kit we ’ ve ever tested .
All you have to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ microwave , which may feel like a Lean Cuisine , but we found these to be pretty dang close to a home cooked meal—though they might not look as pretty .
I ’ m going to be honest : I still can ’ t properly chop an onion .
The various rings make it exceedingly difficult to dice it and I ’ m usually left in a puddle of tears because of chopping .
The solution to my red-eye woes ?
An onion chopper .
This one has more than 17,000 reviews and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raving about how much time it saves them while chopping .
It comes with two stainless steel blades for small and large chops , and can be used on a variety of vegetables and cheeses .
Get the Mueller Austria Onion Chopper Pro Vegetable Chopper at Amazon for $ 22.97 5 .
The best grilling tongs we ’ ve ever tested Tongs are often a forgotten cooking tool that make your life way easier .
Not only are they essential for grilling , but they make tasks like grabbing corn from a boiling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( please don ’ t try to do this with a fork ) .
These ones from OXO Good Grips are the best ones we ’ ve ever tested because the scalloped pincers easily pick up a variety of foods and textures .
Get the OXO Good Grips 16-Inch Stainless Steel Locking Tongs at Amazon for $ 14.99 6 .
An Instant Pot so you can stay out of the kitchen The Instant Pot is one of my favorite cooking gadgets of all time .
Not only are dump and cook dinners one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it also keeps you from turning on the oven and bringing in the heat .
As someone who doesn ’ t have A/C in their kitchen , this is very important to me .
The Instant Pot Duo is a great base model for any kitchen and has seven different cooking functions like saute , steam , rice cooker , and the all-important pressure cooker .
Basically , you can cook whatever you want in it—and fast .
Get the Instant Pot 6-Quart Duo Pressure Cooker at Amazon for $ 79 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but chopping them for this purpose can be a pain in the butt .
Usually , I get so fed up , I ’ ll just tear them apart in my hands , which is less effective and not aesthetically pleasing .
Instead , people reach for these handy herb scissors , which have five blades for swift slicing of cilantro , basil , mint , and more .
With more than 1,000 reviews and a 4.5-star rating on Amazon , one reviewer says this product is “ a must for every kitchen.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon for $ 14.87 Air frying was one of the hottest food trends of 2019 , and it 's still as popular as ever for this summer .
I mean , how else could you make a healthier version of your favorite french fries and chicken wings sans grease ?
Plus , it allows you to crisp up smaller batches of food while the oven is taken .
After testing a variety of air fryers , we found that the Philips Airfryer XXL was the best of the best .
Not only is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portion , but it was the most consistent and produced the best “ fried ” foods of all the air fryers we tested .
Get the Philips Airfryer XXL at Walmart for $ 199.99 Cutting vegetables is pretty time-consuming and you usually ca n't get your slices a unified size , which can be pretty frustrating .
But a mandoline produces perfect slices for your ratatouille , crudité , and homemade veggie chips in basically no time at all .
We love this model from KitchenAid because its V-shaped blade sliced through whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five different thickness options .
Plus , it 's safer than most thanks to a larger-than-average finger guard and rubber feet that keep it from sliding , which is why it ’ s the best mandoline we ’ ve ever tested .
Get the KitchenAid Adjustable Hand-Held V-Blade Mandoline Slicer at Amazon for $ 20.69 10 .
A strainer that 's better than a colander Pasta salad is a barbecue favorite and plain ole pasta is always a go-to easy meal .
But what ’ s not actually that easy : straining it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pasta into a colander just to put it back into the pot to add sauce or butter .
This genius strainer cuts out the middleman by simply snapping to the side of a pot and draining water without losing any precious noodles .
It ’ s garnered nearly 4,000 reviews and has 4.5-star rating on Amazon , so it ’ s safe to say that people won ’ t be returning to their traditional colander anytime soon .
Get the Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Strainer at Amazon for $ 11.99 Zoodles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still get behind .
Vegetables are just way more fun to eat when they ’ re in noodle form .
And the easiest way to make vegetable noodles is with the Veggetti , our favorite spiralizer .
It ’ s simple to use , has two size options ( thin and thick ) , and requires minimal cleanup .
As someone who owns both a Veggetti and a full-size spiralizer , I always find myself reaching for this handheld one because it ’ s much more convenient .
Get the Veggetti at Amazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the handiest appliances out there .
Initially , I got mine to make cauliflower rice , but it has so many more uses , like shredding Brussels sprouts , chopping up all sorts of vegetables , and even shredding cheese .
Plus , it can dice things way faster and more finely than you probably can by hand .
Our favorite food processor is this 14-cup one from Cuisinart , which we found to be the most efficient with the largest tube for seamless processing .
Get the Cuisinart 14-Cup Food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The easiest way to chop garlic Chopping garlic is one of the most tedious tasks .
The cloves are so small—which is dangerous for fingers—and the garlic scent sticks to your hands for hours later .
That ’ s where the ingenious GarlicZoom comes in .
After testing it for ourselves , we found that quickly and efficiently chopped garlic with its wheeled knife design .
It also works well with fresh ginger , shallots and other small onions , and small peppers like jalapenos .
Get the Chef ' n Garliczoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered .
Follow Reviewed on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram for the latest deals , reviews , and more .
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time .

13 things that make cooking during the summer easier
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
Summer is arguably the most difficult time to cook. Yes, the sun stays out longer, but it’s all a facade. Between summer activities and the grueling heat, cooking is often the last thing on our minds. That means many of us go back to takeout night after night, which can seriously add up. Thankfully, there are a few items that make cooking during the summer easier and can save you a ton of time, so you can get back to enjoying the warm weather.
From meal kits to kitchen gadgets, these 13 things will make summer cooking less of a chore this year.
1. A precise meat thermometer
If you have yet to buy a meat thermometer, your life is about to change for the better. While you might think you know how long to cook your chicken in the oven, a meat thermometer ensures that your meat is perfectly cooked and juicy (goodbye, dry chicken). Plus, it’ll save you the time of constantly cutting into whatever you’re cooking to check on the doneness.
The ThermoWorks ThermoPop is the best meat thermometer we’ve ever tested. It takes just three (!!) seconds to read temperatures and has a 360-degree screen rotation, so you can easily spot the temperature no matter what angle you're using it at. Seriously, our experts love what a game-changer it is while grilling.
Get the ThermoPop at Thermoworks for $34
2. A meal kit that does all the planning for you
Possibly the most challenging part of cooking is deciding what you want to eat—and then going grocery shopping for your ingredients after. But meal kits take care of both and ship fresh ingredients and innovative recipes straight to your door. Hello Fresh is one of our favorite meal kit delivery services because of its delicious recipes (it had our favorite recipe of all the meal kits we tested) and affordability at just $7.49 per serving. It does lack a bit of variety in terms of vegetarian and other specialty diets, but we still think it's a good choice for most eaters. My friend who used to rarely step foot in her kitchen, started cooking again because of her Hello Fresh subscription.
Try Hello Fresh
3. Meals you just need to pop into the microwave
While some of us like to use meal kits to improve our cooking skills, some of us just want them for the meals sans chopping. That’s where Freshly comes in. It’s the best pre-made meal kit we’ve ever tested. All you have to do is pop these pre-made meals into the microwave, which may feel like a Lean Cuisine, but we found these to be pretty dang close to a home cooked meal—though they might not look as pretty.
Try Freshly
4. A gadget that makes chopping onions easier
I’m going to be honest: I still can’t properly chop an onion. The various rings make it exceedingly difficult to dice it and I’m usually left in a puddle of tears because of chopping. The solution to my red-eye woes? An onion chopper. This one has more than 17,000 reviews and a 4.6-star rating on Amazon with reviewers raving about how much time it saves them while chopping. It comes with two stainless steel blades for small and large chops, and can be used on a variety of vegetables and cheeses.
Get the Mueller Austria Onion Chopper Pro Vegetable Chopper at Amazon for $22.97
5. The best grilling tongs we’ve ever tested
Tongs are often a forgotten cooking tool that make your life way easier. Not only are they essential for grilling, but they make tasks like grabbing corn from a boiling pot of water much easier and safer (please don’t try to do this with a fork). These ones from OXO Good Grips are the best ones we’ve ever tested because the scalloped pincers easily pick up a variety of foods and textures.
Get the OXO Good Grips 16-Inch Stainless Steel Locking Tongs at Amazon for $14.99
6. An Instant Pot so you can stay out of the kitchen
The Instant Pot is one of my favorite cooking gadgets of all time. Not only are dump and cook dinners one of the easiest meals to put together, but it also keeps you from turning on the oven and bringing in the heat. As someone who doesn’t have A/C in their kitchen, this is very important to me. The Instant Pot Duo is a great base model for any kitchen and has seven different cooking functions like saute, steam, rice cooker, and the all-important pressure cooker. Basically, you can cook whatever you want in it—and fast.
Get the Instant Pot 6-Quart Duo Pressure Cooker at Amazon for $79
7. Scissors that expertly chop herbs
Fresh herbs immediately elevate any dish, but chopping them for this purpose can be a pain in the butt. Usually, I get so fed up, I’ll just tear them apart in my hands, which is less effective and not aesthetically pleasing. Instead, people reach for these handy herb scissors, which have five blades for swift slicing of cilantro, basil, mint, and more. With more than 1,000 reviews and a 4.5-star rating on Amazon, one reviewer says this product is “a must for every kitchen.”
Get the Jenaluca Herb Scissors at Amazon for $14.87
8. An air fryer for healthier fries
Air frying was one of the hottest food trends of 2019, and it's still as popular as ever for this summer. I mean, how else could you make a healthier version of your favorite french fries and chicken wings sans grease? Plus, it allows you to crisp up smaller batches of food while the oven is taken. After testing a variety of air fryers, we found that the Philips Airfryer XXL was the best of the best. Not only is it large enough to cook a family-sized portion, but it was the most consistent and produced the best “fried” foods of all the air fryers we tested.
Get the Philips Airfryer XXL at Walmart for $199.99
9. A mandoline for perfectly cut veggies
Cutting vegetables is pretty time-consuming and you usually can't get your slices a unified size, which can be pretty frustrating. But a mandoline produces perfect slices for your ratatouille, crudité, and homemade veggie chips in basically no time at all. We love this model from KitchenAid because its V-shaped blade sliced through whatever we threw at it and it has five different thickness options. Plus, it's safer than most thanks to a larger-than-average finger guard and rubber feet that keep it from sliding, which is why it’s the best mandoline we’ve ever tested.
Get the KitchenAid Adjustable Hand-Held V-Blade Mandoline Slicer at Amazon for $20.69
10. A strainer that's better than a colander
Pasta salad is a barbecue favorite and plain ole pasta is always a go-to easy meal. But what’s not actually that easy: straining it. It's super tedious to move the pasta into a colander just to put it back into the pot to add sauce or butter. This genius strainer cuts out the middleman by simply snapping to the side of a pot and draining water without losing any precious noodles. It’s garnered nearly 4,000 reviews and has 4.5-star rating on Amazon, so it’s safe to say that people won’t be returning to their traditional colander anytime soon.
Get the Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Strainer at Amazon for $11.99
11. Our favorite spiralizer
Zoodles were a food trend that I can still get behind. Vegetables are just way more fun to eat when they’re in noodle form. And the easiest way to make vegetable noodles is with the Veggetti, our favorite spiralizer. It’s simple to use, has two size options (thin and thick), and requires minimal cleanup. As someone who owns both a Veggetti and a full-size spiralizer, I always find myself reaching for this handheld one because it’s much more convenient.
Get the Veggetti at Amazon for $9.99
12. A food processor that doubles as a sous chef
A food processor is one of the handiest appliances out there. Initially, I got mine to make cauliflower rice, but it has so many more uses, like shredding Brussels sprouts, chopping up all sorts of vegetables, and even shredding cheese. Plus, it can dice things way faster and more finely than you probably can by hand. Our favorite food processor is this 14-cup one from Cuisinart, which we found to be the most efficient with the largest tube for seamless processing.
Get the Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor at Amazon for $183.96
13. The easiest way to chop garlic
Chopping garlic is one of the most tedious tasks. The cloves are so small—which is dangerous for fingers—and the garlic scent sticks to your hands for hours later. That’s where the ingenious GarlicZoom comes in. After testing it for ourselves, we found that quickly and efficiently chopped garlic with its wheeled knife design. It also works well with fresh ginger, shallots and other small onions, and small peppers like jalapenos.
Get the Chef'n Garliczoom Garlic Chopper at Amazon for $12.98
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.


usatoday--2020-07-14--Mary Trump free to promote her tell-all book on uncle President Trump after gag order vacated

Mary Trump 's tea-spilling book on her uncle , President Donald Trump , and her family will go on sale as scheduled Tuesday , and she herself is now free to help promote it in public , a New York judge ruled late Monday .
Judge Hal Greenwald in Dutchess County , New York , said in his ruling that a temporary restraining order on Mary Trump is vacated and her family 's attempt to block her book , `` Too Much and Never Enough , '' from publication is denied .
It was an unambiguous win for Mary Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for their argument that prior restraint on publication and speaking is an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment .
“ Now that the unconstitutional gag order has finally been lifted , we are sure the White House and America are looking forward to finally hearing what Mary has to say , ” her spokesman , Chris Bastardi , said in a statement .
And it was a major loss for her estranged Trump relatives , including the president , who tried to ensure her book never saw the light of day and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bonanza of free pre-publication publicity .
“ The court got it right in rejecting the Trump family ’ s effort to squelch Mary Trump ’ s core political speech on important issues of public concern , '' said her lawyer , Ted Boutrous Jr. , in a statement .
`` The First Amendment forbids prior restraints because they are intolerable infringements on the right to participate in democracy .
Tomorrow , the American public will be able to read Mary ’ s important words for themselves.
” The publisher was `` delighted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman Adam Rothberg .
`` The unfettered right to publish is a sacred American freedom and a founding principle of our republic , and we applaud the Court for affirming well-established precedents against prior restraint and pre-publication injunctions .
( The book ) is a work of great significance , with very real implications for our national discourse , and we look forward to bringing it to a public that is clearly eager to read it . ''
There was no immediate comment from Charles Harder , the lawyer for the Trump family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 600,000 copies of the book , subtitled `` How My Family Created the World 's Most Dangerous Man , '' to bookstores across the country .
The book , which has been the topic of scores of news stories filled with juicy details of her family 's dysfunction and her professional psychological diagnosis of her uncle the president , is already firmly ensconced atop best-seller lists .
The ruling is the latest in the tense legal battle between Mary Trump and Simon & Schuster on one side , and her relatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Trump and their sister , ex-federal judge Maryanne Trump Barry , on the other .
The Trump family argued that Mary Trump , 55 , a psychologist , had no right to write her book or speak abut it because she signed a confidentiality agreement in 2001 and is still bound by it .
More : A bizarre White House dinner with Donald Trump and more cringeworthy moments from Mary Trump ’ s book Mary Trump and Simon & Schuster argued that their First Amendment rights were being violated by unconstitutional prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still applied to Mary Trump as of Monday .
And they argued the NDA she signed with her family , after the estate of her grandfather was settled , is invalid now .
Judge Greenwald was not much impressed by Robert Trump 's argument that she was in violation of a valid contract agreed to in 2001 to settle a intra-family dispute over the distribution of the estate of patriarch Fred Trump Sr. , Mary 's grandfather , who also is described in withering terms in the book .
`` According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case is slam dunk .
But it is not , '' the judge wrote .
`` Too many words , with too many meanings .
The cost of the litigation that was settled should have been finalized with more specifics , more clarity , if the current situation was even comprehended , at the time the Agreement was signed . ''
The judge also accepted the `` it 's too late '' argument made by Simon & Schuster .
Robert Trump claimed `` irreparable harm '' from release of confidential information in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantiate that claim and it was moot by this point .
`` At this juncture , when there has been heightened media attention from all sources and multiple comments made by a variety of Trump family members about the Agreement , it may be moot to enjoin publication and dissemination of Trump family laundry , '' the judge wrote .
`` The real possibility here is for S & S and the public to be irreparably harmed if the Book was enjoined . ''
`` He picked up on our arguments that Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured by negative statements about his brother Donald , and that evidence to support an injunction against free speech has to be clear and convincing , '' said Paul Alan Levy , lawyer for Public Citizen , which filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case .
The lawsuit , filed by Robert Trump in June , had already come before three New York judges , including Greenwald , with mixed results .
As it stood on Monday , Simon & Schuster was not under a restraining order and planned to publish Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not be able to help promote it unless the restraining order on her was lifted .
This situation , if permitted to continue , would be an unprecedented case of a book being published with its author unable to publicly speak about it , according to Simon & Schuster .

Mary Trump free to promote her tell-all book on uncle President Trump after gag order vacated
Show Caption Hide Caption 4 things to know about Trump's niece's tell-all-book President Trump's niece, Mary Trump, will release her tell-all-book on July 14. Here are some of the most notable excerpts. USA TODAY, Wochit
Mary Trump's tea-spilling book on her uncle, President Donald Trump, and her family will go on sale as scheduled Tuesday, and she herself is now free to help promote it in public, a New York judge ruled late Monday.
Judge Hal Greenwald in Dutchess County, New York, said in his ruling that a temporary restraining order on Mary Trump is vacated and her family's attempt to block her book, "Too Much and Never Enough," from publication is denied.
It was an unambiguous win for Mary Trump and her publisher Simon & Schuster, and for their argument that prior restraint on publication and speaking is an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment.
“Now that the unconstitutional gag order has finally been lifted, we are sure the White House and America are looking forward to finally hearing what Mary has to say,” her spokesman, Chris Bastardi, said in a statement.
And it was a major loss for her estranged Trump relatives, including the president, who tried to ensure her book never saw the light of day and instead ended up providing it with a bonanza of free pre-publication publicity.
“The court got it right in rejecting the Trump family’s effort to squelch Mary Trump’s core political speech on important issues of public concern," said her lawyer, Ted Boutrous Jr., in a statement. "The First Amendment forbids prior restraints because they are intolerable infringements on the right to participate in democracy. Tomorrow, the American public will be able to read Mary’s important words for themselves.”
The publisher was "delighted," according to a statement issued by spokesman Adam Rothberg. "The unfettered right to publish is a sacred American freedom and a founding principle of our republic, and we applaud the Court for affirming well-established precedents against prior restraint and pre-publication injunctions. (The book) is a work of great significance, with very real implications for our national discourse, and we look forward to bringing it to a public that is clearly eager to read it."
There was no immediate comment from Charles Harder, the lawyer for the Trump family.
Simon & Schuster has already shipped more than 600,000 copies of the book, subtitled "How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man," to bookstores across the country.
The book, which has been the topic of scores of news stories filled with juicy details of her family's dysfunction and her professional psychological diagnosis of her uncle the president, is already firmly ensconced atop best-seller lists.
The ruling is the latest in the tense legal battle between Mary Trump and Simon & Schuster on one side, and her relatives, including the president and his brother Robert Trump and their sister, ex-federal judge Maryanne Trump Barry, on the other.
The Trump family argued that Mary Trump, 55, a psychologist, had no right to write her book or speak abut it because she signed a confidentiality agreement in 2001 and is still bound by it.
More: A bizarre White House dinner with Donald Trump and more cringeworthy moments from Mary Trump’s book
Mary Trump and Simon & Schuster argued that their First Amendment rights were being violated by unconstitutional prior restraint – the temporary restraining order that still applied to Mary Trump as of Monday. And they argued the NDA she signed with her family, after the estate of her grandfather was settled, is invalid now.
Judge Greenwald was not much impressed by Robert Trump's argument that she was in violation of a valid contract agreed to in 2001 to settle a intra-family dispute over the distribution of the estate of patriarch Fred Trump Sr., Mary's grandfather, who also is described in withering terms in the book.
"According to the (Trump family argument), the case is slam dunk. But it is not," the judge wrote. "Too many words, with too many meanings. The cost of the litigation that was settled should have been finalized with more specifics, more clarity, if the current situation was even comprehended, at the time the Agreement was signed."
The judge also accepted the "it's too late" argument made by Simon & Schuster. Robert Trump claimed "irreparable harm" from release of confidential information in the book. Greenwald said he did not substantiate that claim and it was moot by this point.
"At this juncture, when there has been heightened media attention from all sources and multiple comments made by a variety of Trump family members about the Agreement, it may be moot to enjoin publication and dissemination of Trump family laundry," the judge wrote. "The real possibility here is for S&S and the public to be irreparably harmed if the Book was enjoined."
More: Former Mueller prosecutor writing book on investigation, battles with Trump administration
"He picked up on our arguments that Robert Trump had not shown that he was injured by negative statements about his brother Donald, and that evidence to support an injunction against free speech has to be clear and convincing," said Paul Alan Levy, lawyer for Public Citizen, which filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case.
The lawsuit, filed by Robert Trump in June, had already come before three New York judges, including Greenwald, with mixed results. As it stood on Monday, Simon & Schuster was not under a restraining order and planned to publish Tuesday.
But Mary Trump was personally gagged and would not be able to help promote it unless the restraining order on her was lifted. This situation, if permitted to continue, would be an unprecedented case of a book being published with its author unable to publicly speak about it, according to Simon & Schuster.


usatoday--2020-07-13--'I wouldn't trust you to care for a house plant let alone my child': Pressley slams DeVos on reopeni

'I wouldn't trust you to care for a house plant let alone my child': Pressley slams DeVos on reopening schools

Rep. Ayanna Pressley tore into Betsy DeVos after the secretary of education backed President Donald Trump 's demand that schools reopen during the coronavirus pandemic , which has killed more than 135,000 people in the U.S. '' @ BetsyDeVosED you have no plan .
Teachers , kids and parents are fearing for their lives .
You point to a private sector that has put profits over people and claimed the lives of thousands of essential workers , '' tweeted the freshman Democrat from Massachusetts .
`` I wouldn ’ t trust you to care for a house plant let alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday morning news shows to defend Trump 's insistence that schools reopen even as the number of confirmed cases across the county continue to spike .
And she repeated Trump 's threat to withhold federal funds from schools that refuse to resume in-person classes .
On CNN 's `` State of the Union '' – in a clip shared by Pressley – DeVos argued COVID-19 cases among children are less frequent and less severe .
Host Dana Bash pointed to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that say while they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If children meet in groups , it can put everyone at risk . ''
`` Children can pass this virus onto others who have an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 , '' the CDC guidelines say .
DeVos said children are not likely to spread the disease , citing a report that said the YMCA did not see an uptick in cases after it volunteered to use its facilities to provide care for the children of first responders .
`` That 's great news , '' Bash said of the YMCA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you about your own federal government 's guidelines , the CDC guidelines .
And what the CDC has said is that if children meet in groups , it can put everyone at risk . ''
'You ca n't do that ' : Fox News host Wallace confronts DeVos on threat to redirect funds from schools The CDC published a guidance offering educators a roadmap on how to reopen amid the pandemic that includes keeping children six feet apart , installing physical barriers , and closing communal spaces like playgrounds and dining halls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough '' and `` expensive , '' sparking debate about whether schools should follow them upon reopening .
When asked if she thought schools should follow the CDC guidance , DeVos replied that Director Robert Redfield `` clearly said , these are recommendations and every situation is going to look slightly different . ''
`` We have education leaders who can work hard and figure this out , '' she said .
DeVos conceded that some schools might have to shut down and resume remote learning , but declined to say what level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or what level of community spread in the area might warrant wider closures .
She said there were `` really good examples that have been utilized in the private sector '' and in hospitals that could inform school leaders .
`` OK , but I 'm not hearing a plan from the Department of Education .
Do you have a plan for what schools should do ? ''
Bash asked .
`` Schools should do what 's right on the ground , at that time , for their students and for their situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we can take , or should take , nationwide , '' DeVos said .
Bash argued DeVos was trying to `` have it both ways '' by insisting schools open nationwide while leaving specifics to local authorities .
On `` Fox News Sunday '' DeVos backed Trump 's threat to withhold funds from schools that refuse to reopen .
`` American investment in education is a promise to students and their families .
If schools are n't going to reopen and not fulfill that promise , they should n't get the funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to decide to go to a school that is going to meet that promise , '' DeVos said .
Host Chris Wallace contended Trump and DeVos did not have the authority to `` unilaterally cut off funding '' that had been approved by Congress .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Bash she considered DeVos ' statements on school reopenings `` malfeasance and dereliction of duty . ''
`` This is appalling , '' she said .
`` The president and his administration are messing with the health of our children . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to school .
Teachers do .
Parents do .
And children do .
But they must go back safely . ''
Can Trump do that ?
: FAQ on CDC guidelines , federal funding for schools during coronavirus

'I wouldn’t trust you to care for a house plant let alone my child': Pressley slams DeVos on reopening schools
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump believes these CDC school guidelines are too strict President Donald Trump criticizes the CDC guidelines for the upcoming school year. Which includes children, teachers, and staff getting regularly tested. USA TODAY
Rep. Ayanna Pressley tore into Betsy DeVos after the secretary of education backed President Donald Trump's demand that schools reopen during the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 135,000 people in the U.S.
"@BetsyDeVosED you have no plan. Teachers, kids and parents are fearing for their lives. You point to a private sector that has put profits over people and claimed the lives of thousands of essential workers," tweeted the freshman Democrat from Massachusetts.
"I wouldn’t trust you to care for a house plant let alone my child."
DeVos appeared on Sunday morning news shows to defend Trump's insistence that schools reopen even as the number of confirmed cases across the county continue to spike. And she repeated Trump's threat to withhold federal funds from schools that refuse to resume in-person classes.
.@BetsyDeVosED you have no plan. Teachers, kids and parents are fearing for their lives. You point to a private sector that has put profits over people and claimed the lives of thousands of essential workers. I wouldn’t trust you to care for a house plant let alone my child. https://t.co/Qs0Z7gCnMo — Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) July 12, 2020
On CNN's "State of the Union" – in a clip shared by Pressley – DeVos argued COVID-19 cases among children are less frequent and less severe.
Host Dana Bash pointed to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that say while they aren't at higher risk, "If children meet in groups, it can put everyone at risk."
"Children can pass this virus onto others who have an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19," the CDC guidelines say.
DeVos said children are not likely to spread the disease, citing a report that said the YMCA did not see an uptick in cases after it volunteered to use its facilities to provide care for the children of first responders.
"That's great news," Bash said of the YMCA report. "But I'm asking you about your own federal government's guidelines, the CDC guidelines. And what the CDC has said is that if children meet in groups, it can put everyone at risk."
'You can't do that': Fox News host Wallace confronts DeVos on threat to redirect funds from schools
The CDC published a guidance offering educators a roadmap on how to reopen amid the pandemic that includes keeping children six feet apart, installing physical barriers, and closing communal spaces like playgrounds and dining halls. Trump has said the guidelines are "tough" and "expensive," sparking debate about whether schools should follow them upon reopening.
When asked if she thought schools should follow the CDC guidance, DeVos replied that Director Robert Redfield "clearly said, these are recommendations and every situation is going to look slightly different."
"We have education leaders who can work hard and figure this out," she said.
DeVos conceded that some schools might have to shut down and resume remote learning, but declined to say what level of infection would justify that switch, or what level of community spread in the area might warrant wider closures. She said there were "really good examples that have been utilized in the private sector" and in hospitals that could inform school leaders.
"OK, but I'm not hearing a plan from the Department of Education. Do you have a plan for what schools should do?" Bash asked.
"Schools should do what's right on the ground, at that time, for their students and for their situation. There is no one uniform approach that we can take, or should take, nationwide," DeVos said.
Bash argued DeVos was trying to "have it both ways" by insisting schools open nationwide while leaving specifics to local authorities.
On "Fox News Sunday" DeVos backed Trump's threat to withhold funds from schools that refuse to reopen.
"American investment in education is a promise to students and their families. If schools aren't going to reopen and not fulfill that promise, they shouldn't get the funds, and give it to the families to decide to go to a school that is going to meet that promise," DeVos said.
Host Chris Wallace contended Trump and DeVos did not have the authority to "unilaterally cut off funding" that had been approved by Congress.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Bash she considered DeVos' statements on school reopenings "malfeasance and dereliction of duty."
"This is appalling," she said. "The president and his administration are messing with the health of our children."
"We all want our children to go back to school. Teachers do. Parents do. And children do. But they must go back safely."
Can Trump do that?: FAQ on CDC guidelines, federal funding for schools during coronavirus


usatoday--2020-07-14--Black Lives Matter street mural in front of Trump Tower vandalized with red paint, quickly repainted

Police in New York City are investigating after a masked person dumped red paint on a Black Lives Matter street mural painted in front of Trump Tower .
Twitter user Oscar Vela posted a video of a person who walked up to the `` V '' in `` Black Lives Matter , '' took a can of paint out of a paper bag and threw the paint on the mural , located on Fifth Avenue .
The person then left the paint can and ran off .
An NYPD official told USA TODAY a criminal mischief complaint has been filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
President Donald Trump spoke out against the mural when it was proposed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio .
Trump called the then-proposed mural a `` symbol of hate . ''
De Blasio responded to the vandalism on Twitter .
Mural defaced in California : Man , woman who vandalized Black Lives Matter street mural and dismissed racism face hate crime charges '' Nice try , '' the mayor tweeted , along with a picture of a Department of Transportation crew repainting the mural .
De Blasio added the Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , and it can ’ t be undone . ''
In the video , Vela can be heard asking the person 's name as they 're running off .
`` I was a little speechless at first cause I could n't believe that was happening in front of me , '' Vela told CNN .
`` I yelled for his name and he ran away .
Sad to see this happen in NYC . ''
The incident is the latest in Black Lives Matter street murals being vandalized .
Murals have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against racial discrimination and police brutality following the death of George Floyd , a Black man whose death while in police custody has sparked outrage .
Last week , hate crime charges were filed against a California man and woman who tried to paint over a street mural painted in front of a downtown courthouse .
The mural was permitted by the city of Martinez and painted on the Fourth of July .

Black Lives Matter street mural in front of Trump Tower vandalized with red paint, quickly repainted
Show Caption Hide Caption Black Lives Matter street mural vandalized outside Trump Tower A man was recorded throwing red paint onto the Black Lives Matter mural that was painted on the street in front Trump Tower in New York City. USA TODAY, Wochit
Police in New York City are investigating after a masked person dumped red paint on a Black Lives Matter street mural painted in front of Trump Tower.
Twitter user Oscar Vela posted a video of a person who walked up to the "V" in "Black Lives Matter," took a can of paint out of a paper bag and threw the paint on the mural, located on Fifth Avenue. The person then left the paint can and ran off.
An NYPD official told USA TODAY a criminal mischief complaint has been filed regarding the incident and detectives are investigating.
President Donald Trump spoke out against the mural when it was proposed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. Trump called the then-proposed mural a "symbol of hate."
De Blasio responded to the vandalism on Twitter.
Mural defaced in California: Man, woman who vandalized Black Lives Matter street mural and dismissed racism face hate crime charges
"Nice try," the mayor tweeted, along with a picture of a Department of Transportation crew repainting the mural.
De Blasio added the Black Lives Matter movement is "more than words, and it can’t be undone."
In the video, Vela can be heard asking the person's name as they're running off.
"I was a little speechless at first cause I couldn't believe that was happening in front of me," Vela told CNN. "I yelled for his name and he ran away. Sad to see this happen in NYC."
The incident is the latest in Black Lives Matter street murals being vandalized. Murals have been painted nationwide during the weeks of protests against racial discrimination and police brutality following the death of George Floyd, a Black man whose death while in police custody has sparked outrage.
Last week, hate crime charges were filed against a California man and woman who tried to paint over a street mural painted in front of a downtown courthouse. The mural was permitted by the city of Martinez and painted on the Fourth of July.


usatoday--2020-07-13--NBA says only 2 players tested positive for COVID-19 during Orlando bubble quarantine period

Just two NBA players out of 322 have tested positive for COVID-19 during quarantine inside the bubble-like environment at Disney in central Florida , the league announced Monday .
`` Those players never cleared quarantine and have since left the Campus to isolate at home or in isolation housing , '' the NBA said in a statement .
A positive rate of less than 1 % is a promising start for the NBA , which is trying to complete its season while staying at Disney resorts and playing games nearby in three arenas at the ESPN Wide World of Sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County , Florida , has had a double-digit positive rate for two weeks , including 11.4 % on Sunday .
Much of the success of the NBA ’ s attempt to finish the season in early October and crown a champion depends on keeping the novel coronavirus out of the bubble environment or at least limiting it so there are not severe outbreaks .
The NBA ’ s health and safety protocols document had detailed instructions for arrival in central Florida and that included bringing only players and staff who had not recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA bubble : What is life like for the media on the Disney World campus ?
Golf , fishing and shotgunning beers : NBA players making bubble work in early going NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had indicated it ’ s realistic to believe a person in the bubble will test positive .
“ If we were to have significant spread of coronavirus through our community , that ultimately might lead us to stopping , but we ’ re working closely with the Players ’ Association , with Disney and public health officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be , and it hasn ’ t been precisely designed , ” Silver told reporters on June 26 .
“ I think we just want to get down on the ground and start to see how our testing is working and how the protocols are working and then we ’ ll make decisions as we go.
” Major League Soccer has struggled to contain the virus , with two teams – FC Dallas and Nashville SC – having to withdraw from the MLS is Back Tournament because of the number of positive tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday he tested positive for COVID-19 before the team left for Orlando and said he will rejoin the team once he has received medical clearance .

NBA says only 2 players tested positive for COVID-19 during Orlando bubble quarantine period
Show Caption Hide Caption Inside the NBA bubble: Getting settled in at the Disney complex SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Mark Medina is one of a few select media members to enter the NBA bubble in Orlando and he shares his first impressions of the accommodations and safety measures within the Disney complex. USA TODAY
Just two NBA players out of 322 have tested positive for COVID-19 during quarantine inside the bubble-like environment at Disney in central Florida, the league announced Monday.
"Those players never cleared quarantine and have since left the Campus to isolate at home or in isolation housing," the NBA said in a statement.
A positive rate of less than 1% is a promising start for the NBA, which is trying to complete its season while staying at Disney resorts and playing games nearby in three arenas at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. By comparison, nearby Orange County, Florida, has had a double-digit positive rate for two weeks, including 11.4% on Sunday.
Much of the success of the NBA’s attempt to finish the season in early October and crown a champion depends on keeping the novel coronavirus out of the bubble environment or at least limiting it so there are not severe outbreaks.
The NBA’s health and safety protocols document had detailed instructions for arrival in central Florida and that included bringing only players and staff who had not recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Inside the NBA bubble: What is life like for the media on the Disney World campus?
Golf, fishing and shotgunning beers: NBA players making bubble work in early going
More: Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook confirms he tested positive for COVID-19
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had indicated it’s realistic to believe a person in the bubble will test positive.
“If we were to have significant spread of coronavirus through our community, that ultimately might lead us to stopping, but we’re working closely with the Players’ Association, with Disney and public health officials in Florida as to what that line should be, and it hasn’t been precisely designed,” Silver told reporters on June 26. “I think we just want to get down on the ground and start to see how our testing is working and how the protocols are working and then we’ll make decisions as we go.”
Major League Soccer has struggled to contain the virus, with two teams – FC Dallas and Nashville SC – having to withdraw from the MLS is Back Tournament because of the number of positive tests.
Houston's Russell Westbrook announced on Monday he tested positive for COVID-19 before the team left for Orlando and said he will rejoin the team once he has received medical clearance.


usatoday--2020-07-14--Tucker Carlson says departed show writer 'was wrong' for racist, sexist online comments

Tucker Carlson said the top writer for his Fox News Channel show `` was wrong '' for making racist and sexist comments anonymously on an online message board .
But he also took the opportunity in a program commentary to jab at self-righteous `` ghouls beating their chests in triumph at the destruction of a young man . ''
Late in Monday 's edition of top-rated `` Tucker Carlson Tonight , '' the host spoke for a little more than a minute about former writer Blake Neff , who resigned Friday just before the publication of a CNN report that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of racist and sexist comments on an unmoderated message board .
According to CNN , Neff last week responded to a thread started by another user in 2018 that had the subject line : `` Would u let a JET BLACK congo ( expletive ) do lasik eye surgery on u for 50 % off ? ''
Neff wrote , `` I would n't get LASIK from an Asian for free , so no . ''
In June , Neff 's comments included , `` Black doods staying inside playing Call of Duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeping crime down '' and `` Honestly given how tired black people always claim to be , maybe the real crisis is their lack of sleep . ''
Neff , who joined Carlson 's show two months after its November 2016 launch , also posted information about the dating life of a woman that `` invited other users to mock her and invade her privacy , '' the CNN story said .
On his show , Carlson criticized Neff 's behavior , but in milder terms than Fox News executives , who referred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deeply offensive '' and added in an email to employees Saturday that `` Fox News Media strongly condemns this horrific racist , misogynistic and homophobic behavior . ''
In his remarks , Carlson said Neff `` was horrified by the story and … ashamed , '' adding `` what Blake wrote anonymously was wrong . ''
Although Carlson did not mention CNN specifically , he implicitly disputed the rival cable news organization 's statement that there `` has at times … been overlap between some material ( Neff ) posted or saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Carlson said of Neff 's commentary : `` We do n't endorse those words .
They have no connection to the show .
It is wrong to attack people for qualities they can not control .
In this country , we judge people for what they do , not for how they were born .
We often say that because we mean it .
We 'll continue to defend that principle , often alone among national news programs , because it is essential .
Nothing is more important .
Blake fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid a very heavy price for it . ''
He then went after those he perceives as taking delight in Neff 's downfall .
`` We should also point out to the ghouls now beating their chests in triumph at the destruction of a young man , that self-righteousness also has its costs , '' he said .
`` We 're all human .
When we pretend we are holy , we are lying .
When we pose as blameless in order to hurt other people , we are committing the greatest sin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for it . ''

Tucker Carlson says departed show writer 'was wrong' for racist, sexist online comments
Show Caption Hide Caption Writer for Tucker Carlson resigns The top writer for Tucker Carlson, Fox News host, has resigned. USA TODAY, Wochit
Tucker Carlson said the top writer for his Fox News Channel show "was wrong" for making racist and sexist comments anonymously on an online message board. But he also took the opportunity in a program commentary to jab at self-righteous "ghouls beating their chests in triumph at the destruction of a young man."
Late in Monday's edition of top-rated "Tucker Carlson Tonight," the host spoke for a little more than a minute about former writer Blake Neff, who resigned Friday just before the publication of a CNN report that revealed him to be the anonymous author of racist and sexist comments on an unmoderated message board.
Monday's comment is all viewers will hear from Carlson about the matter for now, as the host announced at the end of the broadcast that he will be off for a few days for a previously planned fishing trip.
According to CNN, Neff last week responded to a thread started by another user in 2018 that had the subject line: "Would u let a JET BLACK congo (expletive) do lasik eye surgery on u for 50% off?" Neff wrote, "I wouldn't get LASIK from an Asian for free, so no." In June, Neff's comments included, "Black doods staying inside playing Call of Duty is probably one of the biggest factors keeping crime down" and "Honestly given how tired black people always claim to be, maybe the real crisis is their lack of sleep."
Neff, who joined Carlson's show two months after its November 2016 launch, also posted information about the dating life of a woman that "invited other users to mock her and invade her privacy," the CNN story said.
On his show, Carlson criticized Neff's behavior, but in milder terms than Fox News executives, who referred to Neff's posts as "horrendous and deeply offensive" and added in an email to employees Saturday that "Fox News Media strongly condemns this horrific racist, misogynistic and homophobic behavior."
In his remarks, Carlson said Neff "was horrified by the story and … ashamed," adding "what Blake wrote anonymously was wrong."
More: Top writer for Fox News host Tucker Carlson resigns amid allegations of racist, sexist posts
Although Carlson did not mention CNN specifically, he implicitly disputed the rival cable news organization's statement that there "has at times … been overlap between some material (Neff) posted or saw on the forum and Carlson's show."
Carlson said of Neff's commentary: "We don't endorse those words. They have no connection to the show. It is wrong to attack people for qualities they cannot control. In this country, we judge people for what they do, not for how they were born. We often say that because we mean it. We'll continue to defend that principle, often alone among national news programs, because it is essential. Nothing is more important. Blake fell short of that standard and he has paid a very heavy price for it."
He then went after those he perceives as taking delight in Neff's downfall.
"We should also point out to the ghouls now beating their chests in triumph at the destruction of a young man, that self-righteousness also has its costs," he said. "We're all human. When we pretend we are holy, we are lying. When we pose as blameless in order to hurt other people, we are committing the greatest sin of all and we will be punished for it."
Carlson also announced during his broadcast that he would be "going to spend the next four days trout fishing" as part of his vacation.
"Long planned, this is one of those years where if you don't get it in now, you're probably not going to do if something dramatic happens, of course," he said. "We'll be back."


usatoday--2020-07-14--The Ford Bronco is back: Ford reveals 2021 Bronco SUV, Bronco Sport

The Ford Bronco , an iconic American off-roader , has re-emerged after a 24-year absence .
Ford tapped a country singer and two rock climbers to talk about the Bronco in a series of 3-minute stories created to debut Monday night on three Disney-owned TV channels and YouTube .
Ford has said it plans to challenge Jeep with the new Bronco , especially in the off-road market .
`` The ( Jeep ) Wrangler will always have its loyal following , '' said Martin French , U.S. managing director of Berylls Strategy Advisors , an automotive consultancy in Royal Oak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with vengeance .
Ford means business .
This is the shot in the arm that consumers and dealers want and need . ''
The Bronco , built from 1966 to 1996 , developed a cult following and now commands high prices from collectors .
It was discontinued in the wake of accused murderer O.J .
Simpson 's attempt to elude police in a white Bronco on national TV in 1994 .
Fisker Ocean SUV to arrive in late 2022 : Electric vehicle startup makes deal to go public Consumers will see the small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
The two-door and four-door Bronco will be released in the spring of 2021 .
`` We started this project several years ago , '' said Winston Landin , Ford global director of consumer insights .
`` The foundational principle in the beginning was really the fact that the Bronco had already been a brand and there ’ s a strong heritage around the Bonco .
That 's important because the vehicle would need to deliver what ’ s true for the Bronco — capability , durability and of course the design @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connection that people had with this specific brand . ''
The unveiling of the all-new Bronco and Bronco Sport comes at a crucial time for Ford .
Its executives have predicted bold gains in a market segment that has room for growth .
The Ford Bronco will be built at the automaker 's assembly plant in Wayne , Michigan .
The Bronco Sport will be built at the Hermosillo plant in Hermosillo , Sonora , Mexico .
Ford has said it is expecting to report a $ 5 billion loss for the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an essential role in the company 's portfolio .
The price for the two-door 2021 Bronco begins at $ 29,995 for the base model , including destination fees .
The four-door base model begins at $ 34,695 including fees .
In their process of remaking the SUV for the 21st Century , Ford designers spent thousands of hours in the field .
`` We have done a lot of observation , '' Landin said .
`` For example , we spent time with customers during a whole weekend .
We would start on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on off-road adventures , hiking and bike trails and camping . ''
On some days , members of the focus group would announce they planned a midweek escape after work and the Ford team would follow along .
They watched how equipment was loaded , where people stepped to tie equipment to the roof , how they held onto the vehicle when it 's off road and who they called to join them on adventures , he said .
The key is identifying so-called `` pain points '' and eliminating them .
Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removable doors needed to be relocated so drivers were n't going without mirrors or forced to buy aftermarket parts .
So that element was redesigned .
The issue of removable doors also created challenges .
People expressed concern about leaving doors at home on trips and feeling vulnerable , so Ford figured out a way to store the doors on the vehicle .
Ford is attempting to capture the nation 's nostalgia for long-gone vehicles with the return of the Bronco , much like Toyota recently revived the Supra sports car , General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jeep resuscitated the Gladiator pickup .
This was the second major reveal from Ford within three weeks .
The company revealed the redesigned Ford F-150 pickup on June 25 .
The company initially announced the Bronco reveal for July 9 , which fell on the birthday of Simpson , perhaps the most famous Bronco passenger of all time .
After questions raised by the family of murder victim Nicole Brown Simpson as well as the connection to domestic violence raised by UAW leaders and members , the company rescheduled .

The Ford Bronco is back: Ford reveals 2021 Bronco SUV, Bronco Sport
Show Caption Hide Caption Introducing the 2021 Ford Bronco For Ford Bronco fans it has been a long wait to see a new Ford Bronco model. The wait is finally over as Ford reveals the 2021 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport. Detroit Free Press
The Ford Bronco, an iconic American off-roader, has re-emerged after a 24-year absence.
Ford tapped a country singer and two rock climbers to talk about the Bronco in a series of 3-minute stories created to debut Monday night on three Disney-owned TV channels and YouTube.
Ford has said it plans to challenge Jeep with the new Bronco, especially in the off-road market.
"The (Jeep) Wrangler will always have its loyal following," said Martin French, U.S. managing director of Berylls Strategy Advisors, an automotive consultancy in Royal Oak. "But the icon is back with vengeance. Ford means business. This is the shot in the arm that consumers and dealers want and need."
The Bronco, built from 1966 to 1996, developed a cult following and now commands high prices from collectors. It was discontinued in the wake of O.J. Simpson's attempt to elude police in a white Bronco on national TV in 1994.
2021 Ford Bronco revealed: Revived SUV boasts features to make Jeep SUV owners envious
Fisker Ocean SUV to arrive in late 2022: Electric vehicle startup makes deal to go public
Corvette Stingray redesigned: GM reveals price, features of 2021 'Vette sports car
Consumers will see the small Bronco Sport SUV in showrooms later this year. The two-door and four-door Bronco will be released in the spring of 2021.
"We started this project several years ago," said Winston Landin, Ford's global director of consumer insights. "The foundational principle in the beginning was really the fact that the Bronco had already been a brand and there’s a strong heritage around the Bonco. That's important because the vehicle would need to deliver what’s true for the Bronco — capability, durability and of course the design. There's a lot of emotional connection that people had with this specific brand."
The unveiling of the all-new Bronco and Bronco Sport comes at a crucial time for Ford. Its executives have predicted bold gains in a market segment that has room for growth.
The Ford Bronco will be built at the automaker's assembly plant in Wayne, Michigan. The Bronco Sport will be built at the Hermosillo plant in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.
Ford has said it is expecting to report a $5 billion loss for the second quarter, so this high-profile product plays an essential role in the company's portfolio.
The price for the two-door 2021 Bronco begins at $29,995 for the base model, including destination fees. The four-door base model begins at $34,695 including fees.
In their process of remaking the SUV for the 21st Century, Ford designers spent thousands of hours in the field.
"We have done a lot of observation," Landin said. "For example, we spent time with customers during a whole weekend. We would start on a Friday and go snowboarding, go on off-road adventures, hiking and bike trails and camping."
On some days, members of the focus group would announce they planned a midweek escape after work and the Ford team would follow along. They watched how equipment was loaded, where people stepped to tie equipment to the roof, how they held onto the vehicle when it's off road and who they called to join them on adventures, he said.
The key is identifying so-called "pain points" and eliminating them.
Ford observers noticed immediately that the mirrors on removable doors needed to be relocated so drivers weren't going without mirrors or forced to buy aftermarket parts. So that element was redesigned.
The issue of removable doors also created challenges. People expressed concern about leaving doors at home on trips and feeling vulnerable, so Ford figured out a way to store the doors on the vehicle.
Ford is attempting to capture the nation's nostalgia for long-gone vehicles with the return of the Bronco, much like Toyota recently revived the Supra sports car, General Motors is bringing back the Hummer nameplate and Jeep resuscitated the Gladiator pickup.
This was the second major reveal from Ford in three weeks. The company revealed the redesigned Ford F-150 pickup June 25.
The company initially announced the Bronco reveal for July 9, which fell on the birthday of Simpson, perhaps the most famous Bronco passenger of all time. After questions raised by the family of murder victim Nicole Brown Simpson as well as the connection to domestic violence raised by UAW leaders and members, the company rescheduled.
Free Press staff writer Mark Phelan contributed to this report.
Follow Detroit Free Press reporter Phoebe Wall Howard on Twitter @phoebesaid.


usatoday--2020-07-13--'In Fauci we trust.' Democrats pounce on Trump's rift with experts as coronavirus cases swell

WASHINGTON – Democrats seized on a growing rift between the White House and Dr. Anthony Fauci on Monday as aides sought to explain why President Donald Trump was disparaging the nation 's top infectious disease expert during the coronavirus pandemic .
As cases of the virus surged in large swaths of the country and the nation 's most populous state reversed course on reopening indoor businesses , Trump said he had a `` very good relationship '' with Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , but quickly added that , `` I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's remarks followed reports over the weekend that administration officials distributed a statement asserting `` several White House officials are concerned about the number of times Dr. Fauci has been wrong on things . ''
As some White House aides dismissed reports of internal tension , others aired their beef with Fauci publicly .
`` Dr. Fauci has a good bedside manner with the public but he has been wrong about everything I have interacted with him on , '' said Peter Navarro , a trade adviser who is close to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risks of the virus , `` flip-flopped '' on masks , and `` was telling the media not to worry '' this year .
More : Trump 's ex-chief of staff says U.S. has 'inexcusable ' problems with testing '' So when you ask me if I listen to Dr. Fauci 's advice , my answer is only with caution , '' Navarro added .
Fauci 's supporters said his comments were being taken out of context , and that he made many of them early this year when little was known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downplayed the virus .
Early on , he compared it to the flu , saying it might `` miraculously '' disappear .
More recently , on a near-daily basis , Trump has incorrectly blamed the rise in COVID-19 cases solely on increased testing even as hard-hit states struggle with growing strains on hospitals and intensive care units .
Dan Scavino , the White House director of social media , posted a cartoon on Facebook portraying Fauci as a faucet , flushing the U.S. economy down the drain .
`` Sorry , Dr .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ At least you know if I ’ m going to disagree with a colleague , such as yourself , it ’ s done publicly – and not cowardly , behind journalists with leaks . ''
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany pushed back on reports of a split , arguing Monday that the initial statement questioning Fauci 's early insights into the virus came in response to specific questions from The Washington Post .
`` And to the notion that there 's opposition research and that there 's Fauci versus the president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth , '' she said during her a White House briefing .
`` Dr. Fauci and the president have always had a very good working relationship . ''
Yet Trump himself has become increasingly confrontational in his remarks about Fauci as the infectious disease expert – who has served six presidents – warns of reopening businesses too soon .
And the dispute is only the latest case of Trump casting doubt on public health officials charged with crafting Washington 's response to the pandemic .
`` Informed Dr. Fauci this morning that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Trump tweeted last month after Fauci said a regular football season might be too risky .
In an interview last week on Fox News , Trump said Fauci had `` made a lot of mistakes '' but called him a `` nice man . ''
In an interview last week in the Financial Times , Fauci revealed that he had not briefed Trump in at least two months and had not seen him in person since early June .
As he appeared to question Fauci 's judgment on public health , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Chuck Woolery in which the former game show host claimed that `` everyone is lying '' about the virus , including `` the CDC , Media , Democrats , our Doctors . ''
More than two thirds of Americans said they trust Fauci on the virus , according to a New York Times poll conducted by Siena College last month .
That was vastly larger than the 26 % who said they trusted Trump on that issue .
Democrats – including Joe Biden , the party 's presumptive presidential nominee – were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump needs to spend less time playing golf and more time listening to experts like Dr. Fauci , '' Biden posted on Twitter .
`` The truth is , this country needs Dr. Anthony Fauci , '' tweeted Sen. Mark Warner , D-Virginia .
`` These attacks are unfair ; we should be listening to health experts and following the science . ''
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , a Democrat , flashed an image of Fauci during his briefing on Monday .
`` Now the president is attacking science , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't defeat a virus with politics . ''
Muriel Bowser , the Democratic mayor of Washington , D.C. and a frequent critic of the president , also weighed in on the dispute .
`` In Fauci we trust , '' she posted on Twitter .
`` Mask on , DC . ''
Total confirmed cases of coronavirus surpassed 3.3 million and more than 135,000 Americans have died , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Florida reported more than 12,000 new cases Monday , one day after its 15,000 new cases smashed the daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began .
Florida 's infection total now stands at 282,435 – more than all but eight countries .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Monday announced a list of industries that will be required to close as the number of cases continue to increase in that state .
They included indoor operations at restaurants , wineries , tasting rooms , movie theaters , family entertainment centers , zoos , museums , card rooms and all bars .
`` This continues to be a deadly disease , '' Newsom said .
`` This continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our ICUs , in our hospitals and is currently putting a strain on our hospital system . ''

David Jackson and John Fritze, USA TODAY

'In Fauci we trust.' Democrats pounce on Trump's rift with experts as coronavirus cases swell
Show Caption Hide Caption McEnany says Trump, Fauci have 'good' relationship After days of White House attacks on the credibility of Dr. Anthony Fauci, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany insists President Donald Trump and the nation's top infectious disease specialist have always had a "very good working relationship." (July 13) AP
WASHINGTON – Democrats are seizing on a growing rift between the White House and Dr. Anthony Fauci as aides seek to explain why President Donald Trump is battling with the nation's top infectious disease expert during the worsening coronavirus pandemic.
As cases of the virus surge in large swaths of the country and the nation's most populous state reversed course on reopening indoor businesses, Trump has insisted he has a "very good relationship" with Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, but also says, "I don't always agree with him."
As Trump and aides such as press secretary Kayleigh McEnany have dismissed questions about internal friction between the White House and Fauci, others within the president's orbit began openly airing their criticism.
"Dr. Fauci has a good bedside manner with the public but he has been wrong about everything I have interacted with him on," said Peter Navarro, a trade adviser who is close to the president and who claimed Fauci had downplayed the risks of the virus, "flip-flopped" on masks, and "was telling the media not to worry" this year.
More: American Airlines reminds Sen. Cruz about face masks amid pandemic
More: Trump's ex-chief of staff says U.S. has 'inexcusable' problems with testing
"So when you ask me if I listen to Dr. Fauci's advice, my answer is only with caution," Navarro added.
Fauci's supporters said his comments were being taken out of context, and that he made many of them early this year when little was known about the virus.
Meanwhile, throughout the pandemic Trump has made a series of incorrect statements and predictions about the coronavirus. Early on, he compared it to the flu, saying it might "miraculously" disappear. More recently, Trump has incorrectly blamed the rise in COVID-19 cases solely on increased testing. Trump claimed this month that 99% of coronavirus cases are "harmless" – an assertion at odds with a wide array of data on death rates and hospitalizations.
White House officials have increasingly cast Fauci as one of many experts in the administration and have said Trump must balance the public health advice against the economic impact of controlling the virus.
Dan Scavino, the White House director of social media, posted a cartoon on Facebook portraying Fauci as a faucet, flushing the U.S. economy down the drain. "Sorry, Dr. Faucet!" he posted. "At least you know if I’m going to disagree with a colleague, such as yourself, it’s done publicly – and not cowardly, behind journalists with leaks."
McEnany brushed aside a statement released by the White House over the weekend asserting that "several White House officials are concerned about the number of times Dr. Fauci has been wrong on things." That document, she said, was a response to specific questions from The Washington Post.
"And to the notion that there's opposition research and that there's Fauci versus the president, it couldn't be further from the truth," McEnany said Monday. "Dr. Fauci and the president have always had a very good working relationship."
Yet Trump himself has become increasingly confrontational in his remarks about Fauci as the infectious disease expert – who has served six presidents – warns of reopening businesses too soon. And the dispute is only the latest case of Trump casting doubt on public health officials charged with crafting Washington's response to the pandemic.
"Informed Dr. Fauci this morning that he has nothing to do with NFL Football," Trump tweeted last month after Fauci said a regular football season might be too risky.
In an interview last week on Fox News, Trump said Fauci had "made a lot of mistakes" but called him a "nice man."
NFL season: Trump doesn't like Dr. Fauci's football comments
Fauci told the Financial Times last week that he had not briefed Trump in at least two months and had not seen him in person since early June.
As he appeared to question Fauci's judgment on public health, Trump also retweeted a post this week from Chuck Woolery in which the former game show host claimed that "everyone is lying" about the virus, including "the CDC, Media, Democrats, our Doctors."
More than two thirds of Americans said they trust Fauci on the virus, according to a New York Times poll conducted by Siena College last month. That was vastly larger than the 26% who said they trusted Trump on that issue. Democrats – including Joe Biden, the party's presumptive presidential nominee – were quick to draw the distinction.
"Donald Trump needs to spend less time playing golf and more time listening to experts like Dr. Fauci," Biden posted on Twitter.
"The truth is, this country needs Dr. Anthony Fauci," tweeted Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. "These attacks are unfair; we should be listening to health experts and following the science."
Muriel Bowser, the Democratic mayor of Washington, D.C., and a frequent critic of the president, also weighed in on the dispute.
"In Fauci we trust," she posted on Twitter. "Mask on, DC."
Total confirmed cases of coronavirus surpassed 3.3 million and more than 135,000 Americans have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. Florida reported a record 132 additional COVID-19 related deaths Tuesday, surpassing the previous high of 120 set July 9.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom this week announced a list of industries that will be required to close as cases continue to increase in that state. They included indoor operations at restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos, museums, card rooms and all bars.
"This continues to be a deadly disease," Newsom said. "This continues to be a disease that puts people in our ICUs, in our hospitals and is currently putting a strain on our hospital system."
Contributing: John Bacon, Nicholas Wu, Palm Springs Desert Sun


usatoday--2020-07-13--Your dog might be older (in human years) than you realize. New study debunks 7 years claim

Trying to figure out your dog 's age in human years ?
Multiplying by seven is n't accurate , a new study says .
Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and other leading health institutions across the country have now debunked that common belief .
Some say the seven-year myth began circulating decades ago , maybe even earlier , but its origin is largely a mystery .
The real equation is a little more complicated , according to the peer-reviewed study published in Cell Systems July 2 .
And the results show that , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first 5 years , they age even more rapidly than humans .
“ This makes sense when you think about it — after all , a nine-month-old dog can have puppies , so we already knew that the 1:7 ratio wasn ’ t an accurate measure of age , ” said senior co-author Trey Ideker , PhD , in a UC San Diego news release .
According to their findings , a one-year-old dog is similar to a 31-year-old human .
But still , the rate of aging for any mammal is n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparison to that of humans .
The study also found that , after key developing years in dogs , aging drastically slows .
A 5-year-old dog , for example , is like a 57-year-old human .
And a 10-year-old dog is closer to a 68-year-old human .
The report 's presented equation to use is : For iPhone calculators , first input the dog 's age .
Then click the natural logarithm ( or ln ) function .
Multiply that result by 16 .
Then add 31 .
For Google calculators , first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dog 's age .
Multiply the result by 16 , and add 31 .
The researchers based the formula on chemical changes in canine and human genomes .
Specially , methylation marks — chemical marks on DNA that change with age .
It therefore provides a new “ epigenetic clock , ” or method for determining how old cells are .
As written in the UC San Diego release , the discovery of this equation is more than a `` parlor trick '' — or just a correction of the ancient , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for assuming the maturity of a family pup .
The methylation-based formula is the first that 's `` transferable across species . ''
`` The researchers say it may provide a useful tool for veterinarians , and for evaluating anti-aging interventions . ''

Is your dog younger (relative to human years) than you think? Study debunks 7 years claim
Show Caption Hide Caption New study debunks the myth of one dog year equals 7 human years A new study from the University of California, San Diego, debunks the myth of one dog year equals 7 human years. USA TODAY
Trying to figure out your dog's age relative to human years? Multiplying by seven isn't accurate, a new study says.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and other leading health institutions across the country have debunked that common belief. Some say the seven-year myth began circulating decades ago, maybe even earlier, but its origin is largely a mystery.
The real equation is a little more complicated, according to the peer-reviewed study published July 2 in Cell Systems.
And the results show that when dogs are young, especially within their first 5 years, they age even more rapidly than humans.
“This makes sense when you think about it – after all, a 9-month-old dog can have puppies, so we already knew that the 1:7 ratio wasn’t an accurate measure of age,” said senior co-author Trey Ideker in a UC San Diego news release.
Ideker and his colleagues studied 104 Labrador retrievers, spanning a 16 (human) year age range.
According to their findings, a 1-year-old dog is similar to a 31-year-old human.
But still, the rate of aging for any mammal isn't something that can be a perfectly linear comparison to that of humans. The study also found that, after key developing years in dogs, aging drastically slows. A 5-year-old dog, for example, is like a 57-year-old human. And a 10-year-old dog is closer to a 68-year-old human.
The report's presented equation to use is:
human age = 16 ln(dog age) + 31
For iPhone calculators, first input the dog's age. Then click the natural logarithm (or ln) function. Multiply that result by 16. Then add 31.
For Google calculators, first click "ln." Then input the dog's age. Multiply the result by 16, and add 31.
The researchers based the formula on chemical changes in canine and human genomes. Specially, methylation marks – chemical marks on DNA that change with age. It therefore provides a new “epigenetic clock,” or method for determining how old cells are.
As written in the UC San Diego release, the discovery of this equation is more than a "parlor trick" – or just a correction of the ancient, and misguided, 1:7 rule of thumb for assuming the maturity of a family pup.
The methylation-based formula is the first that's "transferable across species."
The researchers say it may provide a useful tool for veterinarians, and for evaluating anti-aging interventions.
Follow the reporter on Twitter @wyatte_gp.