usatoday--2020-06-23--Who will face Mitch McConnell? 3-way Kentucky Democratic primary comes to a head Tuesday

LOUISVILLE , Ky. — U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker stood in a Louisville parking lot Wednesday morning , mask pulled down to his chin , and promised the crowd gathered there : `` This is our time .
We will win . ''
Across town , hours later , former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath stood beside union workers in the muggy afternoon heat as they called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to let a roughly $ 3 trillion , Democrat-crafted coronavirus relief bill move forward .
And that evening , retired Marine , farmer and substitute teacher Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks posed by COVID-19 — hosted a virtual town hall where Kentuckians could ask about education policies .
As the final days of a primary race marked by a pandemic and protests against racism and police brutality tick away to Tuesday ’ s election day , the top three Democratic candidates are taking different paths to the finish line .
But they all have the same goal : to persuade Kentucky Democrats they 're the one who can dethrone McConnell this November and end his 36-year Senate career .
`` I would say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going to happen next week , I probably would n't believe them because it really is a very , very fuzzy race , '' Broihier said Tuesday .
Through TV and newspaper advertisements and a series of campaign events in cities around Kentucky , Booker is capitalizing on a late-in-the-game surge of support — sparked by his decision to march in recent protests in his hometown of Louisville , where the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor has caused national outrage .
Broihier is largely avoiding in-person events because of concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
However , he 's calling voters , doing press interviews and holding town halls online to highlight his commitment to the progressive policies he champions , like universal basic income and `` Medicare for All . ''
Meanwhile , McGrath is flooding the zone with advertising , holding telephone town halls and spending time in public talking with Kentuckians , although she is n't hosting campaign events because of the pandemic .
Related : Can Booker really pull this off and defeat McGrath in US Senate primary ?
Here 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win over voters .
About 100 people filled the parking lot in front of Highland Coffee Co. on Bardstown Road on Wednesday morning to see Booker , who grew up in Louisville 's West End .
Standing before the mostly masked crowd , Booker called them family , told them he loved them and asked for their help in rising up , demanding real , structural change and working together to end generational poverty .
`` Poverty is a policy choice , '' he told them .
`` We have some mountains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them being Mount McConnell . ''
He emphasized that he has experienced the same hardships many Kentuckians have , offering a personal story about when he realized as a child that his mother was n't eating because there was only enough food for him .
`` Working multiple jobs just so we can struggle , '' he said .
`` It ai n't right . ''
After his speech , Booker snapped photos with people who lined up to meet him .
The event was part of a `` statewide tour '' Booker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day .
Stops include Louisville , Glasgow , Bowling Green and other cities .
On top of that , his campaign team is knocking on voters ' doors , as well .
It 's a far cry from how Booker and the other candidates handled the first weeks of the pandemic , when they stopped holding public events and canvassing neighborhoods and pivoted to connecting with people by phone and online .
However , Booker stressed the importance of this moment .
`` We want everyone to be safe while we do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't afford to stay home , '' he said .
See also : New poll shows Booker surging past McGrath in US Senate primary McGrath also is spending more time in public than she has in recent months .
She went to Frankfort on Wednesday to visit Kentuckians who were waiting in an hours-long line to get help with their unemployment claims .
McGrath said one woman told her she had to leave her job as a manager at a fast-food restaurant because she 's a single mom and that her children 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other way to ensure they were taken care of while she worked .
`` My feeling is : They need to have a better voice in Washington , '' McGrath said .
Later that afternoon , she showed up at a rally union workers held in Louisville to urge the McConnell-led Senate to pass a relief package dubbed the HEROES Act .
She offered a few words of support as the event ended , but mainly listened and spoke one on one with the people gathered outside the home of the Teamsters Local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! ''
one man yelled as she promised she 'd keep working hard to get rid of McConnell .
McGrath said she 's going out to places where people already are but is n't willing to host events that will attract crowds or send campaigners door to door because of the coronavirus .
`` I mean , the last thing we want to do is be part of the problem with the pandemic , right ? ''
she said .
`` So , it 's a balance . ''
McGrath held telephone town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one , a caller said she feared for her biracial grandchildren .
McGrath told her : `` America was founded on this ideal , this promise , that everybody should be treated with dignity and respect .
That everybody should be given a fair shot .
And I think right now we , as Americans , have to acknowledge that we haven ’ t kept that promise ... particularly for Black Americans . ''
`` We need to change the culture of policing in our country , '' she continued .
`` For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that believes that chokeholds ( are ) a tactic that we should use in this country .
So to me , we should have banned that yesterday . ''
Read more : Chuck Schumer on Amy McGrath : ' I believe that she ’ ll win her primary' Unlike Booker and McGrath , Broihier is maintaining a stricter policy of not attending events or doing other in-person campaigning , such as knocking on doors , because of his concerns about protecting the public 's health .
He made an exception for a meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which Booker also attended .
McGrath went to a Juneteenth event on Friday , too , in Somerset .
In Louisville that afternoon , Booker greeted the people gathered there with his fist in the air .
`` Happy Juneteenth , family , '' he told them .
When it was Broihier 's turn , he told the crowd that police unions have a stranglehold on government that must be eradicated , which garnered some claps and cheers .
Apart from Friday 's event , Broihier and his team mainly have stuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls , text messages and virtual town halls .
During a town hall on health care Tuesday , he described how he — like many people — has made trade-offs because of a lack of affordable , accessible services .
He said he does n't have dental insurance right now and was wearing cheap `` cheaters '' from Walmart because he ca n't afford to see an eye doctor .
And he connected those experiences to why he supports a single-payer health care system .
`` For me as a candidate , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at something and say , 'This is terrible , something must be done , ' '' Broihier told The Courier Journal .
He stressed that he 's offering voters a detailed array of policies he believes would help solve some of the country 's top problems .
`` I think it rings true with people , '' he said .
Getting out the vote All three candidates are focusing firepower on making sure people actually vote , especially since the pandemic has changed how this election works .
Mail-in voting has been expanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people can vote in person has been drastically reduced .
Broihier said contacting voters to make sure they know how they can vote and remember to send in their ballot is an `` all-hands effort '' now .
“ Every single person on my team is doing it , '' he explained .
`` Thankfully , most people I 've talked to have already secured their mail-in ballots . ''
McGrath has advocated for Kentuckians ' opportunities to vote to be expanded and set up a website , kentuckyvotes.com , that her team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people can vote in every county .
`` Voting is a right , and we should be able to vote safely , '' she said .
`` So , we 're using our resources to be able to help people to vote . ''
Booker is in get-out-the-vote mode , too .
He said his team is working to arrange shuttles that can give voters a ride to Louisville 's sole polling place , the Kentucky Exposition Center , and reaching out to organizers across the state to see what they need .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
See also : Kentucky should brace for an 'election week ' with delayed primary results The campaigns also are relying on advertising and interviews to reach voters .
McGrath , who has raised more than $ 40 million , is pouring over $ 3 million into ads during the last stretch of the primary .
She said the goal is to make sure people know her core message .
`` And that is that I ’ m a Democrat and that I am somebody that ’ s going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I am somebody that cares about health care .
I am somebody that cares about equal justice for all ... and that is going to be committed to doing the things that we need to do to move us in the right direction . ''
Booker had raised only around $ 792,000 as of June 3 , but his campaign manager , Colin Lauderdale , said Thursday that he brought in $ 2.4 million since June began .
And that extra cash is helping the campaign compete on advertising .
McGrath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the recent protests against police brutality .
In hers , McGrath expressed dismay over the death of George Floyd — a 46-year-old Black man who died in May after a former police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes — and promised voters : `` As your senator , I will stand up to any president who treats people as less than human . ''
Booker criticized McGrath 's ad on social media and said it `` is exploiting our pain . ''
His own ad juxtaposed McGrath 's explanation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend the first few days of protests because she `` had some family things going on '' with footage of Booker walking with protesters in Louisville .
McGrath recently said on Twitter that she later attended a vigil for Breonna Taylor in Lexington as well as an interfaith gathering in Louisville .
Broihier , who had raised over $ 494,000 as of June 3 , said his team took a targeted , data-driven approach to advertising .
`` No one ’ s got Amy McGrath money except for Amy McGrath , so we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spend the money was in the last month , '' he said .
`` We are not leaving a dollar unspent . ''
All the candidates have been doing press interviews , but Broihier — the former editor of a weekly newspaper — has especially emphasized the importance he places on talking to local news outlets across the state .
Social media is also part of his and the other candidates ' toolboxes , with Broihier promoting videos and posts that highlight his endorsement by famed Kentucky author , farmer and environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions .
More races:8 state House primary races to watch in Kentucky on Tuesday Also:4 state Senate primaries ( and one special election ) to watch in Kentucky on Tuesday McConnell 's shadow is ever-present in this primary — and the nationwide impact of the power he wields in the Senate has put this election on the radar for a lot of people who do n't live in the Bluegrass State .
Money has flowed into the race not only from Kentuckians but also from out-of-state residents — especially to McGrath , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , D.C. , have taken an interest , too .
McGrath got a vote of confidence last week from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , who said : `` I believe that she ’ ll win her primary , and I believe that she ’ ll give McConnell a run for his money . ''
But Booker has won endorsements from big names too , including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York , Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and — last week — Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Sen. Elizabeth Warren , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed by former 2020 Democratic presidential candidates Andrew Yang and Marianne Williamson , offered a critical take on his opponents ' endorsements .
`` I 'm not Chuck Schumer 's candidate .
I 'm not Bernie Sanders ' candidate .
I 'm Kentucky 's candidate , '' he said Thursday on Twitter .
`` Progressive .
Fearless .
All yours . ''
McConnell 's recent legacy is inextricable from that of President Donald Trump , whom he has worked with to confirm a record number of federal judges .
And in a presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from voters ' minds .
Booker and Broihier have slammed McGrath as a `` pro-Trump '' Democrat , while she has tried to keep the focus on McConnell in a state where the president won big in 2016 .
However , McGrath — who McConnell 's re-election campaign has nicknamed `` Extreme Amy McGrath '' and painted as a far-left Democrat — pushed back against the idea that she 's pro-Trump .
`` I 'm tired of the labels , '' she said Wednesday .
`` If people look at who I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who served her country .
They ’ re going to see somebody who will work with anyone to do what is right for Kentucky .
To do what is right by workers , '' she explained .
`` And at the same time , I ’ ll have the guts to stand up to anyone when it comes to Kentucky or when it comes to the Constitution of the United States that I swore to defend six times in my life . ''
Whether Kentucky Democrats agree — and think she has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Broihier — is up for a final vote on Tuesday .
Opinion : National shift makes Charles Booker the Senate candidate of the moment

Morgan Watkins, Louisville Courier Journal

Who will face Mitch McConnell? 3-way Kentucky Democratic primary comes to a head Tuesday
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker stood in a Louisville parking lot Wednesday morning, mask pulled down to his chin, and promised the crowd gathered there: "This is our time. We will win."
Across town, hours later, former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath stood beside union workers in the muggy afternoon heat as they called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to let a roughly $3 trillion, Democrat-crafted coronavirus relief bill move forward.
And that evening, retired Marine, farmer and substitute teacher Mike Broihier — ever-mindful of the public health risks posed by COVID-19 — hosted a virtual town hall where Kentuckians could ask about education policies.
As the final days of a primary race marked by a pandemic and protests against racism and police brutality tick away to Tuesday’s election day, the top three Democratic candidates are taking different paths to the finish line.
But they all have the same goal: to persuade Kentucky Democrats they're the one who can dethrone McConnell this November and end his 36-year Senate career.
"I would say that if anyone says they know what’s going to happen next week, I probably wouldn't believe them because it really is a very, very fuzzy race," Broihier said Tuesday.
Through TV and newspaper advertisements and a series of campaign events in cities around Kentucky, Booker is capitalizing on a late-in-the-game surge of support — sparked by his decision to march in recent protests in his hometown of Louisville, where the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor has caused national outrage.
Broihier is largely avoiding in-person events because of concerns about protecting people's health during the pandemic. However, he's calling voters, doing press interviews and holding town halls online to highlight his commitment to the progressive policies he champions, like universal basic income and "Medicare for All."
Meanwhile, McGrath is flooding the zone with advertising, holding telephone town halls and spending time in public talking with Kentuckians, although she isn't hosting campaign events because of the pandemic.
Related: Can Booker really pull this off and defeat McGrath in US Senate primary?
Here's a look at the trio's final push to win over voters.
Meeting voters, virtually or in person
About 100 people filled the parking lot in front of Highland Coffee Co. on Bardstown Road on Wednesday morning to see Booker, who grew up in Louisville's West End.
Standing before the mostly masked crowd, Booker called them family, told them he loved them and asked for their help in rising up, demanding real, structural change and working together to end generational poverty.
"Poverty is a policy choice," he told them. "We have some mountains that need to move, one of them being Mount McConnell."
He emphasized that he has experienced the same hardships many Kentuckians have, offering a personal story about when he realized as a child that his mother wasn't eating because there was only enough food for him.
"Working multiple jobs just so we can struggle," he said. "It ain't right."
After his speech, Booker snapped photos with people who lined up to meet him.
The event was part of a "statewide tour" Booker planned for the final stretch before Election Day. Stops include Louisville, Glasgow, Bowling Green and other cities. On top of that, his campaign team is knocking on voters' doors, as well.
It's a far cry from how Booker and the other candidates handled the first weeks of the pandemic, when they stopped holding public events and canvassing neighborhoods and pivoted to connecting with people by phone and online.
However, Booker stressed the importance of this moment.
"We want everyone to be safe while we do it, but we also know we can't afford to stay home," he said.
See also: New poll shows Booker surging past McGrath in US Senate primary
McGrath also is spending more time in public than she has in recent months.
She went to Frankfort on Wednesday to visit Kentuckians who were waiting in an hours-long line to get help with their unemployment claims.
McGrath said one woman told her she had to leave her job as a manager at a fast-food restaurant because she's a single mom and that her children's day care closed, leaving her no other way to ensure they were taken care of while she worked.
"My feeling is: They need to have a better voice in Washington," McGrath said.
Later that afternoon, she showed up at a rally union workers held in Louisville to urge the McConnell-led Senate to pass a relief package dubbed the HEROES Act.
She offered a few words of support as the event ended, but mainly listened and spoke one on one with the people gathered outside the home of the Teamsters Local 89 union.
"Yeah, Amy!" one man yelled as she promised she'd keep working hard to get rid of McConnell.
McGrath said she's going out to places where people already are but isn't willing to host events that will attract crowds or send campaigners door to door because of the coronavirus.
"I mean, the last thing we want to do is be part of the problem with the pandemic, right?" she said. "So, it's a balance."
McGrath held telephone town halls this week, too. During one, a caller said she feared for her biracial grandchildren.
McGrath told her: "America was founded on this ideal, this promise, that everybody should be treated with dignity and respect. That everybody should be given a fair shot. And I think right now we, as Americans, have to acknowledge that we haven’t kept that promise ... particularly for Black Americans."
"We need to change the culture of policing in our country," she continued. "For example, I know no police officer that believes that chokeholds (are) a tactic that we should use in this country. So to me, we should have banned that yesterday."
Read more: Chuck Schumer on Amy McGrath: 'I believe that she’ll win her primary'
Unlike Booker and McGrath, Broihier is maintaining a stricter policy of not attending events or doing other in-person campaigning, such as knocking on doors, because of his concerns about protecting the public's health.
He made an exception for a meet and greet in downtown Louisville on Juneteenth, which Booker also attended. McGrath went to a Juneteenth event on Friday, too, in Somerset.
In Louisville that afternoon, Booker greeted the people gathered there with his fist in the air. "Happy Juneteenth, family," he told them.
When it was Broihier's turn, he told the crowd that police unions have a stranglehold on government that must be eradicated, which garnered some claps and cheers.
Apart from Friday's event, Broihier and his team mainly have stuck to contacting voters online and through phone calls, text messages and virtual town halls.
During a town hall on health care Tuesday, he described how he — like many people — has made trade-offs because of a lack of affordable, accessible services.
He said he doesn't have dental insurance right now and was wearing cheap "cheaters" from Walmart because he can't afford to see an eye doctor. And he connected those experiences to why he supports a single-payer health care system.
"For me as a candidate, it’s not enough to just point at something and say, 'This is terrible, something must be done,'" Broihier told The Courier Journal.
He stressed that he's offering voters a detailed array of policies he believes would help solve some of the country's top problems.
"I think it rings true with people," he said.
Earlier: McGrath maintains fundraising edge over McConnell, Democratic rivals
Getting out the vote
All three candidates are focusing firepower on making sure people actually vote, especially since the pandemic has changed how this election works.
Mail-in voting has been expanded, and the number of places where people can vote in person has been drastically reduced.
Broihier said contacting voters to make sure they know how they can vote and remember to send in their ballot is an "all-hands effort" now.
“Every single person on my team is doing it," he explained. "Thankfully, most people I've talked to have already secured their mail-in ballots."
McGrath has advocated for Kentuckians' opportunities to vote to be expanded and set up a website, kentuckyvotes.com, that her team updates with the latest information on how people can vote in every county.
"Voting is a right, and we should be able to vote safely," she said. "So, we're using our resources to be able to help people to vote."
Booker is in get-out-the-vote mode, too.
He said his team is working to arrange shuttles that can give voters a ride to Louisville's sole polling place, the Kentucky Exposition Center, and reaching out to organizers across the state to see what they need.
"This is what we do," he said.
See also: Kentucky should brace for an 'election week' with delayed primary results
Big money, big ads
The campaigns also are relying on advertising and interviews to reach voters.
McGrath, who has raised more than $40 million, is pouring over $3 million into ads during the last stretch of the primary.
She said the goal is to make sure people know her core message.
"And that is that I’m a Democrat and that I am somebody that’s going to work for you," she said. "I am somebody that cares about health care. I am somebody that cares about equal justice for all ... and that is going to be committed to doing the things that we need to do to move us in the right direction."
Booker had raised only around $792,000 as of June 3, but his campaign manager, Colin Lauderdale, said Thursday that he brought in $2.4 million since June began. And that extra cash is helping the campaign compete on advertising.
McGrath and Booker both introduced ads this week about the recent protests against police brutality.
In hers, McGrath expressed dismay over the death of George Floyd — a 46-year-old Black man who died in May after a former police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes — and promised voters: "As your senator, I will stand up to any president who treats people as less than human."
Booker criticized McGrath's ad on social media and said it "is exploiting our pain."
His own ad juxtaposed McGrath's explanation during a debate that she didn't attend the first few days of protests because she "had some family things going on" with footage of Booker walking with protesters in Louisville.
McGrath recently said on Twitter that she later attended a vigil for Breonna Taylor in Lexington as well as an interfaith gathering in Louisville.
Broihier, who had raised over $494,000 as of June 3, said his team took a targeted, data-driven approach to advertising.
"No one’s got Amy McGrath money except for Amy McGrath, so we decided as a campaign the best time to spend the money was in the last month," he said. "We are not leaving a dollar unspent."
All the candidates have been doing press interviews, but Broihier — the former editor of a weekly newspaper — has especially emphasized the importance he places on talking to local news outlets across the state.
Social media is also part of his and the other candidates' toolboxes, with Broihier promoting videos and posts that highlight his endorsement by famed Kentucky author, farmer and environmental activist Wendell Berry and his progressive policy positions.
More races: 8 state House primary races to watch in Kentucky on Tuesday
Also: 4 state Senate primaries (and one special election) to watch in Kentucky on Tuesday
Attracting national attention
McConnell's shadow is ever-present in this primary — and the nationwide impact of the power he wields in the Senate has put this election on the radar for a lot of people who don't live in the Bluegrass State.
Money has flowed into the race not only from Kentuckians but also from out-of-state residents — especially to McGrath, the most prolific fundraiser.
Congressional superstars in Washington, D.C., have taken an interest, too.
McGrath got a vote of confidence last week from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who said: "I believe that she’ll win her primary, and I believe that she’ll give McConnell a run for his money."
But Booker has won endorsements from big names too, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and — last week — Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, both of Massachusetts.
Broihier, who is backed by former 2020 Democratic presidential candidates Andrew Yang and Marianne Williamson, offered a critical take on his opponents' endorsements.
"I'm not Chuck Schumer's candidate. I'm not Bernie Sanders' candidate. I'm Kentucky's candidate," he said Thursday on Twitter. "Progressive. Fearless. All yours."
McConnell's recent legacy is inextricable from that of President Donald Trump, whom he has worked with to confirm a record number of federal judges. And in a presidential election year, Trump is never far from voters' minds.
Booker and Broihier have slammed McGrath as a "pro-Trump" Democrat, while she has tried to keep the focus on McConnell in a state where the president won big in 2016.
However, McGrath — who McConnell's re-election campaign has nicknamed "Extreme Amy McGrath" and painted as a far-left Democrat — pushed back against the idea that she's pro-Trump. "I'm tired of the labels," she said Wednesday.
"If people look at who I am they’re going to see somebody who served her country. They’re going to see somebody who will work with anyone to do what is right for Kentucky. To do what is right by workers," she explained. "And at the same time, I’ll have the guts to stand up to anyone when it comes to Kentucky or when it comes to the Constitution of the United States that I swore to defend six times in my life."
Whether Kentucky Democrats agree — and think she has a better chance of beating McConnell than Booker or Broihier — is up for a final vote on Tuesday.
Opinion: National shift makes Charles Booker the Senate candidate of the moment
Reach reporter Morgan Watkins: 502-582-4502; mwatkins@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @morganwatkins26. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/subscribe.


usatoday--2020-06-24--Louisville cop Brett Hankison fired for his role in Breonna Taylor fatal shooting

Officer Brett Hankison has been terminated , effective Tuesday , for his role in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor , Louisville Metro Police announced .
Taylor , 26 , was shot by officers at her apartment on March 13 as they entered to serve a no-knock warrant .
Her boyfriend thought officers were intruders and fired a shot as they entered .
Taylor was shot eight times in the ensuing gunfire from officers .
Hankison is accused by the department 's interim chief , Robert Schroeder , of `` blindly '' firing 10 rounds into Taylor 's apartment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious injury .
In a letter , interim Chief Robert Schroeder wrote that after the pretermination hearing held Tuesday , Schroeder decided to proceed and fire Hankison .
Schroeder notes that Hankison may appeal the decision to the Police Merit Board in writing within 10 days .
A request for comment from David Leightty , an attorney for Hankison , was not immediately returned Tuesday evening .
`` It 's another good , small step , '' said Sam Aguiar , an attorney for Taylor 's family .
`` We wo n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , until charges are brought against everyone responsible for Breonna 's death . ''
A spokeswoman for LMPD declined to comment further , citing state law .
Schroeder 's Tuesday letter to Hankison reiterated the charges made against him in his pre-termination letter on Friday : that Hankison showed `` extreme indifference to the value of human life '' and that his use of deadly force was improper because he failed to verify it was directed against someone who posed an immediate threat .
Schroeder accuses Hankison of `` blindly '' firing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one next door .
`` I find your conduct a shock to the conscience , '' Schroeder repeated .
`` I am alarmed and stunned you used deadly force in this fashion . ''
Quoting from the Police Merit Board 's rules , Schroeder notes that any appeal from Hankison is due in writing within 10 days and `` must include a statement of the grounds for appeal . ''
The board will then schedule a public hearing to review the chief 's move to terminate Hankison , considering whether it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It will only consider evidence presented in the public hearing .
If it determines the action was unjustified , it can set aside the chief 's order and create a new penalty or opt to reinstate Hankison 's employment .
Mark Dobbins , an attorney for the merit board , said Friday that in many past cases , officers who have criminal matters pending will ask for the merit board proceeding to be held `` in abeyance , '' meaning delayed until the resolution of the criminal case .
This story @ @ @ @

Darcy Costello and Tessa Duvall, Louisville Courier Journal

Louisville cop Brett Hankison fired for his role in Breonna Taylor fatal shooting
Show Caption Hide Caption Breonna Taylor shooting: Officer involved fired by Louisville police Officer Brett Hankison was one of three officers that fired a weapon into Breonna Taylor's apartment. USA TODAY
Officer Brett Hankison has been terminated, effective Tuesday, for his role in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, Louisville Metro Police announced.
Taylor, 26, was shot by officers at her apartment on March 13 as they entered to serve a no-knock warrant. Her boyfriend thought officers were intruders and fired a shot as they entered. Taylor was shot eight times in the ensuing gunfire from officers.
Hankison is accused by the department's interim chief, Robert Schroeder, of "blindly" firing 10 rounds into Taylor's apartment, creating a substantial danger of death and serious injury.
In a letter, interim Chief Robert Schroeder wrote that after the pretermination hearing held Tuesday, Schroeder decided to proceed and fire Hankison.
Schroeder notes that Hankison may appeal the decision to the Police Merit Board in writing within 10 days.
A request for comment from David Leightty, an attorney for Hankison, was not immediately returned Tuesday evening.
"It's another good, small step," said Sam Aguiar, an attorney for Taylor's family. "We won't be satisfied until rightful charges are brought against him, until charges are brought against everyone responsible for Breonna's death."
A spokeswoman for LMPD declined to comment further, citing state law.
Schroeder's Tuesday letter to Hankison reiterated the charges made against him in his pre-termination letter on Friday: that Hankison showed "extreme indifference to the value of human life" and that his use of deadly force was improper because he failed to verify it was directed against someone who posed an immediate threat.
Schroeder accuses Hankison of "blindly" firing ten rounds into Taylor's apartment and the one next door.
"I find your conduct a shock to the conscience," Schroeder repeated. "I am alarmed and stunned you used deadly force in this fashion."
Quoting from the Police Merit Board's rules, Schroeder notes that any appeal from Hankison is due in writing within 10 days and "must include a statement of the grounds for appeal."
The board will then schedule a public hearing to review the chief's move to terminate Hankison, considering whether it was "unjustified or unsupported by proper evidence." It will only consider evidence presented in the public hearing.
If it determines the action was unjustified, it can set aside the chief's order and create a new penalty or opt to reinstate Hankison's employment.
Mark Dobbins, an attorney for the merit board, said Friday that in many past cases, officers who have criminal matters pending will ask for the merit board proceeding to be held "in abeyance," meaning delayed until the resolution of the criminal case.
This story will be updated.
Darcy Costello: 502-582-4834; dcostello@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @dctello. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/darcyc.


usatoday--2020-06-24--Texas hits all-time high for COVID-19 cases; governor urges residents to stay home

Texas is hitting an all-time high for COVID-19 cases and Gov .
Greg Abbott told state residents to stay home unless they need to be out .
“ Texas will report an all-time high in the number of cases of people testing positive of more than 5,000 , ” Abbott said in an interview on KBTX .
“ The hospitalization rate is at an all-time high .
Coronavirus is spreading in Brazos County and across the entire state of Texas , which is exactly why action is being taken.
” And the state broke its record for hospitalizations for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of State Health Services reporting 4,092 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals .
“ We want to make sure everyone reinforces the best safe practices of wearing a mask , hand sanitation , maintaining safe distance , but importantly , because the spread is so rapid right now , there ’ s never a reason for you to have to leave your home unless you need to go out , ” Abbott said .
“ The safest place for you is at your home.
” With mounting intensity , the governor has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing on a troubling spike in the pandemic ’ s spread , and his concern that some Texans are not taking the threat nearly seriously enough .
In an interview on KRIS-TV in Corpus Christi Abbott said , “ There still remain some people in Nueces County , as well as in the entire region , who seem to think the COVID-19 is not a challenge .
People need to recognize this is a very swift-spreading virus , for which there is no cure.
” Abbott was introduced on KRIS with a grim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eclipsed Dallas and San Antonio in the number of new cases per day , per capita.
” Abbott said Monday that reversing the reopening of Texas would be a last resort .
“ Closing down Texas again will always be the last option , ” he said .
But , he said Tuesday , “ If we are unable to contain the spiraling spread of COVID-19 , there will be more requirements put on businesses , including even considering have to ratchet back on the expansion of opening businesses in Texas.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either I or those businesses want to do , ” he said .
“ So the best thing that we can all do is work on continuing to open up businesses but do so in ways that use safe practices that include wearing a mask.
” Texas Democrats , who have been warning this day would come , greeted the governor ’ s new tone with a “ we told you so.
” “ The record-breaking number of COVID-19 cases today and the fact that Texas has seen 12-straight days of record hospitalizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s failure to lead , ” said Texas Democratic Party Communications Director Abhi Rahman .
“ Texans are suffering .
Our sacrifices might be for nothing .
From day one of this crisis , Abbott has undermined , hid and outright refused to listen to science or doctors .
We ’ re seeing the catastrophic results of his failures.
” The percentage of tests that come back positive has also continued to increase .
The state ’ s seven-day rolling average rate of positive cases reached nearly 10 % on Monday , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate is calculated by taking a week ’ s worth of new COVID-19 cases and dividing it by the total tests performed in those seven days .
Public health experts say that number should ideally stay below 6 % , and Abbott previously said that a positivity rate above 10 % would be cause for alarm .
State health officials also reported 23 new coronavirus-related deaths Tuesday , bringing the statewide total to 2,220 fatalities .
More than 70,000 people have recovered from the virus , a number the health agency says is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to hospitalization rates and recovery times.
” Recovery statistics are not a factor that indicate a state ’ s readiness to reopen , according to guidelines from the White House .
After health officials reported Tuesday ’ s COVID-19 totals , Abbott issued a proclamation to expand local authority on outdoor gatherings and directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to provide strict health and safety standards for child care centers .
Under Abbott ’ s updated order , local governments have the power to impose restrictions on gatherings with more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials could impose restrictions on outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people .

Jonathan Tilove and Nicole Cobler, Austin American-Statesman

Texas hits all-time high for COVID-19 cases; governor urges residents to stay home
Show Caption Hide Caption Governor: Enough beds for Texas virus patients Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says a rise in coronavirus hospitalizations in his state "does raise concerns" but he adds the state currently has enough hospital beds to handle it. (June 16) AP
Texas is hitting an all-time high for COVID-19 cases, and Gov. Greg Abbott told state residents to stay home unless they need to be out.
“Texas will report an all-time high in the number of cases of people testing positive of more than 5,000,” Abbott said in an interview on KBTX. “The hospitalization rate is at an all-time high. Coronavirus is spreading in Brazos County and across the entire state of Texas, which is exactly why action is being taken.”
Hours later, state health officials reported a record 5,489 new COVID-19 cases.
And the state broke its record for hospitalizations for the 12th day in a row as the Department of State Health Services reported 4,092 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals.
“We want to make sure everyone reinforces the best safe practices of wearing a mask, hand sanitation, maintaining safe distance, but importantly, because the spread is so rapid right now, there’s never a reason for you to have to leave your home unless you need to go out,” Abbott said. “The safest place for you is at your home.”
With mounting intensity, the governor has been sounding the alarm since a briefing Monday on a troubling spike in the pandemic’s spread and his concern that some Texans are not taking the threat seriously enough.
In an interview on KRIS-TV in Corpus Christi, Abbott said: “There still remain some people in Nueces County, as well as in the entire region, who seem to think the COVID-19 is not a challenge. People need to recognize this is a very swift-spreading virus for which there is no cure.”
Abbott was introduced on KRIS with a grim report that Nueces County have “already eclipsed Dallas and San Antonio in the number of new cases per day, per capita.”
Abbott said Monday that reversing the reopening of Texas would be a last resort. “Closing down Texas again will always be the last option,” he said.
But, he said Tuesday, “if we are unable to contain the spiraling spread of COVID-19, there will be more requirements put on businesses, including even considering have to ratchet back on the expansion of opening businesses in Texas.”
“That’s the last thing that either I or those businesses want to do,” he said. “So the best thing that we can all do is work on continuing to open up businesses but do so in ways that use safe practices that include wearing a mask.”
Texas Democrats, who have been warning this day would come, greeted the governor’s new tone with a “we told you so.”
“The record-breaking number of COVID-19 cases today and the fact that Texas has seen 12 straight days of record hospitalizations is because of Greg Abbott’s failure to lead,” said Texas Democratic Party Communications Director Abhi Rahman. “Texans are suffering. Our sacrifices might be for nothing. From Day One of this crisis, Abbott has undermined, hid and outright refused to listen to science or doctors. We’re seeing the catastrophic results of his failures.”
The percentage of tests that come back positive has also continued to increase. The state’s seven-day rolling average rate of positive cases reached nearly 10% on Monday, according to state health officials.
The rolling rate is calculated by taking a week’s worth of new COVID-19 cases and dividing it by the total tests performed in those seven days.
Public health experts say that number should ideally stay below 6%, and Abbott has said a positivity rate above 10% would be cause for alarm.
State health officials also reported 23 new coronavirus-related deaths Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to 2,220.
More than 70,000 people have recovered from the virus, a number the health agency says is an estimate based on “several assumptions related to hospitalization rates and recovery times.” Recovery statistics are not a factor that indicate a state’s readiness to reopen, according to guidelines from the White House.
After health officials reported Tuesday’s COVID-19 totals, Abbott issued a proclamation to expand local authority on outdoor gatherings and directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to provide strict health and safety standards for child care centers.
Under Abbott’s updated order, local governments have the power to impose restrictions on gatherings with more than 100 people.
Previously, local officials could impose restrictions on outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people.


usatoday--2020-06-24--Charlie Blackmon is one of three Colorado Rockies to test positive for coronavirus, per report

All-Star outfielder Charlie Blackmon is one of three Colorado Rockies players who recently tested positive for COVID-19 , according to a report in the Denver Post .
The Denver Post cited unnamed major-league sources in revealing that Blackmon , left-handed pitcher Phillip Diehl and right-hander Ryan Castellani tested positive after taking part in recent workouts at Coors Field .
The news comes as Major League Baseball players are preparing to report to their home parks to begin ramping up preparations for the 2020 season .
MLB and its players just finalized safety protocols Tuesday evening that paved the way for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July .
WHEN , WHERE AND HOW ?
Answering your burning questions for the ( possible ) season CORONAVIRUS & SPORTS : Get the latest news and information right in your inbox .
Sign up here .
The three Rockies join a growing list of at least 15 major-league players and staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 .
On Friday , MLB decided to immediately shut down all spring training facilities in Arizona and Florida .
Blackmon , a four-time All-Star and the 2017 NL batting champion , becomes the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
Sources tell the Post the test results came back late last week with one player showing symptoms and the other two asymptomatic .
Other players working out at Coors Field were also tested and their results were negative .

Charlie Blackmon is one of three Colorado Rockies to test positive for coronavirus, per report
Show Caption Hide Caption Rob Manfred mandates shortened MLB season, here's how it will look What I'm Hearing: No deal was ever struck. Which is why Rob Manfred used his emergency powers to mandate a shortened MLB season. Bob Nightengale explains what this baseball will look like. USA TODAY
All-Star outfielder Charlie Blackmon is one of three Colorado Rockies players who recently tested positive for coronavirus, according to a report in the Denver Post.
The Denver Post cited unnamed major-league sources in revealing that Blackmon, left-handed pitcher Phillip Diehl and right-hander Ryan Castellani tested positive after taking part in recent workouts at Coors Field.
The news comes as Major League Baseball players are preparing to report to their home parks to begin ramping up preparations for the 2020 season. MLB and its players just finalized safety protocols Tuesday evening that paved the way for a 60-game season to start in late July.
PLAY BALL: MLB implements 60-game 2020 season as players agree on safety protocols
WHEN, WHERE AND HOW? Answering your burning questions for the (possible) season
CORONAVIRUS & SPORTS: Get the latest news and information right in your inbox. Sign up here.
The three Rockies join a growing list of at least 15 major-league players and staff members who have tested positive. On Friday, MLB decided to immediately shut down all spring training facilities in Arizona and Florida.
Blackmon, a four-time All-Star and the 2017 NL batting champion, becomes the most high-profile major leaguer to have the novel coronavirus.
Sources tell the Post the test results came back late last week with one player showing symptoms and the other two asymptomatic. Other players working out at Coors Field were also tested and their results were negative.


usatoday--2020-06-23--These states still require travelers to self-quarantine or present negative COVID-19 test

States are opening back up , but that does n't mean travelers are free to come and go as they please amid the coronavirus pandemic .
USA TODAY has an update on the states that are discouraging interstate travel by requiring or recommending that visitors and residents returning from other states quarantine .
And some states are requiring a recent , negative COVID-19 test in lieu of a blanket quarantine policy .
Some counties or municipalities have issued similar advice to travelers , so anyone looking to go on a road trip or take a summer vacation should check government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan to stop overnight .
Here are the states that require or recommend traveler quarantines : Alaska Gov .
Mike Dunleavy and the state 's Department of Health and Social Services lifted astate 's mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers .
Both interstate and international travelers can come to Alaska as long as they meet the following requirements : • If tested within 72 hours to five days before they leave their destination , they can come into Alaska with proof of a negative PCR coronavirus test .
They ca n't enter if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they had a negative PCR test within five days of departure , they can retest upon arrival in Alaska .
They should minimize contact until the results of the second test come in .
• If travelers choose to test on arrival , they should register with the testing site and need to quarantine until results are in .
The traveler will have to quarantine if positive .
• If the traveler is a member of the critical infrastructure workforce , as determined by the state , they have to adhere to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state has on file .
If none of the above applies ( the traveler does n't have a test result , rejects testing , or is not a critical worker ) , that person must quarantine for 14 days .
Travelers who already had COVID-19 , tested positive at least three weeks prior to their arrival , are currently asymptomatic and can show a doctor 's note attesting to their recovery do not need to be retested .
While the state no longer mandates a 14-day quarantine for visitors , it still asks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from travel to affected areas .
The state does n't not currently require incoming travelers to self-quarantine but asks residents returning from abroad to do so for 14 days .
Staying Apart , Together : A newsletter about how to cope with the coronavirus pandemic Effective June 5 , Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis extended its 14-day quarantine rule for visitors from New York , New Jersey and Connecticut .
The order does not apply to anyone participating in commercial or academic activities , including athletes returning to college campuses .
Though Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people traveling between the islands to quarantine , visitors from outside the state will still have to isolate for two weeks through July 31 .
“ We are working very hard toward re-opening out-of-state travel , but we ’ re not there yet .
We are being very cautious .
There are new virus flare-ups in key mainland markets – including California where more than 2,000 new cases were reported yesterday .
Oregon , Arizona and Texas are also reporting their highest number of new daily cases , ” Ige said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 14-day quarantine for Kansans returning from these states , as of June 17 : • Maryland ( on or after May 12 ) • Alabama ( on or after June 17 ) • Arizona ( on or after June 17 ) • Arkansas ( on or after June 17 ) People must also quarantine for 14 days if they traveled out of the country on or after March 15 or went on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15 .
Maine 's Department of Health and Human Services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 14 days , regardless of their state of residence unless they can present a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours .
Residents of New Hampshire and Vermont are exempt .
Under Maryland 's current `` Safer at Home '' advisory , the state recommends – but does not require – residents returning from out of state who display symptoms to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival home .
Under the state 's `` Safer at Home '' advisory , it `` expects '' all travelers to self-quarantine for 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning from international travel and visitors coming to the state for less than 14 days should self-quarantine for the duration of their visit .
The recommendation excludes health care workers , commuters and certain other groups.The recommendation excludes health care workers , commuters and certain other groups .
Under the state 's `` Safer at Home '' guidelines , it requests – but does not require – out-of-state visitors who will be staying in New Hampshire for an extended period of time to self-quarantine for 14 days .
On June 1 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 14-day quarantine requirement for anyone entering through an airport or anywhere from out of state .
In addition to airline , military and essential workers , business travelers and those appearing pursuant to a court order do not have to quarantine .
Gov .
Kevin Stitt has not rescinded his executive order requiring people arriving on flights from the New York tri-state area ( New York , New Jersey and Connecticut ) , Washington state , California or Louisiana to quarantine for 14 days .
Airline personnel , military , health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only quarantine restriction still in effect applies to Rhode Islanders returning from an area that is still under a stay-at-home order or similar rules .
The state recommends that travelers returning from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread stay home for a period of 14 days from the date of departure .
The state asks visitors or returning residents to quarantine if they 've been in high-risk areas .
Effective June 15 , `` Visitors and travelers coming to Vermont by plane , bus or train ─ or those who make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine for 14 days when they arrive , '' the state health department said .
• Traveling by car : Quarantine in their home state for 14 days before traveling in their personal vehicle and making no stops .
• Traveling using commercial transportation or driving with stops : Quarantine for 14 days at a lodging facility in Vermont The state Department of Health recommends a 14-day self-quarantine for those who have traveled internationally , on a cruise ship or river boat , or to a U.S. area where COVID-19 circulated widely in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health 's most recent COVID-19 bulletin `` recommends state residents with plans to vacation in a crowded area be extremely cautious , practice social distancing and wear a face mask , and those who have traveled or are traveling to a large or crowded vacation area to self-monitor/quarantine for 14 days upon return . ''
The Department of Health Services says that certain cities and counties in the state may subject travelers to stay at home or self-quarantine for 14 days .
Contributing : Curtis Tate , Bill Keveney , Hannah Yasharoff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , USA TODAY ; Jon Campbell , New York State Team – USA TODAY Network ; Reno Gazette Journal ; The Associated Press

Julia Thompson, Jayme Deerwester and David Oliver, USA TODAY

These states require travelers to self-quarantine or present a negative COVID-19 test
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: Self-quarantine things you can and can't do For those under self-quarantine in the confines of their home, here are some do's and don'ts amid the COVID-19 outbreak. USA TODAY
Editor's note: This story is no longer being updated. Find the latest state-by-state travel restrictions and recommendations here.
More than half a year into the COVID-19 pandemic and a few months after most states loosened lockdown restrictions, some governors are cracking down again, saying their citizens have become complacent and dropped their guards, opening the door for new surges this fall.
Even as Hawaii finally enacts a long-awaited testing program that will allow out-of-state visitors to return without spending their entire vacation in quarantine, New Mexico is taking that option off the table.
USA TODAY has an update on the states that are discouraging interstate travel by requiring or recommending that visitors and residents returning from other states quarantine. And some states are requiring a recent, negative COVID-19 test in lieu of a blanket quarantine policy.
Some counties or municipalities have issued similar advice to travelers, so anyone looking to go on a road trip or take a vacation should check government websites for their destination and anywhere they plan to stop overnight.
Here are the states that require or recommend traveler quarantines:
Coronavirus: How R-0 can be used to fight COVID-19 R-0 may be the most important scientific term you’ve never heard of when it comes to stopping the coronavirus pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Alaska
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced that beginning August 11, non-Alaska residents need a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival in the state or proof they are waiting on results from a test taken in that 72-hour period. Non-residents without a pre-test can get one on arrival, though for a price.
"If a non-resident arrives without a pre-test, testing is available for $250 per test," according to a policy on the state's website. "The traveler will be required to quarantine while waiting on results."
Testing is free for Alaska residents.
The previous policy, below, will stay in effect through August 10.
Dunleavy and the state's Department of Health and Social Services lifted the state's mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers. Both interstate and international travelers can come to Alaska as long as they meet the following requirements:
If tested within 72 hours to five days before they leave their destination, they can come into Alaska with proof of a negative PCR coronavirus test. They can't enter if the test is positive.
Alternately, if they had a negative PCR test within five days of departure, they can retest upon arrival in Alaska. They should minimize contact until the results of the second test come in.
If the traveler is a member of the critical infrastructure workforce, as determined by the state, they have to adhere to their company's community protective plan the state has on file.
If none of the above applies (the traveler doesn't have a test result, rejects testing, or is not a critical worker), that person must quarantine for 14 days.
Arkansas
While the state no longer mandates a 14-day quarantine for visitors, it still asks that Arkansans consider doing so when returning from travel to affected areas.
Connecticut
Effective June 25, the state will require a 14-day quarantine for any visitor or resident returning from a region with a transmission rate of 10 positive tests for every 100,000 residents on a seven-day rolling average.
Click here for the full list.
Staying Apart, Together: A newsletter about how to cope with the coronavirus pandemic
District of Columbia
Washington, D.C. will require travelers coming to the city to self-quarantine for 14 days if they are arriving from a high-risk area on nonessential travel.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said July 24 that the self-quarantine requirement would take effect the following week. Maryland and Virginia, which border D.C., are exempt from the order, but other states that see a seven-day moving average of new COVID-19 cases at 10 or more per 100,000 people will be affected.
As of Sept. 21, the updated list of "high-risk states" that require a 14-day self-quarantine include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin .
Florida
Effective Aug. 6, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis rescinded the state's14-day quarantine rule for visitors from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Hawaii
Hawaii's long-awaited COVID-19 testing program is in effect as of Oct. 15. The program allows out-of-state travelers to bypass a mandatory 14-day quarantine by presenting a negative nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) test from an approved lab, taken within 72 hours before they arrive. All visitors ages 5 and up must be tested in order to skip quarantine. Travelers must also complete the state's mandatory Travel and Health Form. The negative test result must be uploaded to the visitor's Safe Travels account before they can leave quarantine. According to the state, the mandatory 14-day quarantine remains in effect for all inter-island travelers, except for those arriving on the island of Oahu.
Hawaii vacations are finally a lot easier: But are tourists really welcome?
Illinois
The city of Chicago is requiring visitors from certain states to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival or face possible fines.
Check here for weekly updates on Tuesdays.
Kansas
The state requires a 14-day quarantine for those heading to Kansas who have traveled domestically and been at gatherings of more than 500 people, beginning on or after Aug. 11.
Kentucky
Under a new advisory announced Monday, Kentuckians who travel to nine hot spot states reporting positive testing rates equal or greater than 15% are now recommended to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine. The states included in Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s travel advisory are Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas and Mississippi.
Beshear said case clusters have been traced to residents who have recently returned from vacations or attended large gatherings such as block parties or barbecues.
Maine
Unless a visitor has a negative PCR COVID-19 test result from within 72 hours of travel, all but those from the following states must self-quarantine for 14 days, regardless of their state of residency: Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Massachusetts. Visitors under quarantine are not allowed to go to grocery stores and therefore must bring enough food to last the duration of their quarantine or arrange to have food brought to them.
Maryland
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on July 29 issued a travel advisory urging residents to avoid visiting some states with rapidly increasing cases of coronavirus.
The travel advisory applies to states with positive test rates of or higher than 10%. As of July 29, that would include Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina and Texas.
Hogan said if people must visit those states, they should immediately be tested upon returning to Maryland and quarantine themselves until learning the results.
Coronavirus: Social distancing key to fighting COVID-19 Social distancing matters. Here is how to do it and how it can help curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Massachusetts
As of Aug. 1, everyone coming into Massachusetts (except those coming from lower-risk states) must quarantine for 14 days or show a negative COVID-19 test result administered up to 72 hours in advance of their arrival. If the test results haven't come in before travelers get to Massachusetts, they quarantine until the results are in.
Anyone entering the state has to fill out a travel form before entering, also as of Aug. 1. However, those traveling from lower-risk states or who meet other exemptions won't have to do so. Details here.
People who don't follow the rules could be subject to a $500 fine per day.
Nebraska
Nebraskans returning from international travel and visitors coming to the state for less than 14 days should self-quarantine for the duration of their visit. The recommendation excludes health care workers, commuters and certain other groups.The recommendation excludes health care workers, commuters and certain other groups.
New Hampshire
Under the state's "Safer at Home" guidelines, it requests – but does not require – out-of-state visitors who will be staying in New Hampshire for an extended period of time to self-quarantine for 14 days.
New Jersey
Travelers flying into New Jersey from so-called hot spot states where coronavirus is spiking will be asked to fill out a survey starting July 20.
The announcement came from state health Commissioner Judith Persichilli more than three weeks after Gov. Phil Murphy joined his counterparts in New York and Connecticut to announce a mandatory 14-day quarantine for visitors arriving from states with high numbers of positive cases.
Keep up with the list here.
New Mexico
Effective, Friday, Oct. 16, the state has rescinded a policy that allowed visitors to bypass a 14-day quarantine by presenting a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of travel. In addition, hotel occupancy has been capped at 60% for establishments certified safe by the state and 25% for those that have not.
New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo's state, which was the U.S. epicenter of the pandemic early on, is also requiring visitors and residents returning from from out of state to quarantine for 14 days. Check the list.
Ohio
People traveling to Ohio from states with positive COVID-19 testing rates of 15% or higher are subject to the state's new travel advisory. Stay up-to-date here.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvanians should quarantine for 14 days when returning from the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee. The state's health department encourages those who traveled or plan to travel to an area with high coronavirus case counts to stay home for 14 days after their trips.
Rhode Island
You must self-quarantine for 14 days or provide a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arriving in Rhode Island if coming from certain states with a COVID-19 positivity rate higher than 5% (check here for the up-to-date list). You can leave quarantine if you receive a negative test result once in the state.
South Carolina
The state recommends that travelers returning from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread stay home for a period of 14 days from the date of departure.
Utah
The state asks visitors or returning residents to quarantine if they've been in high-risk areas.
Vermont
Effective June 15, "Visitors and travelers coming to Vermont by plane, bus or train ─ or those who make stops in a personal vehicle ─ must quarantine for 14 days when they arrive," the state health department said.
Visitors may either:
Traveling by car: Quarantine in their home state for 14 days before traveling in their personal vehicle and making no stops.
Traveling using commercial transportation or driving with stops: Quarantine for 14 days at a lodging facility in Vermont
Virginia
The state Department of Health recommends a 14-day self-quarantine for those who have traveled internationally, on a cruise ship or river boat, or to a U.S. area where COVID-19 circulated widely in the community.
West Virginia
The Bureau of Public Health's most recent COVID-19 bulletin "recommends state residents with plans to vacation in a crowded area be extremely cautious, practice social distancing and wear a face mask, and those who have traveled or are traveling to a large or crowded vacation area to self-monitor/quarantine for 14 days upon return."
Wisconsin
The Department of Health Services says that certain cities and counties in the state may subject travelers to stay at home or self-quarantine for 14 days.
Contributing: Ryan Miller, Curtis Tate, Bill Keveney, Hannah Yasharoff, Nicquel Terry Ellis, Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY; Jon Campbell, New York State Team – USA TODAY Network; Reno Gazette Journal; York Daily Record; The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-06-23--Injunction request helps reopen Louisville polls as voters pound on doors

LOUISVILLE , Ky. — U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker secured a court order that gave voters a little more time to vote in Louisville Tuesday as people ran for and pounded on the doors of the city 's only polling place that evening , demanding their chance to cast a ballot .
Polls across Kentucky were set to close at 6 p.m. on Election Day , but many people were stuck waiting to park their cars outside the Kentucky Exposition Center — the sole site where people in Louisville and Jefferson County could vote , thanks to procedural changes officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just before 6 p.m. , people were dashing for the doors to get inside the building before the cutoff .
When will Kentucky 's primary election results be released ?
: Hint : You will have to wait Meanwhile , Booker — who hopes to win Tuesday 's Democratic primary and face off against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in November — and his campaign filed a last-minute injunction request to try to keep the polls there open longer .
`` We are fighting to make sure you can vote , '' Booker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IN LINE ! ''
While they awaited a local judge 's decision , people who still wanted a chance to vote stuck around outside , pounded on the doors and shouted .
Also : Ariana Grande tweets support , says she sent coffee and food to Kentucky voters Don Hardison , 41 , was among the dozens of voters who didn ’ t make it inside before the doors closed a few minutes after 6 p.m .
He said he spent about 45 minutes in traffic before he could park .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being infringed on right now , ” he said .
“ I think it ’ s disingenuous at best that this is the only polling place in Jefferson County .
“ It ’ s not ( a ) coincidence that this is a large urban population , '' he added .
Hardison said he planned to wait outside until they let him and the others in .
They did n't have to wait long .
A local judge quickly ruled in Booker 's favor and extended the deadline to 6:30 p.m .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people cheered as Hardison and the others who had waited were allowed to walk in and vote .
The reprieve was short-lived , though .
The Expo Center 's doors were shut and locked again soon afterward .
Retired Marine Amy McGrath — Booker 's top opponent in Tuesday 's crowded Democratic primary — announced on Twitter a little after 6:45 p.m. that she and her campaign were filing an injunction to try to keep the polls open even later .
But poll workers were packing up for the night shortly after 7 @ @

Morgan Watkins and Matt Mencarini, Louisville Courier Journal

Injunction request helps reopen Louisville polls as voters pound on doors
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker secured a court order that gave voters a little more time to vote in Louisville Tuesday as people ran for and pounded on the doors of the city's only polling place that evening, demanding their chance to cast a ballot.
Polls across Kentucky were set to close at 6 p.m. on Election Day, but many people were stuck waiting to park their cars outside the Kentucky Exposition Center — the sole site where people in Louisville and Jefferson County could vote, thanks to procedural changes officials instituted because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Just before 6 p.m., people were dashing for the doors to get inside the building before the cutoff.
When will Kentucky's primary election results be released?: Hint: You will have to wait
Kentucky 2020 primary election results: Get the latest results here
Meanwhile, Booker — who hopes to win Tuesday's Democratic primary and face off against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in November — and his campaign filed a last-minute injunction request to try to keep the polls there open longer.
"We are fighting to make sure you can vote," Booker told voters on Twitter. "STAY IN LINE!"
While they awaited a local judge's decision, people who still wanted a chance to vote stuck around outside, pounded on the doors and shouted.
Also: Ariana Grande tweets support, says she sent coffee and food to Kentucky voters
Door banging getting really aggressive now: pic.twitter.com/YJhNOn2fJf — Joe Sonka 😐 (@joesonka) June 23, 2020
The scene right outside the locked doors in Louisville: pic.twitter.com/qvMTbe5f7Z — Joe Sonka 😐 (@joesonka) June 23, 2020
Don Hardison, 41, was among the dozens of voters who didn’t make it inside before the doors closed a few minutes after 6 p.m. He said he spent about 45 minutes in traffic before he could park.
“It’s our constitutional right that is being infringed on right now,” he said. “I think it’s disingenuous at best that this is the only polling place in Jefferson County.
“It’s not (a) coincidence that this is a large urban population," he added.
Hardison said he planned to wait outside until they let him and the others in.
They didn't have to wait long.
A local judge quickly ruled in Booker's favor and extended the deadline to 6:30 p.m. When the Expo Center's doors opened, people cheered as Hardison and the others who had waited were allowed to walk in and vote.
The reprieve was short-lived, though.
The Expo Center's doors were shut and locked again soon afterward.
Retired Marine Amy McGrath — Booker's top opponent in Tuesday's crowded Democratic primary — announced on Twitter a little after 6:45 p.m. that she and her campaign were filing an injunction to try to keep the polls open even later.
But poll workers were packing up for the night shortly after 7 p.m.
I’m out. Voting booths broken down. pic.twitter.com/d9d3XmdXDG — Joe Sonka 😐 (@joesonka) June 23, 2020
Reach reporter Morgan Watkins: 502-582-4502; mwatkins@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @morganwatkins26. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/subscribe


usatoday--2020-06-23--Georgia hate crimes law heads to governor's desk in wake of Ahmaud Arbery shooting

A hate crime law in Georgia was headed to the governor 's desk Tuesday weeks after Black jogger Ahmaud Arbery was shot by armed white men in what many called a modern-day lynching .
Georgia is one of only a handful of states without hate crimes legislation .
The new bill , if signed by the governor , would impose additional penalties for crimes motivated by a victim 's race , color , religion , national origin , sex , sexual orientation , gender or disability .
Gov .
Brian Kemp 's office said in a statement that the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bipartisan work and will sign House Bill 426 pending legal review . ''
Arbery 's mother , Wanda Cooper-Jones , cheered the decision in a statement through the Georgia NAACP Tuesday .
`` My family thanks everyone for not letting my son 's death be in vain .
I know he is still with us and this law is evidence of that and I look forward to being present when it is signed , '' Cooper-Jones said .
Georgia first passed a hate crime bill in 2000 , but it did not list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court threw it out because it was `` unconstitutionally vague . ''
A new bill passed the Georgia House last year but failed in the state Senate .
Proponents renewed calls for the Senate to take up the bill after viral video of Arbery 's death sparked a storm of public outcry last month .
Arbery , 25 , was shot three times on Feb. 23 .
Retired cop Gregory , 64 , and his son Travis McMichael , 34 , are accused of shooting and killing Arbery while he was jogging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles from his home in Brunswick .
A third white man , William `` Roddie '' Bryan Jr. , 50 , captured the killing on video .
The three men were arrested in May .
Karen Bennett , chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus , called the bipartisan support of the hate crime bill a `` monumental and historic occasion . ''
`` Georgia is no longer going to tolerate hate of any kind , '' Bennett said .
`` This is the first step toward making a statement to the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State President of the Georgia NAACP , commended legislators for `` working with the civil rights community to create a statute that protects Black Georgians from hateful bigotry . ''
Last week , Senate Republicans attempted to add police as a protected class to the hate crimes legislation .
But , in a last-minute bid to gain approval , the parties agreed to move those protections to a separate bill , which also passed .
The bill protects first responders from `` bias motivated intimidation , '' defined as when a person maliciously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their employment .
The last-minute revisions also included mandating data collection on hate crime incidents .
The developments in Georgia come amid a worldwide movement for racial justice and protests against police brutality .
On Tuesday , as the hate crime bill passed in the State Capitol , mourners at an Atlanta church one mile away paid their final respects to Rayshard Brooks , 27 , who police shot in a Wendy 's drive-thru earlier this month .
`` Events in recent months – from the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – have reminded us that we still have much work to do , '' Georgia Lt. Gov .
Geoff Duncan said in a statement Tuesday .
`` This legislation is one example of how we ’ re committed to doing that work . ''
Arkansas , South Carolina and Wyoming also do not have hate crime laws , along with American Samoa , Guam , the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands , according to the DOJ .
Seventeen states and Puerto Rico have hate crime laws but don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawyers and proponents of hate crime laws note that although Indiana technically has a hate crime law on the books , it is too vague to be implemented .
Even if a state or territory does not have a hate crime law , such crimes can be reported to the FBI , according to the DOJ .
The department says it enforces federal laws that cover hate crimes motivated by bias against race , color , religion , national origin , sexual orientation , gender , gender identity and disability .
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victimizations each year from 2013 to 2017 , according to the DOJ 's Bureau of Justice Statistics .
The Bureau found that a majority of hate crimes were motivated by a bias against race or ethnicity .
Of those , most were anti-black or anti-African American , the FBI reported in 2018 .
But area experts say FBI statistics fail to reflect the full extent of the problem because of underreporting .

Georgia hate crimes law heads to governor's desk in wake of Ahmaud Arbery shooting
Show Caption Hide Caption Georgia protesters march to state Capitol Protesters brought calls for changes to Georgia’s laws regarding use of force and voting to the General Assembly on June 15, as lawmakers debated over a bill requiring heavier penalties for hate crimes. AP
A hate crime law in Georgia was headed to the governor's desk Tuesday weeks after Black jogger Ahmaud Arbery was shot by armed white men in what many called a modern-day lynching.
Georgia is one of only a handful of states without hate crimes legislation. The new bill, if signed by the governor, would impose additional penalties for crimes motivated by a victim's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender or disability.
Gov. Brian Kemp's office said in a statement that the governor "commends the General Assembly’s bipartisan work and will sign House Bill 426 pending legal review."
Arbery's mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, cheered the decision in a statement through the Georgia NAACP Tuesday.
"My family thanks everyone for not letting my son's death be in vain. I know he is still with us and this law is evidence of that and I look forward to being present when it is signed," Cooper-Jones said.
Ahmaud Arbery case: White men accused won't face Georgia hate crime charges
Georgia first passed a hate crime bill in 2000, but it did not list specific protected groups, and the state Supreme Court threw it out because it was "unconstitutionally vague." A new bill passed the Georgia House last year but failed in the state Senate. Proponents renewed calls for the Senate to take up the bill after viral video of Arbery's death sparked a storm of public outcry last month.
Arbery, 25, was shot three times on Feb. 23. Retired cop Gregory, 64, and his son Travis McMichael, 34, are accused of shooting and killing Arbery while he was jogging through Satilla Shores, a neighborhood two miles from his home in Brunswick. A third white man, William "Roddie" Bryan Jr., 50, captured the killing on video. The three men were arrested in May.
Karen Bennett, chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, called the bipartisan support of the hate crime bill a "monumental and historic occasion."
"Georgia is no longer going to tolerate hate of any kind," Bennett said. "This is the first step toward making a statement to the world."
Rev. James Woodall, State President of the Georgia NAACP, commended legislators for "working with the civil rights community to create a statute that protects Black Georgians from hateful bigotry."
Last week, Senate Republicans attempted to add police as a protected class to the hate crimes legislation. But, in a last-minute bid to gain approval, the parties agreed to move those protections to a separate bill, which also passed. The bill protects first responders from "bias motivated intimidation," defined as when a person maliciously targets a first responder based solely on their employment.
The last-minute revisions also included mandating data collection on hate crime incidents.
The developments in Georgia come amid a worldwide movement for racial justice and protests against police brutality. On Tuesday, as the hate crime bill passed in the State Capitol, mourners at an Atlanta church one mile away paid their final respects to Rayshard Brooks, 27, who police shot in a Wendy's drive-thru earlier this month.
"Events in recent months – from the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick to the protests we've seen in Atlanta – have reminded us that we still have much work to do," Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan said in a statement Tuesday. "This legislation is one example of how we’re committed to doing that work."
Arkansas, South Carolina and Wyoming also do not have hate crime laws, along with American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the DOJ. Seventeen states and Puerto Rico have hate crime laws but don’t require data collection on such crimes.
Lawyers and proponents of hate crime laws note that although Indiana technically has a hate crime law on the books, it is too vague to be implemented.
Even if a state or territory does not have a hate crime law, such crimes can be reported to the FBI, according to the DOJ. The department says it enforces federal laws that cover hate crimes motivated by bias against race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability.
There was an average of about 204,000 hate crime victimizations each year from 2013 to 2017, according to the DOJ's Bureau of Justice Statistics. The Bureau found that a majority of hate crimes were motivated by a bias against race or ethnicity. Of those, most were anti-black or anti-African American, the FBI reported in 2018. But area experts say FBI statistics fail to reflect the full extent of the problem because of underreporting.


usatoday--2020-06-23--DOJ gave Roger Stone favorable treatment because he is an ally of the president, prosecutor says

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department gave Roger Stone `` unprecedentedly favorable treatment '' because he is an ally of President Donald Trump , a former prosecutor on the case is expected to tell Congress Wednesday .
Aaron Zelinsky , an attorney on former special counsel Robert Mueller 's team and one of the career Justice Department lawyers who prosecuted Stone , said the agency 's leadership pressured them to recommend a lenient sentence for political reasons – a move that a supervisor acknowledged was `` unethical and wrong . ''
And yet , Zelinsky said , Justice Department leadership from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the District of Columbia Timothy Shea to `` cut Stone a break . ''
He and the other prosecutors repeatedly raised concerns about `` such political favoritism , '' but their objections `` were not heeded , '' Zelinsky said .
The political meddling was unprecedented , according to Zelensky , and one that prompted him to resign from the case .
Roger Stone case : Federal judges ' association calls emergency meeting after DOJ intervenes in case of Trump ally Roger Stone '' In the many cases I have been privileged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have never seen political influence play any role in prosecutorial decision making .
With one exception : United States v. Roger Stone , '' Zelinsky said in a prepared opening statement released Tuesday by the House Judiciary Committee .
`` What I heard – repeatedly – was that Roger Stone was being treated differently from any other defendant because of his relationship to the President ...
I was also told that the acting U.S. Attorney was giving Stone such unprecedentedly favorable treatment because he was 'afraid of the President . ''
Zelinsky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee , which is investigating allegations of political interference within the Justice Department .
Zelinsky 's attorney , Robert Litt , said the prosecutor `` will truthfully describe what happened with the Stone sentencing . ''
The Justice Department said Zelinsky did not have conversations with Barr , Shea or other political appointees about Stone 's sentencing .
His allegations about political motivation `` are based on his own interpretation of events and hearsay ( at best ) , not first-hand knowledge . ''
Barr had determined that the prosecutors ' initial sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inconsistent with similar cases , '' the department said .
It added that the attorney general did not talk to the president or anyone at the White House about recommending a more lenient sentence , and Barr had decided to `` correct '' the prosecutors ' sentence recommendation before Trump publicly criticized it .
`` The Attorney General stated during his confirmation hearing that it ( is ) his job to ensure that the administration of justice and the enforcement of the law is above and away from politics , '' the department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , puts the Justice Department under a harsh spotlight just days after an extraordinary clash between Barr and the former Manhattan chief federal prosecutor whose office prosecuted and investigated several of Trump 's allies .
A clash over SDNY : Trump distances himself from Geoffrey Berman firing after AG Barr says president was behind decision Late last week , Barr announced that Geoffrey Berman will be resigning as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York to make way for the president 's favored replacement .
But Berman fired back , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump then fired Berman , ending a standoff that fueled allegations that the administration is removing those it considers to be disloyal or a threat .
Zelinsky and three other prosecutors , Jonathan Kravis , Adam Jed and Michael Marando , withdrew from Stone 's case in February after the Justice Department overruled them to recommend a lighter sentence for the longtime GOP operative .
The move was met with backlash and accusations that Barr has turned the Justice Department into a political annex of the president .
Stone was convicted in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress and obstructing the Russia investigation to protect Trump and his presidential campaign .
The prosecutors , including Zelinsky , recommended a prison sentence of seven to nine years , saying Stone committed a `` direct and brazen attack on the rule of law . ''
The Justice Department later backed away from that recommendation – an unusual move that comes after Trump 's public criticism of the sentence and overrules the department 's career prosecutors .
A Justice Department official said at the time that the about-face was not influenced by Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told by a supervisor that the push for a lighter sentence was political and had nothing to do with the crimes Stone had committed .
He and the other prosecutors `` were instructed '' to go along because the case was `` not a hill worth dying on '' and they could lose their jobs , Zelinsky said .
Still , the prosecutors refused to recommend a shorter sentence , Zelinsky said .
The morning after they filed their sentencing memorandum in court , the president called it a `` miscarriage of justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from media reports that the Justice Department plans to override their recommendation .
`` We repeatedly asked to see the new memorandum prior to its filing .
Our request was denied .
We were not informed about the content or substance of the proposed filing , or even who was writing it .
We were told that one potential draft of the filing attacked us personally , '' Zelinsky said .
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ultimately sentenced Stone to a little over three years in prison .
`` I take no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Justice , where I have spent most of my legal career .
I have always been and remain proud to be an Assistant United States Attorney , '' said Zelinsky , now a prosecutor at the U.S. attorney 's office in Maryland .
`` It pains me to describe these events .
But as Judge Jackson said in this case , the truth still matters . ''

DOJ gave Roger Stone favorable treatment because he is an ally of the president, prosecutor says
Show Caption Hide Caption Roger Stone: Prosecutors quit case against Donald Trump ally In a short period, the Justice Department changed their prison recommendation for Roger Stone while four attorneys abruptly quit the prosecution team. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department gave Roger Stone "unprecedentedly favorable treatment" because he is an ally of President Donald Trump, a former prosecutor on the case is expected to tell Congress Wednesday.
Aaron Zelinsky, an attorney on former special counsel Robert Mueller's team and one of the career Justice Department lawyers who prosecuted Stone, said the agency's leadership pressured them to recommend a lenient sentence for political reasons – a move that a supervisor acknowledged was "unethical and wrong."
And yet, Zelinsky said, Justice Department leadership from the highest levels pressured then-Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Timothy Shea to "cut Stone a break." He and the other prosecutors repeatedly raised concerns about "such political favoritism," but their objections "were not heeded," Zelinsky said.
The political meddling was unprecedented, according to Zelensky, and one that prompted him to resign from the case.
Roger Stone prosecutors quit: DOJ backtracks on prison recommendation for Trump ally
Roger Stone case: Federal judges' association calls emergency meeting after DOJ intervenes in case of Trump ally Roger Stone
"In the many cases I have been privileged to work on in my career, I have never seen political influence play any role in prosecutorial decision making. With one exception: United States v. Roger Stone," Zelinsky said in a prepared opening statement released Tuesday by the House Judiciary Committee.
"What I heard – repeatedly – was that Roger Stone was being treated differently from any other defendant because of his relationship to the President ... I was also told that the acting U.S. Attorney was giving Stone such unprecedentedly favorable treatment because he was 'afraid of the President."
Zelinsky is set to testify Wednesday before the committee, which is investigating allegations of political interference within the Justice Department. Zelinsky's attorney, Robert Litt, said the prosecutor "will truthfully describe what happened with the Stone sentencing."
The Justice Department said Zelinsky did not have conversations with Barr, Shea or other political appointees about Stone's sentencing. His allegations about political motivation "are based on his own interpretation of events and hearsay (at best), not first-hand knowledge."
Barr had determined that the prosecutors' initial sentence recommendation for Stone was "excessive and inconsistent with similar cases," the department said. It added that the attorney general did not talk to the president or anyone at the White House about recommending a more lenient sentence, and Barr had decided to "correct" the prosecutors' sentence recommendation before Trump publicly criticized it.
"The Attorney General stated during his confirmation hearing that it (is) his job to ensure that the administration of justice and the enforcement of the law is above and away from politics," the department said.
Zelinsky's testimony, again, puts the Justice Department under a harsh spotlight just days after an extraordinary clash between Barr and the former Manhattan chief federal prosecutor whose office prosecuted and investigated several of Trump's allies.
Geoffrey Berman firing: AG Barr's glowing account of NY prosecutor's work further clouds dismissal
A clash over SDNY: Trump distances himself from Geoffrey Berman firing after AG Barr says president was behind decision
Late last week, Barr announced that Geoffrey Berman will be resigning as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York to make way for the president's favored replacement. But Berman fired back, saying he has no intention of resigning. Trump then fired Berman, ending a standoff that fueled allegations that the administration is removing those it considers to be disloyal or a threat.
Zelinsky and three other prosecutors, Jonathan Kravis, Adam Jed and Michael Marando, withdrew from Stone's case in February after the Justice Department overruled them to recommend a lighter sentence for the longtime GOP operative. The move was met with backlash and accusations that Barr has turned the Justice Department into a political annex of the president.
Stone was convicted in November of seven crimes, including lying to Congress and obstructing the Russia investigation to protect Trump and his presidential campaign. The prosecutors, including Zelinsky, recommended a prison sentence of seven to nine years, saying Stone committed a "direct and brazen attack on the rule of law."
The Justice Department later backed away from that recommendation – an unusual move that comes after Trump's public criticism of the sentence and overrules the department's career prosecutors. A Justice Department official said at the time that the about-face was not influenced by Trump.
But Zelinsky said he was explicitly told by a supervisor that the push for a lighter sentence was political and had nothing to do with the crimes Stone had committed. He and the other prosecutors "were instructed" to go along because the case was "not a hill worth dying on" and they could lose their jobs, Zelinsky said.
Still, the prosecutors refused to recommend a shorter sentence, Zelinsky said. The morning after they filed their sentencing memorandum in court, the president called it a "miscarriage of justice." Zelinsky said he later learned from media reports that the Justice Department plans to override their recommendation.
"We repeatedly asked to see the new memorandum prior to its filing. Our request was denied. We were not informed about the content or substance of the proposed filing, or even who was writing it. We were told that one potential draft of the filing attacked us personally," Zelinsky said.
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ultimately sentenced Stone to a little over three years in prison.
"I take no satisfaction in publicly criticizing the actions of the Department of Justice, where I have spent most of my legal career. I have always been and remain proud to be an Assistant United States Attorney," said Zelinsky, now a prosecutor at the U.S. attorney's office in Maryland. "It pains me to describe these events. But as Judge Jackson said in this case, the truth still matters."
Contributing: Kevin Johnson


usatoday--2020-06-22--Toddler giggles with delight when he sees Navy dad

Toddler giggles with delight when he sees Navy dad This toddler was surprised at his California daycare with his Navy @ @ @ @ @ Brad Taylor was deployed for 7 months .

Toddler giggles with delight when he sees Navy dad
This toddler was surprised at his California daycare with his Navy dad's homecoming. Lt. Brad Taylor was deployed for 7 months.
Militarykind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-06-23--FDA is warning people of these 9 hand sanitizers with a potentially lethal ingredient

FDA is warning people of these 9 hand sanitizers with a potentially lethal ingredient The FDA is warning people not @ @ @ @ @ products due to the presence of a toxic and potentially deadly substance called methanol .

FDA is warning people of these 9 hand sanitizers with a potentially lethal ingredient
The FDA is warning people not to use certain hand sanitizer products due to the presence of a toxic and potentially deadly substance called methanol.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-06-23--Pair of rare leopard cubs romp at San Diego Zoo

A pair of rare Amur leopard cubs are now in their outdoor habitat at the recently-reopened San Diego Zoo .
@ @ @ @ @ April 26 and have not yet been named .
( June 22 )

Pair of rare leopard cubs romp at San Diego Zoo
A pair of rare Amur leopard cubs are now in their outdoor habitat at the recently-reopened San Diego Zoo. The two cubs were born April 26 and have not yet been named. (June 22)
AP


usatoday--2020-06-23--Fauci contradicts Trump COVID-19 claims: 'We're going to be doing more testing, not less'

Dr. Anthony Fauci told a House panel he 'd never been instructed to slow down coronavirus testing , despite recent @ @ @ @ @

Fauci contradicts Trump claims of slowing COVID-19 testing
Dr. Anthony Fauci told a House panel he'd never been instructed to slow down coronavirus testing, despite recent claims from President Trump.
USA TODAY