usatoday--2020-07-06--Trump to hold campaign rally in Portsmouth, N.H., as several states report jump in coronavirus cases

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is returning to the campaign trail amid a spike in coronavirus cases across the country .
Trump ’ s campaign announced Sunday it will hold a Make America Great Again rally Saturday in Portsmouth , N.H .
The outdoor event will be held at Portsmouth International Airport , the campaign said .
`` We look forward to so many freedom-loving patriots coming to the rally and celebrating America , the greatest country in the history of the world , ” campaign spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a statement .
There will be “ ample access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the announcement said , “ and all attendees will be provided a face mask that they are strongly encouraged to wear.
” Biden 's big lead : ‘ Grim resolve ’ : Biden is up big and the Senate is in sight , but Democrats still haunted by fear of letdown The event will be the campaign ’ s first official rally since June 20 , when Trump spoke to a half-empty arena in Tulsa , Okla .
Eight of his campaign staffers at that event tested positive for coronavirus , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the advance team for that rally also tested positive .
Herman Cain , a GOP candidate for president in 2012 , attended the Tulsa rally and was hospitalized last week for coronavirus .
A number of states have pulled back on their plans to reopen following a surge in coronavirus cases across the country .
Several states , including Texas , Florida , Tennessee and North Carolina , recorded daily records of new coronavirus cases over the past week .
New Hampshire Gov .
Chris Sununu lifted a 14-day quarantine mandate for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday but said that visitors from other states will still be asked to quarantine for two weeks .
For the past three weeks , the state ’ s positive test rate for coronavirus has remained below the 5 % threshold recommended by the World Health Organization .
Michael Collins covers the White House .
Reach him on Twitter @ mcollinsNEWS .
Another celebrity candidate ?
: Kanye West says he 's running for president .
There is no evidence of that yet .

Trump to hold campaign rally in Portsmouth, N.H., as several states report jump in coronavirus cases
Show Caption Hide Caption Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is returning to the campaign trail amid a spike in coronavirus cases across the country.
Trump’s campaign announced Sunday it will hold a Make America Great Again rally Saturday in Portsmouth, N.H. The outdoor event will be held at Portsmouth International Airport, the campaign said.
"We look forward to so many freedom-loving patriots coming to the rally and celebrating America, the greatest country in the history of the world,” campaign spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a statement.
There will be “ample access to hand sanitizer” at the event, the announcement said, “and all attendees will be provided a face mask that they are strongly encouraged to wear.”
Biden's big lead: ‘Grim resolve’: Biden is up big and the Senate is in sight, but Democrats still haunted by fear of letdown
The event will be the campaign’s first official rally since June 20, when Trump spoke to a half-empty arena in Tulsa, Okla. Eight of his campaign staffers at that event tested positive for coronavirus, and at least three Secret Service personnel working on the advance team for that rally also tested positive.
Herman Cain, a GOP candidate for president in 2012, attended the Tulsa rally and was hospitalized last week for coronavirus.
A number of states have pulled back on their plans to reopen following a surge in coronavirus cases across the country. Several states, including Texas, Florida, Tennessee and North Carolina, recorded daily records of new coronavirus cases over the past week.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu lifted a 14-day quarantine mandate for all visitors from New England states last Thursday but said that visitors from other states will still be asked to quarantine for two weeks.
For the past three weeks, the state’s positive test rate for coronavirus has remained below the 5% threshold recommended by the World Health Organization.
Michael Collins covers the White House. Reach him on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS.
Another celebrity candidate?: Kanye West says he's running for president. There is no evidence of that yet.


usatoday--2020-07-07--Dr. Anthony Fauci warns US is 'knee-deep' in first wave of coronavirus cases and prognosis is 'reall

Dr. Anthony Fauci warns US is 'knee-deep' in first wave of coronavirus cases and prognosis is 'really not good'

WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said Monday that the United States ' handle on the coronavirus outbreak is “ really not good ” and that action is needed to curb the spread .
In an interview via Facebook Live , the nation 's top infectious disease expert said , `` We are still knee-deep in the first wave of this .
And I would say , this would not be considered a wave .
It was a surge , or a resurgence of infections superimposed upon a baseline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have reached record highs , climbing to around 50,000 a day .
Nearly 3 million Americans have contracted the virus , with more than 130,000 deaths , according to data from John Hopkins University .
Fauci , speaking online with the National Institutes of Health , linked some of the surge in new cases to some cities and states who may have reopened too quickly .
“ A series of circumstances associated with various states and cities trying to open up in the sense of getting back to some form of normality has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have record-breaking cases , ” Fauci said in the chat with NIH Director Francis Collins .
Reopening America : At least 21 states pause reopening or take new steps to limit the spread of COVID-19 According to John Hopkins University , at least 32 states are reporting higher rates of new cases this week compared priors .
`` The European Union as an entity , it went up and then came down to baseline , '' Fauci continued .
`` Now they 're having little blips , as you might expect , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , never came down to baseline , and now it 's surging back up .
So it 's a serious situation that we have to address immediately . ''
Fauci 's characterization comes shortly after he warned Congress last week that new coronavirus infections could increase to 100,000 a day if the nation doesn ’ t get its surge of cases under control .
Despite the surge in cases , the White House coronavirus task force has all but halted public briefings , while President Donald Trump 's administration has offered conflicting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge to how individual people should respond .
Trump claimed during his Fourth of July remarks that 99 % of coronavirus cases are `` totally harmless . ''

Anthony Fauci warns US is 'knee-deep' in first wave of coronavirus cases and prognosis is 'really not good'
Show Caption Hide Caption Dr. Fauci: society's responsibility in conquering COVID-19 Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks to how personal responsibility and social distancing is the key to ending the spread of the coronavirus. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Monday that the U.S. handle on the coronavirus outbreak is “really not good” and that action is needed to curb the spread.
In an interview via Facebook Live, the nation's top infectious disease expert said, "We are still knee-deep in the first wave of this. And I would say, this would not be considered a wave. It was a surge, or a resurgence of infections superimposed upon a baseline."
New cases in the USA have reached record highs, climbing to about 50,000 a day. Nearly 3 million Americans have contracted the virus, and more than 130,000 have died, according to data from John Hopkins University.
Fauci, speaking online with the National Institutes of Health, linked the surge in part to cities and states that may have reopened too quickly.
“A series of circumstances associated with various states and cities trying to open up in the sense of getting back to some form of normality has led to a situation where we now have record-breaking cases,” Fauci said in the chat with NIH Director Francis Collins.
Reopening America: At least 21 states pause reopening or take new steps to limit the spread of COVID-19
According to John Hopkins University, at least 32 states report higher rates of new cases this week compared with prior periods.
"The European Union as an entity, it went up and then came down to baseline," Fauci said. "Now they're having little blips, as you might expect, as they try to reopen. We went up, never came down to baseline, and now it's surging back up. So it's a serious situation that we have to address immediately."
Fauci warned Congress last week that new coronavirus infections could increase to 100,000 a day if the nation doesn’t get its surge of cases under control.
The White House Coronavirus Task Force has all but halted public briefings, and President Donald Trump's administration has offered conflicting messaging on everything from the existence of the surge to how individuals should respond.
Trump claimed during his Fourth of July remarks that 99% of coronavirus cases are "totally harmless."


usatoday--2020-07-07--What to know about Tuesday's primaries in New Jersey and Delaware

WASHINGTON – A Democrat-turned-Republican faces a fight on both sides , a primary opponent from the progressive wing of the party is challenging a popular Democratic Senator and Delaware 's favorite son , Joe Biden , finally has his name on the ballot in his home state .
Here 's what you need to know about Tuesday 's primary elections : Van Drew , who switched parties , faces fights from both sides Several Democratic candidates are running to potentially face their one-time party mate and current incumbent , Rep. Jeff Van Drew , R-N.J , in November .
Van @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Jersey , was one of only two House Democrats to break ranks and vote against both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump in December 2019 .
He soon after switched his party affiliation to the GOP .
Trump later returned the favor , campaigning for Van Drew 's re-election bid at a rally in Wildwood , N.J. , earlier this year .
Three Democrats are running in the primary .
They are : • Amy Kennedy , a former schoolteacher who is married to former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy • Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cory Booker , D-N.J. , who served as chief investigator for the House Oversight Committee But Van Drew also faces an opponent from the right .
Conservative Bob Patterson , a former speechwriter in the George W. Bush administration , is hoping to knock Van Drew out of Congress .
The district is currently ranked by the Cook Political Report as `` Leans Republican '' inNovember 's general election .
It voted twice for Barack Obama before flipping to Trump in 2016 , meaning many are keeping a close-eye on these primaries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressive wing Sen. Cory Booker , D-N.J. , is facing a primary challenge against a little-known opponent , Lawrence Hamm .
Hamm is the founder and chairman of the People ’ s Organization for Progress , which works for social , racial , social , and economic justice .
Until mid-January , Booker was focused on running for the Democratic nomination for presidency .
He dropped out of the race after failing to gain national traction .
Booker is predicted to win easily on Tuesday .
However , in the age following Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley , several progressive candidates challenging establishment-backed Democrats have seen success .
Most recently , Rep. Eliot Engel , D-N.Y. , a 16-term incumbent and the House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair who received endorsements from establishment Democrats like Hillary Clinton , Nancy Pelosi , and Chuck Schumer , is trailing behind progressive candidate Jamaal Bowman after the state 's June 23rd primary .
House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney , D-N.Y. , holds a narrow lead over progressive challenger Suraj Patel .
The congresswoman defeated him with a much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And former fighter pilot Amy McGrath won the Democratic primary for U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell 's Senate seat in a slim victory over state Rep. Charles Booker , who mounted an unexpectedly competitive challenge to McGrath as an unapologetically progressive candidate .
McGrath emerged early as the front-runner in the race to win the Democratic Party 's nomination and run against McConnell this fall .
She also had been in the race longer , launching her campaign about six months earlier than Booker , and secured the support of the powerful Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US Senate primary : Amy McGrath squeaks out win over Charles Booker Hamm has pushed Booker for not being progressive enough , and recently has focused on police reform following recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the country .
Booker , one of three Black senators , has been passionately leading police reform conversations on Capitol Hill , and co-sponsored the Justice in Police Reform Act would ban chokeholds , limit “ qualified immunity ” for officers , and make lynching a federal crime among other changes .
More : Sen. Chuck Grassley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in 40 years , citing coronavirus But Hamm has slammed Booker from his time as Newark 's mayor , pointing out that the city 's police department still operates under a consent decree from 2016 requiring improvements to training and disciplinary practices .
This decree resulted from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice ’ s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney from New Jersey in 2011 , when Booker was mayor , that found evidence of improper stops , searches and seizures , as well as excessive use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was mayor of Newark , he was not for police reform , ” Hamm said .
“ He is talking now about police brutality , but when some of the worst police brutality cases in the state happened under his watch , he not only didn ’ t speak out about these issues , he in fact denied to me directly the existence of police brutality.
” Like several states that expanded the use of mail-in ballots amid the coronavirus pandemic , most voting has likely already happened in New Jersey .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not know the results of the elections until days after .
More : Concerned about voting by mail in NJ ?
Here 's your last-minute guide to 2020 primary elections New Jersey pushed back its primary from June 2 due to COVID-19 , and Gov .
Phil Murphy ordered the election to be conducted mostly by mail .
All vote-by-mail ballots postmarked on or before July 7 , and received by 8 p.m. July 14 , will be counted .
However , problems have plagued the state leading up to the primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme that led to four arrests .
'It 's a mess ' : Paterson voter fraud just a taste of mail-in ballot issues plaguing New Jersey New Jersey 's recent municipal elections in May were 100 % mail-in for the first time in history due to the COVID-19 pandemic , and proved to be a test case for the vote-by-mail process .
Those elections had greater turnout but saw delayed results , similar to what is happening in other important primary contests across the country .
For this election , just one polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which may also lead to longer lines .
Delaware will host a presidential primary on Tuesday , which the first time voters will see former vice president Biden 's name on a ballot as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president .
It will also be the first election in which all registered voters in the state will have a chance to vote from home .
More : What you need to know about voting in Delaware 's Tuesday presidential primary New rules for the election were established under the state of emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help voters who do n't want to risk contracting or spreading coronavirus at the polls .
Voters can still go to a limited number of polling places where they are expected to wear a mask and practice social distancing .
In the two prior presidential primary elections Biden ran in , he dropped out before Delaware voters could vote for him as the nominee .

What to know about Tuesday's primaries in New Jersey and Delaware
Show Caption Hide Caption Difference between caucus and primary, explained The 2020 election is nearing and with that, comes the caucuses and primary elections. But what’s the difference? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – A Democrat-turned-Republican faces a fight on both sides, a primary opponent from the progressive wing of the party is challenging a popular Democratic Senator and Delaware's favorite son, Joe Biden, finally has his name on the ballot in his home state.
Here's what you need to know about Tuesday's primary elections:
Van Drew, who switched parties, faces fights from both sides
Several Democratic candidates are running to potentially face their one-time party mate and current incumbent, Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J, in November.
Van Drew, a freshman congressman from southern New Jersey, was one of only two House Democrats to break ranks and vote against both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump in December 2019. He soon after switched his party affiliation to the GOP. Trump later returned the favor, campaigning for Van Drew's re-election bid at a rally in Wildwood, N.J., earlier this year.
More: Meet Jeff Van Drew, the party-switching lawmaker
Three Democrats are running in the primary. They are:
Brigid Callahan Harrison, a political-science professor at Montclair State University
Amy Kennedy, a former schoolteacher who is married to former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy
Will Cunningham, former congressional aide to Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., who served as chief investigator for the House Oversight Committee
But Van Drew also faces an opponent from the right. Conservative Bob Patterson, a former speechwriter in the George W. Bush administration, is hoping to knock Van Drew out of Congress.
The district is currently ranked by the Cook Political Report as "Leans Republican" in November's general election. It voted twice for Barack Obama before flipping to Trump in 2016, meaning many are keeping a close-eye on these primaries.
Booker challenged by a candidate from the progressive wing
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., is facing a primary challenge against a little-known opponent, Lawrence Hamm. Hamm is the founder and chairman of the People’s Organization for Progress, which works for social, racial, social, and economic justice.
Until mid-January, Booker was focused on running for the Democratic nomination for presidency. He dropped out of the race after failing to gain national traction.
Booker is predicted to win easily on Tuesday. However, in the age following Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's historic primary upset against 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley, several progressive candidates challenging establishment-backed Democrats have seen success.
More: Spencer Cox wins Republican primary in Utah governor's race
Most recently, Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., a 16-term incumbent and the House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair who received endorsements from establishment Democrats like Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer, is trailing behind progressive candidate Jamaal Bowman after the state's June 23rd primary.
House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., holds a narrow lead over progressive challenger Suraj Patel. The congresswoman defeated him with a much larger margin in a 2018 primary challenge.
And former fighter pilot Amy McGrath won the Democratic primary for U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell's Senate seat in a slim victory over state Rep. Charles Booker, who mounted an unexpectedly competitive challenge to McGrath as an unapologetically progressive candidate. McGrath emerged early as the front-runner in the race to win the Democratic Party's nomination and run against McConnell this fall. She also had been in the race longer, launching her campaign about six months earlier than Booker, and secured the support of the powerful Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Schumer.
Kentucky US Senate primary: Amy McGrath squeaks out win over Charles Booker
Hamm has pushed Booker for not being progressive enough, and recently has focused on police reform following recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the country.
Booker, one of three Black senators, has been passionately leading police reform conversations on Capitol Hill, and co-sponsored the Justice in Police Reform Act would ban chokeholds, limit “qualified immunity” for officers, and make lynching a federal crime among other changes.
More: Sen. Chuck Grassley will skip the RNC for the first time in 40 years, citing coronavirus
But Hamm has slammed Booker from his time as Newark's mayor, pointing out that the city's police department still operates under a consent decree from 2016 requiring improvements to training and disciplinary practices. This decree resulted from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney from New Jersey in 2011, when Booker was mayor, that found evidence of improper stops, searches and seizures, as well as excessive use of force by police.
“When he was mayor of Newark, he was not for police reform,” Hamm said. “He is talking now about police brutality, but when some of the worst police brutality cases in the state happened under his watch, he not only didn’t speak out about these issues, he in fact denied to me directly the existence of police brutality.”
New Jersey moves encourages mail-in voting amid coronavirus pandemic
Like several states that expanded the use of mail-in ballots amid the coronavirus pandemic, most voting has likely already happened in New Jersey. And similar to those other states, voters may not know the results of the elections until days after.
More: Concerned about voting by mail in NJ? Here's your last-minute guide to 2020 primary elections
New Jersey pushed back its primary from June 2 due to COVID-19, and Gov. Phil Murphy ordered the election to be conducted mostly by mail. All vote-by-mail ballots postmarked on or before July 7, and received by 8 p.m. July 14, will be counted.
However, problems have plagued the state leading up to the primary elections, including an alleged voter fraud scheme that led to four arrests.
'It's a mess': Paterson voter fraud just a taste of mail-in ballot issues plaguing New Jersey
New Jersey's recent municipal elections in May were 100% mail-in for the first time in history due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and proved to be a test case for the vote-by-mail process. Those elections had greater turnout but saw delayed results, similar to what is happening in other important primary contests across the country.
For this election, just one polling location in each town will be open, which may also lead to longer lines.
Delaware hosts its presidential primary election
Delaware will host a presidential primary on Tuesday, which the first time voters will see former vice president Biden's name on a ballot as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.
It will also be the first election in which all registered voters in the state will have a chance to vote from home.
More: What you need to know about voting in Delaware's Tuesday presidential primary
New rules for the election were established under the state of emergency order by Gov. John Carney to help voters who don't want to risk contracting or spreading coronavirus at the polls. Voters can still go to a limited number of polling places where they are expected to wear a mask and practice social distancing.
In the two prior presidential primary elections Biden ran in, he dropped out before Delaware voters could vote for him as the nominee.
Contributing: Ledyard King, USA TODAY; Sarah Gamard, Delaware News Journal; Carly Q. Romalino, Cherry Hill Courier-Post; Terrence T. McDonald, NorthJersey.com


usatoday--2020-07-07--Thousands of dead fish found floating in the Hudson River. Experts say they suffocated

WHITE PLAINS , N.Y. - If you 've spent time along or on the Hudson River in the last week , you may have witnessed a shocking — and smelly — phenomenon : Thousands of dead fish stretching along the water .
The fish are Atlantic menhaden , or `` bunkers , '' a coastal fish that uses the Hudson estuary as a nursery .
Riverkeeper reports that the fish have been seen on and along the Hudson River from New York Harbor to Haverstraw Bay .
According to the environmental organization that keeps watch on the Hudson , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dissolved oxygen .
`` We have to realize that all aquatic creatures require oxygen to breathe .
The amount of oxygen that is present in a water body is an indicator of a body of water 's health , '' said George Jackman , senior habitat restoration manager at Riverkeeper .
Hot , sunny days can cause the river to heat up , Jackman said .
The warmer water holds less oxygen .
Low or no oxygen — called hypoxia and anoxia , respectively — also are fed by large algal blooms that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The large-scale die-off , Jackman said , is a sign that the river is out of balance .
Study : Half of the world 's population exposed to increasing levels of air pollution Sewage is throwing off oxygen levels .
Natural cleansers , like the oyster beds that once filled the area around New York Harbor , are all but wiped out .
When millions of menhaden swim into the estuary and consume the limited oxygen , `` they will suffocate themselves , '' Jackman said .
`` This potentially hints at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` The river is very fragile .
...
The bunker are showing us that there 's a problem . ''
Bob Walters of Yonkers , who retired last year as director of the Yonkers Science Barge , has seen the phenomenon before .
`` This is an extraordinarily large die-off , '' Walters said .
`` It does n't happen every year , but it happens . ''
Walters has been on , near and around the Hudson his whole life .
`` I live 139 steps above the river , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm blessed . ''
Because the menhaden is a `` schooling fish '' that swim in large numbers , the die-off looks dramatic , Walters said .
But , Walters said , it 's not so easy to ascribe the die-off to a sign of a declining Hudson .
`` The river 's a complex system . ''
'More masks than jellyfish ' : Environmental groups worry about coronavirus waste in oceans Walters said that the die-off is concentrated on the menhaden .
`` If I looked out my back door and saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said , he would be more worried .
`` It 's still terrible , but it 's not the demise of the river . ''
Still , he said , it 's unpleasant — `` the smell of the dying fish is so bad '' — and alarming — `` it 's a sad thing . ''
A request for comment from the state Department of Environmental Conservation was not returned .
Menhaden are a key part of the ecosystem , Jackman said .
`` They are the favorite forage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is why we are seeing so many whales in the ( New York ) harbor . ''
The foot-long oily fish are also harvested for fish oil capsules .
But , Jackman said , the die-off also fulfills a role in the life cycle .
`` I was at Piermont the other day , '' he said , and saw birds `` enjoying the bonanza of a menhaden buffet .
It really does n't go to waste . ''

Nancy Cutler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News

Thousands of dead fish found floating in the Hudson River suffocated, experts say
Show Caption Hide Caption Environmental group warns of pollution from coronavirus PPE An environmental group in France has warned that masks and gloves are polluting the sea as discarded PPE used during the pandemic was found. Storyful
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – If you've spent time along or on the Hudson River in the past week, you may have witnessed a shocking – and smelly – phenomenon: thousands of dead fish stretching along the water.
The Atlantic menhaden, or "bunkers," a coastal fish, use the Hudson estuary as a nursery.
According to Riverkeeper, an environmental organization that watches the Hudson, the fish are succumbing to reduced levels of dissolved oxygen.
Basically, the fish are suffocating.
"We have to realize that all aquatic creatures require oxygen to breathe. The amount of oxygen that is present in a water body is an indicator of a body of water's health," said George Jackman, senior habitat restoration manager at Riverkeeper.
Hot, sunny days can cause the river to heat, Jackman said. The warmer water holds less oxygen. Low or no oxygen – called hypoxia and anoxia, respectively – are fed by large algal blooms from excess fertilizer and sewage runoff.
The large-scale die-off, Jackman said, is a sign that the river is out of balance.
Study: Half of the world's population exposed to increasing levels of air pollution
Sewage throws off oxygen levels. Natural cleansers, such as the oyster beds that once filled the area around New York Harbor, are all but wiped out.
When millions of menhaden swim into the estuary and consume the limited oxygen, "they will suffocate themselves," Jackman said.
"The river is very fragile. ... The bunker are showing us that there's a problem," he said.
Bob Walters, who retired last year as director of the Yonkers Science Barge, has seen the phenomenon before. "This is an extraordinarily large die-off," Walters said. "It doesn't happen every year, but it happens."
Walters has been on, near and around the Hudson his whole life.
"I live 139 steps above the river," the 72-year-old said. "I'm blessed."
Because the menhaden is a "schooling fish" that swims in large numbers, the die-off looks dramatic, Walters said.
Walters said it's not so easy to ascribe the die-off to a sign of a declining Hudson: "The river's a complex system."
'More masks than jellyfish': Environmental groups worry about coronavirus waste in oceans
Walters said the die-off is concentrated on the menhaden. "If I looked out my back door and saw perch, striped bass, sturgeon," he said, he would be more worried. "It's still terrible, but it's not the demise of the river."
Still, he said, it's unpleasant – "the smell of the dying fish is so bad" – and alarming. "It's a sad thing."
A request for comment from the state Department of Environmental Conservation was not returned.
Menhaden are a key part of the ecosystem, Jackman said. "They are the favorite forage of striped bass, even whales – that is why we are seeing so many whales in the (New York) harbor." The footlong fish are harvested for fish oil capsules.
Jackman said the die-off fulfills a role in the life cycle. "I was at Piermont the other day," he said, and saw birds "enjoying the bonanza of a menhaden buffet. It really doesn't go to waste."
Follow Nancy Cutler on Twitter at @nancyrockland.


usatoday--2020-07-06--3 dead, officer injured in Florida shooting over neighborhood dispute involving a 'dangerous' dog

PORT ST. LUCIE , Fla. — Three people , including the alleged shooter , are dead following a Monday incident that stemmed from a neighborhood dispute over a dog , according to Florida law enforcement officials .
.
One of the dead is a 13-year-old girl , said Port St. Lucie Police Department Assistant Chief Richard Del Toro .
A Port St. Lucie police officer was wounded after the suspect exchanged gunfire with an officer and a sheriff ’ s deputy .
“ When the call came out … the caller said there ’ s someone in our house and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mascara said , standing near the scene .
Del Toro said police received reports of people shot in a home .
Officers found an adult man dead , while a 13-year-old girl was critically injured .
She later died at a hospital .
The incident happened at about 12:30 p.m. A neighbor , Frank Didonna , 81 , said he heard gunshots , followed by the arrival of law enforcement vehicles .
“ All the sudden I heard about four or five shots , one after the other , boom , boom , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not release the names of the victims .
“ Our officers encountered the suspect inside the victim ’ s home , ” Del Toro said .
“ Our officers and a deputy , actually , who was working at the school across the street , responded to the scene immediately and exchanged gunfire with the suspect.
” Del Toro said the incident appeared to stem from a neighborhood dispute over a dog .
“ The dog was declared dangerous today in court , and he owned the dog and he went over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what happened , ’ ’ Del Toro said .
Del Toro said it wasn ’ t immediately clear whether the shooter took his own life .
The relationship between the 13-year-old girl and the deceased adult man also wasn ’ t immediately known .
Mascara said a sheriff ’ s deputy was performing a safety inspection at a nearby school , heard the call and ran across the street .
“ Our deputy continued to engage him and actually took one of the victims out of the home , ” Mascara said @

Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers

3 dead, officer injured in Florida shooting over neighborhood dispute involving a 'dangerous' dog
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Three people, including the alleged shooter, are dead following a Monday incident that stemmed from a neighborhood dispute over a dog, according to Florida law enforcement officials. .
One of the dead is a 13-year-old girl, said Port St. Lucie Police Department Assistant Chief Richard Del Toro. A Port St. Lucie police officer was wounded after the suspect exchanged gunfire with an officer and a sheriff’s deputy.
“When the call came out … the caller said there’s someone in our house and shooting my parents,” Sheriff Ken Mascara said, standing near the scene.
Del Toro said police received reports of people shot in a home. Officers found an adult man dead, while a 13-year-old girl was critically injured. She later died at a hospital. The incident happened at about 12:30 p.m.
A neighbor, Frank Didonna, 81, said he heard gunshots, followed by the arrival of law enforcement vehicles.
“All the sudden I heard about four or five shots, one after the other, boom, boom, boom,” Didonna said.
Officials did not release the names of the victims.
“Our officers encountered the suspect inside the victim’s home,” Del Toro said. “Our officers and a deputy, actually, who was working at the school across the street, responded to the scene immediately and exchanged gunfire with the suspect.”
Del Toro said the incident appeared to stem from a neighborhood dispute over a dog.
“The dog was declared dangerous today in court, and he owned the dog and he went over there to confront his neighbors and this is what happened,’’ Del Toro said.
Del Toro said it wasn’t immediately clear whether the shooter took his own life. The relationship between the 13-year-old girl and the deceased adult man also wasn’t immediately known.
Mascara said a sheriff’s deputy was performing a safety inspection at a nearby school, heard the call and ran across the street.
“Our deputy continued to engage him and actually took one of the victims out of the home,” Mascara said.
Contributing: Corey Arwood
Follow Will Greenlee on Twitter: @OffTheBeatTweet


usatoday--2020-07-07--How a Kansas City liquor store manager broke news of Patrick Mahomes' record-setting contract

How a Kansas City liquor store manager broke news of Patrick Mahomes' record-setting contract
Show Caption Hide Caption Patrick Mahomes' historic deal means great things for Dak Prescott, Deshaun Watson What I'm Hearing: USA TODAY Sports' Mike Jones details the historic numbers from Patrick Mahomes' massive new contract with the Chiefs and what it means for the quarterback market going forward. USA TODAY
When Katie Camlin arrived at work Monday afternoon in Kansas City, Missouri, her boss had news for her.
Some Chiefs employees, he told her, had come to their Plaza Liquor store in search of six bottles of Dom Perignon champagne. A big signing, it appeared, was on the way.
Camlin’s first thought: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was about to cash in.
“Off the cuff, I tweeted it because I’m a Chiefs fan and I was beyond excited,” Camlin told USA TODAY Sports by phone Monday evening. “It’s kind of fun to have a scoop.”
A Chiefs spokesperson declined to confirm a local champagne search to USA TODAY Sports.
Camlin didn’t leave her 1:21 p.m. ET tweet live for long. She became anxious, wondering if she’d broken any company policy at Plaza Liquor, where she was hired as a beer manager in late May after she was furloughed from her sampling job at Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing Company.
More Mahomes: Kansas City Chiefs QB agrees to historic 10-year contract extension
More NFL: League outlines initial COVID-19 protocol for training camps, preseason
She was “terrified I was going to be in trouble,” Camlin said. She worried: Would the Chiefs be upset?
“I didn’t want to lose their business,” she said by phone, as Plaza Liquor colleagues fielded more media requests off store phones through the evening. “I was afraid they’d be mad. So I deleted it. But of course, screenshots are forever.”
And less than two hours after Camlin’s short-lived tweet, ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke news that Mahomes and the Chiefs had agreed to terms on a 10-year extension beyond the two seasons remaining on the contract of the 24-year-old who’s already won MVP honors and brought Kansas City a Super Bowl.
When she saw the ESPN report, Camlin tweeted, "Holy (expletive) I beat Schefter hahaha."
Twitter users began tagging Camlin and requesting she be credited. Messages streamed in from family and friend—“all profane,” Camlin laughs. Customers, upon buying liquor, pointed at Camlin and exclaimed: “I saw your tweet!” Plaza Liquor’s owner, who had participated in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade, let Camlin and colleagues know their owner loved it.
Camlin sighed with relief and returned to beer orders and deliveries as the Chiefs released a socially distant picture of their quarterback and Kansas City general manager Brett Veach. Mahomes’ agency, Steinberg Sports, announced that the contract is worth $477 million in guarantee mechanisms with a maximum value of $503 million.
I’m putting my phone away for a while 🤣 Come to Plaza Liquor and buy beer from me, wear a mask, be kind, Go CHIEFS ❤ — Katie Camlin (@katie_cammm) July 6, 2020
But one order of business remained before Camlin felt fully comfortable celebrating her hometown locking up its MVP quarterback for the next decade.
Was the Chiefs employee tasked with amassing champagne in trouble? Camlin spoke with him by phone before her 10-hour work shift came to a close.
“I wanted to make sure he was okay,” she said. “We just wanted to clear that he didn’t spill any beans.
“It was just me guessing!”
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Jori Epstein on Twitter @JoriEpstein


usatoday--2020-07-07--NBA increasing mental health resources for players during season restart

Once the NBA resumes its season in a controlled environment , players will have more to worry about than winning .
They will have varying concerns about how the resumed season could affect their mental health .
Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward will be away from his pregnant wife , Robyn , and children until she is due to give birth sometime in September .
`` It ’ s definitely a stressful time for us , '' said Hayward , whose wife and children are moving to Indianapolis to be near family while he is with the Celtics as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the ESPN Disney Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando .
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal said players are concerned about being isolated on a campus where their leaving is discouraged .
If a person on campus leaves , the person is subject to more testing and additional quarantine time .
`` We can ’ t just leave , '' Beal said .
`` We can ’ t just order whatever food we want .
We can ’ t just do activities which we want to do .
We can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There ’ s a lot of ( expletive ) we can ’ t do .
It ’ s tough .
I get it from a mental wellness standpoint . ''
TAKING RISK : Why players , coaches are willing to resume season There is the COVID-19 pandemic worry but also a mental health and wellness aspect to life inside the bubble-like environment that is concerning .
It will be addressed .
`` There ’ s no doubt there ’ s tremendous sacrifice that everyone is making who ’ s going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restart the league , and so we ’ re going to have to keep a close eye on these issues , '' NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said .
This provides direct services to players , staff , referees and others , and the mental health professional will also serve as a general resource for sharing information and fielding questions , and will be the point person in case of a mental health emergency .
Each team was required prior to the start of this season to have a mental health clinician , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via tele-health if that person isn ’ t on campus .
The NBA will also make additional phone and video consults available .
Self-care will be encouraged through several activities , including `` yoga , meditation , recreational rooms with video games , cards , ping pong ... as well as team excursions including bowling , boating , fishing and golf . ''
The NBA acknowledged the uncertainty and unrest `` with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and following the tragic killings of unarmed Black Americans and will continue to address these traumatic experiences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing safe spaces to process these experiences , especially while individuals are physically distanced from their respective communities , while also discussing ways to be part of the collective solution . ''
The NBA Campus app will provide mental health resource tools , including access to an on-site clinician 24/7 .
`` Mental health is the biggest thing that a lot of us players think of first , right , because although a lot of us always look like we ’ re all together or that we ’ re fine , which most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always the case , especially coming out of quarantine and a lot of us being in situations that we ’ ve never been in before , and now we ’ re going into an even tougher situation , '' Oklahoma City Thunder guard and National Basketball Players Association president Chris Paul said .
Mental health has received significant attention in recent seasons , and the league believes these are necessary additions , and in some cases continuations of programs already established through the NBA ’ s Mind Health program .
Players and staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they check in to the campus .
Also , NBPA player wellness counselor Keyon Dooling will be onsite and available to players for part of the restart , and NBPA director of mental health and wellness Dr. William Parham will be available for off-site services .
LAKERS VS. CLIPPERS : Who is better prepared to resume season ?
HIGH HOPES : Davis says Lakers ' title chances better after shutdown LOOK OUT : How Zion maximized his conditioning during quarantine The WNBA will provide `` comparable mental health resources to players , coaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on-site clinical services through a mental health professional , a dedicated off-site mental health professional , as well as campus wellness resources and critical conversations '' for its restart at the IMG Academy in Bradenton , Florida .
Hundreds of NBA players and staffers will be away from family , isolated for possibly three months .
While understanding the hardships of others , this remains a difficult request under less than ideal conditions .
`` We ’ re all humans .
We ’ re all part of families , '' Los Angles Lakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` I can ’ t say it doesn ’ t impact all of us .
Have I had nights at dinner where I ’ ll look over and my 10-year-old daughter has tears in her eyes and I ask her why and she says , 'It ’ s because daddy could be gone for 3½ months ' ?
Yes , that stuff is part of this . ''
Jenna Rosen is a professor of psychiatry at Tulane University and the New Orleans Pelicans ’ director of mental health and wellness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the league ’ s shutdown , meeting with players as a group and individually .
Rosen , who also works with the Tulane Institute of Sports Medicine focusing on emotional wellness , will conduct similar sessions with players on campus .
Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin understands the mental undertaking and appreciates Rosen 's work .
`` We ’ re going to make that a focus of what we do , '' Griffin said .
`` It ’ s going to be a built-in part of our practice time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the bubble , we will have mental preparedness .
We will work through mindfulness training with Jenna literally every day , because it ’ s paramount to our success there .
`` Again , when I said this is going to be about who wants to be there more , it ’ s going to be about who can keep themselves in the best frame of mind quite frankly , to stay on task , not think about the enormity of what ’ s going on .
We ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and energy on that side of things . ''
The Lakers , who are favored to win the Western Conference , could be inside the controlled environment for three months .
`` It is going to be as much as a physical grind as its going to be a mental grind , '' Pelinka said .
`` And I think the mental component might even be more paramount , and so yes , we ’ ve been working with mental wellness people on staff here and we ’ ve been working with them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the concerns that are going to come up from an extended time away from family or an extended time living in a city that ’ s not your home . ''

NBA increasing mental health resources for players during season restart
Show Caption Hide Caption Why we need to pay attention to the mental health of athletes as they return to play SportsPulse: Sports mental health expert Eric Kussin lists the reason why we need to keep a close eye on athletes as they return to action because there's more at play than just their physical well being. USA TODAY
Once the NBA resumes its season in a controlled environment, players will have more to worry about than winning. They will have varying concerns about how the resumed season could affect their mental health.
Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward will be away from his pregnant wife, Robyn, and children until she is due to give birth sometime in September.
"It’s definitely a stressful time for us," said Hayward, whose wife and children are moving to Indianapolis to be near family while he is with the Celtics as part of the NBA’s 2019-20 restart at the ESPN Disney Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando.
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal said players are concerned about being isolated on a campus where their leaving is discouraged. If a person on campus leaves, the person is subject to more testing and additional quarantine time.
"We can’t just leave," Beal said. "We can’t just order whatever food we want. We can’t just do activities which we want to do. We can’t go to our teammate’s room. There’s a lot of (expletive) we can’t do. It’s tough. I get it from a mental wellness standpoint."
FULL SCHEDULE: All 88 seeding games to finish regular season
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TAKING RISK: Why players, coaches are willing to resume season
There is the COVID-19 pandemic worry but also a mental health and wellness aspect to life inside the bubble-like environment that is concerning. It will be addressed.
"There’s no doubt there’s tremendous sacrifice that everyone is making who’s going to be part of this campus in order to restart the league, and so we’re going to have to keep a close eye on these issues," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.
Taking a proactive approach, the NBA established various mental health resources.
On-site clinical services
This provides direct services to players, staff, referees and others, and the mental health professional will also serve as a general resource for sharing information and fielding questions, and will be the point person in case of a mental health emergency.
Off-site clinical services
Each team was required prior to the start of this season to have a mental health clinician, and existing and additional services will be provided via tele-health if that person isn’t on campus. The NBA will also make additional phone and video consults available.
Wellness resources
Self-care will be encouraged through several activities, including "yoga, meditation, recreational rooms with video games, cards, ping pong ... as well as team excursions including bowling, boating, fishing and golf."
Addressing issues through advocacy and conversations
The NBA acknowledged the uncertainty and unrest "with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and following the tragic killings of unarmed Black Americans and will continue to address these traumatic experiences and their impacts on mental health by providing safe spaces to process these experiences, especially while individuals are physically distanced from their respective communities, while also discussing ways to be part of the collective solution."
Smartphone app
The NBA Campus app will provide mental health resource tools, including access to an on-site clinician 24/7.
"Mental health is the biggest thing that a lot of us players think of first, right, because although a lot of us always look like we’re all together or that we’re fine, which most people do. That’s not always the case, especially coming out of quarantine and a lot of us being in situations that we’ve never been in before, and now we’re going into an even tougher situation," Oklahoma City Thunder guard and National Basketball Players Association president Chris Paul said.
Mental health has received significant attention in recent seasons, and the league believes these are necessary additions, and in some cases continuations of programs already established through the NBA’s Mind Health program. Players and staff will be updated on these services when they check in to the campus.
Also, NBPA player wellness counselor Keyon Dooling will be onsite and available to players for part of the restart, and NBPA director of mental health and wellness Dr. William Parham will be available for off-site services.
LAKERS VS. CLIPPERS: Who is better prepared to resume season?
HIGH HOPES: Davis says Lakers' title chances better after shutdown
LOOK OUT: How Zion maximized his conditioning during quarantine
The WNBA will provide "comparable mental health resources to players, coaches, staff and referees onsite, including on-site clinical services through a mental health professional, a dedicated off-site mental health professional, as well as campus wellness resources and critical conversations" for its restart at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
Hundreds of NBA players and staffers will be away from family, isolated for possibly three months. While understanding the hardships of others, this remains a difficult request under less than ideal conditions.
"We’re all humans. We’re all part of families," Los Angles Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said. "I can’t say it doesn’t impact all of us. Have I had nights at dinner where I’ll look over and my 10-year-old daughter has tears in her eyes and I ask her why and she says, 'It’s because daddy could be gone for 3½ months'? Yes, that stuff is part of this."
Jenna Rosen is a professor of psychiatry at Tulane University and the New Orleans Pelicans’ director of mental health and wellness. She has played a significant role during the league’s shutdown, meeting with players as a group and individually. Rosen, who also works with the Tulane Institute of Sports Medicine focusing on emotional wellness, will conduct similar sessions with players on campus.
Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin understands the mental undertaking and appreciates Rosen's work.
"We’re going to make that a focus of what we do," Griffin said. "It’s going to be a built-in part of our practice time. Literally every day that we practice in the bubble, we will have mental preparedness. We will work through mindfulness training with Jenna literally every day, because it’s paramount to our success there.
"Again, when I said this is going to be about who wants to be there more, it’s going to be about who can keep themselves in the best frame of mind quite frankly, to stay on task, not think about the enormity of what’s going on. We’re going to invest a great deal of our time and energy on that side of things."
The Lakers, who are favored to win the Western Conference, could be inside the controlled environment for three months.
"It is going to be as much as a physical grind as its going to be a mental grind," Pelinka said. "And I think the mental component might even be more paramount, and so yes, we’ve been working with mental wellness people on staff here and we’ve been working with them on developing a protocol to address some of the concerns that are going to come up from an extended time away from family or an extended time living in a city that’s not your home."
Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.


usatoday--2020-07-06--Is it safe for Disney World to reopen this weekend as coronavirus cases soar in Florida?

Is it safe for Disney World to reopen Saturday as coronavirus cases soar in Florida?
Show Caption Hide Caption Disney World reopens with new safety measures amid COVID concerns As Walt Disney World reopens, here are some new health and safety measures you may see. USA TODAY
As Walt Disney World prepares to reopen Saturday, Florida has recorded the largest weekly increase in coronavirus cases in the country.
In the past seven days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state has added nearly 67,000 cases. There are more than 206,000 cases statewide, according to the Florida Department of Health, making the Sunshine State a coronavirus hot spot.
Orlando, about 30 minutes northeast of Disney World, has the second-highest number of coronavirus cases in Florida behind Miami. Monday, Miami began rolling back its reopening. Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez halted dine-in services at restaurants and closed gyms, party venues and short-term rentals.
Disney delayed its July 17 reopening of Disneyland in California, in part because that state, too, has seen a surge in coronavirus cases.
Not so fast, Mickey: Disneyland delays reopening of California theme parks, hotels past July 17
For Disney World, the reopening remains on schedule for this weekend.
"I have no doubt it’s going to be a safe environment," Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday at a news conference.
Masks are mandatory at all parks now, except when eating, as are temperature checks. Hand-sanitizing stations are sprinkled throughout the park. Signage stressing safety, social distancing and mandatory mask-wearing are everywhere from walls to trashcans and on tables. The parks will also be limiting crowd capacity, though no specifics are yet available.
In many cases, park employees (cast members in Disney parlance) many cases will wear protective face shields, while all will wear masks and enforce the social-distancing requirements.
Walt Disney World reopens to first guests since COVID-19 closure Annual passholders were treated to a special preview of the Magic Kingdom's reopening. Walt Disney World has been closed for nearly four months. USA TODAY, FLORIDA TODAY
Sneak peek: Passholders find signs of COVID-19 times as Disney World welcomes them 'home' for special preview
The union that represents hundreds of stage actors who work at Disney World isn't as confident.
"I can’t imagine that anyone thinks it’s wise to reopen a theme park this week," Kate Shindle, president of the Actors Equity Association, told USA TODAY.
Joseph Khabbaza, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, said the park should be safe for visitors if people keep their distance from others, wash their hands and use hand sanitizer, don't touch their faces often and wear a face mask.
That, he said, would depend on compliance and enforcement.
"The spreading is really occurring where people are standing shoulder to shoulder," Khabbaza said. "Things can be enforced on a resort."
He said Florida's coronavirus surge has been driven by younger people who crowded restaurants, bars and beaches as the state reopened (it has since banned alcohol consumption in bars again).
"Disney, I think, is in a very different position," he said – its house, its rules.
A Disney spokesman didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Disney World announced in late May that it would reopen its Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11, followed by Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios on July 15.
The jump in coronavirus cases came in the weeks since Disney made its announcement.
Disney World is also hosting the National Basketball Association and Major League Soccer as the sports leagues try to get their seasons back on track.
NBA sets up camp at Disney World: Players will be able to experience perks like Expedition Everest, golf courses and boating trips
Last week, the NBA said 25 of its players and 10 of its employees tested positive for the coronavirus. Several MLS players tested positive.
Carlos Vela of the Los Angeles Football Club announced on Twitter Monday that he would not travel to Orlando for any games.
"It is in the best interest of the health of my family to stay home and be with my wife during what is a risky pregnancy," Vela tweeted. "I will miss being with my teammates and coaches, but I will be cheering and supporting LAFC from a distance."
Disney is taking precautions at the park, requiring temperature checks and face masks for visitors over the age of 2 and employees. A squad of cast members will enforce social distancing and the mask requirement. Disney canceled fireworks, parades, meet-and-greets and other activities that would encourage large gatherings. The park will operate below capacity, though Disney has not provided specific numbers or percentages. (When the company reopened its first park in Shanghai, China, in May, CEO Bob Chapek said it would limit visitors to less than 30% of capacity, or 24,000.)
The Actors Equity Association wants Disney to test the stage actors it represents.
"We are still advocating aggressively for our members to have testing as a part of their return to work," Shindle said.
Shindle cited the death of Broadway actor Nick Cordero on Sunday as an example of the devastating impact of the virus. Cordero, 41, had been hospitalized since March, had one leg amputated because of blood clots and battled infection in both lungs.
More on Nick Cordero: Broadway star dies at 41 after coronavirus struggle highlighted by wife Amanda Kloots
Coronavirus can leave survivors with permanent lung damage.
"This is not a disease to be taken lightly," Shindle said. "It can have a long-term effect on making your living as a performer, even if you are lucky enough to survive."
Khabbaza, who treats coronavirus patients, said anyone on Disney property, whether actors, athletes or visitors, should be fine as long as they follow the guidelines and Disney enforces them.
"All it takes is one Disney-centered outbreak or cluster to start before they have to shut down," he warned.


usatoday--2020-07-07--Officers investigating alleged racist assault near Indiana lake after video circulates on Facebook

Officers investigating alleged racist assault near Indiana lake after video circulates on Facebook
Show Caption Hide Caption Law enforcement investigating alleged racist assault caught on video A Black man says five white men attacked him while yelling racial slurs. Indianapolis Star
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an altercation partially captured on video Saturday at Lake Monroe that Vauhxx Booker, who is Black, says involved white men yelling to "get a noose."
Some of the incident was captured on video that Booker, a member of the Monroe County Human Rights Commission, posted on Facebook. The post has been shared more than 200,000 times.
"We need to immediately concentrate on bringing these individuals to justice to send a message in our community that hate will not be tolerated," Booker, 36, said in a phone interview with IndyStar of the USA TODAY Network.
Law enforcement officers with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources responded to the reported assault Saturday night, Capt. Jet Quillen said in an email to IndyStar. They provided no other details on what they found at the scene or possible arrests.
No one has been arrested yet, Booker's attorney said Monday.
Booker criticized the conservation officers in a Tuesday video call with IndyStar.
"They left a clear and present danger loose in our community," Booker said Tuesday. "I don't have a doubt that if it would have been five black men who had attacked a white man, they would have been in jail that night."
The Monroe County Prosecutor's Office did not immediately respond to IndyStar's request for comment. Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton and Clerk Nicole Bolden expressed "outrage and grief" over the incident in a Facebook post.
Hundreds gathered on the Monroe County Courthouse square Monday evening demanding justice in the incident.
Bloomington resident and one of the event organizers Patrick Ford said the event is not being led by one particular activist group but rather is a groundswell of local residents who see a need to speak out.
'You invaded us'
Booker said he and some friends were at Lake Monroe, just south of Bloomington, to watch the lunar eclipse when a group of white men approached claiming they were trespassing on private property. One of the men was wearing a hat with a Confederate flag, according to Booker.
Booker said he apologized. When he and some of his friends later went to talk with the group in an attempt to "smooth things over," he said five white men attacked him.
Booker posted a series of what appear to be cellphone videos of the incident. The videos contain strong language and gestures.
One clip shows a white man in a red shirt pinning or holding Booker against a tree. Someone off camera can be heard shouting "let him go," while the man holding the other man turns to the camera and tells them to leave. Other men and a woman, all white, are near the man at the tree and are shouting. At one point, a shirtless man tries to knock the camera out of the hand of the person shooting video.
Another video shows the same shirtless man calling a man off-camera a "nappy headed (expletive)." The man off camera replies "What do you really want to call me?" and the shirtless man repeats the phrase.
The shirtless man in another video clip yells "You invaded us" and calls another man a "stupid (expletive) liberal (expletive)."
During the scuffle, Booker said someone yelled "get a noose," and someone else threatened to break his arms. The Confederate flag, noose and arm breaking comments were not seen or heard in the posted videos, but Booker said several witnesses were present.
Booker said he suffered a minor concussion, cuts, bruises and had some of his hair pulled out.
"I shudder to think that if those other folks hadn't been there that we would be planning a memorial service," said Katharine Liell, an attorney for Booker.
Liell said she is confident that the attackers will be arrested.
"I truly believe that Vauhxx would have been killed by those animals if people weren't there," Liell said. "I believe those people had lynching on their minds."
A final report will be forwarded to the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office, according to Quillen with the DNR.
IndyStar has requested public documents and reports on the incident.
Follow IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert on Twitter: @VicRyc.
Breonna Taylor's lawyers link her shooting death to Louisville gentrification plan: Claim 'outrageous' execution of search warrant
'The worst': Illegal Fourth of July fireworks ignite at least 100 fires in California


usatoday--2020-07-07--Breonna Taylor's mother endures national spotlight to make sure Black women's lives matter

To God .
To her daughter Breonna .
`` Tell me if I need to give this up , '' she asks .
`` Tell me if I need to walk away . ''
But every day she wakes up to the same answer .
`` It was something telling me , somehow she made me feel that , 'Not today .
You do n't give up , not today . '
'' Tamika is the mother of Breonna Taylor , the 26-year-old Black woman fatally shot by Louisville Metro Police in her apartment on March 13 .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name has become a national rallying cry : for justice for Black women , for racial equality , for police reform .
She has been a trending topic on social media and a cause célèbre for A-listers such as Beyoncé , Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres .
Louisvillians have taken to the streets in protest over her death every night for more than a month , and legislation has been named in her honor .
And Tamika has become the reluctant public face of a movement .
She is baring her private grief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's legacy .
Since the Black Lives Matter movement came to the forefront nearly seven years ago , some activists have said the conversation has left out Black women — Sandra Bland , Atatiana Jefferson , Pamela Turner , Natasha McKenna and Aiyana Stanley-Jones — while Black men 's names stay in the headlines .
Timeline:30 days of protests , change and turmoil that rocked Louisville Ben Crump , a Florida-based attorney who has worked on dozens of police violence cases , believes what happened to Breonna will change that .
He believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way Trayvon Martin did for sparking Black Lives Matter , and the way Emmett Till 's death shone a light on the horrors of lynching , galvanizing the civil rights movement .
The reason these names endure , the attorney said , is because of their relentless mothers .
`` That is what I see in Tamika Palmer , '' Crump , who is involved in Breonna 's case , said .
`` She is so dignified and graceful in her advocacy for her daughter , Breonna Taylor , not to be marginalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added : `` There has been an awakening now , that Black women 's lives matter , too , and I think that 's all because of Tamika Palmer . ''
Being in the public spotlight does n't come easy for Tamika , who describes herself as an intensely private person .
When she 's not at her full-time job as a dialysis technician , she 'd prefer to be at home .
But that 's not her life now .
Not since that one terrible night .
'Not a moment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests not stopping in face of tragedy March 13 : 'To us , she was everything' It was long after midnight when Tamika got the call .
She was already in bed .
It was Kenny Walker , Breonna 's boyfriend .
He was frantic .
He thought someone had shot Breonna , he told her .
He was n't sure .
He could n't see her from where he was .
He screamed her name but got no answer .
Tamika dropped her phone , and the call disconnected .
She threw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Breonna 's apartment .
She called Kenny .
She called Breonna .
Neither one would answer .
Breonna 's street was lined with police cars .
Tamika tried to tell an officer who she was and why she was there .
But the officer told her an ambulance had already taken a young woman who was hurt to the hospital .
Tamika went to the hospital and waited for hours .
She was told Breonna was n't there .
A woman told her there was no record of Breonna even being on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breonna 's apartment on Springfield Drive .
She waited hours more until a detective asked her if Breonna had any enemies .
Or , whether she and Kenny had been having problems .
Portraits of a protest : Here are some of the people marching in Taylor 's name Finally , 10 hours after police shot Breonna , a detective indirectly told Tamika the truth .
Her daughter was still inside the apartment .
She knew what that meant .
In the days and weeks that followed , Tamika felt not just the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she carried the loneliness of feeling like she was the only one fighting for answers .
She did n't understand why officers would have a search warrant for a narcotics investigation at Breonna 's home .
Kenny was arrested and booked for the attempted murder of a police officer .
In the news coverage that followed , Breonna was called a suspect .
And then the stories stopped .
The spread of the coronavirus pandemic began to shut down the state .
To Tamika , it felt like only she and her family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Like she did n't matter , you know ? ''
Tamika said .
`` And to us , she was everything .
This horrible thing happened to her , and … to feel like nobody cared , not even the people who did this to her .
As if it was just another day . ''
Nationally : Influencers use Taylor memes to demand arrest of Louisville police May 28 : ' I almost did n't believe it' After police killed Breonna , Tamika felt she was losing her mind .
`` To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to not see her , to not be able to talk to Kenny , to understand what happened , '' she said .
In mid-May , on the heels of the national outpouring over white men killing Ahmaud Arbery , a Black jogger in Georgia , Breonna 's name began to gain recognition .
That 's when Crump joined Tamika 's civil suit against the Louisville officers who shot Breonna .
Activists and celebrities told Breonna 's story to their millions of followers .
Petitions gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures demanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove be charged in her death .
Then , George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police on Memorial Day .
His death , caused by an officer kneeling on his neck , was caught on video for the world to see .
In cities across the nation , Americans took to the streets , including Louisville .
Sam Aguiar , one of Tamika 's attorneys , had received a copy of Kenny 's 911 call from the immediate aftermath of the shooting .
He released it to the news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were played over and over on social media .
`` Somebody kicked in the door and shot my girlfriend , '' he yelled to a dispatcher .
Aguiar called it `` one of the most difficult things '' he 's ever heard .
Hours after its release , hundreds of protesters flooded downtown .
They blocked traffic and chanted .
`` No justice ! ''
they yelled .
`` No peace ! ''
One sign asked : `` Who do you call when police murder ? ''
Tamika was at work while her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I almost did n't believe it , '' she said .
For Tamika , it was the first time the community realized that maybe what the police had said — that Breonna was a suspect , that Kenny had tried to kill an officer — was n't true .
`` Once people started to learn , '' she said , `` it just turned into this big thing . ''
She added : `` Everybody woke up . ''
Tamika knew about the Black Lives Matter movement and was familiar with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but she never followed it too closely .
Until she had to .
Tamika found herself in the unwitting club of Black mothers who 've lost children to police and racial violence .
Many of them have rallied around her , offering support , breathing exercises and recommendations on relaxing teas to drink .
`` Do n't get me wrong , I 've got so many family and friends around me , '' she said , `` but a lot of them do n't know how it feels to be me right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mothers reach out to me is just amazing .
`` You 're meeting these people who you can tell exactly how you feel . ''
See also : Maryland ground mural of Breonna Taylor will be visible from space June 5 : 'Look at the world change' What happens next blurs for Tamika .
All these new things she had to juggle — news interviews , public appearances , meetings with attorneys and elected leaders while still working two jobs — have run together in her memory .
But on June 5 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birthday , Tamika had a moment of clarity .
More than a thousand people gathered downtown under the sweltering June sun to celebrate her daughter 's life .
They wrote her cards and sang `` Happy Birthday . ''
Some brought flowers and balloons for the young woman they 'd never met .
`` You should be here , '' one message on a banner read .
`` You sparked such a powerful movement .
Let 's create a new world for you . ''
Looking out at the crowd in Jefferson Square @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Simone 's `` To Be Young , Gifted and Black '' played as Tamika raised her right fist in the air .
`` There are times when I look back , '' And I am haunted by my youth '' In a semicircle around her , there were hoisted fists and signs as far as she could see .
Dozens of cameras locked on her face as she gazed skyward .
`` I remember thinking , ' I can take a breath , ' '' she said .
`` I remember standing up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world change . '
'' She did n't just see it ; she felt it .
Breonna did that .
Catch up : What to know about the investigations into the shooting of Breonna Taylor June 25 : ' I got ta do it another day' Tamika 's phone buzzed with text messages until 1 in the morning , and the calls started up again by 7 .
Her Pleasure Ridge Park home was buzzing with relatives well before 9 .
There was a rally in Frankfort for Breonna that day , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family and friends , trying to get them all to the Capitol on time .
She decided when and where their caravan of cars would meet , and who would ride in which car .
Once on the highway , Tamika put her phone on silent , its constant notifications wearing on her nerves .
During the hourlong drive to Frankfort , Tamika talked about her daughter — not the wrenching way that she died , but who she was in life , the way only a mother knows .
Breonna loved any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with hot sauce or taco salads with some kick .
She was always the one who organized family cookouts and game nights .
Breonna , Tamika said , was a diva .
She 'd been planning a beach trip with friends , and each day Tamika 's email lit up with alerts that Breonna had been on Amazon again ordering new clothes .
`` 'Breonna , did n't you buy new outfits for the last one ? '
'' Tamika would ask .
`` 'Yeah , but I ca n't ( wear them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` ' I took pictures in those . '
'' Tamika said Kenny planned to propose to Breonna , that he finally felt ready for marriage .
He was going to use his mother 's ring .
`` Kenny will forever be family , '' she said .
Before the rally , Tamika gathered with organizers at a church a few blocks away .
She was n't sure of the day 's game plan but went where she was asked for the cause .
The fellowship hall was packed for a catered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day 's first chants of `` Say her name ! ''
Tamika found a windowsill in the corner and sat down .
She was n't overwhelmed .
She just did n't want to be in the middle of it all .
'Revolution is not optional ' : Protesters share their message in their own words She found the time to grab a breakfast sandwich and was trying to make her way outside when one of the organizers stopped her .
Jada Pinkett Smith walked in alongside her children , Jaden and Willow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hugged and took photos , and when it calmed down , Tamika sneaked outside .
She talked about how good Pinkett Smith looked up close , and that MC Lyte was serious about keeping her mask on .
Tamika was n't starstruck ; she 's too numb for that .
But she is proud to see famous people take the time to demand justice for Breonna .
Then she realized : She never got to finish breakfast .
Someone had grabbed her sandwich in the middle of all the excitement , and now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` As ready as I 'll be . ''
But when the car rounded the corner by the Capitol , the crowd left her awestruck .
She did n't know so many people would be there .
She had n't known that Pinkett Smith would be in Frankfort or that the hip-hop artist Common would take the stage to read an original poem about Breonna .
She gave her most impassioned remarks yet — even though she 'd hoped not to speak at all .
Behind the lectern , Tamika smiled , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the crowd she loved them , that they looked good , that without them , she 'd still be at home crying .
`` We 're not done until they know that her life mattered , '' she said .
`` We not done .
We goin ' get justice .
We got a long haul . ''
`` But I ai n't goin ' hold y'all , '' she said .
`` It 's hot .
I 'm tired . ''
When she could , Tamika slipped away from center stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capitol .
She hoped to beat the traffic by leaving before the rally ended , but instead got held up with interviews for so long that the crowd had already dissipated by the time she could leave .
FBI : Breonna Taylor case is the 'top priority ' in the Louisville office Aguiar said the Frankfort rally was the first time the world heard Tamika 's true voice , in its most raw , genuine state .
`` Until that day , there was still some apprehension , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She 's just a normal human being .
She 's not used to talking on TV . ''
The rally gave Tamika that same kind of renewed feeling she had on Breonna 's birthday .
`` I always start off thinking how I do n't want to do it , '' she said , `` but these are the moments that make me say , ' I got ta do it another day . '
'' In the beginning , Tamika could n't wait for her ordeal to be over so she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even it if was one without Breonna .
Now , she does n't see that as an option .
`` This is my new norm , '' she said .
`` I do n't know that I could walk away now .
I 'm still trying to figure it out and learn how to deal with it , but I 'm definitely here for the duration of it .
`` Because I would hate for this to ever happen to anyone else . ''
The hundreds of people who had filled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left and the celebrities were long gone .
Crews had begun taking down the audio equipment , and the parking lot was nearly empty .
She climbed into the backseat of the black Dodge Charger — the one that Breonna had worked two jobs to buy in January — and laughed .
`` I just need a nap ! ''
she said .
After a quick stop at a drive-thru and getting on the highway headed west toward home , Tamika tucked her purse between her shoulder and the car door and settled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop-and-go traffic of the evening commute on the outskirts of Louisville , a new song came on the radio .
Tamika 's breathing was steady and even , her eyes covered by her # BreonnaTaylor face mask .
`` I seen what I seen , '' I guess that mean hold him down if he say he ca n't breathe '' It 's too many mothers that 's grieving '' They killing us for no reason . ''
The next day , she 'd be at work at 4 a.m. for the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened to Breonna is a tragedy .
But in a way , Tamika said , her daughter 's legacy will live on even larger .
She always knew Breonna was destined for greatness .
Tamika will make sure of it .

Tessa Duvall, Louisville Courier Journal

Breonna Taylor's mother endures national spotlight to make sure Black women's lives matter
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Tamika Palmer prays.
To God. To her daughter Breonna.
"Tell me if I need to give this up," she asks. "Tell me if I need to walk away."
But every day she wakes up to the same answer.
"It was something telling me, somehow she made me feel that, 'Not today. You don't give up, not today.'"
Tamika is the mother of Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old Black woman fatally shot by Louisville Metro Police in her apartment on March 13.
In the months since her death, Breonna's name has become a national rallying cry: for justice for Black women, for racial equality, for police reform.
She has been a trending topic on social media and a cause célèbre for A-listers such as Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres. Louisvillians have taken to the streets in protest over her death every night for more than a month, and legislation has been named in her honor.
And Tamika has become the reluctant public face of a movement. She is baring her private grief to the world to protect her daughter's legacy.
Since the Black Lives Matter movement came to the forefront nearly seven years ago, some activists have said the conversation has left out Black women — Sandra Bland, Atatiana Jefferson, Pamela Turner, Natasha McKenna and Aiyana Stanley-Jones — while Black men's names stay in the headlines.
Timeline: 30 days of protests, change and turmoil that rocked Louisville
Ben Crump, a Florida-based attorney who has worked on dozens of police violence cases, believes what happened to Breonna will change that.
He believes Breonna will go down in history the way Trayvon Martin did for sparking Black Lives Matter, and the way Emmett Till's death shone a light on the horrors of lynching, galvanizing the civil rights movement.
The reason these names endure, the attorney said, is because of their relentless mothers.
"That is what I see in Tamika Palmer," Crump, who is involved in Breonna's case, said. "She is so dignified and graceful in her advocacy for her daughter, Breonna Taylor, not to be marginalized and swept under the rug."
He added: "There has been an awakening now, that Black women's lives matter, too, and I think that's all because of Tamika Palmer."
Being in the public spotlight doesn't come easy for Tamika, who describes herself as an intensely private person. When she's not at her full-time job as a dialysis technician, she'd prefer to be at home.
But that's not her life now. Not since that one terrible night.
'Not a moment, it's a movement': Taylor protests not stopping in face of tragedy
March 13: 'To us, she was everything'
It was long after midnight when Tamika got the call. She was already in bed.
It was Kenny Walker, Breonna's boyfriend. He was frantic. He thought someone had shot Breonna, he told her. He wasn't sure. He couldn't see her from where he was.
He screamed her name but got no answer.
Tamika dropped her phone, and the call disconnected.
She threw on clothes and started the 2-mile drive to Breonna's apartment.
She called Kenny. She called Breonna. Neither one would answer.
Breonna's street was lined with police cars. Tamika tried to tell an officer who she was and why she was there. But the officer told her an ambulance had already taken a young woman who was hurt to the hospital.
Tamika went to the hospital and waited for hours. She was told Breonna wasn't there. A woman told her there was no record of Breonna even being on the way.
Tamika drove back to Breonna's apartment on Springfield Drive. She waited hours more until a detective asked her if Breonna had any enemies. Or, whether she and Kenny had been having problems.
Kenneth Walker's 911 call in aftermath of Breonna Taylor shooting Listen to recording of the 911 call made by Kenneth Walker in the immediate aftermath of the fatal police shooting of his girlfriend, Breonna Taylor. Jeff Faughender, Louisville Courier Journal
Portraits of a protest: Here are some of the people marching in Taylor's name
Finally, 10 hours after police shot Breonna, a detective indirectly told Tamika the truth. Her daughter was still inside the apartment.
She knew what that meant.
Her first-born child was dead.
In the days and weeks that followed, Tamika felt not just the grief of losing her child, but she carried the loneliness of feeling like she was the only one fighting for answers.
She didn't understand why officers would have a search warrant for a narcotics investigation at Breonna's home. Kenny was arrested and booked for the attempted murder of a police officer.
In the news coverage that followed, Breonna was called a suspect.
And then the stories stopped. The spread of the coronavirus pandemic began to shut down the state. To Tamika, it felt like only she and her family were still thinking about Breonna.
"Like she didn't matter, you know?" Tamika said. "And to us, she was everything. This horrible thing happened to her, and … to feel like nobody cared, not even the people who did this to her. As if it was just another day."
Nationally: Influencers use Taylor memes to demand arrest of Louisville police
May 28: 'I almost didn't believe it'
After police killed Breonna, Tamika felt she was losing her mind.
"To not fully know what happened to Breonna, to not see her, to not be able to talk to Kenny, to understand what happened," she said.
In mid-May, on the heels of the national outpouring over white men killing Ahmaud Arbery, a Black jogger in Georgia, Breonna's name began to gain recognition.
That's when Crump joined Tamika's civil suit against the Louisville officers who shot Breonna.
Activists and celebrities told Breonna's story to their millions of followers. Petitions gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures demanding that Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and officers Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove be charged in her death.
Then, George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police on Memorial Day. His death, caused by an officer kneeling on his neck, was caught on video for the world to see.
In cities across the nation, Americans took to the streets, including Louisville.
Sam Aguiar, one of Tamika's attorneys, had received a copy of Kenny's 911 call from the immediate aftermath of the shooting. He released it to the news media May 28.
Kenny's pleas were played over and over on social media.
"Somebody kicked in the door and shot my girlfriend," he yelled to a dispatcher.
Aguiar called it "one of the most difficult things" he's ever heard.
Hours after its release, hundreds of protesters flooded downtown. They blocked traffic and chanted.
"No justice!" they yelled. "No peace!"
One sign asked: "Who do you call when police murder?"
Tamika was at work while her family went downtown to see for themselves.
"I almost didn't believe it," she said.
For Tamika, it was the first time the community realized that maybe what the police had said — that Breonna was a suspect, that Kenny had tried to kill an officer — wasn't true.
"Once people started to learn," she said, "it just turned into this big thing."
She added: "Everybody woke up."
Tamika knew about the Black Lives Matter movement and was familiar with names like Trayvon Martin and Mike Brown, but she never followed it too closely.
Until she had to.
Tamika found herself in the unwitting club of Black mothers who've lost children to police and racial violence. Many of them have rallied around her, offering support, breathing exercises and recommendations on relaxing teas to drink.
"Don't get me wrong, I've got so many family and friends around me," she said, "but a lot of them don't know how it feels to be me right now. To have all these other mothers reach out to me is just amazing.
"You're meeting these people who you can tell exactly how you feel."
See also: Maryland ground mural of Breonna Taylor will be visible from space
June 5: 'Look at the world change'
What happens next blurs for Tamika.
All these new things she had to juggle — news interviews, public appearances, meetings with attorneys and elected leaders while still working two jobs — have run together in her memory.
But on June 5, what should have been Breonna's 27th birthday, Tamika had a moment of clarity.
More than a thousand people gathered downtown under the sweltering June sun to celebrate her daughter's life. They wrote her cards and sang "Happy Birthday."
Some brought flowers and balloons for the young woman they'd never met.
"You should be here," one message on a banner read. "You sparked such a powerful movement. Let's create a new world for you."
Looking out at the crowd in Jefferson Square Park, Tamika felt supported. Nina Simone's "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" played as Tamika raised her right fist in the air.
"There are times when I look back,
"And I am haunted by my youth"
In a semicircle around her, there were hoisted fists and signs as far as she could see. Dozens of cameras locked on her face as she gazed skyward.
"I remember thinking, 'I can take a breath,'" she said. "I remember standing up there and thinking, 'Look at the world change.'"
She didn't just see it; she felt it. Breonna did that.
Catch up: What to know about the investigations into the shooting of Breonna Taylor
June 25: 'I gotta do it another day'
Tamika's phone buzzed with text messages until 1 in the morning, and the calls started up again by 7. Her Pleasure Ridge Park home was buzzing with relatives well before 9.
There was a rally in Frankfort for Breonna that day, and Tamika was the one coordinating dozens of family and friends, trying to get them all to the Capitol on time. She decided when and where their caravan of cars would meet, and who would ride in which car.
Once on the highway, Tamika put her phone on silent, its constant notifications wearing on her nerves.
During the hourlong drive to Frankfort, Tamika talked about her daughter — not the wrenching way that she died, but who she was in life, the way only a mother knows.
Breonna loved any kind of spicy food, like chicken with hot sauce or taco salads with some kick. She was always the one who organized family cookouts and game nights.
Breonna, Tamika said, was a diva. She'd been planning a beach trip with friends, and each day Tamika's email lit up with alerts that Breonna had been on Amazon again ordering new clothes.
"'Breonna, didn't you buy new outfits for the last one?'" Tamika would ask.
"'Yeah, but I can't (wear them),'" Breonna would say. "'I took pictures in those.'"
Tamika said Kenny planned to propose to Breonna, that he finally felt ready for marriage. He was going to use his mother's ring.
"Kenny will forever be family," she said.
Before the rally, Tamika gathered with organizers at a church a few blocks away. She wasn't sure of the day's game plan but went where she was asked for the cause.
The fellowship hall was packed for a catered breakfast, distribution of T-shirts and the day's first chants of "Say her name!"
Tamika found a windowsill in the corner and sat down. She wasn't overwhelmed. She just didn't want to be in the middle of it all.
'Revolution is not optional': Protesters share their message in their own words
She found the time to grab a breakfast sandwich and was trying to make her way outside when one of the organizers stopped her.
Jada Pinkett Smith walked in alongside her children, Jaden and Willow, and the rapper MC Lyte.
They hugged and took photos, and when it calmed down, Tamika sneaked outside. She talked about how good Pinkett Smith looked up close, and that MC Lyte was serious about keeping her mask on.
Tamika wasn't starstruck; she's too numb for that. But she is proud to see famous people take the time to demand justice for Breonna.
Then she realized: She never got to finish breakfast. Someone had grabbed her sandwich in the middle of all the excitement, and now the rally would go straight through lunch.
Was she ready?
She sighed.
"As ready as I'll be."
But when the car rounded the corner by the Capitol, the crowd left her awestruck.
She didn't know so many people would be there.
She hadn't known that Pinkett Smith would be in Frankfort or that the hip-hop artist Common would take the stage to read an original poem about Breonna.
She gave her most impassioned remarks yet — even though she'd hoped not to speak at all.
Behind the lectern, Tamika smiled, a genuine, wide smile. She told the crowd she loved them, that they looked good, that without them, she'd still be at home crying.
"We're not done until they know that her life mattered," she said. "We not done. We goin' get justice. We got a long haul."
She laughed.
"But I ain't goin' hold y'all," she said. "It's hot. I'm tired."
When she could, Tamika slipped away from center stage and stood in the shade of the Capitol. She hoped to beat the traffic by leaving before the rally ended, but instead got held up with interviews for so long that the crowd had already dissipated by the time she could leave.
Breonna Taylor rally: Celebrities turn out for protest in Frankfort Celebrities such as Jada Pinkett Smith, Common and Muhammad Ali's cousin turn out for the Breonna Taylor rally in Frankfort Sam Upshaw Jr., Louisville Courier Journal
FBI: Breonna Taylor case is the 'top priority' in the Louisville office
Aguiar said the Frankfort rally was the first time the world heard Tamika's true voice, in its most raw, genuine state.
"Until that day, there was still some apprehension," he said. "She was tentative. She was scared. She's just a normal human being. She's not used to talking on TV."
The rally gave Tamika that same kind of renewed feeling she had on Breonna's birthday.
"I always start off thinking how I don't want to do it," she said, "but these are the moments that make me say, 'I gotta do it another day.'"
In the beginning, Tamika couldn't wait for her ordeal to be over so she could find some kind of new routine, even it if was one without Breonna.
Now, she doesn't see that as an option.
"This is my new norm," she said. "I don't know that I could walk away now. I'm still trying to figure it out and learn how to deal with it, but I'm definitely here for the duration of it.
"Because I would hate for this to ever happen to anyone else."
The hundreds of people who had filled the Capitol lawn for the hourslong rally had left and the celebrities were long gone. Crews had begun taking down the audio equipment, and the parking lot was nearly empty.
She climbed into the backseat of the black Dodge Charger — the one that Breonna had worked two jobs to buy in January — and laughed.
"I just need a nap!" she said.
After a quick stop at a drive-thru and getting on the highway headed west toward home, Tamika tucked her purse between her shoulder and the car door and settled in.
Forty minutes later in the stop-and-go traffic of the evening commute on the outskirts of Louisville, a new song came on the radio. Tamika's breathing was steady and even, her eyes covered by her #BreonnaTaylor face mask.
"I seen what I seen,
"I guess that mean hold him down if he say he can't breathe
"It's too many mothers that's grieving
"They killing us for no reason."
The next day, she'd be at work at 4 a.m. for the one normal part of her life.
What happened to Breonna is a tragedy. But in a way, Tamika said, her daughter's legacy will live on even larger.
She always knew Breonna was destined for greatness.
Tamika will make sure of it.
Follow Tessa Duvall on Twitter: @TessaDuvall.


usatoday--2020-07-06--5 car maintenance tips for the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 : Five car maintenance tips for the pandemic With so many of us staying home during the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ a lot less than usual .
Here are five easy tips to keep them reliable @

COVID-19: Five car maintenance tips for the pandemic
With so many of us staying home during the coronavirus pandemic, our cars are running a lot less than usual. Here are five easy tips to keep them reliable.
Alexis Arnold, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-07-06--Don't microwave your popcorn. Do this instead.

Popcorn recipes : How to make plain , chocolate and peanut butter popcorn Craving popcorn ?
Ditch that microwave and @ @ @ @ @ .

Popcorn recipes: How to make plain, chocolate and peanut butter popcorn
Craving popcorn? Ditch that microwave and reach for a better alternative.
ProblemSolved, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-07-06--Officers investigating alleged racist assault near Indiana lake after video circulates on Facebook