usatoday--2020-10-07--Election 2020: Chris Wallace, Susan Page among moderators for presidential and vice presidential deb

WASHINGTON – Moderators are set for the presidential and vice presidential debates , which will kick off later this month and begin perhaps the most important phase before the Nov. 3 election .
The Commission on Presidential Debates on Wednesday announced moderators for the three presidential debates between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden and one vice presidential debate , a lineup that includes Fox News anchor Chris Wallace and USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page .
All four debates will be moderated by a single individual , a slight departure from four years ago when one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More : Exclusive : The conventions over , Joe Biden leads Donald Trump by a narrower 50 % -43 % in USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll Wallace will serve as moderator for the first debate between Trump and Biden on Sept. 29 at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland .
Page will moderate the vice presidential debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Oct. 7 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City .
Steve Scully , senior executive producer and political editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second presidential debate , a town hall format on Oct. 15 set for the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami .
The third and final presidential debate , Oct. 22 , at Belmont University in Nashville , Tennessee , will be moderated by Kristen Welker , co-anchor of NBC 's `` Weekend TODAY '' and a White House correspondent for NBC News .
`` The debates are a crucial part of making our democracy work , and I am honored to participate , '' Page said .
With party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perhaps the most crucial opportunities left for candidates to make their cases in a race largely absent of traditional campaigning because of the coronavirus pandemic .
A USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll released Wednesday found Biden leading with support from 50 % of registered votes , topping Trump 's support 43 % .
But it marks a tightening of the race after Biden was found ahead by 12 percentage points by the same pollster in June .
The moderator selections comes after the Trump campaign last month unsuccessfully pushed the commission for a fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to get ahead of mail-voting and early voting that will begin in 16 states before Sept. 29 , when the first debate is set .
The Trump campaign also suggested a list of potential moderators – 24 in all , some known for their conservative leanings – for the commission to select .
Neither Wallace , Page , Scully nor Welker were among the campaign 's suggestions .
In a joint statement , the Commission on Presidential Debate 's three co-chairs , Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr. , Dorothy S. Ridings and Kenneth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involvement .
`` We are grateful to these experienced journalists , who will help ensure that the general election presidential debates continue to serve their unique educational purpose of helping the public learn about the candidates , '' the co-chairs said .
`` Each individual brings great professionalism to moderating and understands that the purpose of the 2020 debate formats is to facilitate in-depth discussion of major topics . ''
But the Trump campaign pushed back at the selections .
`` These are not the moderators we would have recommended if the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Tim Murtaugh , the Trump campaign 's director of communications , adding that some can be identified as `` clear opponents of President Trump , '' giving Biden a `` teammate on stage . ''
The Biden campaign had no objections .
`` As Joe Biden has said for months – without farcical antics – he looks forward to participating in the debates set by the commission , regardless of who the independently chosen moderators are , '' Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said .
By choosing one moderator from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commission tapped reporters from one network often praised by Trump and another often criticized .
And yet Wallace , who hosted the final debate between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Trump four years ago , conducted one of the toughest recent interviews with the president .
Wallace pressed Trump last month on the nation 's uptick in conoravirus cases and questioned a cognitive test that Trump has trumpeted to boast about superior mental fitness than Biden .
Each debate will run from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. EDT .
More : 'It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden looks to excite his base while Trump tries to expand his The first and third presidential debates will be divided into six 15-minute segments , each devoted to different topics that will be announced one week before they take place .
The moderator will begin each segment with a question .
Biden and Trump will have two minutes to respond , with candidates also having an opportunity to respond to each other .
The second debate 's town hall format will feature questions posed by South Florida voters not committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again have two minutes to respond to each question with an additional minute reserved for the moderator to facilitate further discussion .
The vice presidential debate will be divided into nine segments of approximately 10 minutes each , with both Harris and Pence also having two minutes apiece for each answer .
The moderator will use the remainder of the time in each segment to continue the discussion .

Election 2020: Chris Wallace, Susan Page among moderators for presidential and vice presidential debates
Show Caption Hide Caption Susan Page, Steve Scully highlight 2020 debate moderators The only vice presidential debate will be moderated by Susan Page, USA TODAY's Washington Bureau chief. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Moderators are set for the presidential and vice presidential debates, which will kick off later this month and begin perhaps the most important phase before the Nov. 3 election.
The Commission on Presidential Debates on Wednesday announced moderators for the three presidential debates between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden and one vice presidential debate, a lineup that includes Fox News anchor Chris Wallace and USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page.
All four debates will be moderated by a single individual, a slight departure from four years ago when one of the presidential debates had two moderators.
More: Exclusive: The conventions over, Joe Biden leads Donald Trump by a narrower 50%-43% in USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll
Wallace will serve as moderator for the first debate between Trump and Biden on Sept. 29 at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland.
Page will moderate the vice presidential debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Oct. 7 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Steve Scully, senior executive producer and political editor at the C-SPAN Networks, will moderate the second presidential debate, a town hall format on Oct. 15 set for the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.
The third and final presidential debate, Oct. 22, at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, will be moderated by Kristen Welker, co-anchor of NBC's "Weekend TODAY" and a White House correspondent for NBC News.
More: Competing parties, clashing realities: Campaign's final sprint opens as conventions end
"The debates are a crucial part of making our democracy work, and I am honored to participate," Page said.
With party conventions over, the debates stand as perhaps the most crucial opportunities left for candidates to make their cases in a race largely absent of traditional campaigning because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll released Wednesday found Biden leading with support from 50% of registered votes, topping Trump's support 43%. But it marks a tightening of the race after Biden was found ahead by 12 percentage points by the same pollster in June.
The moderator selections comes after the Trump campaign last month unsuccessfully pushed the commission for a fourth debate for the beginning of September to try to get ahead of mail-voting and early voting that will begin in 16 states before Sept. 29, when the first debate is set.
Here's where the presidential race stands after the conventions With Labor Day fast approaching, a USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll explores the conventions' impact and where the race stands now. USA TODAY
More: Panel rejects Donald Trump's request to add a fourth debate with Joe Biden
The Trump campaign also suggested a list of potential moderators – 24 in all, some known for their conservative leanings – for the commission to select. Neither Wallace, Page, Scully nor Welker were among the campaign's suggestions.
In a joint statement, the Commission on Presidential Debate's three co-chairs, Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., Dorothy S. Ridings and Kenneth Wollack, thanked the journalists for their involvement.
"We are grateful to these experienced journalists, who will help ensure that the general election presidential debates continue to serve their unique educational purpose of helping the public learn about the candidates," the co-chairs said. "Each individual brings great professionalism to moderating and understands that the purpose of the 2020 debate formats is to facilitate in-depth discussion of major topics."
But the Trump campaign pushed back at the selections.
"These are not the moderators we would have recommended if the campaign had been allowed to have any input," said Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign's director of communications, adding that some can be identified as "clear opponents of President Trump," giving Biden a "teammate on stage."
The Biden campaign had no objections. "As Joe Biden has said for months – without farcical antics – he looks forward to participating in the debates set by the commission, regardless of who the independently chosen moderators are," Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said.
By choosing one moderator from Fox News and another from NBC, the commission tapped reporters from one network often praised by Trump and another often criticized.
And yet Wallace, who hosted the final debate between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Trump four years ago, conducted one of the toughest recent interviews with the president. Wallace pressed Trump last month on the nation's uptick in conoravirus cases and questioned a cognitive test that Trump has trumpeted to boast about superior mental fitness than Biden.
Each debate will run from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. EDT.
More: 'It's Trump vs. not-Trump:' After conventions, Biden looks to excite his base while Trump tries to expand his
The first and third presidential debates will be divided into six 15-minute segments, each devoted to different topics that will be announced one week before they take place. The moderator will begin each segment with a question. Biden and Trump will have two minutes to respond, with candidates also having an opportunity to respond to each other.
The second debate's town hall format will feature questions posed by South Florida voters not committed to either candidate. Biden and Trump will again have two minutes to respond to each question with an additional minute reserved for the moderator to facilitate further discussion.
The vice presidential debate will be divided into nine segments of approximately 10 minutes each, with both Harris and Pence also having two minutes apiece for each answer. The moderator will use the remainder of the time in each segment to continue the discussion.
Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison


usatoday--2020-10-07--USA TODAY's Susan Page to moderate only showdown between vice presidential candidates

USA TODAY 's Susan Page to moderate only showdown between vice presidential candidates The only vice presidential debate will be @ @ @ @ @ USA TODAY 's Washington Bureau chief .

Susan Page, Steve Scully highlight 2020 debate moderators
The only vice presidential debate will be moderated by Susan Page, USA TODAY's Washington Bureau chief.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-10-08--Moderator Susan Page hopes Mike Pence-Kamala Harris vice presidential debate was helpful for voters:

Susan Page believes debates are designed to help voters .
To her , they are n't for the news media or the candidates .
By that standard , last week 's presidential debate did n't make for a particularly good viewing experience .
Page , USA TODAY 's Washington Bureau chief , presided over Wednesday 's vice presidential debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris in Salt Lake City .
Leading up to the debate , Page said she sought ways to create a different kind of conversation .
That task required a more aggressive moderation than she 'd planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates , and she had to cut a planned segment on immigration .
Still , Page was hopeful the debate was useful for voters .
`` I did n't get answers to all the questions I had hoped to get , '' she told USA TODAY Editor-In-Chief Nicole Carroll after the debate .
`` I think sometimes I got prepared speeches instead of spontaneous responses — that should n't be a surprise . ''
' I 'm speaking ' vs. 'If I may finish : ' Pence , Harris spar over COVID-19 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence repeatedly talked over Page , raising the question of whether the vice president would have treated a male moderator the same way .
Page noted that Pence participated in the vice presidential debate four years ago with a woman moderator – and talked over her as well .
`` I do n't know that I 've seen him in that kind of setting with a male moderator , '' Page said .
An analysis from CNN reported Harris and Pence were given nearly identical speaking time , with the Democratic senator from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 seconds and the Republican vice president speaking for just three seconds more .
Page was watching the time : She had clocks on her desk to show both candidates ' speaking time .
Her final tally : Harris had 30 more seconds to speak than Pence .
`` Early on , it was clear it required more aggressive moderation than I had planned to keep it about equal , '' she said .
By the hour mark , it was obvious the debate was running over its allotted 90 minutes , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Commission on Presidential Debates as a solo moderator .
While the vice presidential debate was more civil than last week 's Donald Trump-Joe Biden presidential debate , interruptions from both sides were common , with Harris turning to Pence twice to tell the vice president she was still speaking as he tried to talk over her .
USA TODAY Editorial Board : Kamala Harris and Mike Pence clash , but in a civilized way CBS News reported Pence interrupted Harris 10 times , compared to five interruptions from Harris .
Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to tell him his time was up .
`` I felt the only thing I could do was interject his time was up , '' Page said .
And , no , she said she did n't want a way to cut his microphone .
She added , `` We set these rules so that the candidates can have a chance to speak .
It 's not my debate .
It 's their debate .
It 's the voters ' debate . ''
Both candidates also dodged direct questions , at times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask follow-up questions or hold the candidates feet to the fire , she said .
The debate is n't an interview or a news conference , where she normally would have followed up , she said .
Neither candidate answered a question about presidential disability , for example .
`` Everything about a debate tells voters something , '' she said .
`` So , with both candidates , and especially with Vice President Pence , they did n't address the question I asked .
That is frustrating to me because I spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But , that is illuminating in its own way to voters , and that was the point . ''
Coronavirus was always going to be her first topic , she said .
The two campaigns met and decided Harris would be the first person to answer , she said .
Page drafted narrow questions , ones she thought would resonate with voters , in the hopes of getting direct answers .
`` This was perhaps less successful than I 'd hoped , '' she said after the debate . '
I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evident at vice presidential debate even with body language Part of Page 's preparation included a mock debate with `` extremely rude '' debaters , she said .
She implemented a key portion of the mock debate training when she had to rein in both candidates who were interrupting each other during a conversation about the military .
She aggressively reminded the candidates of the rules they 'd agree to and let them know it was time to get back on track .
Page did that once on Wednesday .
In her mock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three times . ''
`` As we worked through the mock debate , I became more and more aggressive in trying to shut it down because nothing else was working , '' Page said .
Page said she was honored to be the moderator for Wednesday 's debate .
`` I hope that voters who watched it thought it helped them decide who has the policies they support , '' she said .
`` Who has the leadership characteristics that they want to see .
I hope it helped voters .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell me if it was successful . ''

Moderator Susan Page hopes Mike Pence-Kamala Harris vice presidential debate was helpful for voters: 'That was the point'
Show Caption Hide Caption "It's not an interview, it's a debate." Says USA TODAY's Susan Page. Susan Page, Washington bureau chief for USA TODAY, is the first print journalist to solo-moderate a presidential debate. Here's how she prepared. Hannah Gaber, USA TODAY
Susan Page believes debates are designed to help voters. To her, they aren't for the news media or the candidates.
By that standard, last week's presidential debate didn't make for a particularly good viewing experience.
Page, USA TODAY's Washington Bureau chief, presided over Wednesday's vice presidential debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris in Salt Lake City. Leading up to the debate, Page said she sought ways to create a different kind of conversation.
That task required a more aggressive moderation than she'd planned to allow equal speaking time for both candidates, and she had to cut a planned segment on immigration.
Still, Page was hopeful the debate was useful for voters.
"I didn't get answers to all the questions I had hoped to get," she told USA TODAY Editor-In-Chief Nicole Carroll after the debate. "I think sometimes I got prepared speeches instead of spontaneous responses — that shouldn't be a surprise."
Susan Page, in her own words: Page explains her "Thank you, Vice President Pence" approach and more
Pence repeatedly talked over Page, raising the question of whether the vice president would have treated a male moderator the same way. Page noted that Pence participated in the vice presidential debate four years ago with a woman moderator – and talked over her as well.
"I don't know that I've seen him in that kind of setting with a male moderator," Page said.
An analysis from CNN reported Harris and Pence were given nearly identical speaking time, with the Democratic senator from California clocking in at 36 minutes and 24 seconds and the Republican vice president speaking for just three seconds more.
Page was watching the time: She had clocks on her desk to show both candidates' speaking time. Her final tally: Harris had 30 more seconds to speak than Pence.
'I'm speaking' vs. 'If I may finish:' Pence, Harris spar over COVID-19 and other top moments from the VP debate
"Early on, it was clear it required more aggressive moderation than I had planned to keep it about equal," she said.
By the hour mark, it was obvious the debate was running over its allotted 90 minutes, said Page, the first print reporter selected by the Commission on Presidential Debates as a solo moderator.
While the vice presidential debate was more civil than last week's Donald Trump-Joe Biden presidential debate, interruptions from both sides were common, with Harris turning to Pence twice to tell the vice president she was still speaking as he tried to talk over her.
USA TODAY Editorial Board: Kamala Harris and Mike Pence clash, but in a civilized way
CBS News reported Pence interrupted Harris 10 times, compared to five interruptions from Harris.
Pence also frequently spoke over Page as she tried to tell him his time was up.
"I felt the only thing I could do was interject his time was up," Page said.
And, no, she said she didn't want a way to cut his microphone.
She added, "We set these rules so that the candidates can have a chance to speak. It's not my debate. It's their debate. It's the voters' debate."
Both candidates also dodged direct questions, at times. Page's job was not to ask follow-up questions or hold the candidates feet to the fire, she said. The debate isn't an interview or a news conference, where she normally would have followed up, she said.
Neither candidate answered a question about presidential disability, for example.
"Everything about a debate tells voters something," she said. "So, with both candidates, and especially with Vice President Pence, they didn't address the question I asked. That is frustrating to me because I spent a lot of time writing those questions. But, that is illuminating in its own way to voters, and that was the point."
Coronavirus was always going to be her first topic, she said. The two campaigns met and decided Harris would be the first person to answer, she said. Page drafted narrow questions, ones she thought would resonate with voters, in the hopes of getting direct answers.
"This was perhaps less successful than I'd hoped," she said after the debate.
'I'm speaking': Harris, Pence clash evident at vice presidential debate even with body language
Part of Page's preparation included a mock debate with "extremely rude" debaters, she said.
She implemented a key portion of the mock debate training when she had to rein in both candidates who were interrupting each other during a conversation about the military. She aggressively reminded the candidates of the rules they'd agree to and let them know it was time to get back on track.
Page did that once on Wednesday. In her mock debates, she did it "like three times."
"As we worked through the mock debate, I became more and more aggressive in trying to shut it down because nothing else was working," Page said.
Page said she was honored to be the moderator for Wednesday's debate.
"I hope that voters who watched it thought it helped them decide who has the policies they support," she said. "Who has the leadership characteristics that they want to see. I hope it helped voters. That's what I hope. So, you tell me if it was successful."
Contributing: Rebecca Morin, Jeanine Santucci and Erin Jensen, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-10-08--Kayla Mueller, ISIS hostage killed in Syria, becomes a focus of Pence-Harris debate

PHOENIX – More than seven years after she was kidnapped in Syria and later died , Arizona 's Kayla Mueller became a centerpiece name in Wednesday night 's vice presidential debate .
Vice President Mike Pence , during a debate with Democratic nominee Sen. Kamala Harris , invoked the story of Mueller , who was tortured and raped while being held hostage by ISIS during the years of President Barack Obama 's administration .
`` Her family says with a heart that broke the heart of every American that if President Donald Trump had been president they believe Kayla would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier the same day , the Justice Department announced two British ISIS militants would face terrorism charges in the deaths of Mueller and other hostages .
`` We put all our faith in government , but the government let us down , ” Carl Mueller , Kayla 's father , said at the announcement of the charges .
Kayla Mueller , who grew up in Prescott and attended Northern Arizona University , later traveled the world working as a humanitarian and volunteer .
She was working for an aid group in Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend who was crossing into Syria to work in the city of Aleppo .
Inside Syria , where a years-long civil war was further clouded by the rising influence of ISIS , Mueller was soon captured .
She was held for 18 months , and other captives later reported she endured rape and torture at the hands of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi , the former ISIS leader .
American officials and Mueller 's parents struggled to find and free her .
In February 2015 , her captors announced she had died .
Al-Baghdadi was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 .
Other ISIS captors had been taken into custody , including the two who were charged Wednesday .
Other American victims of the ISIS captors were print and video journalist James Foley , who was covering the war in Syria when he was captured ; Steven Sotloff , a journalist who was reporting on the refugee crisis in Syria ; Peter Kassig , a humanitarian aid worker ; and Mueller , also a humanitarian aid worker .
ISIS released videos in 2014 showing the beheadings of Foley , Sotloff and Kassig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media , though her parents have never recovered her remains .
In the years since the ordeal , Mueller 's parents have become outspoken Trump supporters , and Carl Mueller has appeared on stage at Trump rallies in Arizona .
On Wednesday night , during responses to a question about `` the role of American leadership in 2020 , '' Pence called out the case specifically — and criticized the response of Obama and Joe Biden , who was vice president at the time .
`` Al-Baghdadi was responsible for the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` And notably with America 's hearts today are with the family of Kayla Mueller — her parents of which are here with us tonight in Salt Lake City .
Today , two of the ISIS killers responsible for Kayla Mueller 's murder were brought to justice in the United States . ''
Axios reported Wednesday that Mueller 's parents , Carl and Marsha Mueller , had joined the debate in Salt Lake City .
Calls from The Arizona Republic , part of the USA TODAY Network , to the Muellers went unanswered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Joe Biden was vice president , we had an opportunity to save Kayla Mueller .
It breaks my heart to reflect on it , but the military came into the Oval Office , presented a plan , they said they knew where Kayla was , Baghdadi had held her for 18 months , abused her mercilessly before they killed her , '' Pence said .
Did Obama and Biden miss a chance to save Kayla Mueller ?
Pence suggested delays during the Obama administration were the reason Mueller had n't been saved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , they hesitated for a month , and when armed forces finally went in , it was clear she had been moved two days earlier , '' he said .
The accusation alludes to claims of delays that have long swirled around Mueller 's captivity , though the Obama administration denied it stalled on a rescue .
Obama himself may have been the original source of the idea that U.S. special forces , sent into Syria on a mission to save Mueller and other hostages , missed the group by `` two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buzzfeed News in 2015 , revealed that a raid earlier in Mueller 's captivity had been intended to free her .
`` I deployed an entire operation — at significant risk — to rescue not only her but the other individuals who had been held , and probably missed them by a day or two , precisely because we had that commitment , '' he said at the time .
The Washington Post reported that some people involved in the rescue mission later said there were delays in seeking the president 's approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that might have allowed the hostages to be found .
Other officials denied there were delays , saying the mission was complex and in territory unfamiliar to U.S. forces , but that the president approved the plan swiftly once it was complete .
More than the raid itself , families of hostages have objected to the Obama administration 's handling of the captors ' demands for ransom .
When kidnappers demanded millions for Mueller 's release , her parents said government officials cautiously warned them against paying a ransom themselves .
U.S. policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hostages were generally encouraged to keep the cases secret .
Some later came to view that as a move to prevent them from freeing their children on their own while also silencing them from criticizing government efforts .
In June 2015 , after widespread criticism over the handling of the hostage cases , Obama unveiled new rules that would essentially allow families to offer private ransom payments , though the federal government would continue to refuse to make such payments .
After Pence 's remarks on Wednesday night , Harris responded : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mueller family , I know about your daughter 's case and I am so sorry .
I am so sorry .
What happened to her is awful and it should have never happened .
And I know Joe feels the same way .
And I know President Obama feels the same way . ''
Republic reporters Josh Susong , Karina Bland and Perry Vandell contributed to this article .

Kayla Mueller, ISIS hostage killed in Syria, becomes a focus of Pence-Harris debate
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus pandemic, racial injustice take center stage in VP debate The Vice Presidential debate had less arguing and a lot more talk about the issues, but there were still a few heated moments. USA TODAY
PHOENIX – More than seven years after she was kidnapped in Syria and later died, Arizona's Kayla Mueller became a centerpiece name in Wednesday night's vice presidential debate.
Vice President Mike Pence, during a debate with Democratic nominee Sen. Kamala Harris, invoked the story of Mueller, who was tortured and raped while being held hostage by ISIS during the years of President Barack Obama's administration.
Pence cited Mueller's parents' previous remarks supporting President Donald Trump.
"Her family says with a heart that broke the heart of every American that if President Donald Trump had been president they believe Kayla would be alive today," Pence said.
Earlier the same day, the Justice Department announced two British ISIS militants would face terrorism charges in the deaths of Mueller and other hostages.
"We put all our faith in government, but the government let us down,” Carl Mueller, Kayla's father, said at the announcement of the charges.
Who was Kayla Mueller?
Kayla Mueller, who grew up in Prescott and attended Northern Arizona University, later traveled the world working as a humanitarian and volunteer. She was working for an aid group in Turkey in August 2013 when she accompanied a friend who was crossing into Syria to work in the city of Aleppo.
Inside Syria, where a years-long civil war was further clouded by the rising influence of ISIS, Mueller was soon captured.
She was held for 18 months, and other captives later reported she endured rape and torture at the hands of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the former ISIS leader.
American officials and Mueller's parents struggled to find and free her. In February 2015, her captors announced she had died.
Al-Baghdadi was killed during a U.S.-led raid in Syria in 2019.
Other ISIS captors had been taken into custody, including the two who were charged Wednesday.
Other American victims of the ISIS captors were print and video journalist James Foley, who was covering the war in Syria when he was captured; Steven Sotloff, a journalist who was reporting on the refugee crisis in Syria; Peter Kassig, a humanitarian aid worker; and Mueller, also a humanitarian aid worker.
ISIS released videos in 2014 showing the beheadings of Foley, Sotloff and Kassig. Mueller's death was announced on social media, though her parents have never recovered her remains.
Why did Pence mention Mueller?
In the years since the ordeal, Mueller's parents have become outspoken Trump supporters, and Carl Mueller has appeared on stage at Trump rallies in Arizona.
On Wednesday night, during responses to a question about "the role of American leadership in 2020," Pence called out the case specifically — and criticized the response of Obama and Joe Biden, who was vice president at the time.
"Al-Baghdadi was responsible for the death of thousands," Pence said. "And notably with America's hearts today are with the family of Kayla Mueller — her parents of which are here with us tonight in Salt Lake City. Today, two of the ISIS killers responsible for Kayla Mueller's murder were brought to justice in the United States."
Axios reported Wednesday that Mueller's parents, Carl and Marsha Mueller, had joined the debate in Salt Lake City. Calls from The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, to the Muellers went unanswered Wednesday.
“The reality is that when Joe Biden was vice president, we had an opportunity to save Kayla Mueller. It breaks my heart to reflect on it, but the military came into the Oval Office, presented a plan, they said they knew where Kayla was, Baghdadi had held her for 18 months, abused her mercilessly before they killed her," Pence said.
Did Obama and Biden miss a chance to save Kayla Mueller?
Pence suggested delays during the Obama administration were the reason Mueller hadn't been saved.
"When Joe Biden was vice president, they hesitated for a month, and when armed forces finally went in, it was clear she had been moved two days earlier," he said.
The accusation alludes to claims of delays that have long swirled around Mueller's captivity, though the Obama administration denied it stalled on a rescue.
Obama himself may have been the original source of the idea that U.S. special forces, sent into Syria on a mission to save Mueller and other hostages, missed the group by "two days."
Obama, speaking to Buzzfeed News in 2015, revealed that a raid earlier in Mueller's captivity had been intended to free her.
"I deployed an entire operation — at significant risk — to rescue not only her but the other individuals who had been held, and probably missed them by a day or two, precisely because we had that commitment," he said at the time.
Obama 'heartbroken' over death of American hostage Mueller U.S. President Barack Obama says he is 'heartbroken' over the death of American hostage Kayla Mueller, but defends U.S. policy not to pay ransom.
The Washington Post reported that some people involved in the rescue mission later said there were delays in seeking the president's approval for the raid, costing crucial days that might have allowed the hostages to be found.
Other officials denied there were delays, saying the mission was complex and in territory unfamiliar to U.S. forces, but that the president approved the plan swiftly once it was complete.
More than the raid itself, families of hostages have objected to the Obama administration's handling of the captors' demands for ransom.
When kidnappers demanded millions for Mueller's release, her parents said government officials cautiously warned them against paying a ransom themselves. U.S. policy forbade ransom, and parents of all the hostages were generally encouraged to keep the cases secret. Some later came to view that as a move to prevent them from freeing their children on their own while also silencing them from criticizing government efforts.
In June 2015, after widespread criticism over the handling of the hostage cases, Obama unveiled new rules that would essentially allow families to offer private ransom payments, though the federal government would continue to refuse to make such payments.
After Pence's remarks on Wednesday night, Harris responded: "First of all, to the Mueller family, I know about your daughter's case and I am so sorry. I am so sorry. What happened to her is awful and it should have never happened. And I know Joe feels the same way. And I know President Obama feels the same way."
Republic reporters Josh Susong, Karina Bland and Perry Vandell contributed to this article.


usatoday--2020-10-08--After VP debate, fans are hoping 'The Fly' actor Jeff Goldblum will land on this week's 'SNL'

Along with the candidates and moderator on camera during Wednesday night 's vice presidential debate , there was something else centerstage .
You may have seen the fly , which spent some time sitting on Vice President Mike Pence 's head .
The fly has already inspired the launch of Biden/Harris swatters , a number of new Twitter accounts and endless jokes — and also a campaign to get Jeff Goldblum on `` Saturday Night Live . ''
In fact , the actor 's name was trending on Twitter , along with the term `` The Fly , '' right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goldblum got to do with this ?
Well , the beloved actor ( who is not on Twitter ) is the star of David Cronenberg 's 1986 sci-fi/horror remake `` The Fly , '' in which he plays a fit , eccentric scientist ( is n't he always ) who starts turning into , you guessed it , a fly , with the help of some truly creepy special effects .
`` Fly '' fans see this moment , in which there 's national interest in an insect , as an opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` Saturday Night Live '' sketch about the debate .
Tweets were indeed flying .
`` I hope ( 'SNL ' creator ) Lorne Michaels already called Jeff Goldblum about joining SNL on Saturday , '' tweeted Debbie Millman .
Lauren Ash chimed in , `` If SNL does n't get Jeff Goldblum to play the fly in this week 's episode , they 're missing a massive opportunity . ''
`` Please get Jeff Goldblum to play the fly on @ nbcsnl , '' Gabrielle Westcott tweeted .
Natalia Reagan echoed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we all need is Jeff Goldblum to reprise his role as 'The Fly ' on SNL . ''
`` Jeff Goldblum — please please make yourself available for SNL this week , '' Kara Henderson begged .
Randy Rainbow even decided that Goldblum was the debate winner , as `` I think we can all agree , '' he said .
`` I have n't loved a fly this much since David Cronenberg turned Jeff Goldblum into one , '' Darren Criss tweeted .
`` Here ’ s hoping Jeff Goldblum has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the fly on the next # SNL , '' Constance Zimmer added .
Bob Saget joked that Goldblum would voice a new `` The Fly '' Netflix series .
USA TODAY has reached out to Goldblum 's representatives for comment .
In the meantime , the spooky-season appropriate `` The Fly '' is available to watch now on plenty of streamers including Hulu , Starz , Amazon Prime , YouTube and iTunes .

After VP debate, fans are hoping 'The Fly' actor Jeff Goldblum will land on this week's 'SNL'
Show Caption Hide Caption VP debate: Taylor Swift's cookies, Jeff Goldblum's 'The Fly' trends Taylor Swift tweeted an endorsement with cookies ahead of the Vice Presidential debate. Other celebs reacted during it, especially over #flygate. USA TODAY
Along with the candidates and moderator on camera during Wednesday night's vice presidential debate, there was something else centerstage.
You may have seen the fly, which spent some time sitting on Vice President Mike Pence's head.
The fly has already inspired the launch of Biden/Harris swatters, a number of new Twitter accounts and endless jokes — and also a campaign to get Jeff Goldblum on "Saturday Night Live." In fact, the actor's name was trending on Twitter, along with the term "The Fly," right after the debate ended.
What's Goldblum got to do with this?
Well, the beloved actor (who is not on Twitter) is the star of David Cronenberg's 1986 sci-fi/horror remake "The Fly," in which he plays a fit, eccentric scientist (isn't he always) who starts turning into, you guessed it, a fly, with the help of some truly creepy special effects.
"Fly" fans see this moment, in which there's national interest in an insect, as an opportunity to get Goldblum to reprise his role in a "Saturday Night Live" sketch about the debate. Tweets were indeed flying.
"I hope ('SNL' creator) Lorne Michaels already called Jeff Goldblum about joining SNL on Saturday," tweeted Debbie Millman.
I hope Lorne Michaels already called Jeff Goldblum about joining SNL on Saturday. — debbie millman (@debbiemillman) October 8, 2020
Lauren Ash chimed in, "If SNL doesn't get Jeff Goldblum to play the fly in this week's episode, they're missing a massive opportunity."
If SNL doesn’t get Jeff Goldblum to play the fly in this week’s episode, they’re missing a massive opportunity. — Lauren Ash (@lauren_ash) October 8, 2020
"Please get Jeff Goldblum to play the fly on @nbcsnl," Gabrielle Westcott tweeted.
Natalia Reagan echoed what many were thinking: "What we all need is Jeff Goldblum to reprise his role as 'The Fly' on SNL."
What we all need is Jeff Goldblum to reprise his role as “The Fly” on SNL.
Please.
Let’s start that buzzzz. pic.twitter.com/bCaxuTflCQ — Natalia "Vaccinate Your Kids" Ray-gun 🐒 (@natalia13reagan) October 8, 2020
"Jeff Goldblum — please please make yourself available for SNL this week," Kara Henderson begged.
Jeff Goldblum — please please make yourself available for SNL this week. — KHS (@KaraHenderson) October 8, 2020
Randy Rainbow even decided that Goldblum was the debate winner, as "I think we can all agree," he said.
I think we can all agree the winner of tonight’s #VPDebate was Jeff Goldblum. pic.twitter.com/dIKP4Q7ubQ — Randy Rainbow (@RandyRainbow) October 8, 2020
"I haven't loved a fly this much since David Cronenberg turned Jeff Goldblum into one," Darren Criss tweeted.
VP debate: Fly lands on Vice President Pence's head Many viewers were quick to send tweets, with some joking that the fly should get time to respond to the questions. USA TODAY
"Here’s hoping Jeff Goldblum has been called by Lorne Michaels to play the part of the fly on the next #SNL," Constance Zimmer added.
Bob Saget joked that Goldblum would voice a new "The Fly" Netflix series.
The Fly just got a show on Netflix. Jeff Goldblum to voice. — bob saget (@bobsaget) October 8, 2020
USA TODAY has reached out to Goldblum's representatives for comment.
In the meantime, the spooky-season appropriate "The Fly" is available to watch now on plenty of streamers including Hulu, Starz, Amazon Prime, YouTube and iTunes.


usatoday--2020-10-08--'We all had a hand in this': Louisville police officer who got Breonna Taylor warrant in the hot sea

LOUISVILLE , Ky. — The Louisville detective who obtained the search warrant bringing police to Breonna Taylor 's door the night she died wrote that he personally verified that a suspected drug dealer was getting packages at her apartment .
Detective Joshua Jaynes swore in a March 12 affidavit that he verified the packages with a postal inspector .
But Jaynes admitted something different on May 19 while being questioned by LMPD investigators looking into Taylor 's fatal police shooting during a March 13 search of her apartment .
Jaynes said he actually had asked another officer , Sgt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspectors that Jamarcus Glover , Taylor 's ex-boyfriend and the target of a narcotics investigation , was getting packages at her home .
And Mattingly had been told indirectly she was n't .
`` I could have worded a little bit differently in there , '' Jaynes told investigators about the affidavit he submitted declaring that he himself had verified the package information postal inspectors .
`` It was just , uh , in my opinion , that when I reach out to ( Mattingly ) , the end-all-be-all was gon na be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the post office . ''
The day after Jaynes gave his interview , Sgt .
Jeremy Ruoff with the department 's Public Integrity Unit filled out a form requesting to obtain records from Jaynes ' computer .
Jaynes has been on administrative reassignment since June .
'Very troubling ' : Questions Kentucky 's attorney general is n't answering on the Breonna Taylor decision Public Integrity Unit investigators in their July 2 summary wrote that `` wording on the affidavit is misleading '' and `` given Jaynes ' statement related to the information , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The interview and PIU summary is part of the massive investigative file in the Taylor case released Wednesday by Mayor Greg Fischer .
Circuit Judge Mary Shaw , who signed Taylor 's search warrant , said last week she was concerned that Jaynes had lied to obtain it after reports surfaced indicating LMPD officers had been told no questionable packages had been delivered to Taylor 's apartment .
The discrepancies are believed to be part of the FBI 's ongoing investigation into Taylor 's death .
Attorney General Daniel Cameron chose not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his case , saying he was deferring to the FBI .
Release the transcripts ' : Ben Crump slams decision in Breonna Taylor case , calls out systemic racism in the legal system An FBI spokesman said it is has obtained the Public Integrity Unit file and is “ actively investigating all aspects ” of Taylor ’ s death .
No one has been charged in Taylor 's death after Cameron 's office decided that the two officers who shot her , Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove , were acting in self-defense when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
John Dolan , the attorney who represented Jaynes during his PIU interview , did not respond to an email sent Wednesday afternoon or a message left with his law office .
Jaynes said in his May 19 interview with police investigators , one of dozens of documents in LMPD 's investigation released publicly Wednesday , that he had asked Mattingly in January to check if Taylor 's former boyfriend , Glover , was receiving `` any dope '' or `` suspicious '' packages .
Glover was a main target in a narcotics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 miles from Taylor 's apartment .
Glover had been previously convicted of drug trafficking in Mississippi , and police had been watching him , noting that he had picked up a package at her apartment .
Glover , who was arrested in a different drug raid the same night Taylor was killed , has denied Taylor had anything to do with the drug trade .
No cash or drugs were found at Taylor home after the shooting .
Before those search warrants were carried out , Jaynes and Mattingly discussed whether Glover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor 's home .
Jaynes told investigators during his May 19 interview that Mattingly told him `` nonchalantly '' that Glover `` just gets Amazon or mail packages there . ''
'Just an egregious act ' : Louisville SWAT team condemned raid on Breonna Taylor 's home '' I did n't go too in-depth about that 'cause again , what I saw on my own two eyes just reaffirmed that he was getting mail there , '' Jaynes said .
`` It 's a reasonable assumption that if you see a guy go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a package , that he is getting mail there . ''
Jaynes went on to write in his sworn affidavit for the search warrant for Taylor 's home that he `` verified through a US Postal Inspector that Jamarcus Glover has been receiving packages at 3003 Springfield Drive # 4 . ''
He also described seeing Glover pick up a package from Taylor 's apartment on Jan. 16 , before going to a `` known drug house . ''
But investigative records show Louisville police were told before the March 13 raid no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been delivered to Glover at Taylor 's residence in the months leading to the warrant execution .
An investigative report , previously reported by The Louisville Courier Journal , part of the USA TODAY Network , showed Mattingly asked police to inquire with the U.S. postal inspector about Taylor 's address and Glover .
A detective , Mike Kuzma , told Mattingly and two other LMPD detectives there were no packages delivered there .
But Jaynes told investigators that he thought Mattingly — coupled with a prior sighting of Glover with a package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant Glover was getting packages at Taylor 's apartment .
`` Was … the way that you worded that specific bullet point in your affidavit , was it your intent to mislead the — the reviewing judge ? ''
Sgt .
Chris Lane asked Jaynes .
`` I did n't need that line in — in there to — to get my PC , '' or probable cause for the warrant , Jaynes replied .
`` I just , uh , basically , when I contacted ( Mattingly ) , it just reaffirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 've had . ''
Sgt .
Jason Vance asked Jaynes why he did n't contact the postal inspector himself .
`` I figured I did n't have , like , direct contact with him , '' Jaynes said .
`` And I know that this is what , uh , ( Mattingly ) — that 's what ( Mattingly ) does .
He goes to the airport . ''
At the time , Mattingly was a member of LMPD 's interdiction squad working on drug cases .
Jaynes added that other detectives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to verify parcels , by going through members of the airport interdiction unit .
An investigative report summarizing the investigators ' conversations with Shively police included information that the Postal Service no longer worked with LMPD because of an unspecified dispute a few years earlier .
No further explanation is given .
'My heart was in my — my throat' During the May 19 interview , Jaynes described that Springfield apartment search , where Taylor lived , was , in his view , the `` least likely '' place for something to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police radio an officer had been shot there .
`` When I heard that , you know , an officer got shot , I mean , my — my heart was in my — my throat at that time , '' Jaynes said .
`` These are our warrants .
We all had a hand in this . ''
The officer shot was Mattingly , who was first in the door when officers broke it down shortly before 1 a.m. to serve the search warrant .
Taylor 's boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone was breaking in .
Mattingly was hit in the femoral artery and required surgery .
It was Walker 's shot that touched over the volley of return fire from police that killed Taylor .
Calling it `` unnerving , '' Jaynes said he would have done `` some of our investigation '' differently but did n't elaborate and was n't pressed by investigators to explain what he meant .
In interviews following Taylor 's death , members of LMPD 's SWAT team said they were kept in the dark about the warrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefings on other locations being searched simultaneously , including on Elliott Avenue , where Glover was arrested .
Lt. Dale Massey , a SWAT team commander , said he would have recommended officers not serve the warrant .
He called serving multiple warrants at once inherently dangerous , and `` bad business . ''
Jaynes told investigators that after the shooting , he followed up with Mattingly in early April to get more information on what he 'd heard from the postal inspector .
`` He 's like , um , 'Man , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Jaynes said , adding that Mattingly did give him two Shively police contacts .
Jaynes reached out to both to ask them to look into Glover receiving mail at Taylor 's apartment — even though Taylor was already dead — to complete his investigative letter , he said .
`` No , he ca n't do it ? ''
an investigator asked Jaynes .
Fact checking 8 myths : :Was Breonna Taylor asleep when police shot her ?
Is there body-cam footage ?
`` I 'm assuming , no , he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` He did n't really elaborate . ''
A day before Jaynes ' interview , a Shively police sergeant told Louisville Public Integrity Unit investigators that it was “ odd ” that a month after Taylor was killed , Jaynes texted him to ask if packages had been delivered to her boyfriend at her apartment .
“ It looks like you ’ re trying to cover your ass is , what it appears to me , ” Sgt .
Tim Salyer told investigators May 18 .
On May 20 , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sgt .
Jeremy Ruoff with the Public Integrity Unit filled out a form requesting the city 's information technology services team begin `` monitoring the computer usage '' of Jaynes .
`` Employee is a PBI ( Place-Based Investigations Squad ) detective , '' Ruoff wrote .
`` I am seeking to obtain any and all documents that were drafted or received by the employee as well as all email correspondence between March 10 , 2020 , to May 18 , 2020 . ''
`` Does the employee know his or her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked .
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: Sign up for This Is America , USA TODAY 's newsletter on race and identity

Darcy Costello, Louisville Courier Journal

'We all had a hand in this': Louisville police officer who got Breonna Taylor warrant in the hot seat
Show Caption Hide Caption The Breonna Taylor decision: What we know about the charges The single indictment handed down by the grand jury in the Breonna Taylor case has raised questions and an outcry. Here's what we know about the charges. Dwight Adams, IndyStar
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The detective who obtained the search warrant bringing police to Breonna Taylor's door the night she died swore in an affidavit March 12 that he personally verified with a postal inspector that a suspected drug dealer was getting packages at her apartment.
Detective Joshua Jaynes admitted something different May 19 while being questioned by Louisville Metro Police Department investigators looking into Taylor's fatal shooting by police March 13.
Jaynes said he asked another officer, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, to verify with postal inspectors that Jamarcus Glover, Taylor's ex-boyfriend and the target of a narcotics investigation, was getting packages at her home. According to police records, there were no "suspicious" packages delivered.
"I could have worded a little bit differently in there," Jaynes told investigators about the affidavit he submitted declaring that he had verified the package information. "It was just, uh, in my opinion, that when I reach out to (Mattingly), the end-all-be-all was gonna be from a U.S. postal inspector office or the post office."
The day after Jaynes gave his interview, Sgt. Jeremy Ruoff with the department's Public Integrity Unit filled out a form requesting records from Jaynes' computer. Jaynes has been on administrative reassignment since June.
'Very troubling': Questions Kentucky's attorney general isn't answering on the Breonna Taylor decision
Public Integrity Unit investigators wrote in their summary July 2 that "wording on the affidavit is misleading" and, "given Jaynes' statement related to the information, should be reviewed for criminal actions."
The interview and PIU summary is part of a massive investigative file in the Taylor case released Wednesday by Mayor Greg Fischer.
Circuit Judge Mary Shaw, who signed Taylor's search warrant, said last week she was concerned that Jaynes had lied to obtain it after reports surfaced indicating LMPD officers had been told no questionable packages had been delivered to Taylor's apartment.
Attorney General Daniel Cameron chose not to make the warrant process part of his case, saying he was deferring to the FBI.
Release the transcripts: Ben Crump slams decision in Breonna Taylor case, calls out systemic racism in the legal system
A spokesman said the FBI obtained the Public Integrity Unit file and is “actively investigating all aspects” of Taylor’s death.
No one has been charged in Taylor's death. Cameron's office said the two officers who shot her, Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove, acted in self-defense when Taylor's boyfriend shot at them first.
John Dolan, the attorney who represented Jaynes during his PIU interview, did not respond to an email sent Wednesday afternoon or a message left with his law office.
No 'suspicious' deliveries
Jaynes said May 19 in his interview with police investigators, one of dozens of documents in LMPD's investigation released publicly Wednesday, that he had asked Mattingly in January to check whether Taylor's former boyfriend, Glover, was receiving "any dope" or "suspicious" packages.
Glover had been convicted of drug trafficking in Mississippi, and police noted that he had picked up a package at Taylor's apartment.
Glover, who was arrested in a drug raid the same night Taylor was killed, denied Taylor had anything to do with the drug trade, though he was recorded from jail as saying Taylor handled "all my money."
No cash or drugs were found at Taylor's home after the shooting.
Before the search warrant was carried out, Jaynes and Mattingly discussed whether Glover had drugs and money shipped to Taylor's home.
Jaynes told investigators May 19 that Mattingly told him "nonchalantly" that Glover "just gets Amazon or mail packages there."
'Just an egregious act': Louisville SWAT team condemned raid on Breonna Taylor's home
"I didn't go too in-depth about that 'cause again, what I saw on my own two eyes just reaffirmed that he was getting mail there," Jaynes said. "It's a reasonable assumption that if you see a guy go in the location, come out with a package, that he is getting mail there."
In his sworn affidavit for the search warrant, Jaynes described seeing Glover pick up a package from Taylor's apartment Jan. 16 before Glover went to a "known drug house."
Investigative records show police were told before the raid March 13 that no packages, "suspicious or otherwise," had been delivered to Glover at Taylor's residence for months before the warrant.
Breonna Taylor case: Grand jury recordings detail conflicting accounts of fatal shooting
An investigative report, previously reported by The Louisville Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, showed Mattingly asked police in Shively, Kentucky, to inquire with a U.S. postal inspector about Taylor's address and Glover.
Detective Mike Kuzma told Mattingly and two other LMPD detectives there were no packages delivered there.
Sgt. Chris Lane asked Jaynes if he intended to mislead the judge reviewing his warrant request.
No, Jaynes said.
"I didn't need that line in – in there to – to get my PC," or probable cause for the warrant, Jaynes replied. "I just, uh, basically, when I contacted (Mattingly), it just reaffirmed what I saw, the things that I've had."
An investigative report summarizing the investigators' conversations with Shively police included information that the Postal Service no longer worked with LMPD because of an unspecified dispute a few years earlier. No further explanation is given.
'My heart was in my – my throat'
During the interview May 19, Jaynes said Taylor's apartment was, in his view, the "least likely" place for something to go wrong.
Then he heard over the police radio an officer had been shot there.
"When I heard that, you know, an officer got shot, I mean, my – my heart was in my – my throat at that time," Jaynes said. "These are our warrants. We all had a hand in this."
Mattingly was first in the door when officers broke it down shortly before 1 a.m. Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired a shot.
Mattingly was hit in the femoral artery and required surgery. Walker's shot touched off the volley of return fire that killed Taylor. Walker said he fired because he thought someone was breaking into their apartment.
A shadowy figure, an 'ambush': Officers give jumbled accounts of night Breonna Taylor died
Calling it "unnerving," Jaynes said he would have done "some of our investigation" differently but didn't elaborate and wasn't pressed by investigators to explain.
In interviews after Taylor's death, members of LMPD's SWAT team said they were kept in the dark about the warrant for Taylor's home, despite briefings on other locations searched simultaneously, including where Glover was arrested.
Lt. Dale Massey, a SWAT team commander, said he would have recommended officers not serve the warrant. He called serving multiple warrants at once inherently dangerous and "bad business."
'Man, I really can't remember'
Jaynes told investigators that after the shooting, he followed up with Mattingly in early April to get more information on what he'd heard from the postal inspector.
“He's like, um, ‘Man, I really can't remember,’” Jaynes said, adding that Mattingly gave him two Shively police contacts.
Jaynes asked them to look into Glover receiving mail at Taylor's apartment.
Kuzma, the Shively detective, told Jaynes: "No."
"No, he can't do it?" an investigator asked Jaynes.
Fact checking 8 myths: Was Breonna Taylor asleep when police shot her? Is there bodycam footage?
"I'm assuming, no, he didn't get anything there," Jaynes said. "He didn't really elaborate."
A day before Jaynes' interview, a Shively police sergeant told Louisville Public Integrity Unit investigators that it was “odd” that a month after Taylor was killed, Jaynes texted him to ask whether packages had been delivered to her boyfriend at her apartment.
“It looks like you’re trying to cover your ass, is what it appears to me,” Sgt. Tim Salyer told investigators May 18.
On May 20, one day after Jaynes' interview with investigators, Sgt. Jeremy Ruoff with the Public Integrity Unit filled out a form requesting the city's information technology services team to begin "monitoring the computer usage" by Jaynes.
"Employee is a PBI (Place-Based Investigations Squad) detective," Ruoff wrote. "I am seeking to obtain any and all documents that were drafted or received by the employee as well as all email correspondence between March 10, 2020, to May 18, 2020."
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Follow Darcy Costello on Twitter: @dctello


usatoday--2020-10-08--Practice blowup between J.J. Watt, Bill O'Brien preceded coach's firing, per reports

Losing the locker room is a death knell for any coach 's hopes of retaining his or her job .
Same goes for a general manager .
Or , in Bill O'Brien 's case , losing both jobs .
Leading up to the Houston Texans ' Week 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers , O'Brien and defensive end J.J. Watt — one of the faces of the franchise along with quarterback Deshaun Watson — had a heated exchange during practice , according to ESPN and the Houston Chronicle .
The blowup , which involved defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver , resulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players and staff , according to reports .
The Steelers defeated the Texans and , following another loss the next week to the then-winless Minnesota Vikings to drop to 0-4 , team owner Cal McNair fired O'Brien , who went 52-48 in six-plus seasons .
`` I do n't know , I 'm not going to talk about what happened at practice and what conversations were had .
Right now , we have a fresh start , '' Watt told reporters Wednesday , adding that he holds `` no ill will '' toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Houston 's interim head coach .
Jack Easterby will fill O'Brien 's role as general manager .

Practice blowup between J.J. Watt, Bill O'Brien preceded coach's firing, per reports
Show Caption Hide Caption Could COVID-19's incubation period lead to NFL's downfall? SportsPulse: As the Titans still deal with their COVID-19 outbreak and the Patriots come to grips with multiple positive test, Mike Jones explains how the virus' incubation period is showing cracks in the NFL's safety protocols. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
Losing the locker room is a death knell for any coach's hopes of retaining his or her job. Same goes for a general manager. Or, in Bill O'Brien's case, losing both jobs.
Leading up to the Houston Texans' Week 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, O'Brien and defensive end J.J. Watt — one of the faces of the franchise along with quarterback Deshaun Watson — had a heated exchange during practice, according to ESPN and the Houston Chronicle.
The blowup, which involved defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, resulted in O'Brien losing the trust of his players and staff, according to reports. The Steelers defeated the Texans and, following another loss the next week to the then-winless Minnesota Vikings to drop to 0-4, team owner Cal McNair fired O'Brien, who went 52-48 in six-plus seasons.
"I don't know, I'm not going to talk about what happened at practice and what conversations were had. Right now, we have a fresh start," Watt told reporters Wednesday, adding that he holds "no ill will" toward O'Brien.
J.J. Watt on argument with Bill O'Brien: 'I don't know, I'm not going to talk about what happened at practice and what conversations were had. Right now, we have a fresh start' — Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 7, 2020
Romeo Crennel is serving as Houston's interim head coach. Jack Easterby will fill O'Brien's role as general manager.
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.


usatoday--2020-10-08--Postal worker charged after nearly 2,000 pieces of mail, including ballots, found in trash

A 26-year-old postal worker from New Jersey faces federal charges after nearly 2,000 pieces of mail , including ballots , were found discarded in dumpsters , but prosecutors do not believe there was any political motive in the case .
Nicholas Beauchene faces charges of delay , secretion or detention of mail and obstruction of mail after about 1,875 pieces of mail , including 99 general election ballots , intended for Essex County , New Jersey , locations were found in dumpsters on Friday and Monday , U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said .
U.S. Attorney Sara Merin had asked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because Beauchene had resigned from his job with the postal service and admitted to dumping the mail , though there was “ no indication that there was any political motive.
” Beauchene did not say anything during his first court appearance , which was held Wednesday via Zoom .
He was released on $ 25,000 bail into the custody of his brother .
Election 2020 : When early voting and mail voting for president begins in every state The mail had been scheduled to be delivered on Sept. 28 , Oct. 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain postal routes , and Beauchene was the only mail carrier assigned to deliver mail to the addresses on the recovered mail , Carpenito said .
The recovered mail was placed back into the mail stream for delivery to its intended recipients .
Copies of the recovered mail were made and retained as evidence , said Carpenito .
In addition to the ballots there were 627 pieces of first class , 873 pieces of standard class , two pieces of certified mail and 276 campaign flyers from local candidates for West Orange Town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carpenito said .
The delay of mail charge is punishable by a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $ 250,000 fine .
The obstruction of mail charge is punishable by a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a $ 5,000 fine .

Postal worker charged after nearly 2,000 pieces of mail, including ballots, found in trash
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
A 26-year-old postal worker from New Jersey faces federal charges after nearly 2,000 pieces of mail, including ballots, were found discarded in dumpsters, but prosecutors do not believe there was any political motive in the case.
Nicholas Beauchene faces charges of delay, secretion or detention of mail and obstruction of mail after about 1,875 pieces of mail, including 99 general election ballots, intended for Essex County, New Jersey, locations were found in dumpsters on Friday and Monday, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said.
U.S. Attorney Sara Merin had asked for bail to be set at $50,000 because Beauchene had resigned from his job with the Postal Service and admitted dumping the mail, though there was “no indication that there was any political motive.”
Beauchene did not say anything during his first court appearance, which was held Wednesday via Zoom. He was released on $25,000 bail into the custody of his brother.
More: Trump makes unfounded claims about mail-in voting
Election 2020: When early voting and mail voting for president begins in every state
The mail had been scheduled to be delivered Sept. 28, Oct. 1, and Oct. 2, to addresses on certain postal routes, and Beauchene was the only mail carrier assigned to deliver mail to the addresses on the recovered mail, Carpenito said.
The recovered mail was placed back into the mail stream for delivery to its intended recipients. Copies of the recovered mail were made and retained as evidence, said Carpenito.
In addition to the ballots, there were 627 pieces of first class, 873 pieces of standard class, two pieces of certified mail and 276 campaign flyers from local candidates for West Orange Town Council and Board of Education recovered, Carpenito said.
The delay of mail charge is punishable by a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The obstruction of mail charge is punishable by a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Follow Katie Sobko on Twitter: @katesobko


usatoday--2020-10-08--Florida State's football program searches for an identity and a winning streak

Six years ago this month , Florida State hosted unbeaten Notre Dame and stirred memories of 1993 , a No .
1 vs. No .
2 pairing marketed in advance as the latest `` Game of the Century '' and won by the Fighting Irish .
Notre Dame carried the sort of prestige built over a century of prominence .
But Florida State was the star at the center of the college football universe .
The defending national champions , then ranked second in the Amway Coaches Poll , had n't lost since Nov. 12 , 2012 — a streak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by quarterback Jameis Winston , the reigning Heisman Trophy winner , and Jimbo Fisher , at that point the only coach mentioned in the same breath as Alabama 's Nick Saban .
Eleven players would be selected in the 2015 NFL draft , including Winston at first overall , giving FSU 29 selections over a three-year span to set a new modern-era draft record .
The program was outperforming the rest of the Bowl Subdivision .
Down 17-10 to the Irish after two quarters , the Seminoles would score three touchdowns in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and make a late goal-line stand to win 31-27 .
The winning streak grew to 23 games and would eventually balloon to 29 , tied for the nation 's second-longest streak since 1972 .
The underlying theme was inevitability : FSU would find a way to win .
The Florida State of 2020 heads into Saturday 's game at Notre Dame ( 7:30 p.m .
ET , NBC ) bearing little resemblance to the program that seemed poised to battle Alabama as the dominant teams of the 2010s .
After winning 10 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one championship and another College Football Playoff berth , the Seminoles are 19-22 since the start of the 2017 season and off the pace set by the top half of the ACC , let alone the best teams in the Bowl Subdivision .
To understand what single factor drove FSU off track is to miss the larger picture — no one single thing caused the Seminoles ' derailment but rather several factors occurring almost simultaneously .
If handled appropriately , any one issue might have been survivable .
Together , they combined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into something else altogether : a program in search of an identity .
`` It ’ s never just one thing .
You don ’ t go from being a dynasty or a perennial powerhouse to being as bad as Florida State is overnight , because of one issue , '' said former Florida State quarterback Danny Kanell .
`` This is a culmination of a bunch of things that have come together . ''
Foremost is coaching turnover and the resulting impact on recruiting , roster management and player development .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years : Fisher , who now holds the same position at Texas A & M , in 2017 ; his replacement , current Florida Atlantic coach Willie Taggart , for 2018 and the first nine games of last season ; and now first-year coach Mike Norvell , who was hired from Memphis .
Longtime assistant Odell Haggins served as the interim coach for the final two games of 2017 and the last four games of 2019 .
This same span has seen four offensive and three defensive coordinators , in an ever-changing schematic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuity and forced the Seminoles into an annual offseason reboot .
Florida State 's recruiting blueprint has varied by staff .
There was a heavy focus on South Florida during the program 's heyday under Fisher , when the Seminoles reeled in top-five recruiting classes in every year but one between 2011-16 , per 247Sports.com .
The search has broadened statewide and nationally across the past several years with a particular focus on transfers as a way to infuse the roster with depth and experience .
Norvell added seven transfers during his first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has become negatively affected by not meeting the expectations of winning , '' said Roger Harriott , the head coach at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale , the No .
3 team in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 rankings .
`` Coach Norvell and his staff seem to be moving in the right logistical direction from a holistic standpoint .
He inherited some obvious challenges but is handling it with a solution-oriented approach .
They are doing a good job establishing a healthy relationship with us and offering support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development that began during Fisher 's final year have snowballed amid the successive coaching changes .
No position groups illustrate these failures more than the offensive line and quarterback .
Recruiting misses and attrition have turned the offensive front into an annual punchline .
The Seminoles have used eight quarterbacks since Winston 's departure and failed to sign one non-transfer quarterback during Taggart 's two seasons , the latter part of a broader concern : Nearly half of the 2018 class is no longer with the program .
After starting James Blackman to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rodemaker in last week 's win against Jacksonville State , Norvell will start former Louisville transfer Jordan Travis against Notre Dame .
Not since the end of the 2002 season had FSU started three different quarterbacks in three straight games .
In all , the inconsistent leadership at head coach and at quarterback has contributed to the fractured culture evident in the games that have gotten out of hand — after losing a combined 13 games across the previous six years , FSU has lost 13 games by 17 or more points since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , Clemson 's active dynasty has secured a place in college football history .
Florida has returned to prominence under third-year coach Dan Mullen .
As seen in the Hurricanes ' 52-10 win last month , Miami has left the Seminoles behind in leaping toward the top of the ACC .
Ceding hard-earned ground to the Tigers , Gators and Hurricanes has only exacerbated the existing issues in recruiting .
The Norvell era begins against this backdrop .
Respected among his peers as an offensive innovator after winning 38 games in four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-year coach takes on lower expectations than his predecessor ; FSU was picked to finish seventh in the ACC preseason poll .
He also inherits more daunting gaps in personnel and a team even further removed from national contention .
`` We have to continue to work and make that choice as a football team and as individuals on what that standard is going to be for each one of us , '' said Norvell .
`` I can promise you , for the program , the standard will not change . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and heavy-underdog status heading into Saturday night speak to the overall situation : For the first time since hiring Bobby Bowden from West Virginia in 1976 , Florida State is embarking on a true rebuilding project .
Can the program be rebuilt as quickly as it fell apart ?
“ I am confident we will regain our place among the nation ’ s elite programs , '' said Florida State athletics director David Coburn .
`` We have everything we need to be successful — a national brand that ’ s second to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most fertile recruiting area in the country and a tremendous young head coach and football staff .
“ The elements we can control are in place now , and I think our climb back to the top is beginning .
”

Florida State's football program searches for an identity and a winning streak
Show Caption Hide Caption Amway Coaches Poll: Alabama's Mac Jones has been on point USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg discusses Alabama's strong start, Georgia's bounce-back effort and Texas entering the danger zone after a loss. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
Six years ago this month, Florida State hosted unbeaten Notre Dame and stirred memories of 1993, a No. 1 vs. No. 2 pairing marketed in advance as the latest "Game of the Century" and won by the Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame carried the sort of prestige built over a century of prominence. But Florida State was the star at the center of the college football universe.
The defending national champions, then ranked second in the Amway Coaches Poll, hadn't lost since Nov. 12, 2012 — a streak of 22 games.
The Seminoles were led by quarterback Jameis Winston, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, and Jimbo Fisher, at that point the only coach mentioned in the same breath as Alabama's Nick Saban. Eleven players would be selected in the 2015 NFL draft, including Winston at first overall, giving FSU 29 selections over a three-year span to set a new modern-era draft record. The program was outperforming the rest of the Bowl Subdivision.
Down 17-10 to the Irish after two quarters, the Seminoles would score three touchdowns in four drives to begin the second half and make a late goal-line stand to win 31-27. The winning streak grew to 23 games and would eventually balloon to 29, tied for the nation's second-longest streak since 1972. The underlying theme was inevitability: FSU would find a way to win.
The Florida State of 2020 heads into Saturday's game at Notre Dame (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC) bearing little resemblance to the program that seemed poised to battle Alabama as the dominant teams of the 2010s. After winning 10 or more games in five straight years with one championship and another College Football Playoff berth, the Seminoles are 19-22 since the start of the 2017 season and off the pace set by the top half of the ACC, let alone the best teams in the Bowl Subdivision.
To understand what single factor drove FSU off track is to miss the larger picture — no one single thing caused the Seminoles' derailment but rather several factors occurring almost simultaneously. If handled appropriately, any one issue might have been survivable. Together, they combined to crumble a potential dynasty and turn FSU into something else altogether: a program in search of an identity.
"It’s never just one thing. You don’t go from being a dynasty or a perennial powerhouse to being as bad as Florida State is overnight, because of one issue," said former Florida State quarterback Danny Kanell. "This is a culmination of a bunch of things that have come together."
Foremost is coaching turnover and the resulting impact on recruiting, roster management and player development.
There have been three head coaches in four years: Fisher, who now holds the same position at Texas A&M, in 2017; his replacement, current Florida Atlantic coach Willie Taggart, for 2018 and the first nine games of last season; and now first-year coach Mike Norvell, who was hired from Memphis. Longtime assistant Odell Haggins served as the interim coach for the final two games of 2017 and the last four games of 2019.
This same span has seen four offensive and three defensive coordinators, in an ever-changing schematic approach that has negated any chance at continuity and forced the Seminoles into an annual offseason reboot.
Florida State's recruiting blueprint has varied by staff. There was a heavy focus on South Florida during the program's heyday under Fisher, when the Seminoles reeled in top-five recruiting classes in every year but one between 2011-16, per 247Sports.com. The search has broadened statewide and nationally across the past several years with a particular focus on transfers as a way to infuse the roster with depth and experience. Norvell added seven transfers during his first recruiting cycle alone.
"Their reputation has become negatively affected by not meeting the expectations of winning," said Roger Harriott, the head coach at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, the No. 3 team in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 rankings.
"Coach Norvell and his staff seem to be moving in the right logistical direction from a holistic standpoint. He inherited some obvious challenges but is handling it with a solution-oriented approach. They are doing a good job establishing a healthy relationship with us and offering support."
Issues with talent evaluation and development that began during Fisher's final year have snowballed amid the successive coaching changes.
No position groups illustrate these failures more than the offensive line and quarterback. Recruiting misses and attrition have turned the offensive front into an annual punchline. The Seminoles have used eight quarterbacks since Winston's departure and failed to sign one non-transfer quarterback during Taggart's two seasons, the latter part of a broader concern: Nearly half of the 2018 class is no longer with the program.
After starting James Blackman to begin the year and inserting freshman Tate Rodemaker in last week's win against Jacksonville State, Norvell will start former Louisville transfer Jordan Travis against Notre Dame. Not since the end of the 2002 season had FSU started three different quarterbacks in three straight games.
In all, the inconsistent leadership at head coach and at quarterback has contributed to the fractured culture evident in the games that have gotten out of hand — after losing a combined 13 games across the previous six years, FSU has lost 13 games by 17 or more points since the start of the 2017 season.
Meanwhile, Clemson's active dynasty has secured a place in college football history. Florida has returned to prominence under third-year coach Dan Mullen. As seen in the Hurricanes' 52-10 win last month, Miami has left the Seminoles behind in leaping toward the top of the ACC. Ceding hard-earned ground to the Tigers, Gators and Hurricanes has only exacerbated the existing issues in recruiting.
The Norvell era begins against this backdrop. Respected among his peers as an offensive innovator after winning 38 games in four seasons at Memphis, the Seminoles' first-year coach takes on lower expectations than his predecessor; FSU was picked to finish seventh in the ACC preseason poll. He also inherits more daunting gaps in personnel and a team even further removed from national contention.
"We have to continue to work and make that choice as a football team and as individuals on what that standard is going to be for each one of us," said Norvell. "I can promise you, for the program, the standard will not change."
The Seminoles' struggles through three games and heavy-underdog status heading into Saturday night speak to the overall situation: For the first time since hiring Bobby Bowden from West Virginia in 1976, Florida State is embarking on a true rebuilding project. Can the program be rebuilt as quickly as it fell apart?
“I am confident we will regain our place among the nation’s elite programs," said Florida State athletics director David Coburn. "We have everything we need to be successful — a national brand that’s second to none, top-20 institution academically, the most fertile recruiting area in the country and a tremendous young head coach and football staff.
“The elements we can control are in place now, and I think our climb back to the top is beginning.”
Follow USA TODAY Sports colleges reporter Paul Myerberg on Twitter @PaulMyerberg


usatoday--2020-10-08--As winter weather approaches, restaurants get creative with outdoor dining

At Jesse ’ s Embers , a steakhouse and seafood restaurant in Des Moines , Iowa , summertime diners took their business to the parking lot .
Owner Deena Edelstein created a makeshift patio there in June , setting out several large , round tables on the asphalt .
The outdoor dining area was adaptable and allowed abundant space for maintaining the required distance between customers suggested by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus , which causes COVID-19 .
It was an instant hit with customers .
Edelstein said that even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room in September , most customers still requested to sit outside .
After several weeks of mandatory closure in the spring and with the capacity limits that accompanied reopening , Edelstein said the outdoor option made a big difference .
`` Since we 've done the outside seating , we were able to at least cover our expenses and pay our staff , '' she said .
Social distancing : It ’ s not about you , it ’ s about us Leaving your coronavirus isolation ?
: Think about these 3 things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , outdoor dining has served as a crucial pivot to recapture business lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic , which forced cities to shut down indoor dining to prevent the virus ' spread .
As winter approaches and temperatures drop , restaurants in locations with colder weather are starting to rethink how to keep outdoor dining open .
Research from the National Restaurant Association found 1 in 6 restaurants closed permanently or long term due to the pandemic .
And as more states report rising numbers of COVID-19 cases , there 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Time is ticking .
According to a survey of 3,500 restaurants operators conducted by the restaurant organization , establishments said they will be able to continue offering outdoor dining until November .
Nearly half of all full-service restaurants ( 49 % ) say they will take actions to extend outdoor dining , including adding tents and patio heaters .
In Milwaukee , Nomad World Pub made big changes – including expanded outdoor dining to a closed street on the city 's east side .
Restaurant owner Mike Eitel and other local restaurateurs are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spaces so they can operate throughout the winter – while hoping Milwaukee will better embrace the cold , snowy season .
Eitel is considering ways to keep Nomad 's patio open throughout winter .
Milwaukee began allowing restaurants to reopen with limited capacity on June 5 .
Many patrons , mindful of the virus , prefer to dine outside .
Also , some restaurateurs remain concerned about the virus spreading even with reduced capacity , increased sanitation , mask requirements and other safety measures .
Nomad 's indoor seating , with room for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The patio can normally accommodate up to 160 patrons .
That 's now limited to 80 people because of the pandemic , Eitel said .
However , Nomad was the first Milwaukee restaurant to obtain city permission to shut down a street for outdoor dining under the new Active Streets for Businesses Program .
The pilot program , which the Common Council and Mayor Tom Barrett approved in June , suspends code and permit requirements to allow expedited city approval for restaurants to use streets and sidewalks for outdoor dining .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several restaurants are using the program to convert parking lanes into seasonal dining space .
Along with a parking lane , it is using a small portion of North Warren Avenue , just south of Brady Street , during peak periods .
Those public spaces have added room for 76 patrons .
`` Oh my God , it saved our asses , '' Eitel said about the additional street dining space .
But the pilot program is set to end on Nov. 15 .
So , Eitel 's focus is on making the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Restaurant Association is urging local leaders across the country to offer more incentives to expand the outdoor dining season .
In a letter sent last month to the U.S. Conference of Mayors , the organization suggested moves such as easing the process for obtaining permits to offer outdoor dining , and providing tax credits toward equipment used toward outdoor dining .
`` While not a substitute for the resumption of full capacity indoor dining , actions that local leaders take to extend the outdoor dining season will help restaurants of all sizes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , vice president of state and local affairs for the association .
Hen Quarter in Dublin , Ohio is one of the few central Ohio eateries to see a year-over-year sales increase this spring and summer , which owner Ron Jordan largely attributed to the restaurant ’ s expansive patio in the Bridge Park development .
Maintaining those sales figures means giving customers a sense of safety , Jordan said .
He plans to set up heated tents and possibly `` igloos '' for small parties .
“ I do n't know how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible , but that 's the plan right now , ” he said .
Roughly two-thirds of seating at Gemut Biergarten in Columbus , Ohio , is outdoors , co-owner Kyle Hofmeister said .
Last fall , the tavern erected a heated tent around its outdoor dining area , and plans to do the same this year .
“ We had several events back there , whether it was DJ nights or a weekly trivia night , ” he said .
Gemut and Hen Quarter aren ’ t alone .
Treva Weaver , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Company , said other restaurants are adding tents , heaters and domes to prolong the outdoor season .
“ After last weekend ( when temperatures dipped below 70 degrees and into the 40s at night in much of Ohio ) there was a lot more interest , ” she said .
In Detroit , EastEats has a unique restaurant concept : the outdoor space is composed of 12 geodesic domes built on platforms .
Ten are for guests , who reserve the domes in time blocks online in advance , and the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other than the domes is made from upcycled materials : The platforms the domes sit on are wood pallets , and the tables and seats are old shipping crates and wire spools .
Sustainability is paramount here .
`` This was born out of the pandemic , '' restaurant partner Kwaku Osei-Bonsu said .
`` Not to at all suggest that we saw only the financial opportunity , but out of tragedy comes industry .
When we were looking at the tragedy of the pandemic and then the tragedy of the restaurant industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity there .
The concept of dining out is not going to die .
People still want to socialize and go out and entertain , but they need a space to do it in that makes sense for them . ''
The domes are open on one side during the warmer months , but EastEats will convert into enclosed heated domes for winter .
The goal is to offer service year-round .
Anywhere from two to eight guests reserve a dome through the app Tock for their desired time slot on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 per person and includes the dome rental , plus five food items cooked on the adjacent food truck .
For another $ 10 per party , you can bring your own alcohol .
While some restaurants look to expand outdoor dining , others are focusing on delivery.Alexander Hall , owner of several restaurants around the Des Moines area , said he does n't plan to buy heaters or other outdoor equipment to stretch patio season , instead making adjustments to accomodate delivery .
Hall said 2020 has been the toughest year he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the industry .
But he sees a glimmer of hope at the end of a long winter indoors .
`` I think we 'll bloom next year , '' Hall said .
`` We 've just got to buckle down over this period to get to the spring , and then everything will be great .
It better be . ''
Katie Akin reports for the Des Moines Register .
Patrick Cooley reports for the Columbus Dispatch .
Tom Daykin reports for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel .
Mark Kurlyandchik reports for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for USA TODAY .

Katie Akin, Patrick Cooley, Tom Daykin, Mark Kurlyandchik and Brett Molina, USA TODAY Network

As winter weather approaches, restaurants get creative with outdoor dining
At Jesse’s Embers, a steakhouse and seafood restaurant in Des Moines, Iowa, summertime diners took their business to the parking lot.
Owner Deena Edelstein created a makeshift patio there in June, setting out several large, round tables on the asphalt. The outdoor dining area was adaptable and allowed abundant space for maintaining the required distance between customers suggested by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.
It was an instant hit with customers. Edelstein said that even after the restaurant reopened its indoor dining room in September, most customers still requested to sit outside.
After several weeks of mandatory closure in the spring and with the capacity limits that accompanied reopening, Edelstein said the outdoor option made a big difference.
"Since we've done the outside seating, we were able to at least cover our expenses and pay our staff," she said.
Social distancing: It’s not about you, it’s about us
Leaving your coronavirus isolation?: Think about these 3 things first
For many restaurants across the nation, outdoor dining has served as a crucial pivot to recapture business lost because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced cities to shut down indoor dining to prevent the virus's spread.
As winter approaches and temperatures drop, restaurants in locations with colder weather are starting to rethink how to keep outdoor dining open.
Research from the National Restaurant Association found 1 in 6 restaurants closed permanently or long-term amid the pandemic. And as more states report rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, there's a fear more restaurants will shut down.
Time is ticking. According to a survey of 3,500 restaurants operators by the restaurant organization, establishments said they will be able to continue offering outdoor dining until November.
Nearly half of all full-service restaurants (49%) say they will take actions to extend outdoor dining, including adding tents and patio heaters.
In Milwaukee, Nomad World Pub made big changes – including expanded outdoor dining to a closed street on the city's east side.
Restaurant owner Mike Eitel and other local restaurateurs are considering ways to improve their outdoor dining spaces so they can operate throughout the winter – while hoping Milwaukee will better embrace the cold, snowy season. Eitel is considering ways to keep Nomad's patio open throughout winter.
Milwaukee began allowing restaurants to reopen with limited capacity on June 5.
Many patrons, mindful of the virus, prefer to dine outside.
Also, some restaurateurs remain concerned about the virus spreading even with reduced capacity, increased sanitation, mask requirements and other safety measures.
Nomad's indoor seating, with room for up to 99 patrons, remains closed.
The patio can normally accommodate up to 160 patrons. That's now limited to 80 because of the pandemic, Eitel said.
However, Nomad was the first Milwaukee restaurant to obtain city permission to shut down a street for outdoor dining under the new Active Streets for Businesses Program.
The pilot program, which the Common Council and Mayor Tom Barrett approved in June, suspends code and permit requirements to allow expedited city approval for restaurants to use streets and sidewalks for outdoor dining. It also waives fees for those businesses.
Several restaurants are using the program to convert parking lanes into seasonal dining space.
Nomad went further.
Along with a parking lane, it is using a small portion of North Warren Avenue, just south of Brady Street, during peak periods. Those public spaces have added room for 76 patrons.
"Oh my God, it saved our (butts)," Eitel said.
But the pilot program is set to end on Nov. 15. So Eitel's focus is on making the patio usable throughout winter.
A specific proposal to extend that program is coming soon for review by the Milwaukee Common Council, said Beth Weirick, Milwaukee Downtown Business Improvement District chief executive officer.
Meanwhile, the district is working on a marketing campaign to persuade people that outdoor drinking, dining and other activities can still be fun even when the cold wind blows.
The National Restaurant Association is urging local leaders across the country to offer more incentives to expand the outdoor dining season. In a letter last month to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the organization suggested moves such as easing the process for obtaining permits to offer outdoor dining, and providing tax credits toward equipment used toward outdoor dining.
"While not a substitute for the resumption of full capacity indoor dining, actions that local leaders take to extend the outdoor dining season will help restaurants of all sizes in the community," wrote Mike Whatley, vice president of state and local affairs for the association.
Hen Quarter in Dublin, Ohio, is one of the few central Ohio eateries to see a year-over-year sales increase this spring and summer, which owner Ron Jordan largely attributed to the restaurant’s expansive patio in the Bridge Park development.
Maintaining those sales figures means giving customers a sense of safety, Jordan said. He plans to set up heated tents and possibly "igloos" for small parties.
“I don't know how much of that is going to be possible, but that's the plan right now,” he said.
Roughly two-thirds of seating at Gemut Biergarten in Columbus, Ohio, is outdoors, co-owner Kyle Hofmeister said. Last fall, the tavern erected a heated tent around its outdoor dining area, and plans to do the same this year.
“We had several events back there, whether it was DJ nights or a weekly trivia night,” he said.
Gemut and Hen Quarter aren’t alone. Treva Weaver, chief operating officer of the Columbus-based Wasserstrom Company, said other restaurants are adding tents, heaters and domes to prolong the outdoor season.
“After last weekend (when temperatures dipped below 70 degrees and into the 40s at night in much of Ohio) there was a lot more interest,” she said.
Keep warm outside: The 10 top-rated outdoor blankets
Buy them while you can: 10 winter essentials to buy now before they sell out
In Detroit, EastEats has a unique restaurant concept: the outdoor space is composed of 12 geodesic domes built on platforms. Ten are for guests, who reserve the domes in time blocks online in advance, and the other two are for service staff.
Everything other than the domes is made from upcycled materials: The platforms the domes sit on are wood pallets, and the tables and seats are old shipping crates and wire spools. Sustainability is paramount here.
"This was born out of the pandemic," restaurant partner Kwaku Osei-Bonsu said. "Not to at all suggest that we saw only the financial opportunity, but out of tragedy comes industry. When we were looking at the tragedy of the pandemic and then the tragedy of the restaurant industry on top of it, we saw an opportunity there. The concept of dining out is not going to die. People still want to socialize and go out and entertain, but they need a space to do it in that makes sense for them."
The domes are open on one side during the warmer months, but EastEats will convert into enclosed heated domes for winter. The goal is to offer service year-round.
Anywhere from two to eight guests reserve a dome through the app Tock for their desired time slot on their desired day. The cost is $45 per person and includes the dome rental, plus five food items cooked on the adjacent food truck. For another $10 per party, you can bring your own alcohol.
While some restaurants look to expand outdoor dining, others are focusing on delivery. Alexander Hall, owner of several restaurants around the Des Moines area, said he doesn't plan to buy heaters or other outdoor equipment to stretch patio season, instead making adjustments to accomodate delivery.
Hall said 2020 has been the toughest year he's seen in nearly three decades working in the industry. But he sees a glimmer of hope at the end of a long winter indoors.
"I think we'll bloom next year," Hall said. "We've just got to buckle down over this period to get to the spring, and then everything will be great. It better be."
Katie Akin reports for the Des Moines Register. Patrick Cooley reports for the Columbus Dispatch. Tom Daykin reports for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Mark Kurlyandchik reports for the Detroit Free Press. Brett Molina reports for USA TODAY.