usatoday--2020-08-01--MLB commissioner Rob Manfred warns season could shut down if players aren't more careful

PHOENIX — Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred , believing the recent outbreak of positive COVID-19 tests was caused by players failing to adhere to health and safety protocols , warned union chief Tony Clark on Friday that the season could be shut down unless players start showing more discipline .
Manfred and Clark declined to discuss the conversation , but MLB is facing increasing scrutiny from public health officials because of the repeated violations of protocols , according to one high-ranking official with direct knowledge of the conversation .
The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak publicly .
There were 29 positive COVID-19 tests from players and staff members this past week , and 21 alone were from the Miami Marlins , whose infected players were forced to board buses Friday back to Miami from Philadelphia .
The team is currently under investigation by MLB for violating the protocols , with two officials telling USA TODAY Sports they uncovered evidence that several Miami players blatantly ignored protocols during their two-game exhibition series in Atlanta .
“ I do think everybody has to take responsibility for their actions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts said .
“ You ’ re talking about being under the microscope with the CDC .
We all have to be accountable .
“ We ’ ve come so far to get to this point , and for it to be shut down because of people being irresponsible , is certainly unacceptable.
’ ’ Said Cardinals president John Mozeliak : “ This is another loud wakeup call.
’ ’ It ’ s unknown just how many positive tests or outbreaks would cause MLB to shut down the season , resulting in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salaries for players and about $ 800 million in postseason revenue to owners , but the industry is in a precarious position just one week into the season .
There were six teams not playing Friday night directly caused by the positive tests , and if the trend doesn ’ t reverse , the season may not last .
“ It ’ s definitely in a lot of guys ’ minds , ’ ’ Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said , “ we all want to play .
It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal thing about the day is when we actually play baseball.
’ ’ Yet , if teams continue to high-five , spit and hug on the field , or venture to restaurants or bars off the field , the season could be over before it really starts .
`` We ’ re all just trying to make sure that we aren ’ t that person that causes an outbreak like they have in Miami , ” Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart said .
“ I can ’ t speak for anybody else , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start to travel .
When we ’ re in Cincinnati and you ’ re in your own home , you are pretty much in control of just about everything .
“ When we are traveling and when we ’ re out in different clubhouses and different hotels , and things like that , that ’ s when things that are in our control start to diminish and go the other way .
That , for me , is the most worrisome.
” And as the Marlins proved , one team alone is capable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endangering the entire season .
“ I ’ m still hopeful that we can play this season , ’ ’ MilwaukeeBrewers pitcher Brent Suter said .
“ I ’ m still hopeful that we can play this season .
It is going to take an ever-adapting and incredibly committed league-wide effort to get it done.
’ ’ The players certainly are appreciative of the efforts to keep everyone safe .
MLB , which issued a 113-page health and safety and health operating manual before the season , even assigned a compliance officer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know that I have an objection to pinning things on the players , ’ ’ Cubs manager David Ross said .
“ I have an objection to pinning things on my players who haven ’ t done anything.
’ ’ The Cubs remain one of only two teams in MLB that has not had a player or staff member test positive since the resumption of spring training .
“ I personally think the league and our union have done a really god job putting everything in place on the fly during this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s just one of those things ... we don ’ t know where this thing hides .
The guys here in our clubhouse know the importance of sticking together and being as prudent as possible away from the field and at the field.
’ ’ There ’ s not a team in baseball that can ’ t do a better job of policing themselves on the field .
There hasn ’ t been a game yet where someone isn ’ t high-fiving a teammate , spitting on the ground or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Dodgers even talked about having players wear masks on the bench Friday , particularly the ones who aren ’ t playing , and reminding one another to keep social distance on the bench .
“ It was a wake-up call for everybody to see that number of players wind up with positives , ’ ’ Minnesota Twins president Derek Falvey said .
“ Am I concerned today ?
Yes .
I would say we ’ re definitely trying to do what we can to control the Twins ’ environment .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that gives us the best chance .
If not , the game will stop .
Said Brewers owner Mark Attanasio : `` If we 're not smart and safe then we 'll fail .
But we 're doing everything we can not to fail.
’ ’ Maybe , the Canadian government had it right when they prevented the Toronto Blue Jays from playing at home this season , believing it would be unsafe to permit U.S. baseball teams from crossing the border without being quarantined .
Certainly , no one can argue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't think there 's a person that thought that this would be seamless , ’ ’ Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said .
`` We are being as safe as we possibly can , but we also understand that this virus is very strong and does n't have borders .
’ ’

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred warns season could shut down if players aren't more careful
PHOENIX — Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, believing the recent outbreak of positive COVID-19 tests was caused by players failing to adhere to health and safety protocols, warned union chief Tony Clark on Friday that the season could be shut down unless players start showing more discipline.
Manfred and Clark declined to discuss the conversation, but MLB is facing increasing scrutiny from public health officials because of the repeated violations of protocols, according to one high-ranking official with direct knowledge of the conversation.
The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because he was unauthorized to speak publicly.
There were 29 positive COVID-19 tests from players and staff members this past week, and 21 alone were from the Miami Marlins, whose infected players were forced to board buses Friday back to Miami from Philadelphia.
The team is currently under investigation by MLB for violating the protocols, with two officials telling USA TODAY Sports they uncovered evidence that several Miami players blatantly ignored protocols during their two-game exhibition series in Atlanta.
“I do think everybody has to take responsibility for their actions,’’ Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “You’re talking about being under the microscope with the CDC. We all have to be accountable.
“We’ve come so far to get to this point, and for it to be shut down because of people being irresponsible, is certainly unacceptable.’’
Said Cardinals president John Mozeliak: “This is another loud wakeup call.’’
It’s unknown just how many positive tests or outbreaks would cause MLB to shut down the season, resulting in the loss of about $1.5 billion in salaries for players and about $800 million in postseason revenue to owners, but the industry is in a precarious position just one week into the season.
There were six teams not playing Friday night directly caused by the positive tests, and if the trend doesn’t reverse, the season may not last.
“It’s definitely in a lot of guys’ minds,’’ Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said, “we all want to play. It’s a little nerve-racking. We say the most normal thing about the day is when we actually play baseball.’’
Yet, if teams continue to high-five, spit and hug on the field, or venture to restaurants or bars off the field, the season could be over before it really starts.
"We’re all just trying to make sure that we aren’t that person that causes an outbreak like they have in Miami,” Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart said. “I can’t speak for anybody else, but it worries me just as we start to travel. When we’re in Cincinnati and you’re in your own home, you are pretty much in control of just about everything.
“When we are traveling and when we’re out in different clubhouses and different hotels, and things like that, that’s when things that are in our control start to diminish and go the other way. That, for me, is the most worrisome.”
And as the Marlins proved, one team alone is capable of wreaking havoc on the schedule and endangering the entire season.
“I’m still hopeful that we can play this season,’’ MilwaukeeBrewers pitcher Brent Suter said. “I’m still hopeful that we can play this season. It is going to take an ever-adapting and incredibly committed league-wide effort to get it done.’’
The players certainly are appreciative of the efforts to keep everyone safe. MLB, which issued a 113-page health and safety and health operating manual before the season, even assigned a compliance officer to each team.
“I don’t know that I have an objection to pinning things on the players,’’ Cubs manager David Ross said. “I have an objection to pinning things on my players who haven’t done anything.’’
The Cubs remain one of only two teams in MLB that has not had a player or staff member test positive since the resumption of spring training.
“I personally think the league and our union have done a really god job putting everything in place on the fly during this pandemic,’’ Rizzo said. “It’s just one of those things ... we don’t know where this thing hides. The guys here in our clubhouse know the importance of sticking together and being as prudent as possible away from the field and at the field.’’
There’s not a team in baseball that can’t do a better job of policing themselves on the field. There hasn’t been a game yet where someone isn’t high-fiving a teammate, spitting on the ground or even having a celebratory group hug.
The Dodgers even talked about having players wear masks on the bench Friday, particularly the ones who aren’t playing, and reminding one another to keep social distance on the bench.
“It was a wake-up call for everybody to see that number of players wind up with positives,’’ Minnesota Twins president Derek Falvey said. “Am I concerned today? Yes. I would say we’re definitely trying to do what we can to control the Twins’ environment.
“If everybody takes care of our own space, that gives us the best chance. If not, the game will stop.
Said Brewers owner Mark Attanasio: "If we're not smart and safe then we'll fail. But we're doing everything we can not to fail.’’
Maybe, the Canadian government had it right when they prevented the Toronto Blue Jays from playing at home this season, believing it would be unsafe to permit U.S. baseball teams from crossing the border without being quarantined.
Certainly, no one can argue with their logic now.
“I don't think there's a person that thought that this would be seamless,’’ Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said. "We are being as safe as we possibly can, but we also understand that this virus is very strong and doesn't have borders.’’


usatoday--2020-07-31--USDA identifies some of the mysterious, unsolicited seeds after all 50 states issue warnings

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified 14 different kinds of seeds in the mysterious packages that appear to have been sent unsolicited from China to people around the country .
All 50 states have issued warnings about the packages some of which contain flowering plants like morning glory , hibiscus and roses , according to Osama El-Lissy , with the Plant Protection program of USDA 's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service .
El-Lissy said other packages contain vegetables like cabbage and herbs including mint , sage , rosemary , and lavender .
`` This is a just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far , '' he said Wednesday .
A spokesperson for the USDA said the department is urging anyone who receives the packages not to plant them and to contact their state plant regulatory official and keep the seeds and packaging , including the mailing label , until they receive further instruction .
`` At this time , we don ’ t have any evidence indicating this is something other than a 'brushing scam ' where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment . ''
Robin Pruisner , state seed control official at the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in Iowa , told Reuters she 's concerned the seeds may have been coated with something , possibly insecticide or fungicide , that could damage crops .
“ I ’ ve had people describe to me that the seeds are coated with something purple .
I haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet , but it sounds an awful lot like a seed treatment , ” she told the outlet .
Sid Miller , Texas agriculture commissioner warned the packages could contain harmful invasive species or be otherwise unsafe , according to a release .
Invasive species are organisms not native to a certain region .
The introduction of invasive species could cause the destruction of native crops , introduce diseases to native plants and could be dangerous to livestock .
“ An invasive plant species might not sound threatening , but these small invaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in the release .
The Texas Department of Agriculture `` has been working closely with USDA to analyze these unknown seeds so we can protect Texas residents.
” Some of the packages were labeled as jewelry and may have Chinese writing on them , according to agriculture officials .
Lori Culley , who lives in Tooele , Utah , told Fox 13 she was excited to find two small packages in her mailbox that appeared to contain earrings .
“ I opened them up and they were seeds , ” Culley said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jewelry.
” Culley told the outlet she posted about the strange incident on Facebook , and “ at least 40 people ” reached out to her saying something similar happened to them .

USDA identifies some of the mysterious, unsolicited seeds after all 50 states issue warnings
Show Caption Hide Caption USDA warns about suspicious seeds being sent to US from China So far, the USDA said some of the packages contain vegetables like cabbage and herbs like mint, sage, rosemary, and lavender. USA TODAY, Wochit
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified 14 kinds of seeds in the mysterious packages that appear to have been sent unsolicited from China to people around the country.
All 50 states have issued warnings about the packages, some of which contain flowering plants like morning glory, hibiscus and roses, according to Osama El-Lissy, with the Plant Protection program of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. El-Lissy said other packages contain vegetables such as cabbage and herbs including mint, sage, rosemary, and lavender.
"This is a just a subset of the samples we've collected so far," he said Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the USDA said the department is urging anyone who receives the packages not to plant them and to contact their state plant regulatory official and keep the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label, until they receive further instruction.
"At this time, we don’t have any evidence indicating this is something other than a 'brushing scam' where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales," the statement said. "USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment."
Robin Pruisner, state seed control official at the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in Iowa, told Reuters she's concerned the seeds may have been coated with something, possibly insecticide or fungicide, that could damage crops.
“I’ve had people describe to me that the seeds are coated with something purple. I haven’t had it in my hands yet, but it sounds an awful lot like a seed treatment,” she told the outlet.
Sid Miller, the Texas agriculture commissioner, warned the packages could contain harmful invasive species or be otherwise unsafe, according to a release. Invasive species are organisms not native to a certain region. The introduction of invasive species could cause the destruction of native crops, introduce diseases to native plants and could be dangerous to livestock.
“An invasive plant species might not sound threatening, but these small invaders could destroy Texas agriculture," Miller said in the release. The Texas Department of Agriculture "has been working closely with USDA to analyze these unknown seeds so we can protect Texas residents.”
Some of the packages were labeled as jewelry and may have Chinese writing on them, according to agriculture officials.
Lori Culley, who lives in Tooele, Utah, told Fox 13 she was excited to find two small packages in her mailbox that appeared to contain earrings.
“I opened them up and they were seeds,” Culley said. “Obviously they’re not jewelry.”
Culley told the outlet she posted about the strange incident on Facebook, and “at least 40 people” reached out to her saying something similar happened to them.
Contributing: Alana Edgin, San Angelo Standard-Times
Follow N'dea Yancey-Bragg on Twitter: @NdeaYanceyBragg


usatoday--2020-07-31--Twitter hack: Three charged for alleged roles, including 17-year-old 'mastermind'

Three people , including a 17-year-old Tampa teen , face charges linked to the largest breach ever on Twitter , affecting the accounts of verified figures including Bill Gates and former President Barack Obama .
In a statement released Friday , the Hillsborough State Attorney 's Office in Florida said the teen was the `` mastermind '' behind the hack , which involved posting messages on high-profile Twitter accounts soliciting bitcoin .
The teen faces 30 felony counts including 17 counts of communications fraud , organized fraud and fraudulent use of personal information .
The teen was arrested on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has been charged as an adult .
`` These crimes were perpetrated using the names of famous people and celebrities , but they ’ re not the primary victims here , '' said Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren in a statement .
`` This ‘ Bit-Con ’ was designed to steal money from regular Americans from all over the country , including here in Florida . ''
'Tweet-tastrophe ' ?
: It could have been .
Twitter hack reveals national security threat before election The path to 5G : After years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US Two other individuals have been charged for alleged roles in the incident , said the Justice Department in a statement Friday .
Mason Sheppard , 19 , of Bognor Regis in the United Kingdom , faces multiple charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud , and the intentional access of a protected computer , said DOJ .
Also charged was 22-year-old Nima Fazeli of Orlando , for allegedly aiding and abetting the intentional access of a protected computer .
`` There is a false belief within the criminal hacker community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be perpetrated anonymously and without consequence , '' said U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson in a statement .
`` Today ’ s charging announcement demonstrates that the elation of nefarious hacking into a secure environment for fun or profit will be short-lived . ''
In a separate statement Friday , Twitter praised the `` swift actions of law enforcement in this investigation and will continue to cooperate as the case progresses . ''
Earlier this month , several big-name accounts belonging to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos , Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to send bitcoin .
The scheme netted more than $ 100,000 in less than an hour .
On Thursday , Twitter said the hack was a `` social engineering '' ploy targeting a small number of employees through a phone spear phishing attack .
Spear-phishing is a more targeted version of phishing , an impersonation scam that uses email or other electronic communications to deceive recipients into handing over sensitive information .
`` Not all of the employees that were initially targeted had permissions to use account management tools , but the attackers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems and gain information about our processes , '' said Twitter .
`` This knowledge then enabled them to target additional employees who did have access to our account support tools . ''
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter : @ brettmolina23 .

Twitter hack: Three charged for alleged roles, including 17-year-old 'mastermind'
Show Caption Hide Caption Several high profile Twitter accounts hacked by scammers Many high profile Twitter accounts were hacked on Wednesday. Hackers sent messages promising payment if followers sent money to fake bitcoin accounts. FMM - F24 Video Clips, FMM - F24 Video Clips
Three people, including a 17-year-old Tampa teen, face charges linked to the largest breach ever on Twitter, affecting the accounts of verified figures including Bill Gates and former President Barack Obama.
In a statement released Friday, the Hillsborough State Attorney's Office in Florida said the teen was the "mastermind" behind the hack, which involved posting messages on high-profile Twitter accounts soliciting bitcoin.
The teen faces 30 felony counts including 17 counts of communications fraud, organized fraud and fraudulent use of personal information. The teen was arrested on Friday, said the attorney's office, and has been charged as an adult.
"These crimes were perpetrated using the names of famous people and celebrities, but they’re not the primary victims here," said Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren in a statement. "This ‘Bit-Con’ was designed to steal money from regular Americans from all over the country, including here in Florida."
'Tweet-tastrophe'?: It could have been. Twitter hack reveals national security threat before election
The path to 5G: After years of hype, the technology is making progress in the US
Two other individuals have been charged for alleged roles in the incident, said the Justice Department in a statement Friday.
Mason Sheppard, 19, of Bognor Regis in the United Kingdom, faces multiple charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and the intentional access of a protected computer, said DOJ.
Also charged was 22-year-old Nima Fazeli of Orlando, for allegedly aiding and abetting the intentional access of a protected computer.
"There is a false belief within the criminal hacker community that attacks like the Twitter hack can be perpetrated anonymously and without consequence," said U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson in a statement. "Today’s charging announcement demonstrates that the elation of nefarious hacking into a secure environment for fun or profit will be short-lived."
In a separate statement Friday, Twitter praised the "swift actions of law enforcement in this investigation and will continue to cooperate as the case progresses."
We appreciate the swift actions of law enforcement in this investigation and will continue to cooperate as the case progresses. For our part, we are focused on being transparent and providing updates regularly.
For the latest, see here 👇 https://t.co/kHty8TXaly — Twitter Comms (@TwitterComms) July 31, 2020
Earlier this month, several big-name accounts belonging to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, and others were compromised, displaying messages to send bitcoin. The scheme netted more than $100,000 in less than an hour.
On Thursday, Twitter said the hack was a "social engineering" ploy targeting a small number of employees through a phone spear phishing attack.
Spear-phishing is a more targeted version of phishing, an impersonation scam that uses email or other electronic communications to deceive recipients into handing over sensitive information.
"Not all of the employees that were initially targeted had permissions to use account management tools, but the attackers used their credentials to access our internal systems and gain information about our processes," said Twitter. "This knowledge then enabled them to target additional employees who did have access to our account support tools."
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.


usatoday--2020-07-31--Dallas Cowboys lead Forbes' list of 50 most valuable sports franchises for the fifth consecutive yea

The annual Forbes list of the world ’ s 50 most valuable sports franchises is out , with the Dallas @ @ @ @ @ spot for a fifth consecutive year .
The Cowboys , valued at $ 5.5 billion @ @ @ @ @ , head a top 50 list still dominated by the NFL , which holds 27 @ @ @ @ @ 's New York Yankees are right behind the Cowboys at No .
2 , and @ @ @ @ @ top five thanks to the New York Knicks , Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State @ @ @ @ @ clubs are in the top 10 , headed by Real Madrid at No .
6 @ @ @ @ @ the list this year .

Dallas Cowboys lead Forbes' list of 50 most valuable sports franchises for the fifth consecutive year
The annual Forbes list of the world’s 50 most valuable sports franchises is out, with the Dallas Cowboys holding down the top spot for a fifth consecutive year.
The Cowboys, valued at $5.5 billion according to Forbes’ research, head a top 50 list still dominated by the NFL, which holds 27 spots.
Major League Baseball's New York Yankees are right behind the Cowboys at No. 2, and NBA clubs round out the top five thanks to the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
Three European soccer clubs are in the top 10, headed by Real Madrid at No. 6. No NHL teams made the list this year.


usatoday--2020-08-01--Trump meets with Florida sheriffs who had attended conference with COVID-positive colleague

FORT MYERS , Fla. – Florida sheriffs who had attended a conference this week with a COVID-19-infected colleague met Friday afternoon with President Donald Trump .
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood reported his positive test just hours before more than a dozen other sheriffs stood with Trump on the Tampa International Airport tarmac .
Chitwood had attended the Florida Sheriff 's Association conference earlier this week in Bonita Springs .
Gov .
Ron DeSantis , Sen. Rick Scott , R-Fla. , Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and law enforcement officers from around the state were also at the conference .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosted the conference and whose agency polices Bonita Springs , stood behind Trump along with 14 other sheriffs as Trump praised them and announced he had received `` dozens '' of their endorsements .
Neither Trump nor the sheriffs wore masks .
Two of the sheriffs said they had been rapid-tested for COVID-19 before meeting with Trump .
Marceno said he was tested for COVID-19 before he met with Trump on Friday .
The crowd of several hundred who were close-packed into the front of the holding pen on the tarmac Friday were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House press pool reports .
They stood about 15 yards away from the president .
Trump spoke around 4 p.m. after exiting Air Force One and vowed to support the sheriffs amid calls for police reform in the aftermath of George Floyd 's death at the hands of Minneapolis police .
“ As long as I ’ m president , I will never defund your police , ” Trump said with a line of sheriffs standing behind him .
DeSantis had attended this week 's conference but was not on the tarmac Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend a Friday roundtable on storm preparedness with Trump .
Cody McCloud , a spokesperson with the governor 's office , said DeSantis took quarantine precautions seriously at the conference , but there was no indication he interacted with Chitwood there .
Nanette Schimpf , a spokesperson for the Florida Sheriff 's Association , confirmed Chitwood did attend the conference but said many of the events were canceled .
The association estimates an average of 530 people normally attend the summer conference , which is one of its biggest events .
But because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was far smaller .
“ Since this was a smaller business meeting , it was shortened , and attendance was reduced by 75 % , ” Schimpf said in a text .
Chitwood , who was not in Tampa on Friday , told the Daytona Beach News-Journal that at the Bonita Springs conference he had interacted with four or five people on the dais and left the event after giving his speech .
Chitwood said he intentionally sat in the back of a large room and didn ’ t go near anybody .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ room were wearing masks , which were optional in the ballroom .
But he said there was probably about 12 feet between each person and he didn ’ t wear a mask there .
It 's unknown how many sheriffs attended the conference , but no others have reported any symptoms , Schimpf said .
`` I don ’ t know of anyone else who is sick or feeling ill , '' she said .
Schimpf said Friday 's campaign event is not associated with the Florida Sheriff 's Association .
Contributing : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily News , Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon of Florida Today , Carlos Muñoz of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune , Jim Rosica of the USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida Capital Bureau , and Frank Fernandez and Matt Bruce of the Daytona Beach News-Journal .

Trump meets with Florida sheriffs who had attended conference with COVID-positive colleague
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump urges mask wearing: 'If you can, use the mask' President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has "no problem" wearing a mask and urged Americans to wear theirs, too. The comments are a major change in tone for the president, who spent months resisting wearing a mask in public. (July 21) AP
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida sheriffs who had attended a conference this week with a COVID-19-infected colleague met Friday afternoon with President Donald Trump.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood reported his positive test just hours before more than a dozen other sheriffs stood with Trump on the Tampa International Airport tarmac.
Chitwood had attended the Florida Sheriff's Association conference earlier this week in Bonita Springs. Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and law enforcement officers from around the state were also at the conference.
On Friday night, the Florida Department of Corrections reported that Secretary Mark Inch, who attended the conference, and Deputy Secretary Ricky Dixon had tested positive.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, who hosted the conference and whose agency polices Bonita Springs, stood behind Trump along with 14 other sheriffs as Trump praised them and announced he had received "dozens" of their endorsements. Neither Trump nor the sheriffs wore masks. Two of the sheriffs said they had been rapid-tested for COVID-19 before meeting with Trump.
Marceno said he was tested for COVID-19 before he met with Trump on Friday.
The crowd of several hundred who were close-packed into the front of the holding pen on the tarmac Friday were almost uniformly maskless, according to White House press pool reports. They stood about 15 yards away from the president.
Trump spoke around 4 p.m. after exiting Air Force One and vowed to support the sheriffs amid calls for police reform in the aftermath of George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police.
“As long as I’m president, I will never defund your police,” Trump said with a line of sheriffs standing behind him.
Coronavirus: Social distancing key to fighting COVID-19 Social distancing matters. Here is how to do it and how it can help curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco thanked Trump for his unwavering support of law enforcement as they endorsed his reelection.
"In my view, there's only one candidate for president in 2020 that even understands what law and order means, and that is why we are all standing here today, Mr. President, in support of you," Ivey said.
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells was at the Tampa event Friday but was "socially distanced from all the others and wearing a mask while attending meetings there today," according to a spokesman. Wells had been "rapid tested for COVID," with negative results, "which cleared him to be with the president," the spokesman said.
DeSantis had attended this week's conference but was not on the tarmac Friday. However, he was scheduled to attend a Friday roundtable on storm preparedness with Trump. Cody McCloud, a spokesperson with the governor's office, said DeSantis took quarantine precautions seriously at the conference, but there was no indication he interacted with Chitwood there.
Nanette Schimpf, a spokesperson for the Florida Sheriff's Association, confirmed Chitwood did attend the conference but said many of the events were canceled.
The association estimates an average of 530 people normally attend the summer conference, which is one of its biggest events. But because of the pandemic, this year's was far smaller.
“Since this was a smaller business meeting, it was shortened, and attendance was reduced by 75%,” Schimpf said in a text.
Coronavirus: Former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain dies after battle with COVID-19
Chitwood, who was not in Tampa on Friday, told the Daytona Beach News-Journal that at the Bonita Springs conference he had interacted with four or five people on the dais and left the event after giving his speech.
Chitwood said he intentionally sat in the back of a large room and didn’t go near anybody. He said some people in the conference room were wearing masks, which were optional in the ballroom. But he said there was probably about 12 feet between each person and he didn’t wear a mask there.
It's unknown how many sheriffs attended the conference, but no others have reported any symptoms, Schimpf said.
"I don’t know of anyone else who is sick or feeling ill," she said.
But in a late Friday news release, the Florida Department of Corrections confirmed that Inch and Dixon had tested positive.
Inch had been experiencing “mild symptoms” for about 24 hours following his return from the conference, according to the news release, which added that both Inch and Dixon are self-isolating. The release did not make clear if Dixon attended the conference, and a call to the department was not returned.
”Trace back measures have been conducted and individuals who were in close contact with Secretary Inch and Deputy Secretary Dixon in recent days have been informed of their positive status. These individuals have been encouraged to take proper precautions and undergo testing,” the release said.
“At this time, the location of exposure to the virus ... has not been determined.”
Schimpf said Friday's campaign event was not associated with the Florida Sheriff's Association.
Photos from various sheriff's office social media pages show representation at the conference from at least Flagler, Gilchrest, Hernando, Indian River, Manatee, Martin, St. Lucie, Polk and Wakulla counties.
St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar told the News-Journal that he spoke with Chitwood at the conference but was not feeling any symptoms and does not plan to quarantine.
Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk attended the conference but was not in close proximity to Chitwood, spokesperson Karie Partington said.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Sheriff Bob Gualtieri was at the conference.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw did not attend the conference or travel to Tampa for the president's arrival, a spokesperson said. Other sheriffs not at the conference included Nocco of Pasco County, Hillsborough County's Chad Chronister and Leon County's Walt McNeil, according to spokespersons.
Marceno, Lee County's sheriff who hosted this week's conference, said Friday that it normally would have included sheriffs from all 67 Florida counties. But Marceno described the meeting as a “skeleton crew of sheriffs because of COVID.”
The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, where the conference was held, had a mandatory mask policy inside. Organizers set up the meeting to keep attendees at a distance, and tables that normally would seat 10 or 12 people only had one or two people, Marceno said.
“Many tables were empty,” Marceno said. “They cut everything back and everything was social distanced. It was real strict.”
Marceno said he knows Chitwood but doesn’t recall if he was in close proximity to him at the meeting.
“I can’t say yes or no,” he said. “I can’t remember, to be honest.”
But Marceno said he was tested for COVID-19 before he met with Trump on Friday. Marceno stood directly behind Trump during the presentation on the tarmac after Trump exited Air Force One.
“I literally just got tested and I was negative,” he said in a phone interview after Trump's speech, noting that at the sheriffs meeting, “I wore a mask. I washed my hands. I social distanced.”
Because the Lee County Sheriff’s Office hosted the meeting, there were other agency members at the meeting beside Marceno. He said he didn’t have any plans to mandate any additional precautionary orders for those members beyond the COVID-19 protocols the agency already has in place.
“If someone said they didn’t feel well, absolutely," Marceno said. "Other than that, we move on."
Contributing: Ryan Mills of The News-Press and Naples Daily News, Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon of Florida Today, Carlos Muñoz of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Jim Rosica of the USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida Capital Bureau, and Frank Fernandez and Matt Bruce of the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Follow Devan Patelvon Twitter: @DevanJPatel


usatoday--2020-07-31--Marines: 8 still missing, 1 confirmed dead after sea tank sinks off California coast

SAN DIEGO – A search continues for seven missing Marines and one sailor after an amphibious assault vehicle sank off the coast of southern California on Thursday evening , killing one and injuring two others .
In total , the boat carried 16 members of the military ; five of whom have returned to their assigned ship , Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger said at a Friday press conference .
Berger said he has directed the suspension of water operations for amphibious assault vehicles until the cause of the incident has been determined .
He said the entire fleet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Marines on the 26-ton vehicle , which resembles a seafaring tank , were assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit , the Marine Corps said .
The Marine Expeditionary Force is the Marine Corps ’ main warfighting organization .
There are three such groups which are made up of ground , air and logistics forces .
“ We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident .
I ask that you keep our Marines , Sailors , and their families in your prayers as we continue our search , ” Col. Christopher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said in a statement from the Marine Corps .
July 12 : Multiple sailors injured during fire on USS Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego The incident occurred during a training exercise near San Clemente Island , located about 60 miles off the coast of Camp Pendleton in San Diego County , Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman , the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force , said .
`` When the AAV began to take on water , they signaled to the rest of the unit , '' Osterman said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovered at that time .
The vehicle sunk and now sits several hundred feet below water , too deep for a diver to reach , Osterman .
Thursday 's accident marks the third time in less than a decade that Camp Pendleton Marines have been injured or died in amphibious assault vehicles during training exercises .

Marines: 8 still missing, 1 confirmed dead after sea tank sinks off California coast
SAN DIEGO – A search continues for seven missing Marines and one sailor after an amphibious assault vehicle sank off the coast of southern California on Thursday evening, killing one and injuring two others.
In total, the boat carried 16 members of the military; five of whom have returned to their assigned ship, Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger said at a Friday press conference.
Berger said he has directed the suspension of water operations for amphibious assault vehicles until the cause of the incident has been determined. He said the entire fleet of vehicles would be inspected.
All of the Marines on the 26-ton vehicle, which resembles a seafaring tank, were assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marine Corps said.
The Marine Expeditionary Force is the Marine Corps’ main warfighting organization. There are three such groups which are made up of ground, air and logistics forces.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident. I ask that you keep our Marines, Sailors, and their families in your prayers as we continue our search,” Col. Christopher Bronzi, the unit's commanding officer, said in a statement from the Marine Corps.
July 12: Multiple sailors injured during fire on USS Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego
The incident occurred during a training exercise near San Clemente Island, located about 60 miles off the coast of Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, said.
"When the AAV began to take on water, they signaled to the rest of the unit," Osterman said. Eight Marines were able to be recovered at that time.
The vehicle sunk and now sits several hundred feet below water, too deep for a diver to reach, Osterman.
Thursday's accident marks the third time in less than a decade that Camp Pendleton Marines have been injured or died in amphibious assault vehicles during training exercises.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-07-31--Antonio Brown suspended by NFL for eight games for violating conduct policy

Antonio Brown 's potential return to the NFL wo n't take place until at least midway through the 2020 season .
The free agent wide receiver has been suspended for the first eight games of the upcoming campaign for multiple violations of the league 's personal conduct policy , the NFL announced Friday .
The suspension will take place as of Sept. 5 .
Brown is permitted to sign with any team and take part in any preseason activities .
Brown remains unsigned after playing in just one game for the New England Patriots last season .
He was released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sports Illustrated reported Brown sent intimidating text messages to a woman who had accused him of sexual misconduct .
Britney Taylor , one of Brown 's former trainers , also filed a civil lawsuit alleging that the wide receiver sexually assaulted her on three separate occasions in 2017 and 2018 .
The NFL began investigating Brown under its personal conduct policy shortly after , and the league is continuing its probe into the claims , according to multiple reports .
Additional violations of the league 's conduct policy `` will likely result in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in its statement Friday .
In June , Brown also pleaded no contest to a felony burglary with battery charge as part of an incident with a moving truck company outside his home in Hollywood , Florida .
Brown , 32 , is one of the most decorated wide receivers of his era .
A selection for the Pro Football Hall of Fame 's All-2010s team , he has been named to the All-Pro team four times and the Pro Bowl seven times .
His 75 touchdown catches rank second among all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2018 season , Brown was declared inactive for a crucial Week 17 contest after skipping practices , a walkthrough and a team meeting , and he left the game at halftime .
He was subsequently traded to the Oakland Raiders , but he never played in a game for the team and instead was released last September after repeatedly clashing with general manager Mike Mayock and coach Jon Gruden over missed practices , helmet requirements and team-issued fines .
Brown signed with the Patriots two days after his split with the Raiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lasted just 11 days .
Since the investigation began , Brown has suggested on multiple occasions that he would retire from the NFL only to seemingly reverse course shortly after .
In an Instagram post last Thursday , he called the league 's continuation of its investigations `` completely unacceptable '' and demanded `` clarity on this situation immediately . ''

Antonio Brown suspended by NFL for eight games for violating conduct policy
Show Caption Hide Caption What would make the NFL cancel games and the season? USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell breaks down various potential contingencies as the NFL tries to play during a pandemic. USA TODAY
Antonio Brown's potential return to the NFL won't take place until at least midway through the 2020 season.
The free agent wide receiver has been suspended for the first eight games of the upcoming campaign for multiple violations of the league's personal conduct policy, the NFL announced Friday.
The suspension will take place as of Sept. 5. Brown is permitted to sign with any team and take part in any preseason activities.
Brown remains unsigned after playing in just one game for the New England Patriots last season. He was released on Sept. 20, one day after Sports Illustrated reported Brown sent intimidating text messages to a woman who had accused him of sexual misconduct.
Britney Taylor, one of Brown's former trainers, also filed a civil lawsuit alleging that the wide receiver sexually assaulted her on three separate occasions in 2017 and 2018. The NFL began investigating Brown under its personal conduct policy shortly after, and the league is continuing its probe into the claims, according to multiple reports. Additional violations of the league's conduct policy "will likely result in more significant discipline," the league said in its statement Friday.
In June, Brown also pleaded no contest to a felony burglary with battery charge as part of an incident with a moving truck company outside his home in Hollywood, Florida.
Brown, 32, is one of the most decorated wide receivers of his era. A selection for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-2010s team, he has been named to the All-Pro team four times and the Pro Bowl seven times. His 75 touchdown catches rank second among all active players.
At the end of the 2018 season, Brown was declared inactive for a crucial Week 17 contest after skipping practices, a walkthrough and a team meeting, and he left the game at halftime. He was subsequently traded to the Oakland Raiders, but he never played in a game for the team and instead was released last September after repeatedly clashing with general manager Mike Mayock and coach Jon Gruden over missed practices, helmet requirements and team-issued fines.
Brown signed with the Patriots two days after his split with the Raiders, but his time in New England lasted just 11 days.
Since the investigation began, Brown has suggested on multiple occasions that he would retire from the NFL only to seemingly reverse course shortly after. In an Instagram post last Thursday, he called the league's continuation of its investigations "completely unacceptable" and demanded "clarity on this situation immediately."
Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.


usatoday--2020-07-31--Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is back home after hospitalization

WASHINGTON – Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was discharged from the hospital Friday , a few days after she was admitted to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Center in New York City for a routine procedure .
Ginsburg , a four-time cancer survivor and the high court 's oldest justice at 87 , underwent `` a minimally invasive , non-surgical procedure '' Wednesday to revise a bile duct stent inserted nearly a year ago , the court said earlier this week .
The procedure was performed using endoscopy and medical imaging guidance to minimize the risk of future infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revisions are common .
Ginsburg faces cancer : Ginsburg receiving chemotherapy after lesions found on her liver Ginsburg is back home and doing well , the court said Friday .
Ginsburg is battling cancer for a fifth time .
She announced two weeks ago that she has been undergoing chemotherapy since May after doctors found lesions on her liver .
The justice said her most recent scan showed `` significant reduction '' of the lesions .
Ginsburg battled colon cancer in 1999 , pancreatic cancer in 2009 , lung cancer in 2018 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is back home after hospitalization
Show Caption Hide Caption Ruth Bader Ginsburg is tougher than she looks There's a reason Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is called Notorious RBG. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was discharged from the hospital Friday, a few days after she was admitted to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Center in New York City for a routine procedure.
Ginsburg, a four-time cancer survivor and the high court's oldest justice at 87, underwent "a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure" Wednesday to revise a bile duct stent inserted nearly a year ago, the court said earlier this week.
The procedure was performed using endoscopy and medical imaging guidance to minimize the risk of future infection, and her doctors said such stent revisions are common.
Ginsburg faces cancer: Ginsburg receiving chemotherapy after lesions found on her liver
Ginsburg is back home and doing well, the court said Friday.
Ginsburg is battling cancer for a fifth time. She announced two weeks ago that she has been undergoing chemotherapy since May after doctors found lesions on her liver. The justice said her most recent scan showed "significant reduction" of the lesions.
Ginsburg battled colon cancer in 1999, pancreatic cancer in 2009, lung cancer in 2018 and a second bout with pancreatic cancer last year.
Contributing: Richard Wolf


usatoday--2020-07-31--Biggest coronavirus vaccine deal yet: $2.1 billion to Sanofi/GSK for up to 100 million doses

The United States announced Friday it will pay French pharmaceutical company Sanofi and Great Britain ’ s GlaxoSmithKline up to $ 2.1 billion to test and produce 100 million doses of an experimental coronavirus vaccine .
More than half of the money will support further development and early-stage clinical trials to ensure it is safe and effective .
The rest will pay for the first 100 million doses , with an option on 500 million more .
The majority of the $ 2.1 billion will go to Sanofi , which made the vaccine candidate .
GlaxoSmithKline made a booster that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The deal is part of Operation Warp Speed , a White House-led initiative aimed at getting a vaccine to stop SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 .
The Trump administration initiative has now spent more than $ 8 billion on experimental vaccines that may or may not make it across the finish line .
Operation Warp Speed : Officials deflect criticism , saying 'We are taking every possible step ' for safe COVID-19 vaccine Expert panel : Early success of COVID-19 vaccine candidates fuels optimism , but experts warn ' a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being manufactured `` at-risk '' — before they 're licensed .
If any of the vaccines are n't approved , the stockpiled doses will be destroyed .
The companies are collaborating with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense to scale up their manufacturing capabilities in the United States .
Sanofi 's experimental vaccine uses DNA and a never-released experimental vaccine against the SARS virus .
Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical tests of the candidate vaccine will begin in September , said Thomas Triomphe , global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine wing .
The potential vaccine could begin Phase 3 studies , the final phase before licensing , by the end of 2020 .
If it 's shown to be safe and effective , the companies anticipate seeking regulatory approval in the first half of 2021 .
This is the fourth deal in which the federal government has committed to buy doses if companies develop successful coronavirus vaccines .
Under an agreement struck in May , British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca would receive $ 1.2 billion for 300 million doses .
In July , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S.-based Pfizer for 100 million doses .
And Maryland-based Novavax announced in July it would receive $ 1.6 billion from the government to fund development , testing and 100 million doses of its vaccine candidate .
“ The portfolio of vaccines being assembled for Operation Warp Speed increases the odds that we will have at least one safe , effective vaccine as soon as the end of this year , ” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a written statement .
The latest deal has “ the potential to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doses to the American people , ” he said .
Sanofi and GSK said they are committed to making the vaccine available globally and are building up manufacturing capabilities to produce up to 1 billion doses per year .
The DNA-based vaccine candidate is one of two the companies are working on .
The other is a messenger RNA vaccine , the same type being developed by Moderna .
For the second one , they anticipate beginning Phase 1 testing by the end of 2020 and plan to have a vaccine ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2021 , the companies said .

Biggest coronavirus vaccine deal yet: $2.1 billion to Sanofi/GSK for up to 100 million doses
Show Caption Hide Caption 4 phases of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials explained Approving a vaccine in the U.S. usually takes years, but COVID-19 vaccines are moving through in record time. What does that mean? USA TODAY
The United States announced Friday it will pay French pharmaceutical company Sanofi and Great Britain’s GlaxoSmithKline up to $2.1 billion to test and produce 100 million doses of an experimental coronavirus vaccine.
More than half of the money will support further development and early-stage clinical trials to ensure it is safe and effective. The rest will pay for the first 100 million doses, with an option on 500 million more.
The majority of the $2.1 billion will go to Sanofi, which made the vaccine candidate. GlaxoSmithKline made a booster that improves how the body responds to it.
The deal is part of Operation Warp Speed, a White House-led initiative aimed at getting a vaccine to stop SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The Trump administration initiative has now spent more than $8 billion on experimental vaccines that may or may not make it across the finish line.
'Historic moment: Large-scale trials of potential COVID-19 vaccines begin
Operation Warp Speed: Officials deflect criticism, saying 'We are taking every possible step' for safe COVID-19 vaccine
Expert panel: Early success of COVID-19 vaccine candidates fuels optimism, but experts warn 'a lot has to go right'
They are being manufactured "at-risk" – before they're licensed. If any of the vaccines aren't approved, the stockpiled doses will be destroyed.
The companies are collaborating with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense to scale up their manufacturing capabilities in the United States.
Sanofi's experimental vaccine uses DNA and a never-released experimental vaccine against the SARS virus. Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical tests of the candidate vaccine will begin in September, said Thomas Triomphe, global head of Sanofi Pasteur, Sanofi's vaccine wing.
The potential vaccine could begin Phase 3 studies, the final phase before licensing, by the end of 2020. If it's shown to be safe and effective, the companies anticipate seeking regulatory approval in the first half of 2021.
This is the fourth deal in which the federal government has committed to buy doses if companies develop successful coronavirus vaccines.
Fauci: Vaccine development moving at a rapid speed Dr. Anthony Fauci said Tuesday the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus was moving at rapid speed. Fauci spoke as President Donald Trump issued a stout defense Tuesday of a disproved use of a malaria drug as a treatment.e coronavirus. (July 28) AP
Under an agreement struck in May, British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca would receive $1.2 billion for 300 million doses. In July, a $1.95 billion deal was announced with U.S.-based Pfizer for 100 million doses. And Maryland-based Novavax announced in July it would receive $1.6 billion from the government to fund development, testing and 100 million doses of its vaccine candidate.
“The portfolio of vaccines being assembled for Operation Warp Speed increases the odds that we will have at least one safe, effective vaccine as soon as the end of this year,” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a written statement.
The latest deal has “the potential to bring hundreds of millions of safe and effective doses to the American people,” he said.
Sanofi and GSK said they are committed to making the vaccine available globally and are building up manufacturing capabilities to produce up to 1 billion doses per year.
The DNA-based vaccine candidate is one of two the companies are working on. The other is a messenger RNA vaccine, the same type being developed by Moderna.
For the second one, they anticipate beginning Phase 1 testing by the end of 2020 and plan to have a vaccine ready to begin regulatory approval in the second half of 2021, the companies said.


usatoday--2020-07-31--Trump doubles down on mail-in voting concerns, warns of 'greatest election disaster in history'

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Friday doubled down on his concerns about mail-in voting snarling results on Election Day , warning delays and fraud could lead to `` the greatest election disaster in history . ''
`` It ’ ll be fixed , it will be rigged .
People ought to get smart , '' Trump , without citing evidence , told reporters during a roundtable discussion with the leadership from the National Association of Police Organizations .
`` This is going to be the greatest election disaster in history . ''
Trump appeared to go further than his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be delayed because of mail-in voting .
He repeated his longstanding and unproven claim that more mail-in ballots is a recipe for voter fraud and added that a postal service backlog would mar election results on Nov. 3 - a scenario some election experts say is likely due to the expected surge in mail-in ballots over concerns of spreading the coronavirus at polling places .
“ They think they ’ re going to send hundreds of millions of ballots all over the United States and it ’ s gon na come out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know the election results for weeks , months , maybe years after .
Maybe you ’ ll never know the election result .
And that ’ s what I ’ m concerned with . ''
Trump drew bipartisan blow back on Thursday for a tweet questioning whether the presidential election should be delayed , a decision that would require approval from Congress and was roundly dismissed by congressional Republicans and Democrats .
More : McConnell , other top Republicans say Election Day is n't moving after Trump floated delay He later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying he did not want to see the election delayed and that his tweet was merely raising concerns about the expansion of mail-in ballots as a fraudulent attempt to rig the election , despite several studies showing voter fraud among mail-in ballots is rare .
Out of billions of votes cast across all U.S. elections from 2000 to 2012 , an analysis from the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice found only 491 cases of absentee voter fraud .
The president said he wanted to see the election take place and predicted Republicans would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election date .
But he insisted the government is `` not prepared for an onslaught of millions of ballots pouring in . ''
`` We 're going to do very well in the election .
Nobody wants that date more than me .
I wish we 'd move it up , OK ? ''
he said .
He pointed to New York , where election officials struggled with an influx of mail-in ballots during House primary races last month , suggesting the final result may not be correct .
But not all Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message .
Republican state parties in critical battleground states such as Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin are promoting vote-by-mail as an option if the pandemic spills into the fall while Trump 's own campaign has pushed state parties to encourage voters to request mail ballots .
'He 's scaring our own voters ' : Republicans run into a Donald Trump problem as they push mail voting Trump is trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in battleground states , though analysts from both parties acknowledge there is ample time for the landscape to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's skepticism of the election is an attempt to sow doubt if the election does n't go his way .
`` Trump is talking about stopping the election , which he can ’ t do , but would if he could , because he is losing , '' said Steve Schmidt , a former Republican now working against Trump 's re-election .
`` He is losing because he is the greatest failure in the history of the American Presidency .
He is the most incompetent leader in a crisis in US history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea of absentee ballots , which are offered to seniors , the military , people with disabilities and others who are unable to vote in-person on Election Day .
The White House and Republicans have sought to draw a distinction between absentee ballots and universal mail-in voting , where ballots are mailed to all registered voters .
But election experts contend that absentee and mail-in ballots are fundamentally the same thing : voting from home .
`` Absentee ballots , great .
Going to the polls , great , '' Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with millions and millions of ballots , you 're never gon na know what the real result of an election is .
It 's gon na be a very , very sad day for our country . ''

Trump doubles down on mail-in voting concerns, warns of 'greatest election disaster in history'
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump meets with family of slain soldier Vanessa Guillen President Donald Trump met with the family of slain soldier Vanessa Guillen at the White House. Associated Press, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Friday doubled down on his concerns about mail-in voting snarling results on Election Day, warning delays and fraud could lead to "the greatest election disaster in history."
"It’ll be fixed, it will be rigged. People ought to get smart," Trump, without citing evidence, told reporters during a roundtable discussion with the leadership from the National Association of Police Organizations. "This is going to be the greatest election disaster in history."
Trump appeared to go further than his suggestion Thursday that the 2020 election should be delayed because of mail-in voting. He repeated his longstanding and unproven claim that more mail-in ballots is a recipe for voter fraud and added that a postal service backlog would mar election results on Nov. 3 - a scenario some election experts say is likely due to the expected surge in mail-in ballots over concerns of spreading the coronavirus at polling places.
“They think they’re going to send hundreds of millions of ballots all over the United States and it’s gonna come out,” Trump continued. "You won’t know the election results for weeks, months, maybe years after. Maybe you’ll never know the election result. And that’s what I’m concerned with."
Trump drew bipartisan blow back on Thursday for a tweet questioning whether the presidential election should be delayed, a decision that would require approval from Congress and was roundly dismissed by congressional Republicans and Democrats.
More: McConnell, other top Republicans say Election Day isn't moving after Trump floated delay
Trump suggests delaying election in fear of 'fraudulent' voting The United States has never delayed an election, even during the Civil War and World War II. USA TODAY
He later appeared to walk back that suggestion, saying he did not want to see the election delayed and that his tweet was merely raising concerns about the expansion of mail-in ballots as a fraudulent attempt to rig the election, despite several studies showing voter fraud among mail-in ballots is rare.
Out of billions of votes cast across all U.S. elections from 2000 to 2012, an analysis from the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice found only 491 cases of absentee voter fraud.
Mail-In Voting, unless changed by the courts, will lead to the most CORRUPT ELECTION in our Nation’s History! #RIGGEDELECTION — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 21, 2020
The president said he wanted to see the election take place and predicted Republicans would do well and even suggested moving up the election date. But he insisted the government is "not prepared for an onslaught of millions of ballots pouring in."
"We're going to do very well in the election. Nobody wants that date more than me. I wish we'd move it up, OK?" he said.
He pointed to New York, where election officials struggled with an influx of mail-in ballots during House primary races last month, suggesting the final result may not be correct.
But not all Republicans are on board with the president's message. Republican state parties in critical battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin are promoting vote-by-mail as an option if the pandemic spills into the fall while Trump's own campaign has pushed state parties to encourage voters to request mail ballots.
'He's scaring our own voters': Republicans run into a Donald Trump problem as they push mail voting
Trump is trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in battleground states, though analysts from both parties acknowledge there is ample time for the landscape to change. Democrats and other critics say the president's skepticism of the election is an attempt to sow doubt if the election doesn't go his way.
"Trump is talking about stopping the election, which he can’t do, but would if he could, because he is losing," said Steve Schmidt, a former Republican now working against Trump's re-election. "He is losing because he is the greatest failure in the history of the American Presidency. He is the most incompetent leader in a crisis in US history. Vote."
Trump again endorsed the idea of absentee ballots, which are offered to seniors, the military, people with disabilities and others who are unable to vote in-person on Election Day.
The White House and Republicans have sought to draw a distinction between absentee ballots and universal mail-in voting, where ballots are mailed to all registered voters. But election experts contend that absentee and mail-in ballots are fundamentally the same thing: voting from home.
"Absentee ballots, great. Going to the polls, great," Trump said. "If you do universal mail-ins with millions and millions of ballots, you're never gonna know what the real result of an election is. It's gonna be a very, very sad day for our country."
Contributing: John Fritze, David Jackson, Joey Garrison


usatoday--2020-07-31--Beyoncé's 'Black is King' is the joyful anthem Black people need in 2020

*Disclaimer : I don ’ t speak for all Black folks , but if you are n't rocking with Beyoncé ’ s “ Black is King ” then please exit stage left .
Beyoncé has saved us all once again .
We can all agree that 2020 has been heavy .
Kobe Bryant and Pop Smoke 's deaths shook us the first two months .
The coronavirus pandemic , still ravaging on , is disproportionately affecting Black communities .
Black Lives Matter protests have been in full swing since Ahmaud Arbery 's and George Floyd 's deaths .
The world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insignificance of Black women as 27-year-old Breonna Taylor and 19-year-old activist Oluwatoyin Salau were killed while sleeping and seeking refuge respectively .
But for an hour and 25 minutes Beyoncé 's `` Black is King '' made us forget we were 2020-ing .
The visual companion piece to `` The Lion King : The Gift ” soundtrack , which Beyoncé produced after starring as Nala in the 2019 Disney remake , served as an ode to and celebration of Pan-African culture while reminding Black people to hold our heads up high .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 38-year-old artist saying `` let Black be synonymous with glory ” and serenading a newborn cradled in her arm with the iconic lines from `` Bigger '' : `` If you think you are insignificant , you better think again . ''
The film starts off by setting us up to see the greatness in being Black ... which if we 'd forgotten , Beyoncé would soon remind us off with the visuals and songs to come .
If 2020 was beating us down with visuals of Black death and injustice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in `` FIND YOUR WAY BACK '' with the young prince walking with his king and queen parents donned in opulent costumes .
`` Black is King '' would show us the effortless rhythmic movement of Black performers rooted in a rich culture and it would show us the unity with visuals of a Pan-African flag and voice-overs that tell us to `` remember who you are . ''
Onto `` Mood 4 Eva , '' which showed our prince chauffeured up to a villa in a black car I 'm too poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bey dripped in the finest thread counts while Jay-Z raps : `` At the Saxon Madiba suite , like Mandela ( yeah , yeah ) , Bumpin ' Fela on the Puma jet , like we from Lagos , Mansa Musa reincarnated , we on our levels ( he 'bout business ) , That 's a billi ' , a thousand milli ' . ''
Blue Ivy Carter : makes adorable appearance in mom Beyoncé 's new 'Black is King ' trailer It 's no secret that there are major racial disparities when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visuals in `` Black is King '' reinforce the idea that it is OK for Black people to be extra .
During a time of collective Black trauma , we tend to feel guilty for feeling joy , but seeing Bey and Jay relish in that luxury reminds us that to be joyful is an act of resistance .
Enjoy the finer things in life and treat yo ' self !
These reminders to love and appreciate ourselves in all our Blackness are sprinkled throughout `` Black is King '' with voice-overs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crown with your head down , '' `` We have always been wonderful , '' `` We were beauty before they knew what beauty was . ''
And possibly the most important of them all : `` Black men especially we 're told not to love ourselves , we 're told that I 'm supposed to hate you because the world will always tell you that you 're something else .
You 're too dark , you 're too short , whatever .
We need to show black men and women are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , intuitive . ''
These words are always important to hear and see reflected in media all the time , but in 2020 especially when Black love and joyful moments are seemingly far and few between .
And what a seamless transition to a Black girl 's anthem : `` Brown Skin Girl . ''
Malcolm X once said `` the most neglected person in America is the black woman '' and that never rang truer than learning of Taylor 's and Salau ’ s deaths and Megan Thee Stallion ’ s testimony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when we are still having Black `` firsts , '' and representation of darker skinned Black women is still lacking across all industries , Beyoncé 's `` Brown Skin Girl '' celebrated the beauty of all Black women from Lupita Nyong ' o 's `` pretty dark skin '' to Kelly Rowland 's striking looks causing the levees to break from all that drip .
The star of `` Brown Skin Girl '' though was Bey 's 8-year-old daughter , Blue Ivy .
`` Black is King '' is n't just for Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legacy that little Black girls years later will be able to look back on and see themselves reflected .
Beyoncé reminded us that we are worthy , beautiful and important all while employing different elements of Black culture to jog our memories .
From the Gospel choir donned in purple for `` Spirit , '' to Namibia 's Himba tribe in `` MY POWER , '' putting the spotlight on African pop stars Tiwa Savage and Busiswa and putting dance moves like the gbese and gwara gwara on display throughout the visual .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything weighing us down right now we can find some joy in `` Black is King . ''
More : Beyoncé unveils longer trailer for visual album 'Black Is King ' and Twitter goes bonkers

Beyoncé's 'Black is King' is the joyful anthem Black people need in 2020
Show Caption Hide Caption 'Black is King': Breaking down Beyoncé's visual album now on Disney+ From her backyard to her best friends, we see many sides of Beyoncé in "Black is King." The visual album is out now on Disney+. Entertain This!, USA TODAY
*Disclaimer: I don’t speak for all Black folks, but if you aren't rocking with Beyoncé’s “Black is King” then please exit stage left.
Beyoncé has saved us all once again.
We can all agree that 2020 has been heavy. Kobe Bryant and Pop Smoke's deaths shook us the first two months. The coronavirus pandemic, still ravaging on, is disproportionately affecting Black communities. Black Lives Matter protests have been in full swing since Ahmaud Arbery's and George Floyd's deaths. The world continues to remind us about the perceived insignificance of Black women as 26-year-old Breonna Taylor and 19-year-old activist Oluwatoyin Salau were killed while sleeping and seeking refuge, respectively.
But for an hour and 25 minutes Beyoncé's "Black is King" made us forget we were 2020-ing.
The visual companion piece to "The Lion King: The Gift” soundtrack, which Beyoncé produced after starring as Nala in the 2019 Disney remake, served as an ode to and celebration of Pan-African culture while reminding Black people to hold our heads up high.
'Bigger'
"Black is King" kicks off with the 38-year-old artist saying "let Black be synonymous with glory” and serenading a newborn cradled in her arm with the iconic lines from "Bigger": "If you think you are insignificant, you better think again."
A whole word!
The film starts off by setting us up to see the greatness in being Black ... which if we'd forgotten, Beyoncé would soon remind us off with the visuals and songs to come.
If 2020 was beating us down with visuals of Black death and injustice, Beyoncé showed us depictions of Black royalty in "Find Your Way Back" with the young prince walking with his king and queen parents donned in opulent costumes. "Black is King" would show us the effortless rhythmic movement of Black performers rooted in a rich culture and it would show us the unity with visuals of a Pan-African flag and voice-overs that tell us to "remember who you are."
'Mood 4 Eva'
Onto "Mood 4 Eva," which showed our prince chauffeured up to a villa in a black car I'm too poor to know the make of and Queen Bey dripped in the finest thread counts while Jay-Z raps: "At the Saxon Madiba suite, like Mandela (yeah, yeah), Bumpin' Fela on the Puma jet, like we from Lagos, Mansa Musa reincarnated, we on our levels (he 'bout business), That's a billi', a thousand milli'."
Blue Ivy Carter: makes adorable appearance in mom Beyoncé's new 'Black is King' trailer
It's no secret that there are major racial disparities when it comes to wealth, but the visuals in "Black is King" reinforce the idea that it is OK for Black people to be extra. During a time of collective Black trauma, we tend to feel guilty for feeling joy, but seeing Bey and Jay relish in that luxury reminds us that to be joyful is an act of resistance. Enjoy the finer things in life and treat yo' self!
These reminders to love and appreciate ourselves in all our Blackness are sprinkled throughout "Black is King" with voice-overs of mantras like "You can't wear a crown with your head down," "We have always been wonderful," "We were beauty before they knew what beauty was."
And possibly the most important of them all: "Black men especially we're told not to love ourselves, we're told that I'm supposed to hate you because the world will always tell you that you're something else. You're too dark, you're too short, whatever. We need to show black men and women are emotional, are strong, are smart, intuitive."
These words are always important to hear and see reflected in media all the time, but in 2020 especially when Black love and joyful moments are seemingly far and few between.
'Brown Skin Girl'
And what a seamless transition to a Black girl's anthem: "Brown Skin Girl."
Malcolm X once said "the most neglected person in America is the black woman" and that never rang truer than learning of Taylor's and Salau’s deaths and Megan Thee Stallion’s testimony after being shot.
In 2020, when we are still having Black "firsts," and representation of darker skinned Black women is still lacking across all industries, Beyoncé's "Brown Skin Girl" celebrated the beauty of all Black women from Lupita Nyong'o's "pretty dark skin" to Kelly Rowland's striking looks causing the levees to break from all that drip.
The star of "Brown Skin Girl," though, was Bey's 8-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy. "Black is King" isn't just for Black folks now, but it's a legacy that little Black girls years later will be able to look back on and see themselves reflected.
Beyoncé reminded us that we are worthy, beautiful and important, all while employing different elements of Black culture to jog our memories. From the gospel choir donned in purple for "Spirit," to Namibia's Himba tribe in "My Power," putting the spotlight on African pop stars Tiwa Savage and Busiswa and putting dance moves like the gbese and gwara gwara on display throughout the visual.
2020 has been rough, but despite everything weighing us down right now we can find some joy in "Black is King.
More: Beyoncé unveils longer trailer for visual album 'Black Is King' and Twitter goes bonkers


usatoday--2020-07-31--Unsealed documents resurface accusations in Ghislaine Maxwell case

Newly unsealed court documents provided a fresh glimpse into a fierce civil court fight between Ghislaine Maxwell , a British socialite charged with recruiting teenage girls for financier Jeffrey Epstein , and one of the women who accused the couple of sexual abuse .
The documents released late Thursday were from a now-settled defamation lawsuit filed by one of Epstein ’ s alleged victims , Virginia Roberts Giuffre .
Giuffre claimed in the suit and other litigation that Maxwell recruited her in 2000 to be a sexual servant to Epstein .
She said the couple subsequently pressured her into having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Britain ’ s Prince Andrew , U.S. politicians , wealthy entrepreneurs , a famous scientist and fashion designer .
Maxwell , and all of the accused men , have denied those allegations for years .
In a 2011 exchange with her attorneys , Giuffre recounted Epstein 's various associations with with a range of celebrities , including former President Bill Clinton .
Clinton has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has maintained that his last contact with Epstein was more than a decade ago .
Giuffre recalled Clinton as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his island property in the Caribbean .
Clinton has previously denied visiting the island , but Giuffre said she remembered Clinton being there and asking Epstein why he was there .
`` And he kind of laughed it off and said , well , he ( Clinton ) owes me a favor , '' she said .
`` He ( Epstein ) never told me what favors they were .
I never knew .
I did n't know if was serious .
It was just a joke . ''
While Clinton was on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a friend named Emmy and 'two girls '' from New York were also there .
`` The story keeps changing , but the facts do n't , '' Clinton spokesman Angel Urena tweeted Friday .
`` President Clinton has never been to the island . ''
Also among the newly released documents were emails Maxwell and Epstein exchanged in January 2015 , when Giuffre ’ s allegations were getting a new round of media attention .
One email , sent from Epstein ’ s email address but written in Maxwell ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement or set of talking points for Maxwell to use in defending herself .
It said she had been the target of “ false allegations of impropriety and offensive behavior that I abhor and have never ever been party to.
” Responding to a Maxwell email a few days later , Epstein wrote : “ You have done nothing wrong and I ( would ) urge you to start acting like it.
” He suggested she go outside and hold her head high , “ not as an ( escaping ) convict.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Maxwell said Friday that her attorneys are not permitted to publicly identify accusers even if they ’ ve spoken in a public forum .
“ Not all accusations or public statements are equal , ” U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan wrote in her ruling .
“ Deciding to participate in or contribute to a criminal investigation or prosecution is a far different matter than simply making a public statement ‘ relating to ’ Ms. Maxwell or Jeffrey Epstein , particularly since such a statement might have occurred decades ago and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case.
” She said the women “ still maintain a significant privacy interest that must be safeguarded.
” Prosecutors had asked Nathan to block Maxwell ’ s lawyers from publicly identifying the women unless they identified themselves as participants in the criminal case .
Otherwise , prosecutors said , the women may be harassed or intimidated and become reluctant to cooperate with the government .
Sex abuse : Why the Ghislaine Maxwell case is so shocking Epstein killed himself last summer while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges .
Maxwell was recently arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least three girls , including one as young as 14 , for Epstein to sexually abuse in the 1990s .
Prosecutors said she also joined in the abuse .
Maxwell is jailed awaiting trial in New York .
Many of the documents unsealed by the court Thursday had been available publicly before .
They included a deposition in which Giuffre described the alleged abuse , and also answered questions about errors she ’ d made previously in telling her story , including originally telling a court she was 15 when she met Epstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least a year older .
Giuffre over the years has told her story to the FBI , but no charges were brought based on her allegations and she is not one of the three alleged victims in the current criminal case against Maxwell .
Two documents that were not released as scheduled Thursday were depositions Maxwell gave in the civil lawsuit in 2016 .
U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska had ordered them released , but Maxwell ’ s lawyers appealed her ruling to the 2nd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ because she now faces criminal charges .

Unsealed documents resurface accusations in Ghislaine Maxwell case
Show Caption Hide Caption Ghislaine Maxwell: Epstein associate arrested for part in sex trafficking Ghislaine Maxwell, longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein, has been arrested as part of the continuing federal inquiry into the child sex trafficking. USA TODAY
Newly unsealed court documents provided a fresh glimpse into a fierce civil court fight between Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite charged with recruiting teenage girls for financier Jeffrey Epstein, and one of the women who accused the couple of sexual abuse.
The documents released late Thursday were from a now-settled defamation lawsuit filed by one of Epstein’s alleged victims, Virginia Roberts Giuffre.
Giuffre claimed in the suit and other litigation that Maxwell recruited her in 2000 to be a sexual servant to Epstein. She said the couple subsequently pressured her into having sex with numerous rich or notable men, including Britain’s Prince Andrew, U.S. politicians, wealthy entrepreneurs, a famous scientist and fashion designer.
Maxwell, and all of the accused men, have denied those allegations for years.
In a 2011 exchange with her attorneys, Giuffre recounted Epstein's various associations with with a range of celebrities, including former President Bill Clinton.
FACT CHECK: Some celebs falsely linked to Epstein's flight logs
Clinton has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has maintained that his last contact with Epstein was more than a decade ago.
Giuffre recalled Clinton as a passenger on Epstein's plane and at his island property in the Caribbean. Clinton has previously denied visiting the island, but Giuffre said she remembered Clinton being there and asking Epstein why he was there.
"And he kind of laughed it off and said, well, he (Clinton) owes me a favor," she said. "He (Epstein) never told me what favors they were. I never knew. I didn't know if was serious. It was just a joke."
While Clinton was on island, Giuffre said Epstein, Maxwell, a friend named Emmy and 'two girls" from New York were also there.
"The story keeps changing, but the facts don't," Clinton spokesman Angel Urena tweeted Friday. "President Clinton has never been to the island."
Also among the newly released documents were emails Maxwell and Epstein exchanged in January 2015, when Giuffre’s allegations were getting a new round of media attention.
One email, sent from Epstein’s email address but written in Maxwell’s voice, appeared to be a draft statement or set of talking points for Maxwell to use in defending herself. It said she had been the target of “false allegations of impropriety and offensive behavior that I abhor and have never ever been party to.”
Responding to a Maxwell email a few days later, Epstein wrote: “You have done nothing wrong and I (would) urge you to start acting like it.” He suggested she go outside and hold her head high, “not as an (escaping) convict.”
The judge presiding over the criminal case against Maxwell said Friday that her attorneys are not permitted to publicly identify accusers even if they’ve spoken in a public forum.
“Not all accusations or public statements are equal,” U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan wrote in her ruling.
“Deciding to participate in or contribute to a criminal investigation or prosecution is a far different matter than simply making a public statement ‘relating to’ Ms. Maxwell or Jeffrey Epstein, particularly since such a statement might have occurred decades ago and have no relevance to the charges in this case.”
She said the women “still maintain a significant privacy interest that must be safeguarded.”
Prosecutors had asked Nathan to block Maxwell’s lawyers from publicly identifying the women unless they identified themselves as participants in the criminal case. Otherwise, prosecutors said, the women may be harassed or intimidated and become reluctant to cooperate with the government.
Sex abuse: Why the Ghislaine Maxwell case is so shocking
Epstein killed himself last summer while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell was recently arrested on federal charges that she recruited at least three girls, including one as young as 14, for Epstein to sexually abuse in the 1990s. Prosecutors said she also joined in the abuse.
Maxwell is jailed awaiting trial in New York.
Many of the documents unsealed by the court Thursday had been available publicly before.
They included a deposition in which Giuffre described the alleged abuse, and also answered questions about errors she’d made previously in telling her story, including originally telling a court she was 15 when she met Epstein, when records showed she was at least a year older.
Giuffre over the years has told her story to the FBI, but no charges were brought based on her allegations and she is not one of the three alleged victims in the current criminal case against Maxwell.
Two documents that were not released as scheduled Thursday were depositions Maxwell gave in the civil lawsuit in 2016.
U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska had ordered them released, but Maxwell’s lawyers appealed her ruling to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Her lawyers said they should be blocked because she now faces criminal charges.
Contributing: Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY; The Associated Press