usatoday--2020-09-23--NBA Commissioner Adam Silver defends league's business relationship with China

The NBA has prided itself on speaking out on social justice issues .
So why will it not speak out on China and its government 's poor human rights record ?
The league has faced criticism over the issue given that it started a business relationship there 40 years ago , has hosted preseason games in China since 2004 , and several star players have endorsement deals in the country .
“ Somebody could say given the system of government in China you , the NBA , should make a decision not to operate there .
I would only say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I think those are decisions for our government in terms of where American business should operate , ” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday on CNN .
“ I continue to believe that the people-to-people exchanges we ’ re seeing by playing in China are positive , and it ’ s helping -- it helps cultures learn about each other .
Again , it allows us to export sort of American values to China.
” Sometimes , those values have clashed .
Shortly before the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year in Shenzhen and Beijing , Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for Hong Kong ’ s pro-democracy protests .
In his initial statement , Silver said “ Daryl has made it clear that his tweet does not represent the Rockets or the NBA.
” But Silver also defended Morey ’ s freedom of speech , saying “ the values of the league support individuals ’ educating themselves and sharing their views on matters important to them.
” CCTV , a Chinese state-run TV station , declined to air the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canceled Rockets coverage and all NBA preseason games .
The Chinese government pressured the NBA to cancel an NBA Cares event with the Nets .
Various Chinese companies have announced they will end partnerships with various NBA stars .
CCTV has yet to air an NBA game this season .
“ We could have decided because they took us off Chinese Central Television that we should -- that therefore for instance take our ball and go home and stop operating there , ” Silver said .
“ The fact is our games continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tencent in China , and we ’ ve continued in there .
At least that ’ s my view , that it ’ s been net positive to not move to disengagement . ''
At a news conference during NBA All-Star weekend in Chicago , Silver conceded the issue cost the league “ hundreds of millions of dollars.
” Still , a bigger portion of the NBA ’ s revenue rests on gate receipts and its television contract that expires in 2025 .
But Silver contended the NBA ’ s interest in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cents .
He compared the arrangement to how the Olympic Games foster goodwill among countries , and theoretically leads to reforms even with governments that have authoritarian regimes .
“ These cultural exchanges were critically important , especially at times when normal channels were n't operating for diplomatic conversations , '' Silver said .
“ As the years have gone on , the NBA has increased its presence in China , but always until very recent history at the encouragement of the State Department , of various administrations , again , from both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was viewed as a really positive thing that we were exporting American values to China through the NBA .
”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver defends league's business relationship with China
The NBA has prided itself on speaking out on social justice issues. So why will it not speak out on China and its government's poor human rights record?
The league has faced criticism over the issue given that it started a business relationship there 40 years ago, has hosted preseason games in China since 2004, and several star players have endorsement deals in the country.
“Somebody could say given the system of government in China you, the NBA, should make a decision not to operate there. I would only say that at the end of the day, I think those are decisions for our government in terms of where American business should operate,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday on CNN.
“I continue to believe that the people-to-people exchanges we’re seeing by playing in China are positive, and it’s helping -- it helps cultures learn about each other. Again, it allows us to export sort of American values to China.”
Sometimes, those values have clashed.
Shortly before the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets planned to play a pair of exhibition games last year in Shenzhen and Beijing, Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests.
In his initial statement, Silver said, “Daryl has made it clear that his tweet does not represent the Rockets or the NBA.” But Silver also defended Morey’s freedom of speech, saying, “the values of the league support individuals’ educating themselves and sharing their views on matters important to them.”
CCTV, a Chinese state-run TV station, declined to air the Lakers-Nets preseason games. Telecom company Tencent canceled Rockets coverage and all NBA preseason games. The Chinese government pressured the NBA to cancel an NBA Cares event with the Nets. Various Chinese companies have announced they will end partnerships with various NBA stars. CCTV has yet to air an NBA game this season.
“We could have decided because they took us off Chinese Central Television that we should -- that therefore for instance take our ball and go home and stop operating there,” Silver said. “The fact is our games continue to be streamed on a service called Tencent in China, and we’ve continued in there. At least that’s my view, that it’s been net positive to not move to disengagement."
At a news conference during NBA All-Star weekend in Chicago, Silver conceded the issue cost the league “hundreds of millions of dollars.” Still, a bigger portion of the NBA’s revenue rests on gate receipts and its television contract that expires in 2025. But Silver contended the NBA’s interest in China does not just rest on dollars and cents. He compared the arrangement to how the Olympic Games foster goodwill among countries, and theoretically leads to reforms even with governments that have authoritarian regimes.
“These cultural exchanges were critically important, especially at times when normal channels weren't operating for diplomatic conversations," Silver said. “As the years have gone on, the NBA has increased its presence in China, but always until very recent history at the encouragement of the State Department, of various administrations, again, from both sides of the aisle. But it was viewed as a really positive thing that we were exporting American values to China through the NBA.”
Follow USA TODAY NBA writer Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


usatoday--2020-09-22--Halloween: CDC recommends avoiding trick-or-treating

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday it advises against traditional trick-or-treating this year amid the novel coronavirus .
The recommendation came as part of a list of Halloween guidelines broken down by level of risk .
Door-to-door trick-or-treating , trunk-or-treating `` where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots '' and indoor parties or haunted houses are among the riskiest Halloween activities when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19 , the CDC says .
Others to be avoided include hayrides or tractor rides with others , visiting fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or drugs , `` which can cloud judgment and increase risky behaviors . ''
`` Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses , '' the CDC 's holiday recommendations page says .
`` There are several safer , alternative ways to participate in Halloween .
If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 , you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters . ''
Some safer but still moderately risky activities include one-way trick-or-treating `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance ( such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard ) , '' small , outdoor and socially distant costume parties , parades or Halloween movie nights and one-way , outdoor and socially distant haunted forests or pumpkin patches .
For spooky events , such as watching a Halloween movie with people outside the household or visiting a haunted forest , the CDC recommends greater distancing `` if screaming will likely occur . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risk of spreading a respiratory virus , '' it says .
Costume masks are not substitutes for protective face masks , the CDC says , but the two should not be used together – the combination can make it hard to breathe .
`` Instead , consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask , '' the CDC says .
How can people have fun on Halloween this year ?
By celebrating with members of their household , outdoors and distant from others , and partying virtually , according to the CDC .
Lower-risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of your household or with friends outside and at a safe distance , watching a Halloween movie at home or having a virtual Halloween costume contest .
Families can try doing a Halloween scavenger hunt either “ where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance ” or one “ with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house.
” The CDC included guidance for other fall and winter holidays , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muertos , Diwali , Thanksgiving , Hanukkah , Christmas and New Year ’ s .
In addition to the now-standard instructions to limit the number of people , wear masks , wash hands and gather outside if possible , the CDC suggests avoiding potluck-style meals ( to minimize risk of spreading germs ) and staying at home `` as much as possible '' for 14 days after attending a holiday gathering with anyone outside your immediate household .

Halloween: CDC recommends avoiding trick-or-treating
Show Caption Hide Caption Halloween during COVID: What a drive-thru spooky experience is like USA TODAY's Carly Mallenbaum takes us inside several pandemic-friendly Halloween drive-thrus in Los Angeles, California. Andrea Kramar and Carly Mallenbaum, USA TODAY
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday it advises against traditional trick-or-treating this year amid the novel coronavirus. The recommendation came as part of a list of Halloween guidelines broken down by level of risk.
Door-to-door trick-or-treating, trunk-or-treating "where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots" and indoor parties or haunted houses are among the riskiest Halloween activities when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19, the CDC says. Others to be avoided include hayrides or tractor rides with others, visiting fall festivals in other communities and using alcohol or drugs, "which can cloud judgment and increase risky behaviors."
"Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses," the CDC's holiday recommendations page says. "There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween. If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters."
Some safer but still moderately risky activities include one-way trick-or-treating "where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard)," small, outdoor and socially distant costume parties, parades or Halloween movie nights and one-way, outdoor and socially distant haunted forests or pumpkin patches.
COVID: Will Halloween be the next event cancelled? As the Halloween season approaches, people across the country may be asking themselves "should we stay, or should we go?" USA TODAY
More: Is Halloween canceled?
For spooky events, such as watching a Halloween movie with people outside the household or visiting a haunted forest, the CDC recommends greater distancing "if screaming will likely occur."
"The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus," it says.
Costume masks are not substitutes for protective face masks, the CDC says, but the two should not be used together – the combination can make it hard to breathe.
"Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask," the CDC says.
How can people have fun on Halloween this year? By celebrating with members of their household, outdoors and distant from others, and partying virtually, according to the CDC.
Lower-risk activities include pumpkin carving either with members of your household or with friends outside and at a safe distance, watching a Halloween movie at home or having a virtual Halloween costume contest.
Families can try doing a Halloween scavenger hunt either “where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance” or one “with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house.”
The CDC included guidance for other fall and winter holidays, including Yom Kippur, Día de los Muertos, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s. In addition to the now-standard instructions to limit the number of people, wear masks, wash hands and gather outside if possible, the CDC suggests avoiding potluck-style meals (to minimize risk of spreading germs) and staying at home "as much as possible" for 14 days after attending a holiday gathering with anyone outside your immediate household.


usatoday--2020-09-22--Woodward says he is 'embarrassed for' Trump grading himself as an A+ on COVID-19 following 200,000 d

WASHINGTON – Veteran Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward reportedly said Tuesday that he was 'quite frankly embarrassed ' for President Donald Trump that he had given himself an A+ grade for his coronavirus response , as 200,000 U.S. citizens are now dead .
Woodward , speaking at at an invite-only forum for the Citizen by CNN 2020 conference , said in his experience of covering nine different presidents he has `` never seen anything like '' Trump 's mangled handling of the ongoing pandemic that has led to `` Two hundred thousand Americans dying . ''
`` The visitation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is staggering , stunning .
It 's on his head , and he did not do enough .
He just did n't . ''
Woodward continued , according to CNN .
Coronavirus updates : US tops 200,000 deaths in less than 8 months ; toll could double by year 's end Woodward recently released an explosive new book on Trump titled `` Rage '' , which included the president telling the journalist in a recorded interview weeks before the first death in the U.S. that despite knowing how `` deadly '' and serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to `` play it down '' and would to continue to do so .
Trump additionally told Woodward in an interview on Feb. 7 about how much `` more deadly '' COVID-19 would be than the flu , a startling juxtaposition from the president 's public remarks at the time and in the months since about COVID-19 , its lethality and its spread .
Quick look : Here 's what Trump told the public versus what he told Bob Woodward about COVID-19 More : US reaches 200K coronavirus deaths after Trump praises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic Woodward was asked about Trump repeating Monday his administration would `` take an A-plus '' regarding the response to COVID-19 .
Woodward said he is `` quite frankly embarrassed for him that he would say that , because all Americans know that 200,000 were killed . ''
Woodward said Trump `` harasses people '' and `` attacks people who work for him . ''
`` This impulse decision-making , I 've never seen anything like it in the presidency or any other institution where it 's this one man band and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he wants , often giving no warning to his closest aides , '' Woodward said , according to CNN .
Daughter of Trump supporter who died of COVID : 'The president is on record lying' He later contrasted Trump and President Richard Nixon , who resigned following the Watergate scandal , saying that `` Nixon was a criminal president , and he was driven out of office by the Republican Party .
His people used to say no one died at Watergate , and there 's a certain truth to that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ died at this , and Trump , by taking remedial action by being honest with the American people , which I — he just did n't understand , does not understand the people he leads , '' he continued .
The veteran journalist continued to claim that Trump has been using filling the seat of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court , who passed away just Friday at the age of 87 , to shift focus away from the coronavirus pandemic response .
More : President Donald Trump to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bader Ginsburg 's seat on Saturday '' We see now with the Supreme Court issue he 's shifted the spotlight , '' Woodward said .
`` He 's absolutely delighted - this is an issue that 's very important to his base , to Evangelicals .
So the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is one of these events in history that has changed the entire dynamic . ''

Woodward says he is 'embarrassed for' Trump grading himself as an A+ on COVID-19 following 200,000 deaths
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump defends downplaying COVID ahead of Bob Woodward book President Donald Trump told Bob Woodward in a recorded interview that he wanted to downplay coronavirus. See what he told the public then and now. USA TODAY, Wochit
WASHINGTON – Veteran Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward reportedly said Tuesday that he was 'quite frankly embarrassed' for President Donald Trump that he had given himself an A+ grade for his coronavirus response, as 200,000 U.S. citizens are now dead.
Woodward, speaking at at an invite-only forum for the Citizen by CNN 2020 conference, said in his experience of covering nine different presidents he has "never seen anything like" Trump's mangled handling of the ongoing pandemic that has led to "Two hundred thousand Americans dying."
"The visitation of the medical nightmare on the American population is staggering, stunning. It's on his head, and he did not do enough. He just didn't." Woodward continued, according to CNN.
Coronavirus updates: US tops 200,000 deaths in less than 8 months; toll could double by year's end
Woodward recently released an explosive new book on Trump titled "Rage", which included the president telling the journalist in a recorded interview weeks before the first death in the U.S. that despite knowing how "deadly" and serious the coronavirus pandemic would be, he wanted to "play it down" and would to continue to do so.
Trump additionally told Woodward in an interview on Feb. 7 about how much "more deadly" COVID-19 would be than the flu, a startling juxtaposition from the president's public remarks at the time and in the months since about COVID-19, its lethality and its spread.
Quick look: Here's what Trump told the public versus what he told Bob Woodward about COVID-19
More: US reaches 200K coronavirus deaths after Trump praises administration for doing 'phenomenal job' on pandemic
Woodward was asked about Trump repeating Monday his administration would "take an A-plus" regarding the response to COVID-19. Woodward said he is "quite frankly embarrassed for him that he would say that, because all Americans know that 200,000 were killed."
Woodward said Trump "harasses people" and "attacks people who work for him."
"This impulse decision-making, I've never seen anything like it in the presidency or any other institution where it's this one man band and he's going to say and do exactly what he wants, often giving no warning to his closest aides," Woodward said, according to CNN.
Daughter of Trump supporter who died of COVID: 'The president is on record lying'
He later contrasted Trump and President Richard Nixon, who resigned following the Watergate scandal, saying that "Nixon was a criminal president, and he was driven out of office by the Republican Party. His people used to say no one died at Watergate, and there's a certain truth to that."
"Two hundred thousand people have died at this, and Trump, by taking remedial action by being honest with the American people, which I — he just didn't understand, does not understand the people he leads," he continued.
The veteran journalist continued to claim that Trump has been using filling the seat of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court, who passed away just Friday at the age of 87, to shift focus away from the coronavirus pandemic response.
More: President Donald Trump to announce Supreme Court nominee to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg's seat on Saturday
"We see now with the Supreme Court issue he's shifted the spotlight," Woodward said. "He's absolutely delighted - this is an issue that's very important to his base, to Evangelicals. So the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is one of these events in history that has changed the entire dynamic."


usatoday--2020-09-23--Texas State basketball coach Danny Kaspar resigns amid allegations he made racist statements

Texas State basketball coach Danny Kaspar has resigned from his position , KVUE reported Tuesday night .
Kaspar had been @ @ @ @ @ after allegations that he had made racist statements to his student athletes in multiple occasions @ @ @ @ @ was the university ’ s starting point guard for 2018-19 , is among the players @ @ @ @ @ in June .
Shead is no longer a student at the university and has transferred @ @ @ @ @ university announced the resignation through the following statement obtained by KVUE : “ Texas State @ @ @ @ @ announced that he accepted the resignation of Head Basketball Coach Danny Kaspar .
`` Teis @ @ @ @ @ would serve as head men ’ s basketball coach for the 2020-21 season .
The @ @ @ @ @ any additional statements.
” Texas State University officials did not respond to requests from the @ @ @ @ @ or phone Tuesday evening .

Hojun Choi, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman

Texas State basketball coach Danny Kaspar resigns amid allegations he made racist statements
Texas State basketball coach Danny Kaspar has resigned from his position, KVUE reported Tuesday night.
Kaspar had been under investigation by university officials after allegations that he had made racist statements to his student athletes in multiple occasions.
Jaylen Shead, who was the university’s starting point guard for 2018-19, is among the players who accused Kaspar of racism in June. Shead is no longer a student at the university and has transferred to Washington State.
The university announced the resignation through the following statement obtained by KVUE:
“Texas State Director of Athletics Larry Teis announced that he accepted the resignation of Head Basketball Coach Danny Kaspar.
"Teis also announced that Terrence Johnson would serve as head men’s basketball coach for the 2020-21 season. The university will not be making any additional statements.”
Texas State University officials did not respond to requests from the American-Statesman for comment via email or phone Tuesday evening.


usatoday--2020-09-23--Coronavirus updates: US tops 200,000 deaths in less than 8 months; toll could double by year's end;

Coronavirus updates: US tops 200,000 deaths in less than 8 months; toll could double by year's end; FDA to set high bar for vaccine

The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus quietly surpassed 200,000 on Tuesday , less than eight months after the first American fatality .
The U.S. reached 100,000 deaths in May .
Now , some experts estimate the death toll could almost double by year 's end .
Fatigue for social distancing and the push to get back into offices and schools could fuel new cases – and deaths – in the coming weeks and months .
Experts at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington predict 378,321 deaths by Jan. 1 .
The nation marches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a comeback after months of filming delays , and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidelines for relatively safe Halloween celebrations .
Traditional trick-or-treating gets the thumbs-down .
• Our travel writer David Oliver checked in at a few hotels to check out their coronavirus protocols .
Here 's what he found .
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention walked back changed guidance on how the coronavirus spreads .
On Friday , the CDC posted an update on its website saying 6 feet may not be sufficient to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key to easing transmission indoors .
But on Monday , the agency said the new guidance was a `` draft version '' that was `` posted in error . ''
• Some economists say the U.S. could fall into a double-dip recession if Congress fails to pass another coronavirus stimulus package .
📈 Today 's numbers : Minnesota , Montana , Utah , Wisconsin , Wyoming and Puerto Rico set records for new cases in the week ending Monday .
The U.S. has reported more than 6.8 million cases and 200,000 deaths , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Globally , there have been more than 31.4million cases and 966,000 fatalities .
📰 What we 're reading : Will Las Vegas room rates rise ?
Will shows return to The Strip ?
We asked an insider .
🗺 Mapping coronavirus : Track the U.S. outbreak , state by state This file will be updated throughout the day .
For updates in your inbox , subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter .
FDA to impose higher standard for emergency authorization of vaccine The Food and Drug Administration , whose autonomy has been questioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will impose a higher standard for emergency authorization of a coronavirus vaccine in an effort to gain public trust , the Washington Post reported .
The new requirement would make it highly unlikely a vaccine would be available before the Nov. 3 election , contrary to what President Donald Trump has predicted .
Vaccine manufacturers will have to follow participants in Stage 3 clinical trials for at least two months after they receive a second shot of the vaccine candidate , the newspaper said .
Surveys have shown many Americans are skeptical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and effective , with as many as half the respondents saying they would not get the immunization if it were available today .
The FDA granted emergency authorization to hydroxychloroquine and convalescent plasma , two treatments for the virus touted by Trump but questioned by public health experts .
Seventh-ranked Notre Dame halted all its football activities and postponed Saturday 's road game at Wake Forest after seven Irish players tested positive for the coronavirus .
Notre Dame said in a statement that 13 players are in isolation , with 10 in quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Oct. 3 , an open date for both .
`` We managed an increase in positivity rates in August , and the players handled it wonderfully , '' Irish coach Brian Kelly said in a statement .
`` We knew COVID would present challenges throughout the season , and we 'll always put student-athlete health and safety at the forefront of our decision making . ''
200,000 in US dead as widely available vaccine still months away The U.S. death toll reached 200,000 on Tuesday as states grapple with opening schools , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In March , President Donald Trump said keeping the death toll between 100,000 to 200,000 people would have indicated that his administration had “ done a very good job.
” As the number has continued to climb and a vaccine available to the masses does not appear imminent , Trump has sought to reshape the significance of the death tally .
“ If we didn ’ t do our job , it would be three and half , two and half , maybe three million people , ” Trump said Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have happened if nothing was done to fight the pandemic .
“ We have done a phenomenal job with respect to COVID-19.
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi scheduled a moment of silence Tuesday in memory of the 200,000-plus Americans killed by COVID-19 .
With turnaround times for coronavirus tests in California down to an average of 1.2 days , the state no longer sees a need to prioritize who gets tested .
State Health Secretary Mark Ghaly said Tuesday that California is urging counties to open the screenings to anyone who wants them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said nail salons , which Gov .
Gavin Newsom pinpointed as the origin of the state 's initial outbreak , will be allowed to open , although the final decision will be up to the county health departments .
On Monday , California officials said the state 's positivity rate had dipped below 3 % for the first time , down to 2.8 % .
Trump blasts WHO , says China 'unleashed this plague onto the world' President Donald Trump on Tuesday used his speech to the United Nations General Assembly to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing accountable for the coronavirus pandemic , saying China `` unleashed this plague onto the world . ''
Trump said China locked down domestic travel while allowing flights to leave China and infect the world .
Trump again referred to COVID-19 as the `` China virus '' and berated the World Health Organization , which the U.S. has begun withdrawing from , for being `` virtually controlled by China . ''
Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke shortly after Trump , calling for global cooperation and saying `` any attempt of politicizing the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina may soon allow fans in stadiums College and professional sports teams in North Carolina may be allowed to host a few thousand fans in outdoor stadiums as soon as Oct. 2 , Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper said Tuesday , adding that the decision would hinge on the state 's coronavirus numbers continuing to improve or remaining flat .
Places that can seat more than 10,000 people outside would be able to operate at 7 % of capacity while adhering to the recommended 6 feet of physical distancing , Cooper said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the largest federal immigration detention centers in the country are being tested for the coronavirus amid an outbreak .
As of Sunday , 53 of 394 people had tested positive for COVID-19 at the 1,940-bed Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County , California , according to a court filing citing Gabriel Valdez , assistant field office director of enforcement and removal operations for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
ICE previously designated 20 of those 53 people as being at greater risk of complications from COVID-19 due to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm afraid of dying here , '' Jose Ricardo Viveros Rodriguez said in Spanish .
Viveros Rodriguez , 72 , has diabetes and high blood pressure and went on a hunger strike to raise awareness of the risk he faces at the facility .
Study : Up to 70 % of KN95 masks from China don ’ t meet filter standards The KN95 mask is meant to filter out 95 % of aerosol particles .
However , the nonprofit patient safety organization ECRI issued an alert against the masks after an analysis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the KN95s imported from China did not meet these filtration standards .
U.S. hospitals were forced to purchase hundreds of thousands of KN95 masks produced in China over the past six months .
ECRI tested nearly 200 masks from 15 different manufacturer models purchased by some of the largest health systems in the country .
There was not only variability among the different brands but also inconsistencies among masks made by the same manufacturer .
“ We are concerned about the safety of health care workers and patients when using KN95s in high-risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent out the hazard alert , ” said Dr. Marcus Schabacker , ECRI ’ s president and chief executive officer .
“ We don ’ t use this lightly ; we reserve that for immediate risk.
” Former White House coronavirus task force member Olivia Troye says “ it was frightening ” when President Donald Trump said the virus would disappear `` like magic . ''
Troye , an ex-aide to Vice President Pence , told NBC News ’ `` TODAY '' show the task force was aware of how big COVID-19 would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first U.S. death .
Troye said the president appeared dismissive of the virus .
“ He said , 'When you 're a politician , you have to shake a lot of hands .
You have to shake a lot of hands .
And these people are disgusting .
It 's gross .
And so maybe , COVID 'S probably a good thing , right ?
I do n't have to shake hands .
I do n't have to do that anymore . '
” Pence has described Troye as a disgruntled employee while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting her .
Goodell on $ 100K fines for NFL mask violations : 'You ca n't let up' NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he has no qualms about harshly penalizing coaches who violate the NFL ’ s protocols mandating that they wear face masks while roaming the sidelines .
The NFL on Monday fined three coaches – San Francisco ’ s Kyle Shanahan , Denver ’ s Vic Fangio and Seattle ’ s Pete Carroll – at $ 100,000 each for disregarding the policy .
Their respective teams were docked $ 250,000 apiece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the message , ” Goodell told USA TODAY Sports .
“ You can ’ t let up .
We ’ ve got to consistently do the things that have gotten us to this place and not think , ‘ OK , things have gone so well , so it ’ s OK now.
’ It ’ s not .
You ’ ve got to stay on your toes and we ’ ve got to continue to be disciplined.
” Dr. Anthony Fauci 's appearance on Comedy Central 's `` The Daily Show with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no laughing matter .
Fauci denied having any political agenda and lamented the politicization taking place over public health protocols for combating COVID-19 .
He also acknowledged and decried the `` confused messages '' coming from the Trump administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
`` What has evolved now is that people almost take sides , like wearing a mask or not is a political statement , and that ’ s really very unfortunate , totally unfortunate , '' Fauci said .
`` This is a purely public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the other.
” Many of the art exhibits , festivals and lectures planned to mark the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower 's arrival at what is now Plymouth , Massachusetts , have been delayed or canceled because of coronavirus concerns , a development historian Elizabeth Fenn finds ironic .
Disease introduced by traders and settlers – either by happenstance or intention – played a significant role in the “ conquest ” of Native people .
“ The irony obviously runs quite deep , ” says Fenn , a history professor at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Colonial America .
“ Novel infections did most of the dirty work of colonization.
” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated guidelines highlighting different levels of risk for Halloween fun .
Pumpkin carving at home or outside at a distance from others , participating in a virtual costume contest or having a `` scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search '' at home are all considered lower risk .
Moderate-risk activities include leaving grab-and-go goodie bags outside for trick-or-treaters , having a small , outdoor and socially distant costume parade and visiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with masks ( greater distance is advised `` if screaming will likely occur '' ) .
The CDC recommends avoiding higher-risk activities such as traditional trick-or-treating and indoor costume parties or haunted houses .
The White House is urging U.S. governors to put politics aside and help the Trump administration promote future coronavirus vaccines as safe and effective .
Vice President Mike Pence urged governors Monday to use their bully pulpits and reassure the public that vaccines will be safe to take after a rigorous vetting process by the Food and Drug Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want is people undermining confidence in the process , ” Pence said in a private call with governors , the audio of which was obtained by The Associated Press .
Trump has escalated his promise for a coronavirus vaccine before Election Day .
But Democrats , independents and even some Republicans do not trust the Trump administration to produce a safe and effective vaccine on such an aggressive timeline .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced several new restrictions aimed at suppressing a recent increase in virus spread , and they include requiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m .
The government is also reversing a push to get workers back to the office by encouraging those who can work from home to do so .
The new measures , which also feature stricter requirements for gatherings and use of face coverings , could last up to six months and possibly be strengthened if the public does n't follow the rules , Johnson said .
`` Never in our history has our collective destiny and our collective health depended so completely on our individual behavior , '' Johnson said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government ’ s top scientific and medical advisers said virus infections were doubling every seven days and could rise to 49,000 a day by mid-October if nothing is done to stem the tide .
COVID-19 survivors may need to get screened for heart damage While COVID-19 is known as a respiratory infection , there 's emerging evidence linking it to heart damage too .
Cardiologists are seeing patients with signs of inflammation and scar formation in their hearts even after recovery from the disease , experts say .
For that reason , anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was sick with COVID-19 for three or more days should get a cardiac screening before working out or participating in their sport , said Dr. Steven Erickson , medical director for Banner University Sports Medicine and Concussion Specialists in Phoenix .
`` You do n't get sick with COVID-19 and stay home from school for a week and the next day go back and play two hours of soccer , '' Erickson said .
`` You 're taking a risk , and that is not what the medical community is recommending right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 patients since March , Arizona cardiologist Dr .
Dawn Pedrotty said she has seen evidence linking the disease with cardiac damage .
It 's not clear what that damage will mean for patients in the long term , but researchers and physicians are closely following the link , she said .
`` It 's an important public health message that it does affect more than your lungs , '' Pedrotty said .
Lights , camera , action : After months of planning and negotiating , Hollywood 's unions and major studios have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Directors Guild of America , the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees , the International Brotherhood of Teamsters , the Basic Crafts unions and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists jointly announced the deal reached with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers .
“ The protocols pave the way for creative workers , who have been hard hit by the pandemic , to resume their crafts and livelihoods in workplaces redesigned around their health , ” the unions said in a joint statement .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network .
Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter .
• On Facebook : A lot is still unknown about the coronavirus .
But what we do know , we 're sharing with you .
Join our Facebook group , Coronavirus Watch , to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19 .
• Tips for coping : Every Saturday and Tuesday we 'll be in your inbox , offering you a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solace in these difficult times .
Sign up for Staying Apart , Together .

John Bacon and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY

Coronavirus updates: US tops 200K deaths in less than 8 months but toll could double by year's end; FDA to set high bar for vaccine
Show Caption Hide Caption Why you didn't hear from COVID-19 contact tracers after your flight The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention logged 1,600 COVID-19 investigations on commercial aircraft between January and August. USA TODAY
The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus quietly surpassed 200,000 on Tuesday, less than eight months after the first American fatality.
The U.S. reached 100,000 deaths in May. Now, some experts estimate the death toll could almost double by year's end.
Fatigue for social distancing and the push to get back into offices and schools could fuel new cases – and deaths – in the coming weeks and months. Experts at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington predict 378,321 deaths by Jan. 1.
The nation marches on. Hollywood is primed to make a comeback after months of filming delays, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidelines for relatively safe Halloween celebrations. Traditional trick-or-treating gets the thumbs-down.
Some significant developments:
Our travel writer David Oliver checked in at a few hotels to check out their coronavirus protocols. Here's what he found.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention walked back changed guidance on how the coronavirus spreads. On Friday, the CDC posted an update on its website saying 6 feet may not be sufficient to keep people safe and that ventilation was key to easing transmission indoors. But on Monday, the agency said the new guidance was a "draft version" that was "posted in error."
Some economists say the U.S. could fall into a double-dip recession if Congress fails to pass another coronavirus stimulus package.
📈 Today's numbers: Minnesota, Montana, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Puerto Rico set records for new cases in the week ending Monday. The U.S. has reported more than 6.8 million cases and 200,700 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Globally, there have been more than 31.4 million cases and 968,000 fatalities.
📰 What we're reading: Will Las Vegas room rates rise? Will shows return to The Strip? We asked an insider.
🗺 Mapping coronavirus: Track the U.S. outbreak, state by state
This file will be updated throughout the day. For updates in your inbox, subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter.
The Food and Drug Administration, whose autonomy has been questioned amid repeated interference from the Trump administration, will impose a higher standard for emergency authorization of a coronavirus vaccine in an effort to gain public trust, the Washington Post reported. The new requirement would make it highly unlikely a vaccine would be available before the Nov. 3 election, contrary to what President Donald Trump has predicted.
Vaccine manufacturers will have to follow participants in Stage 3 clinical trials for at least two months after they receive a second shot of the vaccine candidate, the newspaper said. Surveys have shown many Americans are skeptical a new coronavirus vaccine would be safe and effective, with as many as half the respondents saying they would not get the immunization if it were available today.
The FDA granted emergency authorization to hydroxychloroquine and convalescent plasma, two treatments for the virus touted by Trump but questioned by public health experts.
Seventh-ranked Notre Dame halted all its football activities and postponed Saturday's road game at Wake Forest after seven Irish players tested positive for the coronavirus. Notre Dame said in a statement that 13 players are in isolation, with 10 in quarantine. The schools may reschedule the game for Oct. 3, an open date for both.
"We managed an increase in positivity rates in August, and the players handled it wonderfully,'' Irish coach Brian Kelly said in a statement. "We knew COVID would present challenges throughout the season, and we'll always put student-athlete health and safety at the forefront of our decision making.''
– Eddie Timanus
COVID-19: How Herd Immunity works, why you still need to wear a mask Without masks and a vaccine, we could reach Herd Immunity from COVID-19, but deaths would skyrocket. We break down the science of it. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
200,000 in US dead as widely available vaccine still months away
The U.S. death toll reached 200,000 on Tuesday as states grapple with opening schools, restaurants, gyms and other small businesses. In March, President Donald Trump said keeping the death toll between 100,000 to 200,000 people would have indicated that his administration had “done a very good job.” As the number has continued to climb and a vaccine available to the masses does not appear imminent, Trump has sought to reshape the significance of the death tally.
“If we didn’t do our job, it would be three and half, two and half, maybe three million people,” Trump said Friday, leaning on extreme projections of what could have happened if nothing was done to fight the pandemic. “We have done a phenomenal job with respect to COVID-19.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi scheduled a moment of silence Tuesday in memory of the 200,000-plus Americans killed by COVID-19.
– Adrianna Rodriguez
With turnaround times for coronavirus tests in California down to an average of 1.2 days, the state no longer sees a need to prioritize who gets tested. State Health Secretary Mark Ghaly said Tuesday that California is urging counties to open the screenings to anyone who wants them, including people without symptoms.
Ghaly also said nail salons, which Gov. Gavin Newsom pinpointed as the origin of the state's initial outbreak, will be allowed to open, although the final decision will be up to the county health departments.
On Monday, California officials said the state's positivity rate had dipped below 3% for the first time, down to 2.8%.
Nicole Hayden, Palm Springs (Calif.) Desert Sun
President Donald Trump on Tuesday used his speech to the United Nations General Assembly to call on the global organization to hold Beijing accountable for the coronavirus pandemic, saying China "unleashed this plague onto the world."
Trump said China locked down domestic travel while allowing flights to leave China and infect the world. Trump again referred to COVID-19 as the "China virus" and berated the World Health Organization, which the U.S. has begun withdrawing from, for being "virtually controlled by China."
Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke shortly after Trump, calling for global cooperation and saying "any attempt of politicizing the issue or stigmatization must be rejected."
– Courtney Subramanian
College and professional sports teams in North Carolina may be allowed to host a few thousand fans in outdoor stadiums as soon as Oct. 2, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday, adding that the decision would hinge on the state's coronavirus numbers continuing to improve or remaining flat.
Places that can seat more than 10,000 people outside would be able to operate at 7% of capacity while adhering to the recommended 6 feet of physical distancing, Cooper said.
Hundreds of detainees and staff at one of the largest federal immigration detention centers in the country are being tested for the coronavirus amid an outbreak.
As of Sunday, 53 of 394 people had tested positive for COVID-19 at the 1,940-bed Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County, California, according to a court filing citing Gabriel Valdez, assistant field office director of enforcement and removal operations for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE previously designated 20 of those 53 people as being at greater risk of complications from COVID-19 due to their age and preexisting medical conditions.
"I'm afraid of dying here," Jose Ricardo Viveros Rodriguez said in Spanish. Viveros Rodriguez, 72, has diabetes and high blood pressure and went on a hunger strike to raise awareness of the risk he faces at the facility.
Rebecca Plevin, Palm Springs (Calif.) Desert Sun
The KN95 mask is meant to filter out 95% of aerosol particles. However, the nonprofit patient safety organization ECRI issued an alert against the masks after an analysis found that up to 70% of the KN95s imported from China did not meet these filtration standards. U.S. hospitals were forced to purchase hundreds of thousands of KN95 masks produced in China over the past six months. ECRI tested nearly 200 masks from 15 different manufacturer models purchased by some of the largest health systems in the country. There was not only variability among the different brands but also inconsistencies among masks made by the same manufacturer.
“We are concerned about the safety of health care workers and patients when using KN95s in high-risk procedures and that’s why we sent out the hazard alert,” said Dr. Marcus Schabacker, ECRI’s president and chief executive officer. “We don’t use this lightly; we reserve that for immediate risk.”
– Adrianna Rodriguez
Former White House coronavirus task force member Olivia Troye says “it was frightening” when President Donald Trump said the virus would disappear "like magic."
Troye, an ex-aide to Vice President Pence, told NBC News’ "TODAY" show the task force was aware of how big COVID-19 would be in late January, before the first U.S. death. Troye said the president appeared dismissive of the virus.
“He said, 'When you're a politician, you have to shake a lot of hands. You have to shake a lot of hands. And these people are disgusting. It's gross. And so maybe, COVID'S probably a good thing, right? I don't have to shake hands. I don't have to do that anymore.'”
Pence has described Troye as a disgruntled employee while Trump says he does not remember ever meeting her.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he has no qualms about harshly penalizing coaches who violate the NFL’s protocols mandating that they wear face masks while roaming the sidelines. The NFL on Monday fined three coaches – San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan, Denver’s Vic Fangio and Seattle’s Pete Carroll – at $100,000 each for disregarding the policy. Their respective teams were docked $250,000 apiece.
“It’s consistent with the message,” Goodell told USA TODAY Sports. “You can’t let up. We’ve got to consistently do the things that have gotten us to this place and not think, ‘OK, things have gone so well, so it’s OK now.’ It’s not. You’ve got to stay on your toes and we’ve got to continue to be disciplined.”
– Jarrett Bell
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated guidelines highlighting different levels of risk for Halloween fun.
Pumpkin carving at home or outside at a distance from others, participating in a virtual costume contest or having a "scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search" at home are all considered lower risk.
Moderate-risk activities include leaving grab-and-go goodie bags outside for trick-or-treaters, having a small, outdoor and socially distant costume parade and visiting a one-way, socially distant haunted forest with masks (greater distance is advised "if screaming will likely occur").
The CDC recommends avoiding higher-risk activities such as traditional trick-or-treating and indoor costume parties or haunted houses.
– Erin Jensen
COVID: Will Halloween be the next event cancelled? As the Halloween season approaches, people across the country may be asking themselves "should we stay, or should we go?" USA TODAY
Lights, camera, action: After months of planning and negotiating, Hollywood's unions and major studios have reached a return-to-work agreement. On Monday, The Directors Guild of America, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Basic Crafts unions and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists jointly announced the deal reached with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
“The protocols pave the way for creative workers, who have been hard hit by the pandemic, to resume their crafts and livelihoods in workplaces redesigned around their health,” the unions said in a joint statement.
In your inbox: Stay up to date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter .
Stay up to date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. . On Facebook: A lot is still unknown about the coronavirus. But what we do know, we're sharing with you. Join our Facebook group, Coronavirus Watch, to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19.
A lot is still unknown about the coronavirus. But what we do know, we're sharing with you. to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19. Tips for coping: Every Saturday and Tuesday we'll be in your inbox, offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times. Sign up for Staying Apart, Together.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-09-22--Raiders' Jon Gruden, Saints' Sean Payton fined $100K each by NFL for not wearing masks

Add Jon Gruden and Sean Payton to the list of coaches who had to pay up for not wearing masks during their teams ' Week 2 contests .
The coaches for the Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints were each fined $ 100,000 by the NFL for violating the league 's jointly established protocol in light of the coronavirus pandemic , a person familiar with the decision told USA TODAY Sports .
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose details of the punishment .
The Raiders and Saints also were docked $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other coaches and teams were issued the same penalties on Monday : the Seattle Seahawks ' Pete Carroll , the San Francisco 49ers ' Kyle Shanahan and the Denver Broncos ' Vic Fangio .
Gruden was shown wearing his mask on his chin during the Raiders ' 34-24 win over the Saints , while Payton had a gaiter that did not rise above his neck .
OPINION : If 4-year-olds can wear masks , so can Jon Gruden , Sean Payton and other NFL coaches NFL POWER RANKINGS : Ravens replace Chiefs for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gruden said after the game that he `` had the virus '' but would accept whatever punishment the league issued .
`` I 'm doing my best .
...
I 'm very sensitive about it .
I 'm calling the plays , '' Gruden said .
`` I apologize .
If I get fined , I will have to pay the fine . ''
Last Monday , NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent warned all 32 teams that any coaches or sideline personnel found to be in violation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their organizations to discipline .
The memo was sent after several coaches did not wear masks in their teams ' season openers .

Raiders' Jon Gruden, Saints' Sean Payton fined $100K each by NFL for not wearing masks
Show Caption Hide Caption NFL power rankings 3.0: Raiders and NFC West teams skyrocket while Vikings sink SportsPulse: Week 2 was filled with fantastic finishes, demoralizing injuries and drama. We put a bow on the week and reveal our latest power rankings with our biggest risers and fallers. USA TODAY
Add Jon Gruden and Sean Payton to the list of coaches who had to pay up for not wearing masks during their teams' Week 2 contests.
The coaches for the Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints were each fined $100,000 by the NFL for violating the league's jointly established protocol in light of the coronavirus pandemic, a person familiar with the decision told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose details of the punishment.
The Raiders and Saints also were docked $250,000, the person said.
Three other coaches and teams were issued the same penalties on Monday: the Seattle Seahawks' Pete Carroll, the San Francisco 49ers' Kyle Shanahan and the Denver Broncos' Vic Fangio.
Gruden was shown wearing his mask on his chin during the Raiders' 34-24 win over the Saints, while Payton had a gaiter that did not rise above his neck.
OPINION: If 4-year-olds can wear masks, so can Jon Gruden, Sean Payton and other NFL coaches
NFL POWER RANKINGS: Ravens replace Chiefs for No. 1 spot after Week 2
Gruden said after the game that he "had the virus" but would accept whatever punishment the league issued.
"I'm doing my best. ... I'm very sensitive about it. I'm calling the plays," Gruden said. "I apologize. If I get fined, I will have to pay the fine."
Last Monday, NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent warned all 32 teams that any coaches or sideline personnel found to be in violation of the league's mask requirements would subject themselves and their organizations to discipline. The memo was sent after several coaches did not wear masks in their teams' season openers.
Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.


usatoday--2020-09-22--Rob Manfred exclusive: Commissioner says MLB plans to have fans at NLCS, World Series

There were exasperating and infuriating moments , and times when it looked like the entire thing may crumble , but with commissioner Rob Manfred knocking on his wood desk Tuesday morning for good luck , the Major League Baseball season is on the verge of surviving a year few envisioned possible .
The 60-game regular season schedule was the shortest in baseball history .
There were rule changes made on the fly .
Home teams became visitors in their own ballparks .
Buffalo became a major-league city .
There were hurricanes .
Fires .
Social unrest and protests .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yet , the 2020 MLB season survived , and for the first time this season , Manfred divulged plans to have fans in the ballparks in October .
They will be able to attend the National League Championship Series and World Series , which will be played in Arlington , Texas , pending final approval by Texas governmental officials .
“ It ’ s been grueling for everyone , the constant feeling of risk , the grinding , everything so different than the way we normally do things , ’ ’ Manfred told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to say it is that 2020 presented some really , really difficult challenges for the sport , and I never worked harder to try to meet those challenges .
I do take pride that we ’ re just a few days away from finishing the ( regular ) season , an important milestone for the industry.
’ ’ And now , with the postseason beginning Sept. 29 , with an expanded 16-team format that Manfred has no interest in continuing under its current structure , there will be fans to provide authentic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Oct. 12 at 40,300-seat Globe Life Field .
“ We are pressing ahead to have fans in Texas , ’ ’ said Manfred , with a ticket sales announcement expected soon .
“ One of the most important things to our game is the presence of fans .
Starting down the path of having fans in stadiums , and in a safe and risk-free environment , is very , very important to our game.
’ ’ Manfred would like the postseason to be expanded from 10 teams in the past to 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last winter , but not 16 .
The team with the best record in each league would receive a first-round bye , under MLB ’ s proposal , while the other two division winners in each league would choose their first-round opponent in the best-of-three-series .
“ Look , 16 teams , was a really good solution for the unique environment we had in 2020 , ’ ’ Manfred said .
“ But I want to be clear , when I talked about the expanded playoffs going forward before COVID ever hit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a permanent solution .
We never talked about more than 14 teams .
Those plans addressed marginalizing the value of winning the division , and preserving the competitiveness through the regular season .
“ The expanded playoffs cover a vast waterfront , but what we discussed was a very different format than we ’ re seeing now.
’ ’ MLB : Why the Rays are the perfect squad for 2020 season PENNANT RACE : What to watch for in MLB 's final week Now , about those new rules that were implemented this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra innings with a runner on second base , and a universal DH , only time will tell if they ’ re around in 2021 .
Those rule changes can not be imposed unless approved by the Major League Baseball Players ' Association , and with the exception of the DH staying in the National League , none are expected to carry over to 2021 .
Now , is it possible the extra inning rule with a runner on second base starts in the 12th inning ?
Hey , everything may be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silver lining , and there ’ s not many of them in 2020 , is that we experimented with things , ’ ’ Manfred said , “ and they were received positively .
Whether they come to the landscape going forward , I don ’ t know .
It doesn ’ t mean I ’ m advocating for seven inning doubleheaders or the universal DH , but it ’ s good for the fans to see how some of the experiments work .
It ’ s possible some change is possible to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward.
’ ’ The potential rule changes in 2021 , honestly , has been the furthest thing from Manfred ’ s mind during this tumultuous season .
It was a season that started almost four months late .
And a season that that nearly came to an end one weekend into the season .
The Miami Marlins had 21 players and staff members test positive for COVID-19 after the first three games , and four days later , the St. Louis Cardinals had an outbreak , shutting down their season for 16 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but then St. Louis came right on top of it , ’ ’ Manfred said , “ and I ’ ll tell you , I got nervous .
Those two situations had multiple cases , but were very different .
I was really , really nervous .
“ We went from going into the season with our focus on what we needed to do to keep playing , and after the two outbreaks , going to , 'What do we need to do to make sure things don ’ t spread once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MLB and the players union took further steps to safeguard the players and staff this week with all players on contending teams required to stay in hotels with strict protocols until their team is eliminated .
Family members will also be required to quarantine for seven days before joining the players for the postseason .
“ I think its important we got this bubble thing figured out for the playoffs , ’ ’ Manfred said .
“ You ’ re looking at Europe now having problems , and there are signs we may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the players all season have shown a ton of discipline .
Really , sacrifice is the right word .
They ’ ve done a phenomenal job , the same with the on-field personnel , the managers , coaches , staff , and all of the people that keep the facilities safe and operational .
Certainly , there has been pain and hardship along the way .
The entire minor-league season was cancelled .
There wasn ’ t a single franchise who didn ’ t have layoffs , furloughs or pay-cuts .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a live pitch inside a ballpark .
“ Let ’ s make no mistake , ’ ’ said Manfred , “ the environment we ’ re operating in the pandemic has affected every aspect of our business .
“ The inability of our fans to enjoy the in-ballpark experience is probably my biggest disappointment .
The players have been poignantly honest about the significance of having fans in our ballpark and their importance .
It emphasizes the bond between our fans and our players.
’ ’ There ’ s hope normalcy will return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for sure .
“ I ’ m hoping every day we have a much different environment next year , ’ ’ Manfred said .
“ I hope one of the great drug companies finds a vaccine for this.
’ ’ In the meantime , well , there ’ s a World Series champion to be crowned .
And , yes – mask and al – Manfred will be on hand to present the trophy .
“ Honestly , I think this World Series championship is going to be special , ’ ’ Manfred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that comes through proves they not only prevailed over all clubs , but prevailed over a much bigger challenge in terms of this pandemic .
“ It ’ s going to a special in a year we ’ re never going to forget .
’ ’

Rob Manfred exclusive: Commissioner says MLB plans to have fans at NLCS, World Series
Show Caption Hide Caption Top storylines to follow for the last week of the MLB regular season USA TODAY Sports Steve Gardner breaks down the top storylines in MLB thus far. USA TODAY
There were exasperating and infuriating moments, and times when it looked like the entire thing may crumble, but with commissioner Rob Manfred knocking on his wood desk Tuesday morning for good luck, the Major League Baseball season is on the verge of surviving a year few envisioned possible.
The 60-game regular season schedule was the shortest in baseball history. There were rule changes made on the fly. Home teams became visitors in their own ballparks. Buffalo became a major-league city. There were hurricanes. Fires. Social unrest and protests. And, of course, the pandemic.
Yet, the 2020 MLB season survived, and for the first time this season, Manfred divulged plans to have fans in the ballparks in October. They will be able to attend the National League Championship Series and World Series, which will be played in Arlington, Texas, pending final approval by Texas governmental officials.
“It’s been grueling for everyone, the constant feeling of risk, the grinding, everything so different than the way we normally do things,’’ Manfred told USA TODAY Sports. “The best way to say it is that 2020 presented some really, really difficult challenges for the sport, and I never worked harder to try to meet those challenges. I do take pride that we’re just a few days away from finishing the (regular) season, an important milestone for the industry.’’
And now, with the postseason beginning Sept. 29, with an expanded 16-team format that Manfred has no interest in continuing under its current structure, there will be fans to provide authentic crowd noise, beginning with the NLCS on Oct. 12 at 40,300-seat Globe Life Field.
“We are pressing ahead to have fans in Texas,’’ said Manfred, with a ticket sales announcement expected soon. “One of the most important things to our game is the presence of fans. Starting down the path of having fans in stadiums, and in a safe and risk-free environment, is very, very important to our game.’’
Manfred would like the postseason to be expanded from 10 teams in the past to 14 in the future, which was discussed last winter, but not 16. The team with the best record in each league would receive a first-round bye, under MLB’s proposal, while the other two division winners in each league would choose their first-round opponent in the best-of-three-series.
“Look, 16 teams, was a really good solution for the unique environment we had in 2020,’’ Manfred said. “But I want to be clear, when I talked about the expanded playoffs going forward before COVID ever hit, we never talked about 16 teams as a permanent solution. We never talked about more than 14 teams. Those plans addressed marginalizing the value of winning the division, and preserving the competitiveness through the regular season.
“The expanded playoffs cover a vast waterfront, but what we discussed was a very different format than we’re seeing now.’’
MLB: Why the Rays are the perfect squad for 2020 season
PENNANT RACE: What to watch for in MLB's final week
Now, about those new rules that were implemented this year, including seven-inning doubleheaders, starting extra innings with a runner on second base, and a universal DH, only time will tell if they’re around in 2021.
Those rule changes cannot be imposed unless approved by the Major League Baseball Players' Association, and with the exception of the DH staying in the National League, none are expected to carry over to 2021. Now, is it possible the extra inning rule with a runner on second base starts in the 12th inning? Hey, everything may be on the table.
“I think a silver lining, and there’s not many of them in 2020, is that we experimented with things,’’ Manfred said, “and they were received positively. Whether they come to the landscape going forward, I don’t know. It doesn’t mean I’m advocating for seven inning doubleheaders or the universal DH, but it’s good for the fans to see how some of the experiments work. It’s possible some change is possible to make the game as successful as possible going forward.’’
The potential rule changes in 2021, honestly, has been the furthest thing from Manfred’s mind during this tumultuous season. It was a season that started almost four months late. And a season that that nearly came to an end one weekend into the season.
The Miami Marlins had 21 players and staff members test positive for COVID-19 after the first three games, and four days later, the St. Louis Cardinals had an outbreak, shutting down their season for 16 days.
“We had the Marlins situation, but then St. Louis came right on top of it,’’ Manfred said, “and I’ll tell you, I got nervous. Those two situations had multiple cases, but were very different. I was really, really nervous.
“We went from going into the season with our focus on what we needed to do to keep playing, and after the two outbreaks, going to, 'What do we need to do to make sure things don’t spread once we have a positive.’ ’’
MLB and the players union took further steps to safeguard the players and staff this week with all players on contending teams required to stay in hotels with strict protocols until their team is eliminated. Family members will also be required to quarantine for seven days before joining the players for the postseason.
“I think its important we got this bubble thing figured out for the playoffs,’’ Manfred said. “You’re looking at Europe now having problems, and there are signs we may be looking at a little uptick. But the players all season have shown a ton of discipline. Really, sacrifice is the right word. They’ve done a phenomenal job, the same with the on-field personnel, the managers, coaches, staff, and all of the people that keep the facilities safe and operational.
“I couldn’t be prouder.’’
Certainly, there has been pain and hardship along the way. The entire minor-league season was cancelled. There wasn’t a single franchise who didn’t have layoffs, furloughs or pay-cuts.
And not a single fan got to see a live pitch inside a ballpark.
“Let’s make no mistake,’’ said Manfred, “the environment we’re operating in the pandemic has affected every aspect of our business.
“The inability of our fans to enjoy the in-ballpark experience is probably my biggest disappointment. The players have been poignantly honest about the significance of having fans in our ballpark and their importance. It emphasizes the bond between our fans and our players.’’
There’s hope normalcy will return next year, but no one knows for sure.
“I’m hoping every day we have a much different environment next year,’’ Manfred said. “I hope one of the great drug companies finds a vaccine for this.’’
In the meantime, well, there’s a World Series champion to be crowned.
And, yes – mask and al – Manfred will be on hand to present the trophy.
“Honestly, I think this World Series championship is going to be special,’’ Manfred said. “I think the team that comes through proves they not only prevailed over all clubs, but prevailed over a much bigger challenge in terms of this pandemic.
“It’s going to a special in a year we’re never going to forget.’’
Follow Nightengale on Twitter: @Bnightengale


usatoday--2020-09-22--Vanessa Bryant sues Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department over alleged photos deputies took at cra

Vanessa Bryant is suing Los Angeles County , the sheriff ’ s department and LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva over alleged photos sheriff ’ s deputies took of the crash site where Kobe and 13-year-old Gianna Bryant died along with seven others following a helicopter accident near Calabasas , California , on Jan. 26 .
The lawsuit , filed last Thursday in the Superior Court of California and obtained by USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday , cites emotional distress , negligence and invasion of privacy .
It alleges at least eight sheriff ’ s deputies took photos on their personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a deputy trainee shared the photo with a member of the public days after the crash , according to a bartender who witnessed the interaction and then filed a written complaint to the department .
“ At the moment the deputies snapped photos of Kobe and Gianna ’ s remains , they created a harm that can not be undone , and the Department ’ s response has only exacerbated that harm , ” the lawsuit says .
The lawsuit alleges Villanueva then instructed his deputies to delete the photos .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report revealed that deputies may have taken photos of victims ’ remains at the crash site – where the National Transportation Safety Board and coroner ’ s office conducted investigations -- and shared them .
Bryant released a statement saying she and her family were “ devastated ” by the potential existence of such photos , and Villanueva later admitted he ordered the photos ’ deletion , calling the deputies ’ conduct “ wildly inappropriate ” and “ disgusting.
” However , there was no formal investigation , the suit says .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Villanueva sponsored legislation which now makes it a crime for public safety personnel to take and share non-official pictures of this nature , '' the L.A. County Sheriff 's Department said Tuesday in a statement emailed to USA TODAY Sports .
`` Due to the pending litigation , we are unable to offer further comment . ''
Attorneys for Vanessa Bryant sent the county and sheriff ’ s department a letter on March 8 requesting information and records regarding any investigation of the photos , “ including any photos or videos in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s department personnel.
” Legal counsel representing the county responded the next month saying they were unable to aid in the request .
The lawsuit says social media users have cautioned Vanessa Bryant that photos of Kobe , the Los Angeles Lakers legend , and Gianna ’ s bodies at the scene exist online : “ Mrs .
Bryant ’ s fear has been exacerbated by the fact that , despite knowing about the photos within days of the crash , Sheriff Villanueva took none of the steps that a reasonable supervisor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) would take to prevent dissemination of harmful photos … it is impossible to rule out that the photos will surface and go viral online .
This uncertainty has caused Mrs. Bryant severe stress and anguish.
” In addition to Kobe and Gianna Bryant , the other seven victims of the crash were : Payton Chester , 13 ; Sarah Chester , 45 ; Alyssa Altobelli , 14 ; Keri Altobelli , 46 ; John Altobelli , 56 ; Christina Mauser , 38 ; and Ara Zobayan , 50 .
Vanessa Bryant has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the helicopter company operator , Island Express Helicopters , and the estate of Zobayan , the pilot .
On top of unspecified compensatory damages determined at trial , the suit seeks punitive damages “ in an amount appropriate to punish the defendants and make an example of defendants to the community.
” “ Hope is not a plan and it is no comfort to Mrs. Bryant , ” the suit says .

Vanessa Bryant sues Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department over alleged photos deputies took at crash site
Vanessa Bryant is suing Los Angeles County, the sheriff’s department and LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva over alleged photos sheriff’s deputies took of the crash site where Kobe and 13-year-old Gianna Bryant died along with seven others following a helicopter accident near Calabasas, California, on Jan. 26.
The lawsuit, filed last Thursday in the Superior Court of California and obtained by USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday, cites emotional distress, negligence and invasion of privacy. It alleges at least eight sheriff’s deputies took photos on their personal cell phones of the crash. Additionally, a deputy trainee shared the photo with a member of the public days after the crash, according to a bartender who witnessed the interaction and then filed a written complaint to the department.
“At the moment the deputies snapped photos of Kobe and Gianna’s remains, they created a harm that cannot be undone, and the Department’s response has only exacerbated that harm,” the lawsuit says.
The lawsuit alleges Villanueva then instructed his deputies to delete the photos. In late February, a Los Angeles Times report revealed that deputies may have taken photos of victims’ remains at the crash site – where the National Transportation Safety Board and coroner’s office conducted investigations -- and shared them. Bryant released a statement saying she and her family were “devastated” by the potential existence of such photos, and Villanueva later admitted he ordered the photos’ deletion, calling the deputies’ conduct “wildly inappropriate” and “disgusting.” However, there was no formal investigation, the suit says.
"Shortly following this tragic crash, Sheriff Villanueva sponsored legislation which now makes it a crime for public safety personnel to take and share non-official pictures of this nature," the L.A. County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday in a statement emailed to USA TODAY Sports. "Due to the pending litigation, we are unable to offer further comment."
Attorneys for Vanessa Bryant sent the county and sheriff’s department a letter on March 8 requesting information and records regarding any investigation of the photos, “including any photos or videos in the possession of or disseminated by the sheriff’s department personnel.” Legal counsel representing the county responded the next month saying they were unable to aid in the request.
The lawsuit says social media users have cautioned Vanessa Bryant that photos of Kobe, the Los Angeles Lakers legend, and Gianna’s bodies at the scene exist online:
“Mrs. Bryant’s fear has been exacerbated by the fact that, despite knowing about the photos within days of the crash, Sheriff Villanueva took none of the steps that a reasonable supervisor (let alone a highly-trained professional investigator) would take to prevent dissemination of harmful photos … it is impossible to rule out that the photos will surface and go viral online. This uncertainty has caused Mrs. Bryant severe stress and anguish.”
In addition to Kobe and Gianna Bryant, the other seven victims of the crash were: Payton Chester, 13; Sarah Chester, 45; Alyssa Altobelli, 14; Keri Altobelli, 46; John Altobelli, 56; Christina Mauser, 38; and Ara Zobayan, 50.
Vanessa Bryant has also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the helicopter company operator, Island Express Helicopters, and the estate of Zobayan, the pilot.
On top of unspecified compensatory damages determined at trial, the suit seeks punitive damages “in an amount appropriate to punish the defendants and make an example of defendants to the community.”
“Hope is not a plan and it is no comfort to Mrs. Bryant,” the suit says.
Contributing: Tom Schad and Lorenzo Reyes
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.


usatoday--2020-09-22--4 fun treats to make in a waffle iron

4 fun treats to make in a waffle iron

Waffle irons are not just for waffles .
Here are other foods you can make that might just be better @ @ @ @ @

Waffle irons: 4 fun foods to make
Waffle irons are not just for waffles. Here are other foods you can make that might just be better than your old-fashioned method.
ProblemSolved, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-09-22--U.S. Coast Guard rescues seven people clinging to capsized boat off Florida coast

U.S. Coast Guard rescues seven people clinging to capsized boat off Florida coast The U.S. Coast Guard rescued seven people @ @ @ @ @ a capsized boat in rough waters off the coast of Florida on September 20 .

U.S. Coast Guard rescues seven people clinging to capsized boat
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued seven people clinging to the side of a capsized boat in rough waters off the coast of Florida on September 20.
Storyful


usatoday--2020-09-22--Efforts to lift economy out of recession pose risk of sparking a financial crisis,  economists worry

The economy may be stabilizing faster than expected amid the COVID-19 pandemic , but efforts to preserve it could tip off a financial crisis , economists said in a new report .
Deutsche Bank economists led by Peter Hooper , the bank 's global head of economic research , said the global economic recovery `` has proceeded significantly faster than we envisioned in the gloomy days of early May . ''
They estimated that the world 's economy has already recovered about half of the GDP it lost and that it would get back to pre-pandemic levels by the middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of quarters sooner than the bank 's previous forecast .
But the price of short-term stability could be steep in the long run .
`` Massive fiscal and monetary policy stimulus '' that came together to prop up the economy has caused debt to balloon and stocks to become potentially overvalued , posing `` the serious risk of a looming global financial crisis as central banks begin to shift away from easy ( monetary ) policy at some point in the years to come . ''
Economic concerns : U.S. could slip into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new stimulus '' Financial crises have often been touched off in the past under such conditions by the inevitable shift from policy ease to policy tightening , which is likely still at least several years away , but could surprise sooner , '' the Deutsche Bank economists wrote .
From a global health perspective , Deutsche Bank projected that `` widespread vaccination '' will begin by summer 2021 and will continue for the next year or more , leading to `` a significant move toward herd immunity in the global population over that @ @ @ @ @ @

Efforts to lift economy out of recession pose risk of sparking a financial crisis, economists worry
Show Caption Hide Caption How the Federal Reserve's interest rates affect the economy and you The Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates over the past few months. Here's how their actions affect you. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The economy may be stabilizing faster than expected amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but efforts to preserve it could tip off a financial crisis, economists said in a new report.
Deutsche Bank economists led by Peter Hooper, the bank's global head of economic research, said the global economic recovery "has proceeded significantly faster than we envisioned in the gloomy days of early May."
They estimated that the world's economy has already recovered about half of the GDP it lost and that it would get back to pre-pandemic levels by the middle of 2021, which is a couple of quarters sooner than the bank's previous forecast.
But the price of short-term stability could be steep in the long run.
"Massive fiscal and monetary policy stimulus" that came together to prop up the economy has caused debt to balloon and stocks to become potentially overvalued, posing "the serious risk of a looming global financial crisis as central banks begin to shift away from easy (monetary) policy at some point in the years to come."
COVID-19: Restaurants are taking biggest hits due to the pandemic The restaurant industry is taking a big hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some big chains are filing for bankruptcy or facing challenges paying debts. USA TODAY
Stock market battered: Dow Jones down as banks suffer, economic concerns grip investors
Economic concerns: U.S. could slip into double-dip recession if Congress doesn't pass new stimulus
"Financial crises have often been touched off in the past under such conditions by the inevitable shift from policy ease to policy tightening, which is likely still at least several years away, but could surprise sooner," the Deutsche Bank economists wrote.
From a global health perspective, Deutsche Bank projected that "widespread vaccination" will begin by summer 2021 and will continue for the next year or more, leading to "a significant move toward herd immunity in the global population over that period and into 2023."
Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.


usatoday--2020-09-23--AG William Barr in Milwaukee announces takedown of major drug trafficking ring

U.S. Attorney General William Barr returned to Wisconsin Tuesday , three weeks after a visit to Kenosha to see the aftermath of arson , looting and vandalism that followed protests over the police shooting of a Black man in the back .
This time , he was announcing the arrests of 26 people in Milwaukee and California , charged in a sprawling drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy , as the latest victory in Operation Legend , launched in July to target violent street crime in a few major cities .
Barr 's visit to election swing-state Wisconsin came a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's scheduled foreign policy speech in the state Capitol in Madison on Wednesday and Vice President Mike Pence 's planned visit to Eau Claire on Thursday , his third visit to Wisconsin this month .
It also comes the day after Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden visited a foundry in Manitowoc , and though Barr never mentioned the presidential race directly , he focused on the kind of law and order theme that 's been central to President Donald Trump 's campaign .
Barr and U.S. Attorney Matthew Krueger hosted a similar event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrests and charges resulting from the assignment of more than two dozen federal agents to Milwaukee and seven other cities to address violent crime .
USA TODAY/Ipsos Poll : A majority of Americans say cities under siege by protesters At Tuesday 's news conference , Krueger said the roundup included seizures pursuant to 24 search warrants of at least 33 firearms — including one stolen from the Milwaukee Police Department recovered in California — at least $ 170,000 in cash and drugs , including 700 grams of heroin at a single location .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the long-running investigation , including Milwaukee and Greenfield police , the Waukesha County sheriff 's office , the state Division of Criminal Investigation and several federal agencies .
He noted that Operation Legend will bring $ 12 million to the Milwaukee Police Department , enough to hire 30 officers , pay overtime and buy critical equipment .
That support should not take the place of local support for police , he said .
`` Public safety is the first duty of government .
You ca n't scrimp on it . ''
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget that would lose 120 positions at MPD , but Barr — in response to a question— denied his remarks about money for MPD were a critique of Barrett 's spending plan .
`` But I do oppose cutting back any funding for local law enforcement , `` he said .
`` It 's short-sighted . ''
Extra federal agents — from the DEA , FBI , ATF and the U.S .
Marshals Service — arrived in Milwaukee in late July , with promises from Barr and Krueger that they were not there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did in Portland , Oregon .
In early August , Krueger said 32 people had been arrested in Milwaukee with help from Operation Legend , and a couple of weeks later announced that 11 had been charged with gun and drug trafficking crimes .
The activities of those arrested Tuesday are detailed in a 232-page criminal complaint .
Krueger noted the leader of the local operation was Louis Rey Perez III , alias Eight Ball , and a member of the Mexican Posse .
Court records show that agents using a `` sneak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at two packages Perez and others in his organization were sending to California , and each contained $ 20,000 in cash .
He and his girlfriend and co-defendant Xina Yang mailed at least 87 packages , according to the complaint .
Barr said he felt the efforts of Operation Legend were making a dent in non-fatal shootings , and that while homicides in Milwaukee continue to occur at a pace that would top 200 by January , he expects the killings to also decline as a trailing statistic from the reduced shootings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro was fatally shot while he slept early in Kansas City , Missouri , on June 29 .
It initially targeted Kansas City , then Albuquerque and Chicago and added Milwaukee , Cleveland and Detroit , all places experiencing spikes in violent crime during the coronavirus pandemic .
Barr said Tuesday that some 3,500 people have been arrested , and about 800 are facing federal charges nationwide as a result of Operation Legend activities now in nine cities .
He said drug trafficking operations like the one busted in Milwaukee often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his campaign , Trump has repeatedly pointed out violent crime in cities led by Democratic mayors .
Contact Bruce Vielmetti at ( 414 ) 224-2187 or bvielmetti @ jrn.com .
Follow him on Twitter at @ ProofHearsay .

Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

AG William Barr in Milwaukee announces takedown of major drug trafficking ring
Show Caption Hide Caption Attorney General William Barr says court system failing law enforcment While he believes law enforcement is capable of having a significant effect, US Attorney General William Barr thinks the court system has largely failed. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
U.S. Attorney General William Barr returned to Wisconsin Tuesday, three weeks after a visit to Kenosha to see the aftermath of arson, looting and vandalism that followed protests over the police shooting of a Black man in the back.
This time, he was announcing the arrests of 26 people in Milwaukee and California, charged in a sprawling drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy, as the latest victory in Operation Legend, launched in July to target violent street crime in a few major cities.
Barr's visit to election swing-state Wisconsin came a day before Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's scheduled foreign policy speech in the state Capitol in Madison on Wednesday and Vice President Mike Pence's planned visit to Eau Claire on Thursday, his third visit to Wisconsin this month.
It also comes the day after Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden visited a foundry in Manitowoc, and though Barr never mentioned the presidential race directly, he focused on the kind of law and order theme that's been central to President Donald Trump's campaign.
Barr and U.S. Attorney Matthew Krueger hosted a similar event last month, touting the number of arrests and charges resulting from the assignment of more than two dozen federal agents to Milwaukee and seven other cities to address violent crime.
USA TODAY/Ipsos Poll: A majority of Americans say cities under siege by protesters
At Tuesday's news conference, Krueger said the roundup included seizures pursuant to 24 search warrants of at least 33 firearms — including one stolen from the Milwaukee Police Department recovered in California — at least $170,000 in cash and drugs, including 700 grams of heroin at a single location.
Barr thanked the cooperation of several agencies in the long-running investigation, including Milwaukee and Greenfield police, the Waukesha County sheriff's office, the state Division of Criminal Investigation and several federal agencies.
He noted that Operation Legend will bring $12 million to the Milwaukee Police Department, enough to hire 30 officers, pay overtime and buy critical equipment.
That support should not take the place of local support for police, he said. "Public safety is the first duty of government. You can't scrimp on it."
Earlier Tuesday, Mayor Tom Barrett announced a budget that would lose 120 positions at MPD, but Barr — in response to a question— denied his remarks about money for MPD were a critique of Barrett's spending plan.
"But I do oppose cutting back any funding for local law enforcement, " he said. "It's short-sighted."
Extra federal agents — from the DEA, FBI, ATF and the U.S. Marshals Service — arrived in Milwaukee in late July, with promises from Barr and Krueger that they were not there to arrest protesters, like federal agents did in Portland, Oregon.
In early August, Krueger said 32 people had been arrested in Milwaukee with help from Operation Legend, and a couple of weeks later announced that 11 had been charged with gun and drug trafficking crimes.
The activities of those arrested Tuesday are detailed in a 232-page criminal complaint. Krueger noted the leader of the local operation was Louis Rey Perez III, alias Eight Ball, and a member of the Mexican Posse.
Court records show that agents using a "sneak and peek" warrant in April looked at two packages Perez and others in his organization were sending to California, and each contained $20,000 in cash. He and his girlfriend and co-defendant Xina Yang mailed at least 87 packages, according to the complaint.
Barr said he felt the efforts of Operation Legend were making a dent in non-fatal shootings, and that while homicides in Milwaukee continue to occur at a pace that would top 200 by January, he expects the killings to also decline as a trailing statistic from the reduced shootings.
Operation Legend launched about a week after 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro was fatally shot while he slept early in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 29. It initially targeted Kansas City, then Albuquerque and Chicago and added Milwaukee, Cleveland and Detroit, all places experiencing spikes in violent crime during the coronavirus pandemic.
Barr said Tuesday that some 3,500 people have been arrested, and about 800 are facing federal charges nationwide as a result of Operation Legend activities now in nine cities. He said drug trafficking operations like the one busted in Milwaukee often lead to violent crime.
As part of his campaign, Trump has repeatedly pointed out violent crime in cities led by Democratic mayors.
Contact Bruce Vielmetti at (414) 224-2187 or bvielmetti@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ProofHearsay.


usatoday--2020-09-22--Your vote matters this year. Here's why.

Your vote matters this year .
Here 's why .
Thinking of sitting out the election ?
Here 's why @ @ @ @ @ , verify your status or request an absentee ballot at vote.usatoday.com .

Voter registration day: Here's why your vote matters more than ever
Thinking of sitting out the election? Here's why your vote counts. Register, verify your status or request an absentee ballot at vote.usatoday.com.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-09-22--Supreme Court, coronavirus, race among the topics for the first presidential debate Sept. 29

WASHINGTON — The topics for the first debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden were revealed on Tuesday , and they include the Supreme Court , the coronavirus pandemic and unrest over racial issues .
Fox News ' Chris Wallace will serve as moderator during the 90-minute debate at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland , Ohio , which will begin at 9 p.m .
ET on Sept. 29 .
The Commission on Presidential Debates announced six topics selected by Wallace .
In 15-minute segments , Wallace will ask the candidates about their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic , the economy , race and unrest throughout the country , and the integrity of the election .
The commission said the topics are subject to change depending on any `` news developments . ''
USA TODAY/Suffolk poll : More Americans predict Trump will win the presidential debates than Biden The first debate comes shortly after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's death last week opened up a partisan battle over who should pick her replacement , and when .
Trump has said he will announce his nominee on Saturday , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats , meanwhile , argue that voters should have a say and the nomination should be left to whoever wins the 2020 presidential election .
Meanwhile , the United States surpassed 200,000 deaths from the coronavirus on Tuesday with over 6.8 million recorded cases , according to Johns Hopkins University 's tracker .
Candidates are also expected to discuss the country 's reckoning with racial injustice , as protests against systemic racism continue in the U.S. and candidates have addressed the topic of law and order following high-profile deaths of Black people at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TODAY/Ipsos poll released Tuesday shows a majority of Americans think cities are being overwhelmed by protesters calling for policing reform and counter-protesters .
The debates stand as one of the most important opportunities left for Biden and Trump to appeal to potential voters , even as early voting has begun in many states .
A vice presidential debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris will be hosted by USA TODAY 's Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page on Oct. 7 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City .
Additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Miami and Oct. 22 in Nashville .

Supreme Court, coronavirus, race among the topics for the first presidential debate Sept. 29
Show Caption Hide Caption Voter registration day: Here's why your vote matters more than ever Thinking of sitting out the election? Here's why your vote counts. Register, verify your status or request an absentee ballot at vote.usatoday.com. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The topics for the first debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden were revealed on Tuesday, and they include the Supreme Court, the coronavirus pandemic and unrest over racial issues.
Fox News' Chris Wallace will serve as moderator during the 90-minute debate at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, which will begin at 9 p.m. ET on Sept. 29. The Commission on Presidential Debates announced six topics selected by Wallace.
In 15-minute segments, Wallace will ask the candidates about their records, the Supreme Court, the coronavirus pandemic, the economy, race and unrest throughout the country, and the integrity of the election. The commission said the topics are subject to change depending on any "news developments."
USA TODAY/Suffolk poll: More Americans predict Trump will win the presidential debates than Biden
The first debate comes shortly after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death last week opened up a partisan battle over who should pick her replacement, and when. Trump has said he will announce his nominee on Saturday, with Republicans promising a swift confirmation process. Democrats, meanwhile, argue that voters should have a say and the nomination should be left to whoever wins the 2020 presidential election.
Meanwhile, the United States surpassed 200,000 deaths from the coronavirus on Tuesday with over 6.8 million recorded cases, according to Johns Hopkins University's tracker.
Candidates are also expected to discuss the country's reckoning with racial injustice, as protests against systemic racism continue in the U.S. and candidates have addressed the topic of law and order following high-profile deaths of Black people at the hands of police. A USA TODAY/Ipsos poll released Tuesday shows a majority of Americans think cities are being overwhelmed by protesters calling for policing reform and counter-protesters.
The debates stand as one of the most important opportunities left for Biden and Trump to appeal to potential voters, even as early voting has begun in many states.
A vice presidential debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris will be hosted by USA TODAY's Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page on Oct. 7 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Additional presidential debates are scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami and Oct. 22 in Nashville.