usatoday--2020-09-04--A house divided: As millions of Americans face evictions, others buy dream homes during COVID-19

Brandi Gee has been living in a Georgia hotel with her son for nearly three months after losing her job and her rental home during the COVID-19 pandemic .
In Indiana , Jana Miller and her husband jumped at the opportunity to buy their dream home in the town of St. John after the pandemic hit .
The coronavirus recession has opened a wide chasm between the haves and have-nots in America ’ s housing market .
Some people can afford to flee cities and upgrade their life at a time when the median price for a home is at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like Gee , aren ’ t confident that they will ever own a home and face lasting financial damage from the pandemic following a historic wave of job losses , looming evictions , surging home prices and stagnant wages .
Gee , who lives in Warner Robins , Georgia , was laid off from her job as a prep chef at a country club in March , a major blow to her finances .
The restaurant and bar industry she worked in was among the hardest hit by layoffs caused by coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the pandemic hit , then briefly lived with a friend because she no longer could afford rent .
When she struggled to find a new job and brokers did n't return her calls to help find a house or apartment to rent , she was forced to move to an extended-stay hotel , she says .
Gee has had a handful of job interviews in the restaurant industry in recent weeks , but nothing has panned out .
She fears she ’ ll get evicted from the hotel if she doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re barely surviving , ” Gee , 46 , says .
“ I ’ m scared we ’ ll end up sleeping on the streets .
I don ’ t know if I ’ ll ever recover.
” 'We should n't have to beg ' : Americans struggle without unemployment aid as Congress stalls on extending benefits Housing hurdles : COVID has n't stopped the housing market , but good luck finding a home you can afford In Indiana , Miller , 40 , thought she 'd remodel her starter home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of use out of it because her family couldn ’ t find a home in their price range .
But in June , the price on a two-story home she 'd been eyeing before the pandemic dropped .
The sellers said they would accept her offer if she put her home up for sale immediately .
Just four days later , she sold her home for $ 11,000 above asking price after more than a dozen showings .
“ It was a whirlwind , ” says Miller , a physical therapist .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dream home during such a crazy time in this world.
” Their new home comes with a finished basement and four bedrooms for her growing family of five .
The economic downturn has led to a 8.4 % unemployment rate in August , leaving many Americans struggling to buy a home or afford rent , particularly lower-wage workers in hard-hit hospitality and retail jobs .
Among renter households earning less than $ 35,000 per year , 42 % have slight or no confidence in their ability to pay September rent , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pulse Survey .
`` The level of economic suffering for families is heartbreaking if we don ’ t figure out how to help unemployed Americans pay rent , '' says Sam Gilman , co-founder of the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project .
`` Eviction leads to horrible consequences for families .
It can lead to homelessness , kids not going to school and is linked to deaths of despair . ''
Evictions : Trump administration announces nationwide eviction moratorium through end of the year Rent is due : What the moratorium means for one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Trump administration said Tuesday it is implementing a national four-month moratorium on residential evictions .
It goes into effect Friday and will run through Dec. 31 , applying to individuals earning less than $ 99,000 a year and who are unable to make rent or housing payments .
The move comes after Republicans and Democrats in Congress failed to reach a deal on another coronavirus rescue package .
The moratorium is a vital step because it will protect millions of Americans from becoming homeless through the December holidays , housing experts say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the eviction crisis , they added , since there are loopholes in the moratorium that may leave some renters at risk of removal .
The order would meaningfully reduce the number of Americans who are at risk of non-payment eviction .
But it doesn ’ t help renters pay rent , says Gilman .
Some experts have argued for extending enhanced unemployment benefits so that renters and homeowners who need emergency cash can pay their rent and mortgages .
“ We are only delaying this huge build-up in rental debt and the precursor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief from Congress to solve the underlying economic conditions , '' says Gilman .
`` Once rent comes due after the holidays , the circumstances for millions of Americans likely will not have changed . ''
An estimated 30 million to 40 million Americans are at risk of eviction by the end of the year once the moratorium expires , according to Gilman .
Even as millions of renters fear losing their homes , the housing market has become a bright spot in the economy -- and could even drive its recovery .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing compared with the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis , which saw a collapse in real estate prices .
Homebuyers with secure , higher-paying jobs and access to cash and credit have been able to take advantage of record-low mortgage rates .
Meanwhile , job losses disproportionately affect low-income and Black workers , housing experts say .
And there are deep disparities as well .
For white households , the national homeownership rate stood at 73.7 % in the first quarter of this year , up from 73.2 % in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent report from real estate brokerage Redfin .
For Black households , that rate was 44 % during the first quarter of 2020 , up from 41.1 % a year prior .
“ The value many Black families have missed out on because they were impacted by systemic racism in housing could have been passed down to children and grandchildren , paying for things like higher education , childcare , starting a business and down payments on their own home , '' Taylor Marr , economist at Redfin , said in a note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home improvement industry is booming during the pandemic as more Americans work from home , leading them to spend money on new properties or customize their living spaces .
Some people are suddenly flush with cash and have access to cheap borrowing .
Home sales have continued to rise , leading to record-breaking prices despite another spike in coronavirus cases in parts of the U.S .
The median national price for a home in July reached $ 304,100 , the first time ever it has topped $ 300,000 , according to the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a spring and early summer affair , but this year it was delayed because of the pandemic , experts say .
“ There ’ s still a lot of interest in sellers getting top dollar for their homes and buyers getting more space , ” says Ted Rossman , industry analyst at Bankrate .
“ The work-from-home trend has legs even beyond the pandemic because many companies have found that workers can be productive from home and it saves them money on office space , '' says Rossman .
`` That has big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work-from-home becomes more permanent.
” Some Americans are upgrading their life with new appliances , electronics and furniture .
And some are planning other home improvements and renovations .
Roughly 59 % of homeowners have already completed at least $ 500 worth of home upgrades during the pandemic or plan to before the end of the year , according to a recent survey from Bankrate .
“ There ’ s a fortunate group of Americans with a steady paycheck that didn ’ t go on a big vacation but did end up buying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” says Rossman .
Robin Walpert , a realtor , is one of those people .
She and her husband , who live in the Pacific Palisades , on the west side of Los Angeles , began looking for a vacation home in June once she found out her two teenage sons would be doing virtual school for the foreseeable future .
She is repairing her house and building a home gym , but she wanted a place for her family to escape since all of them were stuck there amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Lake Arrowhead , California , but she couldn ’ t keep up with the competition after everything flew off the market with multiple bids within days , she says .
But they ’ re about to close on an older cabin that had been with the prior owners for four decades .
It needs new flooring , renovated bathrooms and kitchen appliances , but Walpert felt fortunate to find anything .
“ We felt so lucky that we got our hands on something .
It was a mad dash , ” Walpert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went bonkers trying to find something close to L.A. without completely abandoning ship .
”

A house divided: As millions of Americans face evictions, others buy dream homes during COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption Finances: How to get rent, mortgage relief The federal government CARES Act and various cities and banks are offering relief. Here's what you should know. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Brandi Gee has been living in a Georgia hotel with her son for nearly three months after losing her job and her rental home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Indiana, Jana Miller and her husband jumped at the opportunity to buy their dream home in the town of St. John after the pandemic hit.
The coronavirus recession has opened a wide chasm between the haves and have-nots in America’s housing market. Some people can afford to flee cities and upgrade their life at a time when the median price for a home is at its highest ever. But other Americans, like Gee, aren’t confident that they will ever own a home and face lasting financial damage from the pandemic after a historic wave of job losses, looming evictions, surging home prices and stagnant wages.
Gee, who lives in Warner Robins, Georgia, was laid off from her job as a prep chef at a country club in March, a major blow to her finances. The restaurant and bar industry she worked in was among the hardest hit by layoffs caused by coronavirus shutdowns.
She was paying rent month-to-month before the pandemic hit, then briefly lived with a friend because she no longer could afford rent. When she struggled to find a new job and brokers didn't return her calls to help find a house or apartment to rent, she was forced to move to an extended-stay hotel, she says.
Gee has had a handful of job interviews in the restaurant industry in recent weeks, but nothing has panned out. She fears she’ll get evicted from the hotel if she doesn’t find a job soon.
“We’re barely surviving,” Gee, 46, says. “I’m scared we’ll end up sleeping on the streets. I don’t know if I’ll ever recover.”
'We shouldn't have to beg': Americans struggle without unemployment aid as Congress stalls on extending benefits
Housing hurdles: COVID hasn't stopped the housing market, but good luck finding a home you can afford
In Indiana, Miller, 40, thought she'd remodel her starter home to get another five to 10 years of use out of it because her family couldn’t find a home in their price range.
But in June, the price on a two-story home she'd been eyeing before the pandemic dropped.
The sellers said they would accept her offer if she put her home up for sale immediately. Just four days later, she sold her home for $11,000 above asking price after more than a dozen showings.
“It was a whirlwind,” says Miller, a physical therapist. “We were really blessed to get our dream home during such a crazy time in this world.”
Their new home comes with a finished basement and four bedrooms for her growing family of five.
America’s housing divide
The economic downturn has led to a 8.4% unemployment rate in August, leaving many Americans struggling to buy a home or afford rent, particularly lower-wage workers in hard-hit hospitality and retail jobs.
Among renter households earning less than $35,000 a year, 42% have slight or no confidence in their ability to pay September rent, according to a recent U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey.
"The level of economic suffering for families is heartbreaking if we don’t figure out how to help unemployed Americans pay rent," says Sam Gilman, co-founder of the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project. "Eviction leads to horrible consequences for families. It can lead to homelessness, kids not going to school and is linked to deaths of despair."
Evictions: Trump administration announces nationwide eviction moratorium through end of the year
Rent is due: What the moratorium means for one of the South's most vibrant cities
The Trump administration said last week that it is implementing a national four-month moratorium on residential evictions. It took effect Friday and will run through Dec. 31, applying to individuals earning less than $99,000 a year and who are unable to make rent or housing payments. The move comes after Republicans and Democrats in Congress failed to reach a deal on another coronavirus rescue package.
The moratorium is a vital step because it will protect millions of Americans from becoming homeless through the December holidays, housing experts say. But it doesn’t solve the eviction crisis, they added, because there are loopholes in the moratorium that may leave some renters at risk of removal.
The order would meaningfully reduce the number of Americans who are at risk of nonpayment eviction. But it doesn’t help renters pay rent, Gilman says. Some experts have argued for extending enhanced unemployment benefits so renters and homeowners who need emergency cash can pay their rent and mortgages.
“We are only delaying this huge buildup in rental debt and the precursor to eviction. We still need rent relief from Congress to solve the underlying economic conditions," Gilman says. "Once rent comes due after the holidays, the circumstances for millions of Americans likely will not have changed."
An estimated 30 million to 40 million Americans are at risk of eviction by the end of the year once the moratorium expires, Gilman says.
Homebuying demand signals wealth divide
Even as millions of renters fear losing their homes, the housing market has become a bright spot in the economy – and could even drive its recovery. That marks a very different trajectory for housing compared with the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, which saw a collapse in real estate prices.
Homebuyers with secure, higher-paying jobs and access to cash and credit have been able to take advantage of record-low mortgage rates.
Meanwhile, job losses disproportionately affect low-income and Black workers, housing experts say.
And there are deep disparities as well. For white households, the national homeownership rate stood at 73.7% in the first quarter of this year, up from 73.2% in the first quarter of 2019, according to a recent report from real estate brokerage Redfin. For Black households, that rate was 44% during the first quarter of 2020, up from 41.1% a year ago.
“The value many Black families have missed out on because they were impacted by systemic racism in housing could have been passed down to children and grandchildren, paying for things like higher education, child care, starting a business and down payments on their own home," Taylor Marr, economist at Redfin, said in a note.
House prices are rising and the home improvement industry is booming during the pandemic as more Americans work from home, leading them to spend money on new properties or customize their living spaces. Some people are suddenly flush with cash and have access to cheap borrowing.
Home sales have continued to rise, leading to record-breaking prices despite another spike in coronavirus cases in parts of the U.S. The median national price for a home in July reached $304,100, the first time ever it has topped $300,000, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Homebuying is typically a spring and early summer affair, but this year it was delayed because of the pandemic, experts say.
“There’s still a lot of interest in sellers getting top dollar for their homes and buyers getting more space,” says Ted Rossman, industry analyst at Bankrate.
“The work-from-home trend has legs even beyond the pandemic because many companies have found that workers can be productive from home and it saves them money on office space," Rossman says. "That has big ripple effects for the housing market if work-from-home becomes more permanent.”
Some splurge on renovations, home upgrades
Some Americans are upgrading their life with new appliances, electronics and furniture. And some are planning other home improvements and renovations.
Roughly 59% of homeowners have already completed at least $500 worth of home upgrades during the pandemic or plan to before the end of the year, according to a recent survey from Bankrate.
“There’s a fortunate group of Americans with a steady paycheck that didn’t go on a big vacation but did end up buying new furniture, appliances or are renovating,” Rossman says.
Robin Walpert, a realtor, is one of those people. She and her husband, who live in the Pacific Palisades, on the west side of Los Angeles, began looking for a vacation home in June once she found out her two teenage sons would be doing virtual school for the foreseeable future.
She is repairing her house and building a home gym, but she wanted a place for her family to escape, because all of them were stuck there amid the construction.
They hunted for a cabin in Lake Arrowhead, California, but she couldn’t keep up with the competition after everything flew off the market with multiple bids within days, she says. But they’re about to close on an older cabin that had been with the prior owners for four decades. It needs new flooring, renovated bathrooms and kitchen appliances, but Walpert felt fortunate to find anything.
“We felt so lucky that we got our hands on something. It was a mad dash,” Walpert, 48, says. “Everyone went bonkers trying to find something close to L.A. without completely abandoning ship.”


usatoday--2020-09-04--Big Sean says new album 'Detroit 2' is a salute to his city's 'undeniable soul,' with aim to inspire

It was all supposed to go down for Big Sean on 313 Day .
And then 3/12 happened .
On March 13 — the annual celebration of Detroit , the Motor City , by way of its area code — the homegrown rapper planned to reveal he had a new album , `` Detroit 2 , '' coming soon .
In the days leading up to the planned announcement , he was around town , happy and productive — visiting family , listening to mixes , shooting a video guerrilla-style in neighborhoods across the city , spending an afternoon with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USA TODAY Network , for a photoshoot in the Fisher Building .
It turned out to be a last gasp of normalcy , because things suddenly went haywire just before the Friday unveiling : Overnight , sports leagues suspended their seasons .
Concert tours were canceled , festivals called off .
The coronavirus had sent America reeling , and “ Detroit 2 ” was abruptly on hold .
“ In March , it was just such a big shock , ” Big Sean recalls .
“ At first it just felt so tragic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really didn ’ t know what was going to happen .
I started thinking , ‘ Is this the apocalypse ?
’ My mind was racing .
It was a tough time to adjust to.
” Big Sean wound up announcing `` Detroit 2 '' later in March , with no firm release date .
Now , after months of buildup , it 's finally here : The 21-track album — follow-up to 2017 ’ s “ I Decided ” and sequel to the 2012 mixtape “ Detroit ” — is out Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Travis Scott , Lil Wayne , Post Malone , Justin Bieber , the late Nipsey Hussle and a host of Detroit hip-hop colleagues .
In a nod to the 2012 mixtape , which featured spoken-word features by Common , Jeezy and Snoop Dogg , the new album includes contributions by Stevie Wonder , Dave Chappelle and Erykah Badu , paying tribute to the people and history of Detroit .
These days , Big Sean ’ s mom runs his foundation , which funds a host of youth and education initiatives .
When he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was busy filling the house with music by Wonder , Marvin Gaye , Aretha Franklin and other Detroit staples .
“ I want people to feel the roots of Detroit — the undeniable soul , that unbreakable spirit , ” Big Sean says of the new album .
“ Detroit gets slept on sometimes , but I don ’ t think there ’ s any greater or more impactful city , especially musically throughout the decades .
I couldn ’ t let that die .
I had to do my version of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' I ca n't believe this is real ' : Big Sean breaks silence on ex-fiancée Naya Rivera 's death Big Sean says the forced break turned out to have a silver lining .
He set about reshaping parts of the album , writing new material , incorporating timely themes .
On the finished release , a reference to “ pandemic ” appears within the first 60 seconds .
“ That ’ s one of the only good things I got out of it , ” he says of the spring shutdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ album better for the people who need music .
I was able to get inspiration , some kind of meaning , some kind of uplifting energy — because I felt that ’ s what I needed.
” Shimmering , textured and often explosive , “ Detroit 2 ” finds the rapper born Sean Anderson in a confident creative space .
It 's got a familiar Big Sean vibe — poetic but accessible , swaggering but sensitive , with the catchy feel that has long made him an in-demand guest rapper .
But at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and energized , his rapping dynamic , his voice mature .
The album ’ s striking cover features a shot of Big Sean on the city ’ s east side , embellished with four Eastern Market street percussionists hovering above him — like “ my guardian angels , ” as he describes them .
At his side is a colorful display of roses , in keeping with the rose theme that ’ s been part of his imaging for several years now .
On Friday , Spirit Plaza downtown will be site of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspired by the “ Detroit 2 ” cover .
The release comes 15 years after Big Sean ’ s discovery by Kanye West during a Detroit radio station visit — a meeting that would lead to his G.O.O.D .
Music signing and introduction to the world through a series of mixtapes and the 2011 full-length debut “ Finally Famous.
” He hadn ’ t set out to make a sequel to “ Detroit ” when he embarked on his latest music .
The concept eventually presented itself .
“ It kind of developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he says .
“ I always wanted to do a ‘ Detroit 2 , ’ but I never caught the right zone and time to really capture the essence .
As time went on and I was making the music , I was like : I think I ’ m ready to do this.
” It hadn ’ t come easy at first .
Following “ I Decided , ” which topped the Billboard album chart in 2017 , Big Sean found himself in a creative rut .
“ At one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all to make music , ” he says .
“ That ’ s when I realized I had some work to do on myself.
” Making music — long his “ passion and happy place ” — suddenly felt like a job .
He put things on hold , he says , “ for months and months and months.
” “ I think whenever you do something for longer than 10 years , you have to rediscover that passion , relight that flame , ” he says .
“ Whether you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artist , whatever you are , any field , sometimes you get to a point in your life where you hit these walls .
And you ’ re like , ‘ OK , I ’ m not growing anymore .
I need to figure out something .
I need to break down this wall and keep going.
’ And that ’ s where I was at around the time I turned 30.
” Big Sean started therapy , sought spiritual guidance and began daily meditation .
In spring 2019 , he went public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the topic returned as the theme of his foundation ’ s DON Weekend in Detroit that summer .
Though widely applauded for speaking up — helping break a stigma that persists in many traditional male spaces and in hip-hop — Sean says he hasn ’ t kept close tabs on the praise .
“ One of the things I haven ’ t been paying much attention to is feedback , because I ’ m so emotional , ” he says , laughing .
“ That ’ s something I learned : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do , no matter what , whether people love it or hate it.
” On “ Detroit 2 , ” Big Sean once again addresses the perils of social media scrutiny — just as he did on last year ’ s track “ Single Again . ''
As work continued on the new album , the rejuvenated rapper found himself feeling the spirit of his early days .
To that end , he embarked on a massive track called “ Friday Night Cypher , ” named for the old Detroit radio show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of wits and technique .
With contributions from local producers such as Helluva and Key Wayne , the final track features verses from nearly a dozen Detroit artists — including Eminem , Royce da 5 ’ 9 ” , Tee Grizzley , Kash Doll and Payroll .
A sprawling effort that at one point featured more than 30 verses , it was one of album ’ s most demanding tracks , ultimately brought together by producer Hit-Boy , who helped “ cut it down heavily and put something together that made sense , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ super-hard ” on the track , as Sean puts it , and his appearance is a friendly boost for some of the budding acts on the song .
“ I appreciate Eminem — being the ( greatest of all time ) that he is — for being willing to be on a song not just with me but with people from Detroit who don ’ t have close to his platform , and giving us some of his light , ” Big Sean says .
The album ’ s spoken-word stories have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amusing as he reminisces about his infamous 2015 set at the Fillmore Detroit , where the comedian bombed after smoking up with rapper Danny Brown .
He later got a pep talk from Big Sean ’ s dad backstage .
Badu talks of Detroit ’ s “ special place in my heart , ” rattling off a series of adjectives to describe the city : `` Creative .
Deep .
Rooted .
Organic .
Cosmic .
Fantastic .
Futuristic .
Ancient .
Musical . ''
Wonder recounts his upbringing on the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that as a young , blind musician , he found his artist vision .
Big Sean calls Wonder “ just the greatest singer-songwriter of all time , and my absolute favorite.
” The Motown star had reached out during the pandemic while contemplating a COVID-19 relief event , and eventually visited Big Sean in his studio to check out “ Detroit 2 ” tracks .
The connection seems likely to spur future collaborations between the two .
“ We have some ideas for music we ’ re working on , none that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ album , ” the rapper says .
“ We didn ’ t want to rush it , but we ’ ve definitely exchanged ideas.
” More : Recording Academy launches Black Music Collective with John Legend , Quincy Jones and other leaders For Big Sean , `` Detroit 2 '' was cathartic in another important way .
Following the spring killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd , and the nationwide protests that erupted , the rapper found himself disconsolate .
`` It felt like a weight that was too heavy for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Coming amid the pandemic , `` it just added to the trauma , the tragedy , the pressure , the heat of it all .
I found myself very angry at one point .
I found myself very heartbroken . ''
In tears , Big Sean journaled , meditated and immersed in his music .
On `` Guard Your Heart , '' written a year ago to address protests , he got a new , topical addition from singer Wale .
And he gave the album an introduction to bring it all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
`` I was addressing where we 're at , '' Big Sean says .
`` That 's the mentality and the mode : Why would I stop ?
We are unstoppable no matter what happens .
I write that in my journal every single day — that I am unstoppable . ''

Big Sean says new album 'Detroit 2' is a salute to his city's 'undeniable soul,' with aim to inspire
Show Caption Hide Caption Why Eminem was 'the only person' for Big Sean collab Big Sean will release his new album, ‘I Decided,’ on Friday. The rapper discusses his highly anticipated song with Eminem, ‘No Favors,’ and why he wanted to reunite with the hip-hop icon after their 2014 collaboration ‘Detroit vs. Everybody.’ Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY
It was all supposed to go down for Big Sean on 313 Day. And then 3/12 happened.
On March 13 – the annual celebration of Detroit, the Motor City, by way of its area code — the homegrown rapper planned to reveal he had a new album, "Detroit 2," coming soon. In the days leading up to the planned announcement, he was around town, happy and productive – visiting family, listening to mixes, shooting a video guerrilla-style in neighborhoods across the city, spending an afternoon with the Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, for a photo shoot in the Fisher Building.
It turned out to be a last gasp of normalcy because things suddenly went haywire just before the Friday unveiling: Overnight, sports leagues suspended their seasons. Concert tours were canceled, festivals called off.
The coronavirus had sent America reeling, and “Detroit 2” was abruptly on hold.
“In March, it was just such a big shock,” Big Sean recalls. “At first it just felt so tragic when everything started closing down. I really didn’t know what was going to happen. I started thinking, ‘Is this the apocalypse?’ My mind was racing. It was a tough time to adjust to.”
Big Sean wound up announcing "Detroit 2" later in March, with no firm release date. Now, after months of buildup, it's finally here: The 21-track album – follow-up to 2017’s “I Decided” and sequel to the 2012 mixtape “Detroit” – was released Friday, loaded with guests including Eminem, Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, Post Malone, Justin Bieber, the late Nipsey Hussle and a host of Detroit hip-hop colleagues.
In a nod to the 2012 mixtape, which featured spoken-word features by Common, Jeezy and Snoop Dogg, the new album includes contributions by Stevie Wonder, Dave Chappelle and Erykah Badu, paying tribute to the people and history of Detroit.
These days, Big Sean’s mom runs his foundation, which funds a host of youth and education initiatives. When he was young, the rapper says, she was busy filling the house with music by Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and other Detroit staples.
“I want people to feel the roots of Detroit – the undeniable soul, that unbreakable spirit,” Big Sean says of the new album. “Detroit gets slept on sometimes, but I don’t think there’s any greater or more impactful city, especially musically throughout the decades. I couldn’t let that die. I had to do my version of the impact all that music had.”
'I can't believe this is real': Big Sean breaks silence on ex-fiancée Naya Rivera's death
More: Big Sean shares release date for new album 'Detroit 2,' drops single featuring late Nipsey Hussle
Big Sean says the forced break turned out to have a silver lining. He set about reshaping parts of the album, writing new material, incorporating timely themes. On the finished release, a reference to “pandemic” appears within the first 60 seconds.
“That’s one of the only good things I got out of it,” he says of the spring shutdown. “I was able to make this album better for the people who need music. I was able to get inspiration, some kind of meaning, some kind of uplifting energy – because I felt that’s what I needed.”
Shimmering, textured and often explosive, “Detroit 2” finds the rapper born Sean Anderson in a confident creative space. It's got a familiar Big Sean vibe – poetic but accessible, swaggering but sensitive, with the catchy feel that has long made him an in-demand guest rapper. But at 32, he also sounds newly bold and energized, his rapping dynamic, his voice mature.
The album’s striking cover features a shot of Big Sean on the city’s east side, embellished with four Eastern Market street percussionists hovering above him – like “my guardian angels,” as he describes them. At his side is a colorful display of roses, in keeping with the rose theme that’s been part of his imaging for several years now.
On Friday, Spirit Plaza downtown was the site of a 3,000-rose installation arranged by 1-800-FLOWERS, inspired by the “Detroit 2” cover.
The release comes 15 years after Big Sean’s discovery by Kanye West during a Detroit radio station visit – a meeting that would lead to his G.O.O.D. Music signing and introduction to the world through a series of mixtapes and the 2011 full-length debut “Finally Famous.”
He hadn’t set out to make a sequel to “Detroit” when he embarked on his latest music. The concept eventually presented itself.
“It kind of developed like that as I got into it,” he says. “I always wanted to do a ‘Detroit 2,’ but I never caught the right zone and time to really capture the essence. As time went on and I was making the music, I was like: I think I’m ready to do this.”
It hadn’t come easy at first. Following “I Decided,” which topped the Billboard album chart in 2017, Big Sean found himself in a creative rut.
“At one point I wasn’t inspired at all to make music,” he says. “That’s when I realized I had some work to do on myself.”
Making music – long his “passion and happy place” – suddenly felt like a job. He put things on hold, he says, “for months and months and months.”
“I think whenever you do something for longer than 10 years, you have to rediscover that passion, relight that flame,” he says. “Whether you’re a lawyer, flipping burgers, an artist, whatever you are, any field, sometimes you get to a point in your life where you hit these walls. And you’re like, ‘OK, I’m not growing anymore. I need to figure out something. I need to break down this wall and keep going.’ And that’s where I was at around the time I turned 30.”
Big Sean started therapy, sought spiritual guidance and began daily meditation. In spring 2019, he went public about his battles with depression and anxiety, and the topic returned as the theme of his foundation’s DON Weekend in Detroit that summer.
Though widely applauded for speaking up – helping break a stigma that persists in many traditional male spaces and in hip-hop – Sean says he hasn’t kept close tabs on the praise.
“One of the things I haven’t been paying much attention to is feedback because I’m so emotional,” he says, laughing. “That’s something I learned: Make sure I do what I want to do, no matter what, whether people love it or hate it.”
On “Detroit 2,” Big Sean once again addresses the perils of social media scrutiny – just as he did on last year’s track “Single Again."
As work continued on the new album, the rejuvenated rapper found himself feeling the spirit of his early days. To that end, he embarked on a massive track called “Friday Night Cypher,” named for the old Detroit radio show that pitted local rappers in weekly battles of wits and technique.
With contributions from local producers such as Helluva and Key Wayne, the final track features verses from nearly a dozen Detroit artists – including Eminem, Royce da 5’9”, Tee Grizzley, Kash Doll and Payroll.
A sprawling effort that at one point featured more than 30 verses, it was one of the album’s most demanding tracks, ultimately brought together by producer Hit-Boy, who helped “cut it down heavily and put something together that made sense," Big Sean says.
Eminem goes “super-hard” on the track, as Sean puts it, and his appearance is a friendly boost for some of the budding acts on the song.
“I appreciate Eminem – being the (greatest of all time) that he is – for being willing to be on a song not just with me but with people from Detroit who don’t have close to his platform and giving us some of his light,” Big Sean says.
The album’s spoken-word stories have their own charms.
Chappelle is dependably amusing as he reminisces about his infamous 2015 set at the Fillmore Detroit, where the comedian bombed after smoking up with rapper Danny Brown. He later got a pep talk from Big Sean’s dad backstage.
Badu talks of Detroit’s “special place in my heart,” rattling off a series of adjectives to describe the city: "Creative. Deep. Rooted. Organic. Cosmic. Fantastic. Futuristic. Ancient. Musical."
Wonder recounts his upbringing on the city’s west side, where he says that as a young, blind musician, he found his artistic vision.
Big Sean calls Wonder “just the greatest singer-songwriter of all time, and my absolute favorite.” The Motown star had reached out during the pandemic while contemplating a COVID-19 relief event and eventually visited Big Sean in his studio to check out “Detroit 2” tracks.
The connection seems likely to spur future collaborations between the two.
“We have some ideas for music we’re working on, none that we could get done in time for the album,” the rapper says. “We didn’t want to rush it, but we’ve definitely exchanged ideas.”
September music picks: Marilyn Manson, 2 Chainz, Carrie Underwood and more
More: Recording Academy launches Black Music Collective with John Legend, Quincy Jones and other leaders
For Big Sean, "Detroit 2" was cathartic in another important way. Following the spring killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and the nationwide protests that erupted, the rapper found himself disconsolate.
"It felt like a weight that was too heavy for the planet to bear," he says. Coming amid the pandemic, "it just added to the trauma, the tragedy, the pressure, the heat of it all. I found myself very angry at one point. I found myself very heartbroken."
In tears, Big Sean journaled, meditated and immersed in his music. On "Guard Your Heart," written a year ago to address protests, he got a new, topical addition from singer Wale.
And he gave the album an introduction to bring it all home, urging strength and perseverance through crisis.
"I was addressing where we're at," Big Sean says. "That's the mentality and the mode: Why would I stop? We are unstoppable no matter what happens. I write that in my journal every single day – that I am unstoppable."
Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.


usatoday--2020-09-04--'Mama, I need you': She was on her deathbed after being run over by a car, but COVID-19 rules kept h

DAYTONA BEACH , Fla. – The first and last time Don Murkerson saw his 26-year-old daughter , Emily , at Halifax Health Medical Center was after she was in the hospital for seven days , when her heart stopped beating .
“ It was a terrible situation , ” Murkerson said .
“ I didn ’ t get to see her at all until we were called in and she was dying.
” On April 29 , Emily was crossing the street with her boyfriend on a motorized scooter near the Hard Rock Hotel in Daytona Beach when she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her mother , Gale Murkerson .
She was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center with multiple broken bones .
Because of the coronavirus pandemic , Halifax Health had strict visitation policies during Emily ’ s stay in April and early May .
ICU patients were not allowed to have any visitors in accordance with federal and state guidelines , spokesman John Guthrie wrote in an emailed statement .
“ Our policy , at Halifax Health , in following HIPAA guidelines , is to not comment on any patient ’ s care , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the crisis , Halifax Health has been and will continue to follow CDC guidelines for the safety of patients and team members.
” Visitor restrictions at hospitals across the state were standard in April and early May .
AdventHealth hospitals in Volusia and Flagler counties also were not allowing patients to have visitors during that time .
Now , Don and Gale are angry that they didn ’ t get the chance to spend time with their daughter and help her through the last painful week of her life .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this position , ” Don said .
“ I don ’ t see the problem in someone that is in that kind of condition with those kind of major decisions to have one person in there .
Gale would have stayed.
” Emily , who lived in Gainesville with her mother , never lost consciousness from the accident , according to Gale .
But she was basically immobile .
She had a broken femur , pelvis , ribs and scapula .
Her whole right side was covered in road burn , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any of her extremities .
When she was first admitted , Gale tried to visit her but was denied because of the hospital ’ s policies .
Emily had surgery twice , once on April 29 and again on May 1 .
Not even her boyfriend , Sebastian Wilbanks , who was there at the time of the accident , was allowed to see her .
“ When I showed up after the accident , I had my mask on and had latex gloves in hand and was still denied visitation due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. Air Force who is stationed in Italy , said in an email .
“ I told them I was more than willing to get tested as long as I got to see her .
They still turned me away.
” When Emily was moved from the ICU to a regular hospital room on May 3 , Gale was allowed to see her daughter .
But it was just for an hour .
Her father and boyfriend were not allowed to visit .
“ She could barely lift her right arm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Gale said .
“ She said she ’ s not critical.
” Based on the conversation with her daughter , Gale thought she was improving , and she was relieved .
But the following week , Emily sent her mother multiple messages asking her to come be with her , that everything hurt and she needed her mother .
But all Gale could do was call the hospital to receive updates on her daughter 's care .
She was not allowed to come back .
“ Tuesday morning , she calls me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain pills away .
I 'm hurting .
I need you up here .
I need you up here , ’ ” Gale said .
“ She couldn ’ t do anything .
If anything was out of her reach she was completely helpless.
” Read : Saying goodbye to dying wife likely cost 90-year-old 'Romeo ' his life , but he had no regrets , family says .
On Wednesday , Gale received what would be the last call from her daughter .
“ When I talked with her Wednesday morning she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Gale said .
“ At that point she said 'Mom I got ta go .
I 'm not feeling good . '
” Later that day , May 6 , they got the call that Emily had aspirated and coded multiple times .
They were told they should come say their goodbyes .
“ This is the worst thing that I ’ ve ever in my life had to experience , knowing that she was in there begging me several times 'Mama , I need you . '
You put her in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care of her and this is what happens , ” Gale said .
“ There is nobody advocating for these patients.
” Gale , Don and Wilbanks came in as their daughter was coding .
But only Don and Wilbanks stayed as Emily died .
Her official cause of death was pneumonia and aspiration .
“ I could not stay until she passed , ” Gale said .
“ And then they gathered her belongings together and escorted us out .
That was it.
” The Murkersons remember their daughter as a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would give others the shirt off her back .
After she died , her family said they received messages from many people they had no idea Emily knew , saying she saved them and helped them through difficult times in their lives .
“ She was always the bright , happy one , ” Gale said .
“ She was always laughing.
” She was an animal lover , according to Don .
She also loved kids and was looking forward to becoming an aunt .
“ She was very excited to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I can ’ t see what kind of aunt she would have been for him , ” Don said .
“ That bothers me a lot.
” In March , she had reconnected with Wilbanks , whom she had known since the first grade .
“ She finally found the love of her life , ” Gale said .
“ He ’ d come home from being overseas on leave .
She was the happiest she had ever been in her life .
She told me , ‘ I found my forever.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ together , ” Wilbanks said .
“ Spending every moment together while I was on leave .
The longest we were apart was while she was in the hospital for those seven days.
” The Murkersons know they aren ’ t the only ones who weren ’ t able to see their loved one while they were in the hospital , and they don ’ t want anyone else to go through what they went through .
“ My healthy 26-year-old daughter , yes she had major injuries , but she never lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then she coded and the next thing you know she ’ s dead , ” she said .
“ I don ’ t want this to happen to anybody else .
No mother or family should ever have to feel this pain .
Never .
”

Nikki Ross, The Daytona Beach News-Journal

'Mama, I need you': She was on her deathbed after being run over by a car, but COVID-19 rules kept her family from visiting
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The first and last time Don Murkerson saw his 26-year-old daughter, Emily, at Halifax Health Medical Center was after she was in the hospital for seven days, when her heart stopped beating.
“It was a terrible situation,” Murkerson said. “I didn’t get to see her at all until we were called in and she was dying.”
On April 29, Emily was crossing the street with her boyfriend on a motorized scooter near the Hard Rock Hotel in Daytona Beach when she was struck by a car, according to her mother, Gale Murkerson. She was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center with multiple broken bones.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Halifax Health had strict visitation policies during Emily’s stay in April and early May. ICU patients were not allowed to have any visitors in accordance with federal and state guidelines, spokesman John Guthrie wrote in an emailed statement.
“Our policy, at Halifax Health, in following HIPAA guidelines, is to not comment on any patient’s care,” Guthrie said. “At all times through the crisis, Halifax Health has been and will continue to follow CDC guidelines for the safety of patients and team members.”
Visitor restrictions at hospitals across the state were standard in April and early May. AdventHealth hospitals in Volusia and Flagler counties also were not allowing patients to have visitors during that time.
Now, Don and Gale are angry that they didn’t get the chance to spend time with their daughter and help her through the last painful week of her life.
“I know we are not the only people in this position,” Don said. “I don’t see the problem in someone that is in that kind of condition with those kind of major decisions to have one person in there. Gale would have stayed.”
Emily's hospital stay
Emily, who lived in Gainesville with her mother, never lost consciousness from the accident, according to Gale. But she was basically immobile. She had a broken femur, pelvis, ribs and scapula. Her whole right side was covered in road burn, and she couldn’t bear weight on any of her extremities.
When she was first admitted, Gale tried to visit her but was denied because of the hospital’s policies. Emily had surgery twice, once on April 29 and again on May 1.
Not even her boyfriend, Sebastian Wilbanks, who was there at the time of the accident, was allowed to see her.
“When I showed up after the accident, I had my mask on and had latex gloves in hand and was still denied visitation due to COVID-19,” Wilbanks, a member of the U.S. Air Force who is stationed in Italy, said in an email. “I told them I was more than willing to get tested as long as I got to see her. They still turned me away.”
When Emily was moved from the ICU to a regular hospital room on May 3, Gale was allowed to see her daughter. But it was just for an hour. Her father and boyfriend were not allowed to visit.
“She could barely lift her right arm to get a drink of water,” Gale said. “She said she’s not critical.”
Based on the conversation with her daughter, Gale thought she was improving, and she was relieved.
But the following week, Emily sent her mother multiple messages asking her to come be with her, that everything hurt and she needed her mother.
But all Gale could do was call the hospital to receive updates on her daughter's care. She was not allowed to come back.
“Tuesday morning, she calls me in tears. ‘They took my pain pills away. I'm hurting. I need you up here. I need you up here,’” Gale said. “She couldn’t do anything. If anything was out of her reach she was completely helpless.”
Read: Saying goodbye to dying wife likely cost 90-year-old 'Romeo' his life, but he had no regrets, family says.
Watch: Toddler window visit with grandparents
On Wednesday, Gale received what would be the last call from her daughter.
“When I talked with her Wednesday morning she was short of breath, nauseated,” Gale said. “At that point she said 'Mom I gotta go. I'm not feeling good.'”
Later that day, May 6, they got the call that Emily had aspirated and coded multiple times. They were told they should come say their goodbyes.
“This is the worst thing that I’ve ever in my life had to experience, knowing that she was in there begging me several times 'Mama, I need you.' You put her in there, you trust them to take care of her and this is what happens,” Gale said. “There is nobody advocating for these patients.”
Gale, Don and Wilbanks came in as their daughter was coding. But only Don and Wilbanks stayed as Emily died. Her official cause of death was pneumonia and aspiration.
“I could not stay until she passed,” Gale said. “And then they gathered her belongings together and escorted us out. That was it.”
Remembering Emily
The Murkersons remember their daughter as a “beacon of light” – someone who would give others the shirt off her back. After she died, her family said they received messages from many people they had no idea Emily knew, saying she saved them and helped them through difficult times in their lives.
“She was always the bright, happy one,” Gale said. “She was always laughing.”
She was an animal lover, according to Don. She also loved kids and was looking forward to becoming an aunt.
“She was very excited to have a blood nephew, and I hate that I can’t see what kind of aunt she would have been for him,” Don said. “That bothers me a lot.”
In March, she had reconnected with Wilbanks, whom she had known since the first grade.
“She finally found the love of her life,” Gale said. “He’d come home from being overseas on leave. She was the happiest she had ever been in her life. She told me, ‘I found my forever.’”
“Our lives were great together,” Wilbanks said. “Spending every moment together while I was on leave. The longest we were apart was while she was in the hospital for those seven days.”
The Murkersons know they aren’t the only ones who weren’t able to see their loved one while they were in the hospital, and they don’t want anyone else to go through what they went through.
“My healthy 26-year-old daughter, yes she had major injuries, but she never lost consciousness. She was doing great. Then she coded and the next thing you know she’s dead,” she said. “I don’t want this to happen to anybody else. No mother or family should ever have to feel this pain. Never.”
Follow Nikki Ross on Twitter: @NikkiInRealLife


usatoday--2020-09-04--Fair elections in 2020 are under attack. Here's how we can protect the vote.

The freedom to vote is a foundation of our democracy .
Preserving it depends on Americans being able to vote , knowing their vote will be counted and having confidence in the results .
Free and fair elections are under attack by enemies both visible and invisible , and confronting them is necessary to avoid chaos .
For five weeks in 2000 , a partisan war over what votes should be counted in Florida tore our country in two .
This year , we risk reliving that nightmare or worse , due to two distinct threats , each of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote .
The first is the threat posed by COVID-19 , which has already killed more than 183,000 Americans .
The second is the threat of physical or electronic disruption of the vote by domestic or foreign actors .
During the primary season , we saw what such disruptions can do to our elections and political processes .
As a result of COVID-19 , normal polling stations in multiple jurisdictions simply did not open .
People had to travel to the few that were open and brace themselves for hours of waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise their right to vote .
Election administration challenges brought on by the pandemic and compounded by civil unrest have demonstrated that our systems need to provide voters flexibility to confront challenges both anticipated — and unanticipated .
That ’ s why we are advocating for no excuse absentee ballots .
With our general election now only two months away , American leaders must act decisively to reduce the risk that such threats could interfere with a free and fair result .
As states control the processes for voting , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winners , Congress should help state leaders make it possible for everyone to vote , to have those votes counted accurately , to have the results determined and announced as quickly as possible , and to provide state election officials with financial resources to make that happen .
With the record level of absentee voting expected this year , many states will find that huge numbers of ballots — even the majority — will be paper absentee ones , and the counting of those does not begin in most states until election night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time and resources .
The public should be prepared for the fact that they likely won ’ t know the winner of the presidency on election night as absentee counting may take several days to complete .
Here are specific ideas : First , Congress should urgently invite further bipartisan testimony from governors , secretaries of state and state legislative leaders to discuss what further steps they can take to protect the right to vote .
Second , the National Governor ’ s Association and the National Association of Secretaries of State could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their bipartisan experience to propose — with urgency — further steps to address the unique challenges of this election year .
Third , the governors and secretaries of state could work at warp speed to update their local election processes to address both the domestic risks and any threat of foreign intervention .
Some of these updates are the subject of litigation across the country , but voluntary agreements would be quicker and better on matters like providing voters more days and hours to vote early and broadening their ability to vote-by-mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to how people vote by providing drive-through voting or secure ballot drop-off locations , or increasing boundaries between voters , poll workers and poll monitors through social distancing .
And they need to figure out how to hire enough poll workers for Election Day and speed the counting of the votes , while protecting the integrity of the results .
The Centers for Disease Control and the National Association of Secretaries of State already have recommended these options to reduce the risk of COVID-19 .
States have always had the right to set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designed to inoculate our political system against the prospect of electoral chaos benefit everyone .
They protect the right to vote , and strengthen public confidence in the voting process — an essential part of keeping us one nation , indivisible .
Dick Gephardt is a former Democratic House Majority Leader ; Trevor Potter is a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission ; Tim Wirth is a former Democratic senator from Colorado .

Dick Gephardt, Trevor Potter and Tim Wirth, Opinion contributors

Fair elections in 2020 are under attack. Here's how we can protect the vote. The public should be prepared for the fact that they likely won’t know the winner of the presidency on election night as absentee counting may take several days to complete.
Show Caption Hide Caption Why voter suppression in the US has increased since 2013 Civil rights experts point to long wait times to vote as a sign of growing voter suppression in the U.S. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The freedom to vote is a foundation of our democracy. Preserving it depends on Americans being able to vote, knowing their vote will be counted and having confidence in the results. Free and fair elections are under attack by enemies both visible and invisible, and confronting them is necessary to avoid chaos.
For five weeks in 2000, a partisan war over what votes should be counted in Florida tore our country in two. This year, we risk reliving that nightmare or worse, due to two distinct threats, each of which could prevent people from exercising their right to vote.
The first is the threat posed by COVID-19, which has already killed more than 183,000 Americans. The second is the threat of physical or electronic disruption of the vote by domestic or foreign actors.
During the primary season, we saw what such disruptions can do to our elections and political processes. As a result of COVID-19, normal polling stations in multiple jurisdictions simply did not open. People had to travel to the few that were open and brace themselves for hours of waiting in line, risking their lives to exercise their right to vote.
Election administration challenges brought on by the pandemic and compounded by civil unrest have demonstrated that our systems need to provide voters flexibility to confront challenges both anticipated — and unanticipated. That’s why we are advocating for no excuse absentee ballots.
With our general election now only two months away, American leaders must act decisively to reduce the risk that such threats could interfere with a free and fair result. As states control the processes for voting, as well as the counting and the certification of the winners, Congress should help state leaders make it possible for everyone to vote, to have those votes counted accurately, to have the results determined and announced as quickly as possible, and to provide state election officials with financial resources to make that happen.
Absentee voting will surge
With the record level of absentee voting expected this year, many states will find that huge numbers of ballots — even the majority — will be paper absentee ones, and the counting of those does not begin in most states until election night, so an accurate count will take time and resources.
The public should be prepared for the fact that they likely won’t know the winner of the presidency on election night as absentee counting may take several days to complete.
Here are specific ideas: First, Congress should urgently invite further bipartisan testimony from governors, secretaries of state and state legislative leaders to discuss what further steps they can take to protect the right to vote.
Second, the National Governor’s Association and the National Association of Secretaries of State could draw upon public health and election experts and their bipartisan experience to propose — with urgency — further steps to address the unique challenges of this election year.
Third, the governors and secretaries of state could work at warp speed to update their local election processes to address both the domestic risks and any threat of foreign intervention.
Some of these updates are the subject of litigation across the country, but voluntary agreements would be quicker and better on matters like providing voters more days and hours to vote early and broadening their ability to vote-by-mail.
Protect voters, poll workers
They should also make physical changes to how people vote by providing drive-through voting or secure ballot drop-off locations, or increasing boundaries between voters, poll workers and poll monitors through social distancing.
And they need to figure out how to hire enough poll workers for Election Day and speed the counting of the votes, while protecting the integrity of the results.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Association of Secretaries of State already have recommended somethese options to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
States have always had the right to set their election procedures, but bipartisan measures designed to inoculate our political system against the prospect of electoral chaos benefit everyone. They protect the right to vote, and strengthen public confidence in the voting process — an essential part of keeping us one nation, indivisible.
Dick Gephardt is a former Democratic House Majority Leader; Trevor Potter is a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission; Tim Wirth is a former Democratic senator from Colorado.


usatoday--2020-09-04--The Wisconsin police shooting and a vision of America - States of America

The Wisconsin police shooting and a vision of America - States of America Candidates arrive in Kenosha to push their @ @ @ @ @ be .
How does that play with across the nation ?

Kenosha police shooting and a vision of America: States of America
Candidates arrive in Kenosha to push their version of what America should be. How does that play with across the nation?
States of America, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-09-04--White House and Congress reach informal deal to avert a government shutdown at end of month

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Trump administration have come to an informal deal to avert a government shutdown at the end of the month when the federal government is set to run out of funding , two congressional sources said Thursday .
Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin came to the agreement Tuesday during a phone call about the two sides ' stalled efforts to pass another COVID-19 relief package , a source familiar with the call said .
The deal would extend government funding at the same levels they are currently operating at and will likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid a high-stakes series of negotiations before voters cast their ballots in November .
Full details about the agreement were not available but staff-level talks are set to begin soon , the two congressional sources said , adding that no decisions have been set in stone on how long the bill would last .
Marijuana vote : House will vote on federal marijuana legalization for the first time , bill 's future in Senate uncertain While discussions have picked back up between Democrats and the administration on another stimulus relief package to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's unclear whether any stimulus relief might be added to the government spending bill .
Pelosi and Mnuchin did not explicitly discuss the option and did not rule it out , one source familiar with their conversation said .
The agreement may ease worries about another government shutdown .
But it does n't solve the issue of how to offer relief to Americans suffering the economic fallout .
The two sides remain divided over what they want in a new round of coronavirus relief .
Pelosi , Mnuchin , Senate Minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House chief of staff Mark Meadows negotiated for weeks trying to reconcile the Democrats ' roughly $ 3.4 trillion plan with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's $ 1.1 trillion package .
Both proposals included $ 1,200 direct payments for struggling Americans , billions for schools trying to reopen and money for businesses trying to stay afloat .
The inaction prompted Trump to sign four executive orders to continue some aspects of earlier stimulus bills , but they did not address all the relief sought in talks .
After he signed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blame the other side for the impasse as Congress left for a month-long recess .
The Senate returns from its recess next week , potentially the last opportunity for Congress to act on coronavirus legislation while also juggling must-pass bills to keep the government funded .
Senate Republicans have said they hope to vote on a smaller COVID-19 bill next week , though the legislation is likely to face opposition from Democrats who argue more funding is needed to help state and local governments and businesses .
More : Republicans say the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week amid stalemate with Democrats More : Government shutdown sets record as longest in U.S. history .
When will it finally end ?
More : Fed-up workers , repairs delayed , missed mortgage payments : Why the government shutdown never ended for some White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters Thursday `` we do believe that we will be able to get funding to avoid a shutdown . ''
The last government shutdown from Dec. 2018 to Jan. 2019 was the longest on record , at 35 days long .
Stemming from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House over funding for a wall along the southern U.S. border , it forced about 800,000 federal government workers to go on furloughs or without pay .
Trash piled up at national parks , air travel was disrupted and repairs on the Hubble Space Telescope were delayed .
Even tax revenue decreased .
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated tax revenue was down $ 2 billion in 2019 because the IRS had halted some operations during the shutdown .
But a shutdown this year would have a ripple effect unlike those before it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor of political science at George Washington University and a Brookings Institution senior fellow , said it would be a “ catastrophic blow ” to have a shutdown in the middle of the pandemic , especially if workers at agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health were furloughed .
But “ nobody really wants to be blamed for the government shutdown , ” especially so close to an election , she said .
Congress ' few weeks in session are the House and Senate 's last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the November elections , and Binder said the short time frame could be a way to “ force lawmakers ’ hands ” on a deal on both funding the government and a COVID-19 relief bill .
Rep. Bobby Scott , D-Va. , and the chair of the House Education and Labor Committee said Thursday it was definitely a “ legitimate question ” on whether the government could shut down at the end of the month , an outcome he said would be “ disappointing ” and “ regrettable.
” “ I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side in a government shutdown , particularly in the middle of a pandemic , '' he said , adding it was likely Congress would pass a measure to fund the government .
“ I would rate the chance of a shutdown is as close as close to zero as you can get , '' he said .

Christal Hayes and Nicholas Wu, USA TODAY

White House and Congress reach informal deal to avert a government shutdown at end of month
Show Caption Hide Caption Donald Trump mocks the way Biden wears his mask President Donald Trump is mocking his Democratic rival for letting his mask hang off his ear when he delivers speeches. Speaking to rally-goers in Pennsylvania, Trump says of Joe Biden, "Did you ever see a man who likes a mask as much as him?" (Sept. 3) AP
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Trump administration have come to an informal deal to avert a government shutdown at the end of the month when the federal government is set to run out of funding, two congressional sources said Thursday.
Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin came to the agreement Tuesday during a phone call about the two sides' stalled efforts to pass another COVID-19 relief package, a source familiar with the call said. The deal would extend government funding at the same levels they are currently operating at and will likely allow both sides of the aisle to avoid a high-stakes series of negotiations before voters cast their ballots in November.
Full details about the agreement were not available but staff-level talks are set to begin soon, the two congressional sources said, adding that no decisions have been set in stone on how long the bill would last.
Marijuana vote: House will vote on federal marijuana legalization for the first time, bill's future in Senate uncertain
While discussions have picked back up between Democrats and the administration on another stimulus relief package to help Americans and businesses weathering the coronavirus pandemic, it's unclear whether any stimulus relief might be added to the government spending bill. Pelosi and Mnuchin did not explicitly discuss the option and did not rule it out, one source familiar with their conversation said.
The agreement may ease worries about another government shutdown. But it doesn't solve the issue of how to offer relief to Americans suffering the economic fallout. The two sides remain divided over what they want in a new round of coronavirus relief.
Pelosi, Mnuchin, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows negotiated for weeks trying to reconcile the Democrats' roughly $3.4 trillion plan with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's $1.1 trillion package. Both proposals included $1,200 direct payments for struggling Americans, billions for schools trying to reopen and money for businesses trying to stay afloat.
The inaction prompted Trump to sign four executive orders to continue some aspects of earlier stimulus bills, but they did not address all the relief sought in talks. After he signed the orders, the two sides continued to blame the other side for the impasse as Congress left for a month-long recess.
The Senate returns from its recess next week, potentially the last opportunity for Congress to act on coronavirus legislation while also juggling must-pass bills to keep the government funded. Senate Republicans have said they hope to vote on a smaller COVID-19 bill next week, though the legislation is likely to face opposition from Democrats who argue more funding is needed to help state and local governments and businesses.
More: Republicans say the Senate will take up coronavirus stimulus bill next week amid stalemate with Democrats
More: Government shutdown sets record as longest in U.S. history. When will it finally end?
More: Fed-up workers, repairs delayed, missed mortgage payments: Why the government shutdown never ended for some
Trump, Pelosi, Schumer spar in Oval Office President Donald Trump sparred in the Oval Office with Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer over a border wall and a potential government shutdown. (Dec. 11) AP
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters Thursday "we do believe that we will be able to get funding to avoid a shutdown."
The last government shutdown from Dec. 2018 to Jan. 2019 was the longest on record, at 35 days long. Stemming from a standoff between Congress and the White House over funding for a wall along the southern U.S. border, it forced about 800,000 federal government workers to go on furloughs or without pay.
Trash piled up at national parks, air travel was disrupted and repairs on the Hubble Space Telescope were delayed. Even tax revenue decreased. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated tax revenue was down $2 billion in 2019 because the IRS had halted some operations during the shutdown.
But a shutdown this year would have a ripple effect unlike those before it, experts said.
Sarah Binder, professor of political science at George Washington University and a Brookings Institution senior fellow, said it would be a “catastrophic blow” to have a shutdown in the middle of the pandemic, especially if workers at agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health were furloughed.
But “nobody really wants to be blamed for the government shutdown,” especially so close to an election, she said.
Congress' few weeks in session are the House and Senate's last opportunity to pass legislation of any kind before the November elections, and Binder said the short time frame could be a way to “force lawmakers’ hands” on a deal on both funding the government and a COVID-19 relief bill.
Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., and the chair of the House Education and Labor Committee said Thursday it was definitely a “legitimate question” on whether the government could shut down at the end of the month, an outcome he said would be “disappointing” and “regrettable.”
“I don't think there's interest on either side in a government shutdown, particularly in the middle of a pandemic," he said, adding it was likely Congress would pass a measure to fund the government.
“I would rate the chance of a shutdown is as close as close to zero as you can get," he said.