usatoday--2020-06-24--DNC announces sweeping changes to convention, but Biden will still accept nomination in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE – Organizers upended the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday , as they told state delegations not to travel to Milwaukee , moved the convention to a smaller venue and added satellite events around the country .
But even as Democrats downsize their convention – in contrast to what Republicans are doing – they say former Vice President Joe Biden will still formally accept the nomination in Milwaukee .
`` Vice President Biden intends to proudly accept his party 's nomination in Milwaukee and take the next step forward towards making Donald Trump a one-term president , '' Biden campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
`` The city of Milwaukee has been an incredible partner and we are committed to highlighting Wisconsin as a key battleground state at our convention this August . ''
The decision to overhaul plans for the August 17-20 convention came after consulting with public health officials about the COVID-19 pandemic , organizers said .
The moves by the Democrats stand in stark contrast to the Republicans , who shifted their main convention events from Charlotte , North Carolina , to Jacksonville , Florida , after North Carolina officials could n't promise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in effect .
President Donald Trump plans to accept the renomination in front of large crowds expected to attend the Aug. 24-27 event .
Different approaches : Faced with coronavirus , Republican and Democratic leaders overhaul convention plans For the Democrats , delegates will cast votes remotely for the presidential nomination in what is shaping up to be a scaled-back and increasingly virtual event .
Organizers also announced that large-scale events , such as a welcome reception for delegates and media and a party for volunteers , are canceled due to coronavirus concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leadership means being able to adapt to any situation , '' Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez said in a statement .
`` That 's exactly what we 've done with our convention .
Unlike this president , Joe Biden and Democrats are committed to protecting the health and safety of the American people . ''
He also praised convention organizers and Milwaukee officials for their handling of planning a major event amid a pandemic .
`` I could n't be prouder of the way our team has organized and mobilized to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention anchored in Wisconsin , and I 'm grateful for the extraordinary leadership of our partners in the city of Milwaukee , '' Perez said .
Organizers on Wednesday also announced that Fiserv Forum will no longer serve as the centerpiece of the convention , as all event proceedings will move from the Bucks ' home in downtown Milwaukee to the Wisconsin Center .
While Biden is expected to travel to Milwaukee , state delegations are being told that they should not plan to come to town for the event .
The convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July to August , was initially expected to draw 50,000 visitors to Milwaukee this summer .
Clearly the number of attendees will now be far smaller .
Convention planners said that Milwaukee , as the host city , will still anchor the events for the week , but added that programming will include live broadcasts and content from other `` satellite cities , locations and landmarks across the country . ''
Democrats are attempting to honor their commitment to hold as much of the event in Milwaukee as possible , given the unpredictable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizers on Wednesday also said : • State delegations should not plan to travel to Milwaukee and should plan to conduct their official convention business remotely .
• A process is being developed to ensure all delegates can cast their votes remotely on the presidential nomination and all other convention matters .
• Milwaukee is set to anchor events every night from August 17-20 , but programming will now include live broadcast and content from `` other satellite cities , locations and landmarks '' across the United States .
• DNC standing committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last week of July , will also take place virtually .
• U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi will serve as permanent chair of the convention , and will preside over all official convention business .
• The convention program , including satellite broadcasts , will be led by Emmy Award-winning producer Ricky Kirschner .
In addition , Democrats are consulting with epidemiologists and infectious disease experts W. Ian Lipkin , Director of the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University , and Larry Brilliant , a former professor of epidemiology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did n't know how many delegates would attend the party 's national convention in Milwaukee , but he reaffirmed Democrats will stage their event in Wisconsin 's largest city , despite uncertainty caused by the coronavirus .
The team overseeing the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee already had maximum authority to change the format , size and dates of the event under a sweeping resolution that party insiders approved in May .
`` Everything is on the line this November , which is why we must find creative and forward-looking ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our party around our shared values at the convention so that we can launch Joe Biden to victory this fall , '' said Joe Solmonese , CEO of the Democratic National Convention Committee .
John Diedrich of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report .
Contact Mary Spicuzza at ( 414 ) 224-2324 or mary.spicuzza @ jrn.com .
Follow her on Twitter at @ MSpicuzzaMJS .

Mary Spicuzza and Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

DNC announces sweeping changes to convention, but Biden will still accept nomination in Milwaukee
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden secures Democratic Party nomination for president Joe Biden won't officially become the Democratic Party's nominee until the DNC convention, but he's already got the delegates he needs. USA TODAY, Wochit
MILWAUKEE – Organizers upended the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday as they told state delegations not to travel to Milwaukee, moved the convention to a smaller venue and added satellite events around the country.
But even as Democrats downsize their convention – in contrast to what Republicans are doing – they say former Vice President Joe Biden will still formally accept the nomination in Milwaukee.
"Vice President Biden intends to proudly accept his party's nomination in Milwaukee and take the next step forward towards making Donald Trump a one-term president," Biden campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon said in a statement. "The city of Milwaukee has been an incredible partner and we are committed to highlighting Wisconsin as a key battleground state at our convention this August."
The decision to overhaul plans for the August 17-20 convention came after consulting with public health officials about the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers said.
The moves by the Democrats stand in stark contrast to the Republicans, who shifted their main convention events from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida, after North Carolina officials couldn't promise that social distancing rules would not be in effect.
President Donald Trump plans to accept the renomination in front of large crowds expected to attend the Aug. 24-27 event.
Different approaches: Faced with coronavirus, Republican and Democratic leaders overhaul convention plans
For the Democrats, delegates will cast votes remotely for the presidential nomination in what is shaping up to be a scaled-back and increasingly virtual event.
Organizers also announced that large-scale events, such as a welcome reception for delegates and media and a party for volunteers, are canceled as coronavirus cases surge in the U.S.
"Leadership means being able to adapt to any situation," Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez said in a statement. "That's exactly what we've done with our convention. Unlike this president, Joe Biden and Democrats are committed to protecting the health and safety of the American people."
He also praised convention organizers and Milwaukee officials for their handling of planning a major event amid a pandemic.
"I couldn't be prouder of the way our team has organized and mobilized to get out the vote and ensure a successful convention anchored in Wisconsin, and I'm grateful for the extraordinary leadership of our partners in the city of Milwaukee," Perez said.
Organizers also announced that Fiserv Forum will no longer serve as the centerpiece of the convention, as all event proceedings will move from the arena in downtown Milwaukee to the Wisconsin Center. While Biden is expected to travel to Milwaukee, state delegations are being told they should not plan to come to town for the event.
The convention, which was pushed back from July to August, had been expected to draw 50,000 visitors to Milwaukee this summer. Clearly the number of attendees will now be far smaller.
Convention planners said Milwaukee, as host city, will still anchor the events for the week but added that programming will include live broadcasts and content from other "satellite cities, locations and landmarks across the country."
Democrats are trying to honor their commitment to hold as much of the event in Milwaukee as possible, given the unpredictable nature of the coronavirus pandemic.
Convention organizers also said:
State delegations should not plan to travel to Milwaukee and should plan to conduct their official convention business remotely.
A process is being developed to ensure all delegates can cast their votes remotely on the presidential nomination and all other convention matters.
Milwaukee is set to anchor events every night Aug. 17-20, but programming will now include live broadcast and content from "other satellite cities, locations and landmarks" across the United States.
DNC standing committee meetings, which are tentatively set for the last week of July, will also take place virtually.
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi will serve as permanent chair of the convention and will preside over all official convention business.
The convention program, including satellite broadcasts, will be led by Emmy Award-winning producer Ricky Kirschner.
In addition, Democrats are consulting with epidemiologists and infectious disease experts W. Ian Lipkin, director of the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University, and Larry Brilliant, a former professor of epidemiology.
Earlier this month, Perez said he didn't know how many delegates would attend the party's national convention in Milwaukee, but he reaffirmed Democrats will stage their event in Wisconsin's largest city despite uncertainty caused by the coronavirus.
The team overseeing the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee already had maximum authority to change the format, size and dates of the event under a sweeping resolution that party insiders approved in May.
"Everything is on the line this November, which is why we must find creative and forward-looking ways to organize, mobilize, and unite our party around our shared values at the convention so that we can launch Joe Biden to victory this fall," said Joe Solmonese, CEO of the Democratic National Convention Committee.
Contributing: John Diedrich, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Contact Mary Spicuzza at (414) 224-2324 or mary.spicuzza@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MSpicuzzaMJS.


usatoday--2020-06-25--Judge rules Rep. Devin Nunes can't sue Twitter over statements from parody cow and mom accounts

WASHINGTON – A judge ruled Wednesday that Rep. Devin Nunes , R-Calif. , can not sue Twitter in his defamation lawsuit that names a number of parody accounts that poke fun at the congressman , including one of the infamous fake internet cow .
Judge John Marshall cited Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , which shields online sites from liability for what their users may post .
Marshall ruled Twitter can not be held legally liable for the statements by these accounts and is “ immune from the defamation claims '' filed .
Nunes filed the several hundred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter of `` shadow-banning conservatives '' – including Nunes – while profiting from abusive behavior and language allegedly perpetrated by liberal and left-wing Twitter accounts , including @ DevinCow and @ DevinNunesMom , both of which are listed as defendants .
More : Devin Nunes sued a Twitter account dedicated to a cow .
Now it has more followers than he does Liz Mair , a Republican political strategist , is the only person named in the lawsuit .
The judge 's ruling removes Twitter as a defendant in the case but does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still pending against the two parody accounts and Mair . '
A substantial challenge ' : What Kentucky , New York tell us about voting in a pandemic come November However , the ruling is a hit to Nunes nevertheless as he was trying to force Twitter to reveal the identities behind the anonymous parody accounts .
Without knowing the identity of the people running the accounts , Nunes ca n't serve them in the lawsuit .
Twitter , so far , has not complied with sharing the identities , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hearing earlier this month that they had no intention of doing so .
Nunes ' lawyer Steven Biss said earlier this month they are `` at a dead end.
” Nunes and Biss argued that Section 230 should n't be applicable as Twitter allegedly promoted the tweets poking fun at Nunes , and supposedly favored more liberal content over conservative content .
Marshall disagreed .
He wrote that Nunes “ seeks to have the court treat Twitter as the publisher or speaker of the content provided by others based on its allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its internet platform , ” and added “ the court refuses to do so.
” 'What had happened was wrong ' : DOJ lawyers accuse agency leaders of abusing power in Roger Stone case , other probes Nunes ' lawsuit claimed his slim margin of victory in his re-election race was the fault of Twitter , saying Mair and the anonymous parody accounts hurt his reputation .
`` Nunes endured an orchestrated defamation campaign of stunning breadth and scope , one that no human being should ever have to bear and suffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reads .
“ Unlike prior elections , where Nunes won by sweeping majorities , Nunes won on November 6 , 2018 by a much narrower margin , receiving 52.7 percent of the 222,379 votes.
” The cow account appears to mock Nunes ' family 's dairy farm , which the congressman has made a central part of his identity in politics .
The account posing as his mom made fun of the congressman 's work as then-chairman of the House Intelligence Committee .
`` @ DevinNunes your district is looking for you ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation again ?
You come home right this instant or no more Minecraft ! ''
the tweet read , according to the lawsuit .
The account @ DevinNunesMom has since been suspended by Twitter .
A Twitter spokesperson told USA TODAY , `` Twitter strongly believes the court made the right decision today to dismiss the claims raised by Congressman Nunes . ''
`` Twitter enforces the Twitter Rules impartially for everyone who uses our service around the world , regardless of their background or political affiliation .
We are constantly improving our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to be transparent with the public , '' they continued .
Mair told USA TODAY that the lawsuit `` remains an assault on the First Amendment and the core American principle of free speech .
Rep. Nunes took an oath to support and defend the Constitution – all of it and not just the bits he likes– and I hope he will take the opportunity to reflect on that fact again today and proceed accordingly.
” USA TODAY has also reached out Nunes ' office for comment .
This lawsuit is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged defamation , including lawsuits against news organizations CNN , The Washington Post , Hearst and McClatchy , as well as the owner of Esquire magazine .

Judge rules Rep. Devin Nunes can't sue Twitter over statements from parody cow and mom accounts
Show Caption Hide Caption Rep. Devin Nunes is suing Twitter, spoof accounts for $250 million Rep. Devin Nunes' legal team claims Twitter is complicit in defamation by "knowingly hosting and monetizing" abusive content on its service. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – A judge ruled Wednesday that Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., cannot sue Twitter in his defamation lawsuit that names a number of parody accounts that poke fun at the congressman, including one of the infamous fake internet cow.
Judge John Marshall cited Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields online sites from liability for what their users may post. Marshall ruled Twitter cannot be held legally liable for the statements by these accounts and is “immune from the defamation claims" filed.
Nunes filed the several hundred million dollar lawsuit in 2019 that accused Twitter of "shadow-banning conservatives" – including Nunes – while profiting from abusive behavior and language allegedly perpetrated by liberal and left-wing Twitter accounts, including @DevinCow and @DevinNunesMom, both of which are listed as defendants.
More: Devin Nunes sued a Twitter account dedicated to a cow. Now it has more followers than he does
Liz Mair, a Republican political strategist, is the only person named in the lawsuit.
The judge's ruling removes Twitter as a defendant in the case but does not dismiss the case itself, which is still pending against the two parody accounts and Mair.
'A substantial challenge': What Kentucky, New York tell us about voting in a pandemic come November
However, the ruling is a hit to Nunes nevertheless as he was trying to force Twitter to reveal the identities behind the anonymous parody accounts. Without knowing the identity of the people running the accounts, Nunes can't serve them in the lawsuit.
Twitter, so far, has not complied with sharing the identities, and the social media site's lawyer said in a hearing earlier this month that they had no intention of doing so. Nunes' lawyer Steven Biss said earlier this month they are "at a dead end.”
Nunes and Biss argued that Section 230 shouldn't be applicable as Twitter allegedly promoted the tweets poking fun at Nunes, and supposedly favored more liberal content over conservative content.
Marshall disagreed. He wrote that Nunes “seeks to have the court treat Twitter as the publisher or speaker of the content provided by others based on its allowing or not allowing certain content to be on its internet platform,” and added “the court refuses to do so.”
'What had happened was wrong': DOJ lawyers accuse agency leaders of abusing power in Roger Stone case, other probes
Nunes' lawsuit claimed his slim margin of victory in his re-election race was the fault of Twitter, saying Mair and the anonymous parody accounts hurt his reputation.
"Nunes endured an orchestrated defamation campaign of stunning breadth and scope, one that no human being should ever have to bear and suffer in their whole life,” it reads. “Unlike prior elections, where Nunes won by sweeping majorities, Nunes won on November 6, 2018 by a much narrower margin, receiving 52.7 percent of the 222,379 votes.”
The cow account appears to mock Nunes' family's dairy farm, which the congressman has made a central part of his identity in politics. The account posing as his mom made fun of the congressman's work as then-chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. "@DevinNunes your district is looking for you? Are you trying to obstruct a federal investigation again? You come home right this instant or no more Minecraft!" the tweet read, according to the lawsuit.
Picture for those who lose lawsuits to Twitter 🐮 https://t.co/pcJt6MgEW8 pic.twitter.com/plIdi74sll — Devin Nunes’ cow 🐮 (@DevinCow) June 24, 2020
More: Senate Democrats block movement on Republican policing bill in Wednesday vote
The account @DevinNunesMom has since been suspended by Twitter.
A Twitter spokesperson told USA TODAY, "Twitter strongly believes the court made the right decision today to dismiss the claims raised by Congressman Nunes."
"Twitter enforces the Twitter Rules impartially for everyone who uses our service around the world, regardless of their background or political affiliation. We are constantly improving our efforts to serve the public conversation and will continue to be transparent with the public," they continued.
Mair told USA TODAY that the lawsuit "remains an assault on the First Amendment and the core American principle of free speech. Rep. Nunes took an oath to support and defend the Constitution – all of it and not just the bits he likes– and I hope he will take the opportunity to reflect on that fact again today and proceed accordingly.”
USA TODAY has also reached out Nunes' office for comment.
This lawsuit is one of many filed by Nunes over alleged defamation, including lawsuits against news organizations CNN, The Washington Post, Hearst and McClatchy, as well as the owner of Esquire magazine.
Contributing: Christal Hayes, USA TODAY; Joshua Yeager, Visalia Times-Delta


usatoday--2020-06-25--Think that extra $600 in unemployment benefits will last until the end of July? Think again.

Many out-of-work Americans counting on receiving an extra $ 600 a week through the end of July may be surprised to discover that benefit will disappear nearly a week earlier than they expected .
The additional $ 600 in weekly jobless benefits provided by the federal government is officially set to end July 31 .
But states will pay it only through the week ending July 25 or July 26 , a significant blow to unemployed workers counting on those funds to bolster state benefits that average just $ 370 a week .
`` The ( Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ending no later than the week ending prior to Friday , July 31 , 2020 , '' the U.S. Department of Labor said in a statement .
`` For all states except ( New York ) , that is Saturday July 25th .
New York ’ s end date is Sunday , July 26th . ''
The confusion lies in the fine print .
Unemployment benefits are paid by states on a weekly or biweekly basis with a defined end date on Saturday or Sunday .
But the federal legislation known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional compensation , says the benefit will end “ on or before July 31 ” — a Friday .
That means , given the payment schedules of most states , the last week of the extra $ 600 payments will end the prior Saturday or Sunday .
A Trump administration official said the CARES Act legislation is inaccurate as written .
Efforts to reach lawmakers who participated in drafting the legislation were unsuccessful .
The technicality apparently led to confusion , with some states mistakenly listing July 31 as the end date , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's department of labor said it would switch the end date on its website for the additional $ 600 benefit from July 31 to the week ending July 26 after USA TODAY inquired about it .
To avoid any confusion , Alabama 's Department of Labor said it will alert those who receive benefits that their extra income bump will end after July 25th .
“ We will be messaging it at least two weeks in advance , ” Tara Hutchison , a spokeswoman for the state 's labor department said in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many The extra weekly payment of $ 600 is part of the CARES Act , a $ 1.8 trillion package Congress passed to help the nation weather the economic storm spurred by the coronavirus pandemic , which shuttered businesses , slowed spending and erased a staggering 22 million jobs in just two months .
In 13 weeks , 45.7 million people filed first-time claims for jobless benefits as the unemployment rate soared to 13.3 % , close to the highest level since the Great Depression .
The extra $ 600 payment provided a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who 'd lost work received .
And even economists expected it to last through the end of July .
`` We ’ ve all being saying it ’ s July 31st , but it ’ s not , '' says Heidi Shierholz , senior economist and director of policy for the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute .
Checks that are $ 600 lighter will mean that already struggling Americans will have to pull their belts even tighter , economists say , and it may take even longer for the battered economy to regain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major thing helping the economy , and taking it away really negatively impacts on the broader economy , not to mention the individuals whose own circumstances have been much affected , ” said Zach Schiller , research director for Policy Matters Ohio .
Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown told reporters on Tuesday that it was important to continue the benefit at a time when the country is still dealing with the pandemic , especially as moratoriums lift on when renters can be evicted from their homes .
“ It puts money in people ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ We ’ re going to see a massive number of people evicted.
” Jobless rate soars : Unemployment in Florida hits record high , but peak may be near Too much unemployment ?
: I was furloughed and got too many unemployment payments .
Here ’ s how I sent the money back For Melissa Rusk of Bradenton , Florida , the thought of losing the $ 600 federal subsidy for even one week is almost too much to bear .
`` I would say it ’ s just about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
`` It can potentially mean the difference between being able to help my husband pay bills like groceries or the car payment . ''
Rusk , 36 , lost her job at a recreational vehicle rental facility at the end of April .
Her husband still works a warehouse job , but his income does n't cover the expenses for their family of six , which includes four children between the ages of 7 and 18 .
Without the federal subsidy , and with the numbers of new infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be forced to take a customer-facing job that could potentially put her family , including her mother who suffers from heart disease , COPD and diabetes , at risk for contracting COVID-19 .
`` I would have to literally put my life at risk and just take the chance and hope to God that I don ’ t get sick , '' she said .
The earlier than anticipated ending of the program will likely put more pressure on Congress in July when lawmakers plan to negotiate another possible coronavirus emergency package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of July to figure this out , '' says Shierholz , `` but they don ’ t . ''
When asked about the early termination of the program , a Senate Democratic aide who did not want to be identified because they were not authorized to talk said it was an example of why Democrats have been pushing for an extension and considering the possibility of automatically tying the benefits to the condition of the economy .
Democrats have made extending unemployment one of their priorities but Republicans have been skeptical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more on unemployment than they were at their jobs and businesses attempting to reopen are having trouble rehiring .
`` The federal government will meet its obligation under the CARES Act .
Any phase four economic package must prioritize pro-growth economic measures that incentivize employers and our great American workforce for re-employment and a return to the labor market , '' Judd Deere , White House deputy press secretary , said in a statement to USA TODAY .
House Democrats in May narrowly passed a $ 3 trillion coronavirus package that among other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment assistance until January .
But the bill was considered a non-starter by the Republican-controlled Senate who argued more time was needed to examine how the trillions already passed were working and what needs remain as the country started to reopen .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called it a “ liberal wish list ” at the time .
Since then , top Democrats have continued to point to the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act , or the HEROES Act , pressuring the Senate to take up the measure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do unemployment insurance , '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at a news conference last week about the need for more legislation to address the pandemic .
`` This is the thirteenth week that we 've had over a million people applying for unemployment . ''
But Republicans have been reluctant to approve an extension to unemployment across the board , with some wanting reforms or other changes as part of any forthcoming package .
“ We need to go back to the CARES Act , do some tailoring , really understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really over the last three months made far less money than they did last year , '' Sen. Thom Tillis , R-N.C. , said on Tuesday .
Phylicia Darice , 30 , of Chattanooga , Tennessee , has yet to receive any unemployment benefits since she applied in mid-April after being furloughed .
She says no one from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development informed her that the CARES Act supplement would end on July 25 , though she 's called the department roughly 100 times to ask about the progress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of frustrating , that you keep going through it , and then you feel like you 're being lied to , '' Darice said .
Darice , who worked in retail customer service , may be able to return to work at the end of July , but with the virus still spreading , the future is uncertain .
After weeks without income or unemployment benefits , she is already stretched thin financially , she says .
Losing a week of supplemental funds will have a significant impact on her household .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be much to some , but you 're talking about the livelihood for someone eating for ... a couple of weeks , '' Darice said .
`` Or making sure rent is paid for August , because nothing is guaranteed . ''
Contributing : Michael Collins and Christal Hayes ( USA TODAY ) ; Wendy Rhodes , Palm Beach ( Florida ) Post ; Cassandra Stephenson , The ( Nashville ) Tennessean ; Mark Williams , The Columbus ( Ohio ) Dispatch .

Charisse Jones, Coral Murphy and Brent Schrotenboer, USA TODAY

Think that extra $600 in unemployment benefits will last until the end of July? Think again.
Show Caption Hide Caption The CARES Act unemployment benefits ends on or before July 31 Millions of Americans have filed for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The extra federal benefit was allotted "for weeks of unemployment ending on or before July 31," meaning the last full week of July, unless Congress extends it. USA TODAY, Wochit
Many out-of-work Americans counting on receiving an extra $600 a week through the end of July may be surprised to discover that benefit will disappear nearly a week earlier than they expected.
The additional $600 in weekly jobless benefits provided by the federal government is officially set to end July 31. But states will pay it only through the week ending July 25 or July 26, a significant blow to unemployed workers counting on that money to bolster state benefits that average just $370 a week.
"The (Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation) $600 can be paid for weeks ending no later than the week ending prior to Friday, July 31, 2020,'' the U.S. Department of Labor said in a statement. "For all states except (New York), that is Saturday, July 25th. New York’s end date is Sunday, July 26th."
Save better, spend better: Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. Sign up here
The confusion lies in the fine print. Unemployment benefits are paid by states on a weekly or biweekly basis with a defined end date on Saturday or Sunday. But the federal legislation known as the CARES Act, which authorized the additional compensation, says the benefit will end “on or before July 31” – a Friday.
That means, given the payment schedules of most states, the last week of the extra $600 payments will end the prior Saturday or Sunday. A Trump administration official said the CARES Act legislation is inaccurate as written. Efforts to reach lawmakers who participated in drafting the legislation were unsuccessful.
The technicality apparently led to confusion, with some states mistakenly listing July 31 as the end date, including New York.
New York state's department of labor said it would switch the end date on its website for the additional $600 benefit from July 31 to the week ending July 26 after USA TODAY inquired about it.
To avoid any confusion, Alabama's Department of Labor said it will alert those who receive benefits that their extra income bump will end after July 25.
“We will be messaging it at least two weeks in advance,” Tara Hutchison, a spokeswoman for the state's labor department, said in an email.
$600 was crucial to many
The extra weekly payment of $600 is part of the CARES Act, a $1.8 trillion package Congress passed to help the nation weather the economic storm brought by the coronavirus pandemic, which shuttered businesses, slowed spending and erased a staggering 22 million jobs in just two months.
In 13 weeks, 45.7 million people filed first-time claims for jobless benefits as the unemployment rate soared to 13.3%, close to the highest level since the Great Depression.
Ohio benefits: Ending sooner than many thought
The extra $600 payment provided a vital boost, significantly increasing the assistance to those who had lost work. And even economists expected it to last through the end of July.
"We’ve all being saying it’s July 31st, but it’s not,'' says Heidi Shierholz, senior economist and director of policy for the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute.
Checks that are $600 lighter will mean that already struggling Americans will have to pull their belts even tighter, economists say, and it may take even longer for the battered economy to regain its footing.
“This is one major thing helping the economy, and taking it away really negatively impacts on the broader economy, not to mention the individuals whose own circumstances have been much affected,” said Zach Schiller, research director for Policy Matters Ohio.
Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown told reporters Tuesday that it was important to continue the benefit at a time when the country is still dealing with the pandemic, especially as moratoriums lift on when renters can be evicted from their homes.
“It puts money in people’s pockets,” the Ohio Democrat said. “We’re going to see a massive number of people evicted.”
Jobless rate soars: Unemployment in Florida hits record high, but peak may be near
Too much unemployment?: I was furloughed and got too many unemployment payments. Here’s how I sent the money back
For Melissa Rusk of Bradenton, Florida, the thought of losing the $600 federal subsidy for even one week is almost too much to bear.
"I would say it’s just about life or death in some situations," she said. "It can potentially mean the difference between being able to help my husband pay bills like groceries or the car payment."
Rusk, 36, lost her job at a recreational vehicle rental facility at the end of April. Her husband still works a warehouse job, but his income doesn't cover the expenses for their family of six, which includes four children ages 7 to 18.
Without the federal subsidy, and with the numbers of new coronavirus infections skyrocketing in Florida, Rusk fears she will be forced to take a customer-facing job that could put her family, including her mother who has heart disease, COPD and diabetes, at risk for contracting COVID-19.
"I would have to literally put my life at risk and just take the chance and hope to God that I don’t get sick," she said.
The earlier-than-anticipated ending of the program will likely put more pressure on Congress in July when lawmakers plan to negotiate another possible coronavirus emergency package.
"Lawmakers think they have until the end of July to figure this out,'' says Shierholz, "but they don’t."
Attempts to get a comment from the legislation's sponsor, Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Connecticut) and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) on Thursday were unsuccessful.
When asked about the early termination of the program, a Senate Democratic aide who did not want to be identified because they were not authorized to talk said it was an example of why Democrats have been pushing for an extension and considering the possibility of automatically tying the benefits to the condition of the economy.
Democrats have made extending unemployment one of their priorities, but Republicans have been skeptical, noting that some Americans are making more on unemployment than they were at their jobs and that businesses trying to reopen are having trouble rehiring.
"The federal government will meet its obligation under the CARES Act. Any phase four economic package must prioritize pro-growth economic measures that incentivize employers and our great American workforce for re-employment and a return to the labor market," Judd Deere, White House deputy press secretary, said in a statement to USA TODAY.
House Democrats in May narrowly passed a $3 trillion coronavirus package that among other things would extend the $600 boosted unemployment assistance until January.
But the bill was considered a nonstarter by the Republican-controlled Senate, whose leaders argued more time was needed to examine how the trillions already passed were working and what needs remain as the country started to reopen. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called it a “liberal wish list” at the time.
Since then, top Democrats have continued to point to the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or the HEROES Act, pressuring the Senate to take up the measure.
“They say they don't want to do unemployment insurance,'' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at a news conference last week about the need for more legislation to address the pandemic. "This is the 13th week that we've had over a million people applying for unemployment.''
But Republicans have been reluctant to approve an extension to unemployment across the board, with some wanting reforms or other changes as part of any forthcoming package.
“We need to go back to the CARES Act, do some tailoring, really understand who's hurting out there, who really over the last three months made far less money than they did last year,'' Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said on Tuesday.
Phylicia Darice, 30, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, has yet to receive any unemployment benefits since she applied in mid-April after being furloughed.
She says no one from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development informed her that the CARES Act supplement would end July 25, though she has called the department roughly 100 times to ask about the progress of her claim.
"That's kind of frustrating, that you keep going through it, and then you feel like you're being lied to," Darice said.
Darice, who worked in retail customer service, may be able to return to work at the end of July, but with the virus still spreading, the future is uncertain. After weeks without income or unemployment benefits, she is stretched thin financially, she says. Losing a week of supplemental money will have a significant impact on her household.
"I realize $600 may not be much to some, but you're talking about the livelihood for someone eating for ... a couple of weeks," Darice said. "Or making sure rent is paid for August, because nothing is guaranteed."
Contributing: Michael Collins and Christal Hayes, USA TODAY; Wendy Rhodes, The Palm Beach (Florida) Post; Cassandra Stephenson, The (Nashville)Tennessean; Mark Williams, The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch.


usatoday--2020-06-24--Is July 15th still tax day? Treasury may consider delaying deadline to Sept. 15, Mnuchin says

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin left the door open to extending the July 15 tax deadline for a second time to Sept. 15 , as Americans and businesses continue to grapple with the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic .
“ As of now , we ’ re not intending on doing that , but it is something that we may consider , ” Mnuchin said in an interview at the Bloomberg Invest Global 2020 virtual summit .
“ I would encourage all Americans , if you can file , go ahead and do it , particularly if you think you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend better : Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox .
Sign up here The U.S. Treasury already pushed back the traditional April 15 deadline for federal 2019 income tax returns to mid-July , giving Americans three months longer to file their taxes .
States , however , may have different deadlines .
So far , many Americans have already completed their income tax returns .
But there are still some who have n't filed yet .
The IRS has received 136.5 million individual income tax returns as of June 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received last year .
Americans can still request an extension , which would give them until Oct. 15 to submit returns .
But filers would still need to pay any taxes owed by July 15 .
A dream home , a vintage school bus and quirky roller skates : Here 's what couples are buying with their pandemic wedding funds Ouch !
: COVID-19 is forcing some people to put retirement on hold

Is July 15th still tax day? Treasury may consider delaying deadline to Sept. 15, Mnuchin says
Show Caption Hide Caption Federal Reserve: How creating money could save US economy Where does the U.S. stimulus money come from? Here's how the Federal Reserve is saving the economy from the COVID-19 crisis. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin left the door open to extending the July 15 tax deadline for a second time to Sept. 15, as Americans and businesses continue to grapple with the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
“As of now, we’re not intending on doing that, but it is something that we may consider,” Mnuchin said in an interview at the Bloomberg Invest Global 2020 virtual summit. “I would encourage all Americans, if you can file, go ahead and do it, particularly if you think you have a refund.”
Save better, spend better: Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. Sign up here
The U.S. Treasury already pushed back the traditional April 15 deadline for federal 2019 income tax returns to mid-July, giving Americans three months longer to file their taxes. States, however, may have different deadlines.
So far, many Americans have already completed their income tax returns. But there are still some who haven't filed yet. The IRS has received 136.5 million individual income tax returns as of June 12, down from more than 144 million received last year.
Americans can still request an extension, which would give them until Oct. 15 to submit returns. But filers would still need to pay any taxes owed by July 15.
A dream home, a vintage school bus and quirky roller skates: Here's what couples are buying with their pandemic wedding funds
Ouch!: COVID-19 is forcing some people to put retirement on hold


usatoday--2020-06-24--Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott opens up on testing positive for coronavirus, concerns for NFL season

For a day or two , Elliott battled a cough and “ a little bit of shortness of breath.
” News broke June 15 that multiple Cowboys and Texans players had tested positive for coronavirus , Elliott 's agent confirming to NFL Network that his client was among the group .
The three-time Pro Bowl selection still has not yet returned to workout , he said Wednesday afternoon on his Twitch channel .
But “ now I ’ d say , I feel good , ” Elliott said during a Q & A session with YouTube host Scooter Magruder .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t assume teammates and coaches necessarily will be as lucky should the NFL stage its season as planned amid a pandemic .
Cowboys players haven ’ t reported to headquarters at the Star since head coach Mike McCarthy was hired in January .
Players are tentatively scheduled to report to training camp in approximately a month , even as states including Texas experience record-high weeks of new COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations .
Elliott emphasized he misses his teammates and football , the camaraderie in the locker room lost when offseason activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for NFL employees who may have asthma , newborns or elderly family members living in the same house .
“ I do hope we have a season , ” Elliott said .
“ But it has to be right.
” Rams head coach Sean McVay described the challenge last week when he asked : “ We ’ re going to social distance — but we play football ?
” Twenty-two players , often on a field indoors , breathing heavily while playing a contact sport that involves tackling presents challenges that golf , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The NBA ’ s proposal is to impose a bubble environment for players during a shortened season .
NFL medical staff have pointed to the logistical hurdles for a sport that fields dozens more players per team than do NBA squads .
A front office executive for one team told USA TODAY Sports this week that their organization has largely adopted a “ wait-and-see ” approach for implementing coronavirus policy , since information on best practices and limitations is changing rapidly .
The person was granted anonymity since they weren ’ t authorized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocols .
The NFL still has questions still to answer .
Elliott hopes health and safety are chief priorities in formulating those answers .
He said he doesn ’ t know whether to expect a 2020 season .
“ I just feel like there ’ s a lot of moving parts that have to be figured out , ” Elliott said .
“ I just don ’ t know how they can keep the players healthy .
You ’ ve got to put the health of the players first .
And it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the players ’ health because I got corona and it didn ’ t really affect me much .
But a lot of people have kids , they may have kids with asthma , their parents or grandparents may live with them .
“ We have to find a way to make sure the players and their families , and the coaches also and their families , aren ’ t put at risk .
”

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott opens up on testing positive for coronavirus, concerns for NFL season
Show Caption Hide Caption Here's why Dak Prescott signed the franchise tag What I'm Hearing: The franchise tag option has been on the table for months for Cowboys QB Dak Prescott. So why did he sign it just now? Jori Epstein explains. USA TODAY
Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott describes his COVID-19 symptoms mildly.
For a day or two, Elliott battled a cough and “a little bit of shortness of breath.”
News broke June 15 that multiple Cowboys and Texans players had tested positive for coronavirus, Elliott's agent confirming to NFL Network that his client was among the group. The three-time Pro Bowl selection still has not yet returned to workout, he said Wednesday afternoon on his Twitch channel.
But “now I’d say, I feel good,” Elliott said during a Q&A session with YouTube host Scooter Magruder. “I feel normal.”
Elliott doesn’t assume teammates and coaches necessarily will be as lucky should the NFL stage its season as planned amid a pandemic.
Cowboys players haven’t reported to headquarters at the Star since head coach Mike McCarthy was hired in January. Players are tentatively scheduled to report to training camp in approximately a month, even as states including Texas experience record-high weeks of new COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations. Elliott emphasized he misses his teammates and football, the camaraderie in the locker room lost when offseason activities turned virtual. But his concerns abound for NFL employees who may have asthma, newborns or elderly family members living in the same house.
“I do hope we have a season,” Elliott said. “But it has to be right.”
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott says on Twitch that he feels "good" and "normal" after positive COVID-19 test.
Zeke said he had symptoms including cough, shortness of breath for 1-2 days. Can't work out yet but he's feeling much better. pic.twitter.com/SUQp3I05RG — Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) June 24, 2020
Rams head coach Sean McVay described the challenge last week when he asked: “We’re going to social distance — but we play football?”
Twenty-two players, often on a field indoors, breathing heavily while playing a contact sport that involves tackling presents challenges that golf, tennis and baseball don’t. The NBA’s proposal is to impose a bubble environment for players during a shortened season. NFL medical staff have pointed to the logistical hurdles for a sport that fields dozens more players per team than do NBA squads.
A front office executive for one team told USA TODAY Sports this week that their organization has largely adopted a “wait-and-see” approach for implementing coronavirus policy, since information on best practices and limitations is changing rapidly. The person was granted anonymity since they weren’t authorized to publicly disclose the team’s protocols.
The NFL still has questions still to answer. Elliott hopes health and safety are chief priorities in formulating those answers. He said he doesn’t know whether to expect a 2020 season.
“I just feel like there’s a lot of moving parts that have to be figured out,” Elliott said. “I just don’t know how they can keep the players healthy. You’ve got to put the health of the players first. And it’s not even so much I would say the players’ health because I got corona and it didn’t really affect me much. But a lot of people have kids, they may have kids with asthma, their parents or grandparents may live with them.
“We have to find a way to make sure the players and their families, and the coaches also and their families, aren’t put at risk.”
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Jori Epstein on Twitter @JoriEpstein


usatoday--2020-06-24--5.8 magnitude earthquake rattles central California

The quake struck at 10:40 a.m. PDT and was centered about 6 miles south-southeast of Lone Pine , California , @ @ @ @ @ .
Lone Pine is located near Death Valley National Park about 175 miles north of @ @ @ @ @ were no immediate reports of damage or injuries , according to FOX 26 .
People @ @ @ @ @ Pine and Bishop told ABC News the while the shaking was `` intense , '' @ @ @ @ @ damage .
The quake was felt widely , including some 240 miles away in Sacramento @ @ @ @ @ shaking were logged by the USGS .
Veteran seismologist Lucy Jones said on Twitter that @ @ @ @ @ same location as a magnitude-4.6 quake Monday night .
“ That is now considered a @ @ @ @ @ .
The California quake comes a day after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake rocked the southern @ @ @ @ @ That quake killed at least 6 people , damaged hundreds of homes and four archaeological @ @ @ @ @ to more than 2.4 million people , authorities said .

5.8 magnitude earthquake rattles central California
Show Caption Hide Caption What you need to know about earthquakes Every year, there are about 500,000 earthquakes - 100,000 of which can be felt on the Earth's surface. But how do earthquakes work? We explain. Just the FAQs
A 5.8 earthquake rattled portions of central California on Wednesday.
The quake struck at 10:40 a.m. PDT and was centered about 6 miles south-southeast of Lone Pine, California, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Lone Pine is located near Death Valley National Park about 175 miles north of Los Angeles.
There no were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, according to FOX 26.
People at several businesses near Lone Pine and Bishop told ABC News the while the shaking was "intense," they didn't see any damage.
The quake was felt widely, including some 240 miles away in Sacramento. Over 10,000 reports of shaking were logged by the USGS.
Veteran seismologist Lucy Jones said on Twitter that the quake occurred in the same location as a magnitude-4.6 quake Monday night. “That is now considered a foreshock,” Jones wrote.
The California quake comes a day after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake rocked the southern Mexico resort of Huatulco.
That quake killed at least 6 people, damaged hundreds of homes and four archaeological sites and temporarily cut power to more than 2.4 million people, authorities said.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-06-25--Stop ruining your pots and pans. Here's how to treat, clean and store them.

Pots and pans should be cleaned Pots and pans can last a long time if you take proper care of @ @

Pots and pans should be cleaned
Pots and pans can last a long time if you take proper care of them.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-06-24--About 6 in 10 Jacksonville voters don't want to host Republican National Convention in August

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. — By a 16-point margin , Duval County voters expressed opposition to hosting the Republican National Convention in August , in a poll released Wednesday by the University of North Florida .
Of those surveyed , 28 % strongly supported the city hosting the convention , while 14 % said they somewhat supported it , 11 % somewhat opposed it and 47 % strongly opposed it .
`` National nominating conventions are polarizing events , and unsurprisingly the levels of support for Jacksonville hosting the RNC varies dramatically by partisanship , '' said Michael Binder , director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lab .
`` Under the backdrop of a global pandemic that appears to have come more fervently to Florida , the opposition to this event being hosted locally seems much more concerning . ''
A plurality of respondents designated COVID-19 as their top concern , followed by race relations and crime .
And a majority felt Jacksonville is rushing too quickly into reopening from lockdowns meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Fifty-one percent said they were `` very concerned '' over COVID-19 transmission from large crowds arriving for the convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned . ''
In addition , 65 % said they were very or somewhat concerned about social unrest during the convention , and only 45 % felt the event would bring positive media attention to the city .
However , 66 % believed that the convention would deliver a positive economic impact .
The convention was originally planned for Charlotte , North Carolina , but party officials announced earlier this month that portions of the event would move to Jacksonville .
Trump and North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper had clashed over North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , masking and arena capacity in the midst of the pandemic .
Among the respondents , 56 % said Jacksonville is moving too quickly to reopen , compared to 11 % who said the process has gone too slowly .
Thirty-five percent said they personally knew someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 .
Although more cited COVID-19 as their top concern , a greater proportion also considered the disease a minor concern compared to UNF ’ s poll in early April , near what was then the peak of the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were somewhat or very concerned about the pandemic , down from 93 % in April .
Voters registered increasing disapproval for Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry , while Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump also received more negative than positive responses .
DeSantis received 48 % approval to 50 % disapproval , while Trump fared worst , with 39 % approval to 61 % disapproval .
If the presidential election were held now , 41 % of respondents said they would vote for Trump , while 48 % favored the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden .
Conventions and COVID-19 : Faced with coronavirus , Republican and Democratic leaders overhaul plans In 2016 , Trump won Duval County by a narrow margin of fewer than 6,000 votes against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton .
A majority of respondents , 65 % , supported removing Confederate statues from public spaces .
The city removed its Confederate monument from Hemming Park earlier this month , while announcing plans to relocate several other monuments and markers .
Survey questions also gauged attitudes regarding police in Jacksonville , with 54 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be trusted to do the right thing `` all '' or `` most '' of the time .
But Black respondents disagreed 90 % of the time – 77 % strongly – with the statement that Jacksonville residents , regardless of color , receive equal treatment from police .
The past month ’ s non-violent protests in Jacksonville drew widespread support , at 82 % , although only 23 % of respondents reported participating .
The UNF Public Opinion Research Lab surveyed 2,524 registered voters in Duval County from June 17-22 using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data by partisan registration , age , race , sex , education and geography .
The margin of error is plus or minus 1.95 percentage points .

Clayton Freeman, The (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union

About 6 in 10 Jacksonville voters don't want to host Republican National Convention in August
Show Caption Hide Caption 2020 Republican National Convention is moving to Jacksonville, Florida The Republican National Committee announced it has picked Jacksonville, Florida, as the location for its convention. USA TODAY, Wochit
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — By a 16-point margin, Duval County voters expressed opposition to hosting the Republican National Convention in August, in a poll released Wednesday by the University of North Florida.
Of those surveyed, 28% strongly supported the city hosting the convention, while 14% said they somewhat supported it, 11% somewhat opposed it and 47% strongly opposed it.
"National nominating conventions are polarizing events, and unsurprisingly the levels of support for Jacksonville hosting the RNC varies dramatically by partisanship," said Michael Binder, director of UNF’s Public Opinion Research Lab. "Under the backdrop of a global pandemic that appears to have come more fervently to Florida, the opposition to this event being hosted locally seems much more concerning."
A plurality of respondents designated COVID-19 as their top concern, followed by race relations and crime. And a majority felt Jacksonville is rushing too quickly into reopening from lockdowns meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Fifty-one percent said they were "very concerned" over COVID-19 transmission from large crowds arriving for the convention, while 20% were "somewhat concerned." In addition, 65% said they were very or somewhat concerned about social unrest during the convention, and only 45% felt the event would bring positive media attention to the city.
However, 66% believed that the convention would deliver a positive economic impact.
Coronavirus updates: Fauci warns of 'disturbing surge'; Texas hits all-time high for COVID-19 cases;
The convention was originally planned for Charlotte, North Carolina, but party officials announced earlier this month that portions of the event would move to Jacksonville. Trump and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper had clashed over North Carolina’s protocols for social distancing, masking and arena capacity in the midst of the pandemic.
Among the respondents, 56% said Jacksonville is moving too quickly to reopen, compared to 11% who said the process has gone too slowly. Thirty-five percent said they personally knew someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Although more cited COVID-19 as their top concern, a greater proportion also considered the disease a minor concern compared to UNF’s poll in early April, near what was then the peak of the virus. Of all respondents, 79% said they were somewhat or very concerned about the pandemic, down from 93% in April.
Voters registered increasing disapproval for Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump also received more negative than positive responses.
DeSantis received 48% approval to 50% disapproval, while Trump fared worst, with 39% approval to 61% disapproval.
If the presidential election were held now, 41% of respondents said they would vote for Trump, while 48% favored the presumptive Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden.
Conventions and COVID-19: Faced with coronavirus, Republican and Democratic leaders overhaul plans
In 2016, Trump won Duval County by a narrow margin of fewer than 6,000 votes against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
A majority of respondents, 65%, supported removing Confederate statues from public spaces. The city removed its Confederate monument from Hemming Park earlier this month, while announcing plans to relocate several other monuments and markers.
Survey questions also gauged attitudes regarding police in Jacksonville, with 54% of respondents saying that police in the city can be trusted to do the right thing "all" or "most" of the time. But Black respondents disagreed 90% of the time – 77% strongly – with the statement that Jacksonville residents, regardless of color, receive equal treatment from police.
The past month’s non-violent protests in Jacksonville drew widespread support, at 82%, although only 23% of respondents reported participating.
The UNF Public Opinion Research Lab surveyed 2,524 registered voters in Duval County from June 17-22 using online survey platform Qualtrics.
UNF weighted data by partisan registration, age, race, sex, education and geography. The margin of error is plus or minus 1.95 percentage points.


usatoday--2020-06-25--MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment will now require all guests to wear masks

LAS VEGAS – All guests inside Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts properties must now wear face coverings at all times unless they 're eating or drinking .
The mask policies applies to all Caesars and MGM Resorts properties open in Indiana , Iowas , Louisiana , Maryland , Michigan , Mississippi , Missouri , Nevada , New Jersey , New York and Ohio , as well as tribal properties in Arizona , California and North Carolina .
Anyone who refuses to wear a mask will be directed to leave the property .
Caesars ' announcement came hours before Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ public on the state 's coronavirus response during a Wednesday night press conference .
“ We are immediately requiring everyone in our properties to wear masks , because the scientific evidence strongly suggests that wearing masks and practicing social distancing may be the most important deterrents to spreading COVID-19 from person to person , '' said Caesars CEO Tony Rodio in a statement .
Caesars ' mandate comes the same week the operator of five reopened hotel-casinos on The Strip launched a promotion giving mask-wearing guests $ 20 in free play .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Resorts Acting CEO Bill Hornbuckle told the USA TODAY Network .
`` Caution is critically important , and we have seen that those areas , those states , those businesses that required masks in the collective have fared better than those that have not . ''
Same old Vegas ?
Here 's what coronavirus has and has n't changed about Sin City Dealers and other employees are required to wear masks or face shields , per gaming authority reopening regulations .
For visitors , masks are only encouraged , not mandatory , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without during reopening week .
When Caesars Palace reopened on June 4 , an employee handing out masks with a tong at one entrance estimated 80 % of visitors were n't wearing masks .
But COVID-19 cases are gaining steam in Nevada and across the U.S. , and state officials are getting pressured to require masks for all casino visitors .
Nevada has crested 14,000 cases of COVID-19 , adding an additional 365 new cases on Wednesday .
In total , 14,362 Nevadans have tested positive for coronavirus , according to new numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday morning .
The number of people who ’ ve died from the disease increased to 494 .
The state ’ s four highest single-day increases have all been recorded within the past week , according to state data .
As COVID-19 cases surge in Nevada , several restaurants have closed after employees there tested positive for the contagious respiratory illness .
Three employees at the Sahara ’ s Northside Café tested positive , the hotel said in a Monday statement about shutting it down .
Last week , two Flamingo employees tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside the Bellagio and Linq Hotel – including Guy Fieri 's Las Vegas Kitchen Bar – closed after workers there got COVID-19 .
Nevada Gov .
Steve Sisolak said he would also support local leaders who set stricter restrictions and encouraged business owners to mandate employees and customers to wear face masks .
“ We ’ re not in a post-COVID time , ” said Sisolak , who is expected to give an update on the state 's COVID-19 response plans Wednesday .
“ We ’ re right dead-smack in the middle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : What it 's really like to stay in a hotel during the coronavirus pandemic Ed Komenda writes about Las Vegas for the Reno Gazette Journal and USA Today Network .
Do you care about democracy ?
Then support local journalism by subscribing to the Reno Gazette Journal right here .

MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment will now require all guests to wear masks
Show Caption Hide Caption Las Vegas Strip reopens, awakening from 80-day coronavirus coma The Las Vegas Strip is slowly awakening after a nearly 80-day slumber due to the coronavirus crisis. USA TODAY
LAS VEGAS – All guests inside Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts properties must now wear face coverings at all times unless they're eating or drinking.
The mask policies applies to all Caesars and MGM Resorts properties open in Indiana, Iowas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Ohio, as well as tribal properties in Arizona, California and North Carolina.
Anyone who refuses to wear a mask will be directed to leave the property.
Caesars' announcement came hours before Gov. Steve Sisolak was set an update the public on the state's coronavirus response during a Wednesday night press conference.
“We are immediately requiring everyone in our properties to wear masks, because the scientific evidence strongly suggests that wearing masks and practicing social distancing may be the most important deterrents to spreading COVID-19 from person to person," said Caesars CEO Tony Rodio in a statement.
Caesars' mandate comes the same week the operator of five reopened hotel-casinos on The Strip launched a promotion giving mask-wearing guests $20 in free play.
"It's good policy," MGM Resorts Acting CEO Bill Hornbuckle told the USA TODAY Network. "Caution is critically important, and we have seen that those areas, those states, those businesses that required masks in the collective have fared better than those that have not."
Same old Vegas? Here's what coronavirus has and hasn't changed about Sin City
Dealers and other employees are required to wear masks or face shields, per gaming authority reopening regulations.
For visitors, masks are only encouraged, not mandatory, in Las Vegas casinos, and many went without during reopening week.
When Caesars Palace reopened on June 4, an employee handing out masks with a tong at one entrance estimated 80% of visitors weren't wearing masks.
But COVID-19 cases are gaining steam in Nevada and across the U.S., and state officials are getting pressured to require masks for all casino visitors.
Las Vegas casinos reopen after coronavirus closure The coronavirus casino closure is ending, with cards to be dealt, dice to roll and slot jackpots to win starting Thursday in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada. (June 4) AP
Nevada cases surge
Nevada has crested 14,000 cases of COVID-19, adding an additional 365 new cases on Wednesday.
In total, 14,362 Nevadans have tested positive for coronavirus, according to new numbers posted to the Nevada Health Alliance dashboard Wednesday morning.
The number of people who’ve died from the disease increased to 494.
The state’s four highest single-day increases have all been recorded within the past week, according to state data.
Las Vegas restaurants close due to COVID-19
As COVID-19 cases surge in Nevada, several restaurants have closed after employees there tested positive for the contagious respiratory illness.
Three employees at the Sahara’s Northside Café tested positive, the hotel said in a Monday statement about shutting it down.
Last week, two Flamingo employees tested positive for the coronavirus, and restaurants inside the Bellagio and Linq Hotel – including Guy Fieri's Las Vegas Kitchen Bar – closed after workers there got COVID-19.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak said he would also support local leaders who set stricter restrictions and encouraged business owners to mandate employees and customers to wear face masks.
“We’re not in a post-COVID time,” said Sisolak, who is expected to give an update on the state's COVID-19 response plans Wednesday. “We’re right dead-smack in the middle of it.”
3 nights, 3 hotels: What it's really like to stay in a hotel during the coronavirus pandemic


usatoday--2020-06-24--Poll: Biden, Trump locked in dead heat in Ohio, where Trump won by 8 in 2016

Some polls have shown presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden with a commanding lead over President Donald Trump .
In Ohio , the race is much closer , according to a poll released by Quinnipiac University on Wednesday of 1,139 registered Ohio voters interviewed June 18-22 .
Biden received 46 % of the vote compared to Trump 's 45 % .
That 's within the poll 's margin of error of 2.9 percentage points .
Trump won Ohio in 2016 by eight percentage points .
Trump 's job approval has remained about the same in Ohio for the past year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approving of the job he 's done .
In July 2019 , Trump 's approval rating as assessed by Quinnipiac stood at 43 % .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine 's stock has skyrocketed in that time , going from 44 % in July 2019 to 75 % now .
DeWine has received praise across the country for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
DeWine 's approval crosses party lines and actually is higher among Democrats than his own Republican Party , Quinnipiac reports .
His approval among Republicans is 76 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
Independents like DeWine at a 74 % clip .

Poll: Biden, Trump locked in dead heat in Ohio, where Trump won by 8 in 2016
Show Caption Hide Caption How polls work: The science behind gathering voter opinions The news cycle is jampacked with polls. But have you ever wondered how polls actually work and what they mean? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Some polls have shown presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden with a commanding lead over President Donald Trump.
In Ohio, the race is much closer, according to a poll released by Quinnipiac University on Wednesday of 1,139 registered Ohio voters interviewed June 18-22.
Biden received 46% of the vote compared to Trump's 45%. That's within the poll's margin of error of 2.9 percentage points.
Trump won Ohio in 2016 by eight percentage points.
Trump's job approval has remained about the same in Ohio for the past year, with 44% of those polled approving of the job he's done. In July 2019, Trump's approval rating as assessed by Quinnipiac stood at 43%.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's stock has skyrocketed in that time, going from 44% in July 2019 to 75% now. DeWine has received praise across the country for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
DeWine's approval crosses party lines and actually is higher among Democrats than his own Republican Party, Quinnipiac reports. His approval among Republicans is 76%. Among Democrats, it's 81%. Independents like DeWine at a 74% clip.


usatoday--2020-06-24--Removing 'Plantations': Rhode Island governor, top legislators drop references to state's full name

PROVIDENCE — Official state documents and websites will no longer contain the words `` Providence Plantations '' as part of the state ’ s name after Gov .
Gina Raimondo signed an executive order Monday to remove the phrase from her administration ’ s communications .
The official state name still includes `` Providence Plantations , '' in reference to the mainland colony founded by Roger Williams in 1636 .
Raimondo said the word ’ s ties to slavery and the painful images it conjures for Black Americans can not be ignored .
`` That is a word that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country has ever had , '' she said during a Monday news conference .
`` So I think it ’ s time , it ’ s past time , to get rid of it .
You can be proud of Rhode Island , but don ’ t be proud of a word that represents the worst of what our nation had to offer . ''
Rhode Islanders had a chance to change the state ’ s name in 2010 when a question to remove the historically charged phrase appeared on a ballot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Assembly is pursuing bills to put the question back on this year ’ s ballot , and one has already passed in the Senate .
Raimondo said removing the phrase from her office ’ s official communications , including state employee paychecks and gubernatorial orders and citations , was the most she could do about the issue by executive order .
The action comes after weeks of protests in Providence and other cities around the state and nation over police killings of Black people and systemic racism in America .
Faith Quinnea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest , which turned out to be one of the largest in state history , said removing the word `` plantations '' from the state ’ s name is one of the changes protesters wanted to see .
Her next project , she said , speaking from the podium at Monday ’ s news conference , is lobbying the state to add Black history to its educational curriculum .
But some activists said they felt the executive order represented a superficial change made during a time when people are demanding sweeping , systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more that needs to be changed that affects Black people , '' said Amanda Toussaint , a young Providence-based organizer .
`` They need to defund the police . ''
More : Plantation tours evolve to put more focus on the experiences of enslaved people Jaychele Schenck , a youth organizer and one of the founders of the group Gen Z : We Want to Live , said she and her group members have tried to get a meeting with the governor , but have been unsuccessful .
They want to present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that include implementing culturally relevant curricula in schools , eliminating school resource officers , defunding police departments and requiring more implicit bias training for law enforcement officers .
`` I think it ’ s a step in the right direction , '' Schenck said of the governor ’ s executive order .
`` But she could ’ ve taken a lot more steps . ''
Black Lives Matter Rhode Island organizer Mark Fisher said the importance of the move should not be overlooked .
`` It might seem small to the average person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s huge in our community , '' he said .
On Monday , Raimondo also announced that the state police will work on developing a body-camera program and a community outreach team .
She also said the Department of Administration will institute mandatory implicit-bias training for all executive-branch employees and conduct a study of minority-owned business participation in state contracts .
Raimondo said removing `` Providence Plantations '' from official communications was the first of many steps to come .
At one point during the news conference , a woman approached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the phrase that still appeared on the state seal plastered on its front .
In a joint statement , state Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello said they support placing a question about changing the state ’ s official name on the November ballot .
In the meantime , they will remove the reference to `` plantations '' from all General Assembly documents .
Mattiello was recently forced to backtrack on a statement he made during a radio interview that he wasn ’ t sure if `` actual slavery '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Reps. Michael Chippendale and Blake Filippi said they disapproved of Raimondo ’ s use of an executive order , but agreed that the question about changing the state ’ s name should go to voters in November .
Womazetta Jones , secretary of Rhode Island ’ s Executive Office of Health and Human Services , said during Monday ’ s news conference it `` blew her mind '' the first time she looked down at her state paycheck to see the word `` plantations . ''
She said she looked forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has long since passed for our government and other systems to address the injustices that people of color face every single day , '' she said .

Removing 'Plantations’: Rhode Island governor, top legislators drop references to state’s full name
Show Caption Hide Caption Charleston starts taking down John Calhoun statue Crews in Charleston, South Carolina on Wednesday morning began taking down a statue of former US Vice President John C. Calhoun, who was a major advocate of slavery before the Civil War. The Charleston City Council voted 13-0 to take it down. (June 24) AP
PROVIDENCE — Official state documents and websites will no longer contain the words "Providence Plantations" as part of the state’s name after Gov. Gina Raimondo signed an executive order Monday to remove the phrase from her administration’s communications.
The official state name still includes "Providence Plantations," in reference to the mainland colony founded by Roger Williams in 1636. Raimondo said the word’s ties to slavery and the painful images it conjures for Black Americans cannot be ignored.
"That is a word that is associated with the ugliest institution that our country has ever had," she said during a Monday news conference. "So I think it’s time, it’s past time, to get rid of it. You can be proud of Rhode Island, but don’t be proud of a word that represents the worst of what our nation had to offer."
Rhode Islanders had a chance to change the state’s name in 2010 when a question to remove the historically charged phrase appeared on a ballot. The measure did not pass. The General Assembly is pursuing bills to put the question back on this year’s ballot, and one has already passed in the Senate.
Wisconsin: Protesters pull down abolitionist statue in Madison, state senator attacked
Raimondo said removing the phrase from her office’s official communications, including state employee paychecks and gubernatorial orders and citations, was the most she could do about the issue by executive order.
The action comes after weeks of protests in Providence and other cities around the state and nation over police killings of Black people and systemic racism in America.
Faith Quinnea, a 16-year-old organizer of one recent protest, which turned out to be one of the largest in state history, said removing the word "plantations" from the state’s name is one of the changes protesters wanted to see. Her next project, she said, speaking from the podium at Monday’s news conference, is lobbying the state to add Black history to its educational curriculum.
But some activists said they felt the executive order represented a superficial change made during a time when people are demanding sweeping, systemic reforms.
"There’s so much more that needs to be changed that affects Black people," said Amanda Toussaint, a young Providence-based organizer. "They need to defund the police."
More: Plantation tours evolve to put more focus on the experiences of enslaved people
Jaychele Schenck, a youth organizer and one of the founders of the group Gen Z: We Want to Live, said she and her group members have tried to get a meeting with the governor, but have been unsuccessful. They want to present her with a list of proposed initiatives that include implementing culturally relevant curricula in schools, eliminating school resource officers, defunding police departments and requiring more implicit bias training for law enforcement officers.
"I think it’s a step in the right direction," Schenck said of the governor’s executive order. "But she could’ve taken a lot more steps."
Black Lives Matter Rhode Island organizer Mark Fisher said the importance of the move should not be overlooked.
"It might seem small to the average person, the average non-Black person, but it’s huge in our community," he said.
On Monday, Raimondo also announced that the state police will work on developing a body-camera program and a community outreach team. She also said the Department of Administration will institute mandatory implicit-bias training for all executive-branch employees and conduct a study of minority-owned business participation in state contracts.
Raimondo said removing "Providence Plantations" from official communications was the first of many steps to come.
At one point during the news conference, a woman approached the lectern to attempt to cross out the phrase that still appeared on the state seal plastered on its front.
In a joint statement, state Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello said they support placing a question about changing the state’s official name on the November ballot. In the meantime, they will remove the reference to "plantations" from all General Assembly documents.
Mattiello was recently forced to backtrack on a statement he made during a radio interview that he wasn’t sure if "actual slavery" existed in Rhode Island.
State House Republican Reps. Michael Chippendale and Blake Filippi said they disapproved of Raimondo’s use of an executive order, but agreed that the question about changing the state’s name should go to voters in November.
Womazetta Jones, secretary of Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services, said during Monday’s news conference it "blew her mind" the first time she looked down at her state paycheck to see the word "plantations." She said she looked forward to it being removed.
"The time has long since passed for our government and other systems to address the injustices that people of color face every single day," she said.
Washington: 400 National Guard soldiers activated to guard DC monuments amid protests


usatoday--2020-06-24--Jamaal Bowman moves closer to upsetting 16-term congressman Eliot Engel

Jamaal Bowman jumped out to an early lead over Rep. Eliot Engel in a Tuesday primary that won ’ t be settled for more than a week .
But Bowman told supporters he was fired up as the first results showed him with a big edge over Engel , a 16-term incumbent Democrat in New York ’ s 16th congressional district .
“ I can not wait to get to Congress and cause problems for the people in there who have been maintaining a status quo that is literally killing our children , ” Bowman said during a speech in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mail ballots that won ’ t be opened until June 30 will delay the final results of the election , but it was a matter of so far , so good for Bowman ’ s campaign .
He led Engel 60 % -35 % with 698 of 732 election districts reporting Wednesday .
Bowman , a former middle school principal , campaigned as a progressive looking to shake up the system .
Engel had called himself a thorn in President Donald Trump ’ s side , Bowman said .
“ But you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than anything else ?
A Black man with power , ” Bowman , 44 , said in a lively speech where he promised to fight against a racism , sexism and other forms of oppression .
More : AOC ’ s blowout win , last-minute voting in Kentucky and other key takeaways from Tuesday ’ s primaries He railed against economic inequality in the country , where there is great wealth but children living in poverty .
He said he as a Black man in America he learned about death and homicide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it affects not just an individual but the larger community .
“ Poverty is not a result of children and families who don ’ t work hard , ” Bowman said .
“ Poverty is by political design and is rooted in a system that has been fractured and corrupt and rotten from its core from the inception of America.
” A Bowman victory would mirror Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez victory over longtime Rep. Joe Crowley in a 2018 primary that has sparked a new energy in the Democratic Party .
But Engel ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the race is over with the number of ballots still to be counted .
A statewide emergency order has allowed for any party member to vote by mail this year , and tens of thousands of ballots are enough to sway the result .
The available results are from votes cast in person Tuesday and at early voting sites earlier this month .
The 16th District includes the lower part of Westchester County and the Bronx , and Bowman led by big margins in both parts of the district .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every voter deserves to have their voice heard in our electoral system , and every primary ballot must be counted to ensure that happens , ” Engel ’ s campaign said in a statement .
Whatever the ultimate result , it was clear for months that Engel was facing one of his most serious challenge in years .
Engel , in office since 1989 , faced three primary challengers in 2018 but won with more votes than all of his opponents combined .
Some viewed Bowman as having the potential to be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the campaign with endorsements from Ocasio-Cortez , Sen. Bernie Sanders and The New York Times .
Engel , 73 , received high-profile support from the likes of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the last few weeks .
Mark Lungariello covers government and politics .
Follow him on Facebook @ lungariello and Twitter @ marklungariello.For our latest subscription offers click here .

Mark Lungariello, Rockland/Westchester Journal News

Jamaal Bowman moves closer to upsetting 16-term congressman Eliot Engel Engel has been in office since 1989.
Show Caption Hide Caption Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Jamaal Bowman jumped out to an early lead over Rep. Eliot Engel in a Tuesday primary that won’t be settled for more than a week.
But Bowman told supporters he was fired up as the first results showed him with a big edge over Engel, a 16-term incumbent Democrat in New York’s 16th congressional district.
“I cannot wait to get to Congress and cause problems for the people in there who have been maintaining a status quo that is literally killing our children,” Bowman said during a speech in Yonkers livestreamed to social media.
Thousands of mail ballots that won’t be opened until June 30 will delay the final results of the election, but it was a matter of so far, so good for Bowman’s campaign. He led Engel 60%-35% with 698 of 732 election districts reporting Wednesday.
RESULTS: Polls close after long lines, lengthy delays
Bowman, a former middle school principal, campaigned as a progressive looking to shake up the system. Engel had called himself a thorn in President Donald Trump’s side, Bowman said.
“But you know what Donald Trump is afraid of more than anything else? A Black man with power,” Bowman, 44, said in a lively speech where he promised to fight against a racism, sexism and other forms of oppression.
More: AOC’s blowout win, last-minute voting in Kentucky and other key takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries
He railed against economic inequality in the country, where there is great wealth but children living in poverty. He said he as a Black man in America he learned about death and homicide at a young age, seeing how it affects not just an individual but the larger community.
“Poverty is not a result of children and families who don’t work hard,” Bowman said. “Poverty is by political design and is rooted in a system that has been fractured and corrupt and rotten from its core from the inception of America.”
A Bowman victory would mirror Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez victory over longtime Rep. Joe Crowley in a 2018 primary that has sparked a new energy in the Democratic Party. But Engel’s campaign said it was too early to say the race is over with the number of ballots still to be counted.
A statewide emergency order has allowed for any party member to vote by mail this year, and tens of thousands of ballots are enough to sway the result. The available results are from votes cast in person Tuesday and at early voting sites earlier this month.
The 16th District includes the lower part of Westchester County and the Bronx, and Bowman led by big margins in both parts of the district.
“The bottom line for Congressman Engel is that every voter deserves to have their voice heard in our electoral system, and every primary ballot must be counted to ensure that happens,” Engel’s campaign said in a statement.
Whatever the ultimate result, it was clear for months that Engel was facing one of his most serious challenge in years. Engel, in office since 1989, faced three primary challengers in 2018 but won with more votes than all of his opponents combined.
Some viewed Bowman as having the potential to be the next AOC, and he gained momentum through the campaign with endorsements from Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders and The New York Times.
Engel, 73, received high-profile support from the likes of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the last few weeks.
Mark Lungariello covers government and politics. Follow him on Facebook @lungariello and Twitter @marklungariello. For our latest subscription offers click here.


usatoday--2020-06-24--Roger Stone, set to report to prison next week, asks judge to postpone sentence because of coronavir

WASHINGTON – Roger Stone , who is set to begin his prison sentence in less than a week , is asking a federal judge to allow him to stay at home for a few more months , citing the coronavirus pandemic .
Stone 's old age – he is 67 – and medical conditions make potential exposure to COVID-19 life-threatening , his attorneys said Tuesday .
They asked that Stone , who 's supposed to turn himself in next Tuesday , be allowed to surrender on Sept. 3 .
The deadly virus has killed dozens of prisoners and infected thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to the pandemic , Attorney General William Barr ordered the Bureau of Prisons to expedite moving vulnerable prisoners from the most affected facilities to home confinement .
Unusual testimonies : Career Justice Department attorneys to tell Congress leadership abused its power in Roger Stone case , other investigations '' It is effectively impossible for the BOP to meet CDC guidelines for the prevention of COVID-19 transmission , '' Stone 's attorneys argued in court filings .
`` In the case of defendants with serious medical issues and increased age , who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection , it is prudent to delay incarceration until the danger is abated , '' The Justice Department does not oppose extending Stone 's surrender date .
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson has asked prosecutors to explain why they think Stone 's sentence should be delayed and how the department has responded to similar requests in other cases .
The unopposed request to give Stone two more months of reprieve comes after one of the former prosecutors on Stone 's case accused the Justice Department of giving the GOP operative preferential treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump .
Controversy around the case centered on Stone 's punishment .
Aaron Zelinsky , one of four prosecutors who resigned from the case in protest , said they were pressured to recommend a more lenient sentence for Stone for political reasons .
Zelinsky testified before Congress about these allegations on Wednesday .
'Unprecedentedly favorable treatment ' : DOJ gave Roger Stone favorable treatment because he is an ally of the president , prosecutor says The prosecutors had recommended that Stone serve seven to nine years in prison , a punishment that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw as too excessive .
The Justice Department backtracked from that recommendation , prompting Zelinsky and three other attorneys to quit the case .
Stone was ultimately sentenced to a little over three years in prison .
A jury convicted him in November of seven crimes , including lying to Congress to protect Trump and his campaign during the 2016 presidential election .
He 's been out on bond since he was arrested and charged early last year .
Stone is supposed to surrender at a federal prison in Jesup , Georgia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus at the facility , but Stone 's attorneys note that about two dozen tests are pending .
`` Given that the BOP does not routinely test inmates , combined with the relatively high positivity results in BOP facilities , the pending tests do not bode well , '' his attorneys said .
Berman has asked the government for the results of those tests .
Coronavirus was Manafort 's ticket home : Many other old , ill , nonviolent inmates are still in prison Stone is one of half a dozen former Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a result of former special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into Russia 's interference in the 2016 presidential election .
Another Trump ally , former campaign chairman Paul Manafort , was allowed to spend the rest of his 7 1/2-year sentence at home amid coronavirus fears .
Manafort 's attorneys cited his old age – he is 71 – and a litany of health problems .
Michael Cohen , Trump 's former personal attorney , has also been moved to home confinement .

Roger Stone, set to report to prison next week, asks judge to postpone sentence because of coronavirus
Show Caption Hide Caption Roger Stone sentenced to 40 months in prison for obstructing Congress Roger Stone's sentence marks a downfall for the longtime political consultant who worked on political campaigns and reelection committees stretching back to Richard Nixon. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Roger Stone, who is set to begin his prison sentence in less than a week, is asking a federal judge to allow him to stay at home for a few more months, citing the coronavirus pandemic.
Stone's old age – he is 67 – and medical conditions make potential exposure to COVID-19 life-threatening, his attorneys said Tuesday. They asked that Stone, who's supposed to turn himself in next Tuesday, be allowed to surrender on Sept. 3.
The deadly virus has killed dozens of prisoners and infected thousands across the federal prison system. In response to the pandemic, Attorney General William Barr ordered the Bureau of Prisons to expedite moving vulnerable prisoners from the most affected facilities to home confinement.
Unusual testimonies: Career Justice Department attorneys to tell Congress leadership abused its power in Roger Stone case, other investigations
"It is effectively impossible for the BOP to meet CDC guidelines for the prevention of COVID-19 transmission," Stone's attorneys argued in court filings. "In the case of defendants with serious medical issues and increased age, who are at greater risk from serious complications of infection, it is prudent to delay incarceration until the danger is abated,"
The Justice Department does not oppose extending Stone's surrender date. The agency said it has allowed defendants to request delaying their prison sentences by up to 60 days – unless they're public safety threats or flight risks – because of the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. attorney's office in Washington, D.C., where Stone was prosecuted, has routinely consented to requests to delay imprisonment since the virus began to spread in the district in March, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors cited two other cases in which they allowed defendants to move their surrender dates from June to September. Both defendants were convicted of fraud.
In Stone's case, prosecutors cited a previous finding by the presiding judge that he doesn't pose a threat to public safety. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson has allowed Stone to stay out on bond, despite his multiple violations of a gag order preventing him from speaking publicly about the case.
'Unprecedentedly favorable treatment': DOJ gave Roger Stone favorable treatment because he is an ally of the president, prosecutor says
The unopposed request to give Stone two more months of reprieve comes after one of the former prosecutors on Stone's case accused the Justice Department of giving the GOP operative preferential treatment because he's an ally of President Donald Trump.
Controversy around the case centered on Stone's punishment. Aaron Zelinsky, one of four prosecutors who resigned from the case in protest, said they were pressured to recommend a more lenient sentence for Stone for political reasons. Zelinsky testified before Congress about these allegations on Wednesday.
The prosecutors had recommended that Stone serve seven to nine years in prison, a punishment that the president and Attorney General William Barr saw as too excessive. The Justice Department backtracked from that recommendation, prompting Zelinsky and three other attorneys to quit the case.
Stone was ultimately sentenced to a little over three years in prison. A jury convicted him in November of seven crimes, including lying to Congress to protect Trump and his campaign during the 2016 presidential election. He's been out on bond since he was arrested and charged early last year.
Coronavirus was Manafort's ticket home: Many other old, ill, nonviolent inmates are still in prison
Stone is supposed to surrender at a federal prison in Jesup, Georgia. No one has been infected with the virus at the facility, but Stone's attorneys note that about two dozen tests are pending.
"Given that the BOP does not routinely test inmates, combined with the relatively high positivity results in BOP facilities, the pending tests do not bode well," his attorneys said.
Berman has asked the government for the results of those tests.
Stone is one of half a dozen former Trump campaign aides and allies who were indicted as a result of former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Another Trump ally, former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, was allowed to spend the rest of his 7 1/2-year sentence at home amid coronavirus fears. Manafort's attorneys cited his old age – he is 71 – and a litany of health problems.
Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney, has also been moved to home confinement.