usatoday--2020-08-06--Bon Appétit names new executive editor as three stars of 'Test Kitchen' exit

Condé Nast has named a new executive editor for food magazine Bon Appétit as three stars of its popular Test Kitchen say they will no longer produce videos for the channel .
In separate statements on social media , contributors Priya Krishna and Rick Martinez , as well as assistant editor Sohla El-Waylly , said they would leave Bon Appétit video amid concerns over lack of diversity and unequal pay .
In a statement on Twitter , Krishna said leaders of the magazine 's video team pledged to improve diversity and offer her fair pay , but added the promises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` These past few months have been disappointing and insulting , '' Krishna wrote .
`` I am constantly being told that I am an important part of the test kitchen , yet leadership refuses to acknowledge that in the form of compensation or opportunities . ''
What 's happening at 'Bon Appétit ' ?
: Here 's what 's going on and why editor in chief Adam Rapoport resigned Jobs in July : As some states reopen while others shutter , forecasting July payrolls is guessing game Martinez echoed similar experiences in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirming his departure , saying he had been told for almost two months about changes that never came to fruition .
`` After 5 weeks of contract negotiations , it is clear that I will not get a fair pay rate nor will i get a comparable number of appearances to my colleagues in the test kitchen , '' Martinez wrote .
`` Nor would anyone share with me the specifics of the diversity and inclusivity initiatives in video that they claim to be working on . ''
On Instagram , El-Waylly confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bon Appétit videos .
`` No hate to the editors who 've decided to stay , it 's just not the right thing for me , '' she wrote .
The last video published on the Bon Appétit YouTube channel was from two months ago .
In a statement obtained by USA TODAY , Condé Nast said it would announce new programming with new and returning talent as new leadership comes aboard .
`` Over the last several weeks , the video team has worked individually with each Test Kitchen contributor to address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including standardized rate cards , in many ways exceeding SAG/AFTRA standards , for freelance and editorial staff who contribute to video , '' Condé Nast said .
The media company also announced Thursday that Sonia Chopra , who worked at Vox Media overseeing strategy and operations at Eater , would join Bon Appétit as executive editor .
Chopra will start Aug. 24 .
She will report to Vogue U.S. editor in chief Anna Wintour until the search for an editor in chief for Bon Appétit has concluded .
The backlash against Bon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's previous editor in chief Adam Rapoport resigned after he was criticized for using `` brown face '' in a costume shared in an Instagram post from 2013 .
Reactions then shifted to allegations that Condé Nast paid white editors for video appearances , but not people of color .
`` I 've been pushed in front of video as a display of diversity , '' El-Waylly wrote in an Instagram post in June .
`` In reality , only white editors are paid for their video appearances .
None of the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The magazine 's Test Kitchen videos on YouTube have become a huge success for Bon Appétit .
As of Thursday , the channel boasts more than 6 million subscribers .
Josh Rivera contributed to this report .
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter : @ brettmolina23 .

Bon Appétit names new executive editor as three stars of 'Test Kitchen' exit
Condé Nast has named a new executive editor for food magazine Bon Appétit as three stars of its popular Test Kitchen say they will no longer produce videos for the channel.
In separate statements on social media, contributors Priya Krishna and Rick Martinez, as well as assistant editor Sohla El-Waylly, said they would leave Bon Appétit video amid concerns over lack of diversity and unequal pay.
In a statement on Twitter, Krishna said leaders of the magazine's video team pledged to improve diversity and offer her fair pay, but added the promises were all "lip service."
"These past few months have been disappointing and insulting," Krishna wrote. "I am constantly being told that I am an important part of the test kitchen, yet leadership refuses to acknowledge that in the form of compensation or opportunities."
I'm leaving Bon Appétit video. Here's what's been happening over the last few months, and some thoughts. pic.twitter.com/L59blcESLv — Priya Krishna (@priyakrishna) August 6, 2020
What's happening at 'Bon Appétit'?: Here's what's going on and why editor in chief Adam Rapoport resigned
Jobs in July: As some states reopen while others shutter, forecasting July payrolls is guessing game
Martinez echoed similar experiences in a story published to his Instagram account confirming his departure, saying he had been told for almost two months about changes that never came to fruition.
"After 5 weeks of contract negotiations, it is clear that I will not get a fair pay rate nor will i get a comparable number of appearances to my colleagues in the test kitchen," Martinez wrote. "Nor would anyone share with me the specifics of the diversity and inclusivity initiatives in video that they claim to be working on."
On Instagram, El-Waylly confirmed that she would no longer appear in Bon Appétit videos.
"No hate to the editors who've decided to stay, it's just not the right thing for me," she wrote.
The last video published on the Bon Appétit YouTube channel was from two months ago. In a statement obtained by USA TODAY, Condé Nast said it would announce new programming with new and returning talent as new leadership comes aboard.
"Over the last several weeks, the video team has worked individually with each Test Kitchen contributor to address all concerns and communicate equitable compensation structures, including standardized rate cards, in many ways exceeding SAG/AFTRA standards, for freelance and editorial staff who contribute to video," Condé Nast said.
The media company also announced Thursday that Sonia Chopra, who worked at Vox Media overseeing strategy and operations at Eater, would join Bon Appétit as executive editor. Chopra will start Aug. 24. She will report to Vogue U.S. editor in chief Anna Wintour until the search for an editor in chief for Bon Appétit has concluded.
The backlash against Bon Appétit began in June after the magazine's previous editor in chief Adam Rapoport resigned after he was criticized for using "brown face" in a costume shared in an Instagram post from 2013.
Reactions then shifted to allegations that Condé Nast paid white editors for video appearances, but not people of color.
"I've been pushed in front of video as a display of diversity," El-Waylly wrote in an Instagram post in June. "In reality, only white editors are paid for their video appearances. None of the people of color have been compensated."
The magazine's Test Kitchen videos on YouTube have become a huge success for Bon Appétit. As of Thursday, the channel boasts more than 6 million subscribers.
Josh Rivera contributed to this report. Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.


usatoday--2020-08-06--Crystal Rogers disappearance: FBI takes over case of missing Bardstown, Kentucky mom, 5 years later

Five years and a month after the disappearance of Crystal Rogers , the FBI has taken over the investigation and is launching a new search for the 35-year-old Kentucky mother of five .
More than 150 state and federal law enforcement officers on Thursday were executing nine federal search warrants and will be conducting more than 50 interviews in Bardstown , Kentucky , the FBI said in a press release .
FBI officials said they would work with the IRS , Kentucky State Police and the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office to bring a `` fresh perspective '' to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the years as family members in Nelson County and investigators seek answers .
`` A hallmark of the FBI is we never give up , '' FBI Louisville Special Agent in Charge Robert Brown said in the release .
`` The FBI is committed to bringing those responsible to justice , but we are going to need the community ’ s assistance . ''
Who was Crystal Rogers ?
When did she disappear ?
Rogers was from the small , tight-knit town of Bardstown , about 40 miles south of Louisville .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend in 2015 .
Her mother reported her missing July 5 after she had n't heard from her daughter in two days .
Rogers ' car was found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway with her keys , phone and purse still inside .
Rogers , a mother of five children , was not known to go anywhere without her kids , according to the FBI .
`` My mom is a very special woman , '' Rogers ' daughter , K. , wrote on a new website dedicated to the investigation .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my heart is going to DQ and buying my momma lunch .
We would always get the chicken strip basket with the toast and gravy to go with it .
Going over to mamaw Martins and playing phase 10 and aggravation over and over while eating snacks .
Since my mom ’ s been missing , life has been really hard .
I always wonder what my life would be like if she and my papaw was still here . ''
Are there any suspects ?
Properties searched Thursday morning included homes belonging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their mother , Rosemary Houck , the FBI confirmed to USA TODAY .
Rogers had been dating Brooks Houck , an initial suspect , who is the father of one of her sons .
Houck has denied involvement with Rogers ' disappearance and has never been charged .
Houck 's brother , Nick , was a police officer with the Bardstown Police Department at the time and was fired after interfering in the investigation .
The mayor of Bardstown said Nick Houck interfered with the investigation by phoning his brother on July 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by detectives , warning that his brother `` should protect himself , '' and that investigators `` might be trying to trip him up , '' the Kentucky Standard reported at the time .
City officials held an administrative hearing on Nick Houck 's actions and fired him a day later .
In 2019 , the home owned by Brooks Houck was burned down in what city officials said was arson .
Bardstown Fire Chief Billy Mattingly said the house may have been set on fire by disgruntled employees who worked for Brooks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Rogers disappeared Possible human remains were discovered two weeks ago near where Rogers was last seen , the Nelson County Sheriff 's Office said in a statement , leading to a swirl of rumors that the remains could belong to Rogers .
The remains were discovered July 23 near the border of Nelson and Washington counties , the sheriff 's office said .
The next day , the sheriff 's office requested the assistance of the FBI Evidence Response Team because it was difficult to reach the location of the possible remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lab in Quantico , Virginia , for testing .
The sheriff 's office did not immediately say who discovered the possible remains , or how .
`` Out of respect for family members of multiple missing persons in these areas , we will not be commenting on this until we have more information from the lab , '' the office said in a statement .
More than a year after Rogers disappeared , her father , Tommy Ballard , 54 , was fatally shot while hunting on family property in a rural area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Office said he was shot once in the chest , with the bullet entering his chest and exiting his back , according to WHAS-11 .
He was pronounced dead at the scene on a farm located on Ed Brent Lane .
Ballard 's grandson , who was with him during the trip , was not responsible for Ballard 's death , Kentucky State Police detectives said .
How is the Crystal Rogers case connected to ambushed police officer Jason Ellis ?
In 2017 , Kentucky State Police hired former troopers to investigate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellis , a Bardstown police officer who was ambushed in 2013 and killed by at least two people .
On May 25 , Ellis , a husband and father of two young boys , clocked out of his shift at 2 a.m. and started his normal , 15-mile drive home on the Bluegrass Parkway .
He took Exit 34 , a narrow ramp bounded on either side by steep stone walls .
Halfway around the ramp , someone had dragged a pile of branches into the roadway .
Ellis stopped , turned on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his cruiser to clear them .
Someone , perched on top of the stone cliff above him , fired a shotgun .
Ellis was hit multiple times , and died on the side of the road .
There were no witnesses .
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $ 25,000 for information leading to an identification , arrest or conviction in the Rogers case .
`` I ask that members of the community think back to July 3rd and 4th of 2015 , '' Brown said in the release .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this incident but who have not yet spoken to law enforcement for whatever reason , please contact us . ''
The agency has set up a website for the case at www.crystalrogerstaskforce.com .
If you have information related to the disappearance of Crystal Rogers , you can visit the website , call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or contact your local FBI office , or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate .

Grace Hauck and Rachel Aretakis, USA TODAY

Crystal Rogers disappearance: FBI takes over case of missing Bardstown, Kentucky mom, 5 years later
Five years and a month after the disappearance of Crystal Rogers, the FBI has taken over the investigation and is launching a new search for the 35-year-old Kentucky mother of five.
More than 150 state and federal law enforcement officers on Thursday were executing nine federal search warrants and will be conducting more than 50 interviews in Bardstown, Kentucky, the FBI said in a press release.
FBI officials said they would work with the IRS, Kentucky State Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring a "fresh perspective" to the case, which has attracted national attention over the years as family members in Nelson County and investigators seek answers.
"A hallmark of the FBI is we never give up," FBI Louisville Special Agent in Charge Robert Brown said in the release. "The FBI is committed to bringing those responsible to justice, but we are going to need the community’s assistance."
Who was Crystal Rogers? When did she disappear?
Rogers was from the small, tight-knit town of Bardstown, about 40 miles south of Louisville. She went missing over Fourth of July weekend in 2015. Her mother reported her missing July 5 after she hadn't heard from her daughter in two days.
Rogers' car was found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway with her keys, phone and purse still inside. Rogers, a mother of five children, was not known to go anywhere without her kids, according to the FBI.
"My mom is a very special woman," Rogers' daughter, K., wrote on a new website dedicated to the investigation. "The memory that will forever be in my heart is going to DQ and buying my momma lunch. We would always get the chicken strip basket with the toast and gravy to go with it. Going over to mamaw Martins and playing phase 10 and aggravation over and over while eating snacks. Since my mom’s been missing, life has been really hard. I always wonder what my life would be like if she and my papaw was still here."
Are there any suspects?
Properties searched Thursday morning included homes belonging to Brooks Houck, his brother and their mother, Rosemary Houck, the FBI confirmed to USA TODAY.
Rogers had been dating Brooks Houck, an initial suspect, who is the father of one of her sons. Houck has denied involvement with Rogers' disappearance and has never been charged.
Houck's brother, Nick, was a police officer with the Bardstown Police Department at the time and was fired after interfering in the investigation.
The mayor of Bardstown said Nick Houck interfered with the investigation by phoning his brother on July 8 when he knew Brooks was being interviewed by detectives, warning that his brother "should protect himself," and that investigators "might be trying to trip him up," the Kentucky Standard reported at the time.
City officials held an administrative hearing on Nick Houck's actions and fired him a day later.
In 2019, the home owned by Brooks Houck was burned down in what city officials said was arson. Bardstown Fire Chief Billy Mattingly said the house may have been set on fire by disgruntled employees who worked for Brooks Houck.
Possible human remains found near where Rogers disappeared
Possible human remains were discovered two weeks ago near where Rogers was last seen, the Nelson County Sheriff's Office said in a statement, leading to a swirl of rumors that the remains could belong to Rogers.
The remains were discovered July 23 near the border of Nelson and Washington counties, the sheriff's office said. The next day, the sheriff's office requested the assistance of the FBI Evidence Response Team because it was difficult to reach the location of the possible remains, which were sent to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia, for testing.
The sheriff's office did not immediately say who discovered the possible remains, or how.
"Out of respect for family members of multiple missing persons in these areas, we will not be commenting on this until we have more information from the lab," the office said in a statement.
What happened to Crystal Rogers' dad?
More than a year after Rogers disappeared, her father, Tommy Ballard, 54, was fatally shot while hunting on family property in a rural area outside Bardstown.
The Nelson County Coroner's Office said he was shot once in the chest, with the bullet entering his chest and exiting his back, according to WHAS-11. He was pronounced dead at the scene on a farm located on Ed Brent Lane.
Ballard's grandson, who was with him during the trip, was not responsible for Ballard's death, Kentucky State Police detectives said.
How is the Crystal Rogers case connected to ambushed police officer Jason Ellis?
In 2017, Kentucky State Police hired former troopers to investigate the cases of both Rogers and Jason Ellis, a Bardstown police officer who was ambushed in 2013 and killed by at least two people.
On May 25, Ellis, a husband and father of two young boys, clocked out of his shift at 2 a.m. and started his normal, 15-mile drive home on the Bluegrass Parkway. He took Exit 34, a narrow ramp bounded on either side by steep stone walls. Halfway around the ramp, someone had dragged a pile of branches into the roadway.
Ellis stopped, turned on his blue lights and got out of his cruiser to clear them. Someone, perched on top of the stone cliff above him, fired a shotgun. Ellis was hit multiple times, and died on the side of the road.
There were no witnesses.
FBI taking over the investigation
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an identification, arrest or conviction in the Rogers case.
"I ask that members of the community think back to July 3rd and 4th of 2015," Brown said in the release. "For those individuals who have information about this incident but who have not yet spoken to law enforcement for whatever reason, please contact us."
The agency has set up a website for the case at www.crystalrogerstaskforce.com.
If you have information related to the disappearance of Crystal Rogers, you can visit the website, call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or contact your local FBI office, or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
Contributing: Justin Sayers, Claire Galofaro, Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal


usatoday--2020-08-06--Week into NBA restart, the good, bad and indifferent in the bubble

One week of NBA restart games , and it feels like a month of games have taken place .
The games happen one right after the other starting in the afternoon and extending through the evening .
And what has transpired now that each team has played at least three games in the eight-game playoff seeding slate ?
Well , let ’ s start with the best news for the league and players before we get into what has happened on the court .
On Wednesday , the NBA and National Basketball Players Association announced that no players tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third consecutive week .
Everything else is irrelevant if the league can ’ t control COVID-19 on its Disney campus .
So far , so good with two months left .
Let ’ s take a look at what ’ s good , bad , indifferent and concerning through the first week : There 's nothing really impressive about the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers .
Yes , they ’ re in this for the long haul , thinking they will be playing deep into September and possibly October .
So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With that said , the Lakers could face a very difficult first-round matchup against Portland and Damian Lillard , and they are struggling offensively in the bubble .
Of the 22 teams at Disney , they are last in points per game , last in offensive efficiency , last in field goal percentage , last in three-point percentage and 21st in free throw percentage .
T.J. Warren probably warrants his own entry .
He has scored 53 , 34 and 32 points , leading the Pacers to a 3-0 start .
Victor Oladipo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pacers are without injured forward Domantas Sabonis , the Pacers have the fourth-best offense in the restart , scoring 118.2 points per 100 possessions .
They are in position to hold off Philadelphia for the fifth seed and possibly catch Miami for the fourth seed .
The Raptors are just plain solid on offense and defense .
They are a joy to watch with how they share the basketball on offense and work together defensively .
They play for each other , and it wouldn ’ t surprise anyone if the Raptors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a confident bunch since they won the title and believed they could make another run at it when training camp opened .
Suns guard Devin Booker made the All-Star team for the first time this season and is proving his value in the bubble , averaging 30.7 points and hitting the game-winner against the Los Angeles Clippers .
The 3-0 Suns have beaten two playoff-bound teams .
Phoenix is in 12th place and needs to leap three teams to get into the play-in format .
But this is more about the Suns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeAndre Ayton , Ricky Rubio , Dario Saric , Mikal Bridges , Cameron Johnson and coach Monty Williams .
This can only help the Suns headed into next season .
The Nuggets battled COVID-19 issues .
They didn ’ t have enough players to scrimmage 5-on-5 when the team arrived at Disney and they lost their first game by 20 points .
But since then , they have won twice , and Michael Porter Jr. has been outstanding .
Instead of losing ground for the third seed , they ’ re two games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Oklahoma City and Houston and have a chance to catch the Clippers for the No .
2 seed .
POWER RANKINGS : How teams stack up after Week 1 in NBA bubble Teams like Boston , Oklahoma City , Utah , Houston , Portland , San Antonio and Philadelphia each have two victories in the bubble and have had games where it looks like they are capable of making an impact in the playoffs – if they make it .
How those teams finish the remaining seeding games will reveal a clearer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 3½ game lead over Portland for the eighth seed , and with just eight seeding games , it was expected Memphis would hold on or possibly play a team in ninth place in a play-in style event for the final seed in the West .
However , the Grizzlies are 0-4 in the past week , lost young star Jaren Jackson Jr. to a season-ending knee injury and now lead Portland by a game , San Antonio by a 1½ games and New Orleans by two games .
The Grizzlies may fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in a play-in game .
The Clippers haven ’ t had their full roster ( Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell have been out ) , but they still have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George , and they ’ re in danger of losing the No .
2 seed .
Now , seeds don ’ t really matter since there ’ s no home-court advantage , but teams want to be playing good basketball headed into the postseason .
The Clippers need that depth to show up .
The Mavs were close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beat Sacramento , and if the Kings hadn ’ t put the Mavs on the foul line 50 times , maybe they would have won .
Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis have posted some nice looking stat lines ( Doncic had 34 points , 20 rebounds and 12 assists against the Kings and Porzingis had 39 points and 16 rebounds against Houston ) , but they are also a combined 8-for-38 on three-pointers .
The Kings were bunched with Portland and New Orleans all 3½ games behind Memphis for the eighth seed when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance to make the playoffs .
But that all fell apart and now they are in 13th place , dropping behind Phoenix .
The Kings are the opposite of the Suns – just a disappointing winless start to the restart .
The Kings are below average offensively and horrible defensively .
They began with a chance to make the playoffs – and they still have a chance after starting 1-2 – but the Pelicans are cautiously not just watching Zion Williamson ’ s minutes but all players ’ minutes .
Let ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are on a seven-year plan and making the playoffs this season is not essential to that plan .
The Wizards haven ’ t won a game yet but this is all about development and playing time for their young players .
The season-ending injury to Jonathan Isaac hurts , but these games , including playoff games , are valuable for the Magic .
The Nets have struggled big time in the two games they lost and had an OK win over Milwaukee , which didn ’ t play most of its key players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing to remember about Brooklyn as some of their players develop is that they get Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant back from injury next season .

Week into NBA restart, the good, bad and indifferent in the bubble
Show Caption Hide Caption NBA power rankings: LeBron, Lakers reign supreme despite recent struggles SportsPulse: Despite recent struggles we still have the Lakers as top team in our bubble power rankings. Two teams on the rise early in the bubble: Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns. USA TODAY
One week of NBA restart games, and it feels like a month of games have taken place.
The games happen one right after the other starting in the afternoon and extending through the evening.
And what has transpired now that each team has played at least three games in the eight-game playoff seeding slate?
Well, let’s start with the best news for the league and players before we get into what has happened on the court. On Wednesday, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association announced that no players tested positive in the weekly testing period for the third consecutive week.
Everything else is irrelevant if the league can’t control COVID-19 on its Disney campus. So far, so good with two months left.
Let’s take a look at what’s good, bad, indifferent and concerning through the first week:
Concerning (contenders edition)
There's nothing really impressive about the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. Yes, they’re in this for the long haul, thinking they will be playing deep into September and possibly October. So, pacing isn't a horrible idea. With that said, the Lakers could face a very difficult first-round matchup against Portland and Damian Lillard, and they are struggling offensively in the bubble. Of the 22 teams at Disney, they are last in points per game, last in offensive efficiency, last in field goal percentage, last in three-point percentage and 21st in free throw percentage.
Good
Indiana Pacers
T.J. Warren probably warrants his own entry. He has scored 53, 34 and 32 points, leading the Pacers to a 3-0 start. Victor Oladipo decided to play, and even though the Pacers are without injured forward Domantas Sabonis, the Pacers have the fourth-best offense in the restart, scoring 118.2 points per 100 possessions.
They are in position to hold off Philadelphia for the fifth seed and possibly catch Miami for the fourth seed.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are just plain solid on offense and defense. They are a joy to watch with how they share the basketball on offense and work together defensively. They play for each other, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if the Raptors returned to the Finals. This has been a confident bunch since they won the title and believed they could make another run at it when training camp opened.
Phoenix Suns
Suns guard Devin Booker made the All-Star team for the first time this season and is proving his value in the bubble, averaging 30.7 points and hitting the game-winner against the Los Angeles Clippers. The 3-0 Suns have beaten two playoff-bound teams.
Phoenix is in 12th place and needs to leap three teams to get into the play-in format. But this is more about the Suns growing as a team with Booker, DeAndre Ayton, Ricky Rubio, Dario Saric, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and coach Monty Williams. This can only help the Suns headed into next season.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets battled COVID-19 issues. They didn’t have enough players to scrimmage 5-on-5 when the team arrived at Disney and they lost their first game by 20 points. But since then, they have won twice, and Michael Porter Jr. has been outstanding. Instead of losing ground for the third seed, they’re two games ahead of Utah and 2½ games ahead of Oklahoma City and Houston and have a chance to catch the Clippers for the No. 2 seed.
POWER RANKINGS: How teams stack up after Week 1 in NBA bubble
Good enough
Teams like Boston, Oklahoma City, Utah, Houston, Portland, San Antonio and Philadelphia each have two victories in the bubble and have had games where it looks like they are capable of making an impact in the playoffs – if they make it. How those teams finish the remaining seeding games will reveal a clearer picture.
Bad
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis opened the restart with a 3½ game lead over Portland for the eighth seed, and with just eight seeding games, it was expected Memphis would hold on or possibly play a team in ninth place in a play-in style event for the final seed in the West.
However, the Grizzlies are 0-4 in the past week, lost young star Jaren Jackson Jr. to a season-ending knee injury and now lead Portland by a game, San Antonio by a 1½ games and New Orleans by two games. The Grizzlies may fall to 10th place and not even be involved in a play-in game.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers haven’t had their full roster (Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell have been out), but they still have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and they’re in danger of losing the No. 2 seed. Now, seeds don’t really matter since there’s no home-court advantage, but teams want to be playing good basketball headed into the postseason. The Clippers need that depth to show up.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs were close to starting 0-3. They needed overtime to beat Sacramento, and if the Kings hadn’t put the Mavs on the foul line 50 times, maybe they would have won. Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis have posted some nice looking stat lines (Doncic had 34 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists against the Kings and Porzingis had 39 points and 16 rebounds against Houston), but they are also a combined 8-for-38 on three-pointers.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings were bunched with Portland and New Orleans all 3½ games behind Memphis for the eighth seed when the restart opened. The Kings had a chance to make the playoffs. But that all fell apart and now they are in 13th place, dropping behind Phoenix.
The Kings are the opposite of the Suns – just a disappointing winless start to the restart. The Kings are below average offensively and horrible defensively.
Indifferent
New Orleans Pelicans
They began with a chance to make the playoffs – and they still have a chance after starting 1-2 – but the Pelicans are cautiously not just watching Zion Williamson’s minutes but all players’ minutes. Let’s get this straight: the Pelicans are on a seven-year plan and making the playoffs this season is not essential to that plan.
Washington Wizards
The Wizards haven’t won a game yet but this is all about development and playing time for their young players.
Orlando Magic
The season-ending injury to Jonathan Isaac hurts, but these games, including playoff games, are valuable for the Magic.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have struggled big time in the two games they lost and had an OK win over Milwaukee, which didn’t play most of its key players more than 20 minutes. But the thing to remember about Brooklyn as some of their players develop is that they get Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant back from injury next season.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt


usatoday--2020-08-06--Zendaya opens up about her anxiety, refuses to call herself an activist: 'I'm just an actress'

Calling yourself an activist is a big role to fill and Zendaya says she does n't feel she 's `` deserving of the title . ''
In an InStyle interview with Patrisse Cullors , the co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement , the `` Euphoria '' star admits that while she uses her platform to raise awareness , she 's `` just a person who has a heart and wants to do the right thing . ''
`` I have always hesitated to use the word 'activist ' for myself .
That is a lifestyle .
That is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work and devoting your life to a cause , '' says Zendaya , who exclusively wore brands by Black designers for her cover photoshoot , including Alietté by Jason Rembert , Hanifa by Anifa Mvuemba , Cushnie by Carly Cushnie , Christopher John Rogers ' namesake label and Pyer Moss by Kerby Jean-Raymond .
The representation did n't stop there .
Her stylist , Law Roach , along with the photographers , Donté Maurice and Ahmad Barber , are Black as well .
More : Zendaya calls pressure of being a young Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does everything she can to stay educated , explaining that she 's `` up in the bleachers , not on the field . ''
`` Everything that has happened ( following the death of George Floyd ) has been devastating .
I did n't know what I could do to help , '' she says in the interview published Thursday .
`` Because at the end of the day , I 'm just an actress , you know ?
And I do n't pretend to be anything other than that .
If I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask people who are actually on the front lines doing the work .
So I always think , 'How can I cheer you on and be a part of something greater than myself ? '
'' As a 23-year-old , Zendaya is a vocal and influential figure in Hollywood , though she admits that it 's stressful juggling all her projects .
George Floyd death : BTS , Spike Lee , Michael B. Jordan , Jennifer Lopez and more stars take action '' My anxiety first started when I was younger , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school , '' she says .
`` I do n't think it really came up again until I was about 16 , when I was working and there was a project I had turned down .
That was kind of my first time dealing with the internet , and it made me feel sick .
I deleted everything and stayed in my room . ''
She adds that live performing also gave her anxiety due to `` the pressure I put on myself , wanting to do my best and not make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that talking about her emotions , whether it 's in an interview or with her mother in the middle of the night , has been helpful .
Despite these tricky times , Zendaya remains open-minded about the future , having a positive outlook on changes to come .
`` If there is anything positive that has come out of this time , it 's that I feel a little bit of hope too .
There are changes happening .
I 'm so inspired by my peers and their commitment , '' she says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just want to tell people that your voice does matter .
The little things do matter .
And continue to use your emotions .
They are sometimes considered a weakness , but in this time they are very powerful . ''
Racism : Shay Mitchell , Ricky Martin , more stars open up about fears , talking racism with kids

Zendaya opens up about her anxiety, refuses to call herself an activist: 'I'm just an actress'
Show Caption Hide Caption Role model Zendaya: 'I don't take it with a grain of salt' Zendaya talks about being happy to inspire others, before showing the new fashion collection she collaborated on with designer Tommy Hilfiger. (Sept. 9) AP
Calling yourself an activist is a big role to fill and Zendaya says she doesn't feel she's "deserving of the title."
In an InStyle interview with Patrisse Cullors, the co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, the "Euphoria" star admits that while she uses her platform to raise awareness, she's "just a person who has a heart and wants to do the right thing."
"I have always hesitated to use the word 'activist' for myself. That is a lifestyle. That is a choice every day to be doing the work and devoting your life to a cause," says Zendaya, who exclusively wore brands by Black designers for her cover photoshoot, including Alietté by Jason Rembert, Hanifa by Anifa Mvuemba, Cushnie by Carly Cushnie, Christopher John Rogers' namesake label and Pyer Moss by Kerby Jean-Raymond.
The representation didn't stop there. Her stylist, Law Roach, along with the photographers, Donté Maurice and Ahmad Barber, are Black as well.
Fashion: Bella Hadid calls for racial inclusivity in fashion industry, sister Gigi Hadid shoots cover photo
More: Zendaya calls pressure of being a young Black woman in Hollywood 'heavy responsibility'
She still does everything she can to stay educated, explaining that she's "up in the bleachers, not on the field."
"Everything that has happened (following the death of George Floyd) has been devastating. I didn't know what I could do to help," she says in the interview published Thursday. "Because at the end of the day, I'm just an actress, you know? And I don't pretend to be anything other than that. If I don't know something, then I ask people who are actually on the front lines doing the work. So I always think, 'How can I cheer you on and be a part of something greater than myself?'"
As a 23-year-old, Zendaya is a vocal and influential figure in Hollywood, though she admits that it's stressful juggling all her projects.
George Floyd death: BTS, Spike Lee, Michael B. Jordan, Jennifer Lopez and more stars take action
"My anxiety first started when I was younger, and I had to take a test at school," she says. "I don't think it really came up again until I was about 16, when I was working and there was a project I had turned down. That was kind of my first time dealing with the internet, and it made me feel sick. I deleted everything and stayed in my room."
She adds that live performing also gave her anxiety due to "the pressure I put on myself, wanting to do my best and not make a mistake." However, she acknowledges that talking about her emotions, whether it's in an interview or with her mother in the middle of the night, has been helpful.
Despite these tricky times, Zendaya remains open-minded about the future, having a positive outlook on changes to come.
"If there is anything positive that has come out of this time, it's that I feel a little bit of hope too. There are changes happening. I'm so inspired by my peers and their commitment," she says. "More than anything, I just want to tell people that your voice does matter. The little things do matter. And continue to use your emotions. They are sometimes considered a weakness, but in this time they are very powerful."
Racism: Shay Mitchell, Ricky Martin, more stars open up about fears, talking racism with kids


usatoday--2020-08-06--Trump campaign ad features doctored images of Joe Biden 'in his basement, alone'

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ’ s re-election campaign posted an ad attacking Joe Biden on Wednesday that used altered photos to depict the former vice president as `` alone '' and `` diminished . ''
`` Deep in the heart of Delaware , Joe Biden sits in his basement .
Alone .
Hiding .
Diminished , '' the ad begins .
Photos that appear to show Biden sitting alone on the floor of an empty room , and standing holding his hand to his forehead are included to illustrate the sentiment , along with a list of `` crazy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ad .
But reporters on Twitter pointed out that some of the photos in the ad designed to make Biden look `` defeated/old '' are altered or taken out of context .
One photo , of Biden seated on the floor in an empty room in front of a reclining chair , is actually from an event at the home of an Iowa mayor to watch a University of Iowa Hawkeyes game in December with several people in attendance , according to The Gazette .
The Gazette , which published that photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ad to remove the other people in the room and used without permission .
Another , edited to show Biden standing in an empty room holding his hand up to his forehead is actually a shot of Biden holding a microphone while at an outdoor event .
The Trump campaign has frequently used Biden 's basement as an attack point , accusing him of doing few campaign events during the coronavirus pandemic and suffering from cognitive decline .
Trump dubbed him `` Sleepy Joe Biden ( who never leaves his basement ) '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photo is n't of Joe Biden taking a knee upon seeing a flag ; he was talking to a child Biden has hosted virtual fundraisers and townhalls from a basement studio in his Wilmington , Delaware home while he remains socially distanced .
He has also been seen in public on several occasions ; Biden and his wife Jill Biden paid respects to the late Rep. John Lewis at the Capitol last month .
Biden 's campaign rapid response director , Andrew Bates , in reacting to the altered images in the ad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time trying to tear Americans apart and lying '' instead of `` taking responsibility '' for the country 's coronavirus response .
`` Seven consecutive months of Donald Trump 's failed leadership have left the United States the most hard-hit country in the world by the coronavirus — a catastrophe that photo-shop ca n't erase , '' Bates said in a statement .
He added on Twitter that `` Donald Trump and his campaign have never been fluent in strength or decency , '' pointing to the final image of Biden used in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president seated with his head down in a room with shadowy figures .
The photo was taken while Biden was praying in a church June 1 .
The Trump campaign has previously come under fire for posting misleading information in its ads as social media companies grapple with how they respond to misinformation from political figures , including Trump .
The president has strongly criticized Twitter for flagging some of his tweets with fact checks and for `` trending '' topics he thinks paint him in a bad light .
Twitter also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a post Trump retweeted earlier this year for an edited video of Biden .
Facebook recently took action against a different Trump post , marking the first time it removed a post from the president 's personal page for violating its policies on COVID-19 information .
The video posted was of a Fox News interview in which Trump said that children are “ almost immune ” from the virus , breaking Facebook 's rules against spreading `` harmful COVID misinformation . ''
Twitter also flagged the video on Wednesday , requiring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before it could post again .
COVID-19 misinformation : Facebook , Twitter remove Trump coronavirus posts of Fox interview about kids being 'almost immune '

Trump campaign ad features doctored images of Joe Biden 'in his basement, alone'
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign posted an ad attacking Joe Biden on Wednesday that used altered photos to depict the former vice president as "alone" and "diminished."
"Deep in the heart of Delaware, Joe Biden sits in his basement. Alone. Hiding. Diminished," the ad begins.
Photos that appear to show Biden sitting alone on the floor of an empty room, and standing holding his hand to his forehead are included to illustrate the sentiment, along with a list of "crazy far-left ideas" attributed to Biden in the ad.
But reporters on Twitter pointed out that some of the photos in the ad designed to make Biden look "defeated/old" are altered or taken out of context.
Just in case we haven’t worn this point out to exhaustion yet, this wasn’t in a basement in Delaware and Biden wasn’t alone. Some of my pics from that night he visited the home of the mayor of Coralville, Iowa to watch the Hawkeyes game. pic.twitter.com/ZgGiVq5Oij — Sarah Mucha (@sarahmucha) August 5, 2020
One photo, of Biden seated on the floor in an empty room in front of a reclining chair, is actually from an event at the home of an Iowa mayor to watch a University of Iowa Hawkeyes game in December with several people in attendance, according to The Gazette. The Gazette, which published that photo, said it was edited in the ad to remove the other people in the room and used without permission.
Another, edited to show Biden standing in an empty room holding his hand up to his forehead is actually a shot of Biden holding a microphone while at an outdoor event.
The Trump campaign has frequently used Biden's basement as an attack point, accusing him of doing few campaign events during the coronavirus pandemic and suffering from cognitive decline. Trump dubbed him "Sleepy Joe Biden (who never leaves his basement)" on Twitter.
Fact check: Viral photo isn't of Joe Biden taking a knee upon seeing a flag; he was talking to a child
Biden has hosted virtual fundraisers and townhalls from a basement studio in his Wilmington, Delaware home while he remains socially distanced. He has also been seen in public on several occasions; Biden and his wife Jill Biden paid respects to the late Rep. John Lewis at the Capitol last month.
Deep in the heart of Delaware, Joe Biden sits in his basement.
Alone. Hiding. Diminished. pic.twitter.com/0QVsbp2iis — Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) August 5, 2020
Biden's campaign rapid response director, Andrew Bates, in reacting to the altered images in the ad, criticized Trump for "spending his time trying to tear Americans apart and lying" instead of "taking responsibility" for the country's coronavirus response.
"Seven consecutive months of Donald Trump's failed leadership have left the United States the most hard-hit country in the world by the coronavirus — a catastrophe that photo-shop can't erase," Bates said in a statement.
He added on Twitter that "Donald Trump and his campaign have never been fluent in strength or decency," pointing to the final image of Biden used in the ad, which shows the former vice president seated with his head down in a room with shadowy figures. The photo was taken while Biden was praying in a church June 1.
The Trump campaign has previously come under fire for posting misleading information in its ads as social media companies grapple with how they respond to misinformation from political figures, including Trump.
The president has strongly criticized Twitter for flagging some of his tweets with fact checks and for "trending" topics he thinks paint him in a bad light. Twitter also applied a "manipulated media" tag to a post Trump retweeted earlier this year for an edited video of Biden.
Facebook recently took action against a different Trump post, marking the first time it removed a post from the president's personal page for violating its policies on COVID-19 information. The video posted was of a Fox News interview in which Trump said that children are “almost immune” from the virus, breaking Facebook's rules against spreading "harmful COVID misinformation." Twitter also flagged the video on Wednesday, requiring the Trump campaign page to remove the video before it could post again.
The new Trump ad accidentally shows just how few photos/how little b-roll Biden has produced since March. An image meant to make him look defeated/old is of him praying in church! pic.twitter.com/f7F9MNCLve — Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) August 5, 2020
COVID-19 misinformation: Facebook, Twitter remove Trump coronavirus posts of Fox interview about kids being 'almost immune'


usatoday--2020-08-06--Air Force dad goes undercover to surprise sons

When U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt .
Javier Franco Jr. returned home to Tampa , Fla. , he rang his @ @ @ @ @ to surprise his unsuspecting sons .

Air Force dad goes undercover to surprise sons
When U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Javier Franco Jr. returned home to Tampa, Fla., he rang his own doorbell carrying a pizza to surprise his unsuspecting sons.
Militarykind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-08-07--Trump issues order to block U.S. transactions with TikTok parent company ByteDance

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Thursday to block all U.S. transactions with TikTok ’ s Chinese parent corporation , Bytedance , the latest move by the administration to force the video-sharing app to sever its ties to Beijing .
The order , which is likely to face legal challenges , would bar “ any transaction by any person , or with respect to any property , subject to the jurisdiction of the United States , with ByteDance Ltd '' in an effort to “ address the national emergency with respect to the information and communication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigating whether ByteDance is harvesting the data of millions of American users .
The U.S. Navy last year urged service members to delete the app from government devices .
The new order bans TikTok under the National Emergencies Act and is set to take effect in 45 days , just after the Sept. 15 deadline set for Microsoft 's proposed purchase of the social media platform .
Any company still doing business with TikTok in 45 days is subject to sanctions , according to the order .
Trump ’ s order stressed what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese-owned app .
“ The spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by companies in the People 's Republic of China ( China ) continues to threaten the national security , foreign policy , and economy of the United States , ” the order said .
TikTok which features short videos and is used by 100 million American consumers and hundreds of millions globally , has rejected claims that it sends U.S. user data to the Chinese government .
The threat comes at a moment of extremely frayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has engaged in a months-long trade war with the country and has accused its leaders of allowing the coronavirus to spread into a pandemic .
Tensions have been raised further by China 's crackdown on pro-democracy efforts in Hong Kong .
More : TikTok , WeChat and ‘ untrusted ’ Chinese apps should be removed from U.S. app stores , Pompeo says The president first threatened to `` ban '' the company in the United States late last week but softened his stance after Microsoft said it will `` move quickly to pursue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ByteDance , '' with a final decision expected no later than Sept. 15 .
“ I set a date of around Sept. 15 , at which point it ’ s going to be out of business , ” unless it surrenders Chinese ownership , Trump told reporters on Monday .
`` But if somebody ... buys it , that 'll be interesting . ''
Trump has also signaled that he expects the U.S. Treasury to receive a cut from the potential Microsoft purchase of TikTok , arguing the U.S. made the deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would work or whether he has the legal authority to demand payment to the government .
'We deserve to have a big percentage ' : Trump wants a US cut from a possible TikTok purchase from Microsoft Trump signed another executive order banning transactions with the Chinese owners of messaging app WeChat , citing similar national security concerns .
“ WeChat automatically captures vast swaths of information from its users - threatens to allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans ' personal and proprietary information , '' the order said .

Savannah Behrmann, Courtney Subramanian and David Jackson, USA TODAY

Trump issues order to block U.S. transactions with TikTok parent company ByteDance
Show Caption Hide Caption TikTok: President Trump says he plans to ban the popular app "As far as TikTok is concerned, we're banning them from the United States," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned from Florida. USA TODAY, Wochit
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Thursday to block all U.S. transactions with TikTok’s Chinese parent corporation, Bytedance, the latest move by the administration to force the video-sharing app to sever its ties to Beijing.
The order, which is likely to face legal challenges, would bar “any transaction by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, with ByteDance Ltd" in an effort to “address the national emergency with respect to the information and communication technology supply chain.”
The president signed a separate executive order banning transactions with China-based tech giant Tencent, which owns the app WeChat, citing similar national security concerns.
He claims the apps “capture vast swaths of information from its users” which could allow "the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans’ personal and proprietary information."
The administration is investigating whether ByteDance is harvesting the data of millions of American users. The U.S. Navy last year urged service members to delete the app from government devices.
“The spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by companies in the People's Republic of China (China) continues to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States,” the order said.
The new order bans TikTok under the National Emergencies Act and is set to take effect Sept. 20, pushing back a previous deadline set for Microsoft's proposed purchase of the social media platform by Sept. 15. Any company still doing business with TikTok in 45 days is subject to sanctions, according to the order.
TikTok and privacy: What's the problem? Perhaps the video-sharing app gathers too much data
Facebook launches TikTok copycat app for Instagram called Reels Facebook is launching a new app for Instagram called Reels. The app is almost identical to popular social media app TikTok. USA TODAY
TikTok which features short videos that often go viral and is used by 100 million American consumers and hundreds of millions globally, has rejected claims that it sends U.S. user data to the Chinese government.
Though the social media app is owned by a Chinese firm, the company hired former Disney executive Kevin Mayer to serve as CEO and moved storage of American data from the app to the U.S.
Administration officials and members of Congress have raised concerns about the Chinese government tapping into personal data via Americans' cellphones using such smart phone applications.
Earlier on Thursday the Senate voted to ban federal employees from downloading TikTok on government-issued phones, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that the U.S. wants “untrusted” Chinese apps like TikTok and WeChat removed from U.S. app stores.
Pompeo said the State Department would also work to limit the ability of Chinese cloud service providers to collect, store and process Americans’ personal information and businesses’ intellectual property as part of a “clean network” initiative, part of the administration's ongoing campaign to clamp down on Chinese technology.
Trump issued a similar order in May 2019 aimed at Chinese companies ZTE Corp. and Huawei, which makes telecommunications equipment, including 5G wireless infrastructure.
The orders comes at a moment of extremely frayed U.S. China relations, as the president has engaged in a months-long trade war with the country and has accused its leaders of allowing the coronavirus to spread into a pandemic. Tensions have been raised further by China's crackdown on pro-democracy efforts in Hong Kong.
More: TikTok, WeChat and ‘untrusted’ Chinese apps should be removed from U.S. app stores, Pompeo says
The president threatened to "ban" the company in the United States late last week but softened his stance after Microsoft said it will "move quickly to pursue discussions with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance," with a decision set for no later than Sept. 15. Trump said Monday he would force the company to shutter its U.S. operations if the platform is not sold to American buyers next month.
“I set a date of around Sept. 15, at which point it’s going to be out of business,” unless it surrenders Chinese ownership, Trump told reporters on Monday. "But if somebody ... buys it, that'll be interesting."
Trump has also signaled that he expects the U.S. Treasury to receive a cut from the potential Microsoft purchase of TikTok, arguing the U.S. made the deal possible. He has not clarified how that would work or whether he has the legal authority to demand payment to the government.
'We deserve to have a big percentage': Trump wants a US cut from a possible TikTok purchase from Microsoft
Kirsten Martin, professor of technology ethics at the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, called the executive order an overreaction, adding that "the coronavirus is a national emergency. TikTok is not a national emergency."
"While TikTok is being singled out in this executive order, their data collection and sharing practices are fairly standard in the industry," Martin said. "In fact, many fitness apps were banned from use in the military for tracking location data, but we did not ban them from all US citizens. I would imagine every teenager will still access TikTok through the VPN they use to access other content."
Contributing: John Fritze, Jessica Guynn


usatoday--2020-08-07--Bill Hagerty wins Tennessee's bitter Republican US Senate primary

NASHVILLE – Former U.S .
Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty secured the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on Thursday after a bitter Tennessee primary battle that centered on support for President Donald Trump .
The win comes after a rancorous final stretch of the race that saw high profile endorsements , attacks on the airwaves and in person .
As of 8:15 p.m. CDT , the Associated Press had called the race for Hagerty , who had nearly 52 % of the vote with just under half of precincts reporting .
Hagerty , 60 , emerged victorious from a crowded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitor , Nashville orthopedic trauma surgeon Dr. Manny Sethi .
All were hoping to succeed retiring Republican U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander .
Just before 8 p.m. , as results continued to trickle in , Hagerty told The Tennessean while inside his Gallatin hotel room he expected to get a `` meaningful mandate '' from Republican voters .
More : Louisville caravan calls on Mitch McConnell to extend $ 600 supplement to jobless benefits “ I think they ’ ve been able to sense the fire in my belly and the truth in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attributed his early lead in the race to his resume .
He said voters saw his experience as an ambassador in the Trump administration and as economic development commissioner in Tennessee as a winning combination as the nation faces a pandemic and an economic crisis .
He was optimistic that voters would rally around him after a bruising primary .
“ Republicans are going to come together , I have every confidence that they will , '' Hagerty said .
“ They certainly don ’ t want to see us move in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hagerty 's comments came minutes after two dozen Hagerty campaign staff members leaned over laptops and analyzed results in a hotel conference room in Gallatin on Thursday night .
The team roared with approval as they pored over county results that showed Hagerty with a resounding early lead .
Hagerty stayed upstairs in the hotel as the results came in .
Sethi 's party at the Coffee County Conference Center struck a lively tone – until discouraging results began streaming in on TV feeds .
Former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp , who lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Sethi supporters he was on edge about the stakes of the election .
“ I ’ ve been involved in politics for 40 years , ” Wamp said .
“ I ’ m as nervous tonight about this race as I ever was about any of my own races.
” He spoke about the need to bring more diversity to the Republican Party , bringing in more candidates of color such as Nikki Haley , Tim Scott and Marco Rubio .
“ All due respect , we don ’ t need any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate , ” Wamp said to cheers as early results began to come in .
Despite a strong showing for a first-time candidate , Sethi was unable to overcome the president ’ s backing of his opponent .
He was forced to thread a narrow needle of criticizing Republicans like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell while pledging support for Trump .
The race began to draw national attention as the candidates and their allies exchanged negative ads in recent weeks .
Hagerty , 60 , sought to portray Sethi , 42 , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past involvement in Republican politics and various ties to the medical community .
Sethi , meanwhile , countered with attacks on Hagerty ’ s previous associations with moderate Republicans like Utah 's U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney , describing Hagerty as an establishment candidate who only backed Trump in 2016 after first supporting former Florida Gov .
Jeb Bush , for whom Hagerty served as a delegate , and Rubio , R-Florida .
After the primary , Hagerty went on to chair Trump 's Victory Committee .
While Hagerty led polling by double digits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s endorsement , Sethi gained momentum in early June , coinciding with both candidates ’ launch of television ad campaigns .
By early July , public polls in the race showed Hagerty narrowly leading by a few percentage points .
Despite 15 Republicans on the ballot , the race largely centered on Hagerty and Sethi .
This particular Tennessee GOP primary resulted in a significant divide within the party : Federal and state lawmakers sided with both candidates as the two campaigns called into question the other ’ s conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on specific policy issues , rather choosing to prove their support for Trump and echo his sentiments on hot-button topics : disavowing antifa and the Black Lives Matter movement , criticizing China for the COVID-19 pandemic and pledging to stand up to metaphorical liberal mobs .
Sethi , whose parents emigrated to the United States from India , dared people to call him racist when he argued against illegal immigration , police brutality protests and support for Trump ’ s border wall .
And although he is a medical doctor , Sethi repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing COVID-19 pandemic .
He recently called for Dr. Anthony Fauci ’ s firing from the White House coronavirus task force while defending the use of hydroxychloroquine , a drug touted by Trump that other administration officials have said is not proven an effective treatment for COVID-19 .

Natalie Allison and Joel Ebert, Nashville Tennessean

Bill Hagerty wins Tennessee's bitter Republican US Senate primary
Show Caption Hide Caption Protest leader wins Missouri congressional primary Cori Bush, a onetime homeless woman who led protests following a white police officer's fatal shooting of a Black teenager in Ferguson, has ousted longtime Rep. William Lacy Clay in Missouri's Democratic primary. (Aug. 5) AP
NASHVILLE – Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty secured the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on Thursday after a bitter Tennessee primary battle that centered on support for President Donald Trump.
The win comes after a rancorous final stretch of the race that saw high profile endorsements, attacks on the airwaves and in person.
As of 8:15 p.m. CDT, the Associated Press had called the race for Hagerty, who had nearly 52% of the vote with just under half of precincts reporting.
Hagerty, 60, emerged victorious from a crowded field of Republicans, including his closest competitor, Nashville orthopedic trauma surgeon Dr. Manny Sethi. All were hoping to succeed retiring Republican U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander.
Just before 8 p.m., as results continued to trickle in, Hagerty told The Tennessean while inside his Gallatin hotel room he expected to get a "meaningful mandate" from Republican voters.
More: Donald Trump claims Joe Biden is 'against God;' Biden calls attack 'shameful'
More: Louisville caravan calls on Mitch McConnell to extend $600 supplement to jobless benefits
“I think they’ve been able to sense the fire in my belly and the truth in my heart,” Hagerty said.
Hagerty attributed his early lead in the race to his resume. He said voters saw his experience as an ambassador in the Trump administration and as economic development commissioner in Tennessee as a winning combination as the nation faces a pandemic and an economic crisis.
He was optimistic that voters would rally around him after a bruising primary.
“Republicans are going to come together, I have every confidence that they will," Hagerty said. “They certainly don’t want to see us move in the direction of socialism in this nation.”
Hagerty's comments came minutes after two dozen Hagerty campaign staff members leaned over laptops and analyzed results in a hotel conference room in Gallatin on Thursday night. The team roared with approval as they pored over county results that showed Hagerty with a resounding early lead.
Hagerty stayed upstairs in the hotel as the results came in.
Sethi's party at the Coffee County Conference Center struck a lively tone – until discouraging results began streaming in on TV feeds.
Former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, who lost a bid for governor in 2010, told Sethi supporters he was on edge about the stakes of the election.
“I’ve been involved in politics for 40 years,” Wamp said. “I’m as nervous tonight about this race as I ever was about any of my own races.”
He spoke about the need to bring more diversity to the Republican Party, bringing in more candidates of color such as Nikki Haley, Tim Scott and Marco Rubio.
“All due respect, we don’t need any more rich old men in the U.S. Senate,” Wamp said to cheers as early results began to come in.
Despite a strong showing for a first-time candidate, Sethi was unable to overcome the president’s backing of his opponent. He was forced to thread a narrow needle of criticizing Republicans like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell while pledging support for Trump.
Race brought national attention
The race began to draw national attention as the candidates and their allies exchanged negative ads in recent weeks. Hagerty, 60, sought to portray Sethi, 42, as a liberal due to his lack of past involvement in Republican politics and various ties to the medical community.
Sethi, meanwhile, countered with attacks on Hagerty’s previous associations with moderate Republicans like Utah's U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, describing Hagerty as an establishment candidate who only backed Trump in 2016 after first supporting former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, for whom Hagerty served as a delegate, and Rubio, R-Florida.
After the primary, Hagerty went on to chair Trump's Victory Committee.
While Hagerty led polling by double digits for nearly a year as he touted the president’s endorsement, Sethi gained momentum in early June, coinciding with both candidates’ launch of television ad campaigns. By early July, public polls in the race showed Hagerty narrowly leading by a few percentage points.
Despite 15 Republicans on the ballot, the race largely centered on Hagerty and Sethi.
This particular Tennessee GOP primary resulted in a significant divide within the party: Federal and state lawmakers sided with both candidates as the two campaigns called into question the other’s conservative credentials.
Neither campaign focused much attention on specific policy issues, rather choosing to prove their support for Trump and echo his sentiments on hot-button topics: disavowing antifa and the Black Lives Matter movement, criticizing China for the COVID-19 pandemic and pledging to stand up to metaphorical liberal mobs.
Sethi, whose parents emigrated to the United States from India, dared people to call him racist when he argued against illegal immigration, police brutality protests and support for Trump’s border wall.
And although he is a medical doctor, Sethi repeatedly raised doubts about the severity of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He recently called for Dr. Anthony Fauci’s firing from the White House coronavirus task force while defending the use of hydroxychloroquine, a drug touted by Trump that other administration officials have said is not proven an effective treatment for COVID-19.
Follow Natalie Allison on Twitter at @natalie_allison.
Follow Joel Ebert on Twitter @joelebert29


usatoday--2020-08-07--3 cases of COVID-19 detected among workers who sought access to Democratic convention site in Milwau

MILWAUKEE – Three positive cases of COVID-19 were detected among workers who wanted access to the Wisconsin Center , site of the 2020 Democratic National Convention .
But convention organizers said those positive tests did n't trigger Wednesday 's announcement that speakers , including Joe Biden , would not be traveling to Milwaukee .
A convention spokesperson said Thursday : `` Ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved with the convention is our top priority .
In consultation with public health officials and experts , the Democratic National Convention Committee has implemented stringent health and safety protocols – including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex and contact tracing . ''
The news about the positive tests was first reported by The Daily Beast .
Daily testing for the novel coronavirus began last week during the build-out for the Aug. 17-20 convention .
More : The White House ?
Gettysburg ?
Florida ?
Trump team looks at options for nomination speech The testing system was set up three weeks before the convention .
The aim was to make sure the system worked and to screen workers who were required to be on the site .
Organizers sought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site and were around others .
Under the protocol , anyone who needed to access the Wisconsin Center needed to test negative 24 hours before entry .
Last week , there were two `` equivocal test results '' that indicated the potential presence of the virus .
But subsequent testing showed those were false positives .
This week , three positive cases were detected and the cases were reported to the Milwaukee Health Department .
Those who tested positive were given instructions to self-isolate .
`` It demonstrated the system was working , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter .
A representative of the Wisconsin Center District said staff there `` followed the guidelines set forth by our client regarding daily health screens . ''
`` The Wisconsin Center has followed all of the guidelines established for everyone entering the building , '' the statement said .
`` Ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved with the convention is the top priority of the client and the venue alike . ''

Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

3 cases of COVID-19 detected among workers who sought access to Democratic convention site in Milwaukee
Show Caption Hide Caption Biden skips Dem's Milwaukee nominating convention Joe Biden will not travel to Milwaukee to accept the Democratic presidential nomination because of concerns over the coronavirus, party officials said Wednesday, signaling a move to a convention that essentially has become entirely virtual. (Aug. 5) AP
MILWAUKEE – Three positive cases of COVID-19 were detected among workers who wanted access to the Wisconsin Center, site of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
But convention organizers said those positive tests didn't trigger Wednesday's announcement that speakers, including Joe Biden, would not be traveling to Milwaukee.
A convention spokesperson said Thursday: "Ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved with the convention is our top priority. In consultation with public health officials and experts, the Democratic National Convention Committee has implemented stringent health and safety protocols – including daily testing for anyone accessing the convention complex and contact tracing."
The news about the positive tests was first reported by The Daily Beast.
Daily testing for the novel coronavirus began last week during the build-out for the Aug. 17-20 convention.
More: Democrats set schedule for Aug. 17-20 national convention in Milwaukee
More: The White House? Gettysburg? Florida? Trump team looks at options for nomination speech
The testing system was set up three weeks before the convention. The aim was to make sure the system worked and to screen workers who were required to be on the site.
Organizers sought to identify cases early before people entered the site and were around others.
Under the protocol, anyone who needed to access the Wisconsin Center needed to test negative 24 hours before entry.
Last week, there were two "equivocal test results" that indicated the potential presence of the virus. But subsequent testing showed those were false positives.
This week, three positive cases were detected and the cases were reported to the Milwaukee Health Department. Those who tested positive were given instructions to self-isolate.
"It demonstrated the system was working," said a source familiar with the matter.
A representative of the Wisconsin Center District said staff there "followed the guidelines set forth by our client regarding daily health screens."
"The Wisconsin Center has followed all of the guidelines established for everyone entering the building," the statement said. "Ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved with the convention is the top priority of the client and the venue alike."


usatoday--2020-08-07--Judge dismisses GOP lawsuit over House's proxy voting system established due to COVID-19

WASHINGTON – A federal judge on Thursday tossed out a Republican-led lawsuit aiming to halt an unprecedented proxy voting system established by the House of Representatives due to the coronavirus pandemic , ruling that the House was immune from such a legal challenge .
The lawsuit , filed in federal district court in the District of Columbia by nearly two dozen House Republicans – led by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. – in late May , argued the proxy voting rules violated the U.S. Constitution because under the Constitution , a majority of lawmakers must be present to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The suit specifically targets House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , along with the House clerk and sergeant-at-arms .
U.S. District Judge Rudolph Cortreras wrote in an 18-page opinion dismissing the lawsuit that the House `` unquestionably has the authority , under the Constitution , to 'determine the Rules of its Proceedings , ' `` even though proxy voting had never before been used in the chamber as it is now .
`` The Court can conceive of few other actions , besides actually debating , speaking , or voting , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' than the regulation of how votes may be cast , '' Cortreras wrote before concluding the defendants were `` immune '' from such lawsuits due to the Speech or Debate clause in the U.S. Constitution , which has been used to shield members of Congress from lawsuits over speeches , debates and legislative acts .
More:20 Republican lawmakers file lawsuit against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over new proxy voting system Mark Bednar , a spokesman for McCarthy , told USA TODAY `` he will appeal '' the decision .
The dismissal was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped it would be the end of the GOP 's `` sad '' effort to halt the proxy rules .
`` Remote voting by proxy is fully consistent with the Constitution and more than a century of legal precedent , including Supreme Court cases , that make clear that the House can determine its own rules , '' the California Democrat said in a statement .
`` The nation is in the middle of a dangerous pandemic and the House of Representatives must continue to work . ''
She continued : `` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcome news and hopefully the end of this sad Republican effort to obstruct the House from meeting the needs of the American people during the coronavirus crisis . ''
More : How safe is Capitol Hill from COVID-19 ?
Here 's what we know .
The House developed and passed its historic proxy voting rules in May as the number of COVID-19 cases continued to rise –including within the halls of the U.S. Capitol .
It allowed members unable to come to Capitol Hill during the coronavirus pandemic to designate another lawmaker as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes on their behalf .
The goal was to allow lawmakers to have a voice if they could not travel to Washington safely .
The change came after the House passed a number of coronavirus packages that amounted to about $ 3 trillion , bills on which most lawmakers did not have much of a say in negotiations .
But Republicans argued that any measure passed under this system , especially those that pass by slim margins in which proxies cast deciding votes , could be called into question and lead to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More : Speaker Pelosi mandates wearing masks on House floor after Rep. Gohmert tests positive for COVID-19 More : Rep. Gohmert wonders if wearing a mask led to COVID-19 diagnosis despite health guidance to the contrary Proxy voting has been utilized largely by Democratic lawmakers , though Florida Republican Rep. Francis Rooney voted by proxy last month after a fellow Republican , Rep. Louie Gohmert , R-Texas , tested positive for the virus .
Gohmert had been known for violating social distancing rules and would frequently be spotted without a face mask in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` As I have said before , Congress should utilize modern technology to permit remote voting .
While I wanted to proxy vote as soon as the Speaker set it up , I agreed to wait until the lawsuit challenging its legality had been heard , which has now happened , '' Rooney , who is retiring , wrote on Twitter after the proxy vote .
He continued : `` Votes have been occurring remotely for several months now , with no adverse consequences .
Given the recent COVID-19 positive test results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , this method of voting is the prudent and rational course of action . ''
House Majority Leader Rep. Steny H. Hoyer , D-Md.
, said in a statement : “ Today , a federal court affirmed what was already clear from our Constitution : the House has the right to determine its own rules , including the allowance of proxy voting as an emergency measure during this pandemic .
`` I hope House Republicans will now join Democrats in using this measure , when necessary , so that Congress can continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID-19 in our districts and on Capitol Hill . ''

GOP appeals after Judge dismisses lawsuit over House's proxy voting system established due to COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption McCarthy: House proxy voting is unconstitutional For the first time, House lawmakers intend to vote by proxy, a move to avoid the risk of travel to Washington during the pandemic. To mark Wednesday's history-making moment, House Republicans sued to stop the majority party from going ahead. (May 27) AP
WASHINGTON – A federal judge on Thursday tossed out a Republican-led lawsuit aiming to halt an unprecedented proxy voting system established by the House of Representatives due to the coronavirus pandemic, ruling that the House was immune from such a legal challenge.
The lawsuit, filed in federal district court in the District of Columbia by nearly two dozen House Republicans – led by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. – in late May, argued the proxy voting rules violated the U.S. Constitution because under the Constitution, a majority of lawmakers must be present to take up business and vote on legislation. The suit specifically targets House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., along with the House clerk and sergeant-at-arms.
U.S. District Judge Rudolph Cortreras wrote in an 18-page opinion dismissing the lawsuit that the House "unquestionably has the authority, under the Constitution, to 'determine the Rules of its Proceedings,' " even though proxy voting had never before been used in the chamber as it is now.
"The Court can conceive of few other actions, besides actually debating, speaking, or voting, that could more accurately be described as 'legislative' than the regulation of how votes may be cast," Cortreras wrote before concluding the defendants were "immune" from such lawsuits due to the Speech or Debate clause in the U.S. Constitution, which has been used to shield members of Congress from lawsuits over speeches, debates and legislative acts.
More: 20 Republican lawmakers file lawsuit against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over new proxy voting system
The House GOP officially moved to appeal the decision Friday.
McCarthy said in a statement the "decision will not deter us from continuing to work to protect the voice and representation of the American people." .
"There is a history of challenges against unlawful actions taken by the U.S. House of Representatives, which show that unconstitutional actions are not protected by speech or debate," he said. "While Congress does write its own procedural rules – and we should – we cannot write rules that violate the Constitution."
The dismissal was welcomed by Pelosi, who said she hoped it would be the end of the GOP's "sad" effort to halt the proxy rules.
"Remote voting by proxy is fully consistent with the Constitution and more than a century of legal precedent, including Supreme Court cases, that make clear that the House can determine its own rules," the California Democrat said in a statement. "The nation is in the middle of a dangerous pandemic and the House of Representatives must continue to work."
She continued: "The dismissal of the House GOP lawsuit is welcome news and hopefully the end of this sad Republican effort to obstruct the House from meeting the needs of the American people during the coronavirus crisis."
More: How safe is Capitol Hill from COVID-19? Here's what we know.
The House developed and passed its historic proxy voting rules in May as the number of COVID-19 cases continued to rise –including within the halls of the U.S. Capitol. It allowed members unable to come to Capitol Hill during the coronavirus pandemic to designate another lawmaker as their "proxy" and cast floor votes on their behalf.
The goal was to allow lawmakers to have a voice if they could not travel to Washington safely. The change came after the House passed a number of coronavirus packages that amounted to about $3 trillion, bills on which most lawmakers did not have much of a say in negotiations.
But Republicans argued that any measure passed under this system, especially those that pass by slim margins in which proxies cast deciding votes, could be called into question and lead to a domino effect for years to come.
More: Speaker Pelosi mandates wearing masks on House floor after Rep. Gohmert tests positive for COVID-19
More: Rep. Gohmert wonders if wearing a mask led to COVID-19 diagnosis despite health guidance to the contrary
Proxy voting has been utilized largely by Democratic lawmakers, though Florida Republican Rep. Francis Rooney voted by proxy last month after a fellow Republican, Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, tested positive for the virus. Gohmert had been known for violating social distancing rules and would frequently be spotted without a face mask in the U.S. Capitol and its office buildings.
"As I have said before, Congress should utilize modern technology to permit remote voting. While I wanted to proxy vote as soon as the Speaker set it up, I agreed to wait until the lawsuit challenging its legality had been heard, which has now happened," Rooney, who is retiring, wrote on Twitter after the proxy vote.
He continued: "Votes have been occurring remotely for several months now, with no adverse consequences. Given the recent COVID-19 positive test results for my colleagues, including Louie Gohmert today, this method of voting is the prudent and rational course of action."
House Majority Leader Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., said in a statement: “Today, a federal court affirmed what was already clear from our Constitution: the House has the right to determine its own rules, including the allowance of proxy voting as an emergency measure during this pandemic.
"I hope House Republicans will now join Democrats in using this measure, when necessary, so that Congress can continue to do its work while preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our districts and on Capitol Hill."
Contributing: Savannah Behrmann
pp


usatoday--2020-08-06--Louisville caravan calls on Mitch McConnell to extend $600 supplement to jobless benefits

LOUISVILLE , Ky. – As negotiations on another coronavirus relief package continued in Washington , D.C. , Kentucky workers drove through Louisville on Thursday to call on congressional leaders , namely Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , to extend the $ 600 supplement to unemployment benefits that expired July 31 .
About two dozen workers blared their horns as they circled the downtown federal courthouse , home to McConnell 's office , before driving past the Republican senator 's Louisville home .
Signs reading `` Save the $ 600 '' and `` Mitch better have my money '' were taped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Katie Adams , of Bowling Green , said she is unemployed , having lost her job as a sales account manager .
`` We are in an unprecedented and global pandemic , and we need help , '' she said .
`` We did not ask for this to happen .
I want to be able to work . ''
She heard about the caravan on the Facebook page of Unemployment Action , a national campaign by the progressive Center for Popular Democracy , which organized the event .
The $ 600 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a product of the coronavirus relief bill that Congress passed in March .
Those weekly payments ended July 31 , leaving unemployed workers with only their regular jobless benefits , which vary by state and make up a fraction of their usual income .
`` Regular unemployment benefits are not going to cut it , '' Adams said .
`` We 're all looking for jobs .
We 're not lazy like people claim .
Believe me , I want to get back to work in my field doing what I love .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as some states , including Kentucky , have seen a rise in COVID-19 cases , leading to a pausing or rolling back of reopening plans .
New federal data on Thursday showed that just shy of 21,000 people in Kentucky filed new jobless claims during the week ending Aug. 1 , marking the 20th consecutive week that claims remained above 20,000 .
In remarks on the U.S. Senate floor on Thursday , McConnell blamed Democrats for the delay in extending benefits , pointing to their `` leisurely negotiating pace , '' `` political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic leadership , meanwhile , did not spare criticism of Republicans .
`` People will become homeless because Republicans are nickeling and diming , '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , told reporters at a Thursday press conference .
As of Thursday afternoon , Democrats , Republicans and White House officials were at a stalemate over what form the benefit extension would take .
More : Trump weighs executive action as negotiations progress on next coronavirus stimulus package Democrats are seeking to extend the $ 600 payments until January .
But some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so high that it disincentivizes workers from returning to their jobs .
Last week , McConnell unveiled the Health , Economic Assistance , Liability Protection and Schools Act , which proposes lowering the supplement to $ 200 through September , then moving to a benefit of 70 % of workers ’ pay when combined with state-level benefits .
Caravan participant Latrice Wilson of Louisville said the $ 200 would not even cover the cost of her monthly medication .
Wilson said she was laid off from her part-time job in April and furloughed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a payroll supervisor in the health care industry .
She said her last $ 600 federal bonus hit her bank account Wednesday .
`` Thank God I was able to save a little bit , '' she said .
`` But now I have to dip into my savings because we do n't have the extra $ 600 . ''
Bill Londrigan , president of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO , which also helped organize the caravan , said the $ 600 has been an important lifeline for workers and has helped inject money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to buy the necessities they need to put food on their table , '' he said .
`` And in an economy that 's in such desperate shape with millions of people unemployed and the lack of jobs , those folks need that money . ''

Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal

Louisville caravan calls on Mitch McConnell to extend $600 supplement to jobless benefits
Show Caption Hide Caption Louisville group calls for extension of unemployment supplement A caravan circled the federal courthouse to demand that Sen. Mitch McConnell extend unemployment benefits to people affected by COVID-19 shutdown. Sam Upshaw Jr., Louisville Courier Journal
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As negotiations on another coronavirus relief package continued in Washington, D.C., Kentucky workers drove through Louisville on Thursday to call on congressional leaders, namely Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, to extend the $600 supplement to unemployment benefits that expired July 31.
About two dozen workers blared their horns as they circled the downtown federal courthouse, home to McConnell's office, before driving past the Republican senator's Louisville home.
Signs reading "Save the $600" and "Mitch better have my money" were taped to many of the cars' windows.
Katie Adams, of Bowling Green, said she is unemployed, having lost her job as a sales account manager.
"We are in an unprecedented and global pandemic, and we need help," she said. "We did not ask for this to happen. I want to be able to work."
She heard about the caravan on the Facebook page of Unemployment Action, a national campaign by the progressive Center for Popular Democracy, which organized the event.
2020 campaign: Donald Trump claims Joe Biden is 'against God'
The $600 weekly supplement to state unemployment benefits was a product of the coronavirus relief bill that Congress passed in March.
Those weekly payments ended July 31, leaving unemployed workers with only their regular jobless benefits, which vary by state and make up a fraction of their usual income.
"Regular unemployment benefits are not going to cut it," Adams said. "We're all looking for jobs. We're not lazy like people claim. Believe me, I want to get back to work in my field doing what I love."
The lapsing of enhanced benefits comes as some states, including Kentucky, have seen a rise in COVID-19 cases, leading to a pausing or rolling back of reopening plans.
New federal data on Thursday showed that just shy of 21,000 people in Kentucky filed new jobless claims during the week ending Aug. 1, marking the 20th consecutive week that claims remained above 20,000.
In remarks on the U.S. Senate floor on Thursday, McConnell blamed Democrats for the delay in extending benefits, pointing to their "leisurely negotiating pace," "political theater" and refusal to compromise.
Democratic leadership, meanwhile, did not spare criticism of Republicans.
"People will become homeless because Republicans are nickeling and diming," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters at a Thursday press conference.
As of Thursday afternoon, Democrats, Republicans and White House officials were at a stalemate over what form the benefit extension would take.
More: Trump weighs executive action as negotiations progress on next coronavirus stimulus package
Unemployed workers worried about stimulus aid cuts Laid-off workers are worried about cuts in unemployment aid as Congress struggles to craft new legislation to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. The unemployed are anxious after a $600-per-week expanded unemployment benefit expired on July 31. (Aug. 3) AP
Democrats are seeking to extend the $600 payments until January.
But some Republicans argue the $600 figure is so high that it disincentivizes workers from returning to their jobs.
Last week, McConnell unveiled the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools Act, which proposes lowering the supplement to $200 through September, then moving to a benefit of 70% of workers’ pay when combined with state-level benefits.
Caravan participant Latrice Wilson of Louisville said the $200 would not even cover the cost of her monthly medication.
Wilson said she was laid off from her part-time job in April and furloughed in May from her full-time job as a payroll supervisor in the health care industry.
She said her last $600 federal bonus hit her bank account Wednesday.
"Thank God I was able to save a little bit," she said. "But now I have to dip into my savings because we don't have the extra $600."
Bill Londrigan, president of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO, which also helped organize the caravan, said the $600 has been an important lifeline for workers and has helped inject money into the economy.
"It goes to buy the necessities they need to put food on their table," he said. "And in an economy that's in such desperate shape with millions of people unemployed and the lack of jobs, those folks need that money."
Follow Matthew Glowicki on Twitter @mattglo