usatoday--2020-07-25--DHS team deployed to Seattle; unit on standby in case of new unrest in city

The Department of Homeland Security has dispatched a team of officers to Seattle as a precaution against a new round of protests expected this weekend , as the federal government 's law enforcement footprint continues to expand in major U.S. cities .
A tactical unit drawn from the ranks of U.S. Customs and Border Protection , which also has dispatched officers to Portland , Oregon , where federal authorities have clashed with protesters almost nightly , is being placed on stand-by in Seattle to back-up existing Federal Protective Services officers who are securing government buildings in the city .
Authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dozen , does not compare with the more than 100 dispatched to Portland , where demonstrations against police brutality have continued since the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police .
`` The department ’ s mission is to ensure that we are prepared for all threats , all the time , '' DHS said in a statement .
`` In this environment , all major metropolitan areas have additional capabilities on standby to protect facilities .
This is prudent and commonsense .
`` There is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time , '' the agency maintained .
`` As threats warrant , any large scale use of law enforcement assets will involve close coordination with local law enforcement .
There are no other cities across the country that have the same threats and lack of local law enforcement support as we are experiencing in Portland . ''
Brian Moran , U.S. attorney in Washington , said the agents will help protect federal buildings in the city , including the federal courthouse in downtown Seattle that has been broken into and vandalized .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence that has marred the Portland protests damage peaceful movements here for a more just society , '' Moran said in a statement .
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said Friday that she had not been notified in advance of the DHS deployment but had been assured by acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf that `` Seattle was not Portland '' and there was no plan to surge large numbers to the city .
If federal authorities stray from that understanding , Durkan said the city is `` prepared to take every legal step necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said local authorities had not asked DHS for additional assistance and called for federal authorities not to intervene .
`` The administration should focus on ways to protect civil rights and make the changes Americans are calling for , not cause further provocation and increase tensions , '' Cantwell said .
With additional demonstrations planned Saturday and Sunday , Durkan appealed for protesters to reject the violence and destruction that marred public displays Sunday and Wednesday .
The Seattle deployment , first reported by The New York Times , comes after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into tactics used by federal agents against protesters in Portland and Washington , D.C. , where officers forcibly removed demonstrators near the White House last month . '
I was horrified ' : Witnesses injured by police testify about Trump 's photo op at Lafayette Square The Justice inquiry is being coordinated with DHS ' inspector general .
The federal response to local protests is only one aspect of the government 's recent forays into American cities .
Earlier this week , President Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr announced that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago and Albuquerque , New Mexico , to assist local authorities with persistent violent crime .
Officials later added Detroit to that list .
Federal surge : Donald Trump announces a 'surge ' of federal law officers in Chicago to work with the city on crime problem Shrouded in politics : Mayors see broken trust , political agenda in Trump 's surge of federal officers to US cities The government 's action has prompted increasing opposition from many city leaders who assert that the strategy is more an attempt to revive Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety operation .
Trump , however , has vowed to expand the anti-crime operation to even more cities across the country led by Democrats .

DHS team deployed to Seattle; unit on standby in case of new unrest in city
Show Caption Hide Caption The law that allows DHS to send federal agents to cities like Portland The Trump administration sends federal agents in cities like Portland by citing the Department of Homeland Security. Here is breakdown on the law. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Department of Homeland Security has dispatched a team of officers to Seattle as a precaution against a new round of protests expected this weekend, as the federal government's law enforcement footprint continues to expand in major U.S. cities.
A tactical unit drawn from the ranks of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which also has dispatched officers to Portland, Oregon, where federal authorities have clashed with protesters almost nightly, is being placed on stand-by in Seattle to back-up existing Federal Protective Services officers who are securing government buildings in the city.
Authorities said the number of officers, about a dozen, does not compare with the more than 100 dispatched to Portland, where demonstrations against police brutality have continued since the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
Federal agents tear gas Portland mayor The mayor of Portland, Oregon, was tear gassed by the U.S. government late Wednesday as he stood at a fence guarding a federal courthouse during another night of protest against the presence of federal agents sent by President Donald Trump. (July 23) AP
"The department’s mission is to ensure that we are prepared for all threats, all the time," DHS said in a statement. "In this environment, all major metropolitan areas have additional capabilities on standby to protect facilities. This is prudent and commonsense.
"There is no large-scale deployment of personnel to Seattle at this time," the agency maintained. "As threats warrant, any large scale use of law enforcement assets will involve close coordination with local law enforcement. There are no other cities across the country that have the same threats and lack of local law enforcement support as we are experiencing in Portland."
Brian Moran, U.S. attorney in Washington, said the agents will help protect federal buildings in the city, including the federal courthouse in downtown Seattle that has been broken into and vandalized.
"Let’s not let the violence that has marred the Portland protests damage peaceful movements here for a more just society," Moran said in a statement.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said Friday that she had not been notified in advance of the DHS deployment but had been assured by acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf that "Seattle was not Portland" and there was no plan to surge large numbers to the city.
If federal authorities stray from that understanding, Durkan said the city is "prepared to take every legal step necessary."
Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said local authorities had not asked DHS for additional assistance and called for federal authorities not to intervene.
"The administration should focus on ways to protect civil rights and make the changes Americans are calling for, not cause further provocation and increase tensions," Cantwell said.
With additional demonstrations planned Saturday and Sunday, Durkan appealed for protesters to reject the violence and destruction that marred public displays Sunday and Wednesday.
The Seattle deployment, first reported by The New York Times, comes after the Justice Department inspector general Thursday announced an investigation into tactics used by federal agents against protesters in Portland and Washington, D.C., where officers forcibly removed demonstrators near the White House last month.
'I was horrified': Witnesses injured by police testify about Trump's photo op at Lafayette Square
The Justice inquiry is being coordinated with DHS' inspector general.
The federal response to local protests is only one aspect of the government's recent forays into American cities.
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr announced that hundreds of officers were being surged to Chicago and Albuquerque, New Mexico, to assist local authorities with persistent violent crime. Officials later added Detroit to that list.
Federal surge: Donald Trump announces a 'surge' of federal law officers in Chicago to work with the city on crime problem
Shrouded in politics: Mayors see broken trust, political agenda in Trump's surge of federal officers to US cities
The government's action has prompted increasing opposition from many city leaders who assert that the strategy is more an attempt to revive Trump's sagging political standing than a true public safety operation.
Trump, however, has vowed to expand the anti-crime operation to even more cities across the country led by Democrats.
Contributing: William Cummings, Nicholas Wu and Kristine Phillips


usatoday--2020-07-24--Arson suspected in fire at Arizona Democratic Party headquarters in Phoenix

PHOENIX – Investigators in Arizona believe a fire that caused extensive damage to the state Democratic Party headquarters early Friday in downtown Phoenix was intentionally set .
Heavy smoke and fire were billowing from the building around 1 a.m. as Phoenix firefighters arrived on scene .
They quickly entered the building to search for persons and began a fire attack to put out the flames , according to officials .
No one was inside the building at the time , and no injuries were reported .
Phoenix Fire Investigation Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Phoenix police spokeswoman Sgt .
Mercedes Fortune said the incident is being investigated as an arson based on evidence discovered at the scene .
Phoenix police also responded to the fire to assist with security and traffic control of the area , according to Fortune .
Felecia Rotellini , chair of the state Democratic Party , learned of the fire early at 2 a.m. after the security system went off and staffers made her aware .
“ At this point , it ’ s too soon to tell , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage .
“ The investigators are scheduled to be at the scene at 8 a.m. so we don ’ t know anything right now , but we ’ re very fortunate that everyone is safe and in this virtual environment .
We can continue to run the party and do everything we need to do for November .
`` While this is devastating , our eyes are on the prize in November and this just makes us stronger , ” she said .
The fire appeared to have caused extensive damage , particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the Maricopa County Democratic Party works from .
Steven Slugocki , county party chair , said he believes all of their computers , phones , desks , and files were lost in the fire .
“ It 's a devastating loss for us and I 'm truly heartbroken , ” Slugocki told The Arizona Republic .
More : Trump cancels Jacksonville portion of Republican convention planned for August due to COVID-19 The fire comes as the county Democratic Party was set for its summer convention Saturday .
More than 700 Democrats from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual event , where candidates make their pitch to voters , raise money and talk about the party ’ s activities heading into November .
It ’ s unclear how the fire will affect the event , said Slugocki .
Sen. Kamala D. Harris , D-Calif. , was to address county Democrats with a pre-recorded message .
The Arizona Democratic Party is using the fire and its extensive damage as a way to step up fundraising , with just 100 days to go ahead of the November election .
`` The damage is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dedication of the teams at the state and county parties , '' the fundraising email said .
`` However , as with any setback we have encountered , we will adapt , rebuild , and continue moving ever forward for the sake of creating a better Arizona that works for all of us . ''
The contents of the county office included laptops and tablets and years of documents and historic election memorabilia , according to statement released by the county party on Friday .
The fire is the second incident with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the last two months .
At the end of May , Bullhead City police were investigating damage at a Republican field office in Mohave County , where six people were gathered inside for a `` MAGA Meet Up '' to support President Donald Trump 's reelection .
Police determined that an unknown object went through the office window and blinds but did not believe it was caused by a firearm .

Audrey Jensen and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Arizona Republic

Arson suspected in fire at Arizona Democratic Party headquarters in Phoenix
Show Caption Hide Caption What a fire at the Arizona Democratic Party headquarters means 100 days from the election State and Maricopa County Democratic party leaders discuss what a fire at their headquarters means 100 days from the election and what was lost. David Wallace, The Republic | azcentral.com
PHOENIX – Investigators in Arizona believe a fire that caused extensive damage to the state Democratic Party headquarters early Friday in downtown Phoenix was intentionally set.
Heavy smoke and fire were billowing from the building around 1 a.m. as Phoenix firefighters arrived on scene. They quickly entered the building to search for persons and began a fire attack to put out the flames, according to officials.
No one was inside the building at the time, and no injuries were reported.
Phoenix Fire Investigation Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigators were investigating the fire. Phoenix police spokeswoman Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said the incident is being investigated as an arson based on evidence discovered at the scene.
Phoenix police also responded to the fire to assist with security and traffic control of the area, according to Fortune.
Felecia Rotellini, chair of the state Democratic Party, learned of the fire early at 2 a.m. after the security system went off and staffers made her aware.
“At this point, it’s too soon to tell,” she said, referring to the extent of the damage. “The investigators are scheduled to be at the scene at 8 a.m. so we don’t know anything right now, but we’re very fortunate that everyone is safe and in this virtual environment. We can continue to run the party and do everything we need to do for November.
"While this is devastating, our eyes are on the prize in November and this just makes us stronger,” she said.
The fire appeared to have caused extensive damage, particularly on the north side of the building where the Maricopa County Democratic Party works from.
Steven Slugocki, county party chair, said he believes all of their computers, phones, desks, and files were lost in the fire.
“It's a devastating loss for us and I'm truly heartbroken,” Slugocki told The Arizona Republic.
More: Trump cancels Jacksonville portion of Republican convention planned for August due to COVID-19
More: DNC chair Tom Perez reaffirms Democrats' plans for Milwaukee convention after Trump cancels Jacksonville event
The fire comes as the county Democratic Party was set for its summer convention Saturday.
More than 700 Democrats from across Maricopa County were to attend the virtual event, where candidates make their pitch to voters, raise money and talk about the party’s activities heading into November.
It’s unclear how the fire will affect the event, said Slugocki.
Sen. Kamala D. Harris, D-Calif., was to address county Democrats with a pre-recorded message.
The Arizona Democratic Party is using the fire and its extensive damage as a way to step up fundraising, with just 100 days to go ahead of the November election.
"The damage is a devastating blow to the hard work and dedication of the teams at the state and county parties," the fundraising email said. "However, as with any setback we have encountered, we will adapt, rebuild, and continue moving ever forward for the sake of creating a better Arizona that works for all of us."
The contents of the county office included laptops and tablets and years of documents and historic election memorabilia, according to statement released by the county party on Friday.
The fire is the second incident with damage to a political building in Arizona in the last two months.
At the end of May, Bullhead City police were investigating damage at a Republican field office in Mohave County, where six people were gathered inside for a "MAGA Meet Up" to support President Donald Trump's reelection.
Police determined that an unknown object went through the office window and blinds but did not believe it was caused by a firearm.
Follow Audrey Jensen on Twittera: @Audreyj101.


usatoday--2020-07-24--Michigan State football team will quarantine for 14 days following more positive COVID-19 tests

A couple hours after Michigan State Spartans offensive lineman Jordan Reid went on Twitter to ask why the 2020 college football season was being played , the school announced Friday that all members of the football team will quarantine , or isolate , for 14 days .
MSU initially stopped football workouts on Wednesday after a member of the staff tested positive for COVID-19 following a round of testing that took last weekend .
During additional surveillance testing , which took place Wednesday , a second staff member and one student-athlete tested positive .
As part of the athletic department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all athletes who come in close contact with an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 must quarantine and isolate .
MSU announced earlier that week students who test positive will be housed in Akers Hall , their off-campus home or permanent residence .
SPRING FOOTBALL : Playing in the spring might sound easy , but plenty of hurdles exist The players will have to complete surveillance testing again , and be cleared , before returning to workouts .
On Friday morning , Reid , a senior who has started every game the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are testing positive across the country left and right ... why is there still discussion on a season ?
Why is it taking so long to make a logical decision ?
Hmm let me guess REVENUE . ''
It was announced on July 17 that three athletes and a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Five players tested positive in June .
MSU is not the first Power 5 school to suspend summer workouts .
North Carolina , Ohio State , Kansas and Kansas State all stopped their workouts at one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to name a few .
Clemson had 43 student-athletes test positive for COVID-19 throughout the summer , but the school said today it has no active cases .
Contact digital sports reporter Phil Friend at 517-377-1220 or pfriend @ lsj.com .
Follow him on Twitter @ Phil_Friend .

Michigan State football team will quarantine for 14 days following more positive COVID-19 tests
Show Caption Hide Caption Fragility of college football season: 'All it's going to take is one bad outcome' SportsPulse: Dan Wolken and Paul Myerberg discuss if there will be college football this fall. As Wolken put its, all it takes is one bad outcome due to the pandemic to send the sport into chaos. USA TODAY
A couple hours after Michigan State Spartans offensive lineman Jordan Reid went on Twitter to ask why the 2020 college football season was being played, the school announced Friday that all members of the football team will quarantine, or isolate, for 14 days.
MSU initially stopped football workouts on Wednesday after a member of the staff tested positive for COVID-19 following a round of testing that took last weekend. During additional surveillance testing, which took place Wednesday, a second staff member and one student-athlete tested positive.
As part of the athletic department's outline on returning to action, all athletes who come in close contact with an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 must quarantine and isolate.
MSU announced earlier that week students who test positive will be housed in Akers Hall, their off-campus home or permanent residence.
JOHN BLAKE: Former Oklahoma Sooners coach dies at 59
SPRING FOOTBALL: Playing in the spring might sound easy, but plenty of hurdles exist
TESTING: NFL, college football will increase strain on nation's COVID-19 testing capacity
The players will have to complete surveillance testing again, and be cleared, before returning to workouts.
On Friday morning, Reid, a senior who has started every game the past two seasons, tweeted, "Guys are testing positive across the country left and right...why is there still discussion on a season? Why is it taking so long to make a logical decision? Hmm let me guess REVENUE."
Guys are testing positive across the country left and right...why is there still discussion on a season? Why is it taking so long to make a logical decision? Hmm let me guess REVENUE #NCAA #B1G10 — J.Reid (@jordanreid58) July 24, 2020
It was announced on July 17 that three athletes and a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19. Five players tested positive in June.
MSU is not the first Power 5 school to suspend summer workouts. North Carolina, Ohio State, Kansas and Kansas State all stopped their workouts at one point following a rise in cases, to name a few. Clemson had 43 student-athletes test positive for COVID-19 throughout the summer, but the school said today it has no active cases.
Contact digital sports reporter Phil Friend at 517-377-1220 or pfriend@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Phil_Friend.


usatoday--2020-07-25--MLB Opening Day live updates: Cubs' Kyle Hendricks tosses complete game shutout vs. Brewers

Major League Baseball 's 2020 season officially began Thursday night but with 14 games on the schedule Friday , we 'll call this Opening Day proper .
And with a 60-game season and expanded playoffs , it 's going to be a year unlike any other .
Friday 's slate begins at 4:10 p.m .
ET with the Mets and Braves facing off at Citi Field .
Elsewhere , the Cubs host the Brewers ( 7:10 p.m. ) and the Diamondbacks visit the Padres ( 9:10 p.m. ) in a series that could already shape the course of those division @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include White Sox phenom Luis Robert making his big-league debut , Madison Bumgarner 's Arizona debut and the Astros ' first competitive game since the cheating scandal that dominated the offseason .
Stick around for updates and highlights from Friday 's games ( all times EST ) : The Cubs beat the Brewers 3-0 behind a masterful performance from Kyle Hendricks .
The right-hander went the distance on 103 pitches , giving up just three hits with nine strikeouts and no walks .
Ian Happ hit a two-run homer in the third inning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a solo shot in the eighth to give the Cubs a bigger cushion .
White Sox center fielder Luis Robert – one of baseball 's top prospects – singled in his first career at-bat , lacing a ball to left field on the first pitch from Twins starter Jose Berrios .
The Twins set a major-league record with 307 home runs last season and on Friday , picked up right where they left off .
Minnesota right fielder Max Kepler homered on the first pitch of the new season , delivered a home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kepler homered against in the second .
Playing in his first MLB game , Rays third baseman Yoshitomo Tsutsugo hit a two-run homer off Blue Jays lefty Hyun-jin Ryu in the fifth inning of Friday night 's game .
Tsutsugo , 28 , had long been one of the top sluggers in the Nippon Professional Baseball , hitting 205 homers with a .910 OPS since making his debut as an 18-year-old in 2010 .
New Reds come through ( 7:15 p.m. ) A trendy pick in the National League this season , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 64 million contracts to Mike Moustakas and Nick Castellanos – both of whom delivered early on Opening Day against the Tigers .
After Castellanos was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in a run in the first , Moustakas knocked an RBI single to make it 2-0 .
In the third , Castellanos doubled to left and scored on another Moustakas RBI single .
In the sixth inning , outfielder Shogo Akiyama – signed from Japan in the offseason – added an RBI single of his own as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , going on to hit a two-run homer in the seventh .
Playing his first game in more than two years , Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes hit a solo home run in the seventh inning off Atlanta 's Chris Martin , breaking the ice in a scoreless game .
Cespedes , 34 , is the team 's designated hitter on Friday but had n't played in a regular-season game since July 20 , 2018 due to heel and ankle injuries .
The Mets held on to win 1-0 .
Mets ace Jacob deGrom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 85 pitches ) , giving up one hit with eight strikeouts .
Naturally , the Mets did n't score a run for the two-time reigning Cy Young winner – but JD Davis did his best , getting robbed of extra bases by Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte with a runner on base in the fifth .
We are underway !
In a battle of NL award contenders , Jacob deGrom struck out Ronald Acuña Jr. to start the day .
MLB announced its latest COVID-19 test results , with six of 10,939 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
The league said that four of the positives were players and two were staff members .
In early lineup news , Luis Robert is batting seventh and starting in center field for the White Sox .
The 22-year-old signed a $ 50 million extension in the offseason – that could be worth $ 88 million – before even playing a game in the majors .
“ He ’ s got all the tools .
When somebody signs a pretty good deal before they even get to the big leagues , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real shot to be special , '' White Sox starter Dallas Keuchel said of Robert .
`` And he knows that , which is great .
But he also puts in the work ''

MLB Opening Day as it happened: Kyle Hendricks tosses shutout, Yoenis Cespedes homers in return
Show Caption Hide Caption October madness: How the 16-team MLB postseason will work What I'm Hearing: October baseball just went into overdrive . Bob Nightengale explains how the 16-team postseason will work for MLB. USA TODAY
Major League Baseball's 2020 season officially began Thursday night but with 14 games on the schedule Friday, we'll call this Opening Day proper.
And with a 60-game season and expanded playoffs, it's going to be a year unlike any other.
Friday's slate began at 4:10 p.m. ET with the Mets and Braves facing off at Citi Field. Elsewhere, the Cubs host the Brewers (7:10 p.m.) and the Diamondbacks visit the Padres (9:10 p.m.) in a series that could already shape the course of those division races.
Some other big stories today include White Sox phenom Luis Robert making his big-league debut, Madison Bumgarner's Arizona debut and the Astros' first competitive game since the cheating scandal that dominated the offseason.
Here's a look back at Friday in baseball as it happened:
Olson hits walk-off slam (2:20 a.m.)
In the league's first game with the new extra-innings rule, Oakland first baseman Matt Olson hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th to give the Athletics a 7-3 win over the Angels.
A walk and a hit batsman – in addition to a runner starting on second – loaded the bases for Olson, who delivered the first walk-off slam on Opening Day since 1986.
In the top of the frame, Shohei Ohtani – the first player to ever begin an inning on second – was thrown out trying to advance to third on a ground ball.
Hello yes @mlb we can confirm the new extra inning rules are VERY good #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/soVyXeS6Y3 — Oakland A's (@Athletics) July 25, 2020
Hosmer had a night (midnight)
San Diego 1B Eric Hosmer had quite an Opening Night. He hit three-run doubles in the sixth and seventh innings, racking up six RBI.
In the sixth, he knocked out D-backs ace Madison Bumgarner. He broke the game open with another three-run double the following inning off Junior Guerra en route to a Padres 7-2 win.
Eric Hosmer is the first #Padres player ever to collect six RBI on #SDOpeningDay.
It's also the most Opening Day RBI in @MLB since Placido Polanco in 2010.#FriarFaithful pic.twitter.com/Np8Y0vzC9y — San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 25, 2020
Hendricks tosses shutout (9:45 p.m.)
The Cubs beat the Brewers 3-0 behind a masterful performance from Kyle Hendricks. The right-hander went the distance on 103 pitches, giving up just three hits with nine strikeouts and no walks.
Ian Happ hit a two-run homer in the third inning off Brandon Woodruff and Anthony Rizzo added a solo shot in the eighth to give the Cubs a bigger cushion.
Robert gets first big-league hit (9:10 p.m.)
White Sox center fielder Luis Robert – one of baseball's top prospects – singled in his first career at-bat, lacing a ball to left field on the first pitch from Twins starter Jose Berrios.
The first of many! pic.twitter.com/knvSkXd2ka — Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 25, 2020
Bomba Squad back at it (8:40 p.m.)
The Twins set a major-league record with 307 home runs last season and on Friday, picked up right where they left off.
Minnesota right fielder Max Kepler homered on the first pitch of the new season, delivered a home run against White Sox starter Lucas Giolito.
Kepler homered against in the second.
Yoshi goes yard for Rays (8:30 p.m.)
Playing in his first MLB game, Rays third baseman Yoshitomo Tsutsugo hit a two-run homer off Blue Jays lefty Hyun-jin Ryu in the fifth inning of Friday night's game.
Tsutsugo, 28, had long been one of the top sluggers in the Nippon Professional Baseball, hitting 205 homers with a .910 OPS since making his debut as an 18-year-old in 2010.
YOSHI! Tsutsugo gets his first Major League hit by sending this ball to the seats! pic.twitter.com/geZqLANoPZ — DRaysBay (@draysbay) July 25, 2020
New Reds come through (7:15 p.m.)
A trendy pick in the National League this season, Cincinnati overhauled its offense by handing $64 million contracts to Mike Moustakas and Nick Castellanos – both of whom delivered early on Opening Day against the Tigers.
After Castellanos was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in a run in the first, Moustakas knocked an RBI single to make it 2-0. In the third, Castellanos doubled to left and scored on another Moustakas RBI single.
In the sixth inning, outfielder Shogo Akiyama – signed from Japan in the offseason – added an RBI single of his own as a pinch-hitter.
And Moustakas wasn't done, going on to hit a two-run homer in the seventh.
Mike Moustakas walked into his post-game Zoom press conference with shaving cream on his hoodie, head. He said they celebrated Shogo Akiyama's 1st hit and Sonny Gray's 1,000th strikeout. #Reds — Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) July 25, 2020
Cespedes homers in return (6:05 p.m.)
Playing his first game in more than two years, Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes hit a solo home run in the seventh inning off Atlanta's Chris Martin, breaking the ice in a scoreless game. Cespedes, 34, is the team's designated hitter on Friday but hadn't played in a regular-season game since July 20, 2018 due to heel and ankle injuries.
The Mets held on to win 1-0.
deGrom dealing (5:25 p.m.)
Mets ace Jacob deGrom is removed after pitching five shutout innings (85 pitches), giving up one hit with eight strikeouts. Naturally, the Mets didn't score a run for the two-time reigning Cy Young winner – but JD Davis did his best, getting robbed of extra bases by Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte with a runner on base in the fifth.
Great grab by Inciarte...
Soroka is fired up (well, as fired up as he gets 😀). pic.twitter.com/xpb4Z9PTZ0 — Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 24, 2020
Play ball (4:15 p.m.)
We are underway! In a battle of NL award contenders, Jacob deGrom struck out Ronald Acuña Jr. to start the day.
Starting the season right where he left off. @JdeGrom19 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/mHwChS97W5 — New York Mets (@Mets) July 24, 2020
COVID-19 test results (3:50 p.m)
MLB announced its latest COVID-19 test results, with six of 10,939 tests coming back positive in the past week. The league said that four of the positives were players and two were staff members.
#MLB and union announce that four players tested positive for coronavirus in past week. That’s down from six last week and 12 during the first week of “maintenance testing.” — Gabe Lacques (@GabeLacques) July 24, 2020
Luis Robert set to debut (3:15 p.m.)
In early lineup news, Luis Robert is batting seventh and starting in center field for the White Sox. The 22-year-old signed a $50 million extension in the offseason – that could be worth $88 million – before even playing a game in the majors.
“He’s got all the tools. When somebody signs a pretty good deal before they even get to the big leagues, then you know they’ve got a real shot to be special," White Sox starter Dallas Keuchel said of Robert. "And he knows that, which is great. But he also puts in the work"


usatoday--2020-07-24--'Best thing for our kids': Vice President Mike Pence discusses reopening schools and colleges

INDIANAPOLIS – Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos met with higher education leaders about safely reopening schools amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on Friday at Marian University .
Pence stressed the need to reopen schools .
“ Opening up our schools again is the best thing for our kids , '' he said .
`` It ’ s also the best thing for working families and it 's the best thing to move America forward . ''
The vice president said the Trump administration will support Indiana , and all states , with the resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he does n't want a lack of resources to stop schools from opening .
Also in attendance were Indiana Gov .
Eric Holcomb , Dr. Deborah Birx , the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force , and administrators from Marian University , Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana and Indiana University .
More : CDC COVID-19 advice tells schools to wash hands , wear masks , do n't touch .
But not when to close The roundtable comes as Indiana 's K-12 schools and higher education institutions prepare for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's colleges and universities have plans to resume in-person instruction , though many have amended their schedules to limit student travel and are developing robust protocols to test students for the novel coronavirus .
At Indiana 's K-12 schools , districts have started to amend their reopening plans in the last week or so as cases of the coronavirus began to surge .
Several school districts in Central Indiana decided to start the year virtually and more of them have pushed back the start of the school year by a week or more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a daylong trip to Indiana for the vice president and second lady Karen Pence .
While the event was at a university with a roundtable of largely higher education people , Pence , DeVos and Birx started with more general education remarks , stressing the need to reopen schools and the impact on families .
Pence and Birx called on Hoosiers to do their part to open up the state and wear a mask .
“ It ’ s not asking a lot of people to wear a mask , it really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s not asking a lot of people to not go to a bar for a few months.
” About 35 people were in the audience , in chairs spaced about 6 feet apart .
Marion administrators spoke about plans to reopen the campus , including mask requirements , social distancing and more .
And two students present shared what being in an on-campus setting means for their classes and for athletics .
Pence said that it was the students ' words that were his biggest takeaway from the comments .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the in-person connection impacts them both personally and academically .
“ I ’ m going to carry that back as one more argument , '' he said , `` about how important it is to get students back on campus . ''
In Indiana , Purdue University President Mitch Daniels was an early advocate for bringing students back to college campuses and has pushed forward with plans to return 40,000 students to West Lafayette .
About 500 students arrived on campus for Purdue ’ s Summer Start and Early Start programs earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for COVID-19 .
Purdue has made a negative test mandatory to attend classes or move into a residence hall .
Indiana University will require all on-campus students to be tested .
The university shut down voluntary football workouts last week after a number of players tested positive .
Two football players at the University of Notre Dame have also tested positive since returning to the South Bend campus this summer .
The White House has been urging K-12 and higher education institutions to reopen for in-person instruction , with President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the withholding of federal funds for those that don ’ t reopen .
He also recently accused schools of “ radical left indoctrination ” and called for an examination into their tax-exempt status .
During a visit to South Carolina on Tuesday , Pence said he `` would n't hesitate '' to send his own children back to the classroom if they were still school-aged , despite the rise in coronavirus cases in many parts of the country .
`` We know to open up America again we need to open up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s also right on the facts , '' Pence said during a discussion with state leaders about reopening .
Contributing : Arika Herron of The Indianapolis Star , Chris Sikich of USA TODAY

'Best thing for our kids': Vice President Mike Pence discusses reopening schools and colleges
INDIANAPOLIS – Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos met with higher education leaders about safely reopening schools amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on Friday at Marian University.
Pence stressed the need to reopen schools.
“Opening up our schools again is the best thing for our kids," he said. "It’s also the best thing for working families and it's the best thing to move America forward."
The vice president said the Trump administration will support Indiana, and all states, with the resources needed to open schools, and said that he doesn't want a lack of resources to stop schools from opening.
Also in attendance were Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, and administrators from Marian University, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana and Indiana University.
More: CDC COVID-19 advice tells schools to wash hands, wear masks, don't touch. But not when to close
The roundtable comes as Indiana's K-12 schools and higher education institutions prepare for the coming school year. Most of Indiana's colleges and universities have plans to resume in-person instruction, though many have amended their schedules to limit student travel and are developing robust protocols to test students for the novel coronavirus.
At Indiana's K-12 schools, districts have started to amend their reopening plans in the last week or so as cases of the coronavirus began to surge. Several school districts in Central Indiana decided to start the year virtually and more of them have pushed back the start of the school year by a week or more.
The roundtable on reopening was part of a daylong trip to Indiana for the vice president and second lady Karen Pence.
While the event was at a university with a roundtable of largely higher education people, Pence, DeVos and Birx started with more general education remarks, stressing the need to reopen schools and the impact on families.
Pence and Birx called on Hoosiers to do their part to open up the state and wear a mask.
“It’s not asking a lot of people to wear a mask, it really isn't,” Birx said. “It’s not asking a lot of people to not go to a bar for a few months.”
About 35 people were in the audience, in chairs spaced about 6 feet apart.
Marion administrators spoke about plans to reopen the campus, including mask requirements, social distancing and more. And two students present shared what being in an on-campus setting means for their classes and for athletics.
Pence said that it was the students' words that were his biggest takeaway from the comments. He said he was struck by how the in-person connection impacts them both personally and academically.
“I’m going to carry that back as one more argument," he said, "about how important it is to get students back on campus."
In Indiana, Purdue University President Mitch Daniels was an early advocate for bringing students back to college campuses and has pushed forward with plans to return 40,000 students to West Lafayette.
About 500 students arrived on campus for Purdue’s Summer Start and Early Start programs earlier this month. Of those, only three tested positive for COVID-19. Purdue has made a negative test mandatory to attend classes or move into a residence hall.
Indiana University will require all on-campus students to be tested. The university shut down voluntary football workouts last week after a number of players tested positive.
Two football players at the University of Notre Dame have also tested positive since returning to the South Bend campus this summer.
The White House has been urging K-12 and higher education institutions to reopen for in-person instruction, with President Donald Trump going so far as to call for the withholding of federal funds for those that don’t reopen. He also recently accused schools of “radical left indoctrination” and called for an examination into their tax-exempt status.
During a visit to South Carolina on Tuesday, Pence said he "wouldn't hesitate" to send his own children back to the classroom if they were still school-aged, despite the rise in coronavirus cases in many parts of the country.
"We know to open up America again we need to open up America’s schools, but it’s also right on the facts," Pence said during a discussion with state leaders about reopening.
Contributing: Arika Herron of The Indianapolis Star, Chris Sikich of USA TODAY
Follow MJ Slaby on Twitter: @mjslaby


usatoday--2020-07-24--Topps selling trading card of Dr. Anthony Fauci's first pitch for 24 hours

This potential collector 's item wo n't be available for long .
Topps is launching a limited edition trading card @ @ @ @ @ by Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases @ @ @ @ @ MLB season opener between the Washington Nationals and the New York Yankees .
Orders can @ @ @ @ @ 's website , but the card will be for sale only 24 hours .
The @ @ @ @ @ Fauci in his Nationals jersey , cap and mask just as he releases the ball @ @ @ @ @ mound — before the pitch ended up a bit outside .
The description on the @ @ @ @ @ Fauci an `` ardent Washington Nationals fan '' and that his pitch `` signaled the @ @ @ @ @ MLB season . ''

Topps selling trading card of Dr. Anthony Fauci's first pitch for 24 hours
Show Caption Hide Caption Bold predictions for the wildest MLB season ever SportsPulse: This MLB season is going to be unpredictable. Our experts do their best with the boldest predictions for the 60-game sprint. USA TODAY
This potential collector's item won't be available for long.
Topps is launching a limited edition trading card of the first pitch offered by Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, prior to Thursday's MLB season opener between the Washington Nationals and the New York Yankees. Orders can be made on the company's website, but the card will be for sale only 24 hours.
The photo on the front shows Fauci in his Nationals jersey, cap and mask just as he releases the ball from the edge of the mound — before the pitch ended up a bit outside.
The description on the back of the card calls Fauci an "ardent Washington Nationals fan" and that his pitch "signaled the official start of the 2020 MLB season."
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.


usatoday--2020-07-22--Amazon releasing boxes with instructions on how to transform boxes into rockets, cars

Amazon boxes will look a bit different soon Your next Amazon box might look a little different .

Amazon boxes will look a bit different soon
Your next Amazon box might look a little different.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-07-23--Teen triumphs over hardships to get to this moment

Teen triumphs over hardships to get to this moment When Abril , 18 , lost her parents in a traumatic @ @ @ @ @ arts instructor took her in and together , they accomplished things they always knew were @ @

Teen triumphs over hardships to get to this moment
When Abril, 18, lost her parents in a traumatic car accident, her martial arts instructor took her in and together, they accomplished things they always knew were possible.
Humankind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-07-24--We looked at protester demands from across the nation and compared them with recent police reforms.

In the 18 days after the death of George Floyd , 16 states introduced , amended , or passed various police-reform bills .
We looked at what protesters are asking for and what changes have actually been implemented .
While a handful of new policies addressed calls for change , most local officials and law enforcement agencies failed to satisfy protesters ' demands .
Here 's a look at what protesters have been calling for around the nation .
Here 's a look at recent police reform policies across the US .
Many protesters have called for the defunding of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change has been a ban on chokeholds and other neck restraints .
Lentory Johnson knows what `` defund the police '' means to her — and she has a perspective based on a deeply personal experience .
Her son , Johnny Johnson , was one of three men killed in a drive-by shooting outside the Boys & Girls Club in Rochester , New York , in 2015 .
She worked closely with police and prosecutors during the extensive investigation as they rounded up the men they believed responsible for the mass shooting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not mean abolition of the police , she said .
Instead , she said , it is a `` reallocation of funds that would mean , quite simply , other ways to invest that money to give back to communities that have very much been impacted by abusive policing or over-policing . ''
Defunding law enforcement is a dominant theme of protesters ’ policy demands .
from small towns to large cities like Washington , DC .
And New York , where protesters have been camping outside City Hall in Lower Manhattan for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Council reduce the NYPD budget by $ 1 billion .
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Council speaker , Corey Johnson , had agreed in principle to cut $ 1 billion from the Police Department ’ s $ 6 billion operating budget .
The city decided to cancel the planned hiring of roughly 1,160 officers , and to shift responsibility for illegal vending , the homeless , and school safety away from the police .
Many protesters are asking to divest money from the police and toward organizations that support Black communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed a petition to Louisville 's elected officials .
A 20-page `` A Path Forward for Louisville '' was signed by more than 60 predominantly Black representatives from local faith organizations , nonprofits , social groups , and public schools .
The actions laid out in the petition include divesting in the Louisville Metro Police Department and creating a $ 50 million `` Black Community Fund '' that could be spent on affordable housing , small business support , and mental health care .
The council committee has amended the mayor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisville Metro Police Department funding to programs that focus on homelessness and mental health .
LMPD ’ s annual budget is $ 190.5 million .
A majority of Seattle City Council members have said they agree with a high-level proposal by advocates to defund the Police Department by 50 % and reallocate the dollars to other community needs .
`` Poder in Action '' , a non-profit that hosted allies in Phoenix to demand a 25 % cut in local police funding and moving the money from the police into programs that create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not agreed to consider that proposal .
However , the council included nearly $ 3 million in the city budget for a new police oversight office .
Nicole Smith , a 21-year-old La Quinta , California , resident , organized a gathering there , and another in Rancho Mirage .
She described family members and acquaintances being killed by police and being profiled because of her Chevrolet Malibu 's tinted windows , which she said some view as a feature fit only for a “ drug-dealer car.
” “ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Smith said into a megaphone .
“ It ’ s time to break the silence and it ’ s time to end the violence.
” The requirement to de-escalate situations where possible is one of the policies proposed by the `` 8 Can ’ t Wait '' campaign .
Campaign Zero , which emerged from the police protests in Ferguson , Missouri , has come up with the eight reforms that could be implemented quickly and would cost no money .
This policing reform agenda is aimed at the reduction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church in Tallahassee , Florida , has created an online petition to get the Tallahassee Police Department to create and enforce de-escalation policies .
In just two days , the petition initiated by Faith Life Church has gained more than 1,500 signatures .
In response , city commissioners approved the creation of a citizen-led police review board — despite critics saying it 's an ineffective way to provide accountability and oversight .
Duty to intervene is also a priority of the ' 8 Ca n't Wait ' campaign .
Many cities around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that officers intervene to stop excessive force being used by other officers and report these incidents immediately to a supervisor .
Now , police officers in Dallas , San Jose , and Atlanta , among many other smaller cities , are legally required to intervene .
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer has urged police departments in her state to enact duty to intervene policies .
In North Carolina , at least four cities either have added , or have promised to create similar policies .
Chattanooga , Tennessee , has added duty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Failure to stop excessive force will result in disciplinary action .
In Cambridge , Massachusetts , police officers can face criminal prosecution for not intervening .
George Floyd died after now-fired Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin pressed a knee into Floyd ’ s neck for nearly nine minutes .
Three other officers didn ’ t intervene .
Minneapolis police added a “ duty to intervene ” policy in 2016 .
Changes to training or curriculum In Chattanooga , Tennessee , protesters called for sensitivity training and psychological vetting for officers , among other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formed s task force called Citizens for Positive Reform that has made several proposals .
The group has been calling for a cultural sensitivity training course taught by a person of color , and other reforms .
There have been no updates to the education or training policies for police officers in those cities since the start of the protests .
A policing reform bill passed in Washington , D.C. , will require officers to undergo further training to combat racism and white supremacy .
The New York City Council ’ s Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a review system to track and identify cops who might need more training , monitoring or reassignment .
The Albany Police Department will require teaching the history of racism in the United States to its members .
In Syracuse , officers will be trained on the history of racism in their city , and the United States .
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday to encourage changes in policing .
Trump said the Justice Department would prioritize federal grants to police departments that follow “ the highest training standards regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twelve financial claims have been filed by those injured , or by the families of those killed in Seattle protests .
They allege excessive force by police and their failure to secure the safety of peaceful protesters .
A temporary ban on using tear gas , pepper spray , and flash-bang devices to break up largely peaceful protests has expired after being enacted be a judge last month .
In Chicago , more than 900 complaints were filed against police officers between May 26 — the date of the first protest after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minnesota — and June 29 , reaching record levels .
According to a report published by Chicago Civilian Office of Police Accountability , 413 complaints were directly related to the protests between May 29 and June 5 .
Of those , the top complaints were for excessive force ( 55 % ) , improper searches ( 22 % ) , and verbal abuse by officers ( 11 % . )
Last year , a federal judge approved the consent decree to reform the Chicago Police Department addressing accountability and use of force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , he city has missed more than 70 % of the deadlines set .
One petitions circulating in Fort Worth , Texas , seeks to demilitarize police forces by removing access to rifles , shotguns , riot gear , and tanks .
One protest crowd in St. Petersburg , Florida .
called for the ban of less lethal weapons used by law enforcement such as tear gas and rubber bullets .
The San Jose Police Department has been criticized for using tear gas , rubber bullets , and pepper spray on Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since announced a package with policy changes .
When addressing agitators within a crowd , projectile impact weapons will now only be used in situations where a person is actively attacking an officer or another person , or when an armed agitator poses a threat to officers or other peaceful protesters .
The call for comprehensive reporting was put forward by `` 8 Can ’ t Wait '' as well .
It includes requiring officers to report each time they use any type of force , threaten to use force against civilians , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone .
According to a study published in 2017 , agencies that require officers to report every time they draw their weapons have significantly lower rates of fatal shootings by police .
The Denver Police Department has recently changed its policies to require officers to alert supervisors any time they point a gun at someone , not just when they fire a weapon .
In East Lansing , Michigan , officers will now be required to report when another officer is using excessive force .
In sA coalition of 14 groups who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of George Floyd has made nine demands for police reform in Syracuse , New York .
Prohibiting officers from reviewing body camera footage when writing their reports was one of the requirements .
So far , Mayor Ben Walsh has signed into law a package of police reforms aimed at updating police training and policies and improving transparency without addressing reporting .
The legislation recently implemented in Washington , D.C , .
will forbid officers from watching that footage before writing their report .
Domari Greene , 30 , organized the protest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd of about 50 stood outside the Elmira Police Department chanting — at times in the rain — `` No justice , no peace , '' and `` Black lives matter , '' to peacefully demonstrate after the death of George Floyd .
Greene also helped to organize a march in nearby Corning , New York .
`` The message we ’ re sending out is that not only is the African-American community tired of the unjust killings and racism , but people across the nation are also tired of this , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve had enough and no more will officers get away for their crimes , no more just a suspension . ''
Creating a board overseeing the police and implementing other measures to increase transparency and accountability were some of the most voiced demands around the country .
For example , the People 's Justice Project , a non-profit grassroots organization in Columbus , Ohio , released a set of 10 demands May 30 .
Among them is the creation of a city-funded independent entity empowered to fully participate in the investigations involving city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two of the demands from social justice group De-Escalate Ohio Now .
The city council in Columbus has held public hearings on police reforms , going through more than 800 emails and texts submitted by the public as well as listening in on some 70 oral comments during a six-hour committee meetings .
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has created a working group to establish a citizens review board over police that would have subpoena power .
He wants to have the board in place by the end of the year .
In Louisville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the three officers involved in Breonna Taylor ’ s death to be fired and prosecuted .
“ If they lock those officers up , it ’ ll be a start , ” said Montez Jones , a Louisville protester .
Only one of the officers , Brent Hankison , has been fired so far .
Mayor Fischer has announced other changes to ensure “ more scrutiny , transparency and accountability , ” including the naming of a new police chief ; a new requirement that body cameras always be worn during the execution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a civilian review board for police disciplinary matters .
On June 12 , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo signed the repeal of a provision , passed in 1976 , that has allowed law enforcement to shield police misconduct records from the public .
Many grassroots advocacy campaigns , including Communities United for Police Reform , have pushed for the change for years .
Women Occupy San Diego , an advocacy organization formed after months-long protests in 2011 , partnered with the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association , an African American legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an independent Commission on Police Practices .
In the wake of the protests , the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to put a measure before voters in November .
There were demands for the use of body cameras in some cities , as in some places many officers and police cars are n't equipped with cameras .
For example , the police cars in Syracuse , New York , do not have dashboard cameras .
One of the reforms Walsh signed into law includes securing more body-worn cameras for patrol officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dashboard camera .
In Shreveport , Louisiana , protesters called for requiring body and dash cameras for each officer and their vehicle .
Palm Springs , California , has adopted the funding of $ 850,000 in police body cameras after protesters ' demands .
One of the demands of the petition that already received more than a million signatures is a bill that requires all police departments in this country be investigated by democratically elected , independent civilian review boards .
They should have the power to investigate police , and also bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder of Black Lives Matter Utah , has started the petition .
Stopping the use of chokeholds and all other neck restraints by police officers is another item on the `` 8 Ca n't Wait '' list .
Several cities and municipalities in the United States have starting to ban or have banned the use of chokeholds and other neck restraints in policing .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom has directed police in the state to stop training officers to use `` carotid holds , '' and Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to restrict the use of chokeholds .
The police departments in Denver and San Diego have stopped using chokeholds .
City councils banned the use of chokeholds in Minneapolis , Iowa City and Seattle .
Many other cities have also stopped the use of neck restraints by the officers .
However , an NPR review of bans on neck restraints in some of the nation 's largest police departments found them largely ineffective and subject to lax enforcement .
Many protesters around the nation asked for addressing systemic racism .
Some have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers to increase diversity .
Such a change has been implemented in Philadelphia .
There were many calls for preventing the police from handling non-violent situations .
In Albuquerque New Mexico , Mayor Tim Keller announced the creation of the Albuquerque Community Safety Department that will serve as a civilian public safety branch to dispatch trained professionals to non-violent 911 calls .
Many communities around the country have been demanding the resignation of local officials .
Protesters want local mayors to resign in St. Louis ; Lansing , Michigan ; and Buffalo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Have the reforms met the expectations ?
Here is a look at the reaction of local communities on the implemented changes :

Karina Zaiets, Janie Haseman and Veronica Bravo, USA TODAY

In the 18 days after the death of George Floyd, 16 states introduced, amended, or passed various police-reform bills.
We looked at what protesters are asking for and what changes have actually been implemented. While a handful of new policies addressed calls for change, most local officials and law enforcement agencies failed to satisfy protesters' demands.
Voices of the protest
Here's a look at what protesters have been calling for around the nation.
Cities with implemented changes
Here's a look at recent police reform policies across the US. Many protesters have called for the defunding of the police, but the most widespread change has been a ban on chokeholds and other neck restraints.
Defunding law enforcement
Lentory Johnson knows what "defund the police" means to her — and she has a perspective based on a deeply personal experience.
Her son, Johnny Johnson, was one of three men killed in a drive-by shooting outside the Boys & Girls Club in Rochester, New York, in 2015. She worked closely with police and prosecutors during the extensive investigation as they rounded up the men they believed responsible for the mass shooting.
Lentory Johnson, whose son Johnny Ray Johnson was one of the victims in the triple homicide at the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester in 2015, gets a hug after her speech before the start of the Rochester March for Our Lives Rally starting at Washington Square Park in Rochester, New York. (Via OlyDrop) CARLOS ORTIZ, CARLOS ORTIZ/@CFORTIZ_DANDC/STAF
For Johnson, "defunding" does not mean abolition of the police, she said. Instead, she said, it is a "reallocation of funds that would mean, quite simply, other ways to invest that money to give back to communities that have very much been impacted by abusive policing or over-policing."
Defunding law enforcement is a dominant theme of protesters’ policy demands. from small towns to large cities like Washington, DC. And New York, where protesters have been camping outside City Hall in Lower Manhattan for over a week, demanding that the City Council reduce the NYPD budget by $1 billion.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Council speaker, Corey Johnson, had agreed in principle to cut $1 billion from the Police Department’s $6 billion operating budget. The city decided to cancel the planned hiring of roughly 1,160 officers, and to shift responsibility for illegal vending, the homeless, and school safety away from the police.
Many protesters are asking to divest money from the police and toward organizations that support Black communities.
Dozens of Black community leaders have signed a petition to Louisville's elected officials. A 20-page "A Path Forward for Louisville" was signed by more than 60 predominantly Black representatives from local faith organizations, nonprofits, social groups, and public schools. The actions laid out in the petition include divesting in the Louisville Metro Police Department and creating a $50 million "Black Community Fund" that could be spent on affordable housing, small business support, and mental health care.
The council committee has amended the mayor’s budget, reassigning $1.2 million of Louisville Metro Police Department funding to programs that focus on homelessness and mental health. LMPD’s annual budget is $190.5 million.
A majority of Seattle City Council members have said they agree with a high-level proposal by advocates to defund the Police Department by 50% and reallocate the dollars to other community needs.
"Poder in Action", a non-profit that hosted allies in Phoenix to demand a 25% cut in local police funding and moving the money from the police into programs that create safe and healthy communities. The council has not agreed to consider that proposal. However, the council included nearly $3 million in the city budget for a new police oversight office.
De-escalation policies
Nicole Smith, a 21-year-old La Quinta, California, resident, organized a gathering there, and another in Rancho Mirage. She described family members and acquaintances being killed by police and being profiled because of her Chevrolet Malibu's tinted windows, which she said some view as a feature fit only for a “drug-dealer car.”
Nicole Smith of La Quinta marches in Palm Desert, California, on June 1 as part of the nationwide civil unrest following the death of George Floyd. Taya Gray/The Desert Sun Taya Gray
“I’m tired of my people dying for nothing,” Smith said into a megaphone. “It’s time to break the silence and it’s time to end the violence.”
The requirement to de-escalate situations where possible is one of the policies proposed by the "8 Can’t Wait" campaign. Campaign Zero, which emerged from the police protests in Ferguson, Missouri, has come up with the eight reforms that could be implemented quickly and would cost no money. This policing reform agenda is aimed at the reduction of police violence and killings.
Faith Life Church in Tallahassee, Florida, has created an online petition to get the Tallahassee Police Department to create and enforce de-escalation policies. In just two days, the petition initiated by Faith Life Church has gained more than 1,500 signatures. In response, city commissioners approved the creation of a citizen-led police review board — despite critics saying it's an ineffective way to provide accountability and oversight.
Duty to intervene
Duty to intervene is also a priority of the '8 Can't Wait' campaign. Many cities around the country have begun to implement the requirement that officers intervene to stop excessive force being used by other officers and report these incidents immediately to a supervisor. Now, police officers in Dallas, San Jose, and Atlanta, among many other smaller cities, are legally required to intervene. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has urged police departments in her state to enact duty to intervene policies. In North Carolina, at least four cities either have added, or have promised to create similar policies.
Chattanooga, Tennessee, has added duty to intervene to their policies as well. Failure to stop excessive force will result in disciplinary action. In Cambridge, Massachusetts, police officers can face criminal prosecution for not intervening.
George Floyd died after now-fired Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin pressed a knee into Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. Three other officers didn’t intervene. Minneapolis police added a “duty to intervene” policy in 2016.
Changes to training or curriculum
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, protesters called for sensitivity training and psychological vetting for officers, among other demands. Newnan, Georgia, has formed s task force called Citizens for Positive Reform that has made several proposals. The group has been calling for a cultural sensitivity training course taught by a person of color, and other reforms. There have been no updates to the education or training policies for police officers in those cities since the start of the protests.
A policing reform bill passed in Washington, D.C., will require officers to undergo further training to combat racism and white supremacy. The New York City Council’s Public Safety Committee has passed a bill calling for a review system to track and identify cops who might need more training, monitoring or reassignment. The Albany Police Department will require teaching the history of racism in the United States to its members. In Syracuse, officers will be trained on the history of racism in their city, and the United States.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday to encourage changes in policing. Trump said the Justice Department would prioritize federal grants to police departments that follow “the highest training standards regarding the use of force.”
Restrictions related to protests
At least twelve financial claims have been filed by those injured, or by the families of those killed in Seattle protests. They allege excessive force by police and their failure to secure the safety of peaceful protesters. A temporary ban on using tear gas, pepper spray, and flash-bang devices to break up largely peaceful protests has expired after being enacted be a judge last month.
In Chicago, more than 900 complaints were filed against police officers between May 26 — the date of the first protest after the murder of Floyd by a police officer in Minnesota — and June 29, reaching record levels. According to a report published by Chicago Civilian Office of Police Accountability, 413 complaints were directly related to the protests between May 29 and June 5. Of those, the top complaints were for excessive force (55%), improper searches (22%), and verbal abuse by officers (11%.)
Last year, a federal judge approved the consent decree to reform the Chicago Police Department addressing accountability and use of force, among other issues. One year later, he city has missed more than 70% of the deadlines set.
One petitions circulating in Fort Worth, Texas, seeks to demilitarize police forces by removing access to rifles, shotguns, riot gear, and tanks. One protest crowd in St. Petersburg, Florida. called for the ban of less lethal weapons used by law enforcement such as tear gas and rubber bullets.
The San Jose Police Department has been criticized for using tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray on Black Lives Matter protesters. The SJPD has since announced a package with policy changes. When addressing agitators within a crowd, projectile impact weapons will now only be used in situations where a person is actively attacking an officer or another person, or when an armed agitator poses a threat to officers or other peaceful protesters.
Reporting requirements
The call for comprehensive reporting was put forward by "8 Can’t Wait" as well. It includes requiring officers to report each time they use any type of force, threaten to use force against civilians, and whenever they point a firearm at someone.
According to a study published in 2017, agencies that require officers to report every time they draw their weapons have significantly lower rates of fatal shootings by police. The Denver Police Department has recently changed its policies to require officers to alert supervisors any time they point a gun at someone, not just when they fire a weapon. In East Lansing, Michigan, officers will now be required to report when another officer is using excessive force.
In sA coalition of 14 groups who have been protesting police brutality since the death of George Floyd has made nine demands for police reform in Syracuse, New York. Prohibiting officers from reviewing body camera footage when writing their reports was one of the requirements. So far, Mayor Ben Walsh has signed into law a package of police reforms aimed at updating police training and policies and improving transparency without addressing reporting. The legislation recently implemented in Washington, D.C,. will forbid officers from watching that footage before writing their report.
Transparency measures
Domari Greene, 30, organized the protest in Elmira, New York, where a crowd of about 50 stood outside the Elmira Police Department chanting — at times in the rain — "No justice, no peace," and "Black lives matter," to peacefully demonstrate after the death of George Floyd. Greene also helped to organize a march in nearby Corning, New York.
"The message we’re sending out is that not only is the African-American community tired of the unjust killings and racism, but people across the nation are also tired of this," Greene said Friday. "We’ve had enough and no more will officers get away for their crimes, no more just a suspension."
Domari Greene, of Elmira, New York, helped to organize a march in nearby Corning, New York, after the death of George Floyd. He said about 300 people made the trip from Elmira to Corning. Ashley Biviano
Creating a board overseeing the police and implementing other measures to increase transparency and accountability were some of the most voiced demands around the country. For example, the People's Justice Project, a non-profit grassroots organization in Columbus, Ohio, released a set of 10 demands May 30. Among them is the creation of a city-funded independent entity empowered to fully participate in the investigations involving city police officers. Accountability and transparency were two of the demands from social justice group De-Escalate Ohio Now.
The city council in Columbus has held public hearings on police reforms, going through more than 800 emails and texts submitted by the public as well as listening in on some 70 oral comments during a six-hour committee meetings.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has created a working group to establish a citizens review board over police that would have subpoena power. He wants to have the board in place by the end of the year.
In Louisville, protesters' top demands are for the three officers involved in Breonna Taylor’s death to be fired and prosecuted.
“If they lock those officers up, it’ll be a start,” said Montez Jones, a Louisville protester.
Only one of the officers, Brent Hankison, has been fired so far. Mayor Fischer has announced other changes to ensure “more scrutiny, transparency and accountability,” including the naming of a new police chief; a new requirement that body cameras always be worn during the execution of search warrants; and the establishment of a civilian review board for police disciplinary matters.
On June 12, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the repeal of a provision, passed in 1976, that has allowed law enforcement to shield police misconduct records from the public. Many grassroots advocacy campaigns, including Communities United for Police Reform, have pushed for the change for years.
Women Occupy San Diego, an advocacy organization formed after months-long protests in 2011, partnered with the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, an African American legal association. They have for years pushed for an independent Commission on Police Practices. In the wake of the protests, the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to put a measure before voters in November.
There were demands for the use of body cameras in some cities, as in some places many officers and police cars aren't equipped with cameras. For example, the police cars in Syracuse, New York, do not have dashboard cameras. One of the reforms Walsh signed into law includes securing more body-worn cameras for patrol officers and equipping every squad car with a dashboard camera.
In Shreveport, Louisiana, protesters called for requiring body and dash cameras for each officer and their vehicle. Palm Springs, California, has adopted the funding of $850,000 in police body cameras after protesters' demands.
One of the demands of the petition that already received more than a million signatures is a bill that requires all police departments in this country be investigated by democratically elected, independent civilian review boards. They should have the power to investigate police, and also bring charges against police. Lex Scott, founder of Black Lives Matter Utah, has started the petition.
Ban on chokeholds
Stopping the use of chokeholds and all other neck restraints by police officers is another item on the "8 Can't Wait" list. Several cities and municipalities in the United States have starting to ban or have banned the use of chokeholds and other neck restraints in policing.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed police in the state to stop training officers to use "carotid holds," and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has said he wants police across the state to restrict the use of chokeholds. The police departments in Denver and San Diego have stopped using chokeholds. City councils banned the use of chokeholds in Minneapolis, Iowa City and Seattle. Many other cities have also stopped the use of neck restraints by the officers. However, an NPR review of bans on neck restraints in some of the nation's largest police departments found them largely ineffective and subject to lax enforcement.
Other policy changes
Many protesters around the nation asked for addressing systemic racism. Some have been asking for a residency requirement for police officers to increase diversity. Such a change has been implemented in Philadelphia. There were many calls for preventing the police from handling non-violent situations. In Albuquerque New Mexico, Mayor Tim Keller announced the creation of the Albuquerque Community Safety Department that will serve as a civilian public safety branch to dispatch trained professionals to non-violent 911 calls.
Many communities around the country have been demanding the resignation of local officials. Protesters want local mayors to resign in St. Louis; Lansing, Michigan; and Buffalo, New York, among other cities.
Have the reforms met the expectations?
Here is a look at the reaction of local communities on the implemented changes:
Contributors: Jennifer Borresen, Mitchell Thorson, Matt Leclercq, Ashley Biviano, Kara Berg/Lansing State Journal, Rebecca Plevin/Palm Springs Desert Sun, Hayes Gardner/The Courier-Journal, Tim Willert/The Oklahoman, Ceili Doyle/The Columbus Dispatch


usatoday--2020-07-24--Feds: Founder of popular Philly cheesesteak joint hid $8 million from IRS

The founder of an iconic Philadelphia cheesesteak restaurant and his son were charged Friday with tax evasion and other related offenses for allegedly shielding $ 8 million in receipts from the Internal Revenue Service .
Anthony Lucidonio Sr. and his son Nicholas Lucidonio , who operated Tony Luke 's , are accused of depositing only a portion of the store 's proceeds into business accounts while filing false business and personal tax returns .
Prosecutors said that the Lucidonios , both of New Jersey , engaged in the alleged activities for 10 years , ending in 2016 .
The pair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax returns by `` substantially understating '' paid wages between 2014 and 2015 .
Big IRS backlog : Months after filing their taxes , some still wait for a refund As part of the alleged scheme , the Lucidonios paid a portion of employee wages `` on the books '' and another share `` off the books '' while failing to pay required employment taxes to the IRS .
When a franchising rights dispute erupted in 2015 , prosecutors said that the Lucidonios attempted to amend their prior year tax returns , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be revealed . ''
Attorneys for both men said their clients are challenging the charges and `` look forward to defending themselves in court . ''
`` Tony and Nicky have fully cooperated with the government ’ s investigation since its outset , '' attorneys Ian M. Comisky and Walter Weir Jr. , said in a joint statement .
`` The Original Tony Luke ’ s will continue to serve its faithful clientele and provide gainful employment to its employees and their families . ''

Feds: Founder of popular Philly cheesesteak joint hid $8 million from IRS
The founder of an iconic Philadelphia cheesesteak restaurant and his son were charged Friday with tax evasion and other related offenses for allegedly shielding $8 million in receipts from the Internal Revenue Service.
Anthony Lucidonio Sr. and his son Nicholas Lucidonio, who operated Tony Luke's, are accused of depositing only a portion of the store's proceeds into business accounts while filing false business and personal tax returns.
Prosecutors said that the Lucidonios, both of New Jersey, engaged in the alleged activities for 10 years, ending in 2016.
The pair also are charged with filing false employment tax returns by "substantially understating" paid wages between 2014 and 2015.
Big IRS backlog: Months after filing their taxes, some still wait for a refund
As part of the alleged scheme, the Lucidonios paid a portion of employee wages "on the books" and another share "off the books" while failing to pay required employment taxes to the IRS.
When a franchising rights dispute erupted in 2015, prosecutors said that the Lucidonios attempted to amend their prior year tax returns, "concerned that their tax fraud scheme would be revealed."
Attorneys for both men said their clients are challenging the charges and "look forward to defending themselves in court."
"Tony and Nicky have fully cooperated with the government’s investigation since its outset," attorneys Ian M. Comisky and Walter Weir Jr., said in a joint statement.
"The Original Tony Luke’s will continue to serve its faithful clientele and provide gainful employment to its employees and their families."


usatoday--2020-07-24--'I am in a risk category': Fauci explains why he won't be getting on a plane right now amid COVID-19

You may be debating whether you want to get on a plane anytime soon .
One person not debating is Dr. Anthony Fauci , who says he wo n't be taking off during the coronavirus pandemic .
Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health , told MarketWatch that taking a flight is risky right now .
And because he 's in an older age bracket , he 's not willing to take the risk .
`` I am in a risk category , '' Fauci said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , but I ’ m 79 years old .
I can ’ t think of a reason to go trans-Atlantic .
Right now , I ’ m very sequestered .
I ’ m on a coronavirus task force .
I go to the White House almost every day . ''
Fauci said he spends half his day in his office working to develop a vaccine and drugs for COVID-19 , which has now infected more than 4 million Americans .
`` I don ’ t fancy seeing myself getting infected , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting on a plane , particularly with the amount of infection that ’ s going on right now , '' he said .
Is it safe to fly ?
: Here 's how to mitigate risk when flying during the coronavirus pandemic Fauci also questioned the effectiveness of temperature checks before flights , something airlines have been pushing the U.S. federal government to start .
`` I ’ m not sure taking temperatures is all it ’ s cracked up to be because there are a lot of false negatives and false positives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s best to just question people : 'Do you have any symptoms ?
Have you been near someone who is infected ? '
The time spent asking a couple of simple questions is probably more effective than just taking temperatures , to be honest with you . ''
Uh oh : Airlines were finally starting to see passengers return .
Then coronavirus cases spiked 5 flights in 4 weeks : What it 's really like to fly during the coronavirus pandemic In spite of all the precautions now in place , Joseph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physician at the Cleveland Clinic , said flying offers the most potential of travel activities for exposure to the coronavirus , because of the nature of how planes are configured .
`` Once you ’ re in the cabin , you don ’ t know who ’ s on the plane , '' he said .
`` You ’ re in relative closer proximity to people you don ’ t know . ''
Still , he said , flying is safer than it was earlier in the pandemic because of the changes airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sanitizing , he said face masks add an extra layer of protection from the virus .
Most U.S. carriers now require passengers to wear them .
Airlines , airports , the Transportation Security Administration and others have touted intensive new cleaning measures and safety protocols including mask requirements , social distancing , plexiglass partitions at ticket and gate counters and other precautions in a bid to protect employees and lure skittish vacation and business travelers back .
But cases have spiked , and based on recent earnings reports , airlines are still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operate at barely over one-third of capacity through September as the coronavirus throttles air travel .
United CEO Scott Kirby said that demand has taken a step backward in July from where it was in mid-June , but it now seems to have bottomed .
`` We expect we 're kind of back to where we were in late May and that demand will start to gradually recover once again as we get through the rest of the year , '' he added .
Executives from Southwest , American , Spirit and Alaska @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already shrunken travel demand in a series of quarterly earnings conference calls Thursday , echoing recent reports from United and Delta .
`` In short , the crisis continues , '' American CEO Doug Parker said .
`` This is less about people 's concern about flying and much more about having a reason to travel . ''
Contributing : Curtis Tate and Dawn Gilbertson , USA TODAY ; The Associated Press 'More likely months than weeks ' : Fauci warns UK coronavirus travel restrictions wo n't lift anytime soon Blast from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Princess coronavirus quarantine ?
'Something went awry '

'I am in a risk category': Fauci explains why he won't be getting on a plane amid COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption Dr. Fauci: society's responsibility in conquering COVID-19 Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks to how personal responsibility and social distancing is the key to ending the spread of the coronavirus. USA TODAY
You may be debating whether you want to get on a plane anytime soon. One person not debating is Dr. Anthony Fauci, who says he won't be taking off during the coronavirus pandemic.
Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, told MarketWatch that flying is risky right now. And because he's in an older age bracket, he's not willing to take the risk.
"I am in a risk category," Fauci said. "I don’t like to admit it, but I’m 79 years old. I can’t think of a reason to go trans-Atlantic. Right now, I’m very sequestered. I’m on a coronavirus task force. I go to the White House almost every day."
Fauci said he spends half his day in his office working to develop a vaccine and drugs for COVID-19, which has now infected more than 4 million Americans.
"I don’t fancy seeing myself getting infected, which is a risk when you’re getting on a plane, particularly with the amount of infection that’s going on right now," he said.
Is it safe to fly?: Here's how to mitigate risk when flying during the coronavirus pandemic
Fauci also questioned the effectiveness of temperature checks before flights, something airlines have been pushing the U.S. federal government to start.
"I’m not sure taking temperatures is all it’s cracked up to be because there are a lot of false negatives and false positives," he said. "It’s best to just question people: 'Do you have any symptoms? Have you been near someone who is infected?' The time spent asking a couple of simple questions is probably more effective than just taking temperatures."
Uh oh: Airlines were finally starting to see passengers return. Then coronavirus cases spiked
5 flights in 4 weeks: What it's really like to fly during the coronavirus pandemic
Should you fly amid COVID-19?
In spite of all the precautions now in place, Joseph Khabbaza, a pulmonary and critical care physician at the Cleveland Clinic, said flying offers the most potential of travel activities for exposure to the coronavirus, because of the nature of how planes are configured.
"Once you’re in the cabin, you don’t know who’s on the plane," he said. "You’re in relative closer proximity to people you don’t know."
Still, he said, flying is safer than it was earlier in the pandemic because of the changes airlines have made.
In addition to spacing and sanitizing, he said, face masks add an extra layer of protection from the virus. Most U.S. carriers now require passengers to wear them.
Airlines, airports, the Transportation Security Administration and others have touted intensive new cleaning measures and safety protocols including mask requirements, social distancing, plexiglass partitions at ticket and gate counters and other precautions in a bid to protect employees and lure skittish vacation and business travelers back.
But cases have spiked, and based on recent earnings reports, airlines are still struggling.
United said Tuesday that it will operate at barely over one-third of capacity through September. United CEO Scott Kirby said that demand has taken a step backward in July from where it was in mid-June, but it now seems to have bottomed.
"We expect we're kind of back to where we were in late May and that demand will start to gradually recover once again as we get through the rest of the year," he said.
Executives from Southwest, American, Spirit and Alaska airlines also detailed the falloff in already shrunken travel demand in a series of quarterly earnings conference calls Thursday, echoing reports from United and Delta.
"In short, the crisis continues,'' American CEO Doug Parker said. "This is less about people's concern about flying and much more about having a reason to travel.''
Contributing: Curtis Tate and Dawn Gilbertson, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
'More likely months than weeks': Fauci warns UK coronavirus travel restrictions won't lift anytime soon
Blast from the past: Why did US break Diamond Princess coronavirus quarantine? 'Something went awry'


usatoday--2020-07-24--Marine assigned to Trump's helicopter unit tests positive for coronavirus

WASHINGTON – A Marine assigned to the military unit that flies Marine One tested positive for coronavirus but did not have direct contact with President Donald Trump or his presidential helicopter , the Marine Corps said Thursday .
`` The Marine , who had been in Bedminster , New Jersey , prior to Trump ’ s travel there , did not have direct contact with Marine One , the president ’ s helicopter , '' the Marine Corps said in a statement .
`` The Marine is asymptomatic .
Contact tracing is being conducted with the White House , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the infected Marine have been removed from the unit , '' the statement read .
The aircraft in the presidential unit are being sanitized and Trump 's weekend trip to his golf club in Bedminster on Friday is not expected to be affected .
A senior administration official speaking on the condition of anonymity confirmed `` the individual did not have contact with the president or any administration personnel . ''
The incident is the latest example of the coronavirus pandemic affecting White House operations as the administration grapples with a surge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials reported Thursday that 4 million people in the U.S. had been infected with the virus , but federal data suggests the true rates of infection of COVID-19 could be more than 10 times higher than the number of cases reported across the country from late March to early May .
Meanwhile , almost 150,000 people in the U.S. have died from the coronavirus .
More : U.S. hits 4 million cases of COVID-19 : A look at the milestones and setbacks The White House conducted contact tracing earlier this week after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two eateries inside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building tested positive for the coronavirus .
The building , which is located just across from the West Wing , was forced to close the eateries frequented by many White House staff , according to Pamela Pennington , press secretary for U.S. General Services Administration '' It was a single person who tested positive .
That person was in both cafeterias and therefore both cafes had to be closed , '' she said in a statement .
`` All proper protocols were in place by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shielding at check out , and no dine-in service .
The White House Medical Unit has done contact tracing and determined that the risk of retransmission is low . ''
One of the president 's personal military valets and a senior member of Vice President Mike Pence 's staff , Katie Miller , who is married to the president 's senior aide Stephen Miller , both tested positive for COVID-19 in May .
More recently , Kimberly Guilfoyle , the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr. and a senior Trump campaign aide , tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rushmore speech over the July 4 holiday weekend .
The pair left the event and immediately went into quarantine .
The president and vice president are tested for the virus routinely , and people who come into contact with them are also screened for coronavirus .

Courtney Subramanian, Tom Vanden Brook and John Fritze, USA TODAY

Marine assigned to Trump's helicopter unit tests positive for coronavirus
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump announces surge of federal law enforcement to communities President Donald Trump announces a surge of federal law enforcement into communities "plagued by violent crime." USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – A Marine assigned to the military unit that flies Marine One tested positive for coronavirus but did not have direct contact with President Donald Trump or his presidential helicopter, the Marine Corps said Thursday.
"The Marine, who had been in Bedminster, New Jersey, prior to Trump’s travel there, did not have direct contact with Marine One, the president’s helicopter," the Marine Corps said in a statement.
"The Marine is asymptomatic. Contact tracing is being conducted with the White House, and Marines who may have had contact with the infected Marine have been removed from the unit," the statement read.
The aircraft in the presidential unit are being sanitized and Trump's weekend trip to his golf club in Bedminster on Friday is not expected to be affected.
A senior administration official speaking on the condition of anonymity confirmed "the individual did not have contact with the president or any administration personnel."
Trump defends his response to coronavirus in Fox News interview President Trump defended his response to coronavirus, including his claims that COVID-19 will "disappear." USA TODAY
The incident is the latest example of the coronavirus pandemic affecting White House operations as the administration grapples with a surge in cases across the country.
Public health officials reported Thursday that 4 million people in the U.S. had been infected with the virus, but federal data suggests the true rates of infection of COVID-19 could be more than 10 times higher than the number of cases reported across the country from late March to early May. Meanwhile, almost 150,000 people in the U.S. have died from the coronavirus.
More:U.S. hits 4 million cases of COVID-19: A look at the milestones and setbacks
The White House conducted contact tracing earlier this week after an employee for a cafeteria vendor at the two eateries inside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building tested positive for the coronavirus.
The building, which is located just across from the West Wing, was forced to close the eateries frequented by many White House staff, according to Pamela Pennington, press secretary for U.S. General Services Administration
"It was a single person who tested positive. That person was in both cafeterias and therefore both cafes had to be closed," she said in a statement.
"All proper protocols were in place by the vendor including masks, gloves, plastic shielding at check out, and no dine-in service. The White House Medical Unit has done contact tracing and determined that the risk of retransmission is low."
One of the president's personal military valets and a senior member of Vice President Mike Pence's staff, Katie Miller, who is married to the president's senior aide Stephen Miller, both tested positive for COVID-19 in May.
More recently, Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr. and a senior Trump campaign aide, tested positive just before the president's Mount Rushmore speech over the July 4 holiday weekend. The pair left the event and immediately went into quarantine.
The president and vice president are tested for the virus routinely, and people who come into contact with them are also screened for coronavirus.