usatoday--2020-06-22--Ocasio-Cortez faces first re-election test as progressives work to maintain their movement

WASHINGTON – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez claimed her seat in the House of Representatives after challenging a long-time incumbent with a message of shaking up the status quo .
Now , she faces her own outsider challenger in the the first electoral test of her Congressional tenure .
The New York Democrat knows the primary process well , as her upset victory over Joe Crowley – a member of House leadership who was thought to be in line for Speaker – allowed her to gain a massive following the 2018 midterm election .
She is turn has used that following to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation and pressure House leadership on major issues over her term .
But the primary Tuesday marks the first test for the freshman and fellow members of the Squad .
Three out of the group of four women of color , who over their first two years in office have become some of the most sought-after voices inthe progressive wing , are facing primary challenges ahead of the November election .
Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan is on the ballot Aug. 4 and Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota is on the ballot Aug. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their race for sophomore year , so to speak , is always the biggest test because it is a test of how deep and long your roots go with the people who are voting for you , and how much you 've been able to win and maintain their trust , ” said Jon Reinish , a Democratic strategist based in New York , adding that a lawmakers first reelection fight “ is always going to be your most intense.
” Ocasio-Cortez 's House race is also one of several primaries where new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their seats from fellow Democrats running closer to the center .
Her race and others may offer new insight into voters ' perceptions of the progressive wing of the party months after progressive icon Sen. Bernie Sanders was bested by a more moderate Democrat , former Vice President Joe Biden , in the presidential nominating battle .
Ocasio-Cortez 's rise also has many looking to the district just north of hers on Tuesday , where House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel is facing a fierce primary challenge that has led to a divide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders , Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Ocasio-Cortez , have endorsed his opponent , Jamaal Bowman .
Former presidential contender Hillary Clinton and a host of congressional Democrats have raced to back Engel – marking another battle between progressives eager for a win and establishment Democrats seeking to keep the high-level , 16-term congressman in place .
In Ocasio-Cortez ’ s district , she will face three challengers , including former journalist Michelle Caruso-Cabrera , who has raised about $ 2 million .
Still , Ocasio-Cortez has remained a popular figure in the district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest fundraisers with $ 10.5 million raised .
She , like fellow members of the Squad facing primaries , has been painted by challengers as more concerned with her newfound fame and quarrels with the president than she is focused on constituents in the Bronx and Queens .
In a debate earlier this month , Caruso-Cabrera specifically targeted Ocasio-Cortez for being the lone House Democrat who opposed a $ 2 trillion coronavirus aid package , which offered help for hospitals , increased unemployment benefits , and included up to a $ 1,200 stimulus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She 's a democratic socialist and she 's a polarizing , divisive force , ” Caruso-Cabrera said during the debate , which was held remotely over video conference .
“ She is wrong for the times .
She is wrong for New York , and she is wrong for our neighborhoods.
” Ocasio-Cortez responded by explaining she was a force behind other pieces of COVID-19 legislation and declined to back the CARES Act in May because it included a “ half a trillion dollars in Wall Street giveaways ” and did not do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York .
She listed a raft of inequalities in her community , including issues related to the coronavirus pandemic , policing and employment , and noted the need for new programs , such as Medicare For All to address health care .
`` I have always fought for these issues .
I am not new to these issues .
I ran on them in 2018 , '' she said during the debate .
`` Every promise that I made , I have delivered upon and I am proud to have championed our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to leave us behind . ''
“ Once you 're the member , you know , you have a record , you have legislative responsibilities , you have district responsibilities and you are now judged and also can be taken on as an incumbent , ” Reinish , the strategist , added .
“ It ’ s hard to be both the insurgent and the incumbent and I think that ’ s what she ’ s seeing right now.
” It was not Ocasio-Cortez ’ s first time voting against a key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucus , an occurrence that over her first term has inflamed tensions between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
She and the three other members of the Squad – Reps. Ayanna Pressley , D-Mass.
, Tlaib and Omar – were the lone Democratic holdouts last year on an humanitarian aid package that supplied help for immigrants as the nation grappled with children dying in federal immigration custody .
That vote and Ocasio-Cortez ’ s signature legislation – the Green New Deal , a sweeping climate change proposal – eventually led to infighting within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , where Ocasio-Cortez said Pelosi was being “ disrespectful ” by continuing “ the explicit singling out of newly elected women of color.
” Pelosi had dismissed Ocasio-Cortez ’ s climate bill as “ the green dream or whatever they call it , nobody knows what it is ” and cast the Squad as House members with a large online following without the same in Congress .
“ All of these people have their public whatever and their Twitter world , '' Pelosi told the New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't have any following .
They 're four people and that 's how many votes they got . ''
The pair ’ s spat was short-lived and Pelosi has endorsed Ocasio-Cortez ’ s re-election bid .
Both Tlaib and Omar face serious challengers as well , while Pressley doesn ’ t have a primary race this year .
The Minnesota district that Omar represents has been turned upside down after the death of George Floyd , who died after an Minneapolis officer knelt on his neck for almost 9 minutes .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests and a larger discussion about systemic racism and the use of force by police .
Omar 's tenure in Congress – itself historic , as she became one of the first two Muslim women in Congress , along with Tlaib – has also been marked by some controversy , including a heated fight with the president which led to a slew of death threats against her .
Republicans and members of her own party also chastised her for comments about Israel they said played into into anti-Semitic tropes .
The House passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s comments .
Her most well-funded challenger , Antone Melton-Meaux , has said the congresswoman was too focused on “ being a celebrity ” and called her “ divisive , ” according to Omar 's hometown paper , The Star Tribune .
In Detroit , Tlaib is facing a rematch against Brenda Jones , who Tlaib narrowly beat to earn her seat in 2018 .
Like her fellow Squad members , Tlaib ’ s two years in office has also been marked by sparring with the president and some controversy .
Hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she vowed to “ impeach the mother****er , ” which led to the president lashing out on Twitter – the first of several attacks from the president over her first term .
Jones said her campaign was “ based on hope.
” “ Hope for a better tomorrow , hope for our children , hope for our families and hope for the hopeless , '' she said .
“ What I feel is it 's important to connect all of the people in the district , regardless of what color they are , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they do . ''

Ocasio-Cortez faces first reelection test as progressives work to maintain their movement
Show Caption Hide Caption Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and socialism, explained Democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the newest political figure everyone loves or loves to hate. From her ‘Green New Deal’ proposal to combat climate change to her clapbacks against Trump and her critics, here’s how AOC danced her way into the spotlight. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez claimed her seat in the House of Representatives after challenging a long-time incumbent with a message of shaking up the status quo.
Now, she faces her own outsider challenger in the the first electoral test of her congressional tenure.
The New York Democrat knows the primary process well: Her upset victory over Joe Crowley – a member of House leadership who was thought to be in line for speaker – allowed her to gain a massive following after the 2018 midterm election. She is turn has used that following to champion her progressive ideals, her own legislation and pressure House leadership on major issues over her term.
But the primary Tuesday marks the first test for the freshman and fellow members of the Squad. Three out of the group of four women of color, who over their first two years in office have become some of the most sought-after voices in the progressive wing, are facing primary challenges ahead of the November election. Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan is on the ballot Aug. 4, and Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota is on the ballot Aug. 10.
“Every lawmaker's reelection and their race for sophomore year, so to speak, is always the biggest test because it is a test of how deep and long your roots go with the people who are voting for you, and how much you've been able to win and maintain their trust,” said Jon Reinish, a Democratic strategist based in New York, adding that a lawmaker's first reelection fight “is always going to be your most intense.”
More: How Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won: Ultra-liberal pitch drew first-time voters in changing district
Ocasio-Cortez's House race is also one of several primaries where new progressive stars are being forced to defend their seats from fellow Democrats running closer to the center. Her race and others may offer new insight into voters' perceptions of the progressive wing of the party months after progressive icon Sen. Bernie Sanders was bested by a more moderate Democrat, former Vice President Joe Biden, in the presidential nominating battle.
Ocasio-Cortez's rise also has many looking to the district just north of hers on Tuesday, where House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel faces a fierce primary challenge that has led to a divide among Democrats. High-profile progressives, including Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Ocasio-Cortez, have endorsed his opponent, Jamaal Bowman. Former presidential contender Hillary Clinton and a host of congressional Democrats have raced to back Engel – marking another battle between progressives eager for a win and establishment Democrats seeking to keep the high-level, 16-term congressman in place.
More: Election 2020: Rep. Eliot Engel bashes surging opponent Jamaal Bowman's voting record
Notoriety, feud with Trump plays role
In Ocasio-Cortez’s district, she will face three challengers, including former journalist Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, who has raised about $2 million. Still, Ocasio-Cortez has remained a popular figure in the district and one of the House’s biggest fundraisers with $10.5 million raised.
She, like fellow members of the Squad facing primaries, has been painted by challengers as more concerned with her newfound fame and quarrels with the president than she is focused on constituents in the Bronx and Queens. In a debate earlier this month, Caruso-Cabrera specifically targeted Ocasio-Cortez for being the lone House Democrat who opposed a $2 trillion coronavirus aid package, which offered help for hospitals, increased unemployment benefits, and included up to a $1,200 stimulus check, among other provisions.
“She's a democratic socialist and she's a polarizing, divisive force,” Caruso-Cabrera said during the debate, which was held remotely over video conference. “She is wrong for the times. She is wrong for New York, and she is wrong for our neighborhoods.”
Ocasio-Cortez responded by explaining she was a force behind other pieces of COVID-19 legislation and declined to back the CARES Act in May because it included a “half a trillion dollars in Wall Street giveaways” and did not do enough to help the immigrant community in New York.
She listed a raft of inequalities in her community, including issues related to the coronavirus pandemic, policing and employment, and noted the need for new programs, such as "Medicare for All" to address health care.
"I have always fought for these issues. I am not new to these issues. I ran on them in 2018," she said during the debate. "Every promise that I made, I have delivered upon and I am proud to have championed our community when the rest of the country wanted to leave us behind."
“Once you're the member, you know, you have a record, you have legislative responsibilities, you have district responsibilities and you are now judged and also can be taken on as an incumbent,” Reinish, the strategist, said. “It’s hard to be both the insurgent and the incumbent, and I think that’s what she’s seeing right now.”
It was not Ocasio-Cortez’s first time voting against a key piece of legislation important to the Democratic caucus, an occurrence that over her first term has inflamed tensions with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
She and the three other members of the Squad – Reps. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., Tlaib and Omar – were the lone Democratic holdouts last year on an humanitarian aid package that supplied help for immigrants as the nation grappled with children dying in federal immigration custody.
That vote and Ocasio-Cortez’s signature legislation – the Green New Deal, a sweeping climate change proposal – eventually led to infighting within the House Democratic caucus and a spat with Pelosi, in which Ocasio-Cortez said Pelosi was being “disrespectful” by continuing “the explicit singling out of newly elected women of color.”
Pelosi had dismissed Ocasio-Cortez’s climate bill as “the green dream or whatever they call it; nobody knows what it is” and cast the Squad as House members with a large online following without the same in Congress.
“All of these people have their public whatever and their Twitter world," Pelosi told The New York Times last year. "But they didn't have any following. They're four people and that's how many votes they got."
More: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nancy Pelosi meet one-on-one after tension
The pair’s spat was short-lived, and Pelosi has endorsed Ocasio-Cortez’s reelection bid.
Fellow Squad members battle to retain seats
Both Tlaib and Omar face serious challengers as well, while Pressley doesn’t have a primary race this year.
The Minnesota district that Omar represents has been turned upside down after the death of George Floyd, who died after an Minneapolis officer knelt on his neck for almost 9 minutes. The death in Omar's district launched nationwide protests and a larger discussion about systemic racism and the use of force by police.
Rep. Ilhan Omar apologizes for tweet that House leaders called 'anti-Semitic' Democratic House leaders denounced fellow Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar's tweet, saying, "Anti-Semitism must be called out, confronted and condemned whenever it is encountered, without exception." USA TODAY
Omar's tenure in Congress – itself historic as she became one of the first two Muslim women in Congress, along with Tlaib – has also been marked by some controversy, including a heated fight with President Donald Trump, which led to a slew of death threats against her. Republicans and members of her own party also chastised her for comments about Israel they said played into into anti-Semitic tropes. The House passed a resolution condemning hate speech after Omar’s comments.
Her most well-funded challenger, Antone Melton-Meaux, has said the congresswoman was too focused on “being a celebrity” and called her “divisive,” according to Omar's hometown paper, The Star Tribune.
In Detroit, Tlaib is facing a rematch against Brenda Jones, who Tlaib narrowly beat to earn her seat in 2018.
Like her fellow Squad members, Tlaib’s two years in office has also been marked by sparring with the president and some controversy. Hours after she was sworn into office, she vowed to “impeach the mother****er,” which led to the president lashing out on Twitter – the first of several attacks from the president over her first term.
Jones said her campaign was “based on hope.”
“Hope for a better tomorrow, hope for our children, hope for our families and hope for the hopeless," she said. “What I feel is it's important to connect all of the people in the district, regardless of what color they are, what age they are, what job they do."
Contributing: Todd Spangler


usatoday--2020-06-22--Three takeaways from USA TODAY's interview with John Bolton

Susan Page , who sat down with John Bolton for the first print interview for his new book , `` @ @ @ @ @ '' , talks about what we learned .

John Bolton: Three takeaways from USA TODAY's interview
Susan Page, who sat down with John Bolton for the first print interview for his new book, "The Room Where it Happened", talks about what we learned.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-06-22--Trump issues executive order limiting temporary work visas

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that will suspend temporary visas for foreign workers until the end of 2020 , angering advocates who say he is targeting immigrants for domestic political reasons .
The order applies to a variety of work visas used for many types of jobs , a move that the administration says could free up as many as 525,000 jobs to be filled by Americans .
But immigration groups , which have been bracing for the order for days , argue that Trump is targeting immigrants to placate his political base .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ American workforce , '' said Beth Werlin , executive director of the American Immigration Council .
`` As our nation recovers from the coronavirus pandemic , immigrants in all industries will be essential to rebuilding our nation . ''
Trump 's latest move follows his decision in April to temporarily suspend immigration to the U.S. , a move he said was needed to protect American jobs in light of the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump suspended the issuance of green cards for 60 days to foreign citizens who want to live in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new order extends Trump 's original ban through Dec. 30 and expands it by imposing restrictions on work visas .
The freeze applies to H-1B visas designed for high-skilled workers , particularly in the tech industry , and H-2B visas used by seasonal workers , such as in the construction and hospitality industries .
Others that are impacted are H-4 visas given to spouses of H-1B visa holders ; L-1 visas for executives who work for large corporations ; and some J-1 visas for scholars and professors .
In addition , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on long-term reforms to the immigration system , including changing the way H-1B visas are distributed .
Right now , the H-1B visas are distributed by lottery .
The new approach would allot them to applicants who earn the highest wages .
Court : Aligning with liberals on DACA , Chief Justice Roberts asserts his independence The decision to suspend temporary work visas comes days after the Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration 's effort to wind down the DACA program to shield those brought to the country illegally as children from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House , the court 's liberals joined with Chief Justice John Roberts in blocking the effort .
Trump said his administration will try to end the legal protections for `` Dreamers . ''
David Bier , an immigration policy analyst at the libertarian Cato Institute , said suspending the L-1 visa for foreign corporate executives would hurt the American economy .
`` It 's a crucial tool for growth and innovation and the admin would hurt the recovery by ending it , '' he tweeted .
Kerri Talbot of the Immigration Hub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , accused Trump and his senior adviser Stephen Miller of `` scapegoating immigrants and refugees to distract from the administration ’ s failures to put forward a meaningful response to the coronavirus pandemic . ''
`` Today ’ s order and the administration ’ s recent actions on asylum have nothing to do with combating the virus or providing any relief for struggling families , '' Talbot said .
`` This proclamation is just more political fodder rooted in racism and white supremacy for Trump ’ s base . ''
Trump : President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite Supreme Court ruling Trump supporters and groups advocating for reduced levels of immigration hailed the move .
`` Great news , '' tweeted U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar , R-Ariz. `` Keep the exemptions tight .
Hire American . ''
Dan Stein , president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform , said Trump promised to put American workers first , `` and , to his credit , he did just that . ''
`` Voters understand that continued high levels of immigration and guest worker admissions are an impediment to American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Stein said .
`` Perhaps most importantly , this pause provides an opportunity to structure long-term reforms to massively abused guest worker programs . ''

David Jackson, John Fritze and Michael Collins, USA TODAY

Trump issues executive order limiting temporary work visas
Show Caption Hide Caption US suspends some worker visas through end of year The U.S. is suspending some visas, including for skilled workers and executives for large corporations, through at least the end of the year. Newsy, Newsy
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that will suspend temporary visas for foreign workers until the end of 2020, angering advocates who say he is targeting immigrants for domestic political reasons.
The order applies to a variety of work visas used for many types of jobs, a move that the administration says could free up as many as 525,000 jobs to be filled by Americans.
But immigration groups, which have been bracing for the order for days, argue that Trump is targeting immigrants to placate his political base.
"Immigrant workers are vital to the American workforce," said Beth Werlin, executive director of the American Immigration Council. "As our nation recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, immigrants in all industries will be essential to rebuilding our nation."
Trump's latest move follows his decision in April to temporarily suspend immigration to the U.S., a move he said was needed to protect American jobs in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Trump suspended the issuance of green cards for 60 days to foreign citizens who want to live in the U.S. That order was to expire Monday.
The new order extends Trump's original ban through Dec. 30 and expands it by imposing restrictions on work visas.
The freeze applies to H-1B visas designed for high-skilled workers, particularly in the tech industry, and H-2B visas used by seasonal workers, such as in the construction and hospitality industries. Others that are impacted are H-4 visas given to spouses of H-1B visa holders; L-1 visas for executives who work for large corporations; and some J-1 visas for scholars and professors.
In addition, Trump has instructed his aides to begin work on long-term reforms to the immigration system, including changing the way H-1B visas are distributed. Right now, the H-1B visas are distributed by lottery. The new approach would allot them to applicants who earn the highest wages.
Court: Aligning with liberals on DACA, Chief Justice Roberts asserts his independence
The decision to suspend temporary work visas comes days after the Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration's effort to wind down the DACA program to shield those brought to the country illegally as children from deportation. In a blow to the White House, the court's liberals joined with Chief Justice John Roberts in blocking the effort. Trump said his administration will try to end the legal protections for "Dreamers."
David Bier, an immigration policy analyst at the libertarian Cato Institute, said suspending the L-1 visa for foreign corporate executives would hurt the American economy. "It's a crucial tool for growth and innovation and the admin would hurt the recovery by ending it," he tweeted.
AP Debrief: Supreme Court rejects Trump on DACA The Supreme Court has rejected President Donald Trump’s effort to end legal protections for 650,000 young immigrants, the second stunning election-season rebuke from the court in a week. (June 18) AP
Kerri Talbot of the Immigration Hub, an immigrants' rights advocacy group, accused Trump and his senior adviser Stephen Miller of "scapegoating immigrants and refugees to distract from the administration’s failures to put forward a meaningful response to the coronavirus pandemic."
"Today’s order and the administration’s recent actions on asylum have nothing to do with combating the virus or providing any relief for struggling families," Talbot said. "This proclamation is just more political fodder rooted in racism and white supremacy for Trump’s base."
Trump: President will try again to deport young migrants, despite Supreme Court ruling
Trump supporters and groups advocating for reduced levels of immigration hailed the move.
"Great news," tweeted U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz. "Keep the exemptions tight. Hire American."
Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said Trump promised to put American workers first, "and, to his credit, he did just that."
"Voters understand that continued high levels of immigration and guest worker admissions are an impediment to American workers recovering along with the economy," Stein said. "Perhaps most importantly, this pause provides an opportunity to structure long-term reforms to massively abused guest worker programs."


usatoday--2020-06-23--Protest updates: Atlanta police officer says he 'didn't do anything wrong'; Fortnite removes police

One of two Atlanta police officers charged in the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks said he `` did n't do anything wrong '' during an interview about the June 12 incident .
Devin Brosnan is charged with aggravated assault and two counts of violating his oath .
Eight correctional officers in Minneapolis have filed racial discrimination charges with the state ’ s Department of Human Rights alleging that they were n't allowed to be in close contact with Derek Chauvin , the white officer who kneeled on George Floyd 's neck for nearly nine minutes .
Meanwhile , in Thousand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested on suspicion of vandalizing a Black Lives Matter sign .
Two of the men worked for local law enforcement agencies .
A closer look at some recent developments : • The statue of Theodore Roosevelt outside the American Museum of Natural History in New York will be removed .
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the statue shows Black and Indigenous people as `` subjugated and racially inferior . ''
• Statues of Catholic priest Junipero Serra were toppled in San Francisco and Los Angeles over the weekend .
Serra founded nine of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • A noose was found in the garage stall of Darrell `` Bubba '' Wallace Jr. and the No .
43 Richard Petty Motorsports team Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway .
Wallace is the only full-time Black driver in NASCAR ’ s elite Cup series .
• Three men , two who worked for local law enforcement agencies in California , were arrested on suspicion of vandalizing a Black Lives Matter sign in the city of Westlake Village .
Our live blog will be updated throughout the day .
For first-in-the-morning updates , sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does 'defund the police ' mean ?
And why some say 'reform ' is not enough Georgia officer charged in Wendy 's case : ‘ I didn ’ t do anything wrong ’ An Atlanta police officer facing criminal charges in connection with a June 12 fatal shooting outside a Wendy ’ s restaurant says he did nothing wrong and expects truth to prevail .
Officer Devin Brosnan told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Rayshard Brooks , the 41-year-old Black man who was killed , had grabbed his Taser while being arrested .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shocked with the weapon and his head was slammed against the pavement .
As Brooks ran away with the Taser – a scene captured on video – he was pursued by a second officer , Garrett Rolf , who shot Brooks .
Rolf faces 11 felony counts , including murder .
Brosnan , charged with placing his foot on Brooks ’ back after the shooting , said he was disoriented and fearful until he realized the suspect was no longer a threat .
“ In no way , shape or form was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he told the Atlanta newspaper .
“ People will see this for what it is .
They will understand I didn ’ t do anything wrong . ''
In the virtual world , things can appear and disappear unexpectedly .
Things like police cars .
And that ’ s apparently what happened in the action video game “ Fortnite , ” which featured law enforcement vehicles as decorative props until a new version premiered last week .
According to the Wall Street Journal , officials at Epic Games Inc. did not respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citing a person familiar with Fortnite ’ s development said patrol cars were removed not as a political statement , but out of sensitivity to the national controversy over law enforcement abuses .
The disappearance was first noted on social media , including Reddit , where one post exclaimed , “ Yikes .
The anti-cop sentiment is reaching everything ” and another observed , “ Fortnite has de-funded the police.
” A public viewing was held Monday for Rayshard Brooks , the man Atlanta police fatally shot responding to a call that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The event took place at Ebenezer Baptist Church , which was Martin Luther King Jr. 's church .
Rev .
Martin Luther King , Sr. became pastor in 1931 and was joined by his oldest son in 1960 .
A private funeral will be will be held Tuesday afternoon at the church .
The Fulton County Medical Examiner 's office has ruled Brooks ' death a homicide .
Brooks , who is Black , failed a sobriety test and was being handcuffed when he struggled to get away from police .
Video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an officer 's Taser when an officer shoots him from behind .
Defund police ?
Some cities have already started , investing in mental health instead As calls to `` defund the police '' echo around the country at Black Lives Matter protests , a handful of communities already know what that looks like as they invest millions of dollars into mental health resources and response teams instead of just traditional policing .
These crisis intervention teams typically do not include an armed , uniformed officer but do feature counselors , social workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30-year-old program CAHOOTS , or Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets , is the model other cities are looking to as they form their own programs .
Co-response teams , which often pair a cop with a social worker , have grown in popularity across the country in recent years , especially in areas crippled by the opioid crisis .
But as outrage grows over the number of Black men who have died in interactions with police in recent years – including George Floyd , whose death in Minnesota on May 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – communities are demanding a system other than traditional policing .
Advocates say programs such as CAHOOTS offer a better , safer alternative .
Noose found in garage stall of Bubba Wallace at Talladega Superspeedway A noose was found in the garage stall of Darrell `` Bubba '' Wallace Jr. and the No .
43 Richard Petty Motorsports team Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway , NASCAR said in a statement released Sunday night .
NASCAR said it was opening an investigation hoping to identify the person responsible and `` eliminate them from the sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unequivocally , there is no place for racism in NASCAR , and this act only strengthens our resolve to make the sport open and welcoming to all , '' the statement says .
Wallace is the only Black driver in the Cup Series and has been integral in leading the sport 's recent commitment to fighting racism and injustice .
His largest impact so far was calling for NASCAR to ban the Confederate flag from all events , which the governing body did on June 10 .
New York Police Commissioner Dermot Shea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended without pay after video surfaced of him putting a Black man in an `` apparent chokehold . ''
The suspension came just hours after the incident on a beach boardwalk in Queens .
Video shot by a man involved in the incident shows a group of officers tackling a Black man as one officer puts his arm around the man 's neck as he is lying face down .
The group around the officers shouts for the officer to release his arm from the man 's neck , and another officer restraining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer on his back and pulls his shirt before the officer releases the chokehold .
`` The officer who intervened to stop his colleague did exactly the right thing , '' Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted Sunday night .
`` I commend him .
That is what we need to see from all our officers . ''
Shea said a full investigation was underway .
The NYPD has long banned chokeholds , and their use has come under increased scrutiny since the death of Eric Garner in 2014 after an officer used a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seattle 's protest zone over the weekend Police in Seattle say two shootings occurred over the weekend in the city 's Capitol Hill Occupied Protest ( CHOP ) zone .
A shooting late Sunday left at least one person injured with a gunshot wound .
The person arrived at the hospital in a private vehicle and was in serious condition , Harborview Medical Center spokesperson Susan Gregg said in a statement .
On Saturday , a 19-year-old man died at a hospital after being treated for wounds from a shooting , and another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
Police said they responded to a call about shots fired at 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning inside the protest zone .
No arrests have been made .
Formerly known as CHAZ , or Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone , the area stretches several city blocks and has been cordoned off by protesters where artists paint murals , speakers discuss topics of racial equity and snacks are handed out for free .
Lawmakers , protesters want answers in shooting death of Andres Guardado by LA deputy Two Democratic lawmakers in California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general to investigate the death of Andres Guardado , an 18-year-old killed by a Los Angeles County sheriff 's deputy last week .
Reps. Maxine Waters and Nanette Diaz Barragán called for an independent investigation as hundreds of people gathered Sunday near the site where Guardado was fatally shot .
“ Another day , and another Black or Brown kid has been shot in the back by police , ” said the representatives for Southern California districts .
“ These killings must stop.
” Authorities say the sheriff 's deputy who shot Guardado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a business near Gardena but do not believe Guardado fired the weapon .
Capt .
Kent Wegener said the gun had no serial number and was pieced together with various firearm parts .
Wegener also said investigators are reviewing footage from multiple cameras near the scene .
The shooting took place in the back of the building , Wegener said .
Guardado was shot in the torso , he said , adding that the medical examiner will perform an autopsy .
Roosevelt statue to be removed from Natural History museum The American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will remove a prominent statue of Theodore Roosevelt from its entrance after years of objections that it symbolizes colonial expansion and racial discrimination , Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday .
The statue that has stood at the museum 's entrance since 1940 depicts Roosevelt on horseback with a Native American man and a Black man standing next to the horse .
“ The American Museum of Natural History has asked to remove the Theodore Roosevelt statue because it explicitly depicts Black and Indigenous people as subjugated and racially inferior , '' de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump objected to the statue 's removal , calling it `` ridiculous '' on Twitter .
The museum 's president , Ellen Futter , told the New York Times that the museum 's “ community has been profoundly moved by the ever-widening movement for racial justice that has emerged after the killing of George Floyd.
” Three men have been arrested on suspicion of vandalizing a Black Lives Matter sign in the city of Westlake Village , authorities said .
One of the men is a civilian employee of the Ventura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a non-sworn investigative assistant at the Ventura County District Attorney 's Office .
The misdemeanor arrests were announced Saturday night by Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub 's office .
The announcement covered multiple incidents over the last three weeks .
`` I 'm deeply disappointed that one of our employees involved himself in this type of illegal activity , especially when this is an infringement on someone 's First Amendment right to freedom of speech , '' Ayub said in a statement .
`` We will not tolerate unlawful or unethical behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We hold our employees to the highest standards , and there will be consequences for this . ''
The sign , described as a tarp with the letters BLM painted on it , has been displayed on a fence for the past three weeks , officials said , and has been damaged or removed on several occasions .
Minnesota officers of color allege discrimination at jail that housed Derek Chauvin Eight Minnesota correctional officers at the facility where fired police officer Derek Chauvin was held following his arrest for the murder of George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into contact with him and have reportedly filed a complaint with the state ’ s Department of Human Rights .
The officers – all people of color – say they were told they would be a “ liability ” around Chauvin because of their race , The ( Minneapolis ) Star Tribune reported .
According to a copy of charges obtained by the newspaper , once Chauvin arrived at the Ramsey County Jail , officers of color were ordered to a separate floor .
The only officers left to guard Chauvin were white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having contact with Chauvin , the Star Tribune reported .
Demonstrators in California toppled statues of a Spanish Catholic missionary over the weekend amid ongoing protests against racism sparked by the death of George Floyd on May 25 .
Statues of Father Junipero Serra , who founded the state 's 21 Spanish missions , were brought down in Los Angeles and San Francisco .
Demonstrators in Ventura County called for the removal of the statue outside of the city hall building on Saturday .
In downtown Los Angeles , Indigenous activists shouted and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Los Angeles Times reported .
No police were present at the demonstration .
In San Francisco , the Serra statue at Golden Gate Park was yanked with ropes on Friday .
San Francisco Archbishop Salvadore Cordileone criticized protesters in a statement : `` A renewed national movement to heal memories and correct the injustices of racism and police brutality in our country has been hijacked by some into a movement of violence , looting and vandalism . ''
San Francisco Mayor London Breed asked for public art to be reviewed after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breed decried the vandalism , saying `` the damage done ... went far beyond '' the removal of the statues .
Other statues targeted included those of Ulysses Grant , the 18th U.S. president , and Francis Scott Key , who wrote the U.S. national anthem “ Star Spangled Banner . ''
Breed said she will ask the Arts Commission , the Human Rights Commission and the Recreation and Parks Department and its Commission `` to evaluate our public art and its intersection with our country ’ s racist history '' to determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the city .
• 'It is our history ' : Families of Aunt Jemima former models oppose Quaker Oats ' planned brand changes • A far-right movement called 'boogaloo ' is growing amid national unrest .
What is it and what do members want ?
• Fractured skulls , lost eyes : An investigation into law-enforcement actions at protests across the country reveals some officers appear to have violated their department ’ s rules when they fired `` less lethal '' projectiles at protesters who were for the most part peacefully assembled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrities who 've been fired for their racist comments

Jessica Flores, Ryan W. Miller, Lorenzo Reyes and Dennis Wagner, USA TODAY

Protest updates: Atlanta police officer says he 'didn't do anything wrong'; Fortnite removes police from game
Show Caption Hide Caption Statue of Francis Scott Key toppled in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park Protesters toppled the statue of Francis Scott Key in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park on Friday, June 19. Historical figures tainted by racism continues. Storyful
One of two Atlanta police officers charged in the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks said he "didn't do anything wrong" during an interview about the June 12 incident. Devin Brosnan is charged with aggravated assault and two counts of violating his oath.
Eight correctional officers in Minneapolis have filed racial discrimination charges with the state’s Department of Human Rights alleging that they weren't allowed to be in close contact with Derek Chauvin, the white officer who kneeled on George Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes.
Meanwhile, in Thousand Oaks, California, three men were arrested on suspicion of vandalizing a Black Lives Matter sign. Two of the men worked for local law enforcement agencies.
A closer look at some recent developments:
The statue of Theodore Roosevelt outside the American Museum of Natural History in New York will be removed. Mayor Bill de Blasio said the statue shows Black and Indigenous people as "subjugated and racially inferior."
Statues of Catholic priest Junipero Serra were toppled in San Francisco and Los Angeles over the weekend. Serra founded nine of California’s 21 Spanish missions.
A noose was found in the garage stall of Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr. and the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports team Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. Wallace is the only full-time Black driver in NASCAR’s elite Cup series.
Three men, two who worked for local law enforcement agencies in California, were arrested on suspicion of vandalizing a Black Lives Matter sign in the city of Westlake Village.
Our live blog will be updated throughout the day. For first-in-the-morning updates, sign up for The Daily Briefing.
What does 'defund the police' mean? And why some say 'reform' is not enough
Seattle mayor seeks peaceful shutdown of activists' ‘police-free zone’
Seattle officials have decided to dismantle a six-block “police-free zone” held by demonstrators in the heart of the city for more than two weeks.
In the aftermath of two shootings – one of them fatal -- Mayor Jenny Durkan announced Monday that the so-called Capitol Hill Organized Protest will be displaced and police will return to a precinct house they abandoned.
Durkan declined to say exactly how the area will be cleared if occupants resist, but stressed that a transition will be “peaceful and in the near future.”
Hundreds of demonstrators have occupied the area, sharing food, music and political activism, but also causing damage and closing businesses. Now, said Durkan, “It’s time for people to go home.”
Georgia officer charged in Wendy's case: ‘I didn’t do anything wrong’
An Atlanta police officer facing criminal charges in connection with a June 12 fatal shooting outside a Wendy’s restaurant says he did nothing wrong and expects truth to prevail.
Officer Devin Brosnan told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Rayshard Brooks, the 41-year-old Black man who was killed, had grabbed his Taser while being arrested. During a tussle, Brosnan said, he was shocked with the weapon and his head was slammed against the pavement.
As Brooks ran away with the Taser – a scene captured on video – he was pursued by a second officer, Garrett Rolf, who shot Brooks. Rolf faces 11 felony counts, including murder.
Brosnan, charged with placing his foot on Brooks’ back after the shooting, said he was disoriented and fearful until he realized the suspect was no longer a threat. “In no way, shape or form was I trying to hurt this man,” he told the Atlanta newspaper. “People will see this for what it is. They will understand I didn’t do anything wrong."
Police cars vanish from Fortnite video game
In the virtual world, things can appear and disappear unexpectedly. Things like police cars.
And that’s apparently what happened in the action video game “Fortnite,” which featured law enforcement vehicles as decorative props until a new version premiered last week.
According to the Wall Street Journal, officials at Epic Games Inc. did not respond to inquiries, however, the publication citing a person familiar with Fortnite’s development said patrol cars were removed not as a political statement, but out of sensitivity to the national controversy over law enforcement abuses.
The disappearance was first noted on social media, including Reddit, where one post exclaimed, “Yikes. The anti-cop sentiment is reaching everything” and another observed, “Fortnite has de-funded the police.”
Public viewing for Rayshard Brooks held Monday
A public viewing was held Monday for Rayshard Brooks, the man Atlanta police fatally shot responding to a call that he had fallen asleep in a fast-food drive-through.
The event took place at Ebenezer Baptist Church, which was Martin Luther King Jr.'s church. Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. became pastor in 1931 and was joined by his oldest son in 1960.
A private funeral will be will be held Tuesday afternoon at the church.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner's office has ruled Brooks' death a homicide. Brooks, who is Black, failed a sobriety test and was being handcuffed when he struggled to get away from police. Video from the scene shows Brooks fleeing with an officer's Taser when an officer shoots him from behind.
– Cara Kelly
Defund police? Some cities have already started, investing in mental health instead
As calls to "defund the police" echo around the country at Black Lives Matter protests, a handful of communities already know what that looks like as they invest millions of dollars into mental health resources and response teams instead of just traditional policing. These crisis intervention teams typically do not include an armed, uniformed officer but do feature counselors, social workers and paramedics.
Eugene, Oregon's 30-year-old program CAHOOTS, or Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets, is the model other cities are looking to as they form their own programs.
Co-response teams, which often pair a cop with a social worker, have grown in popularity across the country in recent years, especially in areas crippled by the opioid crisis. But as outrage grows over the number of Black men who have died in interactions with police in recent years – including George Floyd, whose death in Minnesota on May 25 spurred the most recent wave of protests – communities are demanding a system other than traditional policing.
Advocates say programs such as CAHOOTS offer a better, safer alternative.
– Lindsay Schnell
Noose found in garage stall of Bubba Wallace at Talladega Superspeedway
A noose was found in the garage stall of Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr. and the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports team Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR said in a statement released Sunday night.
NASCAR said it was opening an investigation hoping to identify the person responsible and "eliminate them from the sport." "As we have stated unequivocally, there is no place for racism in NASCAR, and this act only strengthens our resolve to make the sport open and welcoming to all," the statement says.
Wallace is the only Black driver in the Cup Series and has been integral in leading the sport's recent commitment to fighting racism and injustice. His largest impact so far was calling for NASCAR to ban the Confederate flag from all events, which the governing body did on June 10.
– Michelle R. Martinelli
NYPD officer suspended for 'apparent chokehold'
New York Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said Sunday that an officer has been suspended without pay after video surfaced of him putting a Black man in an "apparent chokehold."
The suspension came just hours after the incident on a beach boardwalk in Queens. Video shot by a man involved in the incident shows a group of officers tackling a Black man as one officer puts his arm around the man's neck as he is lying face down. The group around the officers shouts for the officer to release his arm from the man's neck, and another officer restraining the man on the ground taps the officer on his back and pulls his shirt before the officer releases the chokehold.
"The officer who intervened to stop his colleague did exactly the right thing," Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted Sunday night. "I commend him. That is what we need to see from all our officers."
Shea said a full investigation was underway. The NYPD has long banned chokeholds, and their use has come under increased scrutiny since the death of Eric Garner in 2014 after an officer used a chokehold on him.
NYPD officer suspended without pay after 'apparent chokehold' A New York police officer has been suspended without pay after an "apparent chokehold incident" at a beach in Queens. USA TODAY, Storyful
2 shootings in Seattle's protest zone over the weekend
Police in Seattle say two shootings occurred over the weekend in the city's Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP) zone.
A shooting late Sunday left at least one person injured with a gunshot wound. The person arrived at the hospital in a private vehicle and was in serious condition, Harborview Medical Center spokesperson Susan Gregg said in a statement.
On Saturday, a 19-year-old man died at a hospital after being treated for wounds from a shooting, and another sustained "life-threatening injuries," police said in a statement.
Police said they responded to a call about shots fired at 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning inside the protest zone. No arrests have been made.
Formerly known as CHAZ, or Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, the area stretches several city blocks and has been cordoned off by protesters where artists paint murals, speakers discuss topics of racial equity and snacks are handed out for free.
Lawmakers, protesters want answers in shooting death of Andres Guardado by LA deputy
Two Democratic lawmakers in California have called on their state's attorney general to investigate the death of Andres Guardado, an 18-year-old killed by a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy last week.
Reps. Maxine Waters and Nanette Diaz Barragán called for an independent investigation as hundreds of people gathered Sunday near the site where Guardado was fatally shot.
“Another day, and another Black or Brown kid has been shot in the back by police,” said the representatives for Southern California districts. “These killings must stop.”
Authorities say the sheriff's deputy who shot Guardado spotted him with a gun in front of a business near Gardena but do not believe Guardado fired the weapon. Capt. Kent Wegener said the gun had no serial number and was pieced together with various firearm parts. Wegener also said investigators are reviewing footage from multiple cameras near the scene.
The shooting took place in the back of the building, Wegener said. Guardado was shot in the torso, he said, adding that the medical examiner will perform an autopsy.
Roosevelt statue to be removed from Natural History museum
The American Museum of Natural History in New York will remove a prominent statue of Theodore Roosevelt from its entrance after years of objections that it symbolizes colonial expansion and racial discrimination, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday.
The statue that has stood at the museum's entrance since 1940 depicts Roosevelt on horseback with a Native American man and a Black man standing next to the horse.
“The American Museum of Natural History has asked to remove the Theodore Roosevelt statue because it explicitly depicts Black and Indigenous people as subjugated and racially inferior," de Blasio said in a written statement.
President Donald Trump objected to the statue's removal, calling it "ridiculous" on Twitter. The museum's president, Ellen Futter, told the New York Times that the museum's “community has been profoundly moved by the ever-widening movement for racial justice that has emerged after the killing of George Floyd.”
3 men arrested for allegedly vandalizing BLM sign in California
Three men have been arrested on suspicion of vandalizing a Black Lives Matter sign in the city of Westlake Village, authorities said.
One of the men is a civilian employee of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, and another is a non-sworn investigative assistant at the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
The misdemeanor arrests were announced Saturday night by Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub's office. The announcement covered multiple incidents over the last three weeks.
"I'm deeply disappointed that one of our employees involved himself in this type of illegal activity, especially when this is an infringement on someone's First Amendment right to freedom of speech," Ayub said in a statement. "We will not tolerate unlawful or unethical behavior by anyone employed by our agency. We hold our employees to the highest standards, and there will be consequences for this."
The sign, described as a tarp with the letters BLM painted on it, has been displayed on a fence for the past three weeks, officials said, and has been damaged or removed on several occasions.
– Gretchen Wenner, Ventura (Calif.) County Star
Minnesota officers of color allege discrimination at jail that housed Derek Chauvin
Eight Minnesota correctional officers at the facility where fired police officer Derek Chauvin was held following his arrest for the murder of George Floyd say they were forbidden from coming into contact with him and have reportedly filed a complaint with the state’s Department of Human Rights.
The officers – all people of color – say they were told they would be a “liability” around Chauvin because of their race, The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune reported. According to a copy of charges obtained by the newspaper, once Chauvin arrived at the Ramsey County Jail, officers of color were ordered to a separate floor. The only officers left to guard Chauvin were white, and minority employees were prohibited from having contact with Chauvin, the Star Tribune reported.
– Jordan Culver
Statues of Spanish missionary Junipero Serra toppled in Los Angeles, San Francisco
Demonstrators in California toppled statues of a Spanish Catholic missionary over the weekend amid ongoing protests against racism sparked by the death of George Floyd on May 25.
Statues of Father Junipero Serra, who founded the state's 21 Spanish missions, were brought down in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Demonstrators in Ventura County called for the removal of the statue outside of the city hall building on Saturday.
In downtown Los Angeles, Indigenous activists shouted and drummed as the statue was toppled Saturday, the Los Angeles Times reported. No police were present at the demonstration.
In San Francisco, the Serra statue at Golden Gate Park was yanked with ropes on Friday. San Francisco Archbishop Salvadore Cordileone criticized protesters in a statement: "A renewed national movement to heal memories and correct the injustices of racism and police brutality in our country has been hijacked by some into a movement of violence, looting and vandalism."
San Francisco Mayor London Breed asked for public art to be reviewed after protesters vandalized and tore down statues.
Breed decried the vandalism, saying "the damage done ... went far beyond" the removal of the statues.
Other statues targeted included those of Ulysses Grant, the 18th U.S. president, and Francis Scott Key, who wrote the U.S. national anthem “Star Spangled Banner."
Breed said she will ask the Arts Commission, the Human Rights Commission and the Recreation and Parks Department and its Commission "to evaluate our public art and its intersection with our country’s racist history" to determine the status of other murals and monuments across the city.
– Lorenzo Reyes
More on protests
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-06-22--Archaeologists find massive ring of ancient shafts close to Stonehenge

A group of archaeologists discovered what could be one of the largest prehistoric sites in the United Kingdom near Stonehenge .
Researchers led by the University of Bradford discovered a ring of at least 20 `` shafts '' more than 32 feet in diameter and 16 feet deep that form a circle more than 1.2 miles in diameter .
The ring , which surrounds the site of a Neolithic village called Durrington Walls , could shed new light on the origins of the mystical stone circle in southwestern England .
“ The area around Stonehenge is amongst the most studied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gaffney , Chair of the School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences in the Faculty of Life Sciences , said in a statement .
`` It is remarkable that the application of new technology can still lead to the discovery of such a massive prehistoric structure which , currently , is significantly larger than any comparative prehistoric monument that we know of in Britain , at least . ''
Gaffney said when the pits were first identified , they were believed to be natural features .
Geophysical surveys allowed researchers to discover a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It demonstrates the significance of Durrington Walls Henge , the complexity of the monumental structures within the Stonehenge landscape , and the capacity and desire of Neolithic communities to record their cosmological belief systems in ways , and at a scale , that we had never previously anticipated.
” Archaeologists believe the circle of shafts was created about 4,500 years ago and may have marked a boundary around the massive henge at Durrington Walls which could have guided people towards the religious sites and warned others not to cross .
The site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mile northeast of Stonehenge , the most famous of the many mysterious stone circles built thousands of years ago in Britain .
The huge monument was built between 3000 B.C .
and 1600 B.C .
and is one of the country 's most popular tourist attractions .
Hundreds of people including druids and pagans typically visit the site at the summer and winter solstices , but this year 's celebrations were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
This discovery allowed researchers to `` write a whole new chapter in the story of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nick Snashall , National Trust archaeologist for the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site .
“ As the place where the builders of Stonehenge lived and feasted Durrington Walls is key to unlocking the story of the wider Stonehenge landscape , '' she said .
`` This astonishing discovery offers us new insights into the lives and beliefs of our Neolithic ancestors .

Archaeologists find massive ring of ancient shafts close to Stonehenge
Show Caption Hide Caption Stonehenge discovery opens up new lines of exploration Evidence suggests the wide circle of subterranean pits about 2 miles northeast of the famous stone circle Stonehenge was built in the same time period. CBC - Raw Videos, CBC - Raw Videos
A group of archaeologists discovered what could be one of the largest prehistoric sites in the United Kingdom near Stonehenge.
Researchers led by the University of Bradford discovered a ring of at least 20 "shafts" more than 32 feet in diameter and 16 feet deep that form a circle more than 1.2 miles in diameter. The ring, which surrounds the site of a Neolithic village called Durrington Walls, could shed new light on the origins of the mystical stone circle in southwestern England.
“The area around Stonehenge is amongst the most studied archaeological landscapes on earth," Vince Gaffney, Chair of the School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences in the Faculty of Life Sciences, said in a statement. "It is remarkable that the application of new technology can still lead to the discovery of such a massive prehistoric structure which, currently, is significantly larger than any comparative prehistoric monument that we know of in Britain, at least."
Gaffney said when the pits were first identified, they were believed to be natural features. Geophysical surveys allowed researchers to discover a "pattern on a massive scale."
“It demonstrates the significance of Durrington Walls Henge, the complexity of the monumental structures within the Stonehenge landscape, and the capacity and desire of Neolithic communities to record their cosmological belief systems in ways, and at a scale, that we had never previously anticipated.”
Archaeologists believe the circle of shafts was created about 4,500 years ago and may have marked a boundary around the massive henge at Durrington Walls which could have guided people towards the religious sites and warned others not to cross.
The site is located a little more than a mile northeast of Stonehenge, the most famous of the many mysterious stone circles built thousands of years ago in Britain. The huge monument was built between 3000 B.C. and 1600 B.C. and is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions.
Hundreds of people including druids and pagans typically visit the site at the summer and winter solstices, but this year's celebrations were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This discovery allowed researchers to "write a whole new chapter in the story of the Stonehenge landscape," according to Nick Snashall, National Trust archaeologist for the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site.
“As the place where the builders of Stonehenge lived and feasted Durrington Walls is key to unlocking the story of the wider Stonehenge landscape," she said. "This astonishing discovery offers us new insights into the lives and beliefs of our Neolithic ancestors.
Follow N'dea Yancey-Bragg on Twitter: @NdeaYanceyBragg


usatoday--2020-06-22--This Las Vegas casino company is paying guests $20 to wear masks

Someone from the company may tap you on the shoulder and slip you $ 20 to gamble .
The operator of five reopened hotel-casinos on The Strip has launched the promotion to encourage guests to wear masks and prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Over the weekend , a promotions team walked through Caesars Palace , Paris , Flamingo , The Linq and Harrah 's to find people wearing masks while gambling or strolling the casino floor .
All told , 375 guests got $ 7,500 .
The promotion applies only to Caesars Rewards members wearing masks , but anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the free money , according to the Reno Gazette Journal , which is part of the USA TODAY Network .
When will the limited time promotion end ?
That ’ s a little complicated , according to Caesars Entertainment public relations specialist Gia Silvaggio .
“ The promotion would end if wearing masks became mandatory , ” she said in an email to the USA TODAY Network .
Will everyone soon have to wear masks ?
Caesars ’ free-play giveaway comes when COVID-19 is gaining steam in Nevada , and state officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all casino visitors .
The Nevada Gaming Control Board updated its health and safety policy for casinos last week , tightening rules for gamblers sitting down to play .
Nevada gamblers are now required to wear face masks at table games that have no barriers , an update that came less than two weeks after casinos opened in Nevada following a shutdown that lasted almost three months .
But the Silver State ’ s most powerful labor union is calling for state leaders to require visitors to wear masks in all public spaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demanded that Nevada officials follow the lead of California , where Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced last week that citizens now must cover their mouths and noses in most indoor settings and outdoors when social distancing is n't possible .
“ The numbers are not going down , '' Argüello-Kline said .
`` They ’ re going up . ''
Last week , two Flamingo employees tested positive for the coronavirus , and restaurants inside the Bellagio and Linq Hotel – including Guy Fieri 's Las Vegas Kitchen Bar – closed after workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 330 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday , bringing the total to 13,535 known cases .
Health officials also reported three additional deaths on Monday , bringing the total number of people who ’ ve died from coronavirus to 489 .
The state ’ s four highest single-day increases have all been recorded within the past week , according to state data .
Nevada Gov .
Steve Sisolak said he would also support local leaders who set stricter restrictions and encouraged business owners to mandate employees and customers to wear face masks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ post-COVID time , ” Sisolak said last week .
“ We ’ re in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic .
We ’ re right dead-smack in the middle of it.
” Ed Komenda writes about Las Vegas for the Reno Gazette Journal and USA Today Network .

Las Vegas casino company is paying guests $20 to wear masks
Show Caption Hide Caption Las Vegas casinos reopening in June 2020 The city of lost wages is back in business, sort of. This is what you can expect after the Vegas strip reopens. USA TODAY, Wochit
LAS VEGAS – Wearing a mask inside a Caesars Entertainment casino?
Someone from the company may tap you on the shoulder and slip you $20 to gamble.
The operator of five reopened hotel-casinos on The Strip has launched the promotion to encourage guests to wear masks and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Over the weekend, a promotions team walked through Caesars Palace, Paris, Flamingo, The Linq and Harrah's to find people wearing masks while gambling or strolling the casino floor. All told, 375 guests got $7,500.
The promotion applies only to Caesars Rewards members wearing masks, but anyone can sign up for a chance to get the money, according to the Reno Gazette Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
When will the limited time promotion end? That’s a little complicated, according to Caesars Entertainment public relations specialist Gia Silvaggio.
“The promotion would end if wearing masks became mandatory,” she said in an email to the USA TODAY Network.
Las Vegas Strip reopens, awakening from 80-day coronavirus coma The Las Vegas Strip is slowly awakening after a nearly 80-day slumber due to the coronavirus crisis. USA TODAY
Will everyone soon have to wear masks?
Caesars’ free-play giveaway comes when COVID-19 is gaining steam in Nevada, and state officials are being pressured to require masks for all casino visitors.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board updated its health and safety policy for casinos last week, tightening rules for gamblers sitting down to play.
Nevada gamblers are now required to wear face masks at table games that have no barriers, an update that came less than two weeks after casinos opened in Nevada following a shutdown that lasted almost three months.
But the Silver State’s most powerful labor union is calling for state leaders to require visitors to wear masks in all public spaces at hotel-casinos to protect workers.
"Workers have fears," Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Geoconda Argüello-Kline said Monday.
Argüello-Kline demanded that Nevada officials follow the lead of California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last week that citizens now must cover their mouths and noses in most indoor settings and outdoors when social distancing isn't possible.
“The numbers are not going down," Argüello-Kline said. "They’re going up."
Last week, two Flamingo employees tested positive for the coronavirus, and restaurants inside the Bellagio and Linq Hotel – including Guy Fieri's Las Vegas Kitchen Bar – closed after workers there got COVID-19.
COVID-19 cases surge in Nevada
The state reported 330 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the total to 13,535 known cases. Health officials also reported three additional deaths on Monday, bringing the total number of people who’ve died from the coronavirus to 489.
The state’s four highest single-day increases have all been recorded within the past week, according to state data.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak said he also would support local leaders who set stricter restrictions and encouraged business owners to require employees and customers to wear face masks.
“We’re not in a post-COVID time,” Sisolak said last week. “We’re in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic. We’re right dead-smack in the middle of it.”


usatoday--2020-06-22--Ocasio-Cortez faces first reelection test as progressives work to maintain their movement

WASHINGTON – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez claimed her seat in the House of Representatives after challenging a long-time incumbent with a message of shaking up the status quo .
Now , she faces her own outsider challenger in the the first electoral test of her congressional tenure .
The New York Democrat knows the primary process well : Her upset victory over Joe Crowley – a member of House leadership who was thought to be in line for speaker – allowed her to gain a massive following after the 2018 midterm election .
She is turn has used that following to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation and pressure House leadership on major issues over her term .
But the primary Tuesday marks the first test for the freshman and fellow members of the Squad .
Three out of the group of four women of color , who over their first two years in office have become some of the most sought-after voices inthe progressive wing , are facing primary challenges ahead of the November election .
Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan is on the ballot Aug. 4 , and Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota is on the ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reelection and their race for sophomore year , so to speak , is always the biggest test because it is a test of how deep and long your roots go with the people who are voting for you , and how much you 've been able to win and maintain their trust , ” said Jon Reinish , a Democratic strategist based in New York , adding that a lawmaker 's first reelection fight “ is always going to be your most intense.
” Ocasio-Cortez 's House race is also one of several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to defend their seats from fellow Democrats running closer to the center .
Her race and others may offer new insight into voters ' perceptions of the progressive wing of the party months after progressive icon Sen. Bernie Sanders was bested by a more moderate Democrat , former Vice President Joe Biden , in the presidential nominating battle .
Ocasio-Cortez 's rise also has many looking to the district just north of hers on Tuesday , where House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel faces a fierce primary challenge that has led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Sanders , Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Ocasio-Cortez , have endorsed his opponent , Jamaal Bowman .
Former presidential contender Hillary Clinton and a host of congressional Democrats have raced to back Engel – marking another battle between progressives eager for a win and establishment Democrats seeking to keep the high-level , 16-term congressman in place .
In Ocasio-Cortez ’ s district , she will face three challengers , including former journalist Michelle Caruso-Cabrera , who has raised about $ 2 million .
Still , Ocasio-Cortez has remained a popular figure in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s biggest fundraisers with $ 10.5 million raised .
She , like fellow members of the Squad facing primaries , has been painted by challengers as more concerned with her newfound fame and quarrels with the president than she is focused on constituents in the Bronx and Queens .
In a debate earlier this month , Caruso-Cabrera specifically targeted Ocasio-Cortez for being the lone House Democrat who opposed a $ 2 trillion coronavirus aid package , which offered help for hospitals , increased unemployment benefits , and included up to a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ She 's a democratic socialist and she 's a polarizing , divisive force , ” Caruso-Cabrera said during the debate , which was held remotely over video conference .
“ She is wrong for the times .
She is wrong for New York , and she is wrong for our neighborhoods.
” Ocasio-Cortez responded by explaining she was a force behind other pieces of COVID-19 legislation and declined to back the CARES Act in May because it included a “ half a trillion dollars in Wall Street giveaways ” and did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community in New York .
She listed a raft of inequalities in her community , including issues related to the coronavirus pandemic , policing and employment , and noted the need for new programs , such as `` Medicare for All '' to address health care .
`` I have always fought for these issues .
I am not new to these issues .
I ran on them in 2018 , '' she said during the debate .
`` Every promise that I made , I have delivered upon and I am proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the country wanted to leave us behind . ''
“ Once you 're the member , you know , you have a record , you have legislative responsibilities , you have district responsibilities and you are now judged and also can be taken on as an incumbent , ” Reinish , the strategist , said .
“ It ’ s hard to be both the insurgent and the incumbent , and I think that ’ s what she ’ s seeing right now.
” It was not Ocasio-Cortez ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation important to the Democratic caucus , an occurrence that over her first term has inflamed tensions with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. She and the three other members of the Squad – Reps. Ayanna Pressley , D-Mass.
, Tlaib and Omar – were the lone Democratic holdouts last year on an humanitarian aid package that supplied help for immigrants as the nation grappled with children dying in federal immigration custody .
That vote and Ocasio-Cortez ’ s signature legislation – the Green New Deal , a sweeping climate change proposal – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic caucus and a spat with Pelosi , in which Ocasio-Cortez said Pelosi was being “ disrespectful ” by continuing “ the explicit singling out of newly elected women of color.
” Pelosi had dismissed Ocasio-Cortez ’ s climate bill as “ the green dream or whatever they call it ; nobody knows what it is ” and cast the Squad as House members with a large online following without the same in Congress .
“ All of these people have their public whatever and their Twitter world , '' Pelosi told The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But they did n't have any following .
They 're four people and that 's how many votes they got . ''
The pair ’ s spat was short-lived , and Pelosi has endorsed Ocasio-Cortez ’ s reelection bid .
Both Tlaib and Omar face serious challengers as well , while Pressley doesn ’ t have a primary race this year .
The Minnesota district that Omar represents has been turned upside down after the death of George Floyd , who died after an Minneapolis officer knelt on his neck for almost 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district launched nationwide protests and a larger discussion about systemic racism and the use of force by police .
Omar 's tenure in Congress – itself historic as she became one of the first two Muslim women in Congress , along with Tlaib – has also been marked by some controversy , including a heated fight with President Donald Trump , which led to a slew of death threats against her .
Republicans and members of her own party also chastised her for comments about Israel they said played into into anti-Semitic tropes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate speech after Omar ’ s comments .
Her most well-funded challenger , Antone Melton-Meaux , has said the congresswoman was too focused on “ being a celebrity ” and called her “ divisive , ” according to Omar 's hometown paper , The Star Tribune .
In Detroit , Tlaib is facing a rematch against Brenda Jones , who Tlaib narrowly beat to earn her seat in 2018 .
Like her fellow Squad members , Tlaib ’ s two years in office has also been marked by sparring with the president and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sworn into office , she vowed to “ impeach the mother****er , ” which led to the president lashing out on Twitter – the first of several attacks from the president over her first term .
Jones said her campaign was “ based on hope.
” “ Hope for a better tomorrow , hope for our children , hope for our families and hope for the hopeless , '' she said .
“ What I feel is it 's important to connect all of the people in the district , regardless of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are , what job they do . ''


usatoday--2020-06-22--Opinion: Sports stayed silent as COVID-19's next wave got closer. Now comes the reckoning

Sport ’ s great moonshot is about to fall apart before it gets off the launching pad .
The blame game will follow shortly thereafter .
As virtually every major North American sports league warily readies for a heavily-regulated start or re-start to a 2020 season that may never happen amid a global pandemic , you ’ ll hear plenty of critiques regarding easily-punctured holes in the NBA bubble .
Of the highly unregulated and wildly inconsistent testing protocols across college football .
And of the narrative that Major League Baseball and its players de-prioritized health and safety protocols as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars .
These critiques are all legitimate , but they assign blame to parties making good-faith efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 .
And they ignore the other culprits whose missteps will sideline some , perhaps all , major sports this year .
At the top of that list is an almost thorough failure at every level of government .
You probably know the numbers by now : The U.S. leads the world in COVID-19 cases ( 2.3 million ) and deaths ( more than 120,000 ) , both more than double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our response has been worse than any country in the world , particularly embarrassing given our significant means and our ability to distance ourselves , relative to other , denser countries .
Believe what you want – it ’ s a free country , as they say !
– but know that we alone are responsible for our current plight .
And that so-called `` second first wave '' of COVID-19 we ’ re fighting couldn ’ t be worse in its timing or its locations as sports tiptoes toward a return .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Japan , soccer in Europe and pretty much anything you want in New Zealand , 26 of our states are experiencing an uptick in COVID-19 cases .
In Florida – home to two MLB teams , three NFL teams , seven major college football teams and hoped-for “ bubbles ” for the NBA and Major League Soccer – the 100,000-case mark was passed by Monday morning .
More importantly , the state experienced a peak in cases over a seven-day period , averaging more than 3,000 last week – more than triple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Texas , the seven-day average has nearly tripled to 3,500 , and in the same week 13 University of Texas football players tested positive for COVID-19 , the state and Travis County ’ s hospitals hit 75 % capacity .
It ’ s worse in Arizona , where hospitals are at 82 % capacity and ICU beds 84 % full .
Daily positive tests have quadrupled in three weeks , prompting some of its biggest cities to mandate wearing face masks in public .
All three states also report positivity rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count can ’ t be explained by increased testing .
Are all these troubling spikes the direct result of stay-at-home orders expiring more than a month ago in states that were late to close and early to open ?
We ’ ll have a better answer to that question in the months and years to come .
But first , consider the words and actions regarding sports that those states adopted .
Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey announced on May 12 that MLB , the NBA , NHL , NFL and MLS were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 16 .
“ We have had discussions with leaders of some of these leagues , and they all know they are welcome to operate , play and perform in the state of Arizona . ''
A day later , Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis laid out an even wider welcome mat , essentially opening his state to any league or franchise that faced re-opening hurdles in its home jurisdiction .
`` If you have a team in an area where they just won ’ t let them operate , ” DeSantis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a place for you here in the state of Florida.
” In Texas , Gov .
Greg Abbott said May 18 that sports could return by May 31 , but on June 3 outdid his fellow governors , issuing an executive order that allowed pro and collegiate sports venues to welcome fans at 50 % capacity .
That means some 45,000 people at a Dallas Cowboys home game , a scenario that infectious-disease experts don ’ t exactly embrace .
And there was the April 4 conference call held between President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during which the president expressed confidence the NFL would have a normal start in September .
A week later , he was more strident : “ We have to get our sports back .
I 'm tired of watching baseball games that are 14 years old.
” More than two months later , after statements of hope and reopenings to much fanfare , it ’ s clear this was all so much wish-casting .
It ’ s one thing for political figures to want to shape reality to their liking , particularly a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governors hoping to ride his coattails .
That ’ s how Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx , at first front and center , are suddenly MIA and consistent messages and reliable information are more challenging to find .
But here ’ s the thing : Every major sports league has its own experts ; MLB even retained a noted infectious disease expert , Ali Khan , to guide its path toward a season .
Beyond that , we are in an era where everyone from athletes to executives are “ smarter ” than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spends his winter learning to better “ tunnel ” his pitches to front-office executives who can pull out an actuary table and tell you exactly how below-average a free agent slugger will be by the time he turns 35 .
As the invitations to come and sport in this state or the other rolled out and stay-at-home restrictions loosened , we all saw this coming .
And given the mid-summer goal several leagues set for a return , the timing was going to be terrible .
Sure , it ’ s a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , “ All due respect , sir , we are also excited to return , but we ’ d also feel the chances are better if you slow your roll a little bit.
” It would have taken less courage to very publicly inform politicians in so many states , “ You know , keeping things shut down and putting on the mask now may allow us to put on our uniforms this summer.
” But it ’ s almost always in the best interest of leagues and franchises to , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dribble.
” Publicly-funded stadiums are a crucial part of their well-being .
MLB ’ s rare anti-trust exemption has been its lifeblood .
Better to stay quiet than imperil sweetheart deals .
So they watched and waited as images of packed nightclubs in Scottsdale and happy diners in Tampa filled our screens – until many restaurants had to close again .
And now every spring training facility is shuttered , thanks in part to a COVID-19 breakout at the Phillies ’ Florida camp in Clearwater .
The Orlando Pride announced Monday they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after several players and staff tested positive .
South Carolina , which waited until April 6 to issue a stay-at-home order and then lifted it May 1 , posted a double : Twenty-eight Clemson athletes have tested positive , while across the state in Hilton Head , the first PGA Tour pro contracted the virus .
“ No offense to Hilton Head , ” golfer Justin Thomas said , “ but they ’ re seeming to not take it very seriously .
It ’ s an absolute zoo around here .
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely packed.
” To be fair , COVID-19 is relentless .
California shut down early , reopened late and did right by almost every infectious disease expert .
And still , on Monday it reported a single-day high in hospitalizations , though its case curve is far less perilous than Arizona ’ s and Florida ’ s , which resemble the first half of a nasty Clayton Kershaw curveball .
The mixed messages from the federal , state and local levels – “ Close down !
Open up !
Wear a mask !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t help a confused public that doesn ’ t have time for full-time epidemiology .
Sports could have helped lend that clarity and appeal to reason , logic and , above all , statistics .
Instead , it largely stayed quiet as our leaders ultimately failed us .
And now they all may be sidelined .

Opinion: Sports stayed silent as COVID-19's next wave got closer. Now comes the reckoning
Show Caption Hide Caption Why we need to pay attention to the mental health of athletes as they return to play SportsPulse: Sports mental health expert Eric Kussin lists the reason why we need to keep a close eye on athletes as they return to action because there's more at play than just their physical well being. USA TODAY
Sport’s great moonshot is about to fall apart before it gets off the launching pad. The blame game will follow shortly thereafter.
As virtually every major North American sports league warily readies for a heavily-regulated start or re-start to a 2020 season that may never happen amid a global pandemic, you’ll hear plenty of critiques regarding easily-punctured holes in the NBA bubble. Of the highly unregulated and wildly inconsistent testing protocols across college football. And of the narrative that Major League Baseball and its players de-prioritized health and safety protocols as they bickered over a few hundred million dollars.
These critiques are all legitimate, but they assign blame to parties making good-faith efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. And they ignore the other culprits whose missteps will sideline some, perhaps all, major sports this year.
At the top of that list is an almost thorough failure at every level of government.
You probably know the numbers by now: The U.S. leads the world in COVID-19 cases (2.3 million) and deaths (more than 120,000), both more than double the second hardest-hit country, Brazil.
Our response has been worse than any country in the world, particularly embarrassing given our significant means and our ability to distance ourselves, relative to other, denser countries.
Believe what you want – it’s a free country, as they say! – but know that we alone are responsible for our current plight. And that so-called "second first wave" of COVID-19 we’re fighting couldn’t be worse in its timing or its locations as sports tiptoes toward a return.
As baseball is played in South Korea and Japan, soccer in Europe and pretty much anything you want in New Zealand, 26 of our states are experiencing an uptick in COVID-19 cases.
In Florida – home to two MLB teams, three NFL teams, seven major college football teams and hoped-for “bubbles” for the NBA and Major League Soccer – the 100,000-case mark was passed by Monday morning. More importantly, the state experienced a peak in cases over a seven-day period, averaging more than 3,000 last week – more than triple the 757 it recorded three weeks ago.
In Texas, the seven-day average has nearly tripled to 3,500, and in the same week 13 University of Texas football players tested positive for COVID-19, the state and Travis County’s hospitals hit 75% capacity.
It’s worse in Arizona, where hospitals are at 82% capacity and ICU beds 84% full. Daily positive tests have quadrupled in three weeks, prompting some of its biggest cities to mandate wearing face masks in public.
All three states also report positivity rates reaching double-digits, meaning the increased case count can’t be explained by increased testing.
Are all these troubling spikes the direct result of stay-at-home orders expiring more than a month ago in states that were late to close and early to open?
We’ll have a better answer to that question in the months and years to come. But first, consider the words and actions regarding sports that those states adopted.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced on May 12 that MLB, the NBA, NHL, NFL and MLS were welcome to return, without fans, on May 16. “We have had discussions with leaders of some of these leagues, and they all know they are welcome to operate, play and perform in the state of Arizona."
A day later, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis laid out an even wider welcome mat, essentially opening his state to any league or franchise that faced re-opening hurdles in its home jurisdiction. "If you have a team in an area where they just won’t let them operate,” DeSantis said, “we’ll find a place for you here in the state of Florida.”
In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott said May 18 that sports could return by May 31, but on June 3 outdid his fellow governors, issuing an executive order that allowed pro and collegiate sports venues to welcome fans at 50% capacity.
That means some 45,000 people at a Dallas Cowboys home game, a scenario that infectious-disease experts don’t exactly embrace.
And there was the April 4 conference call held between President Donald Trump and almost every major sports commissioner, during which the president expressed confidence the NFL would have a normal start in September. A week later, he was more strident: “We have to get our sports back. I'm tired of watching baseball games that are 14 years old.”
More than two months later, after statements of hope and reopenings to much fanfare, it’s clear this was all so much wish-casting.
It’s one thing for political figures to want to shape reality to their liking, particularly a president in an election year and aspirational governors hoping to ride his coattails. That’s how Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx, at first front and center, are suddenly MIA and consistent messages and reliable information are more challenging to find.
But here’s the thing: Every major sports league has its own experts; MLB even retained a noted infectious disease expert, Ali Khan, to guide its path toward a season.
Beyond that, we are in an era where everyone from athletes to executives are “smarter” than ever, be it a pitcher who spends his winter learning to better “tunnel” his pitches to front-office executives who can pull out an actuary table and tell you exactly how below-average a free agent slugger will be by the time he turns 35.
As the invitations to come and sport in this state or the other rolled out and stay-at-home restrictions loosened, we all saw this coming. And given the mid-summer goal several leagues set for a return, the timing was going to be terrible.
Sure, it’s a little hard to tell the president of the United States, “All due respect, sir, we are also excited to return, but we’d also feel the chances are better if you slow your roll a little bit.”
It would have taken less courage to very publicly inform politicians in so many states, “You know, keeping things shut down and putting on the mask now may allow us to put on our uniforms this summer.”
But it’s almost always in the best interest of leagues and franchises to, if you will, “shut up and dribble.” Publicly-funded stadiums are a crucial part of their well-being. MLB’s rare anti-trust exemption has been its lifeblood. Better to stay quiet than imperil sweetheart deals.
So they watched and waited as images of packed nightclubs in Scottsdale and happy diners in Tampa filled our screens – until many restaurants had to close again.
And now every spring training facility is shuttered, thanks in part to a COVID-19 breakout at the Phillies’ Florida camp in Clearwater. The Orlando Pride announced Monday they are withdrawing from the NWSL Challenge Cup after several players and staff tested positive.
South Carolina, which waited until April 6 to issue a stay-at-home order and then lifted it May 1, posted a double: Twenty-eight Clemson athletes have tested positive, while across the state in Hilton Head, the first PGA Tour pro contracted the virus.
“No offense to Hilton Head,” golfer Justin Thomas said, “but they’re seeming to not take it very seriously. It’s an absolute zoo around here. There’s people everywhere. The beaches are absolutely packed.”
To be fair, COVID-19 is relentless. California shut down early, reopened late and did right by almost every infectious disease expert. And still, on Monday it reported a single-day high in hospitalizations, though its case curve is far less perilous than Arizona’s and Florida’s, which resemble the first half of a nasty Clayton Kershaw curveball.
The mixed messages from the federal, state and local levels – “Close down! Open up! Wear a mask! Spend money!” – don’t help a confused public that doesn’t have time for full-time epidemiology. Sports could have helped lend that clarity and appeal to reason, logic and, above all, statistics.
Instead, it largely stayed quiet as our leaders ultimately failed us. And now they all may be sidelined.


usatoday--2020-06-22--Supermodel Joan Smalls pledges wages to Black Lives Matter, calls out fashion industry's 'insulting'

Supermodel Joan Smalls is putting action into her words , pledging half of her remaining wages from 2020 to Black Lives Matter causes — while cajoling the fashion industry to follow her financial lead .
In a video posted June 18 on DonateMyWage.org , the Afro-Latina model Smalls , 31 , issued a scathing rebuke at the fashion industry for its response following calls for societal change prompted by the police killing of George Floyd last month .
Speaking directly to the camera , Smalls said , `` I see all the agencies , magazines , brands posting black screens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does that really mean ?
What is the fashion industry actually going to do about it ?
Is it just another trend ? ''
`` This industry that profits from our Black and Brown bodies , our culture for constant inspiration , our music and our images for the visuals , have tiptoed around the issues , '' she continued .
`` You 're part of the cycle that perpetuates these conscious behaviors .
You have continually let us down with your insensitivity and tone-deafness , and the damage control apologies of , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Art activism : Stories behind murals , street paintings and portraits created in protest Smalls , who grew up in rural Puerto Rico , was named the first Latina face of Estee Lauder ’ s global marketing campaign in 2011 .
In donating half of her remaining 2020 wages , she urged other industry leaders and brands to follow .
`` To my beloved fashion industry .
This is your chance , the moment you speak up and demonstrate that if you care , if you truly care , then show it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not only insulting , it is part of the bigger problem within this industry .
We see you , do you see us now ? ''
Smalls called for changes within the working modeling industry as well .
`` Give us a seat at the table , include us , give us a chance , because we are worthy , talented and unique , '' she wrote on Instagram .
`` There have been so many times where I ’ ve had to face issues against my race within this industry because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` This industry that I love has profited from us but has never considered us equal , '' she wrote .
`` This .
Stops .
Now . ''
On June 19 , Small noted on Instagram that modelling powerhouse IMG had donated $ 250,000 .

Supermodel Joan Smalls pledges wages to Black Lives Matter, calls out fashion industry's 'insulting' silence
Show Caption Hide Caption Laverne Cox, Ricky Martin on race, LGBTQ issues during Pride Month Laverne Cox and Ricky Martin talk to USA TODAY about commemorating Pride Month during the Black Lives Matter protests. Entertain This!, USA TODAY
Supermodel Joan Smalls is putting action into her words, pledging half of her remaining wages from 2020 to Black Lives Matter causes — while cajoling the fashion industry to follow her financial lead.
In a video posted June 18 on DonateMyWage.org, the Afro-Latina model Smalls, 31, issued a scathing rebuke at the fashion industry for its response following calls for societal change prompted by the police killing of George Floyd last month.
Speaking directly to the camera, Smalls said, "I see all the agencies, magazines, brands posting black screens on their Instagram accounts. But what does that really mean? What is the fashion industry actually going to do about it? Is it just another trend?"
"This industry that profits from our Black and Brown bodies, our culture for constant inspiration, our music and our images for the visuals, have tiptoed around the issues," she continued. "You're part of the cycle that perpetuates these conscious behaviors. You have continually let us down with your insensitivity and tone-deafness, and the damage control apologies of, 'we will do better.'"
Art activism: Stories behind murals, street paintings and portraits created in protest
Smalls, who grew up in rural Puerto Rico, was named the first Latina face of Estee Lauder’s global marketing campaign in 2011. In donating half of her remaining 2020 wages, she urged other industry leaders and brands to follow.
"To my beloved fashion industry. This is your chance, the moment you speak up and demonstrate that if you care, if you truly care, then show it," said Smalls. "Your silence is not only insulting, it is part of the bigger problem within this industry. We see you, do you see us now?"
Smalls called for changes within the working modeling industry as well.
"Give us a seat at the table, include us, give us a chance, because we are worthy, talented and unique," she wrote on Instagram. "There have been so many times where I’ve had to face issues against my race within this industry because I was their token black girl."
"This industry that I love has profited from us but has never considered us equal," she wrote. "This. Stops. Now."
On June 19, Small noted on Instagram that modelling powerhouse IMG had donated $250,000.