usatoday--2020-08-21--Voting and victory: Democrats focus on Donald Trump now that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are the tic

Never has a presidential nominating convention been held like the one the Democrats wrapped up Thursday .
No live crowds .
No traditional roll call .
No after-parties with delegates and fundraisers .
But the 2020 virtual gathering accomplished its main purpose : nominating Joe Biden and his running mate , Kamala Harris , as the Democratic candidates for the Nov. 3 election to face Republican President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in a contest that Biden Thursday called `` a battle for the soul of this nation . ''
For many Americans , the Democratic National Convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live or hear from him directly since the coronavirus pandemic took hold of the nation in March and relegated the former vice president to his home base of Delaware .
For even more viewers , it was their first glimpse of Harris , the California senator who is making history as the first Black woman and the first Asian-American person on a major party 's presidential ticket .
The Republicans will have their four days of fanfare starting Monday , when they will begin the process of nominating Trump and he gives his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Party activists hope to ride the momentum of the nomination to victory on Nov. 3 .
Here are some key takeaways from the four-day convention and what they could tell us about the 73 days leading up to Election Day : The party is coalescing behind Biden Despite the concerns that nominating a 77-year-old moderate white male would turn off the progressives the party needs to win in November , Democrats seemed eager to rally around Biden .
Yes , there was that moment Tuesday when liberal firebrand Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez nominated Socialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more formality than a political message .
Both the New York City congresswoman and the Vermont senator long ago endorsed the former vice president , and his campaign has taken pains to include some progressive ideas , such as expanded health care coverage , aggressive steps to combat climate change , and a higher minimum wage , in the campaign platform .
More : Is Kamala Harris the future of the Democratic Party ?
Yes and no : Lawrence and Bloom Sanders also was allowed to keep many of the primary election delegates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended his campaign due to an agreement with the Biden campaign , which was intended to show party unity .
`` We need Joe Biden as our next president , '' Sanders told to virtual convention Monday .
Harris ' role will be to excite voters and take on Trump Hillary Clinton struggled to motivate Black voters in 2016 , a weakness that helped contribute to her whisker-thin losses in the three traditionally blue states – Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin – that propelled Trump to the White House .
By choosing Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't want a lack of enthusiasm among African Americans to be the impediment it was four years ago .
In her acceptance speech Wednesday , Harris talked about “ structural racism ” that ’ s become apparent in the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on communities of color and in the civil unrest sparked by the deaths of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and others at the hands of police .
“ There is no vaccine for racism , ” she said .
“ We 've got to do the work for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the lives of too many others to name . ''
More : 'He does it for you ' : Jill Biden gives personal speech as her husband receives DNC nomination Harris , 55 , a former prosecutor who figures to go after Trump with ferocious energy , is expected to surpass Biden ' more low-key demeanor .
“ Right now , we have a president who turns our tragedies into political weapons , ” Harris said in her speech Wednesday .
“ Joe will be a president who turns our challenges into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden Throughout the convention , Democrats portrayed Trump as a self-interested , uncaring president and Biden as a humble , empathetic public servant .
They made their case against Trump by criticizing his management of a pandemic he often said would disappear but has so far killed more than 170,000 Americans .
For Biden , it was highlighting his connection to everyday people , such as the conductor on the Amtrak train he often rode or the constituents he helped as a senator .
Biden 's wife , Jill , relayed a stirring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to empathize with the nation 's woes by recounting how he rebounded from tragedy when his first wife and young daughter died in a car crash decades ago , and then from his son Beau 's death from brain cancer in 2015 .
“ How do you make a broken family whole ?
The same way you make a nation whole , ” Jill BIden said in her remarks .
“ With love and understanding – and with small acts of kindness .
With bravery .
With unwavering faith.
” But few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Jacquelyn Brittany , a security guard at the New York Times who got to know the former vice president during his visits to the newspaper and was asked to officially nominate Biden for president Tuesday .
More : DNC : Security guard who blurted ‘ I love you ’ to Biden last year nominates him for president '' I take powerful people up on my elevator all the time .
When they get off , they go to their important meetings .
Me ?
I just head back to the lobby .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Joe Biden , I could tell he really saw me , that he actually cared , that my life meant something to him , '' she said by video as she stood in front of the elevator .
`` And I knew , that even when he went into his important meeting , he 'd take my story in there with him . ''
Expect the `` average Joe '' theme to keep playing out during the final 10 weeks of the campaign .
A focus on making sure every ballot counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of diversity and leadership was a clear message that Americans need to make sure their votes matter .
That message has been underscored by a pandemic that has added to the confusion and complexity of voting in person and Trump 's efforts to undermine the U.S. Post Office as he charges , without evidence , that universal mail-in ballots that several states are considering is wracked with fraud .
More : 'No vaccine for racism ' : Kamala Harris delivers message of inclusion in historic vice presidential acceptance speech And there 's evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence the election four years after the foreign adversary interfered on Trump 's behalf .
Democrats relentlessly reminded activists on each night of the convention not to take anything for granted this time .
`` Remember : Joe and Kamala can win 3 million more votes and still lose .
Take it from me , '' Clinton said during remarks Wednesday , reminding viewers of her Electoral College loss in 2016 .
`` We need numbers so overwhelming Trump can ’ t sneak or steal his way to victory . ''
If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attacks against Trump will intensify .
In a scathing rebuke Wednesday , former president Barack Obama blistered Trump not just for his policies but also for his aptitude .
Or what they see as his lack of it .
“ I never expected that my successor would embrace my vision or continue my policies , ” Obama said .
“ I did hope , for the sake of our country , that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously , that he might come to feel the weight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the democracy that had been placed in his care . ''
It 's rare for former presidents to go after their successors so aggressively and rarer still to deem them not merely awful , but incompetent .
Others , including former first lady Michelle Obama , joined the chorus in what likely will be repeated on the campaign trail even louder than it already has .
`` Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country , '' she said in her Monday speech .
`` He has had more than enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the job , but he is clearly in over his head .
He can not meet this moment .
He simply can not be who we need him to be for us .
It is what it is . ''

Voting and victory: Democrats focus on Donald Trump now that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are the ticket
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden accepts Democratic nomination, rips Pres. Trump Senator Joe Biden targets President Trump as he accepts the nomination at the Democratic National Convention. USA TODAY
Never has a presidential nominating convention been held like the one the Democrats wrapped up Thursday. No live crowds. No traditional roll call. No after-parties with delegates and fundraisers.
But the 2020 virtual gathering accomplished its main purpose: nominating Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, as the Democratic candidates for the Nov. 3 election to face Republican President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in a contest that Biden Thursday called "a battle for the soul of this nation."
For many Americans, the Democratic National Convention offered the first chance to see Biden live or hear from him directly since the coronavirus pandemic took hold of the nation in March and relegated the former vice president to his home base of Delaware.
For even more viewers, it was their first glimpse of Harris, the California senator who is making history as the first Black woman and the first Asian-American person on a major party's presidential ticket.
The Republicans will have their four days of fanfare starting Monday, when they will begin the process of nominating Trump and he gives his acceptance speech Thursday. For now, Democratic Party activists hope to ride the momentum of the nomination to victory on Nov. 3.
Here are some key takeaways from the four-day convention and what they could tell us about the 73 days leading up to Election Day:
The party is coalescing behind Biden
Despite the concerns that nominating a 77-year-old moderate white male would turn off the progressives the party needs to win in November, Democrats seemed eager to rally around Biden.
Yes, there was that moment Tuesday when liberal firebrand Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez nominated Socialist Democrat Bernie Sanders. But that was more formality than a political message.
Both the New York City congresswoman and the Vermont senator long ago endorsed the former vice president, and his campaign has taken pains to include some progressive ideas, such as expanded health care coverage, aggressive steps to combat climate change, and a higher minimum wage, in the campaign platform.
More: Is Kamala Harris the future of the Democratic Party? Yes and no: Lawrence and Bloom
Sanders also was allowed to keep many of the primary election delegates he would have otherwise lost when he suspended his campaign due to an agreement with the Biden campaign, which was intended to show party unity.
"We need Joe Biden as our next president," Sanders told to virtual convention Monday.
Harris' role will be to excite voters and take on Trump
Hillary Clinton struggled to motivate Black voters in 2016, a weakness that helped contribute to her whisker-thin losses in the three traditionally blue states – Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin – that propelled Trump to the White House.
By choosing Harris, Biden sent a message that he doesn't want a lack of enthusiasm among African Americans to be the impediment it was four years ago.
In her acceptance speech Wednesday, Harris talked about “structural racism” that’s become apparent in the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on communities of color and in the civil unrest sparked by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others at the hands of police.
“There is no vaccine for racism,” she said. “We've got to do the work for George Floyd, for Breonna Taylor and for the lives of too many others to name."
More: 'He does it for you': Jill Biden gives personal speech as her husband receives DNC nomination
Harris, 55, a former prosecutor who figures to go after Trump with ferocious energy, is expected to surpass Biden' more low-key demeanor.
“Right now, we have a president who turns our tragedies into political weapons,” Harris said in her speech Wednesday. “Joe will be a president who turns our challenges into purpose.”
Kamala Harris accepts Democratic Party nomination for VP An excerpt from Kamala Harris's speech accepting the Democratic Party nomination to be Vice President. USA TODAY
The contrast between Trump and Biden
Throughout the convention, Democrats portrayed Trump as a self-interested, uncaring president and Biden as a humble, empathetic public servant.
They made their case against Trump by criticizing his management of a pandemic he often said would disappear but has so far killed more than 170,000 Americans. For Biden, it was highlighting his connection to everyday people, such as the conductor on the Amtrak train he often rode or the constituents he helped as a senator.
Biden's wife, Jill, relayed a stirring personal tribute Tuesday on her husband's ability to empathize with the nation's woes by recounting how he rebounded from tragedy when his first wife and young daughter died in a car crash decades ago, and then from his son Beau's death from brain cancer in 2015.
“How do you make a broken family whole? The same way you make a nation whole,” Jill BIden said in her remarks. “With love and understanding – and with small acts of kindness. With bravery. With unwavering faith.”
But few conveyed Biden's everyman credentials as powerfully as Jacquelyn Brittany, a security guard at the New York Times who got to know the former vice president during his visits to the newspaper and was asked to officially nominate Biden for president Tuesday.
More: DNC: Security guard who blurted ‘I love you’ to Biden last year nominates him for president
"I take powerful people up on my elevator all the time. When they get off, they go to their important meetings. Me? I just head back to the lobby. But in the short time I spent with Joe Biden, I could tell he really saw me, that he actually cared, that my life meant something to him," she said by video as she stood in front of the elevator. "And I knew, that even when he went into his important meeting, he'd take my story in there with him."
Expect the "average Joe" theme to keep playing out during the final 10 weeks of the campaign.
A focus on making sure every ballot counts
Baked into the convention's recurring themes of diversity and leadership was a clear message that Americans need to make sure their votes matter.
That message has been underscored by a pandemic that has added to the confusion and complexity of voting in person and Trump's efforts to undermine the U.S. Post Office as he charges, without evidence, that universal mail-in ballots that several states are considering is wracked with fraud.
More: 'No vaccine for racism': Kamala Harris delivers message of inclusion in historic vice presidential acceptance speech
And there's evidence that Russia is once again trying to influence the election four years after the foreign adversary interfered on Trump's behalf.
Democrats relentlessly reminded activists on each night of the convention not to take anything for granted this time.
"Remember: Joe and Kamala can win 3 million more votes and still lose. Take it from me," Clinton said during remarks Wednesday, reminding viewers of her Electoral College loss in 2016. "We need numbers so overwhelming Trump can’t sneak or steal his way to victory."
Rhetorical punches at Trump
If the DNC signaled anything, it's that the attacks against Trump will intensify.
In a scathing rebuke Wednesday, former president Barack Obama blistered Trump not just for his policies but also for his aptitude. Or what they see as his lack of it.
“I never expected that my successor would embrace my vision or continue my policies,” Obama said. “I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously, that he might come to feel the weight of the office and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care."
It's rare for former presidents to go after their successors so aggressively and rarer still to deem them not merely awful, but incompetent.
Others, including former first lady Michelle Obama, joined the chorus in what likely will be repeated on the campaign trail even louder than it already has.
"Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country," she said in her Monday speech. "He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is."
Contributing: Maureen Groppe


usatoday--2020-08-21--Joe Biden accepts the nomination of the Democratic Party, delivers speech on four crises

Former vice president Joe Biden accepts the Democratic Party nomination for the 2020 presidential election , Biden outlined four crises @ @

Joe Biden accepts Democratic Party nomination, outlines challenges
Former vice president Joe Biden accepts the Democratic Party nomination for the 2020 presidential election, Biden outlined four crises facing America
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-08-21--Democratic Convention speaker: New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland

Deb Haaland , Representative from New Mexico , delivers a message about inclusion and indigenous peoples to the Democratic National @ @

Democratic Convention speaker: New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland
Deb Haaland, Representative from New Mexico, delivers a message about inclusion and indigenous peoples to the Democratic National Convention.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-08-21--'Character is on the ballot': Joe Biden accepts Democratic nomination as 'ally of the light, not the

Joe Biden accepted the Democratic Party 's nomination for president Thursday night , culminating a political career that spanned 36 years in the Senate , eight years as vice president and two previous attempts at the nation 's highest office .
`` It ’ s with great honor and humility that I accept this nomination for president of the United States , '' Biden said from the Chase Center in Wilmington , Del .
`` This is a life-changing election that will determine America 's future for a very long time .
Character is on the ballot .
Compassion is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , democracy .
They are all on the ballot . ''
Biden campaigned as an empathetic leader with the experience to guide the country through the four crises of the worst pandemic in a century , the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression , the most serious racial reckoning since the 1960s and the threat of climate change .
He contrasted his abilities with what he called four years of chaos under President Donald Trump .
“ The current president has cloaked America in darkness for much too long .
Too much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much division , '' Biden said .
“ If you entrust me with the presidency , I will draw on the best of us , not the worst .
I will be an ally of the light , not the darkness .
It ’ s time for us – for we the people – to come together.
” Biden blasted Trump for failing to curb the coronavirus pandemic that has killed 170,000 Americans and infected 5 million .
`` Our current president has failed in his most basic duty to the nation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans , that is unforgivable . ''
Biden , who previously ran for president in 1988 and 2008 , also embodied the ability to get back on his feet after the deaths of his first wife and infant daughter in a car crash , and the death of his adult son from a brain tumor .
If elected , Biden will be older when he is inaugurated at 78 than the previous oldest president , Ronald Reagan , was when he left office .
But Biden unified more progressive rivals behind the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris , D-Calif. , the first Black woman and first Asian person nominated to a major-party ticket .
`` She ’ s overcome every obstacle she ’ s ever faced , '' Biden said .
After the speech , Joe and Jill Biden donned masks , held hands , and walked with Harris and Doug Emhoff through two rows of state flags .
They exited the Chase Center where supporters honked the horns and blinked the lights on cars socially distanced throughout the parking lot .
Fireworks llit up the sky as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waved against the backdrop of a giant American flag .
Michael Beschloss , a presidential historian , tweeted that it was `` easily the best and most affecting speech Biden has ever delivered . ''
Kyle Kondik , a political analyst at the University of Virginia ’ s Center for Politics , tweeted that Biden ’ s speech had a focus and intensity , magnified by the lack of an audience , that made it shorter and stronger than it would have been in a traditional format .
Biden headed the Foreign Relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving in the Senate .
He said another four years under Trump would lead to the same problems as the first four .
“ The president takes no responsibility , refuses to lead , blames others , cozies up to dictators and fans the flames of hate and division , ” Biden said .
“ Is that the America you want for you , your family or your children ?
” John Kerry , who served in the Senate with Biden and as secretary of state in the Obama administration , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed in the right direction ” to break the back of apartheid in South Africa or alert the world to genocide in the Balkans .
The Obama administration negotiated a deal to hinder Iran ’ s development of a nuclear weapon , built a 68-nation coalition to destroy the Islamic State and joined a 195-nation agreement called the Paris Agreement to combat climate change .
Trump withdrew from the Iran deal and the Paris Agreement , which he slammed as diplomatic mistakes that gained nothing for the U.S .
He withdrew troops from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State subsided .
“ In fact , what Donald Trump inherited , which was this growing economy and a world of respect , he has turned into a world of chaos literally , ” Kerry told reporters Tuesday before his speech .
“ Our nation and the world , with respect to all of these critical priorities , is at much greater risk as a result of this.
” Biden said this generation should be the one to tackle the stain of racism .
He said one of the most important conversations he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is too young to vote , 6-year-old Gianna Floyd , the daughter of George Floyd , whose death in police custody sparked nationwide protests .
“ When I leaned down to speak with her , she looked into my eyes and said , ‘ Daddy , changed the world , ’ ” Biden said .
“ Her words burrowed deep into my heart .
Maybe George Floyd 's murder was the breaking point.
” Biden promoted his ability to work across the aisle with Republicans to achieve common goals .
His leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in 1991 left some women and progressives uneasy with Biden ’ s cooperation .
But one of Biden ’ s greatest legislative achievements was the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 .
A trio of advocates offered emotional testimony at the convention about Biden ’ s contribution to fighting sexual assault on college campuses and on against domestic abuse .
`` I didn ’ t even know the name for what was happening to me then : domestic violence , ” said Ruth Glenn , president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She said the legislation needs to be revamped and that we “ need leaders who believe a woman ’ s life is worth fighting for.
” Trump has criticized Biden 's crime legislation for creating a surge of stiffer penalties and longer prison terms , which the president overhauled in criminal justice legislation approved this year .
Trump has also called himself the law-and-order president supporting police amid nationwide protests for racial justice that sometimes turn violent .
`` We will bring back law and order to your community , '' Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a city where the death of George Floyd in police custody on May 25 sparked the protests .
Former rivals in the contentious Democratic primaries joined and supported Biden during the convention .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , had negotiated a 110-page platform of shared positions dealing with issues such as criminal justice and climate change .
Biden has proposed spending trillions of dollars to invest in infrastructure and manufacturing , clean energy and on caregivers .
`` The way I see it : big problems demand big solutions , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I love a good plan , and Joe Biden has some really good plans—plans to bring back union jobs in manufacturing and create new union jobs in clean energy .
Plans to increase Social Security benefits , cancel billions in student loan debt , and make our bankruptcy laws work for families instead of the creditors who cheat them . ''
Biden pointed his finger at the camera when he called Social Security a sacred promise .
“ If I ’ m your president , we ’ re going to protect Social Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Trump has argued that the economy was the best in the country 's history with among the lowest unemployment during his first three years in office , and that it will come roaring back once the pandemic is under control .
`` Don ’ t forget , until the China virus came in , we had the greatest economy in the history of the world , '' Trump said Wednesday at the White House .
`` And now we 're doing it again .
I 'm going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

'Character is on the ballot': Joe Biden accepts Democratic nomination as 'ally of the light, not the darkness'
Show Caption Hide Caption AOC nominates Sanders, Clinton slams Trump during DNC night 2 Jill Biden, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter highlighted the list of speakers during night two of the Democratic National Convention. Associated Press, USA TODAY
Joe Biden accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for president Thursday night, culminating a political career that spanned 36 years in the Senate, eight years as vice president and two previous attempts at the nation's highest office.
"It’s with great honor and humility that I accept this nomination for president of the United States," Biden said from the Chase Center in Wilmington, Del. "This is a life-changing election that will determine America's future for a very long time. Character is on the ballot. Compassion is on the ballot. Decency, science, democracy. They are all on the ballot."
Biden campaigned as an empathetic leader with the experience to guide the country through the four crises of the worst pandemic in a century, the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression, the most serious racial reckoning since the 1960s and the threat of climate change. He contrasted his abilities with what he called four years of chaos under President Donald Trump.
“The current president has cloaked America in darkness for much too long. Too much anger, too much fear, too much division," Biden said. “If you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us, not the worst. I will be an ally of the light, not the darkness. It’s time for us – for we the people – to come together.”
Biden blasted Trump for failing to curb the coronavirus pandemic that has killed 170,000 Americans and infected 5 million.
"Our current president has failed in his most basic duty to the nation," Biden said. "My fellow Americans, that is unforgivable."
Biden, who previously ran for president in 1988 and 2008, also embodied the ability to get back on his feet after the deaths of his first wife and infant daughter in a car crash, and the death of his adult son from a brain tumor.
If elected, Biden will be older when he is inaugurated at 78 than the previous oldest president, Ronald Reagan, was when he left office. But Biden unified more progressive rivals behind the campaign and generated enthusiasm by choosing Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., the first Black woman and first Asian person nominated to a major-party ticket.
"She’s overcome every obstacle she’s ever faced," Biden said.
After the speech, Joe and Jill Biden donned masks, held hands, and walked with Harris and Doug Emhoff through two rows of state flags. They exited the Chase Center where supporters honked the horns and blinked the lights on cars socially distanced throughout the parking lot.
Fireworks llit up the sky as the Democratic ticket stood on a stage and waved against the backdrop of a giant American flag.
Michael Beschloss, a presidential historian, tweeted that it was "easily the best and most affecting speech Biden has ever delivered."
Kyle Kondik, a political analyst at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, tweeted that Biden’s speech had a focus and intensity, magnified by the lack of an audience, that made it shorter and stronger than it would have been in a traditional format.
Kerry lauds Biden's 'moral compass'
Biden headed the Foreign Relations and Judiciary committees at various times while serving in the Senate. He said another four years under Trump would lead to the same problems as the first four.
“The president takes no responsibility, refuses to lead, blames others, cozies up to dictators and fans the flames of hate and division,” Biden said. “Is that the America you want for you, your family or your children?”
John Kerry, who served in the Senate with Biden and as secretary of state in the Obama administration, said the nominee’s “moral compass always pointed in the right direction” to break the back of apartheid in South Africa or alert the world to genocide in the Balkans.
The Obama administration negotiated a deal to hinder Iran’s development of a nuclear weapon, built a 68-nation coalition to destroy the Islamic State and joined a 195-nation agreement called the Paris Agreement to combat climate change.
Trump withdrew from the Iran deal and the Paris Agreement, which he slammed as diplomatic mistakes that gained nothing for the U.S. He withdrew troops from Syria as the threat from the Islamic State subsided.
“In fact, what Donald Trump inherited, which was this growing economy and a world of respect, he has turned into a world of chaos literally,” Kerry told reporters Tuesday before his speech. “Our nation and the world, with respect to all of these critical priorities, is at much greater risk as a result of this.”
Biden sought justice in Senate
Biden said this generation should be the one to tackle the stain of racism. He said one of the most important conversations he had this entire campaign was with someone who is too young to vote, 6-year-old Gianna Floyd, the daughter of George Floyd, whose death in police custody sparked nationwide protests.
“When I leaned down to speak with her, she looked into my eyes and said, ‘Daddy, changed the world,’” Biden said. “Her words burrowed deep into my heart. Maybe George Floyd's murder was the breaking point.”
Biden promoted his ability to work across the aisle with Republicans to achieve common goals. His leadership of the Judiciary Committee during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in 1991 left some women and progressives uneasy with Biden’s cooperation.
But one of Biden’s greatest legislative achievements was the Violence Against Women Act in 1994. A trio of advocates offered emotional testimony at the convention about Biden’s contribution to fighting sexual assault on college campuses and on against domestic abuse.
"I didn’t even know the name for what was happening to me then: domestic violence,” said Ruth Glenn, president of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She said the legislation needs to be revamped and that we “need leaders who believe a woman’s life is worth fighting for.”
Trump has criticized Biden's crime legislation for creating a surge of stiffer penalties and longer prison terms, which the president overhauled in criminal justice legislation approved this year. Trump has also called himself the law-and-order president supporting police amid nationwide protests for racial justice that sometimes turn violent.
"We will bring back law and order to your community," Trump said at Minneapolis airport on Monday, a city where the death of George Floyd in police custody on May 25 sparked the protests.
Biden wins over rivals
Former rivals in the contentious Democratic primaries joined and supported Biden during the convention. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., had negotiated a 110-page platform of shared positions dealing with issues such as criminal justice and climate change.
Biden has proposed spending trillions of dollars to invest in infrastructure and manufacturing, clean energy and on caregivers.
"The way I see it: big problems demand big solutions," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. "I love a good plan, and Joe Biden has some really good plans—plans to bring back union jobs in manufacturing and create new union jobs in clean energy. Plans to increase Social Security benefits, cancel billions in student loan debt, and make our bankruptcy laws work for families instead of the creditors who cheat them."
Biden pointed his finger at the camera when he called Social Security a sacred promise.
“If I’m your president, we’re going to protect Social Security and Medicare, you have my word,” he said.
Trump has argued that the economy was the best in the country's history with among the lowest unemployment during his first three years in office, and that it will come roaring back once the pandemic is under control.
"Don’t forget, until the China virus came in, we had the greatest economy in the history of the world," Trump said Wednesday at the White House. "And now we're doing it again. I'm going to have to do it a second time."


usatoday--2020-08-21--Biden 'the choice could not be more clear', rips Trump, accepts Democratic nomination

Senator Joe Biden targets President Trump as he accepts the nomination at the Democratic National Convention .

Joe Biden accepts Democratic nomination, rips Pres. Trump
Senator Joe Biden targets President Trump as he accepts the nomination at the Democratic National Convention.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-08-21--Brayden Harrington shares his Joe Biden story with the DNC

Brayden Harrington shares his Joe Biden story with the DNC Brayden Harrington , a 13-year-old who met Joe Biden in @ @ @ @ @ shares his story about Biden 's advice on overcoming a stutter .

Brayden Harrington shares his Joe Biden story with the DNC
Brayden Harrington, a 13-year-old who met Joe Biden in New Hampshire last year, shares his story about Biden's advice on overcoming a stutter.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-08-22--Joe Biden bets big on 'character, compassion, decency' at DNC convention. Is that enough to activate

Democrats had a clear message in their four-day virtual convention this week : newly minted presidential nominee Joe Biden is a unifier who has persevered through family tragedies and can lead the country through a pandemic , economic turmoil and a national reckoning on race .
At a convention that featured speeches from two former presidents , lawmakers and Americans struggling with day-to-day problems , Joe Biden ’ s wife Jill Tuesday made the most direct parallel between her husband ’ s life experiences and how he would govern .
`` How do you make a broken family whole ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ way you make a nation whole .
With love and understanding – and with small acts of kindness .
With bravery .
With unwavering faith .
You show up for each other , in big ways and small ones , again and again . ''
In his 24 minutes and 30 seconds acceptance speech Thursday , Biden took that message a step further by drawing a contrast between himself and President Donald Trump .
He excoriated Trump for what he said were failures of leadership on the most pressing issues facing the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations .
“ The current president has cloaked America in darkness for much too long , '' Biden said .
`` Too much anger , too much fear , too much division . ''
Obama rebukes Trump : 'Donald Trump hasn ’ t grown into the job because he can ’ t' Democrats said the unorthodox convention – even though constrained by a pandemic -- accomplished what was needed by giving the liberal and moderate wings of the party a singular purpose : defeating Trump to save American ideals .
Yet by making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gamble that undecided voters and the party ’ s liberal base will rally around character and leadership instead of clear policy goals .
“ They needed to establish Joe Biden as a vigorous , competent person who is a qualified alternative to Donald Trump , ” said Todd Belt , professor and political management program director at George Washington University .
“ And I think they did that really well .
To juxtapose Biden and Trump , they overwhelmingly hit on the message of empathy.
” Belt said Democrats , who turned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ translated the convention into something “ more digestible ” for a mass audience .
And while some party activists craved more details , Belt said leaving them out reflected a play-it-safe strategy by Biden , who is operating from a “ position of strength ” because of his lead in the polls against the president .
“ Getting into those details is actually the risky thing , ” he said , arguing it would have only given ammunition to Republicans .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , national co-chairman of the Biden campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear contrast clear between Trump ’ s leadership approach and that of Biden and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris .
`` These are two people with the hearts and the experience that we need versus a guy who has neither , '' Garcetti told USA TODAY .
`` When you 're voting for president , you 're voting for a parent .
You want a father to be decent and you want a father to protect .
I think you look at the current president , he 's anything but . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13-year-old Brayden Harrington , who has a stutter and thanked Biden , who also stuttered as a child , for helping him overcome his fear of public speaking .
Another testimonial came Jacquelyn Brittany , a security guard who met Biden when she escorted the former vice president at The New York Times for a meeting with its editorial board in December .
As they were on an elevator , Brittany blurted out `` I love you , '' telling him that she hoped he won the primary race .
Republicans weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former press secretary for President George W. Bush , called the convention “ at worst adequate and at best fine.
” He said Biden didn ’ t do anything to widen his lead and left himself exposed on public safety – an area Trump has already tried to seize on with his “ law and order ” push – and policy in general .
“ It was entirely a personality-driven convention where their calculation is they need to make this a personality race – between Biden , the good/great guy and Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Their whole strategy rests on that calculation , which leaves a gigantic flank exposed on policy.
” “ It shows a vulnerability that they have , that they were hoping to skip over .
It provides a huge opening if Republicans are smart enough to take it , ” he said .
Biden ’ s remarks were about half as long as Hillary Clinton ’ s 56-minute acceptance speech in 2016 .
Former President Barack Obama spoke for 42 minutes and 30 seconds when he accepted the nomination in 2008 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would have elongated the convention speeches with applauses , standing ovations and chants , Democrats opted for a tight format that moved quickly from one segment to the next .
Celebrities such as Eva Longoria , Tracee Ellis Ross , Kerry Washington and Julia Louis-Dreyfus moderated the virtual event , which also featured musical performances from Billie Eilish , John legend and others .
Louis-Dreyfus , the Emmy-award winning star of “ Veep , ” stirred a debate on social media with jokes Thursday night about the pronunciation of Mike Pence ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photo op in front of a church .
Patrick Murray , director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute , said the jokes were at odds with the narrative the campaign was trying to shape about the Biden-Harris ticket on empathy and sobriety in a time of national emergency .
Murray tweeted that the humor ran the risk of “ reinforcing Dems ' condescending elite image .
Matt Grossman , director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University , said Democrats leaned into a traditional advantage they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeming to be more passionate and empathetic . ''
By making a case for “ morality and decency , ” Grossman said Biden crossed into areas in which Republicans historically hold an advantage .
“ He did go through all the policy positions and social groups that make up the party , so those weren ’ t absent , but there was definitely a more personal focus to the speech and a striking contrast with President Trump , ” Grossman said .
In a USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll last month , 50 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honest and trustworthy , compared with just 30 % for Trump – a reversal from four years ago when voters saw Trump as more trustworthy than Clinton in the weeks before the election .
Video testimonials emphasized to Americans the threat of climate change and mass shootings , while underscoring the importance of the country 's growing diversity and showcasing Biden 's appeal to Republicans , such as former Ohio Gov .
John Kasich , who spoke at the convention .
`` I 'm a lifelong Republican , but that attachment holds second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Kasich said during an address on Monday .
`` That 's why I 've chosen to appear at this convention .
In normal times , something like this would probably never happen , but these are not normal times . ''
But even though Biden has maintained a polling lead over Trump throughout the race , he has never been the first choice of many young progressive voters who gravitated strongly toward Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont .
Sanders tried to boost Biden 's credibility with progressive by emphasizing how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. infrastructure , fight to raise the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour and take criminal justice reform seriously by ending private prisons and cash bail .
`` And all of us – whether you 're progressives , whether you 're moderates or you 're conservatives – have got to come together to defeat this president , '' he said .
The party platform , which passed Tuesday , emphasizes a broad set of changes Democrats want on health care , the environment and the economy .
Steering clear of Medicare for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , left out plenty that the progressive base has wanted for decades , such as support for “ Medicare for All , ” the universal and single-payer health care proposal championed by Sanders during the 2020 primary .
Rep. Ro Khanna , D-Calif. , voted against the platform in protest because it didn ’ t include a call for Medicare for All , saying the absence of it was particularly troubling during the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` This , to me , is the time for a party to have a clearer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to fight to have that in our platform which has been part of the Democratic dream since Harry Truman . ''
The convention also steered clear of endorsing calls to `` defund the police '' by shifting public resources from law enforcement agencies to social programs and public safety alternatives .
Even though Biden and Harris have said they don ’ t support defunding the police , the Trump campaign has tried to tie Biden to that mantra .
Biden has said he supports funding for community policing programs that improve relationships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draining funds from police departments .
Biden made his position clear on the convention 's opening night when he said `` most cops are good '' but that bad ones needed to be prosecuted .
Garcetti said he believes the Biden campaign did enough to address question from the left .
`` Most importantly , they 're addressed in the platform , '' he said .
`` They 're addressed in the program .
They 're addressed in the people .
You heard it from Bernie himself . ''
Sarah Audelo , executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said her group conducts monthly tracking surveys about what matters to younger voters in battleground states who are persuadable to Biden .
She said defunding police departments is at a top issue for them and the convention missed an opportunity to engage more fully on it .
`` The number one issue this demographic cares about is defunding the police , and while it 's clear that is not a stance that the party is going to champion , what they could have done is talked about alternatives to policing , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump is awful and that our democracy is broken , '' Audelo added .
`` What progressives are frequently looking for is the alternative and what is the future we 're going to be building if we 're not going to be in this place of Donald Trump not running out country . ''
Khanna , who served as national co-chair of Sanders ’ s 2020 presidential campaign , said he will enthusiastically support Biden this fall .
But the California Democrat said the former vice president should meet with the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressive voices such as Rep. Alexandria Oscasio-Cortez and New York congressional candidate Jamaal Bowman .
`` They 'd get him a lot more votes than Kasich is going to get him , '' Khanna said .

Phillip M. Bailey and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY

Joe Biden bets big on 'character, compassion, decency' at DNC convention. Is that enough to activate the base?
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden accepts Democratic Party nomination, outlines challenges Former vice president Joe Biden accepts the Democratic Party nomination for the 2020 presidential election, Biden outlined four crises facing America USA TODAY
Democrats had a clear message in their four-day virtual convention this week: newly minted presidential nominee Joe Biden is a unifier who has persevered through family tragedies and can lead the country through a pandemic, economic turmoil and a national reckoning on race.
At a convention that featured speeches from two former presidents, lawmakers and Americans struggling with day-to-day problems, Joe Biden’s wife Jill Tuesday made the most direct parallel between her husband’s life experiences and how he would govern.
"How do you make a broken family whole?" she said. "The same way you make a nation whole. With love and understanding – and with small acts of kindness. With bravery. With unwavering faith. You show up for each other, in big ways and small ones, again and again."
In his 24 minutes and 30 seconds acceptance speech Thursday, Biden took that message a step further by drawing a contrast between himself and President Donald Trump. He excoriated Trump for what he said were failures of leadership on the most pressing issues facing the country, including the coronavirus pandemic and race relations.
“The current president has cloaked America in darkness for much too long," Biden said. "Too much anger, too much fear, too much division."
Obama rebukes Trump: 'Donald Trump hasn’t grown into the job because he can’t'
Democrats said the unorthodox convention – even though constrained by a pandemic -- accomplished what was needed by giving the liberal and moderate wings of the party a singular purpose: defeating Trump to save American ideals.
Yet by making policy proposals secondary, Biden took a gamble that undecided voters and the party’s liberal base will rally around character and leadership instead of clear policy goals.
Hitting on the empathy message
“They needed to establish Joe Biden as a vigorous, competent person who is a qualified alternative to Donald Trump,” said Todd Belt, professor and political management program director at George Washington University. “And I think they did that really well. To juxtapose Biden and Trump, they overwhelmingly hit on the message of empathy.”
Belt said Democrats, who turned to condensed speeches and short video segments, translated the convention into something “more digestible” for a mass audience. And while some party activists craved more details, Belt said leaving them out reflected a play-it-safe strategy by Biden, who is operating from a “position of strength” because of his lead in the polls against the president.
“Getting into those details is actually the risky thing,” he said, arguing it would have only given ammunition to Republicans.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, national co-chairman of the Biden campaign, said the convention set up a clear contrast clear between Trump’s leadership approach and that of Biden and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris.
"These are two people with the hearts and the experience that we need versus a guy who has neither," Garcetti told USA TODAY. "When you're voting for president, you're voting for a parent. You want a father to be decent and you want a father to protect. I think you look at the current president, he's anything but."
Among the speakers at the convention was 13-year-old Brayden Harrington, who has a stutter and thanked Biden, who also stuttered as a child, for helping him overcome his fear of public speaking.
Another testimonial came Jacquelyn Brittany, a security guard who met Biden when she escorted the former vice president at The New York Times for a meeting with its editorial board in December. As they were on an elevator, Brittany blurted out "I love you," telling him that she hoped he won the primary race.
Michelle Obama's VOTE necklace: Necklace goes viral after DNC speech
Republicans weren’t as impressed. Ari Fleischer, former press secretary for President George W. Bush, called the convention “at worst adequate and at best fine.” He said Biden didn’t do anything to widen his lead and left himself exposed on public safety – an area Trump has already tried to seize on with his “law and order” push – and policy in general.
“It was entirely a personality-driven convention where their calculation is they need to make this a personality race – between Biden, the good/great guy and Trump, the offensive boar,” Fleischer said. “Their whole strategy rests on that calculation, which leaves a gigantic flank exposed on policy.”
“It shows a vulnerability that they have, that they were hoping to skip over. It provides a huge opening if Republicans are smart enough to take it,” he said.
Biden’s remarks were about half as long as Hillary Clinton’s 56-minute acceptance speech in 2016. Former President Barack Obama spoke for 42 minutes and 30 seconds when he accepted the nomination in 2008.
Jokes fell flat for some
In the absence of a live audience that would have elongated the convention speeches with applauses, standing ovations and chants, Democrats opted for a tight format that moved quickly from one segment to the next. Celebrities such as Eva Longoria, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington and Julia Louis-Dreyfus moderated the virtual event, which also featured musical performances from Billie Eilish, John legend and others.
Louis-Dreyfus, the Emmy-award winning star of “Veep,” stirred a debate on social media with jokes Thursday night about the pronunciation of Mike Pence’s name and Trump’s controversial photo op in front of a church.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus takes jabs at Trump during DNC Julia Louis-Dreyfus hosted the final night of the Democratic National Convention. USA TODAY
Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, said the jokes were at odds with the narrative the campaign was trying to shape about the Biden-Harris ticket on empathy and sobriety in a time of national emergency. Murray tweeted that the humor ran the risk of “reinforcing Dems' condescending elite image.
Matt Grossman, director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University, said Democrats leaned into a traditional advantage they have in their candidates, which is "seeming to be more compassionate and empathetic."
By making a case for “morality and decency,” Grossman said Biden crossed into areas in which Republicans historically hold an advantage.
“He did go through all the policy positions and social groups that make up the party, so those weren’t absent, but there was definitely a more personal focus to the speech and a striking contrast with President Trump,” Grossman said.
In a USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll last month, 50% of registered voters said they find Biden honest and trustworthy, compared with just 30% for Trump – a reversal from four years ago when voters saw Trump as more trustworthy than Clinton in the weeks before the election.
Video testimonials emphasized to Americans the threat of climate change and mass shootings, while underscoring the importance of the country's growing diversity and showcasing Biden's appeal to Republicans, such as former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who spoke at the convention.
"I'm a lifelong Republican, but that attachment holds second place to my responsibility to my country," Kasich said during an address on Monday. "That's why I've chosen to appear at this convention. In normal times, something like this would probably never happen, but these are not normal times."
But even though Biden has maintained a polling lead over Trump throughout the race, he has never been the first choice of many young progressive voters who gravitated strongly toward Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Sanders tried to boost Biden's credibility with progressive by emphasizing how the new administration would be committed to rebuilding U.S. infrastructure, fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour and take criminal justice reform seriously by ending private prisons and cash bail.
"And all of us – whether you're progressives, whether you're moderates or you're conservatives – have got to come together to defeat this president," he said.
The party platform, which passed Tuesday, emphasizes a broad set of changes Democrats want on health care, the environment and the economy.
Steering clear of Medicare for All and defunding police
Those goals, however, left out plenty that the progressive base has wanted for decades, such as support for “Medicare for All,” the universal and single-payer health care proposal championed by Sanders during the 2020 primary.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., voted against the platform in protest because it didn’t include a call for Medicare for All, saying the absence of it was particularly troubling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This, to me, is the time for a party to have a clearer moral vision, so I think we have to fight to have that in our platform which has been part of the Democratic dream since Harry Truman."
The convention also steered clear of endorsing calls to "defund the police" by shifting public resources from law enforcement agencies to social programs and public safety alternatives.
Even though Biden and Harris have said they don’t support defunding the police, the Trump campaign has tried to tie Biden to that mantra. Biden has said he supports funding for community policing programs that improve relationships between officers and residents, but not draining funds from police departments. Biden made his position clear on the convention's opening night when he said "most cops are good" but that bad ones needed to be prosecuted.
Garcetti said he believes the Biden campaign did enough to address question from the left.
"Most importantly, they're addressed in the platform," he said. "They're addressed in the program. They're addressed in the people. You heard it from Bernie himself."
Sarah Audelo, executive director for Alliance for Youth Action, said her group conducts monthly tracking surveys about what matters to younger voters in battleground states who are persuadable to Biden. She said defunding police departments is at a top issue for them and the convention missed an opportunity to engage more fully on it.
"The number one issue this demographic cares about is defunding the police, and while it's clear that is not a stance that the party is going to champion, what they could have done is talked about alternatives to policing," she said.
"Progressives already know that Donald Trump is awful and that our democracy is broken," Audelo added. "What progressives are frequently looking for is the alternative and what is the future we're going to be building if we're not going to be in this place of Donald Trump not running out country."
Khanna, who served as national co-chair of Sanders’s 2020 presidential campaign, said he will enthusiastically support Biden this fall.
But the California Democrat said the former vice president should meet with the party’s rising, younger and more progressive voices such as Rep. Alexandria Oscasio-Cortez and New York congressional candidate Jamaal Bowman.
"They'd get him a lot more votes than Kasich is going to get him," Khanna said.


usatoday--2020-08-21--Giant panda at National Zoo gives birth to cub: 'A much-needed moment of pure joy'

In a refreshing bit of good news out of Washington , Mei Xiang , the giant panda matriarch of the Smithsonian 's National Zoo , gave birth to a cub Friday and immediately began cradling and caring for it , zoo officials said .
`` A precious giant panda cub has arrived !
We ’ re overjoyed to share that Mei Xiang gave birth at 6:35 p.m. and is caring for her newborn attentively , '' the Zoo tweeted Friday .
The zoo encouraged people to tune in to its `` Giant Panda Cam '' page to see Mei Xiang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media users were greeted with an error message less than an hour after the zoo announced the news .
Zoo officials say they are monitoring the mother and the new cub using the cams .
It may be several days before zookeepers retrieve the cub to perform a neonatal exam , and the cub 's sex will be determined in the future , the zoo said in a release .
At 22 , Mei Xiang is the oldest giant panda to successfully give birth in the United States .
The oldest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the chances of having a cub `` slim '' — but zookeepers `` wanted to give her one more opportunity to contribute to her species ’ survival , '' zoo administrators are quoted in a release .
`` Giant pandas are an international symbol of endangered wildlife and hope , and with the birth of this precious cub we are thrilled to offer the world a much-needed moment of pure joy . ''
Already a mother to three cubs that survived , Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated by zookeepers back in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ male counterpart at the National Zoo .
Pandas `` experience a phenomenon referred to as delayed implantation , '' the zoo said in a statement when they announced her pregnancy on Aug. 14 .
That means an embryo may not attach to the panda 's uterine wall for weeks or months , and once it does , it grows exponentially , the zoo says .
Previously : A giant panda at the National Zoo is about to give birth .
Watch for these signs of labor on the 'panda cam' While stillbirth or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ optimistic that Mei Xiang would give birth successfully after seeing the fetus develop in another ultrasound earlier this week .
Mei Xiang came to D.C. in 2000 alongside Tian Tian .
Pandas have been at the zoo almost continuously since 1972 when pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing first arrived to Washington as a gift from the Chinese government .
The pair lived at the zoo for 20 years but never had viable offspring before they died in the 1990s .
Since Mei Xiang and Tian Tian 's arrival , the zoo has welcomed three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2005 , Bao Bao , born in 2013 and Bei Bei in 2015 .
All three currently live in China as part of an agreement with wildlife officials there , and under the zoo 's current agreement , all cubs born in Washington are sent to China around age 4 .
Zoo spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson said that while that agreement ends in December , the zoo is working on renegotiating new terms .
`` Our team in collaboration with our Chinese colleagues wouldn ’ t ship any panda unless everyone felt comfortable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best interest of the animal , '' she said .
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are also slated to return to China in December under the agreement , but Baker-Masson said both sides will discuss and act in the best interest of the animals .
The breeding program and exchange between China and zoos around the world has largely been heralded as a success .
For decades , the species was considered `` endangered '' and only recently was recategorized as `` vulnerable '' by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species .

Ryan W. Miller and Joel Shannon, USA TODAY

Giant panda at National Zoo gives birth to cub: 'A much-needed moment of pure joy'
It's panda-monium amid pandemic.
In a refreshing bit of good news out of Washington, Mei Xiang, the giant panda matriarch of the Smithsonian's National Zoo, gave birth to a cub Friday and immediately began cradling and caring for it, zoo officials said.
"A precious giant panda cub has arrived! We’re overjoyed to share that Mei Xiang gave birth at 6:35 p.m. and is caring for her newborn attentively," the Zoo tweeted Friday.
The zoo encouraged people to tune in to its "Giant Panda Cam" page to see Mei Xiang and the cub. However, some social media users were greeted with an error message less than an hour after the zoo announced the news.
Zoo officials say they are monitoring the mother and the new cub using the cams. It may be several days before zookeepers retrieve the cub to perform a neonatal exam, and the cub's sex will be determined in the future, the zoo said in a release.
🐼 A precious giant panda cub has arrived! We’re overjoyed to share that Mei Xiang gave birth at 6:35 p.m. and is caring for her newborn attentively. Positive mothering behaviors include nursing her cub and cuddling it close. 👀🎥 TUNE IN: https://t.co/99lBTV2w92. #PandaStory pic.twitter.com/x02fEYfAmx — National Zoo (@NationalZoo) August 21, 2020
At 22, Mei Xiang is the oldest giant panda to successfully give birth in the United States. The oldest in the world was 23.
Her age made the chances of having a cub "slim" — but zookeepers "wanted to give her one more opportunity to contribute to her species’ survival," zoo administrators are quoted in a release.
"Giant pandas are an international symbol of endangered wildlife and hope, and with the birth of this precious cub we are thrilled to offer the world a much-needed moment of pure joy."
Already a mother to three cubs that survived, Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated by zookeepers back in March with sperm from Tian Tian, her male counterpart at the National Zoo.
Pandas "experience a phenomenon referred to as delayed implantation," the zoo said in a statement when they announced her pregnancy on Aug. 14. That means an embryo may not attach to the panda's uterine wall for weeks or months, and once it does, it grows exponentially, the zoo says.
Previously: A giant panda at the National Zoo is about to give birth. Watch for these signs of labor on the 'panda cam'
While stillbirth or miscarriage were possibilities, zookeepers were cautiously optimistic that Mei Xiang would give birth successfully after seeing the fetus develop in another ultrasound earlier this week.
Mei Xiang came to D.C. in 2000 alongside Tian Tian.
Pandas have been at the zoo almost continuously since 1972 when pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing first arrived to Washington as a gift from the Chinese government. The pair lived at the zoo for 20 years but never had viable offspring before they died in the 1990s.
Since Mei Xiang and Tian Tian's arrival, the zoo has welcomed three other cubs: Tai Shan, born in 2005, Bao Bao, born in 2013 and Bei Bei in 2015.
All three currently live in China as part of an agreement with wildlife officials there, and under the zoo's current agreement, all cubs born in Washington are sent to China around age 4.
Zoo spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson said that while that agreement ends in December, the zoo is working on renegotiating new terms.
"Our team in collaboration with our Chinese colleagues wouldn’t ship any panda unless everyone felt comfortable that it was safe and in the best interest of the animal," she said.
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are also slated to return to China in December under the agreement, but Baker-Masson said both sides will discuss and act in the best interest of the animals.
The breeding program and exchange between China and zoos around the world has largely been heralded as a success. For decades, the species was considered "endangered" and only recently was recategorized as "vulnerable" by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Follow USA TODAY's Ryan Miller on Twitter @RyanW_Miller


usatoday--2020-08-21--Golden State killer sentenced to life without parole for 26 rapes, murders

SACRAMENTO , Calif. – The man who terrorized California as the Golden State Killer apologized to his victims Friday morning before being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole .
Joseph DeAngelo , 74 , sat silently next to his defense team as Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Michael Bowman ordered his sentence .
DeAngelo , a former police officer , admitted in June to being the serial rapist , murderer and burglar who stalked his prey in at least six counties in the 1970s and 1980s .
He pleaded guilty to 13 counts of murder and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before his sentencing , DeAngelo stood up , took off his face mask and looked at the survivors in the audience and said : `` I 've listened to all your statements , each of them .
And I 'm truly sorry to everyone I 've hurt . ''
Friday 's hearing was held in a ballroom at Sacramento State University to accommodate court staff , attorneys , survivors and the press while upholding social distancing protocols .
DeAngelo eluded capture for decades , and it took law enforcement more than 40 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to him .
He was known in different communities as the East Area Rapist , Visalia Ransacker , Original Nightstalker and the Golden State Killer .
By the 2000s , the advent of DNA helped link the crimes to one person .
Much of the DNA collected had already been used up in the testing for this effort .
But a second , untested rape kit taken from Charlene Smith , 33 , one of DeAngelo 's Ventura victims , would lead to his arrest in April 2018 .
Semen collected from her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family tree and point to him as the suspect .
To finally identify and arrest him in 2018 , investigators pioneered a new method of DNA tracing that involves building a family tree from publicly accessible genealogy websites to narrow the list of suspects .
They linked nearly 40-year-old DNA from crime scenes to a distant relative , and eventually to a discarded tissue they surreptitiously sneaked from DeAngelo ’ s garbage can in suburban Sacramento .
DeAngelo 's defense attorneys read statements from his loved ones about how he was a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family .
A statement from his sister said DeAngelo 's father was a stern military man , a womanizer and physically abusive .
His family 's statements painted a picture of a good , loving man and they could not wrap their heads around around the truth of DeAngelo 's horrific crimes .
They also apologized for the pain he caused .
Those crimes , many of which were sexual assaults , could not be prosecuted because the statute of limitations had run out .
Authorities said DeAngelo committed at least 50 rapes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said after nearly 40 years of waiting , the victims deserved justice now .
The case was so old that some witnesses were not expected to be alive by the time the case would have gone to trial .
'Rot in hell ' : Golden State Killer faces victims in court on first day of sentencing hearings For three days this week , DeAngelo 's survivors and their loved ones spoke about how 40 years ago a masked man entered their homes and threatened them with knives and guns .
He would bind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then help himself to whatever food was in the kitchen .
After hours of this torture , he took their jewelry and left .
He killed three early Northern California victims when they interfered with his assaults on women .
But he escalated again when he moved to Southern California , to 10 known murders .
Even DeAngelo ’ s ex-wife , Sacramento attorney Sharon Huddle , said in a court filing Thursday that she was fooled , though many victims have wondered aloud how she could not have known of her husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trusted the defendant when he told me he had to work , or was going pheasant hunting , or going to visit his parents hundreds of miles away , ” Huddle wrote .
Many victims asked Bowman to make sure DeAngelo is sent to a remote prison and housed among other inmates instead of in protective custody , though state corrections officials said they will make the final decision on where and how he is housed .
“ You are finally going to prison and will remain there until you die , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1976 , told DeAngelo this week .
She recalled that he famously left behind a roast in the oven when police moved in to make their arrest on April 24 , 2018 .
His survivors , she said , now plan to celebrate each anniversary of his arrest with a similar feast “ in memory of your capture.
” “ Too bad you won ’ t get to enjoy it , ” she said .
Prosecutors from Ventura , Sacramento , Orange , Santa Barbara , Tulare and Contra Costa counties were ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of the state 's most prolific serial killers .
An agreement was made , however , for life in prison as long as DeAngelo pleaded guilty to the 26 charged crimes and dozens of uncharged offenses linked to his reign of terror .
The elected district attorneys from the six-county prosecution team were given an opportunity to make final comments about the case .
They focused on the family and friends of the murder victims and the dozens of rape survivors who addressed the court this week .
As the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is turning away from the perpetrator and to the enduring strength of the survivors , they said .
They have bravely confronted and emerged from the terrible darkness , Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten said .
That is something DeAngelo can not do , he said .
DeAngelo sat stoically , `` devoid of any humanity '' and has not dared to face his victims for fear that their words may penetrate the deep darkness within him , he said .
The district attorneys reiterated the powerful words of the survivors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeAngelo 's dark shadow to live vibrant lives .
`` The greatest revenge is to live your lives , '' said Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert .
`` Paint your children 's and grandchildren 's rooms again with hearts and rainbows ... Know the monster of your childhood or your younger years is gone forever and will die alone in the dark . ''
Contributing : The Associated Press .
Follow Megan Diskin on Twitter : @ MeganDiskin .

Golden State Killer sentenced to life without parole for 26 rapes, murders
Show Caption Hide Caption Golden State Killer: Joseph James DeAngelo pleads guilty to murders DeAngelo, 74, cryptically referred to an inner personality named “Jerry” that purportedly forced him to commit the wave of crimes that ended in 1986. USA TODAY
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The man who terrorized California as the Golden State Killer apologized to his victims Friday morning before being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Joseph DeAngelo, 74, sat silently next to his defense team as Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Michael Bowman ordered his sentence.
DeAngelo, a former police officer, admitted in June to being the serial rapist, murderer and burglar who stalked his prey in at least six counties in the 1970s and 1980s. He pleaded guilty to 13 counts of murder and 13 counts of kidnapping with robbery.
Before his sentencing, DeAngelo stood up, took off his face mask and looked at the survivors in the audience and said: "I've listened to all your statements, each of them. And I'm truly sorry to everyone I've hurt."
The hearing was in a ballroom at Sacramento State University to accommodate court staff, attorneys, survivors and the press while upholding social distancing protocols.
DeAngelo eluded capture for decades, and it took law enforcement more than 40 years to connect his crimes and catch up to him. He was known in different communities as the East Area Rapist, Visalia Ransacker, Original Nightstalker and the Golden State Killer.
By the 2000s, the advent of DNA helped link the crimes to one person. Much of the DNA collected had been used up in the testing for this effort.
But a second, untested rape kit taken from Charlene Smith, 33, one of DeAngelo's Ventura victims, would lead to his arrest in April 2018. Semen collected from her body was used to track down his family tree and point to him as the suspect.
To finally identify and arrest him in 2018, investigators pioneered a new method of DNA tracing that involves building a family tree from publicly accessible genealogy websites to narrow the list of suspects.
They linked nearly 40-year-old DNA from crime scenes to a distant relative and eventually to a discarded tissue they surreptitiously sneaked from DeAngelo’s garbage can in suburban Sacramento.
DeAngelo's defense attorneys read statements from his loved ones about how he was a good father and a support system for his family. A statement from his sister said DeAngelo's father was a stern military man, a womanizer and physically abusive.
His family's statements painted a picture of a good, loving man and said they could not wrap their heads around around the truth of DeAngelo's horrific crimes. They also apologized for the pain he caused.
Those crimes, many of which were sexual assaults, could not be prosecuted because the statute of limitations had run out. Authorities said DeAngelo committed at least 50 rapes as the East Area Rapist.
Prosecutors said that after decades of waiting, the victims deserved justice now. The case was so old that some witnesses were not expected to be alive by the time the case would have gone to trial.
'Rot in hell': Golden State Killer faces victims in court on first day of sentencing hearings
For three days this week, DeAngelo's survivors and their loved ones spoke about how 40 years ago a masked man entered their homes and threatened them with knives and guns. He would bind and gag them, rape the women, then help himself to whatever food was in the kitchen. After hours of this torture, he took their jewelry and left.
He killed three early Northern California victims when they interfered with his assaults on women. But he escalated again when he moved to Southern California, to 10 known murders.
Even DeAngelo’s ex-wife, Sacramento attorney Sharon Huddle, said in a court filing Thursday that she was fooled, though many victims have wondered aloud how she could not have known of her husband’s double life.
“I trusted the defendant when he told me he had to work, or was going pheasant hunting, or going to visit his parents hundreds of miles away,” Huddle wrote.
Many victims asked Bowman to make sure DeAngelo is sent to a remote prison and housed among other inmates instead of in protective custody, though state corrections officials said they will make the final decision on where and how he is housed.
“You are finally going to prison and will remain there until you die,” Jane Carson-Sandler, who was raped in 1976, told DeAngelo this week.
She recalled that he famously left behind a roast in the oven when police moved in to make their arrest on April 24, 2018. His survivors, she said, now plan to celebrate each anniversary of his arrest with a similar feast “in memory of your capture.”
“Too bad you won’t get to enjoy it,” she said.
Prosecutors opt for life in prison
Prosecutors from Ventura, Sacramento, Orange, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Contra Costa counties were ready to seek the death penalty against DeAngelo, one of the state's most prolific serial killers. An agreement was made, however, for life in prison as long as DeAngelo pleaded guilty to the 26 charged crimes and dozens of uncharged offenses linked to his reign of terror.
The elected district attorneys from the six-county prosecution team were given an opportunity to make final comments about the case.
They focused on the family and friends of the murder victims and the dozens of rape survivors who addressed the court this week. As the case comes to an end, the focus is turning away from the perpetrator and to the enduring strength of the survivors, they said.
They have bravely confronted and emerged from the terrible darkness, Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten said. That is something DeAngelo cannot do, he said. DeAngelo sat stoically, "devoid of any humanity" and has not dared to face his victims for fear that their words may penetrate the deep darkness within him, he said.
The district attorneys reiterated the powerful words of the survivors and their families, who came out of DeAngelo's dark shadow to live vibrant lives.
"The greatest revenge is to live your lives," said Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert. "Paint your children's and grandchildren's rooms again with hearts and rainbows. ... Know the monster of your childhood or your younger years is gone forever and will die alone in the dark."
Contributing: The Associated Press. Follow Megan Diskin on Twitter: @MeganDiskin.


usatoday--2020-08-21--Two Gulf hurricanes at the same time? Tropical Storm Laura has formed

PALM BEACH , Fla. — The National Hurricane Center is forecasting for two tropical systems to reach hurricane strength , with both sharing the Gulf of Mexico at the same time .
One system is Tropical Storm Laura , which formed Friday morning in the Atlantic Ocean .
If that forecast holds true , it would be the first time in recorded history that two hurricanes muscled through the Gulf ’ s warm waters simultaneously , according to Colorado State University researcher Phil Klotzbach .
It could also be another record breaker for 2020 with the potential for seven tropical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of August .
South Florida , its west coast and Panhandle remain in the path of a messy Tropical Storm Laura , which is predicted to move across Puerto Rico on a path toward the Gulf .
Laura is expected to produce 3 to 6 inches of rain over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands through Sunday , the Hurricane Center said .
`` Locally heavy rainfall could lead to flash and urban flooding , as well as an increased potential for mudslides .
Some rivers may overflow their banks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centered about 40 miles east of Antigua Friday afternoon , with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph .
It was heading west at 17 mph , according to the Hurricane Center .
A tropical storm warning was in effect for Puerto Rico , the U.S. Virgin Islands , the British Virgin Islands and several Caribbean islands .
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning , in this case within the next 12 to 24 hours .
NHC meteorologists warned the forecast models that predict storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Euro degenerate Laura into an open wave , while the HWRF takes it to a major hurricane .
The official forecast calls for Laura to be a strong tropical storm near South Florida as it cuts through the Keys and into the Gulf of Mexico , where it is forecast to become a Category 1 hurricane with 75-mph winds .
The current track , which shifted slightly south and west overnight , has Laura making landfall Wednesday in an area from the Panhandle to eastern Louisiana as a Category 1 hurricane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 , was off the coast of Honduras Friday and expected to become a tropical storm before hitting the Yucatan Peninsula .
A hurricane watch was in effect for the strip of coast containing Tulum , Playa del Carmen and Cancun , as well as Cozumel island .
Up to 10 inches of rain could fall on the Yucatan Peninsula from the storm , which may lead to flash flooding .
TD14 is forecast to weaken slightly in the southern Gulf of Mexico but reach hurricane strength before making a landfall Tuesday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means Louisiana could be in the path of two potential hurricanes that could make landfall within hours of each other .
The next names on the 2020 hurricane list are Marco and Nana .
Hurricane names : From Arthur to Wilfred , here 's the list of names for the 2020 season How do storms get their names ?
: Naming tropical cyclones dates back to the 1800s Laura is the earliest “ L ” storm on record , beating previous record holder Hurricane Luis , which formed on Aug. 29 , 1995 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ M ” named storm is 2005′s Hurricane Maria , which formed on Sept. 2 .
This hurricane season has lived up to forecasts that called for above-normal activity .
The Climate Prediction Center ’ s most recent estimate was for up to 25 named storms , which would require using the Greek alphabet .
There are 21 names on the six-year rotating list of storm names .
The names end with the letter W and exclude Q , U , X , Y and Z. Klotzbach said there is no record of two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the same time , but there is precedent for two tropical cyclones – hurricane , storm or depression – to occupy the space together .
The 1933 storms dubbed Treasure Coast and Cuba-Brownsville , and the 1959 storms Beulah and an unnamed system shared the Gulf of Mexico .

Kimberly Miller and Doyle Rice, USA TODAY NETWORK

Two Gulf hurricanes at the same time? Tropical Storms Laura, Marco have formed
Show Caption Hide Caption 2020 hurricane season prediction: Two hurricanes at the same time The National Hurricane Center recently updated its 2020 outlook calling for 7-11 hurricanes, including 3-6 major hurricanes. USA TODAY
PALM BEACH, Fla. — The National Hurricane Center is forecasting for two tropical systems to reach hurricane strength, with both sharing the Gulf of Mexico at the same time.
One system is Tropical Storm Laura, which formed Friday morning in the Atlantic Ocean.
If that forecast holds true, it would be the first time in recorded history that two hurricanes muscled through the Gulf’s warm waters simultaneously, according to Colorado State University researcher Phil Klotzbach.
It could also be another record-breaker for 2020 with the potential for seven tropical cyclone landfalls in the continental U.S. before the end of August.
South Florida, its west coast and Panhandle remain in the path of a messy Tropical Storm Laura, which is predicted to move across Puerto Rico on a path toward the Gulf.
Laura is expected to produce 3 to 6 inches of rain over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands through Sunday, the Hurricane Center said. "Locally heavy rainfall could lead to flash and urban flooding, as well as an increased potential for mudslides. Some rivers may overflow their banks," the Center warned.
Laura was centered about 40 miles east of Antigua Friday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. It was heading west at 17 mph, according to the Hurricane Center.
A tropical storm warning was in effect for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands and several Caribbean islands. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning, in this case within the next 12 to 24 hours.
The most Atlantic named storms to make landfall in the continental US (CONUS) by the end of August is 6, set in 1886 and 1916. The CONUS has already had 5 this year: Bertha, Cristobal, Fay, Hanna and Isaias. #TD13 #TD14 #hurricane pic.twitter.com/pV55VDTupO — Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) August 20, 2020
NHC meteorologists warned the forecast models that predict storm intensity vary widely. The U.S. model and the Euro degenerate Laura into an open wave, while the HWRF takes it to a major hurricane.
The official forecast calls for Laura to be a strong tropical storm near South Florida as it cuts through the Keys and into the Gulf of Mexico, where it is forecast to become a Category 1 hurricane with 75-mph winds.
Two tropical depressions to reach hurricane strength at same time in the Gulf of Mexico The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two tropical depressions that are expected to reach hurricane strength in the Gulf of Mexico. Fox - 35 Orlando, Fox - 35 Orlando
South Florida could begin feeling tropical-storm-force winds early Monday.
The current track, which shifted slightly south and west overnight, has Laura making landfall Wednesday in an area from the Panhandle to eastern Louisiana as a Category 1 hurricane.
Tropical Storm Marco, previously Tropical Depression 14 that was named as a Tropical Storm Friday night, is currently 180 miles southeast of Cozumel, Mexico. The National Hurricane Center expects the storm to strengthen as it approaches the Yucatan Peninsula.
The storm has maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour and experts say it should be at or near hurricane strength when it reaches the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico late Saturday.
If the tropical depression strengthens as expected, Marco became the earliest "M" storm on record.
The center of the storm is expected to cross the northeastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula Saturday night and move over the central Gulf of Mexico toward the northwestern Gulf on Sunday and Monday, according to the NHS.
Hurricane names: From Arthur to Wilfred, here's the list of names for the 2020 season
How do storms get their names?: Naming tropical cyclones dates back to the 1800s
Laura is the earliest “L” storm on record, beating previous record holder Hurricane Luis, which formed on Aug. 29, 1995.
The record holder for earliest “M” named storm is 2005′s Hurricane Maria, which formed on Sept. 2.
This hurricane season has lived up to forecasts that called for above-normal activity. The Climate Prediction Center’s most recent estimate was for up to 25 named storms, which would require using the Greek alphabet.
There are 21 names on the six-year rotating list of storm names. The names end with the letter W and exclude Q, U, X, Y and Z.
Klotzbach said there is no record of two hurricanes existing in the Gulf of Mexico at the same time, but there is precedent for two tropical cyclones – hurricane, storm or depression – to occupy the space together.
The 1933 storms dubbed Treasure Coast and Cuba-Brownsville, and the 1959 storms Beulah and an unnamed system shared the Gulf of Mexico.
Miller reported from Palm Beach, Florida; Rice from Bethesda, Maryland.


usatoday--2020-08-21--Travelers left behind $900,000 (and change) at TSA security checkpoints in 2019

Air travelers left behind more than $ 926,000 in coins and cash at security checkpoints in fiscal year 2019 , according to the Transportation Security Administration .
And it turns out that TSA keeps the change .
In an annual report to Congress that the agency is required by law to submit to Congress , TSA reported that it had a total of $ 3.6 million in unclaimed cash from 2019 and prior years as of Sept. 30 last year .
From that pot , TSA spent about $ 1 million on training and development , and another $ 32,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PreCheck program , which enables an expedited security screening process for air passengers .
TSA makes clear in the report that though the agency makes an effort to return lost money to passengers , it will spend what 's left .
`` TSA tries to ensure that all traveler property , including loose change , finds its way back to the proper owner , '' the agency wrote .
`` However , when loose change does not , it will be directed to critical aviation security programs . ''
TSA encourages people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contact one of its lost and found offices .
New York 's JFK International Airport accounted for the most unclaimed cash in 2019 , $ 98,110 .
TSA 's 2019 grand total included nearly $ 19,000 in foreign currency .
Travelers left behind $ 960,000 in fiscal 2018 .
This year 's total is likely to be lower than both prior years due to the drop in traffic from the coronavirus pandemic .

Travelers left behind $900,000 (and change) at TSA security checkpoints in 2019
Show Caption Hide Caption TSA keeps loose change left in bins, and it’s added up to nearly $1 million Keep the change? That’s just what TSA is doing and it's added up to nearly $1 million dollars one year. Buzz60
Air travelers left behind more than $926,000 in coins and cash at security checkpoints in fiscal year 2019, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
And it turns out that TSA keeps the change.
In an annual report to Congress that the agency is required by law to submit to Congress, TSA reported that it had a total of $3.6 million in unclaimed cash from 2019 and prior years as of Sept. 30 last year.
From that pot, TSA spent about $1 million on training and development, and another $32,000 to print bookmarks promoting the agency's PreCheck program, which enables an expedited security screening process for air passengers.
TSA makes clear in the report that though the agency makes an effort to return lost money to passengers, it will spend what's left.
"TSA tries to ensure that all traveler property, including loose change, finds its way back to the proper owner," the agency wrote. "However, when loose change does not, it will be directed to critical aviation security programs."
TSA encourages people who have left items behind at security checkpoints to contact one of its lost and found offices.
New York's JFK International Airport accounted for the most unclaimed cash in 2019, $98,110. TSA's 2019 grand total included nearly $19,000 in foreign currency.
Travelers left behind $960,000 in fiscal 2018. This year's total is likely to be lower than both prior years due to the drop in traffic from the coronavirus pandemic.


usatoday--2020-08-21--Opinion: Protesting parents don't get it. The Big Ten is looking out for football players' health

No , the Big Ten doesn ’ t hate anyone ’ s kids .
Nor is it governed by hypochondriacs or wusses who cower at the first sign of adversity .
That doesn ’ t seem like something that should actually need to be stated after the Big Ten postponed the football season because of COVID-19 .
But given some of the feelings expressed by parents who showed up Friday morning for a protest outside the conference ’ s offices , apparently it does .
We ’ re in the midst of a pandemic that has already claimed the lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea that young people can not get COVID-19 has been debunked .
There is increasing evidence that those who ’ ve had the disease , even in its mildest form , can suffer long-term damage to their hearts , including myocarditis .
This is not some hypothetical , mind you .
In the Big Ten alone , at least 10 players have already been diagnosed with myocarditis , and Georgia State quarterback Mikele Colasurdo announced Thursday that he won ’ t play this season because of the condition , which can cause heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The cardiologist was pretty confident it ’ s a case more on the mild side , ” Colasurdo told The Athletic .
“ A lot of it is going to just be precautionary because they really just don ’ t know what ’ s going to happen in the long term.
” Let those words , from a college freshman who is also in peak health as an elite athlete , sink in for a minute .
“ They really just don ’ t know what ’ s going to happen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that uncertainty , the question is not what is the Big Ten doing postponing the football season , but what the hell are those parents who are protesting the decision thinking ?
And are they voicing the feelings of their sons – who are legal adults at this point and can speak for themselves , by the way – or is this what the overzealous parents who scream at youth-league referees and berate rec team coaches look like when their kids are grown ?
The parents have a point that the Big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its reasoning and the medical information that influenced it .
That point , however , has been made – over and over and over again – and commissioner Kevin Warren addressed those concerns in an open letter Wednesday .
The larger issue seems to be that the parents who showed up for the protest – I use that word loosely given there were more media members than family members – don ’ t really get the gravity of COVID-19 and its possible implications for their sons .
Or , if they do , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because , you know , football .
“ You can ’ t tell us that the Big Ten can ’ t get it together ( but ) that the ACC can get it together .
That the SEC can get it together , ” said Andrea Tate , mother of Buckeyes cornerback Sevyn Banks .
“ The Big Ten can do the same .
“ As we stand and fight , we need the Big Ten to stand and fight.
” There are a lot of ways to describe what ’ s happening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting it together is not one of them .
North Carolina and North Carolina State abruptly went to virtual learning this week after outbreaks on their campuses , and the Tar Heels have suspended football practice .
Syracuse players sat out practice two weeks ago over concerns about COVID-19 testing .
Notre Dame , a quasi-ACC member this season , was forced to shut down its campus following a massive spike in COVID cases .
The headline on Friday 's front page of The Observer , the student newspaper , was “ Don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , SEC country is home to six of the 10 states that had the highest number of cases in the last seven days , according to the Centers for Disease Control .
With students just now returning at many campuses , it ’ s likely only a matter of time before the SEC is dealing with crippling outbreaks , too .
Julie Waggoner , mother of Iowa defensive lineman John Waggoner , said the Big Ten should be driven by numbers in its own states , rather than national data .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too , with Illinois and Ohio in the top 10 of those seven-day numbers , and Indiana and Wisconsin not far behind .
“ We obviously all are aware this has been a horrible last five or six months , ” Waggoner said , via video from Outkick the Coverage .
“ We have also had to sit and listen every day to sad stories and tragedy , and I think everybody needs a little bit of football in our lives and try to make things work . ''
No , what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to get control of COVID-19 .
Then , and only then , will we be able to have college football .
Listen , I understand the parents are hurting for their children and would do just about anything for them .
But their anger is misdirected .
The Big Ten hasn ’ t failed their sons .
It ’ s trying to keep them safe .
The Big Ten has decided the health and safety of teenagers and 20-somethings is more important right now than football .
That should be cause for @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Opinion: Protesting parents don't get it. The Big Ten is looking out for football players' health
Show Caption Hide Caption Medical expert questions motives of college football decision makers SportsPulse: Mackenzie Salmon connected with Yale's Dr. Sten Vermund, who specializes in the field of infectious diseases, to get his thoughts on the conferences that are still attempting to play college football in the fall. He did not hold back. USA TODAY
No, the Big Ten doesn’t hate anyone’s kids. Nor is it governed by hypochondriacs or wusses who cower at the first sign of adversity.
That doesn’t seem like something that should actually need to be stated after the Big Ten postponed the football season because of COVID-19. But given some of the feelings expressed by parents who showed up Friday morning for a protest outside the conference’s offices, apparently it does.
We’re in the midst of a pandemic that has already claimed the lives of more than 170,000 Americans. The idea that young people cannot get COVID-19 has been debunked. There is increasing evidence that those who’ve had the disease, even in its mildest form, can suffer long-term damage to their hearts, including myocarditis.
This is not some hypothetical, mind you. In the Big Ten alone, at least 10 players have already been diagnosed with myocarditis, and Georgia State quarterback Mikele Colasurdo announced Thursday that he won’t play this season because of the condition, which can cause heart attacks, strokes, even death.
“The cardiologist was pretty confident it’s a case more on the mild side,” Colasurdo told The Athletic. “A lot of it is going to just be precautionary because they really just don’t know what’s going to happen in the long term.”
Let those words, from a college freshman who is also in peak health as an elite athlete, sink in for a minute.
“They really just don’t know what’s going to happen in the long term.”
Given the risk of that uncertainty, the question is not what is the Big Ten doing postponing the football season, but what the hell are those parents who are protesting the decision thinking? And are they voicing the feelings of their sons – who are legal adults at this point and can speak for themselves, by the way – or is this what the overzealous parents who scream at youth-league referees and berate rec team coaches look like when their kids are grown?
The parents have a point that the Big Ten did a horrible job of communicating its reasoning and the medical information that influenced it. That point, however, has been made – over and over and over again – and commissioner Kevin Warren addressed those concerns in an open letter Wednesday.
The larger issue seems to be that the parents who showed up for the protest – I use that word loosely given there were more media members than family members – don’t really get the gravity of COVID-19 and its possible implications for their sons.
Or, if they do, well, sacrifices have to be made because, you know, football.
“You can’t tell us that the Big Ten can’t get it together (but) that the ACC can get it together. That the SEC can get it together,” said Andrea Tate, mother of Buckeyes cornerback Sevyn Banks. “The Big Ten can do the same.
“As we stand and fight, we need the Big Ten to stand and fight.”
There are a lot of ways to describe what’s happening in the ACC right now, but getting it together is not one of them. North Carolina and North Carolina State abruptly went to virtual learning this week after outbreaks on their campuses, and the Tar Heels have suspended football practice. Syracuse players sat out practice two weeks ago over concerns about COVID-19 testing.
Notre Dame, a quasi-ACC member this season, was forced to shut down its campus following a massive spike in COVID cases. The headline on Friday's front page of The Observer, the student newspaper, was “Don’t make us write obituaries.”
Meanwhile, SEC country is home to six of the 10 states that had the highest number of cases in the last seven days, according to the Centers for Disease Control. With students just now returning at many campuses, it’s likely only a matter of time before the SEC is dealing with crippling outbreaks, too.
Julie Waggoner, mother of Iowa defensive lineman John Waggoner, said the Big Ten should be driven by numbers in its own states, rather than national data. But the Midwest is a hot mess, too, with Illinois and Ohio in the top 10 of those seven-day numbers, and Indiana and Wisconsin not far behind.
“We obviously all are aware this has been a horrible last five or six months,” Waggoner said, via video from Outkick the Coverage. “We have also had to sit and listen every day to sad stories and tragedy, and I think everybody needs a little bit of football in our lives and try to make things work."
No, what we need is a responsible and coordinated national effort to get control of COVID-19. Then, and only then, will we be able to have college football.
Listen, I understand the parents are hurting for their children and would do just about anything for them. But their anger is misdirected. The Big Ten hasn’t failed their sons. It’s trying to keep them safe.
The Big Ten has decided the health and safety of teenagers and 20-somethings is more important right now than football. That should be cause for praise from parents, not protest.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour.