usatoday--2020-08-30--Coronavirus updates: Global cases top 25M as US nears 6M; WHO warns of front line 'burnout'; experts

The United States was on the brink of 6 million coronavirus cases Sunday while the global number surpassed 25 million .
And those numbers are likely just a small fraction of the true penetration into the world population , experts say .
Any slowdown in the U.S. outbreak appeared minor : There were more than 47,000 new cases and almost 1,000 additional deaths reported Sunday .
And with many elementary and secondary schools as well as universities now opening their doors , the numbers may not drop appreciably any time soon .
The pandemic onslaught is taking its toll on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responders , the World Health Organization warns .
`` The front line responders working tirelessly to save lives during the pandemic deserve time to rest , '' WHO said in a statement Sunday .
`` Talk to your colleagues or supervisor if you think you may be experiencing burnout . ''
• Navajo Nation health officials say the confirmation of a new death brings the number of fatalities from coronavirus to 500 .
• Italy has nearly doubled its daily tests this month amid a surge in new infections , mostly among young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's numbers : The U.S. death toll was approaching 183,000 .
Globally , more than 843,000 people have died , according to John Hopkins University data .
📰 What we 're reading : Families have shunned airlines , hotels , cruises and other crowded vacation options this summer .
Instead , they have opted for more personal transportation choices , including boats – lots of boats .
This file will be updated throughout the day .
For updates in your inbox , subscribe to the Daily Briefing .
Labor Day warning : Family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowds Images of packed beaches , lakes and bars have made the rounds on traditional and social media for much of the summer , drawing scorn from those concerned about the COVID-19 outbreak .
But experts say also troubling are the growing instances of case clusters arising from smaller gatherings .
Social functions of various sizes among relatives , friends and co-workers are drawing scrutiny as public health experts sound the alarm ahead of Labor Day weekend .
“ People don ’ t think of it in the same way as the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people on the beach or in the bars , but these small events add up to a lot , ” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong , a professor of medicine at the University of California-San Francisco .
`` It ’ s just invisible . ''
Six months since the United States declared the coronavirus pandemic a state of emergency , millions of isolated Americans are at their wits ' end , exhausted from making a seemingly endless series of health and safety decisions for themselves and their loved ones .
Researchers call the phenomenon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you may be inclined to avoid additional decisions , stick to the status quo or base a decision on a single criteria , experts say .
`` It ’ s a state of low willpower that results from having invested effort into making choices , '' said Roy Baumeister , a psychology professor at Florida State University .
`` It leads to putting less effort into making further choices , so either choices are avoided or they are made in a very superficial way . ''
India is fast becoming a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours .
That is the worst single-day spike in the world , although the health ministry noted that the nation also set a record with more than 10 million tests .
India now has reported 3.5 million cases , more than all other nations except for the U.S. and Brazil .
The boom in India comes amid government efforts to ease restrictions nationwide .
The Health Ministry on Sunday also reported 948 deaths in the past 24 hours , taking total fatalities to 63,498 .
University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after two week delay The University of Virginia says it plans to offer in-person instruction for the fall semester beginning with the opening of residence halls Thursday .
UVA officials in Charlottesville said they had initially delayed the start of in-person undergraduate classes by two weeks to assess the spread of COVID-19 and to see how other schools have fared since opening .
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that UVA has reported 67 total positive COVID cases since Aug. 17 among students , faculty and staff .
Of those , 23 were students who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school ’ s highest single-day total .
Twenty-five students , faculty or staff have been hospitalized .
A look at how other colleges are faring : • The University of Alabama reported an additional 481 students have tested positive for COVID-19 , bringing the total to more than 1,000 infections since students returned to campus .
The university system said no students are hospitalized .
• In West Lafayette , Indiana , Purdue University has reported 80 confirmed cases for COVID-19 since Aug. 1 , including 60 confirmed in the past week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of around 40,000 , reopened .
At least three houses with more than 100 students combined — a fraternity , a sorority and cooperative house — are on lockdown and arranging classes remotely at the start of the semester .
• Temple University in Philadelphia will switch nearly all in-person classes to online for two weeks starting Monday after active COVID-19 cases spiked from 58 Friday to 103 Sunday .
• Northwestern University outside Chicago plans to have freshmen and sophomores take classes remotely , while juniors , seniors and graduate students will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mix with online classes , the Chicago Tribune reported .
The school is keeping fraternity and sorority houses closed in the fall .
Returning vacationers are driving up the numbers of new coronavirus cases , hospitalizations and occupied ICU beds in Italy , the hardest-hit European country in the early stages of the pandemic .
On Sunday , there were 86 persons in intensive care units with COVID-19 , compared to 38 in late July .
The Italian Health Ministry reported 1,365 new infections since Saturday , still much fewer than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , before the country imposed a strict lockdown .
With 268,218 confirmed infections , Italy ranks fourth among European nations behind Spain ( 439,286 ) , the United Kingdom ( 336,641 ) and France ( 310,400 ) .
A persistent increase in coronavirus infections is jeopardizing France 's push toward reopening all schools Tuesday , with the goal of making up for the learning losses caused by the spring shutdown and boosting the economy with parents returning to work .
Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said Sunday some schools will remain closed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A collective of doctors published an appeal Saturday saying the governments ’ school virus measures aren ’ t strict enough and urging mask requirements for children as young as 6 and a mix of online and in-person schooling .
France reported 5,453 new daily infections Saturday , compared to several hundred a day in May and June .
FDA expands use of remdesivir without research to back it up The U.S. Food and Drug Administration late Friday allowed the drug remdesivir to be used on all patients hospitalized with COVID-19 , although no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The approval allows doctors freedom to prescribe the antiviral earlier .
But it comes less than a week after the agency approved use of convalescent plasma without published scientific support , fueling concerns the agency is yielding to political pressure .
`` It seems to be a pattern of approval without science , without data , without evidence , '' said Dr. Eric Topol , vice president for research at Scripps Research in La Jolla , California and a national expert on the use of data in medical research .
In May , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for hospitalized adults who need oxygen , but not those sick enough to require ventilation .
A government study published that month in the New England Journal of Medicine found those patients recovered faster than those who had n't gotten the drug , though there was no evidence that it saved lives .
Earlier this month , the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study of less severely ill hospitalized adults , showing that five days of treatment with remdesivir was better than standard care , though `` the difference was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more here .
On Facebook : There 's still a lot unknown about the coronavirus .
But what we do know , we 're sharing with you .
Join our Facebook group , Coronavirus Watch , to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19 .
In your inbox : Stay up-to-date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network .
Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter .
Tips for coping : Every Saturday and Tuesday we 'll be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times .
Sign up for Staying Apart , Together .

John Bacon and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY

Coronavirus updates: Global cases top 25M as US nears 6M; WHO warns of front line 'burnout'; experts advise against Labor Day gatherings
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: How R-0 can be used to fight COVID-19 R-0 may be the most important scientific term you’ve never heard of when it comes to stopping the coronavirus pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The United States was on the brink of 6 million coronavirus cases Sunday while the global number surpassed 25 million. And those numbers are likely just a small fraction of the true penetration into the world population, experts say.
Any slowdown in the U.S. outbreak appeared minor: There were more than 47,000 new cases and almost 1,000 additional deaths reported Sunday. And with many elementary and secondary schools as well as universities now opening their doors, the numbers may not drop appreciably any time soon.
The pandemic onslaught is taking its toll on health care workers and other front line responders, the World Health Organization warns.
"The front line responders working tirelessly to save lives during the pandemic deserve time to rest," WHO said in a statement Sunday. "Talk to your colleagues or supervisor if you think you may be experiencing burnout."
Some significant developments:
Navajo Nation health officials say the confirmation of a new death brings the number of fatalities from coronavirus to 500.
Italy has nearly doubled its daily tests this month amid a surge in new infections, mostly among young people returning from vacation.
📈 Today's numbers: The U.S. death toll was approaching 183,000. Globally, more than 843,000 people have died, according to John Hopkins University data.
📰 What we're reading: Families have shunned airlines, hotels, cruises and other crowded vacation options this summer. Instead, they have opted for more personal transportation choices, including boats – lots of boats.
This file will be updated throughout the day. For updates in your inbox, subscribe to the Daily Briefing.
Images of packed beaches, lakes and bars have made the rounds on traditional and social media for much of the summer, drawing scorn from those concerned about the COVID-19 outbreak.
But experts say also troubling are the growing instances of case clusters arising from smaller gatherings. Social functions of various sizes among relatives, friends and co-workers are drawing scrutiny as public health experts sound the alarm ahead of Labor Day weekend.
“People don’t think of it in the same way as the Trump rally in Tulsa, a bunch of people on the beach or in the bars, but these small events add up to a lot,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine at the University of California-San Francisco. "It’s just invisible."
– Jorge L. Ortiz
Six months since the United States declared the coronavirus pandemic a state of emergency, millions of isolated Americans are at their wits' end, exhausted from making a seemingly endless series of health and safety decisions for themselves and their loved ones. Researchers call the phenomenon decision fatigue. As you become fatigued, you may be inclined to avoid additional decisions, stick to the status quo or base a decision on a single criteria, experts say.
"It’s a state of low willpower that results from having invested effort into making choices," said Roy Baumeister, a psychology professor at Florida State University. "It leads to putting less effort into making further choices, so either choices are avoided or they are made in a very superficial way."
– Grace Hauck
India is fast becoming a pandemic hot spot, registering a record 78,761 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours. That is the worst single-day spike in the world, although the health ministry noted that the nation also set a record with more than 10 million tests.
India now has reported 3.5 million cases, more than all other nations except for the U.S. and Brazil. The boom in India comes amid government efforts to ease restrictions nationwide. The Health Ministry on Sunday also reported 948 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking total fatalities to 63,498.
The University of Virginia says it plans to offer in-person instruction for the fall semester beginning with the opening of residence halls Thursday. UVA officials in Charlottesville said they had initially delayed the start of in-person undergraduate classes by two weeks to assess the spread of COVID-19 and to see how other schools have fared since opening.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that UVA has reported 67 total positive COVID cases since Aug. 17 among students, faculty and staff. Of those, 23 were students who reported a positive test on Thursday, the school’s highest single-day total. Twenty-five students, faculty or staff have been hospitalized.
A look at how other colleges are faring:
The University of Alabama reported an additional 481 students have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to more than 1,000 infections since students returned to campus. The university system said no students are hospitalized.
reported an additional 481 students have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to more than 1,000 infections since students returned to campus. The university system said no students are hospitalized. In West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue University has reported 80 confirmed cases for COVID-19 since Aug. 1, including 60 confirmed in the past week since the school, with an enrollment of around 40,000, reopened. At least three houses with more than 100 students combined — a fraternity, a sorority and cooperative house — are on lockdown and arranging classes remotely at the start of the semester.
has reported 80 confirmed cases for COVID-19 since Aug. 1, including 60 confirmed in the past week since the school, with an enrollment of around 40,000, reopened. At least three houses with more than 100 students combined — a fraternity, a sorority and cooperative house — are on lockdown and arranging classes remotely at the start of the semester. Temple University in Philadelphia will switch nearly all in-person classes to online for two weeks starting Monday after active COVID-19 cases spiked from 58 Friday to 103 Sunday.
in Philadelphia will switch nearly all in-person classes to online for two weeks starting Monday after active COVID-19 cases spiked from 58 Friday to 103 Sunday. Northwestern University outside Chicago plans to have freshmen and sophomores take classes remotely, while juniors, seniors and graduate students will be allowed to attend in-person instruction or a mix with online classes, the Chicago Tribune reported. The school is keeping fraternity and sorority houses closed in the fall.
Returning vacationers are driving up the numbers of new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and occupied ICU beds in Italy, the hardest-hit European country in the early stages of the pandemic. On Sunday, there were 86 persons in intensive care units with COVID-19, compared to 38 in late July.
The Italian Health Ministry reported 1,365 new infections since Saturday, still much fewer than the thousands of new cases in the early days, before the country imposed a strict lockdown. With 268,218 confirmed infections, Italy ranks fourth among European nations behind Spain (439,286), the United Kingdom (336,641) and France (310,400).
A persistent increase in coronavirus infections is jeopardizing France's push toward reopening all schools Tuesday, with the goal of making up for the learning losses caused by the spring shutdown and boosting the economy with parents returning to work.
Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said Sunday some schools will remain closed, but “as few as possible.” A collective of doctors published an appeal Saturday saying the governments’ school virus measures aren’t strict enough and urging mask requirements for children as young as 6 and a mix of online and in-person schooling.
France reported 5,453 new daily infections Saturday, compared to several hundred a day in May and June.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration late Friday allowed the drug remdesivir to be used on all patients hospitalized with COVID-19, although no published research supports such widespread use. The approval allows doctors freedom to prescribe the antiviral earlier. But it comes less than a week after the agency approved use of convalescent plasma without published scientific support, fueling concerns the agency is yielding to political pressure.
"It seems to be a pattern of approval without science, without data, without evidence," said Dr. Eric Topol, vice president for research at Scripps Research in La Jolla, California and a national expert on the use of data in medical research.
In May, the FDA allowed remdesivir to be used for hospitalized adults who need oxygen, but not those sick enough to require ventilation. A government study published that month in the New England Journal of Medicine found those patients recovered faster than those who hadn't gotten the drug, though there was no evidence that it saved lives.
Earlier this month, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study of less severely ill hospitalized adults, showing that five days of treatment with remdesivir was better than standard care, though "the difference was of uncertain clinical importance." Read more here.
– Karen Weintraub
COVID-19 resources from USA TODAY
On Facebook: There's still a lot unknown about the coronavirus. But what we do know, we're sharing with you. Join our Facebook group, Coronavirus Watch, to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19.
In your inbox: Stay up-to-date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter.
Tips for coping: Every Saturday and Tuesday we'll be in your inbox, offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times. Sign up for Staying Apart, Together.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-08-30--Derek Chauvin, former officer accused in George Floyd's death, wants murder charges dismissed

Defense attorneys for Derek Chauvin , the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd , have asked a judge to dismiss the murder charges against him , arguing that Floyd 's alleged drug use , not the improper use of force by the officer , was to blame for his death .
At the same time , prosecutors in the case against Chauvin and three other former Minneapolis police officers said they plan to seek stiff sentences if the men are convicted .
They said in court documents that Floyd was vulnerable because he was handcuffed with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was treated `` with particular cruelty . ''
`` Despite Mr. Floyd 's pleas that he could not breathe and was going to die , as well as the pleas of eyewitnesses to get off Mr. Floyd and help him , Defendant and his co-defendants continued to restrain Mr. Floyd , '' the prosecutors wrote .
The competing scenarios surrounding Floyd 's death were put forth in court documents filed on Friday .
Floyd , a Black man , died May 25 after Chauvin , who is white , pressed his knee against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes as Floyd said he couldn ’ t breathe and became motionless .
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder , third-degree murder and manslaughter .
The other three officers , J. Alexander Kueng , Thomas Lane and Tou Thao , are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter .
All four were fired .
Under the state ’ s sentencing guidelines , a conviction on second-degree unintentional murder and third-degree murder each carries a presumptive sentence of 12½ years .
But a judge can order a sentence ranging up to 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For second-degree manslaughter , the guidelines call for four years in prison or a discretionary range up to 4¾ years .
'Inherently dangerous ' : What 's in the criminal complaint in the George Floyd case Floyd 's killing , captured on video , sparked worldwide protests against systemic racism and police brutality .
Defense attorneys sought to put the blame on Floyd for his death , arguing that his alleged drug use was the crucial factor .
`` Put simply , Mr. Floyd could not breathe because he had ingested a lethal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a speedball , '' Chauvin 's attorney said in the court documents .
`` Combined with sickle cell trait , his pre-existing heart conditions , Mr. Floyd ’ s use of fentanyl and methamphetamine most likely killed him . ''
They argued that without knowledge of Floyd 's alleged drug use or symptoms of overdose , Chauvin `` was unaware of the potential dangers of using MRT ( Maximal Restraint Technique ) , '' a reference to the officer 's knee on the victim 's neck .
`` Instead , he ( Chauvin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information available to him to try and assist his fellow officers and to prevent Mr. Floyd from harming himself , '' the defense attorneys argued .
`` Derek Chauvin did not cause George Floyd ’ s death . ''

Derek Chauvin, former officer accused in George Floyd's death, wants murder charges dismissed
Show Caption Hide Caption George Floyd's family sues Minneapolis for 'wrongful death' Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump announces the wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis and its police department. USA TODAY
Defense attorneys for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd, have asked a judge to dismiss the murder charges against him, arguing that Floyd's alleged drug use, not the improper use of force by the officer, was to blame for his death.
At the same time, prosecutors in the case against Chauvin and three other former Minneapolis police officers said they plan to seek stiff sentences if the men are convicted. They said in court documents that Floyd was vulnerable because he was handcuffed with his chest pressed against the ground and he was treated "with particular cruelty."
"Despite Mr. Floyd's pleas that he could not breathe and was going to die, as well as the pleas of eyewitnesses to get off Mr. Floyd and help him, Defendant and his co-defendants continued to restrain Mr. Floyd," the prosecutors wrote.
The competing scenarios surrounding Floyd's death were put forth in court documents filed on Friday.
Floyd, a Black man, died May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against Floyd's neck for at least eight minutes as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe and became motionless. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter.
The other three officers, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter. All four were fired.
Under the state’s sentencing guidelines, a conviction on second-degree unintentional murder and third-degree murder each carries a presumptive sentence of 12½ years. But a judge can order a sentence ranging up to 15 years without departing from the guidelines. For second-degree manslaughter, the guidelines call for four years in prison or a discretionary range up to 4¾ years.
'Inherently dangerous': What's in the criminal complaint in the George Floyd case
Floyd's killing, captured on video, sparked worldwide protests against systemic racism and police brutality.
Defense attorneys sought to put the blame on Floyd for his death, arguing that his alleged drug use was the crucial factor.
"Put simply, Mr. Floyd could not breathe because he had ingested a lethal dose of fentanyl and, possibly, a speedball," Chauvin's attorney said in the court documents. "Combined with sickle cell trait, his pre-existing heart conditions, Mr. Floyd’s use of fentanyl and methamphetamine most likely killed him."
They argued that without knowledge of Floyd's alleged drug use or symptoms of overdose, Chauvin "was unaware of the potential dangers of using MRT (Maximal Restraint Technique)," a reference to the officer's knee on the victim's neck.
"Instead, he (Chauvin) relied on his training and the information available to him to try and assist his fellow officers and to prevent Mr. Floyd from harming himself," the defense attorneys argued. "Derek Chauvin did not cause George Floyd’s death."
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-08-31--Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Flagrant foul by Clippers' Marcus Morris Sr. was 'terrible play'

LAKE BUENA VISTA , Fla. — Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. was given a flagrant foul and subsequently ejected after knocking Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic to the floor in the first quarter of the Clippers ’ Game 6 win in their first-round playoff series .
Afterwards , Doncic 's anger toward Morris became apparent with his words , tone and body language .
`` Terrible play , '' Doncic said .
`` What can I say ? ''
After Doncic drove toward the basket , Morris whacked him down on his right shoulder .
Immediately , Doncic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just as quickly , Doncic stood up to confront Morris before Dallas center Boban Marjanović intervened .
`` I thought it was a hard foul , '' Morris said .
`` I ended up giving it to him above the shoulders .
They had made the call .
Honestly , we had a lot of back and forth in the series .
It was a hard-fought series .
I just don ’ t want people to mistake playing basketball and playing hard means you ’ re trying to hurt somebody . ''
Doncic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hurt him .
Morris ’ ejection with 1:07 left in the first quarter marked the latest in a contentious and physical matchup between Doncic and Morris during the series .
Morris shoved Doncic in Game 1 , resulting in Dallas teammate Kristaps Porzingis intervening before he was issued his second technical of the game and ejected .
In Game 5 , footage emerged casting suspicions that Morris intentionally planted his foot where Doncic would land on his injured left ankle .
A similar incident happened on a close-out 3-pointer .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he did something like that , '' Doncic said .
`` I really hope the first game it wasn ’ t on purpose .
But looking back at the foul this game , you know what I think .
I don ’ t want to deal with those kind of players .
I just move on . ''
The Clippers and Mavericks struggled to do that .
Clippers coach Doc Rivers strongly contested Morris ’ ejection both after the play and after the game .
`` I do n't think he should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I 'm biased , '' Rivers said .
`` I thought he made a play on the ball and he hit him on the head .
It happens all game .
I think it was a reputation throughout , but you 've just got to live with it .
I love Marcus 's intensity .
Yeah , he 's a tough guy .
He 's not backing down and I love that . ''
Official Scott Foster offered a different view on the play .
He told a pool reporter that Morris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the replay review confirmed him performing `` a wind up , impact and follow through to the head and neck area of Doncic . ''
As for whether Foster ejected Morris because of his reputation ?
`` Of course not , '' Foster said .
`` The play speaks for itself , '' Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said .
`` To get into speculation about previous games , that ’ s all stuff you have to ask the league about that .
As soon as this play happened in real time , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew it was a flagrant 2 .
It ’ s an unnecessary play , and it ’ s unfortunate . ''
Clearly the Clippers saw otherwise .
During Morris ’ postgame explanation , Clippers teammates Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams encouraged him .
Beverley yelled , `` Good job Tyrone Hill ! ''
in reference to the former NBA player known for his physical presence .
Williams added , `` Keep it gangster ! ''
`` It ’ s just that I ’ m physical , '' Morris said .
`` Some guys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a young player and will be the face in the league a while .
If it was anybody else , I don ’ t think it would ’ ve been taken out of context that way .
It is what it is .
I ’ m a grown man .
I stand on my own . ''

Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Flagrant foul by Clippers' Marcus Morris Sr. was 'terrible play'
Show Caption Hide Caption Protest to tangible change: What NBA players really want going forward USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the demand from NBA players after boycotting playoff games. USA TODAY
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. was given a flagrant foul and subsequently ejected after knocking Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic to the floor in the first quarter of the Clippers’ Game 6 win in their first-round playoff series. Afterwards, Doncic's anger toward Morris became apparent with his words, tone and body language.
"Terrible play," Doncic said. "What can I say?"
After Doncic drove toward the basket, Morris whacked him down on his right shoulder. Immediately, Doncic fell to the ground in pain. Just as quickly, Doncic stood up to confront Morris before Dallas center Boban Marjanović intervened.
"I thought it was a hard foul," Morris said. "I ended up giving it to him above the shoulders. They had made the call. Honestly, we had a lot of back and forth in the series. It was a hard-fought series. I just don’t want people to mistake playing basketball and playing hard means you’re trying to hurt somebody."
Doncic suggested that he believes Morris is trying to hurt him. Morris’ ejection with 1:07 left in the first quarter marked the latest in a contentious and physical matchup between Doncic and Morris during the series.
Morris shoved Doncic in Game 1, resulting in Dallas teammate Kristaps Porzingis intervening before he was issued his second technical of the game and ejected. In Game 5, footage emerged casting suspicions that Morris intentionally planted his foot where Doncic would land on his injured left ankle. A similar incident happened on a close-out 3-pointer.
"It’s two games in a row that he did something like that," Doncic said. "I really hope the first game it wasn’t on purpose. But looking back at the foul this game, you know what I think. I don’t want to deal with those kind of players. I just move on."
Luka Doncic on Marcus Morris Sr’s Flagrant Foul 2: “It’s a terrible foul. That’s the second game in a row.” pic.twitter.com/UmgHbVYiL1 — Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) August 30, 2020
The Clippers and Mavericks struggled to do that. Clippers coach Doc Rivers strongly contested Morris’ ejection both after the play and after the game.
"I don't think he should have been thrown out, but listen, I'm biased," Rivers said. "I thought he made a play on the ball and he hit him on the head. It happens all game. I think it was a reputation throughout, but you've just got to live with it. I love Marcus's intensity. Yeah, he's a tough guy. He's not backing down and I love that."
Official Scott Foster offered a different view on the play. He told a pool reporter that Morris clearly deserved a Flagrant Foul 2 because the replay review confirmed him performing "a wind up, impact and follow through to the head and neck area of Doncic." As for whether Foster ejected Morris because of his reputation? "Of course not," Foster said.
"The play speaks for itself," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "To get into speculation about previous games, that’s all stuff you have to ask the league about that. As soon as this play happened in real time, I knew he was getting ejected. I knew it was a flagrant 2. It’s an unnecessary play, and it’s unfortunate."
Clearly the Clippers saw otherwise. During Morris’ postgame explanation, Clippers teammates Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams encouraged him. Beverley yelled, "Good job Tyrone Hill!" in reference to the former NBA player known for his physical presence. Williams added, "Keep it gangster!"
"It’s just that I’m physical," Morris said. "Some guys take it in different ways. He’s a young player and will be the face in the league a while. If it was anybody else, I don’t think it would’ve been taken out of context that way. It is what it is. I’m a grown man. I stand on my own."
Follow USA TODAY NBA writer Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


usatoday--2020-08-30--Dell Loy Hansen will sell MLS' Real Salt Lake, NWSL's Utah Royals FC

Dell Loy Hansen , owner of Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer and the National Women 's Soccer League 's Utah Royals FC , will sell his professional soccer teams , MLS commissioner Don Garber said Sunday .
`` MLS will work with Mr. Hansen on supporting the sale efforts for the company and will work closely with the club ’ s executive staff to support the operations of the team during the transition period , '' Garber said in a statement .
Hansen said during a radio interview Thursday RSL 's decision to not play the previous night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports teams across the country sought to bring attention to racial injustice , took `` a lot of wind out of my sails , what effort I want to put into recruiting players and building a great team .
`` It ’ s like somebody stabbed you and you ’ re trying to figure out a way to pull the knife out and move forward , '' Hansen said regarding the team 's protest .
`` That ’ s what it feels like .
The disrespect was profound to me personally . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ report that Hansen has allegedly used racist language while dealing with players and personnel .
MLS opened an investigation into the incidents .
The MLS Players Association called the allegations concerning Hansen `` sickening '' and advocated for an immediate suspension .
`` If the allegations are substantiated , '' the group said , `` he must be forced to sell the team . ''
The NWSLPA issued a similar statement Thursday night as well .
On Saturday , players across the league shared on social media statements from Black players of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loy Hansen 's ( alleged ) comments are disgraceful and we stand with the Utah Royals , Real Salt Lake and Real Monarchs players as they move to suspend and investigate Dell Loy . ''
Hansen will be selling Utah Soccer Holdings , which includes RSL , the Royals and the United Soccer League 's Monarchs .
After entering the organization as a minority owner , Hansen acquired full ownership of RSL in January 2013 .
In November 2017 , Hansen acquired the NWSL 's FC Kansas City and moved the team to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competed as the Royals the next year .
`` I want to acknowledge Dell Loy Hansen ’ s significant efforts to build the sport of soccer in the state of Utah and for his commitment to Major League Soccer , '' Garber said in his statement .

Dell Loy Hansen will sell MLS' Real Salt Lake, NWSL's Utah Royals FC
Show Caption Hide Caption Time for NFL owners to step up on social justice or face their own players' strike Sports Pulse: Nancy Armour on why team owners need to get engaged in social issues SportsPulse, USA TODAY
Dell Loy Hansen, owner of Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League's Utah Royals FC, will sell his professional soccer teams, MLS commissioner Don Garber said Sunday.
"MLS will work with Mr. Hansen on supporting the sale efforts for the company and will work closely with the club’s executive staff to support the operations of the team during the transition period," Garber said in a statement.
Hansen said during a radio interview Thursday RSL's decision to not play the previous night against Los Angeles FC, as pro sports teams across the country sought to bring attention to racial injustice, took "a lot of wind out of my sails, what effort I want to put into recruiting players and building a great team.
"It’s like somebody stabbed you and you’re trying to figure out a way to pull the knife out and move forward," Hansen said regarding the team's protest. "That’s what it feels like. The disrespect was profound to me personally."
Statement from MLS Commissioner Don Garberhttps://t.co/haS3gR0tc6 pic.twitter.com/JAsCWf18lz — MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) August 30, 2020
Later Thursday, The Athletic published a report that Hansen has allegedly used racist language while dealing with players and personnel. MLS opened an investigation into the incidents.
The MLS Players Association called the allegations concerning Hansen "sickening" and advocated for an immediate suspension. "If the allegations are substantiated," the group said, "he must be forced to sell the team." The NWSLPA issued a similar statement Thursday night as well. On Saturday, players across the league shared on social media statements from Black players of the NWSL, which said: "Dell Loy Hansen's (alleged) comments are disgraceful and we stand with the Utah Royals, Real Salt Lake and Real Monarchs players as they move to suspend and investigate Dell Loy."
Hansen will be selling Utah Soccer Holdings, which includes RSL, the Royals and the United Soccer League's Monarchs.
After entering the organization as a minority owner, Hansen acquired full ownership of RSL in January 2013. In November 2017, Hansen acquired the NWSL's FC Kansas City and moved the team to to Salt Lake City. The team competed as the Royals the next year.
"I want to acknowledge Dell Loy Hansen’s significant efforts to build the sport of soccer in the state of Utah and for his commitment to Major League Soccer," Garber said in his statement.
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.


usatoday--2020-08-30--The 5 best Amazon deals you can get this weekend

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed ’ s editors .
Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission .
Another weekend , another chance to peruse the best Amazon deals on the internet !
As usual , we 're here to present you with all the can't-miss offers on our favorite products in the hopes of giving our readers the opportunity to score killer savings on the stuff they actually need .
Need help finding products ?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter .
It ’ s free and you can unsubscribe at any time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sift through each day , especially on Amazon , you can rest assured that we only feature top-performing items that we ourselves—the self-proclaimed shopping experts—would buy ( or already have ! )
.
Today , we found discounts on Roomba robot vacuums , Apple Watches and more .
Check 'em out and prepare to save big !
Dirty floors are a major household annoyance , and if you 're sick of dealing with them , it 's high time you invest in a robot vacuum .
These little machines will do your dirty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free of dust and dirt , meaning you wo n't have to lift a finger .
If you prefer to shop the best of the best , you 'll want to opt for the iRobot Roomba i7+ .
It 's our absolute favorite robot vacuum we 've tested , as it can literally empty itself out , be completely voice-controlled via Alexa and Google Home and is smart enough to learn the layout of your home , so it knows exactly where to clean .
Reasons like these are why it took the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scoring a perfect 10.0 .
While it 's certainly still an investment at its usual $ 799 asking price , right now , you can save $ 100 on the i7+ and get it for just $ 699 .
Get the iRobot Roomba i7+ for $ 699 ( Save $ 100 ) Have you been eager to slap an Apple Watch on your wrist for some time , but never fully committed ?
Well , now 's your chance to finally bite the bullet , as the Series 3 is down $ 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Series 5 ( $ 414.99 ) has long surpassed it as our favorite smartwatch , you 'll still get a ton of nifty features with this older-generation model .
It gives you easy access to your texts and emails and is completely waterproof , so you can swim or shower with it on .
For the fitness enthusiasts among us , it 's also a great tool to track your progress and listen to music while exercising .
Besides those basics , you 'll also have the ability to monitor your steps , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you 'll gain access to plenty of other apps that you 'd normally need your phone to use .
It 's just a few notches below the newer version in terms of processing speed , display area and other impressive specs , and at this price , you really ca n't go wrong .
Normally $ 199 , the 38 mm model is down to just $ 169 , while the 42 mm has fallen from $ 229 to just $ 199 .
Get the Apple Watch Series 3 ( 38 mm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 ) Get the Apple Watch Series 3 ( 42 mm ) for $ 199 ( Save $ 30 ) It 's always a good idea to have a spare flashlight lying around , especially in the warmer months ( and during hurricane and storm season ) .
For a no-brainer pick , the Anker Bolder LC40 is the best affordable flashlight we 've ever tried—and undoubtedly a better option than the old , battery-operated model you may have in your toolbox .
We loved its tough , waterproof exterior , ease of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be exact .
This model 's light range spans up to 400 feet , meaning it can illuminate even the darkest crevices of your attic or basement .
It 's USB rechargeable too , eliminating the need for batteries entirely .
By clipping the on-page coupon underneath the price listing , you can save $ 4 on this extra-bright gadget , bringing the total price down from $ 22.99 to just $ 18.99 .
Who knows , it may come in extra handy during the next power outage !
Get the Anker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 18.99 ( Save $ 4 ) Measuring cups are a kitchen staple , so you wants yours to be the best on the market , right ?
Thankfully , you do n't have to spend a fortune to get them .
Pyrex makes the best liquid measuring cups we 've tested because they measured ingredients exactly down to the gram , had easy-to-read , etched-on measurements that did n't fade over time , had a comfortable , contoured handle , and a curved spout , which made pouring liquids easily without making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about these measuring cups , and right now , you can get a set of three with a 1-cup , 2-cup and 4-cup capacity for just $ 15.23 , which is down over $ 7 from its usual $ 22.99 price tag .
Get the Pyrex 3-Piece Measuring Cups for $ 11.23 ( Save $ 7.76 ) Tending to your lawn , flowers and vegetable gardens is labor-intensive enough , so why make it more difficult with a shoddy rubber hose ?
This Higen 100-foot hose is designed with ultra-flexible triple layer latex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kinks and snags .
With an average 4.2-star rating , its near 1,630 reviews are overwhelmingly positive , with shoppers praising its maneuverability , lightweight feel and useful nozzle settings in particular .
Though it normally sells for $ 49.99 , by clipping the $ 5 off on-page coupon below the price listing and entering promo code 40653LNS on the gift options page of checkout under `` add a gift card , promotion code or voucher , '' you can knock the price tag down by more than 50 % to nab it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Higen 100ft Upgraded Expandable Garden Hose Set for $ 24.99 ( Save $ 25 ) The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered .
Follow Reviewed on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram for the latest deals , reviews , and more .
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time .

The 5 best Amazon deals you can get this weekend
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
Editor's Note: Prices may have changed since the weekend for these deals. For the most recent top deals on Amazon, check out our new story here.
Another weekend, another chance to peruse the best Amazon deals on the internet! As usual, we're here to present you with all the can't-miss offers on our favorite products in the hopes of giving our readers the opportunity to score killer savings on the stuff they actually need.
Need help finding products? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
While there's thousands of deals to sift through each day, especially on Amazon, you can rest assured that we only feature top-performing items that we ourselves—the self-proclaimed shopping experts—would buy (or already have!). Today, we found discounts on Roomba robot vacuums, Apple Watches and more. Check 'em out and prepare to save big!
1. Save $100: The best robot vacuum we've tested
Dirty floors are a major household annoyance, and if you're sick of dealing with them, it's high time you invest in a robot vacuum. These little machines will do your dirty work for you by keeping your floors free of dust and dirt, meaning you won't have to lift a finger. If you prefer to shop the best of the best, you'll want to opt for the iRobot Roomba i7+. It's our absolute favorite robot vacuum we've tested, as it can literally empty itself out, be completely voice-controlled via Alexa and Google Home and is smart enough to learn the layout of your home, so it knows exactly where to clean. Reasons like these are why it took the top spot in our lab testing, scoring a perfect 10.0. While it's certainly still an investment at its usual $799 asking price, right now, you can save $100 on the i7+ and get it for just $699.
Get the iRobot Roomba i7+ for $699 (Save $100)
2. $30 off: This entry-level Apple Watch
Have you been eager to slap an Apple Watch on your wrist for some time, but never fully committed? Well, now's your chance to finally bite the bullet, as the Series 3 is down $30 for a limited time. While the Series 5 ($414.99) has long surpassed it as our favorite smartwatch, you'll still get a ton of nifty features with this older-generation model. It gives you easy access to your texts and emails and is completely waterproof, so you can swim or shower with it on. For the fitness enthusiasts among us, it's also a great tool to track your progress and listen to music while exercising. Besides those basics, you'll also have the ability to monitor your steps, sleep habits and heart rate, plus, you'll gain access to plenty of other apps that you'd normally need your phone to use. It's just a few notches below the newer version in terms of processing speed, display area and other impressive specs, and at this price, you really can't go wrong. Normally $199, the 38 mm model is down to just $169, while the 42 mm has fallen from $229 to just $199.
Get the Apple Watch Series 3 (38 mm) for $169 (Save $30)
Get the Apple Watch Series 3 (42 mm) for $199 (Save $30)
3. Save 17%: This best-selling rechargeable flashlight
It's always a good idea to have a spare flashlight lying around, especially in the warmer months (and during hurricane and storm season). For a no-brainer pick, the Anker Bolder LC40 is the best affordable flashlight we've ever tried—and undoubtedly a better option than the old, battery-operated model you may have in your toolbox. We loved its tough, waterproof exterior, ease of use and impressive illumination—it boasts 400 lumens to be exact. This model's light range spans up to 400 feet, meaning it can illuminate even the darkest crevices of your attic or basement. It's USB rechargeable too, eliminating the need for batteries entirely. By clipping the on-page coupon underneath the price listing, you can save $4 on this extra-bright gadget, bringing the total price down from $22.99 to just $18.99. Who knows, it may come in extra handy during the next power outage!
Get the Anker Bolder LC40 Rechargeable Flashlight on Amazon for $18.99 (Save $4)
4. Over $7 discount: Our favorite liquid measuring cups
Measuring cups are a kitchen staple, so you wants yours to be the best on the market, right? Thankfully, you don't have to spend a fortune to get them. Pyrex makes the best liquid measuring cups we've tested because they measured ingredients exactly down to the gram, had easy-to-read, etched-on measurements that didn't fade over time, had a comfortable, contoured handle, and a curved spout, which made pouring liquids easily without making a mess. Our tester loved everything about these measuring cups, and right now, you can get a set of three with a 1-cup, 2-cup and 4-cup capacity for just $15.23, which is down over $7 from its usual $22.99 price tag.
Get the Pyrex 3-Piece Measuring Cups for $11.23 (Save $7.76)
5. 50% off: A no-kink, flexible water hose
Tending to your lawn, flowers and vegetable gardens is labor-intensive enough, so why make it more difficult with a shoddy rubber hose? This Higen 100-foot hose is designed with ultra-flexible triple layer latex to remain tangle-free and avoid those dreaded kinks and snags. With an average 4.2-star rating, its near 1,630 reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with shoppers praising its maneuverability, lightweight feel and useful nozzle settings in particular. Though it normally sells for $49.99, by clipping the $5 off on-page coupon below the price listing and entering promo code 40653LNS on the gift options page of checkout under "add a gift card, promotion code or voucher," you can knock the price tag down by more than 50% to nab it for only $24.99.
Get the Higen 100ft Upgraded Expandable Garden Hose Set for $24.99 (Save $25)
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.


usatoday--2020-08-31--Jacksonville Jaguars release running back Leonard Fournette

The Jacksonville Jaguars have released running back Leonard Fournette , the team announced Monday morning .
Fournette had been the Jags ' starting running back since being drafted No .
4 in the 2017 NFL draft .
He tallied 1,152 yards and three touchdowns to go with 522 receiving yards last season .
In three seasons , he rushed for 2,631 yards and 17 touchdowns .
Jacksonville declined Fournette 's fifth-year option earlier in the year , signaling the 25-year-old was on the trading block .
The Jaguars traded pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue to the Minnesota Vikings for two draft picks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AFC Championship Game in 2017 with Fournette in the backfield as a rookie .
But the last two years were tumultuous , losing campaigns .
Fournette 's three seasons in Jacksonville were rocky on and off the field .
There was the game at Buffalo in 2018 when he left the Jaguars ’ bench and ran across the field to fight Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson .
There was the arrest for driving with a suspended license , although the case was dismissed when he was fined $ 303 after pleading no contest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the first eight games with a sore right hamstring and was unproductive when he returned .
Fournette rushed for 439 yards on 133 yards and averaged just 3.3 yards a carry .
In describing his misinterpreted perception , Fournette told reporters earlier in the month : “ I ’ m not a jerk , but when it comes to football and winning , I ’ m all-in for that .
...
I do get upset when we lose and it takes me a while to get over it .
I expect , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put the work in , you want the W , but a lot of times last year it didn ’ t go like that .
I guess they kind of misinterpreted that , and don ’ t get me wrong , I was upset from the losing , but that ’ s just the winner in me .
That ’ s any guy who plays this professional level of sports .
”

Scott Gleeson and John Reid, USA TODAY Network

Jacksonville Jaguars waive running back Leonard Fournette
Show Caption Hide Caption A.J. Bouye on Jaguars' dramatic demise: 'Everything just fell apart' SportsPulse: Mackenzie Salmon sat down with Denver Broncos newest corner A.J. Bouye to get his insight on everything that went wrong in Jacksonville after their promising 2017 season. USA TODAY
The Jacksonville Jaguars have waived running back Leonard Fournette, the team announced Monday morning.
Fournette had been the Jags' starting running back since being drafted No. 4 in the 2017 NFL draft. He tallied 1,152 yards and three touchdowns to go with 522 receiving yards last season. In three seasons, he rushed for 2,631 yards and 17 touchdowns.
''I think it gives us the best opportunity with the skill sets that we have with the other players [running backs] in there,'' Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said. ''Doing it now, we exhausted all trade opportunities. We weren't able to get anything there. I just felt that now that we can work on the team, the plan, and get ourselves ready for the season.''
Jacksonville declined Fournette's fifth-year option earlier in the year, signaling the 25-year-old was on the trading block. The Jaguars traded pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue to the Minnesota Vikings for two draft picks on Sunday.
The Jaguars reached the AFC Championship Game in 2017 with Fournette in the backfield as a rookie. But the last two years were tumultuous, losing campaigns.
Fournette's three seasons in Jacksonville were rocky on and off the field.
There was the game at Buffalo in 2018 when he left the Jaguars’ bench and ran across the field to fight Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson.
There was the arrest for driving with a suspended license, although the case was dismissed when he was fined $303 after pleading no contest.
In 2018, Fournette missed six of the first eight games with a sore right hamstring and was unproductive when he returned. Fournette rushed for 439 yards on 133 yards and averaged just 3.3 yards a carry.
Marrone said Fournette's release didn't have anything to do with any locker-room issues or his off-the-field activism. On June 9, Fournette led a peaceful protest march in downtown Jacksonville over the state of race relations both locally and nationwide.
''It was not and it strictly has to do on the field,'' Marrone said. ''At the end of day, we feel like the skill sets of the guys we have and really that led to the decision. It's something we've done with every position that we've been looking at. We've done cut-ups, tapes, we've gone back and looked at everything that we've tried to get done. It's not just the running back position. It's all positions.''
In describing his misinterpreted perception, Fournette told reporters earlier in the month: “I’m not a jerk, but when it comes to football and winning, I’m all-in for that. ... I do get upset when we lose and it takes me a while to get over it. I expect, just like anybody else, if you put the work in, you want the W, but a lot of times last year it didn’t go like that. I guess they kind of misinterpreted that, and don’t get me wrong, I was upset from the losing, but that’s just the winner in me. That’s any guy who plays this professional level of sports.”


usatoday--2020-08-31--Trump, Biden tout contrasting economic plans. Which will restore jobs lost in the pandemic faster?

At their political conventions this month , President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden laid out starkly divergent visions of how to dig the U.S. economy out of the deepest downturn since the Great Depression amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Trump promised more cuts to taxes and regulations , and dangled the prospect of additional tariffs against China .
“ We will go right after China , ” Trump said .
“ We will not rely on them one bit .
We ’ re taking our business out of China .
We are bringing it home .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added , “ We will continue to reduce taxes and regulations at levels not seen before.
” Biden vowed to raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations and use the money to spend trillions to upgrade the nation ’ s infrastructure and shift to a clean-energy future , make housing and child care more affordable and improve education , among other proposals .
“ My economic plan is all about jobs , dignity , respect , and community , ” Biden said .
“ Together , we can , and we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , we 'll not only build it back , we 'll build it back better.
” Some top economists say Biden ’ s plan is better-suited to recovering the remaining 13 million jobs lost in the pandemic-induced recession .
More than 9.3 million of the 22 million jobs shed have been recouped as shuttered businesses reopened and rehired workers .
“ The goal of the next president will be to get back to full employment as fast as possible , ” says Mark Zandi , chief economist of Moody ’ s Analytics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot faster than Trump will.
” But some economists argue Trump ’ s free-enterprise approach will more effectively unleash business owners ’ animal spirits .
“ Overall , I think Trump will be better for the U.S. economy , ” says economist Chris Edwards of the libertarian Cato Institute .
“ Trump will be better from a free-market perspective.
” Biden ’ s campaign has put forth a detailed blueprint of his infrastructure and other proposals that it says will create 12 million jobs .
Trump ’ s campaign has generally provided vague @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later .
The president , for example , vowed to create 10 million jobs in 10 months but didn ’ t specify how .
Long live low interest rates : What the Fed 's shift toward lower rates means for borrowers , savers , markets and the economy Here ’ s a breakdown of what we know about their plans so far : In his nomination speech , he suggested he ’ ll propose cutting individual taxes but didn ’ t say which .
“ I will cut taxes even further for hard-working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I will not raise taxes .
I will cut them , and very substantially.
” Trump also has said he ’ s considering reducing taxes for the middle class and on capital gains .
Any such changes would have to be approved by Congress .
An outline released by his campaign last week lists a “ Made in America ” tax credit and tax credits for companies that bring back jobs from China .
It also cites 100 % expensing deductions for industries like pharmaceuticals and robotics that bring manufacturing back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s flurry of executive actions early this month , he ordered the Treasury Department to let employers defer payment of certain payroll taxes from September 1 to the end of the year for Americans earning less than $ 100,000 a year .
The Tax Foundation says it ’ s difficult to analyze the ideas without more details .
But the group says the current tax code structure would make a middle-class tax cut difficult .
“ The benefit of rate reductions would accrue to top earners as low earners face reduced ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump spearheaded a $ 1.5 trillion tax reform – the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act -- but the Tax Policy Center ( TPC ) said most of the benefits went to the wealthiest households .
Critics question the legality of a payroll tax cut that ’ s not approved by Congress .
And leading business groups say many employers won ’ t implement the measure because it will result in higher payroll taxes next year .
Zandi agrees with the Tax Foundation that it 's difficult to assess the tax proposals because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He says , “ Tax cuts provide a small economic bang for the buck , adding significantly to the nation ’ s debt load and providing little economic lift.
“ His administration would raise taxes and eliminate loopholes for individuals earning more than $ 400,000 .
Also , it would tax capital gains and dividend income at ordinary rates for incomes above $ 1 million .
And increase the corporate tax rate from 21 % to 28 % , among other changes .
The TPC says the increases would boost tax revenue by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Economist Nancy Vanden Houten of Oxford Economics says she supports the plan because it targets wealthy individuals who likely would save , rather than spend , their tax windfall , doing relatively little harm to the economy .
But Cato ’ s Edwards argues it ’ s the wealthy who launch entrepreneurial ventures that expand the economy .
Increasing their income and capital gains taxes will discourage such activities , he says .
“ It would be a harsh blow to America ’ s innovation economy , ” he says .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the military known as space force and establish a permanent manned presence on the moon ; build the world ’ s “ greatest infrastructure system ; ” fully fund police and law enforcement , and partner with other countries to clean up oceans .
Trump has not released the costs of his proposals .
Zandi says , “ The spending he is proposing is small and will not provide a meaningful boost to the economy . ''
He plans to upgrade the nation ’ s roads , bridges and highways ; build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research and development to bolster manufacturing ; ensure the government and its contractors buy American products ; provide tuition-free community college ; ensure access to affordable child care and universal preschool ; and provide aid for Americans to buy or rent homes .
Van Houten says the programs would help low- and middle-class households , significantly bolstering economic and job growth .
“ Those are policies that have a big bang for the buck and generate a lot of economic activity , ” Zandi says , a strategy he says is badly needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs .
Oxford says the programs would cost $ 7 trillion over 10 years , more than the $ 4 trillion generated by the tax increases .
Van Houten says piling another $ 3 trillion onto a national debt – that already has swelled by about $ 2.5 trillion this year alone in response to the pandemic – is “ manageable.
” “ We need to get back to full employment , ” Zandi says .
“ Once we get the jobs back , we can quickly pivot ” to reducing the debt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund programs that he says would be better made by private industry .
More job cuts : Coca-Cola says layoffs , buyouts imminent as part of restructuring He recently threatened tariffs on companies that don ’ t move jobs back to the U.S. from overseas .
Says he would not grant federal contracts to firms that outsourced to China .
And would bring 1 million jobs back from China and hold that country accountable for allowing the virus to spread around the world -- that originated in Wuhan – though he was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on $ 360 billion of Chinese imports .
Zandi says Trump is doubling down on a trade war with China that has severely hurt the U.S. economy while delivering minimal benefits .
A Moody ’ s study last September found the fight already had cost America ’ s economy nearly 300,000 jobs and 0.3 % of gross domestic product by raising costs for consumers and curtailing U.S. exports through Chinese counter-tariffs .
Under Trump ’ s Phase 1 trade deal that suspended future tariffs on Chinese imports , China agreed to expand purchases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 billion in 2020 and 2021 .
As of last month , China had bought 24 % to 58 % of its year-to-date target , depending on the product , according to a recent report by the Peterson Institute for International Economics .
China also agreed to impose harsher penalties for intellectual property theft but it ’ s unclear if Beijing is enforcing such provisions , says a Brookings Institution report this month .
“ Ultimately , the phase one agreement disappointed because it , along with the trade war , severely damaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant progress in fundamentally resolving the structural imbalances the U.S.-China trade relationship , ” the Brookings study says .
The Democratic candidate also has talked tough on China .
His website says he ’ ll “ take aggressive enforcement actions ” against the country ’ s dumping of products in the U.S. below cost , its currency manipulation and other practices .
But Biden says he ’ ll rally U.S. allies to confront China rather than take on the country by itself .
Although he has suggested he would remove Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ ll re-evaluate them after he takes office , according to The Washington Post .
Van Houten says Biden ’ s strategy has a better chance of succeeding by enlisting the support of other nations .
And Zandi says the removal of tariffs would reduce the cost of Chinese imports for American consumers and lead to the lifting of Chinese counter-tariffs on U.S. exports .
The president says he ’ ll continue to aggressively cut regulations .
He initially promised to scrap two rules for each new one and the Competitive Enterprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that goal .
Edwards says Trump ’ s regulations have unshackled businesses and sparked more investment and hiring .
Zandi says no studies have shown that slashing regulations benefits the economy broadly .
The candidate says he ’ ll roll back much of Trump ’ s cuts , especially environmental rules for the energy industry as he looks to combat climate change with his clean-energy plan .
Adding rules that require clean energy , for example , will increase costs for consumers .
But Zandi says it will address the potentially larger economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurricanes and other natural disasters .
In the past , he has said he ’ s considering whether to support a Democratic proposal in Congress to nearly double the federal minimum wage to $ 15 an hour from $ 7.25 .
But Trump has not backed the idea , which is vigorously opposed by Republican lawmakers .
The candidate supports raising the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour .
A Congressional Budget Office study last year found that raising the federal pay floor to $ 15 would boost the wages of 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earning slightly more than $ 15 per hour might also see their wages rise as well , the report said .
But 1.3 million other workers would lose their jobs as businesses offset their higher costs .
Several states are already gradually raising their base pay to $ 15 , and dozens of cities and counties , along with leading corporations such as Amazon , are already there .
A minimum wage hike to $ 15 will have little negative impact if it occurs gradually and follows market trends , Zandi says .

Trump, Biden tout contrasting economic plans. Which will restore jobs lost in the pandemic faster?
Show Caption Hide Caption Despite disappointing reports, Trump touts economy Despite a rise in first time unemployment claims and a second dismal economic report, President Trump touted his economic stewardship at a small rally near the birthplace of his political rival, Joe Biden. (Aug. 20) AP
At their political conventions this month, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden laid out starkly divergent visions of how to dig the U.S. economy out of the deepest downturn since the Great Depression amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump promised more cuts to taxes and regulations, and he dangled the prospect of additional tariffs against China.
“We will go right after China,” Trump said. “We will not rely on them one bit. We’re taking our business out of China. We are bringing it home. We want our business to come home.”
He added, “We will continue to reduce taxes and regulations at levels not seen before.”
Biden vowed to raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations and use the money to spend trillions to upgrade the nation’s infrastructure and shift to a clean-energy future, make housing and child care more affordable and improve education, among other proposals.
“My economic plan is all about jobs, dignity, respect, and community,” Biden said. “Together, we can, and we will rebuild our economy. And when we do, we'll not only build it back, we'll build it back better.”
Some top economists say Biden’s plan is better-suited to recovering the remaining 13 million jobs lost in the pandemic-induced recession. More than 9.3 million of the 22 million jobs shed have been recouped as shuttered businesses reopened and rehired workers.
“The goal of the next president will be to get back to full employment as fast as possible,” says Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics. “Biden will get there a lot faster than Trump will.”
But some economists argue Trump’s free-enterprise approach will more effectively unleash business owners’ animal spirits.
“Overall, I think Trump will be better for the U.S. economy,” says economist Chris Edwards of the libertarian Cato Institute. “Trump will be better from a free-market perspective.”
Biden’s campaign has put forth a detailed blueprint of his infrastructure and other proposals that it says will create 12 million jobs. Trump’s campaign has generally provided vague economic proposals that could be fleshed out later. The president, for example, vowed to create 10 million jobs in 10 months but didn’t specify how.
Long live low interest rates: What the Fed's shift toward lower rates means for borrowers, savers, markets and the economy
Here’s a breakdown of what we know about their plans so far:
Taxes
Trump: In his nomination speech, he suggested he’ll propose cutting individual taxes but didn’t say which.
“I will cut taxes even further for hard-working moms and dads,” he said. “I will not raise taxes. I will cut them, and very substantially.”
Trump also has said he’s considering reducing taxes for the middle class and on capital gains. Any such changes would have to be approved by Congress.
An outline released by his campaign last week lists a “Made in America” tax credit and tax credits for companies that bring back jobs from China. It also cites 100% expensing deductions for industries like pharmaceuticals and robotics that bring manufacturing back to the U.S.
As part of Trump’s flurry of executive actions early this month, he ordered the Treasury Department to let employers defer payment of certain payroll taxes from September 1 to the end of the year for Americans earning less than $100,000 a year.
Upshot: The Tax Foundation says it’s difficult to analyze the ideas without more details. But the group says the current tax code structure would make a middle-class tax cut difficult.
“The benefit of rate reductions would accrue to top earners as low earners face reduced (or zero) taxes.”
In 2017, Trump spearheaded a $1.5 trillion tax reform – the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act -- but the Tax Policy Center (TPC) said most of the benefits went to the wealthiest households.
Critics question the legality of a payroll tax cut that’s not approved by Congress. And leading business groups say many employers won’t implement the measure because it will result in higher payroll taxes next year.
Zandi agrees with the Tax Foundation that it's difficult to assess the tax proposals because Trump doesn’t provide specifics.
He says, “Tax cuts provide a small economic bang for the buck, adding significantly to the nation’s debt load and providing little economic lift.“
Coronavirus: What to expect in a recession, depression The coronavirus (COVID-19) is impacting the global economy and raising fears of a recession. What causes a recession and what are the signs? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Biden: His administration would raise taxes and eliminate loopholes for individuals earning more than $400,000.
Also, it would tax capital gains and dividend income at ordinary rates for incomes above $1 million. And increase the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%, among other changes.
Upshot: The TPC says the increases would boost tax revenue by $4 trillion over the next decade.
Economist Nancy Vanden Houten of Oxford Economics says she supports the plan because it targets wealthy individuals who likely would save, rather than spend, their tax windfall, doing relatively little harm to the economy.
But Cato’s Edwards argues it’s the wealthy who launch entrepreneurial ventures that expand the economy. Increasing their income and capital gains taxes will discourage such activities, he says.
“It would be a harsh blow to America’s innovation economy,” he says.
New spending
Trump: His administration would launch a space warfare branch of the military known as space force and establish a permanent manned presence on the moon; build the world’s “greatest infrastructure system;” fully fund police and law enforcement, and partner with other countries to clean up oceans.
Upshot: Trump has not released the costs of his proposals. Zandi says, “The spending he is proposing is small and will not provide a meaningful boost to the economy."
Biden: He plans to upgrade the nation’s roads, bridges and highways; build a clean energy economy; invest in research and development to bolster manufacturing; ensure the government and its contractors buy American products; provide tuition-free community college; ensure access to affordable child care and universal preschool; and provide aid for Americans to buy or rent homes.
Upshot: Van Houten says the programs would help low- and middle-class households, significantly bolstering economic and job growth.
“Those are policies that have a big bang for the buck and generate a lot of economic activity,” Zandi says, a strategy he says is badly needed as the economy struggles to reclaim lost jobs.
Oxford says the programs would cost $7 trillion over 10 years, more than the $4 trillion generated by the tax increases. Van Houten says piling another $3 trillion onto a national debt – that already has swelled by about $2.5 trillion this year alone in response to the pandemic – is “manageable.”
“We need to get back to full employment,” Zandi says. “Once we get the jobs back, we can quickly pivot” to reducing the debt.
But Edwards opposes government decisions to fund programs that he says would be better made by private industry.
More job cuts: Coca-Cola says layoffs, buyouts imminent as part of restructuring
Trade
Trump: He recently threatened tariffs on companies that don’t move jobs back to the U.S. from overseas. Says he would not grant federal contracts to firms that outsourced to China. And would bring 1 million jobs back from China and hold that country accountable for allowing the virus to spread around the world -- that originated in Wuhan – though he was not specific.
Trump already has imposed tariffs on $360 billion of Chinese imports.
Upshot: Zandi says Trump is doubling down on a trade war with China that has severely hurt the U.S. economy while delivering minimal benefits. A Moody’s study last September found the fight already had cost America’s economy nearly 300,000 jobs and 0.3% of gross domestic product by raising costs for consumers and curtailing U.S. exports through Chinese counter-tariffs.
Under Trump’s Phase 1 trade deal that suspended future tariffs on Chinese imports, China agreed to expand purchases of U.S. goods and services by $200 billion in 2020 and 2021. As of last month, China had bought 24% to 58% of its year-to-date target, depending on the product, according to a recent report by the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
China also agreed to impose harsher penalties for intellectual property theft but it’s unclear if Beijing is enforcing such provisions, says a Brookings Institution report this month.
“Ultimately, the phase one agreement disappointed because it, along with the trade war, severely damaged the U.S. economy while failing to make significant progress in fundamentally resolving the structural imbalances the U.S.-China trade relationship,” the Brookings study says.
Biden: The Democratic candidate also has talked tough on China. His website says he’ll “take aggressive enforcement actions” against the country’s dumping of products in the U.S. below cost, its currency manipulation and other practices. But Biden says he’ll rally U.S. allies to confront China rather than take on the country by itself.
Although he has suggested he would remove Trump’s existing tariffs, an aide clarified that he’ll re-evaluate them after he takes office, according to The Washington Post.
Upshot: Van Houten says Biden’s strategy has a better chance of succeeding by enlisting the support of other nations. And Zandi says the removal of tariffs would reduce the cost of Chinese imports for American consumers and lead to the lifting of Chinese counter-tariffs on U.S. exports.
Regulations
Trump: The president says he’ll continue to aggressively cut regulations. He initially promised to scrap two rules for each new one and the Competitive Enterprise Institute says he has more than met that goal.
Upshot: Edwards says Trump’s regulations have unshackled businesses and sparked more investment and hiring. Zandi says no studies have shown that slashing regulations benefits the economy broadly.
Biden: The candidate says he’ll roll back much of Trump’s cuts, especially environmental rules for the energy industry as he looks to combat climate change with his clean-energy plan.
Upshot: Adding rules that require clean energy, for example, will increase costs for consumers. But Zandi says it will address the potentially larger economic costs of climate change, such as hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Minimum wage
Trump: In the past, he has said he’s considering whether to support a Democratic proposal in Congress to nearly double the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour from $7.25. But Trump has not backed the idea, which is vigorously opposed by Republican lawmakers.
Biden: The candidate supports raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
Upshot: A Congressional Budget Office study last year found that raising the federal pay floor to $15 would boost the wages of 17 million workers. Another 10 million workers earning slightly more than $15 per hour might also see their wages rise as well, the report said. But 1.3 million other workers would lose their jobs as businesses offset their higher costs.
Several states are already gradually raising their base pay to $15, and dozens of cities and counties, along with leading corporations such as Amazon, are already there. A minimum wage hike to $15 will have little negative impact if it occurs gradually and follows market trends, Zandi says.


usatoday--2020-08-31--Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers asks Donald Trump to 'reconsider' planned visit to Kenosha after Jacob Bla

MILWAUKEE – President Donald Trump plans to visit Kenosha on Tuesday to meet with law enforcement and survey damage from a week of unrest in the Wisconsin city , according to a White House pool report .
No other details were immediately available about the visit , which was announced Saturday night .
The announcement comes a day after Trump addressed the Kenosha Police Department ’ s shooting of Jacob Blake for the first time .
But , on Sunday , Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers sent a letter to Trump urging him to `` reconsider '' the visit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` particularly difficult '' and community across the state are dealing with `` extraordinary grief . ''
Evers said Kenosha is `` exhausted and heartbroken with the division that has ripped apart their community , '' but is also working to rebuild .
`` I , along with other community leaders who have reached out , are concerned about what your presence will mean for Kenosha and our state , '' Evers wrote .
`` I am concerned your presence will only hinder our healing .
I am concerned your presence will only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move forward together . ''
After a rally in New Hampshire on Friday , Trump said of the shooting : “ It was not a good sight .
I didn ’ t like the sight of it , certainly , and I think most people would agree with that , ” according to CNN .
Trump referenced Kenosha during the Republican National Convention but did not make specific remarks about the shooting that left Blake , 29 , paralyzed from the waist down after being shot seven times in the back at point-blank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 .
More : Kenosha videos of shootings prompt fierce debate over race and justice Earlier Saturday during a news conference , Trump was asked if he would visit the city , and he said “ probably so ” because of the presence of National Guard troops .
“ With Kenosha it ’ s been in very , very good shape from the moment they set foot in that area , ” he said .
National Guard troops first arrived in Kenosha on Monday , but unrest persisted in the city the following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two people were shot to death and a third was injured .
Kyle Rittenhouse , 17 , of Antioch , Illinois , has been charged in connection to the killings .
More : 'People 's worst fears ' came alive in Kenosha : Guns , militia inject chilling dimension into protests When asked about that shooting Saturday , Trump said he would comment on it in 24 to 48 hours after receiving more information .
Kenosha has seen peaceful demonstrations in recent days , continuing into Saturday evening after a Blake family march @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , the number of National Guard troops in Kenosha has swelled to more than 1,000 , with troops from Michigan , Alabama and Arizona on the way , according to Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp .
Evers detailed the amount of National Guard troops and work of emergency responders in his letter to Trump .
Evers wrote he is concerned an in-person visit from Trump `` will require a massive redirection '' of resource to support his visit `` at a time when it is critical that we continue to remain focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and supporting the community 's response . ''

Elliot Hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers asks Donald Trump to 'reconsider' planned visit to Kenosha after Jacob Blake shooting
Show Caption Hide Caption 'We'll see what happens:' Trump discusses Kenosha and plan to visit President Trump talked about Kenosha and how well it's doing before his planned visit, but Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is urging him to 'reconsider' after a week of unrest. USA TODAY, Associated Press
MILWAUKEE – President Donald Trump plans to visit Kenosha on Tuesday to meet with law enforcement and survey damage from a week of unrest in the Wisconsin city, according to a White House pool report.
No other details were immediately available about the visit, which was announced Saturday night. The announcement comes a day after Trump addressed the Kenosha Police Department’s shooting of Jacob Blake for the first time.
But, on Sunday, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers sent a letter to Trump urging him to "reconsider" the visit. He said the past week has been "particularly difficult" and community across the state are dealing with "extraordinary grief."
Evers said Kenosha is "exhausted and heartbroken with the division that has ripped apart their community," but is also working to rebuild.
"I, along with other community leaders who have reached out, are concerned about what your presence will mean for Kenosha and our state," Evers wrote. "I am concerned your presence will only hinder our healing. I am concerned your presence will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward together."
After a rally in New Hampshire on Friday, Trump said of the shooting: “It was not a good sight. I didn’t like the sight of it, certainly, and I think most people would agree with that,” according to CNN.
Trump referenced Kenosha during the Republican National Convention but did not make specific remarks about the shooting that left Blake, 29, paralyzed from the waist down after being shot seven times in the back at point-blank range by Officer Rusten Sheskey on Aug. 23.
Jacob Blake shooting timeline: What events led to the shooting Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot by Kenosha, Wisconsin, police on August 19. Here's a detailed timeline of events. USA TODAY
More: Kenosha videos of shootings prompt fierce debate over race and justice
Earlier Saturday during a news conference, Trump was asked if he would visit the city, and he said “probably so” because of the presence of National Guard troops.
“With Kenosha it’s been in very, very good shape from the moment they set foot in that area,” he said.
National Guard troops first arrived in Kenosha on Monday, but unrest persisted in the city the following two nights. On Tuesday night, two people were shot to death and a third was injured. Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, of Antioch, Illinois, has been charged in connection to the killings.
More: 'People's worst fears' came alive in Kenosha: Guns, militia inject chilling dimension into protests
Wisconsin Gov., Lt. Gov. address police involved shooting in Kenosha Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes gave a video address in response to the police involved shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha. USA TODAY, Associated Press
When asked about that shooting Saturday, Trump said he would comment on it in 24 to 48 hours after receiving more information.
Kenosha has seen peaceful demonstrations in recent days, continuing into Saturday evening after a Blake family march that drew thousands of participants and onlookers.
Meanwhile, the number of National Guard troops in Kenosha has swelled to more than 1,000, with troops from Michigan, Alabama and Arizona on the way, according to Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp.
Evers detailed the amount of National Guard troops and work of emergency responders in his letter to Trump.
Evers wrote he is concerned an in-person visit from Trump "will require a massive redirection" of resource to support his visit "at a time when it is critical that we continue to remain focused on keeping the people of Kenosha safe and supporting the community's response."
Follow Elliot Hughes on Twitter @elliothughes12
Contributing: Jordan Culver, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-08-31--Six MLB teams to watch as 4 p.m. ET trade deadline looms — from the Indians to the Dodgers

In a season filled with firsts for Major League Baseball , the trade deadline , too , shall be unprecedented .
In fact , Monday ’ s final window for teams to swap players in time to join postseason rosters is not so much a crystal-clear day of reckoning as much as it is a choose-your-own-adventure exercise .
A season in which 16 teams make the playoffs and 25 of 30 – including the entire National League – enter deadline day within five games of a berth with roughly 30 to play means you can be pretty much anything you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams have shamelessly packed it in with far greater prospects than some 2020 sellers .
Both ?
No rule that says you can ’ t play for 2020 while keeping a longer lens on the big picture .
So as the 4 p.m .
ET deadline looms , here are the six teams whose behavior will most impact the market – and thus the playoff picture : Quick question : Has there ever been a first-place team that could , with a straight face , trade both a Cy Young-caliber starter and MVP-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , these Indians are willing to find out .
Granted , the circumstances under which they ’ re dangling Mike Clevinger — he of the devastating three-pitch mix and penchant for pandemic adventures despite a hotel lockdown – are unique .
MLB SUNDAY TRADE TRACKER : Padres add punch with Mitch Moreland on day before deadline CATCHING UP WITH VIN SCULLY : On America today , Jackie Robinson , MLB in 2020 and daily life in retirement The 29-year-old comes with two full years of club control after this and a strikeout pace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two seasons .
Alas , this year ’ s sample is just four starts because he and fellow starter Zach Plesac were caught coming back from a night on the town just days after MLB instituted tighter protocols to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
But the Indians went 11-6 between the time those two were banished to their alternate training site and Clevinger returned to the mound , vaulting from third to first place .
That ’ s how freakishly deep Cleveland ’ s pitching is , and assuming Plesac returns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would miss Clevinger for the remainder of this year .
The same can ’ t be said of Lindor , a free agent after 2021 and a player the Indians have painfully and publicly acknowledged they won ’ t be able to retain .
As Sunday turned to Monday , it seemed certain Clevinger ’ s bags should be packed — perhaps to San Diego or L.A. , perhaps the Bronx .
Trading Lindor , the charismatic franchise cornerstone , is fraught with far more peril .
And so the extent to which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadline may have as much to do with how the club assesses itself – and how crucial it feels shopping its best assets now may set it up for a more sustainable future .
Working a grand slam into your daily diet is a heck of a way to convince your bosses they should buy at the deadline .
And so in Slam Diego , the future came quickly .
This is another rare convergence — a core of youthful superstars and veterans gelling at the right time , buttressed by an organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it basically was giving away players it knew it couldn ’ t cram onto the 40-man roster come November .
The early returns are nothing to smirk at : Mitch Moreland , Trevor Rosenthal and not one , but two catchers in Austin Nola and Jason Castro are perfect veteran fits to get a club not just into , but through October .
Monday ’ s grand finale figures to include pieces that , like Nola , will be viable into 2021 , which may still represent the apex of the Padres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Rangers ’ Lance Lynn — who ’ s signed through next year — both fit that description .
And the Padres still retain the organizational pieces to win any bidding they choose to enter .
This figures to be a deadline more about quantity than quality , which is why the Rangers could significantly impact the market by dangling Joey Gallo into it .
Lynn , it seems , would almost certainly be a goner , given that the Rangers face the second-worst odds in the AL to reach the playoffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at their new stadium this year , the Rangers could fortify their system and worry about replacing Lynn come wintertime .
Gallo is another matter .
While off to a slow start — a .188 average and 110 adjusted OPS – the 26-year-old is nonetheless the team ’ s best everyday player and could be under their control in 2021 and ’ 22 .
A two-time 40-homer man before he turned 25 , Gallo would be a deluxe upgrade relative to the Morelands of the world — but also a potentially key part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nothing ’ s bolted down in Baltimore , which is why Richard Bleier , Mychal Givens and Tommy Milone were shipped out in the last month .
While the Orioles lack a Clevinger or Lynn-type marquee trade chip , they can dangle several players who would nicely fill the right-handed side of a platoon , particularly for NL teams blindsided by the addition of a DH in 2020 .
Infielders Renato Nunez ( .847 OPS ) , Hanser Alberto ( .816 ) and Jose Iglesias ( .980 ) and catcher Pedro Severino ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers are even more potent against lefties .
And all are potentially under club control through at least 2021 .
An antsy fan base can no longer complain its front office whiffs on the marquee trade acquisition .
This is a club that ’ s dealt for Yu Darvish , Manny Machado and Mookie Betts since 2017 and now , lapping the field at 26-10 with a plus-90 run differential , the Dodgers are dealing from a position of strength .
They could do nothing and still remain prohibitive World Series favorites .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whether it ’ s Lynn , Clevinger or Josh Hader , the Dodgers will swing big knowing if they miss , they ’ ll still wake up with the best team in baseball .
Perhaps they come up empty on the big guns .
But with a talent well still running deep in the upper minors – touted catcher Keibert Ruiz recently made his major league debut – they ’ ll at least make life miserable in driving up the pricing for other deadline dealers .
Is it time for the defending champs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small or significant fashion ?
Reality may be settling in a bit in Washington , where an underperforming offense and erratic pitching staff have the Nationals in nowhereland — 12-19 and last place in the NL East , just 16 % chance at a playoff berth — but also just three games back of the field .
GM Mike Rizzo did not hesitate to pivot when things abruptly soured in 2018 , dealing a handful of relievers and infielder Daniel Murphy while nearly consummating a blockbuster to send Bryce Harper to Houston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pair of league-average catchers ( Kurt Suzuki , Yan Gomes ) and reliable veteran bats like Howie Kendrick and Asdrubal Cabrera to dangle .
Anything more significant — such as a franchise-altering move of Max Scherzer — would be highly unlikely given the many industry uncertainties this year and next .
But Rizzo is not one to sleep on come deadline day .

Six MLB teams to watch as 4 p.m. ET trade deadline looms — from the Indians to the Dodgers
In a season filled with firsts for Major League Baseball, the trade deadline, too, shall be unprecedented.
In fact, Monday’s final window for teams to swap players in time to join postseason rosters is not so much a crystal-clear day of reckoning as much as it is a choose-your-own-adventure exercise.
A season in which 16 teams make the playoffs and 25 of 30 – including the entire National League – enter deadline day within five games of a berth with roughly 30 to play means you can be pretty much anything you want to be.
Contender? Why not?
Rebuilder? Other teams have shamelessly packed it in with far greater prospects than some 2020 sellers.
Both? No rule that says you can’t play for 2020 while keeping a longer lens on the big picture.
So as the 4 p.m. ET deadline looms, here are the six teams whose behavior will most impact the market – and thus the playoff picture:
Indians
Quick question: Has there ever been a first-place team that could, with a straight face, trade both a Cy Young-caliber starter and MVP-level shortstop at the trade deadline?
Well, these Indians are willing to find out. Granted, the circumstances under which they’re dangling Mike Clevinger — he of the devastating three-pitch mix and penchant for pandemic adventures despite a hotel lockdown – are unique.
MLB SUNDAY TRADE TRACKER: Padres add punch with Mitch Moreland on day before deadline
CATCHING UP WITH VIN SCULLY: On America today, Jackie Robinson, MLB in 2020 and daily life in retirement
The 29-year-old comes with two full years of club control after this and a strikeout pace of 10.4 per nine innings the past two seasons. Alas, this year’s sample is just four starts because he and fellow starter Zach Plesac were caught coming back from a night on the town just days after MLB instituted tighter protocols to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
But the Indians went 11-6 between the time those two were banished to their alternate training site and Clevinger returned to the mound, vaulting from third to first place. That’s how freakishly deep Cleveland’s pitching is, and assuming Plesac returns to their good graces, they scarcely would miss Clevinger for the remainder of this year.
The same can’t be said of Lindor, a free agent after 2021 and a player the Indians have painfully and publicly acknowledged they won’t be able to retain. As Sunday turned to Monday, it seemed certain Clevinger’s bags should be packed — perhaps to San Diego or L.A., perhaps the Bronx.
Trading Lindor, the charismatic franchise cornerstone, is fraught with far more peril.
And so the extent to which the Indians wheel and deal before the deadline may have as much to do with how the club assesses itself – and how crucial it feels shopping its best assets now may set it up for a more sustainable future.
Padres
Working a grand slam into your daily diet is a heck of a way to convince your bosses they should buy at the deadline. And so in Slam Diego, the future came quickly.
This is another rare convergence — a core of youthful superstars and veterans gelling at the right time, buttressed by an organization so overflowing with talented minor league depth that it basically was giving away players it knew it couldn’t cram onto the 40-man roster come November.
The early returns are nothing to smirk at: Mitch Moreland, Trevor Rosenthal and not one, but two catchers in Austin Nola and Jason Castro are perfect veteran fits to get a club not just into, but through October.
Monday’s grand finale figures to include pieces that, like Nola, will be viable into 2021, which may still represent the apex of the Padres’ internal “win curve.” Clevinger and the Rangers’ Lance Lynn — who’s signed through next year — both fit that description.
And the Padres still retain the organizational pieces to win any bidding they choose to enter.
Rangers
This figures to be a deadline more about quantity than quality, which is why the Rangers could significantly impact the market by dangling Joey Gallo into it.
Lynn, it seems, would almost certainly be a goner, given that the Rangers face the second-worst odds in the AL to reach the playoffs. With no fans in the stands at their new stadium this year, the Rangers could fortify their system and worry about replacing Lynn come wintertime.
Gallo is another matter. While off to a slow start — a .188 average and 110 adjusted OPS – the 26-year-old is nonetheless the team’s best everyday player and could be under their control in 2021 and ’22. A two-time 40-homer man before he turned 25, Gallo would be a deluxe upgrade relative to the Morelands of the world — but also a potentially key part of the Rangers’ short-term goals.
Orioles
Nothing’s bolted down in Baltimore, which is why Richard Bleier, Mychal Givens and Tommy Milone were shipped out in the last month. While the Orioles lack a Clevinger or Lynn-type marquee trade chip, they can dangle several players who would nicely fill the right-handed side of a platoon, particularly for NL teams blindsided by the addition of a DH in 2020.
Infielders Renato Nunez (.847 OPS), Hanser Alberto (.816) and Jose Iglesias (.980) and catcher Pedro Severino (.897) are all righty hitters whose numbers are even more potent against lefties. And all are potentially under club control through at least 2021.
Dodgers
An antsy fan base can no longer complain its front office whiffs on the marquee trade acquisition. This is a club that’s dealt for Yu Darvish, Manny Machado and Mookie Betts since 2017 and now, lapping the field at 26-10 with a plus-90 run differential, the Dodgers are dealing from a position of strength.
They could do nothing and still remain prohibitive World Series favorites. Don’t count on that. Whether it’s Lynn, Clevinger or Josh Hader, the Dodgers will swing big knowing if they miss, they’ll still wake up with the best team in baseball.
Perhaps they come up empty on the big guns. But with a talent well still running deep in the upper minors – touted catcher Keibert Ruiz recently made his major league debut – they’ll at least make life miserable in driving up the pricing for other deadline dealers.
Nationals
Is it time for the defending champs to take a step back — in a small or significant fashion?
Reality may be settling in a bit in Washington, where an underperforming offense and erratic pitching staff have the Nationals in nowhereland — 12-19 and last place in the NL East, just 16% chance at a playoff berth — but also just three games back of the field.
GM Mike Rizzo did not hesitate to pivot when things abruptly soured in 2018, dealing a handful of relievers and infielder Daniel Murphy while nearly consummating a blockbuster to send Bryce Harper to Houston. This year, he has a pair of league-average catchers (Kurt Suzuki, Yan Gomes) and reliable veteran bats like Howie Kendrick and Asdrubal Cabrera to dangle.
Anything more significant — such as a franchise-altering move of Max Scherzer — would be highly unlikely given the many industry uncertainties this year and next. But Rizzo is not one to sleep on come deadline day.