mercurynews--2020-09-06--The Latest: Nevada reports 390 new virus cases, 13 deaths

By The Associated Press CARSON CITY , Nev. — Nevada health officials on Saturday reported 390 additional COVID-19 cases and 13 new deaths , bringing the statewide totals to 71,102 confirmed cases and 1,388 deaths .
The vast majority of cases and deaths in Nevada have occurred in Clark County , which includes metro Las Vegas .
— Reno officials said a one-day closure of a small section of a downtown street for limited on-street food and drink service would be a test for helping restaurants whose operations are crimped by restrictions on mass gatherings .
Reno ’ s experiment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK — Italy leader Conte tells virus deniers : Look at the numbers — Child care crisis pushes US mothers out of the labor force , as pandemic leaves parents with few child care options plus distance learning .
— Colleges using coronavirus dorms , quarantines to keep virus at bay , with the virus spreading through colleges at alarming rates .
— Staying connected during the coronavirus pandemic has been trying for parents and students at a Phoenix school for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ languages .
— Among the many summertime traditions being hit hard by the coronavirus are the nation ’ s county and state fairs .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : PHOENIX — A suburban school district in metro Phoenix has put off its plan to return its high school to in-person instruction from remote learning starting Tuesday .
Cactus Shadows High School Principal Tony Vining announced late Friday that Cave Creek Unified School District ’ s sole high school didn ’ t “ have enough staff to safely open and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model.
” Some Arizona schools have reopened for in-person instruction , but J.O .
Combs Unified in San Tan Valley , was thwarted last month because numerous teachers called in sick while voicing concerns about the safety of reopening schools .
The state Department of Health Services on Saturday reported 836 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 36 additional deaths , increasing the statewide totals to 205,516 cases and 5,207 deaths .
SANTA FE , N.M. New Mexico officials are urging residents to take precautions while celebrating Labor Day to avoid spreading the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress in the fight against COVID-19 , ” but the holiday weekend will be a key to keeping spread of the virus low and to ensuring that students can return safely to school this year , Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement Friday .
“ I ask New Mexicans to please not let their guard down — continue wearing masks and avoiding gatherings , ” the governor added .
“ Just one large gathering can lead to hundreds of COVID-19 cases and affect an entire community ’ s health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday reported 152 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and six additional deaths , increasing the statewide totals to 26,048 cases with 800 deaths .
ST. LOUIS — Missouri added 77 COVID-19 related deaths to its total Saturday , most of which occurred weeks or months ago .
The state ’ s Department of Health and Senior Services blamed technical issues in a tweet for the spike that brought the state ’ s total number of deaths since the pandemic began to 1,639 .
The newly reported deaths included five that occurred over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from June to August .
“ Through continuing efforts to ensure data transparency and quality , DHSS analysts discovered an inconsistency in death certificate diagnosis codes when compared to case information contained in DHSS disease surveillance systems , ” health officials said in a tweet .
“ After thorough analysis and evaluation , these additional COVID-19-associated deaths were identified .
We expect to report more ( although not as many as today ) of these on Sunday as we work to complete this evaluation of cases.
” Health officials also reported that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,987 to 92,202 .
Amid the rise in cases , St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson announced Friday in a social media post that bars , restaurants and nightclubs must continue to restrict capacity to 50 % and close no later than 11 p.m. each night .
The restrictions were originally set to end Sept. 7 .
SAN DIEGO — San Diego State University has issued a Labor Day weekend stay-at-home order for students living on campus to limit the spread of COVID-19 as they return for the school year .
KNSD-TV reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will last through 6 a.m. Tuesday .
The announcement was made Saturday , a day after the university reported an additional 120 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases linked to students both on and off campus .
The university said those who violate the order could face disciplinary action , but it did not detail what those consequences would be .
TALLAHASSEE , Fla. — Florida officials are urging vigilance over the Labor Day holiday weekend .
That ’ s despite the fewest number of new deaths — about 60 — since mid-July .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ face masks and observe social distancing throughout the three-day holiday weekend , particularly at beaches and other public places .
On Saturday , the state reported nearly 3,700 news cases of coronavirus , pushing the total number of infections to nearly 644,000 since the outbreak began in the spring .
DES MOINES , Iowa — An Iowa judge has refused to allow some Des Moines area bars to reopen while their lawsuit challenging Gov .
Kim Reynolds ’ bar closures makes its way through the courts .
The Des Moines Register reports Polk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of public health in his explanation of the ruling denying a temporary injunction to the bar owners in Polk and Dallas county .
Attorney Billy Mallory , who is representing the bar owners , says he ’ ll appeal the denial while preparing for trial , where he will seek a permanent injunction .
The suit alleges bars closures in Dallas and Polk counties are unconstitutional and unfairly targets some businesses , while restaurants and coffee shops can stay open .
In the Aug. 27 order , Reynolds required the closing of bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Story counties .
Those counties , along with Polk and Dallas , are considered hot spots for coronavirus infections .
Statewide , cases rose Saturday by 1,024 to 69,006 .
There ’ s been 23 new deaths to bring the total to 1,160 , according to the Iowa Department of Public Health .
BERLIN — German soccer team Union Berlin allowed 4,500 fans at its 2-1 win over Nuremberg in a preseason exhibition match .
It was the first game any professional German soccer team played in front of so many fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bundesliga in March .
No fans were allowed once the league resumed after a two-month break .
Fans were only permitted to attend the game – a celebration of 100 years of Union ’ s stadium – under certain conditions .
Tickets were for club members only , personalized and non-transferable to ensure contact-tracing is possible .
The supporters needed to show ID and their club membership card before entering and wear masks when not in their allocated place .
Stewards asked fans too close to move .
Journalists had their temperatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Nine fraternities and sororities are under quarantine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison after 38 students tested positive for the coronavirus .
The orders from UW-Madison and Dane County health officials affect 420 Greek life students , who have been instructed to quarantine for two weeks , the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported .
UW-Madison is requiring coronavirus tests for students who live in the 38 Greek life houses .
The university didn ’ t say if the cases were linked to parties or large gatherings .
So far , 440 UW-Madison students have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the university .
ROME — The daily number of coronavirus deaths in Italy has been rising , with 16 registered Saturday by the Health Ministry .
That ’ s five more than the previous day .
However , those numbers are dramatically lower than in the early weeks of the pandemic in the nation , when hundreds of people were dying daily .
With nearly 1,700 more cases Saturday , Italy has confirmed a total of 276,338 infections .
Most of the recent cases have been linked to popular holiday locales , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island of Sardinia .
ROME — The personal doctor of Silvio Berlusconi has expressed “ cautious but reasonable optimism ” for the former Italian leader ’ s recovery from the coronavirus .
The 83-year-old Berlusconi is hospitalized in Milan after testing positive this week .
Dr. Alberto Zangrillo said in a written statement Saturday that Berlusconi ’ s clinical condition remains stable .
Zangrillo said Friday , several hours after Berlusconi was admitted to San Raffaele hospital , that his patient has an early stage lung infection and was breathing on his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s civil service is telling public sector bosses to get staff back to the office , as the government seeks to revive city centers .
Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill has written to government department chiefs “ strongly encouraging an increased workplace attendance ” and saying 80 % of civil servants should be working from the office at least part-time by the end of September .
The government urged people to work from home when the country went into lockdown in March to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Society is gradually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to workplaces and public transport .
That ’ s bad news for downtown cafes , shops and restaurants that rely on commuters for trade .
The number of new coronavirus infections in the U.K. is rising .
Unions say the need for social distancing makes a full-time return to offices impractical .
Dave Penman , head of civil service union FDA , says the government needs to accept that the world of work had changed for good .
ROME — Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte says he has no words for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look at the numbers .
Pandemic deniers and those against masks and vaccines are expected to rally in Rome on Saturday .
Conte said : “ To those people gathering in Rome today and who think the pandemic doesn ’ t exist , we reply with numbers : More than … 274,000 infected and some 35,000 dead .
Period.
” The daily case load , after dropping down to below 200 at the start of summer , surpassed more than 1,700 on Friday , the biggest one-day increase since early May .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in returning vacationers , most of them young people .
Conte says , “ if things go badly , we ’ ll be able to intervene in a targeted and very circumscribed way ” to manage any dramatic surge .
His country was hard hit when the outbreak first erupted in Europe and went into lockdown .
Italy has confirmed nearly 275,000 coronavirus cases and counts 35,518 known dead .
BERLIN — Germany wants to boost its public health system with 5,000 new jobs and 4 billion euros ( $ 4.735 billion ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 375 local health offices up to speed .
The announcement by Health Minister Jens Spahn on Saturday came after a meeting with the country ’ s 16 state health ministers about the coronavirus pandemic .
Germany wants to add are at least 1,500 new doctors , medical and administrative staff by the end of next year .
Meanwhile , German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has suggested the country mourn the victims of the coronavirus pandemic at an official memorial .
Steinmeier told newspaper group RND on Saturday “ we must help people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can express our compassion.
” The German president , whose office is mostly ceremonial , says he was in talks with other officials regarding a memorial .
On Saturday , Germany registered 1,378 new coronavirus infections for a total of nearly 249,000 cases .
Total deaths stand at more than 9,300 people , according the country ’ s disease control center .
HOUSTON — A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to stop detaining unaccompanied immigrant children in hotels .
That allows for expelling them without the chance to seek refuge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government has enacted during the coronavirus pandemic .
U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee ruled Friday the use of hotels violates a two-decade-old settlement governing the treatment of immigrant children in custody .
She ordered border agencies to stop placing children in hotels by Sept. 15 and to remove children from hotels as soon as possible .
At least 577 unaccompanied children who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border since March have been held in hotels , sometimes for weeks , according to government data .
That ’ s instead of sending them to shelters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Human Services , where minors receive legal services , education , and the chance to be placed with relatives living in the U.S. Those facilities are licensed by the states where they are located .
More than 13,000 beds in HHS facilities are currently empty .
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis will visit Assisi next month , in his first visit outside Rome since the coronavirus pandemic .
He ’ ll journey to Assisi , the birthplace in the central Italian region of Umbria of his namesake saint .
He ’ ll sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faithful worldwide , the Vatican said Saturday .
The encyclical is expected to stress the value of brotherly relations during and after the pandemic , a theme Francis evoked repeatedly during the pandemic .
Francis has stressed the coronavirus reveals the fragility of existence and the importance of helping one other , especially the poor .
Italy was put under lockdown in early March when it became the first country in Europe to feel the full brunt of the coronavirus .
PRAGUE — The number of people infected with the coronavirus has continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surpassing 700 for the first time .
The Health Ministry says the day-to-day increase reached a record of 798 new confirmed cases on Friday .
The announcement comes after the country registered over 600 cases the previous two days , also records at the time .
Health authorities have already imposed new restrictive measures in the Czech capital , reacting to the spike .
Starting on Wednesday , it is mandatory again to wear face masks in stores and shopping malls .
At the same time , bars , restaurants and nightclubs have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m .
The Czech Republic has 27,249 cases and 429 deaths .
MEXICO CITY — The coronavirus pandemic has hit Mexico so hard that the governments of several states ran out of death certificates .
Officials said Friday the federal forms started running out about 15 to 20 days ago in at least three states — Baja California , the State of Mexico and Mexico City .
Authorities say a million new forms have been printed and are being distributed .
The certificates are printed with special characteristics because falsification has been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered the fourth-highest level of COVID-19 deaths in the world .
On Friday , the number of confirmed cases rose by 6,196 to 623,090 , while deaths rose by 522 to 66,851 .
Cases in Mexico now appear to have plateaued and are no longer decreasing .
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is urging Americans to “ remain vigilant ” about the coronavirus over the Labor Day weekend .
Trump said at a White House briefing Friday that “ we need everybody to be careful ” and to “ apply common sense ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , said this week that several Midwestern states that have seen jumps in coronavirus caseloads should be especially vigilant during the holiday weekend .
They are North Dakota , South Dakota , Arkansas , Iowa , Illinois , Indiana and Missouri .
Past increases in cases of COVID-19 have followed the Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays .
Trump is eager to put the pandemic in the past , but he tells Americans to “ let ’ s just try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

By The Associated Press
CARSON CITY, Nev. — Nevada health officials on Saturday reported 390 additional COVID-19 cases and 13 new deaths, bringing the statewide totals to 71,102 confirmed cases and 1,388 deaths.
The vast majority of cases and deaths in Nevada have occurred in Clark County, which includes metro Las Vegas.
In other developments:
— Reno officials said a one-day closure of a small section of a downtown street for limited on-street food and drink service would be a test for helping restaurants whose operations are crimped by restrictions on mass gatherings.
Reno’s experiment Saturday follows the lead of other cities.
___
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
— Italy leader Conte tells virus deniers: Look at the numbers
— German soccer team Union Berlin allowed 4,500 fans for exhibition
— Child care crisis pushes US mothers out of the labor force, as pandemic leaves parents with few child care options plus distance learning.
— Colleges using coronavirus dorms, quarantines to keep virus at bay, with the virus spreading through colleges at alarming rates.
— Staying connected during the coronavirus pandemic has been trying for parents and students at a Phoenix school for refugees who speak more than a dozen languages.
— Among the many summertime traditions being hit hard by the coronavirus are the nation’s county and state fairs.
___
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
___
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
PHOENIX — A suburban school district in metro Phoenix has put off its plan to return its high school to in-person instruction from remote learning starting Tuesday.
Cactus Shadows High School Principal Tony Vining announced late Friday that Cave Creek Unified School District’s sole high school didn’t “have enough staff to safely open and will need to revert to our distance learning model.”
Some Arizona schools have reopened for in-person instruction, but J.O. Combs Unified in San Tan Valley, was thwarted last month because numerous teachers called in sick while voicing concerns about the safety of reopening schools.
The state Department of Health Services on Saturday reported 836 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 36 additional deaths, increasing the statewide totals to 205,516 cases and 5,207 deaths.
___
SANTA FE, N.M. New Mexico officials are urging residents to take precautions while celebrating Labor Day to avoid spreading the coronavirus.
The state “has made great progress in the fight against COVID-19,” but the holiday weekend will be a key to keeping spread of the virus low and to ensuring that students can return safely to school this year, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement Friday.
“I ask New Mexicans to please not let their guard down — continue wearing masks and avoiding gatherings,” the governor added. “Just one large gathering can lead to hundreds of COVID-19 cases and affect an entire community’s health and safety …”
State health officials on Saturday reported 152 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and six additional deaths, increasing the statewide totals to 26,048 cases with 800 deaths.
___
ST. LOUIS — Missouri added 77 COVID-19 related deaths to its total Saturday, most of which occurred weeks or months ago.
The state’s Department of Health and Senior Services blamed technical issues in a tweet for the spike that brought the state’s total number of deaths since the pandemic began to 1,639. The newly reported deaths included five that occurred over the past 24 hours, with the bulk occurring from June to August.
“Through continuing efforts to ensure data transparency and quality, DHSS analysts discovered an inconsistency in death certificate diagnosis codes when compared to case information contained in DHSS disease surveillance systems,” health officials said in a tweet. “After thorough analysis and evaluation, these additional COVID-19-associated deaths were identified. We expect to report more (although not as many as today) of these on Sunday as we work to complete this evaluation of cases.”
Health officials also reported that the number of confirmed cases had risen by 1,987 to 92,202.
Amid the rise in cases, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson announced Friday in a social media post that bars, restaurants and nightclubs must continue to restrict capacity to 50% and close no later than 11 p.m. each night. The restrictions were originally set to end Sept. 7.
___
SAN DIEGO — San Diego State University has issued a Labor Day weekend stay-at-home order for students living on campus to limit the spread of COVID-19 as they return for the school year.
KNSD-TV reported that the order is in effect Saturday and will last through 6 a.m. Tuesday. The announcement was made Saturday, a day after the university reported an additional 120 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases linked to students both on and off campus. The university said those who violate the order could face disciplinary action, but it did not detail what those consequences would be.
___
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida officials are urging vigilance over the Labor Day holiday weekend.
That’s despite the fewest number of new deaths — about 60 — since mid-July. Officials have been urging Floridians to wear face masks and observe social distancing throughout the three-day holiday weekend, particularly at beaches and other public places.
On Saturday, the state reported nearly 3,700 news cases of coronavirus, pushing the total number of infections to nearly 644,000 since the outbreak began in the spring.
___
DES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa judge has refused to allow some Des Moines area bars to reopen while their lawsuit challenging Gov. Kim Reynolds’ bar closures makes its way through the courts.
The Des Moines Register reports Polk County Judge William Kelly emphasized the importance of public health in his explanation of the ruling denying a temporary injunction to the bar owners in Polk and Dallas county.
Attorney Billy Mallory, who is representing the bar owners, says he’ll appeal the denial while preparing for trial, where he will seek a permanent injunction. The suit alleges bars closures in Dallas and Polk counties are unconstitutional and unfairly targets some businesses, while restaurants and coffee shops can stay open.
In the Aug. 27 order, Reynolds required the closing of bars in Black Hawk, Johnson, Linn and Story counties. Those counties, along with Polk and Dallas, are considered hot spots for coronavirus infections.
Statewide, cases rose Saturday by 1,024 to 69,006. There’s been 23 new deaths to bring the total to 1,160, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.
___
BERLIN — German soccer team Union Berlin allowed 4,500 fans at its 2-1 win over Nuremberg in a preseason exhibition match.
It was the first game any professional German soccer team played in front of so many fans since the pandemic forced the suspension of the Bundesliga in March. No fans were allowed once the league resumed after a two-month break.
Fans were only permitted to attend the game – a celebration of 100 years of Union’s stadium – under certain conditions.
Tickets were for club members only, personalized and non-transferable to ensure contact-tracing is possible. The supporters needed to show ID and their club membership card before entering and wear masks when not in their allocated place.
Stewards asked fans too close to move. Journalists had their temperatures taken and were seated apart.
___
MILWAUKEE — Nine fraternities and sororities are under quarantine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison after 38 students tested positive for the coronavirus.
The orders from UW-Madison and Dane County health officials affect 420 Greek life students, who have been instructed to quarantine for two weeks, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
UW-Madison is requiring coronavirus tests for students who live in the 38 Greek life houses. The university didn’t say if the cases were linked to parties or large gatherings.
So far, 440 UW-Madison students have tested positive for the virus, according to the university.
___
ROME — The daily number of coronavirus deaths in Italy has been rising, with 16 registered Saturday by the Health Ministry.
That’s five more than the previous day. However, those numbers are dramatically lower than in the early weeks of the pandemic in the nation, when hundreds of people were dying daily.
With nearly 1,700 more cases Saturday, Italy has confirmed a total of 276,338 infections. Most of the recent cases have been linked to popular holiday locales, particularly among those who vacationed on the island of Sardinia.
Italy’s known death toll stands at 35,534.
___
ROME — The personal doctor of Silvio Berlusconi has expressed “cautious but reasonable optimism” for the former Italian leader’s recovery from the coronavirus.
The 83-year-old Berlusconi is hospitalized in Milan after testing positive this week.
Dr. Alberto Zangrillo said in a written statement Saturday that Berlusconi’s clinical condition remains stable.
Zangrillo said Friday, several hours after Berlusconi was admitted to San Raffaele hospital, that his patient has an early stage lung infection and was breathing on his own.
___
LONDON — The head of Britain’s civil service is telling public sector bosses to get staff back to the office, as the government seeks to revive city centers.
Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill has written to government department chiefs “strongly encouraging an increased workplace attendance” and saying 80% of civil servants should be working from the office at least part-time by the end of September.
The government urged people to work from home when the country went into lockdown in March to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Society is gradually reopening, but many people remain reluctant to return to workplaces and public transport. That’s bad news for downtown cafes, shops and restaurants that rely on commuters for trade.
The number of new coronavirus infections in the U.K. is rising. Unions say the need for social distancing makes a full-time return to offices impractical.
Dave Penman, head of civil service union FDA, says the government needs to accept that the world of work had changed for good.
___
ROME — Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte says he has no words for those who deny the coronavirus pandemic – except to look at the numbers.
Pandemic deniers and those against masks and vaccines are expected to rally in Rome on Saturday. Conte said: “To those people gathering in Rome today and who think the pandemic doesn’t exist, we reply with numbers: More than … 274,000 infected and some 35,000 dead. Period.”
The daily case load, after dropping down to below 200 at the start of summer, surpassed more than 1,700 on Friday, the biggest one-day increase since early May.
Many of the recent infections have occurred in returning vacationers, most of them young people. Conte says, “if things go badly, we’ll be able to intervene in a targeted and very circumscribed way” to manage any dramatic surge.
His country was hard hit when the outbreak first erupted in Europe and went into lockdown. Italy has confirmed nearly 275,000 coronavirus cases and counts 35,518 known dead.
___
BERLIN — Germany wants to boost its public health system with 5,000 new jobs and 4 billion euros ($4.735 billion) in investment to get the country’s 375 local health offices up to speed.
The announcement by Health Minister Jens Spahn on Saturday came after a meeting with the country’s 16 state health ministers about the coronavirus pandemic. Germany wants to add are at least 1,500 new doctors, medical and administrative staff by the end of next year.
Meanwhile, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has suggested the country mourn the victims of the coronavirus pandemic at an official memorial. Steinmeier told newspaper group RND on Saturday “we must help people who are mourning and think about how we can express our compassion.”
The German president, whose office is mostly ceremonial, says he was in talks with other officials regarding a memorial.
On Saturday, Germany registered 1,378 new coronavirus infections for a total of nearly 249,000 cases. Total deaths stand at more than 9,300 people, according the country’s disease control center.
___
HOUSTON — A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to stop detaining unaccompanied immigrant children in hotels.
That allows for expelling them without the chance to seek refuge in the United States, a new policy the government has enacted during the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee ruled Friday the use of hotels violates a two-decade-old settlement governing the treatment of immigrant children in custody. She ordered border agencies to stop placing children in hotels by Sept. 15 and to remove children from hotels as soon as possible.
At least 577 unaccompanied children who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border since March have been held in hotels, sometimes for weeks, according to government data.
That’s instead of sending them to shelters operated by the Department of Health and Human Services, where minors receive legal services, education, and the chance to be placed with relatives living in the U.S. Those facilities are licensed by the states where they are located.
More than 13,000 beds in HHS facilities are currently empty.
___
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis will visit Assisi next month, in his first visit outside Rome since the coronavirus pandemic.
He’ll journey to Assisi, the birthplace in the central Italian region of Umbria of his namesake saint. He’ll sign an authoritative papal letter to clergy and faithful worldwide, the Vatican said Saturday. The encyclical is expected to stress the value of brotherly relations during and after the pandemic, a theme Francis evoked repeatedly during the pandemic.
Francis has stressed the coronavirus reveals the fragility of existence and the importance of helping one other, especially the poor.
Italy was put under lockdown in early March when it became the first country in Europe to feel the full brunt of the coronavirus.
___
PRAGUE — The number of people infected with the coronavirus has continued to surge in the Czech Republic, surpassing 700 for the first time.
The Health Ministry says the day-to-day increase reached a record of 798 new confirmed cases on Friday.
The announcement comes after the country registered over 600 cases the previous two days, also records at the time.
Health authorities have already imposed new restrictive measures in the Czech capital, reacting to the spike. Starting on Wednesday, it is mandatory again to wear face masks in stores and shopping malls. At the same time, bars, restaurants and nightclubs have to be closed from midnight to 6 a.m.
The Czech Republic has 27,249 cases and 429 deaths.
___
MEXICO CITY — The coronavirus pandemic has hit Mexico so hard that the governments of several states ran out of death certificates.
Officials said Friday the federal forms started running out about 15 to 20 days ago in at least three states — Baja California, the State of Mexico and Mexico City.
Authorities say a million new forms have been printed and are being distributed. The certificates are printed with special characteristics because falsification has been a problem in the past.
Mexico has suffered the fourth-highest level of COVID-19 deaths in the world. On Friday, the number of confirmed cases rose by 6,196 to 623,090, while deaths rose by 522 to 66,851. Cases in Mexico now appear to have plateaued and are no longer decreasing.
___
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is urging Americans to “remain vigilant” about the coronavirus over the Labor Day weekend.
Trump said at a White House briefing Friday that “we need everybody to be careful” and to “apply common sense” in their interactions with one another.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said this week that several Midwestern states that have seen jumps in coronavirus caseloads should be especially vigilant during the holiday weekend. They are North Dakota, South Dakota, Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri.
Past increases in cases of COVID-19 have followed the Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays.
Trump is eager to put the pandemic in the past, but he tells Americans to “let’s just try to get through this one weekend.”
___


mercurynews--2020-09-06--PG&E warns of possible power shutoff due to extreme weather, high winds

PG & E warned customers Saturday that a power shut off might be needed Tuesday and Wednesday due to a combination of high winds and extreme heat that could create further fire danger .
Called a “ Public Safety Power Shutoff , ” the potential for the shutoff is due to an offshore wind event expected late Monday night through Wednesday morning , the public utility announced Saturday afternoon .
The conditions could require a power shut off since high temperatures , extreme dryness and record-high winds throughout the state could cause a spark — sparks that can lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PSPS as a last resort when weather is so severe , ” said Katie Allen , PG & E spokesperson on Saturday .
The shutoffs are used to reduce public safety risks in specific geographic areas when a combination of adverse weather and dry fuel conditions are present , she said .
They are different than rolling blackouts , or rotating outages , as those are called by the state grid operator — California Independent System Operator ( ISO ) when there is too much demand for energy statewide , and not enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
ISO declared a “ Stage 2 ” emergency Saturday evening around 6 p.m. , meaning that rotating blackouts throughout the state could be expected if people didn ’ t conserve energy from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday .
Zones that are under a warning for the power shutoff include the Bay Area , although PG & E did not specify which areas would be affected and to what extent .
Customers affected would be notified 48 hours before the event via formal notification via text , email or phone calls , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are expected throughout the state , with a peak in the heat on Sunday , PG & E said .
Temperatures during the holiday weekend are expected to reach triple digits , within the 105 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit range .
The offshore winds are expected around Monday , directly on the heels of the weekend heatwave , which could exacerbate fuel dryness to critical levels , according to PG & E .
How to check if your home will lose power during PG & E blackouts The National Weather Service issued several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which are likely to be upgraded to red flag warnings , according to the utility .
PG & E ’ s public safety power shutoff could occur as a result of several factors : including a red flag warning , low humidity , forecasted sustained winds above 25 mph and wind gusts in excess of 45 mph , and dry material .
A “ Flex Alert ” was also issued statewide Saturday through Monday due to the extreme heat .
Californians are asked to conserve electricity during peak hours from 3 to 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the power grid maintain reliability during the heat wave , according to ISO .
Since moving to Stage 2 Saturday night , ISO said it could no longer provide expected energy requirements , meaning blackouts could be imminent throughout the state .
Labor Day weekend temperatures are up 15 to 25 degrees above normal for the state during this time .
The grid operator is expecting an increase in electricity demand , mostly from air conditioning use .
“ Consumers should always be prepared for potential power outages , both planned and unplanned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperatures that last multiple days , ” the ISO said in an advisory Saturday .
Several wildfires throughout the state are also a concern as the fire themselves can take out transmission lines or cause lines to be shut down for the safety of firefighters in the area .
A “ Spare the Air ” alert in the Bay Area was also extended through Monday , due to the unhealthy smog .

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Rotating blackouts could be imminent and more power shutoffs might be needed Tuesday and Wednesday due to extreme heat and high winds, energy officials warned.
The California Independent System Operator (ISO) declared a Stage 2 emergency order Saturday around 6 p.m., meaning that rotating blackouts throughout the state could be expected if people didn’t conserve energy from 3 to 9 p.m. The alert was canceled shortly after 8:30 p.m. Saturday
The grid operator had previously issued a Flex Alert, asking customers to conserve energy from Saturday to Monday during a statewide heat wave in order to not overpower the grid system. The conservation of energy helps the power grid maintain reliability during the heat wave, according to ISO.
The ISO said the grid system is strained due to a loss of 1,600 megawatts of power — roughly equivalent to the amount electricity to power 1.2 million homes. The loss of power was from a combination of fires, high temperatures and load on the system. After 9 p.m., the ISO reported there were no blackouts.
PG&E also warned customers Saturday that a “Public Safety Power Shutoff,” might be needed Monday and Tuesday to help prevent wildfire danger. The warning is due to an offshore wind event expected late Monday night through Wednesday morning, the public utility announced Saturday afternoon. The conditions could require a power shutoff since high temperatures, extreme dryness and record-high winds throughout the state could cause sparks that can lead to major wildfires.
“We only use PSPS as a last resort when weather is so severe,” said Katie Allen, PG&E spokesperson on Saturday.
The shutoffs are used to reduce public safety risks in specific geographic areas when a combination of adverse weather and dry fuel conditions are present, she said.
The shutoffs are different than rolling blackouts, or rotating outages, as those are called by the state grid operator, ISO, when there is too much demand for energy statewide, and not enough resources to meet that demand, Allen said.
Since moving to Stage 2 Saturday night, ISO said it could no longer provide expected energy requirements, meaning blackouts could be imminent throughout the state.
Labor Day weekend temperatures are up 15 to 25 degrees above normal for the state during this time. The grid operator is expecting an increase in electricity demand, mostly from air conditioning use.
“Consumers should always be prepared for potential power outages, both planned and unplanned during heat waves, especially in high temperatures that last multiple days,” the ISO said in an advisory Saturday.
Several wildfires throughout the state are also a concern as the fires themselves can take out transmission lines or cause lines to be shut down for the safety of firefighters in the area.
Zones that are under a warning for the power shutoff Tuesday and Wednesday include the Bay Area, although PG&E did not specify which areas would be affected and to what extent. Customers affected would be notified 48 hours before the event via formal notification via text, email or phone calls, Allen said.
Hot and dry conditions are expected throughout the state, with a peak in the heat on Sunday, PG&E said. Temperatures during the holiday weekend are expected to reach triple digits, within the 105 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit range.
The offshore winds are expected around Monday, directly on the heels of the weekend heat wave, which could exacerbate fuel dryness to critical levels, according to PG&E.
How to check if your home will lose power during PG&E blackouts
The National Weather Service issued several fire weather watches across the state, which are likely to be upgraded to red flag warnings, according to the utility.
PG&E’s public safety power shutoff could occur as a result of several factors: including a red flag warning, low humidity, forecasted sustained winds above 25 mph and wind gusts in excess of 45 mph, and dry material.
A “Spare the Air” alert in the Bay Area was also extended through Monday, due to the unhealthy smog.


mercurynews--2020-09-06--Santa Cruz County correctional officer arrested on suspicion of sexual relationship with inmate

A Santa Cruz County Sheriff ’ s correctional officer suspected of having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate was arrested @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office said Saturday .
Correctional Officer Jessica Smith , 31 , was arrested @ @ @ @ @ with an inmate , assault by a public officer and unauthorized computer access , the @ @ @ @ @ in a news release .
Detectives began investigating Smith when they received information about an @ @ @ @ @ person who was serving their sentence through a supervised release program .
The sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ release any other details about the case .
• Does homicide charge of San Leandro @ @ @ @ @ a new day ?
• Hayward man gets two years in ammo case that stems @ @ @ @ @ in Contra Costa DA ’ s office on full display as gang prosecutor appeals reprimand @ @ @ @ @ in public forum Smith , who has been with the sheriff ’ s office since @ @ @ @ @ release pending completion of an investigation , the sheriff ’ s office said .

A Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s correctional officer suspected of having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate was arrested Friday evening, the sheriff’s office said Saturday.
Correctional Officer Jessica Smith, 31, was arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with an inmate, assault by a public officer and unauthorized computer access, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Detectives began investigating Smith when they received information about an inappropriate relationship with an incarcerated person who was serving their sentence through a supervised release program.
The sheriff’s office didn’t release any other details about the case.


mercurynews--2020-09-06--Next challenge for Pac-12 football: Solving the local restrictions in California (if NFL teams can p

Next challenge for Pac-12 football: Solving the local restrictions in California (if NFL teams can play, why not the colleges?)

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott ’ s optimism for the return of Pac-12 football hasn ’ t faded in the 48 hours since announcing the partnership with Quidel on rapid-result Covid tests .
“ I ’ m now highly confident we ’ re going to be able to start in January , at the latest , ” Scott told ESPN ’ s GameDay on Saturday morning .
“ Whether we could start late-November , early-December , we ’ ll have to figure out .
It ’ s got something to do with our public health authorities in California and Oregon saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The Quidel tests , conducted the day-of-competition and expected to be available in late September , will prevent asymptomatic players from taking the field .
But the Pac-12 still faces daunting local restrictions .
Even if Quidel ’ s point-of-care tests were available tomorrow , the California and Oregon schools would need to satisfy the demands … err , requirements … of their state and local health authorities .
And that ’ s a mystery wrapped in a riddle wrapped in skull-crushing bureaucracy , especially in California .
We ’ re quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved to compete if the California teams receive clearance .
A spokesperson for Gov .
Kate Brown said as much in the spring : “ We will make sure ( the Ducks and Beavers ) are not at any competitive disadvantage due to the current situation.
” The $ 1 billion question for the Pac-12 , it seems , is this : Why are California ’ s pro teams allowed to compete while the college teams can not ?
The situation is doubly perplexing given that Stanford , USC and UCLA are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Rams play next week at SoFi Stadium , which is a whopping 6.9 miles from the L.A .
Coliseum , where the Trojans aren ’ t allowed to gather in groups larger than 12 .
The teams might as well be 6.9 light years apart .
The situation in the Bay Area is no less confusing .
The 49ers open at home next week in Levi ’ s Stadium , but 15 minutes up the freeway , Stanford lacks the clearance to have more than two players touch the ball on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center-quarterback exchange before a pass ) .
Since the Pac-12 announced the deal to acquire point-of-care tests from Quidel , the Hotline has attempted to : 1 ) Better understand the difference in protocols for the NFL teams and the Pac-12 programs , and 2 ) Gain clarity on what must happen for the four schools to be approved for full-contact , full-squad practices .
We sent a series of emails to state health officials before dawn on Friday … and have heard nothing back .
We asked L.A. County health officials … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff members at the schools , executives at the conference , and experts on the Pac-12 ’ s medical advisory board .
But we have collected enough morsels from well-informed Pac-12 sources to piece together the most plausible explanation : The same county-level rules apply to the 49ers , Rams and Chargers as the college teams , but the pros filed for exemptions that allow practices and games — exemptions that were granted because of their ability to conduct daily testing .
( Daily testing was part of the return-to-play agreement between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In other words , the point-of-care tests obtained by the Pac-12 aren ’ t merely a means of keeping players safe during competition ( because asymptomatic cases will be identified before kickoff ) .
The point-of-care test should also solve the state-and-county clearance problem .
Here ’ s why : POC testing is more than a means of containing the virus .
It ’ s also a way to prevent spread .
Here ’ s one of the key slides in the Pac-12 medical team ’ s presentation to the presidents — the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote to shut down fall sports .
And while reading , keep in mind that testing in the Pac-12 to this point has been of the PCR variety , which , as we explain here , is problematic .
The last line is the key : The Quidel tests scheduled for delivery to Pac-12 athletic departments aren ’ t one-hour antigen tests .
They ’ re the escape hatch through the red tape of local health restrictions , creating for the California college teams the same suppression ability possessed by the California NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place and fully ramped — by early October , in theory — the Bruins , Trojans , Cardinal and Bears should have access to the same exemptions as the 49ers , Rams and Chargers .
“ ( The NFL teams ) get tested every day , ” a conference source said , “ so their margin-for-error goes to 12-to-18 hours .
Makes it a lot easier to isolate and control.
” Oh , but there ’ s more : By contracting with Quidel , the football programs won ’ t be draining Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — another important step to receiving sign-off from health authorities and the presidents .
“ If we can reduce infectiousness by 100 percent without stressing public testing supplies , then it undercuts the other concerns , ” a source said .
The other concern expressed by presidents and medical experts alike was uncertainty about myocarditis , the inflammation of the heart muscle seen in some Covid-19 patients , including college athletes .
The POC testing prevents asymptomatic players from engaging in practice or competition , thus removing the risk that exertion will cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all highly encouraging for the Pac-12 , whether the season begins in late November or January , whether it mirrors the Big Ten ’ s season or not .
But the Pac-12 working group tasked with modeling schedules should consider at least one scenario involving eight teams .
Not eight games per team .
Eight teams in the conference .
There is no guarantee the state of California , the city of Berkeley and the counties of Santa Clara and Los Angeles will approve competition for their respective universities .
If the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November … if they have the POC testing in place and the local conditions are favorable … they should strongly consider moving forward regardless of the fate of the California schools .
Eight teams playing seven games each , with or without divisions … and get it done .
Because if the ability to test daily isn ’ t enough for California colleges to receive the same exemptions as the NFL teams , what reason is there to believe the four schools will be approved for competition at any point prior to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a monumental step this week — a step that solves one problem and should , in theory , solve another , thus clearing the way for the collective to restart sooner than later .
But don ’ t overlook the potential for California to , you know , California .
Support the Hotline : Several Hotline articles will remain free each month ( as will the newsletter ) , but for access to all content , you ’ ll need to subscribe .
I ’ ve secured a rate of $ 1 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introductory offer alert !
— just 99 cents for the first month , with the option to cancel anytime .
Click here .
And thanks for your loyalty .
*** Send suggestions , comments and tips ( confidentiality guaranteed ) to pac12hotline @ bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716 *** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference , and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference .

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott’s optimism for the return of Pac-12 football hasn’t faded in the 48 hours since announcing the partnership with Quidel on rapid-result Covid tests.
“I’m now highly confident we’re going to be able to start in January, at the latest,” Scott told ESPN’s GameDay on Saturday morning.
“Whether we could start late-November, early-December, we’ll have to figure out. It’s got something to do with our public health authorities in California and Oregon saying it’s okay and blessing it.”
The conference cleared one hurdle:
The Quidel tests, conducted the day-of-competition and expected to be available in late September, will prevent asymptomatic players from taking the field.
But the Pac-12 still faces daunting local restrictions.
Even if Quidel’s point-of-care tests were available tomorrow, the California and Oregon schools would need to satisfy the demands … err, requirements … of their state and local health authorities.
And that’s a mystery wrapped in a riddle wrapped in skull-crushing bureaucracy, especially in California.
We’re quite confident Oregon and Oregon State would be approved to compete if the California teams receive clearance. A spokesperson for Gov. Kate Brown said as much in the spring:
“We will make sure (the Ducks and Beavers) are not at any competitive disadvantage due to the current situation.”
The $1 billion question for the Pac-12, it seems, is this:
Why are California’s pro teams allowed to compete while the college teams cannot?
The situation is doubly perplexing given that Stanford, USC and UCLA are in the same counties as the NFL teams.
The Rams play next week at SoFi Stadium, which is a whopping 6.9 miles from the L.A. Coliseum, where the Trojans aren’t allowed to gather in groups larger than 12. The teams might as well be 6.9 light years apart.
The situation in the Bay Area is no less confusing.
The 49ers open at home next week in Levi’s Stadium, but 15 minutes up the freeway, Stanford lacks the clearance to have more than two players touch the ball on any given play (i.e., no center-quarterback exchange before a pass).
Since the Pac-12 announced the deal to acquire point-of-care tests from Quidel, the Hotline has attempted to:
1) Better understand the difference in protocols for the NFL teams and the Pac-12 programs, and
2) Gain clarity on what must happen for the four schools to be approved for full-contact, full-squad practices.
We sent a series of emails to state health officials before dawn on Friday … and have heard nothing back.
We asked L.A. County health officials … and got no response.
We asked staff members at the schools, executives at the conference, and experts on the Pac-12’s medical advisory board.
Nobody has a satisfactory answer.
But we have collected enough morsels from well-informed Pac-12 sources to piece together the most plausible explanation:
The same county-level rules apply to the 49ers, Rams and Chargers as the college teams, but the pros filed for exemptions that allow practices and games — exemptions that were granted because of their ability to conduct daily testing.
(Daily testing was part of the return-to-play agreement between the players association and the league).
In other words, the point-of-care tests obtained by the Pac-12 aren’t merely a means of keeping players safe during competition (because asymptomatic cases will be identified before kickoff).
The point-of-care test should also solve the state-and-county clearance problem.
Here’s why: POC testing is more than a means of containing the virus. It’s also a way to prevent spread.
Want proof?
Here’s one of the key slides in the Pac-12 medical team’s presentation to the presidents — the same presentation that fueled the Aug. 11 vote to shut down fall sports.
And while reading, keep in mind that testing in the Pac-12 to this point has been of the PCR variety, which, as we explain here, is problematic.
The last line is the key:
One-hour antigen tests administered daily generate a reduction in infectiousness of 100 percent.
The Quidel tests scheduled for delivery to Pac-12 athletic departments aren’t one-hour antigen tests.
They’re 15-minute antigen tests.
They’re the escape hatch through the red tape of local health restrictions, creating for the California college teams the same suppression ability possessed by the California NFL teams.
Once those tests are in place and fully ramped — by early October, in theory — the Bruins, Trojans, Cardinal and Bears should have access to the same exemptions as the 49ers, Rams and Chargers.
“(The NFL teams) get tested every day,” a conference source said, “so their margin-for-error goes to 12-to-18 hours. Makes it a lot easier to isolate and control.”
Oh, but there’s more:
By contracting with Quidel, the football programs won’t be draining Covid resources designed for the universities and municipalities — another important step to receiving sign-off from health authorities and the presidents.
“If we can reduce infectiousness by 100 percent without stressing public testing supplies, then it undercuts the other concerns,” a source said.
“It’s the old two-birds-one-stone play.”
Actually, it’s three birds.
The other concern expressed by presidents and medical experts alike was uncertainty about myocarditis, the inflammation of the heart muscle seen in some Covid-19 patients, including college athletes.
The POC testing prevents asymptomatic players from engaging in practice or competition, thus removing the risk that exertion will cause a cardiac event.
It’s all highly encouraging for the Pac-12, whether the season begins in late November or January, whether it mirrors the Big Ten’s season or not.
But the Pac-12 working group tasked with modeling schedules should consider at least one scenario involving eight teams.
Not eight games per team.
Eight teams in the conference.
There is no guarantee the state of California, the city of Berkeley and the counties of Santa Clara and Los Angeles will approve competition for their respective universities.
If the other eight teams are ready to play in November … if they have the POC testing in place and the local conditions are favorable … they should strongly consider moving forward regardless of the fate of the California schools.
Eight teams playing seven games each, with or without divisions … and get it done.
Because if the ability to test daily isn’t enough for California colleges to receive the same exemptions as the NFL teams, what reason is there to believe the four schools will be approved for competition at any point prior to a widely available vaccine?
The Pac-12 took a monumental step this week — a step that solves one problem and should, in theory, solve another, thus clearing the way for the collective to restart sooner than later.
But don’t overlook the potential for California to, you know, California.
Support the Hotline: Please subscribe to the Hotline newsletter, which publishes several times per week all year and is your guide to all the key developments on and off the field. And it’s free!
*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716
*** Follow me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline
*** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference, and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference.


mercurynews--2020-09-05--A’s bats wake from slumber in win over Padres; Manaea has ‘best outing of the year’

OAKLAND — A dry heat , laced with some wildfire smoke , permeated the Oakland Coliseum air Saturday afternoon .
The San Diego Padres had already demonstrated their power flair in their shutout Friday — that the elements could boost their opponents even more was last thing the groggy A ’ s needed Saturday .
But the Oakland A ’ s didn ’ t fall back asleep .
Instead , they bounced up and into a rousing 8-4 win , their first victory since Aug. 26 in Arlington .
Here are some takeaways .
Sean Manaea had the best start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earned run over five innings with five strikeouts .
He used just 64 pitches , and 47 landed for strikes .
“ This was his best outing of the year for sure , ” manager Bob Melvin said .
It was the kind of efficient , bordering on nostalgic start Manaea hadn ’ t quite found this year despite sniffing close to it .
Sure , he ’ s now gone five innings in four straight starts .
He ’ s given up no more than one earned run in his last three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this start , though : Arm speed .
Much has been made of Manaea ’ s alarmingly low fastball velocity since he ’ s returned from shoulder surgery last season .
He ’ s had trouble keeping his head above the 90 mph mark , though that ’ s where it ’ s averaged through a tumultuous start to 2020 — often dipping into the high-80s as starts piled up .
The fastest pitch he threw all season whistled into the batter ’ s box at 94 mph , plunking Texas Rangers catcher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s last start .
The A ’ s left-handed starter was coasting through the season without ever touching the ground ; with inconsistent velocity , he struggled to find consistency with his breaking ball Saturday , Manaea ’ s arm speed was the best it ’ s been .
He was throwing 94-95 mph fastballs in the first inning .
He couldn ’ t hold that velocity peak , but it averaged 92 mph throughout .
Those two extra miles per hour make all the difference .
Good arm speed also made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was getting swings and misses on his fastball , changeup and slider .
Of his five strikeouts , three came on his slider and two off his fastball .
None fell down in the zone , but the upped velocity worked in his favor .
He finished with one walk and four hits — only allowing a run on Eric Hosmer ’ s ground ball with the bases loaded and one out .
Manaea ’ s improved arm speed could have most to do with regained arm strength ; eight starts in , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is feeling where they would in a typical season .
Expectations are just higher with a heightened postseason race .
While his arm strength went up , Manaea lessened the pressure on himself .
“ I learned a lot about myself , ” Manaea said .
“ And I ’ m taking those lessons and not trying to be too hard on myself .
This season has been like that , and it ’ s been great to see all this hard work pay off .
“ I ’ m going to struggle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am is to not necessarily be hard on myself .
I want to be to a certain extent , but not crazy hard on myself .
Sometimes you ’ re reaching and you have to step back and do less .
That ’ s not the case all the time , but I think I was just searching too hard.
” Why did Melvin take Manaea out after just 67 pitches ?
The A ’ s had a bullpen full of pitchers ready , shaking the gates after the long hiatus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diekman and Liam Hendriks needed to get their work in .
The A ’ s answered a shutout Friday with a barrage of runs Saturday .
“ I ’ d say we felt a lot better than yesterday , ” catcher Jonah Heim said after the game .
Ramón Laureano ’ s two-run home run is the highlight on paper , but Matt Olson ’ s day was the statistical standout .
Olson hit his first career triple against the Padres ’ young phenom Chris Paddack , scoring the A ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tell us , ‘ What do you want to do , lead the league in doubles or get two triples ? '
” Melvin said after the game .
The A ’ s left-handed slugger entered the game with just nine singles and 10 home runs .
He left with two more singles — including an opposite field single down the third base line — to his name , ticking up his .186 average .
Tommy La Stella and Heim added another two runs in the second inning with their first RBIs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too , collecting his second RBI , but from the right side of the plate against Padres left-hander Matt Strahm in the sixth inning .
The Padres switched in right-hander Luis Pitiño to face Laureano , who answered with his fifth home run of the season to extend the A ’ s lead to 7-1 .
By the game ’ s end , seven of the A ’ s eight runs came with two outs .
The home-run hitting team instead sprayed the field with a barrage of extra base hits and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s game having gone 4-for-21 with runners in scoring position in their previous four games and emerged with a 5-for-11 average with RISP .
“ Good at bats right away , ” Melvin said .
“ From the get go .
It gets contagious and we knew today was an important day for us .
You don ’ t want to put too much one one game , but it was important we play a good game today and the at bats were good across the board.
” Matt Chapman hasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , offensively .
The A ’ s third baseman struck out five times .
Only five other Athletics have gone 0-for-5 with five strikeouts in the franchise ’ s history : Reggie Jackson in 1968 , Rick Monday in 1970 , Jose Canseco in 1997 , John Jaha in 2000 , Dustin Fowler in 2018 When is the right time to mention a scoreless streak without disturbing the baseball gods ?
Might as well do it now .
A ’ s left-handed reliever Jake Diekman pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualified players to have no earned runs on his resumé for 2020 .

OAKLAND — A dry heat, laced with some wildfire smoke, permeated the Oakland Coliseum air Saturday afternoon. The San Diego Padres had already demonstrated their power flair in their shutout Friday — that the elements could boost their opponents even more was last thing the groggy A’s needed Saturday.
But the Oakland A’s didn’t fall back asleep. Instead, they bounced up and into a rousing 8-4 win, their first victory since Aug. 26 in Arlington.
Here are some takeaways.
Sean Manaea’s velocity
Sean Manaea had the best start of his season, allowing just one earned run over five innings with five strikeouts. He used just 64 pitches, and 47 landed for strikes.
“This was his best outing of the year for sure,” manager Bob Melvin said.
It was the kind of efficient, bordering on nostalgic start Manaea hadn’t quite found this year despite sniffing close to it. Sure, he’s now gone five innings in four straight starts. He’s given up no more than one earned run in his last three starts now.
Something was different about this start, though: Arm speed.
Much has been made of Manaea’s alarmingly low fastball velocity since he’s returned from shoulder surgery last season. He’s had trouble keeping his head above the 90 mph mark, though that’s where it’s averaged through a tumultuous start to 2020 — often dipping into the high-80s as starts piled up.
The fastest pitch he threw all season whistled into the batter’s box at 94 mph, plunking Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos’s arm in Manaea’s last start. The A’s left-handed starter was coasting through the season without ever touching the ground; with inconsistent velocity, he struggled to find consistency with his breaking ball
Saturday, Manaea’s arm speed was the best it’s been. He was throwing 94-95 mph fastballs in the first inning. He couldn’t hold that velocity peak, but it averaged 92 mph throughout. Those two extra miles per hour make all the difference.
Good arm speed also made his secondary offerings play up. He was getting swings and misses on his fastball, changeup and slider. Of his five strikeouts, three came on his slider and two off his fastball. None fell down in the zone, but the upped velocity worked in his favor.
He finished with one walk and four hits — only allowing a run on Eric Hosmer’s ground ball with the bases loaded and one out.
Manaea’s improved arm speed could have most to do with regained arm strength; eight starts in, most of the A’s rotation is feeling where they would in a typical season. Expectations are just higher with a heightened postseason race.
While his arm strength went up, Manaea lessened the pressure on himself.
“I learned a lot about myself,” Manaea said. “And I’m taking those lessons and not trying to be too hard on myself. This season has been like that, and it’s been great to see all this hard work pay off.
“I’m going to struggle, that mindset that I take when I am is to not necessarily be hard on myself. I want to be to a certain extent, but not crazy hard on myself. Sometimes you’re reaching and you have to step back and do less. That’s not the case all the time, but I think I was just searching too hard.”
Why did Melvin take Manaea out after just 67 pitches? The A’s had a bullpen full of pitchers ready, shaking the gates after the long hiatus. Yusmeiro Petit, Joakim Soria, Jake Diekman and Liam Hendriks needed to get their work in.
Bats wake up
The A’s answered a shutout Friday with a barrage of runs Saturday.
“I’d say we felt a lot better than yesterday,” catcher Jonah Heim said after the game.
Ramón Laureano’s two-run home run is the highlight on paper, but Matt Olson’s day was the statistical standout.
Olson hit his first career triple against the Padres’ young phenom Chris Paddack, scoring the A’s first two runs.
“Dusty Baker used to tell us, ‘What do you want to do, lead the league in doubles or get two triples?'” Melvin said after the game.
The A’s left-handed slugger entered the game with just nine singles and 10 home runs. He left with two more singles — including an opposite field single down the third base line — to his name, ticking up his .186 average.
Tommy La Stella and Heim added another two runs in the second inning with their first RBIs as Athletics.
Heim utilized his switch-hitter-ability, too, collecting his second RBI, but from the right side of the plate against Padres left-hander Matt Strahm in the sixth inning.
The Padres switched in right-hander Luis Pitiño to face Laureano, who answered with his fifth home run of the season to extend the A’s lead to 7-1.
By the game’s end, seven of the A’s eight runs came with two outs. The home-run hitting team instead sprayed the field with a barrage of extra base hits and perfectly-placed singles. The team entered Saturday’s game having gone 4-for-21 with runners in scoring position in their previous four games and emerged with a 5-for-11 average with RISP.
“Good at bats right away,” Melvin said. “From the get go. It gets contagious and we knew today was an important day for us. You don’t want to put too much one one game, but it was important we play a good game today and the at bats were good across the board.”
Platinum sombrero for the platinum glover
Matt Chapman hasn’t quite made it to greener pastures, offensively.
The A’s third baseman struck out five times. Only five other Athletics have gone 0-for-5 with five strikeouts in the franchise’s history: Reggie Jackson in 1968, Rick Monday in 1970, Jose Canseco in 1997, John Jaha in 2000, Dustin Fowler in 2018
Jake Diekman remains untouchable
When is the right time to mention a scoreless streak without disturbing the baseball gods? Might as well do it now. A’s left-handed reliever Jake Diekman pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts Saturday.
He remains the only reliever among qualified players to have no earned runs on his resumé for 2020.


mercurynews--2020-09-05--Facebook blocks ailing man’s planned end-of-life broadcasts

LE PECQ , France — Facebook on Saturday blocked live broadcasts from a chronically ill bed-ridden man who appealed to French President Emmanuel Macron for a medically-assisted death and who wanted to show what he expects will be a painful end to his life after he announced that he was stopping all food and drink .
Prostrate on his bed , Alain Cocq posted video of himself Friday after taking what he said would be his last liquid meal .
“ I know the days ahead are going to be very difficult , ” he said .
“ But I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serene.
” In a letter this week , which Cocq also posted , Macron said that French law forbade him from granting his request for the “ right to leave with dignity , ” with a medically-assisted death .
“ With emotion , I respect your approach because it speaks to the very intimate relationship that each of us builds with the end of our life and our death , ” Macron said in the letter dated Thursday , sent after one of his aides spoke at length with Cocq by telephone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I am not above the law , I am not in a position to grant your request.
” In a handwritten addition at the end , Macron signed off the letter with the words , “ With all of my personal support and my profound respect.
” French media have reported that Cocq , a 57-year-old former plumber , suffers from a long-term and incurable degenerative illness .
He says that he has lived in great pain for 34 years and that after multiple operations , he prefers to die .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said the alternative would be “ the degradation of my body.
” “ I am going to stop hydrating myself when I turn off the lights , ” he said .
“ Given my general condition , it ’ s likely to be quick , which is what I hope for , because I ’ m not a masochist.
” He said he would keep taking painkillers .
“ The path to my deliverance is starting and , believe me , I am happy about it , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , I say goodbye .
Such is life.
” Cocq had planned to subsequently live-broadcast the end of his life that he expects will follow within days of his decision to stop all food , liquids and medicines .
But a message Saturday on Cocq ’ s account said that Facebook has blocked him from posting videos until Tuesday .
Facebook confirmed that it had blocked Cocq ’ s live broadcasts .
• Facebook to halt new political ads just before U.S. election • Four fake videos from Republicans draw tardy or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elon Musk now richer than Mark Zuckerberg after Tesla stock split • Facebook says it will stop news sharing in Australia if law passes “ Our hearts go out to Alain Cocq and those who are affected by this sad situation , ” it said in a statement .
“ While we respect his decision to draw attention to this complex and difficult issue , based on the guidance of experts , we have taken steps to keep Alain from broadcasting live , as we do not allow the depiction of suicide attempts @ @

By John Leicester | Associated Press
LE PECQ, France — Facebook on Saturday blocked live broadcasts from a chronically ill bed-ridden man who appealed to French President Emmanuel Macron for a medically-assisted death and who wanted to show what he expects will be a painful end to his life after he announced that he was stopping all food and drink.
Prostrate on his bed, Alain Cocq posted video of himself Friday after taking what he said would be his last liquid meal.
“I know the days ahead are going to be very difficult,” he said. “But I have taken my decision and I am serene.”
In a letter this week, which Cocq also posted, Macron said that French law forbade him from granting his request for the “right to leave with dignity,” with a medically-assisted death.
“With emotion, I respect your approach because it speaks to the very intimate relationship that each of us builds with the end of our life and our death,” Macron said in the letter dated Thursday, sent after one of his aides spoke at length with Cocq by telephone in August.
But Macron added that “because I am not above the law, I am not in a position to grant your request.”
In a handwritten addition at the end, Macron signed off the letter with the words, “With all of my personal support and my profound respect.”
French media have reported that Cocq, a 57-year-old former plumber, suffers from a long-term and incurable degenerative illness. He says that he has lived in great pain for 34 years and that after multiple operations, he prefers to die. In his Facebook post on Friday evening, he said the alternative would be “the degradation of my body.”
“I am going to stop hydrating myself when I turn off the lights,” he said. “Given my general condition, it’s likely to be quick, which is what I hope for, because I’m not a masochist.”
He said he would keep taking painkillers.
“The path to my deliverance is starting and, believe me, I am happy about it,” he said. “To those I won’t see again, I say goodbye. Such is life.”
Cocq had planned to subsequently live-broadcast the end of his life that he expects will follow within days of his decision to stop all food, liquids and medicines. But a message Saturday on Cocq’s account said that Facebook has blocked him from posting videos until Tuesday.
Facebook confirmed that it had blocked Cocq’s live broadcasts.


mercurynews--2020-09-05--Analyzing the Raiders’ initial 53-man roster after Saturday’s moves

The first look at the 2020 Raiders suggests something out of their storied past .
And no , we ’ re not talking about throwing the ball deep and bringing back the days of Daryle Lamonica .
Instead , the strength of the Raiders as they hope to ascend from 7-9 to a playoff hopeful in their first year in Las Vegas shows stout offensive and defensive lines that with the ability to take over games and set the stage for everyone else .
The offensive line returns all five starters , and pretty much every one of them could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to right it ’ s Kolton Miller , Richie Incognito , Rodney Hudson , Gabe Jackson and Trent Brown .
Health permitting , it ’ s one of the top lines in the NFL .
The Raiders can run block and pass block , creating holes for Josh Jacobs and giving time for Derek Carr .
Think Jim Otto , Gene Upshaw and Art Shell .
A powerful offensive line can help mask an issues with youth at wide receiver or Carr ’ s occasional indecision .
On defense , with the additions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tackle Maliek Collins , the Raiders could be eight deep , running players in and out as if it ’ s a relay engineered by new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli .
If the Raiders can win up front ( think Howie Long , Lyle Alzado and Otis Sistrunk ) , it helps compensate for a youthful secondary that that released veteran signings Prince Amukamara and Damarioius Randall and create play-making opportunities for new starting linebackers Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski .
Injuries , of course , as well as COVID-19 , could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for success based on the initial 53-man roster is based on winning in the trenches .
And more changes are coming .
The Raiders will tinker with the roster throughout the season .
Here is something to know about each player who made Saturday ’ s cut ( jersey numbers subject to change for newcomers ) : Being in the upper-half of quarterbacks between the 20-yard lines won ’ t be good enough this year .
Has to get into the end zone .
A bit more of a project than Raiders thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment to be backup .
Go ahead and laugh .
He twice ascended to a starting position in Buffalo and coach Jon Gruden is in his corner .
Raiders aren ’ t expecting much really .
Just 1,500 yards and something approaching 60 receptions .
Solid blocker could get a few additional touches in short-yardage and as a receiver in second season as fullback .
Third-down back averaging 5.0 yards per carry and 8.6 yards per catch on 160 receptions in four seasons Rushing yardage dwindled each of four years in Denver but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snaps last season .
No .
12 overall pick will be entrusted immediately with helping revive the traditional Al Davis vertical game .
Slot receiver quickly became one of the most trusted targets for Carr .
Experienced route-runner has 224 career receptions and healthy after battling knee issues with Eagles .
Taken one selection after Lynn Bowden Jr. , Edwards ’ physicality and ability to catch in traffic were the talk of camp .
Called by Gruden one of the most improved players on the team after minimal impact as in-season acquisition .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a downfield threat at receiver and as a special teams player .
Considering inexperience at wideout and depth at tight end , expect to see ’ 19 breakout star flexed often .
Experienced target bound for Canton gives Carr a target to rely on in the red zone .
Great value pick in fourth round last season appears completely recovered from torn ACL .
Can step in and play tight , play away from line and a core special teamer .
Gruden loves his versatility .
Another solid year and the 2018 first-round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ reach ” any longer .
Put aside personal issues and became a leader and dominant force after a year out of football .
One of unquestioned leaders , was the best free agent signing that Reggie McKenzie ever made .
Never healthy last season , Jackson looks to justify faith from franchise for paying his $ 9.3 million non-guaranteed salary Release of veteran Sam Young indicates Raiders aren ’ t worried about Brown ’ s health for Week 1 vs. Carolina .
Proved he could sub on either side for Incognito @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Former college tackle was roster surprise a year ago and is understudy for Hudson at center .
If all goes according to plan , fourth-round pick from Clemson will eventually start on right or left side at guard .
Has had his struggles , but former third-round draft pick hopes to establish himself in third season .
Will be a marked man and draw extra attention from blockers after 10-sack season as fourth-round draft pick .
Experienced interior player is closest thing to a run-stuffing nose tackle on the roster .
Has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began , now all he has to do is prove he ’ s worth it .
Made good on promise to rebuild his body in the offseason and looking for a big leap in production .
At 6-foot-7 , Nassib is a former Ted Hendircks award winner who looks the part of Raider great in terms of stature .
Smallish three-technique is at his best as a penetrator when kept fresh by frequent substitution .
One of the Dallas imports by defensive line coach Rod Marinelli , will be part of interior rotation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year for third-year speed rusher , Raiders pass rush will go from below average to pretty good .
Played last season for Edmonton in Canadian Football League after being waived by Pittsburgh and Tennessee .
Raiders paid big money ( $ 36 million over three years ) for a linebacker who can keep up with tight ends and running backs .
Short stint as Bears starter was enough for Raiders to believe he would be their defensive signal caller .
Stout run defender and tackler can shed blocks and be a factor in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Division III product had to hold off charge from McClymonds High product Javin White .
Expected to be core special teams player as he transitions from Clemson safety to NFL linebacker .
Took over as a starter after Gareon Conley trade , looks like he could stay there for the next five years .
Tough and tenacious in coverage , first-round pick has practiced with right hand in a cast .
That goes a long way with Gruden .
As the theory goes , beining in system for a second year at nickel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veteran Raiders believe ability to stick with receivers and play the ball in flight is good enough to offset his height ( 5-foot-8 ) .
Rangy , long-armed cornerback had rookie year derailed by broken orbital bone .
Looks to ascend ladder .
Fearless undrafted free agent impressed from the outset as rookie as competitive corner and special teams player .
Are the Raiders expecting a lot ?
They didn ’ t give an exuberant hard-hitter No .
24 for nothing .
Old-fashioned success story who keeps faith of coaching staff ; his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another Dallas import who made his reputation in 2019 as a sure tackler in secondary and on special teams .
Special teams player came out of nowhere for roster spot last year and does it again for initial 53 in 2020 .
• Coming Sunday : Four years after Kaepernick kneeled , a look at Bay Area sports leaders who stood before him • Raiders ’ driving force Carl Nassib feels at home with his hand in the dirt SPECIALISTS After a nearly perfect in 2018 , struggled last year but pushed off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Free agent punter had a very solid rookie year which flew under the radar .
You never hear his name mentioned .
Where long-snappers are concerned , that ’ s a badge of honor .

The first look at the 2020 Raiders suggests something out of their storied past.
And no, we’re not talking about throwing the ball deep and bringing back the days of Daryle Lamonica.
Instead, the strength of the Raiders as they hope to ascend from 7-9 to a playoff hopeful in their first year in Las Vegas shows stout offensive and defensive lines that with the ability to take over games and set the stage for everyone else.
The offensive line returns all five starters, and pretty much every one of them could be Pro Bowl worthy. From left to right it’s Kolton Miller, Richie Incognito, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson and Trent Brown. Health permitting, it’s one of the top lines in the NFL.
The Raiders can run block and pass block, creating holes for Josh Jacobs and giving time for Derek Carr. Think Jim Otto, Gene Upshaw and Art Shell. A powerful offensive line can help mask an issues with youth at wide receiver or Carr’s occasional indecision.
On defense, with the additions of defensive end Carl Nassib and defensive tackle Maliek Collins, the Raiders could be eight deep, running players in and out as if it’s a relay engineered by new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli.
If the Raiders can win up front (think Howie Long, Lyle Alzado and Otis Sistrunk), it helps compensate for a youthful secondary that that released veteran signings Prince Amukamara and Damarioius Randall and create play-making opportunities for new starting linebackers Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski.
Injuries, of course, as well as COVID-19, could change everything, but the straight line for success based on the initial 53-man roster is based on winning in the trenches. And more changes are coming. The Raiders will tinker with the roster throughout the season.
Here is something to know about each player who made Saturday’s cut (jersey numbers subject to change for newcomers):
QUARTERBACK
Derek Carr (4)
Being in the upper-half of quarterbacks between the 20-yard lines won’t be good enough this year. Has to get into the end zone.
Marcus Mariota (8)
A bit more of a project than Raiders thought originally, but a $7.5 million investment to be backup.
Nathan Peterman (3)
Go ahead and laugh. He twice ascended to a starting position in Buffalo and coach Jon Gruden is in his corner.
RUNNING BACK
Josh Jacobs (28)
Raiders aren’t expecting much really. Just 1,500 yards and something approaching 60 receptions.
Alec Ingold (45)
Solid blocker could get a few additional touches in short-yardage and as a receiver in second season as fullback.
Jalen Richard (30)
Third-down back averaging 5.0 yards per carry and 8.6 yards per catch on 160 receptions in four seasons
Devontae Booker (46)
Rushing yardage dwindled each of four years in Denver but played on 46 percent of special teams snaps last season.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Henry Ruggs III (11)
No. 12 overall pick will be entrusted immediately with helping revive the traditional Al Davis vertical game.
Hunter Renfrow (13)
Slot receiver quickly became one of the most trusted targets for Carr.
Nelson Agholor (15)
Experienced route-runner has 224 career receptions and healthy after battling knee issues with Eagles.
Bryan Edwards (89)
Taken one selection after Lynn Bowden Jr., Edwards’ physicality and ability to catch in traffic were the talk of camp.
Zay Jones (12)
Called by Gruden one of the most improved players on the team after minimal impact as in-season acquisition.
Rico Gafford (10)
Coaches love his speed, both as a downfield threat at receiver and as a special teams player.
TIGHT ENDS
Darren Waller (83)
Considering inexperience at wideout and depth at tight end, expect to see ’19 breakout star flexed often.
Jason Witten (82)
Experienced target bound for Canton gives Carr a target to rely on in the red zone.
Foster Moreau (87)
Great value pick in fourth round last season appears completely recovered from torn ACL.
Derek Carrier (85)
Can step in and play tight, play away from line and a core special teamer. Gruden loves his versatility.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Kolton Miller (74)
Another solid year and the 2018 first-round draft pick won’t be called a “reach” any longer.
Richie Incognito (64)
Put aside personal issues and became a leader and dominant force after a year out of football.
Rodney Hudson (61)
One of unquestioned leaders, was the best free agent signing that Reggie McKenzie ever made.
Gabe Jackson (66)
Never healthy last season, Jackson looks to justify faith from franchise for paying his $9.3 million non-guaranteed salary
Trent Brown (77)
Release of veteran Sam Young indicates Raiders aren’t worried about Brown’s health for Week 1 vs. Carolina.
Denzelle Good (71)
Proved he could sub on either side for Incognito or Jackson at guard when necessary.
Andre James (68)
Former college tackle was roster surprise a year ago and is understudy for Hudson at center.
John Simpson (76)
If all goes according to plan, fourth-round pick from Clemson will eventually start on right or left side at guard.
Brandon Parker (75)
Has had his struggles, but former third-round draft pick hopes to establish himself in third season.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Maxx Crosby (98)
Will be a marked man and draw extra attention from blockers after 10-sack season as fourth-round draft pick.
Johnathan Hankins (90)
Experienced interior player is closest thing to a run-stuffing nose tackle on the roster.
Maliek Collins (97)
Has been heaped with praise by Gruden since camp began, now all he has to do is prove he’s worth it.
Clelin Ferrell (96)
Made good on promise to rebuild his body in the offseason and looking for a big leap in production.
Carl Nassib (94)
At 6-foot-7, Nassib is a former Ted Hendircks award winner who looks the part of Raider great in terms of stature.
Maurice Hurst (73)
Smallish three-technique is at his best as a penetrator when kept fresh by frequent substitution.
Daniel Ross (93)
One of the Dallas imports by defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, will be part of interior rotation.
Arden Key (99)
If it’s a breakout year for third-year speed rusher, Raiders pass rush will go from below average to pretty good.
Kendal Vickers (78)
Played last season for Edmonton in Canadian Football League after being waived by Pittsburgh and Tennessee.
LINEBACKERS
Cory Littleton (42)
Raiders paid big money ($36 million over three years) for a linebacker who can keep up with tight ends and running backs.
Nick Kwiatkoski (44)
Short stint as Bears starter was enough for Raiders to believe he would be their defensive signal caller.
Raekwon McMillan (54)
Stout run defender and tackler can shed blocks and be a factor in short-yardage and goal line situations.
Nicholas Morrow (50)
Former Division III product had to hold off charge from McClymonds High product Javin White.
Tanner Muse (55)
Expected to be core special teams player as he transitions from Clemson safety to NFL linebacker.
CORNERBACKS
Trayvon Mullen (27)
Took over as a starter after Gareon Conley trade, looks like he could stay there for the next five years.
Damon Arnette (20)
Tough and tenacious in coverage, first-round pick has practiced with right hand in a cast. That goes a long way with Gruden.
Lamarcus Joyner (29)
As the theory goes, beining in system for a second year at nickel back will mean much bigger production from veteran
Amik Robertson (41)
Raiders believe ability to stick with receivers and play the ball in flight is good enough to offset his height (5-foot-8).
Isaiah Johnson (31)
Rangy, long-armed cornerback had rookie year derailed by broken orbital bone. Looks to ascend ladder.
Keisean Nixon (22)
Fearless undrafted free agent impressed from the outset as rookie as competitive corner and special teams player.
SAFETIES
Johnathan Abram (24)
Are the Raiders expecting a lot? They didn’t give an exuberant hard-hitter No. 24 for nothing.
Erik Harris (25)
Old-fashioned success story who keeps faith of coaching staff; his play pushed Damarious Randall off roster.
Jeff Heath (38)
Another Dallas import who made his reputation in 2019 as a sure tackler in secondary and on special teams.
Dallin Leavitt (32)
Special teams player came out of nowhere for roster spot last year and does it again for initial 53 in 2020.
Daniel Carlson (2)
After a nearly perfect in 2018, struggled last year but pushed off his only competition early in camp.
A.J. Cole (6)
Free agent punter had a very solid rookie year which flew under the radar.
Trent Sieg (47)
You never hear his name mentioned. Where long-snappers are concerned, that’s a badge of honor.