mercurynews--2020-06-26--Restoring affirmative action: Students see their future hanging on vote

Click HERE if you have trouble viewing this gallery on a mobile device Editor ’ s note : This story is part of the annual Mosaic Journalism Workshop for Bay Area high school students , a two-week intensive course at journalism .
Students in this year ’ s virtual program report and photograph real stories under the guidance of professional journalists .
Hugo Marquez , a 2020 graduate of James Lick High School , is heading to college with big aspirations , hoping to become mayor of San Jose one day .
As he looks forward to starting at UC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep an eye on local and national politics .
One policy in particular that ’ s been on his radar is a possible state constitutional amendment on affirmative action that he believes could open doors for people of color .
“ I ’ m excited to some extent , because there needs to be a greater representation of people of color because , disproportionately , Latinos and African American people have been underrepresented , ” Marquez said .
In November , California voters will be asked whether to repeal Proposition 209 , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two decades ago .
Assembly Constitutional Amendment 5 , known as ACA 5 , was approved by the state Legislature earlier this month .
Now voters will decide if race , sex , color , ethnicity or national origin may be considered in university admissions , public employment and contracting .
Students are watching closely to see how it could affect their future college applications .
Mindy Tuong , a Vietnamese American rising junior at San Jose ’ s Silver Creek High School , supports a repeal of the ban on affirmative action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 209 , it makes you think that they take gender and race out of their consideration , which is a good thing , ” said Mindy , who hopes to attend UC Santa Barbara .
“ However , you can also see the unintended ( negative ) effect .
It allowed people of color and women to be met with more inequality ” when some race- or gender-specific programs were eliminated by public organizations , she said .
Amaris Albini , a Latina at Overfelt High School in San Jose , says that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond what affirmative action would help counter .
“ Prop .
209 employed color blindness that allowed people of color to fall through the cracks , ” said Amaris , a rising junior who wants to attend UCLA .
“ It didn ’ t take into account that many people of color have had the cards stacked against them their entire lives.
” Marquez , who will major in environmental policy analysis and planning at UC Davis , agrees .
He said that the inequalities in schools stretch much further back than just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to colleges .
“ I feel like the main thing ( problem ) is the funding of schools .
In the school I go to , James Lick High School , there ’ s many resources we ’ re missing , from simple things like nurses to mental health workers , ” he said .
Zahra Ali , a Pakistani American attending San Jose State University , said repealing Proposition 209 is just the beginning of what needs to be done to reach a level playing field .
“ Even though ( repealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at trying to start somewhere , I wish there was more reparations to communities that were disadvantaged , ” said Ali , a sophomore who ’ s majoring in global studies .
Although Ali values racial diversity on college campuses , she believes that leaders should be doing more .
“ The government or the system is looking at racial inequalities at one of the very last steps in their education , ” she said .
Despite the support that ACA 5 is receiving from some people of color , there are some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kansen Chu — who represents portions of North San Jose , Milpitas , Santa Clara , Fremont and Newark — was quoted in a Chinese-language newspaper earlier this month as saying “ many Hispanic and African ethnic groups are unable to compete or have the ability to continue their studies due to unresolved structural economic and educational problems.
” In response , Silicon Valley civil rights activists called for Chu ’ s resignation .
In a written statement , Chu denied making the comments and said the English translation provided by the San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Journal article “ was written with the reporter ’ s own opinion and not direct or literal quotes from me , ” Chu said in the statement .
During the legislative debate on ACA 5 , Assemblyman Evan Low of Campbell said that he had received thousands of calls from constituents and that only a fraction of them were in favor of the measure .
Low said that many of those who were against it questioned his identity and said he was betraying the Asian community by voting for the measure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with significant mixed emotion of sadness and of conflict , ” Low said on a YouTube clip of his Assembly remarks .
“ It does come with political peril , but I did not run for office for self-preservation.
” He later voted in favor of ACA 5 .

Click HERE if you have trouble viewing this gallery on a mobile device
Editor’s note: This story is part of the annual Mosaic Journalism Workshop for Bay Area high school students, a two-week intensive course at journalism. Students in this year’s virtual program report and photograph real stories under the guidance of professional journalists.
Hugo Marquez, a 2020 graduate of James Lick High School, is heading to college with big aspirations, hoping to become mayor of San Jose one day.
As he looks forward to starting at UC Davis this fall, he loves to keep an eye on local and national politics. One policy in particular that’s been on his radar is a possible state constitutional amendment on affirmative action that he believes could open doors for people of color.
“I’m excited to some extent, because there needs to be a greater representation of people of color because, disproportionately, Latinos and African American people have been underrepresented,” Marquez said.
In November, California voters will be asked whether to repeal Proposition 209, which banned affirmative action in California more than two decades ago. Assembly Constitutional Amendment 5, known as ACA 5, was approved by the state Legislature earlier this month. Now voters will decide if race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin may be considered in university admissions, public employment and contracting. Students are watching closely to see how it could affect their future college applications.
Mindy Tuong, a Vietnamese American rising junior at San Jose’s Silver Creek High School, supports a repeal of the ban on affirmative action.
“When you see Prop. 209, it makes you think that they take gender and race out of their consideration, which is a good thing,” said Mindy, who hopes to attend UC Santa Barbara.
“However, you can also see the unintended (negative) effect. It allowed people of color and women to be met with more inequality” when some race- or gender-specific programs were eliminated by public organizations, she said.
Amaris Albini, a Latina at Overfelt High School in San Jose, says that students of color often face additional hurdles beyond what affirmative action would help counter.
“Prop. 209 employed color blindness that allowed people of color to fall through the cracks,” said Amaris, a rising junior who wants to attend UCLA. “It didn’t take into account that many people of color have had the cards stacked against them their entire lives.”
Marquez, who will major in environmental policy analysis and planning at UC Davis, agrees. He said that the inequalities in schools stretch much further back than just when it’s time to apply to colleges.
“I feel like the main thing (problem) is the funding of schools. In the school I go to, James Lick High School, there’s many resources we’re missing, from simple things like nurses to mental health workers,” he said.
Zahra Ali, a Pakistani American attending San Jose State University, said repealing Proposition 209 is just the beginning of what needs to be done to reach a level playing field.
“Even though (repealing) 209 does a really great job at trying to start somewhere, I wish there was more reparations to communities that were disadvantaged,” said Ali, a sophomore who’s majoring in global studies.
Although Ali values racial diversity on college campuses, she believes that leaders should be doing more. “The government or the system is looking at racial inequalities at one of the very last steps in their education,” she said.
Despite the support that ACA 5 is receiving from some people of color, there are some mixed reactions among Asian Americans.
Assemblyman Kansen Chu — who represents portions of North San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Fremont and Newark — was quoted in a Chinese-language newspaper earlier this month as saying “many Hispanic and African ethnic groups are unable to compete or have the ability to continue their studies due to unresolved structural economic and educational problems.”
In response, Silicon Valley civil rights activists called for Chu’s resignation. In a written statement, Chu denied making the comments and said the English translation provided by the San Jose-Silicon Valley NAACP was inaccurate. The World Journal article “was written with the reporter’s own opinion and not direct or literal quotes from me,” Chu said in the statement.
During the legislative debate on ACA 5, Assemblyman Evan Low of Campbell said that he had received thousands of calls from constituents and that only a fraction of them were in favor of the measure. Low said that many of those who were against it questioned his identity and said he was betraying the Asian community by voting for the measure.


mercurynews--2020-06-26--49ers’ Garoppolo, other leaders swear off Super Bowl hangover

Jimmy Garoppolo and other 49ers leaders have a message for their fan base : A winning mentality is all they need to overcome the dreaded Super Bowl hangover .
“ It all goes back to the mental side of it , ” Garoppolo said on the 49ers ’ state-of-the-franchise virtual series .
“ If you have the mentality of not being satisfied — you got to the Super Bowl , didn ’ t win it , where do you go from here .
It ’ s all a mentality.
” Tight end George Kittle “ 100 percent ” agreed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebound from their Super Bowl collapse against the Kansas City Chiefs .
“ We all have positive people in our locker room and it elevates everybody playing on the football field , ” Kittle said .
Only three teams have won the Super Bowl after losing in it the previous season , thus producing a “ hangover ” effect .
That said , this has not been an ordinary offseason , as players were schooled virtually and conducted workouts on their own .
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey said a hangover is “ not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are and the way we work.
” The biggest chance to the 49ers ’ offense will be at left tackle .
Trent Williams , despite replacing Joe Staley , does not feel a Lombardi Trophy rests on his transition .
” They don ’ t need me to win .
They went to the biggest game in our league last year , ” Williams said .
Garoppolo , after playing the first full season of his six-year career , credits the 49ers ’ winning mentality to how everyone interacts , how it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s just cool and it ’ s very unique.
” Garoppolo led workouts the past two months at San Jose State and , more recently , in Nashville .
Added Garopplo : “ It was good just to be around the guys again .
It ’ s refreshing.
” Training camp is slated to open July 28 at the 49ers ’ Santa Clara facility .
“ The run we made was unbelievable , but obviously one team ends the season happy and obviously we want some redemption , ” defensive end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where our focus is going to be .
” We ’ re itching to get back to work because no ones really taken this long of a break before , and obviously what ’ s going on in the country is scary .
We ’ re just hoping to get this figured out and get to it.
” Added linebacker Fred Warner : “ Our focus is to make it back to the big game and winning it this time .
”

Jimmy Garoppolo and other 49ers leaders have a message for their fan base:
A winning mentality is all they need to overcome the dreaded Super Bowl hangover.
“It all goes back to the mental side of it,” Garoppolo said on the 49ers’ state-of-the-franchise virtual series.
“If you have the mentality of not being satisfied — you got to the Super Bowl, didn’t win it, where do you go from here. It’s all a mentality.”
Tight end George Kittle “100 percent” agreed that the 49ers’ mentality will help them rebound from their Super Bowl collapse against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“We all have positive people in our locker room and it elevates everybody playing on the football field,” Kittle said.
Only three teams have won the Super Bowl after losing in it the previous season, thus producing a “hangover” effect. That said, this has not been an ordinary offseason, as players were schooled virtually and conducted workouts on their own.
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey said a hangover is “not an option, because of who we are and the way we work.”
The biggest chance to the 49ers’ offense will be at left tackle. Trent Williams, despite replacing Joe Staley, does not feel a Lombardi Trophy rests on his transition.
”They don’t need me to win. They went to the biggest game in our league last year,” Williams said.
Garoppolo, after playing the first full season of his six-year career, credits the 49ers’ winning mentality to how everyone interacts, how it’s “normal, not fake. It’s just cool and it’s very unique.”
Garoppolo led workouts the past two months at San Jose State and, more recently, in Nashville. Added Garopplo: “It was good just to be around the guys again. It’s refreshing.”
Training camp is slated to open July 28 at the 49ers’ Santa Clara facility.
“The run we made was unbelievable, but obviously one team ends the season happy and obviously we want some redemption,” defensive end Nick Bosa. “That’s where our focus is going to be.
”We’re itching to get back to work because no ones really taken this long of a break before, and obviously what’s going on in the country is scary. We’re just hoping to get this figured out and get to it.”
Added linebacker Fred Warner: “Our focus is to make it back to the big game and winning it this time.”


mercurynews--2020-06-26--Letter: New fan of author Robin Sloan enjoys serial novella

I really enjoyed the serialized version of Robin Sloan ’ s book .
I looked forward to reading it every @ @ @ @ @ to reach episode 15 because I knew that was the end .
I was hoping @ @ @ @ @ doing this again , maybe a quarterly read ?
I hadn ’ t read anything @ @ @ @ @ but now I will .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read @ @ @ @ @

I really enjoyed the serialized version of Robin Sloan’s book. I looked forward to reading it every day.
I was sorry to reach episode 15 because I knew that was the end. I was hoping the Mercury News will consider doing this again, maybe a quarterly read? Related Articles Latest Headlines | President Joe Biden and first lady plan to visit Maui next week. Follow live updates
President Joe Biden and first lady plan to visit Maui next week. Follow live updates Latest Headlines | Nearing rehab assignment, Mitch Haniger says time away from SF Giants has been ‘difficult’, ‘frustrating’
Nearing rehab assignment, Mitch Haniger says time away from SF Giants has been ‘difficult’, ‘frustrating’ Latest Headlines | Kurtenbach: The 49ers aren’t worried about Nick Bosa’s holdout. They should be
Kurtenbach: The 49ers aren’t worried about Nick Bosa’s holdout. They should be Latest Headlines | Leaving California: Where do ‘best state’ rankings tell you to move?
Leaving California: Where do ‘best state’ rankings tell you to move? Latest Headlines | San Jose State football: Jenkins twins two of a kind in Spartans defense I hadn’t read anything by Robin Sloan before, but now I will.
Lynda Martinez
San Jose
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor


mercurynews--2020-06-26--Virus whistleblower Bright says retaliation is continuing

WASHINGTON — A government whistleblower ousted from a leading role in battling COVID-19 alleged Thursday that the Trump administration has intensified its campaign to punish him for revealing shortcomings in the U.S. response .
Dr. Rick Bright , former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority , said in an amended complaint filed with a federal watchdog agency that he has been relegated to a lesser role in his new assignment at the National Institutes of Health , unable to lend his full expertise to the battle against COVID-19 .
The complaint also said Health and Human Services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordinated effort ” to undermine Bright in his new duties , and that has led to former colleagues shunning the sidelined scientist .
The pressure is coming straight from the top , the complaint said , with President Donald Trump calling Bright an “ angry , disgruntled employee ” and setting the tone for a campaign of “ public disparagement ” to “ unnerve and intimidate ” the whistleblower .
Bright , a vaccine expert , was supposed to be working on virus diagnostic tests in his new job at NIH .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine work , cut off from all therapeutic work , and has a very limited role in the diagnostic work , ” said the complaint .
“ His extremely narrow role is confined to making contracts with diagnostics companies that have already developed diagnostics , to scale up their production.
” Where Bright previously oversaw 200 hundred or more projects at BARDA , he ’ s now been given responsibility for five to eight projects , involving diagnostic tests already approved by the Food and Drug Administration .
The complaint said former colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency are now avoiding him .
It described a conversation with one such colleague , who is not identified by name .
The former colleague is quoted as saying that the agency ’ s new acting director , Dr. Gary Disbrow , had warned him “ to be ‘ very careful ' ” about dealing with Bright .
The complaint said Disbrow had explained that Azar “ was very angry with Dr .
Bright and was ‘ on the war path.
’ ( Disbrow ) explained that Secretary Azar directed HHS employees to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr .
Bright be successful in his new role.
” Disbrow also said that “ Secretary Azar said that if anyone were to help Dr .
Bright be successful , ‘ there would be hell to pay , ' ” the complaint said .
HHS spokesman Michael Caputo took to Twitter to denounce “ more misleading claims.
” Bright ’ s “ whistleblower complaint is filled with one-sided arguments and misinformation that have been completely debunked , ” Caputo wrote .
“ When will the media stop carrying his water ?
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who represent Bright , said in a statement that “ he was correct about the many issues he raised months ago — from his warnings about the scarcity of masks … to the administration ’ s failure to develop diagnostics and stockpile therapeutics .
“ The failure of the administration to heed those warnings has had a catastrophic effect on this country , ” they added .
The Office of Special Counsel , an agency that investigates complaints from government whistleblowers , previously found “ reasonable grounds ” that Bright was punished after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Health and Human Services early this year that the nation was unprepared for the coronavirus outbreak .
Bright is a flu and infectious-disease expert with 10 years at the biomedical agency , which is known as BARDA .
His particular focus was on vaccine development .
At NIH he was supposed to be working on coronavirus testing , but he is now alleging that he has been sidelined .
The agency that Bright had led is a unit of HHS that focuses on countermeasures to infectious diseases and bioterrorism .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of outstanding before he was summarily transferred in April , with his agency email cut off without warning .
Investigators earlier requested that Azar reinstate Bright in his old job while they looked into his allegations .
In the complaint , Bright ’ s lawyers ask that Azar formally remove himself from that decision .
In his initial complaint filed last month , Bright said the final straw for his bosses seemed to come when he resisted efforts to flood the New York area with hydroxychloroquine , a malaria drug once touted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 .
Bright said he argued successfully for limiting approved use of the drug to certain settings , such as hospitals treating COVID-19 patients .
• BART aims to weather coronavirus budget crisis without fare hikes or layoffs • Newsom defends reopening process but says ‘ we should be humbled ’ by pandemic • Portugal will reimpose some virus lockdown rules in Lisbon Trump has since revealed that he has taken hydroxycholoroquine , apparently to try to prevent infection after several White House staffers tested positive for the coronavirus .
The Food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use approval for the malaria drug ’ s use on COVID patients , citing known heart risks and unproven benefits against the virus .

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — A government whistleblower ousted from a leading role in battling COVID-19 alleged Thursday that the Trump administration has intensified its campaign to punish him for revealing shortcomings in the U.S. response.
Dr. Rick Bright, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, said in an amended complaint filed with a federal watchdog agency that he has been relegated to a lesser role in his new assignment at the National Institutes of Health, unable to lend his full expertise to the battle against COVID-19.
The complaint also said Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar is leading a “coordinated effort” to undermine Bright in his new duties, and that has led to former colleagues shunning the sidelined scientist.
The pressure is coming straight from the top, the complaint said, with President Donald Trump calling Bright an “angry, disgruntled employee” and setting the tone for a campaign of “public disparagement” to “unnerve and intimidate” the whistleblower.
Bright, a vaccine expert, was supposed to be working on virus diagnostic tests in his new job at NIH. But he “is cut off from all vaccine work, cut off from all therapeutic work, and has a very limited role in the diagnostic work,” said the complaint. “His extremely narrow role is confined to making contracts with diagnostics companies that have already developed diagnostics, to scale up their production.”
Where Bright previously oversaw 200 hundred or more projects at BARDA, he’s now been given responsibility for five to eight projects, involving diagnostic tests already approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The complaint said former colleagues of Bright’s at his old agency are now avoiding him. It described a conversation with one such colleague, who is not identified by name.
The former colleague is quoted as saying that the agency’s new acting director, Dr. Gary Disbrow, had warned him “to be ‘very careful'” about dealing with Bright.
The complaint said Disbrow had explained that Azar “was very angry with Dr. Bright and was ‘on the war path.’ (Disbrow) explained that Secretary Azar directed HHS employees to refrain from doing anything that would help Dr. Bright be successful in his new role.”
Disbrow also said that “Secretary Azar said that if anyone were to help Dr. Bright be successful, ‘there would be hell to pay,'” the complaint said.
HHS spokesman Michael Caputo took to Twitter to denounce “more misleading claims.”
Bright’s “whistleblower complaint is filled with one-sided arguments and misinformation that have been completely debunked,” Caputo wrote. “When will the media stop carrying his water?”
But lawyers Debra Katz and Lisa Banks, who represent Bright, said in a statement that “he was correct about the many issues he raised months ago — from his warnings about the scarcity of masks … to the administration’s failure to develop diagnostics and stockpile therapeutics.
“The failure of the administration to heed those warnings has had a catastrophic effect on this country,” they added.
The Office of Special Counsel, an agency that investigates complaints from government whistleblowers, previously found “reasonable grounds” that Bright was punished after trying to warn the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services early this year that the nation was unprepared for the coronavirus outbreak.
Bright is a flu and infectious-disease expert with 10 years at the biomedical agency, which is known as BARDA. His particular focus was on vaccine development. At NIH he was supposed to be working on coronavirus testing, but he is now alleging that he has been sidelined.
The agency that Bright had led is a unit of HHS that focuses on countermeasures to infectious diseases and bioterrorism. Bright had received a job performance review of outstanding before he was summarily transferred in April, with his agency email cut off without warning.
Investigators earlier requested that Azar reinstate Bright in his old job while they looked into his allegations. In the complaint, Bright’s lawyers ask that Azar formally remove himself from that decision.
In his initial complaint filed last month, Bright said the final straw for his bosses seemed to come when he resisted efforts to flood the New York area with hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug once touted by Trump as a “game changer” for COVID-19. Bright said he argued successfully for limiting approved use of the drug to certain settings, such as hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.


mercurynews--2020-06-25--Preview: Minds behind ‘Beyond a Steel Sky’ discuss creative process

When “ Watchmen ” co-creator Dave Gibbons talks about his latest project , he focuses on the art .
The difference between “ Beneath a Steel Sky , ” which came out in 1994 , and it ’ s follow-up that was released today is profound .
The disparity can be seen in their creation .
Gibbons said the original game was made from pixels on the screen and that was supported by a comic book that came with the game .
“ It let us tell the backstory , ” he said .
The art on paper turned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the player ’ s mind .
With the second game , “ Beyond a Steel Sky , ” the transition between his vision and the medium is smoother thanks to the powerful Apple hardware and the Unreal Engine .
“ The comic book and game have the same level of artistry , ” he said .
“ It ’ s an emotional comic book .
It has sound and atmosphere .
We have a comic book turning into a game.
” “ Beyond a Steel Sky ” follows the original protagonist Robert Foster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He comes back to the locale after he gave orders to Joey , his sentient robot friend , to turn the area into a utopia .
Players explore this seemingly perfect world in an adventure that keeps some of the elements of the previous game but mostly adapts to today ’ s technology .
The No .
1 rule when Revolution Software began making “ Beyond a Steel Sky ” was that players don ’ t need to know anything about the original to jump in the game , co-creator Charles Cecil said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 years after the original , Cecil doesn ’ t even consider it a sequel .
The upgrades have made it something else altogether .
“ What we ’ re looking forward to is bringing the core gameplay ideas in 1994 and seeing how they can be translated now , ” he said .
Cecil said “ Beyond a Steel Sky ” is different from other adventure titles by Telltale Games and Dontnod because it retains some of its point-and-click heritage .
He said those developers created more of a story-driven interactive experiences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had separate gameplay and story documents .
Players have to deal with puzzles and other obstacles while handling an inventory .
In the first instance , Foster has to distract scavenging Gang-gang birds from a dead body .
Instead of using an ineffective crowbar , it was best to use a piece of pie to lure them away so he can examine the body .
The world is more dynamic in that way and players have the agency to change it drastically .
“ At its heart , we drive the story through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cecil did say he worked with cinematography from Telltale in how they framed scenarios and how they made decisions , but the rest of the game retains its retro feel .
As for the story itself , part of the reason for the gap between the two game is that Cecil and Gibbons wanted to release it at the right time .
According to a news release , it ’ s a narrative they ’ ve both had in their minds but “ one they felt needed the right real world moment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like this : “ The original game was made in mid-90s .
The Cold War had been won .
We had peace .
Margaret Thatcher liberalized markets.
” He said despite the rosy outlook , he felt uneasy and “ Beneath a Steel Sky ” reflected that anxiety .
The follow-up is set 10 years later in the story and it looks at a world where an artificial intelligence controls everything and it creates utopia because of certain rules .
He brought up surveillance states and China with its social credits .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but in the West , that idea is controversial .
Gibbons said that the first game was a cyberpunk dystopia , but in the sequel , they wanted to break new ground .
“ We went the other way .
We look at a utopia .
It was a creative challenge ” compared to the easy drama of the original .
Players can venture into Union City and experience that adventure today .
“ Beyond a Steel Sky ” has been release this afternoon on Apple Arcade .

When “Watchmen” co-creator Dave Gibbons talks about his latest project, he focuses on the art. The difference between “Beneath a Steel Sky,” which came out in 1994, and it’s follow-up that was released today is profound.
The disparity can be seen in their creation. Gibbons said the original game was made from pixels on the screen and that was supported by a comic book that came with the game. “It let us tell the backstory,” he said. The art on paper turned the muddy graphics into a clearer picture in the player’s mind.
With the second game, “Beyond a Steel Sky,” the transition between his vision and the medium is smoother thanks to the powerful Apple hardware and the Unreal Engine. “The comic book and game have the same level of artistry,” he said. “It’s an emotional comic book. It has sound and atmosphere. We have a comic book turning into a game.”
“Beyond a Steel Sky” follows the original protagonist Robert Foster as he returns to Union City. He comes back to the locale after he gave orders to Joey, his sentient robot friend, to turn the area into a utopia. Players explore this seemingly perfect world in an adventure that keeps some of the elements of the previous game but mostly adapts to today’s technology.
The No. 1 rule when Revolution Software began making “Beyond a Steel Sky” was that players don’t need to know anything about the original to jump in the game, co-creator Charles Cecil said. Although the follow-up comes more than 25 years after the original, Cecil doesn’t even consider it a sequel. The upgrades have made it something else altogether.
“What we’re looking forward to is bringing the core gameplay ideas in 1994 and seeing how they can be translated now,” he said.
Cecil said “Beyond a Steel Sky” is different from other adventure titles by Telltale Games and Dontnod because it retains some of its point-and-click heritage. He said those developers created more of a story-driven interactive experiences while “Beyond a Steel Sky” had separate gameplay and story documents. Players have to deal with puzzles and other obstacles while handling an inventory.
In the first instance, Foster has to distract scavenging Gang-gang birds from a dead body. Instead of using an ineffective crowbar, it was best to use a piece of pie to lure them away so he can examine the body. The world is more dynamic in that way and players have the agency to change it drastically.
“At its heart, we drive the story through the gameplay,” he said. Cecil did say he worked with cinematography from Telltale in how they framed scenarios and how they made decisions, but the rest of the game retains its retro feel.
As for the story itself, part of the reason for the gap between the two game is that Cecil and Gibbons wanted to release it at the right time. According to a news release, it’s a narrative they’ve both had in their minds but “one they felt needed the right real world moment to do it justice.”
Cecil explained it like this: “The original game was made in mid-90s. The Cold War had been won. We had peace. Margaret Thatcher liberalized markets.” He said despite the rosy outlook, he felt uneasy and “Beneath a Steel Sky” reflected that anxiety. The follow-up is set 10 years later in the story and it looks at a world where an artificial intelligence controls everything and it creates utopia because of certain rules.
Related Articles Entertainment | Review: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X meshes comfort with performance
Review: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X meshes comfort with performance Entertainment | What to play: Enhanced ‘Quake II,’ ‘Stray’ for Xbox and ‘Stray Gods’ are the top picks
What to play: Enhanced ‘Quake II,’ ‘Stray’ for Xbox and ‘Stray Gods’ are the top picks Entertainment | Review: With ‘Pikmin 4,’ Nintendo finally nails the right controls for a strategy game
Review: With ‘Pikmin 4,’ Nintendo finally nails the right controls for a strategy game Entertainment | What to play: ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ will keep gamers busy during August
What to play: ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ will keep gamers busy during August Entertainment | ‘First Descendant’ crossplay beta delayed until September but will be open to all He brought up surveillance states and China with its social credits. He said the concept improves public behavior, but in the West, that idea is controversial.
Gibbons said that the first game was a cyberpunk dystopia, but in the sequel, they wanted to break new ground. “We went the other way. We look at a utopia. It was a creative challenge” compared to the easy drama of the original. Players can venture into Union City and experience that adventure today.
“Beyond a Steel Sky” has been release this afternoon on Apple Arcade.


mercurynews--2020-06-26--Editorial: Stop deceiving Bay Area voters on local tax measure costs

As Bay Area cities , counties and school districts struggle with painful budget cuts connected to the coronavirus economic downturn , many are considering asking voters in the Nov. 3 election to raise taxes .
The increases might be appropriate .
What isn ’ t acceptable is ballot deception or fiscal recklessness .
Voters deserve full transparency about the cost and context of tax increases they are being asked to pay .
Yet , too many local government leaders , their attorneys and taxpayer-funded campaign consultants continue to write ballot measures and voter material to tout the benefits while glossing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true costs .
It ’ s time for the deceit to stop .
As government officials prepare to submit to election officials measures for the upcoming ballot , they should commit to full transparency and fiscal responsibility .
The goal should be helping voters make informed decisions — not manipulating them .
Here are some things we ’ ll be looking for — and voters should , too : Ballot wording — The 75-word summary that goes on the ballot is the first thing — and too often the only thing — voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and duration of the tax and clearly indicate whether it ’ s an extension of an existing levy or an increase .
If the tax is permanent , that should be explicitly stated .
Bond measures — Bonds are a form of borrowing .
Taxes to repay the debt are based on property values and the repayment period .
The ballot wording for bond measures should include the number of years the taxes would last and the average annual cost to property owners .
The tax rate should be expressed per $ 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easily estimate how much they would pay .
Voters should be wary of attempts to make the tax look smaller by expressing it per $ 100 of assessed value , thereby forcing them to pull out calculators to figure their costs .
Where the money goes — Whether the money is going to , for example , salaries , roads or new classrooms , the ballot wording should clearly state how the taxes would be spent .
Voters should be wary of poll-tested , political-consultant hype such as “ providing 21st-century technology.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include a clear budget for how the money would be spent and/or a link to an expenditure plan online .
Sunsets — Generally , tax increases should not be permanent .
Accountability is essential .
Voters should get a periodic say on whether they think they ’ re getting their money ’ s worth .
And , this year , tax increases to plug budget holes during an economic downturn should be temporary .
Other taxes — The ballot material should clearly provide the details if a measure extends or increases an existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if residents asked to approve a bond measure already pay to retire prior voter-approved bonds , the ballot material should include the amount and duration of the existing taxes for outstanding debt .
Fiscally prudent — When taxes are proposed to cover debt , that debt should be prudent .
That means borrowing should only be for capital expenditures , not ongoing operations ; the duration of the payback and the interest costs should be reasonable ; and the payments should not be backloaded .
In short , voters should not be asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be prudent for their own households .
Vote threshold — Let ’ s be transparent about the rules .
With new legal issues surrounding whether a measure requires majority or two-thirds voter approval for passage , voters should be informed of the threshold from the onset .
If there ’ s a legal issue , they should be told about it .
No publicly funded campaigns — Too many public agencies use taxpayer money to fund campaigns .
They call those campaigns “ informational , ” but they walk right up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line with mailers that tout the benefits of the measures .
That must stop .
No one wants to draw a line in the sand .
So let ’ s just say that these are some of the criteria we ’ ll be seriously considering — and voters should keep in mind — as we evaluate tax measures this upcoming election season .

Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards

As Bay Area cities, counties and school districts struggle with painful budget cuts connected to the coronavirus economic downturn, many are considering asking voters in the Nov. 3 election to raise taxes.
The increases might be appropriate. What isn’t acceptable is ballot deception or fiscal recklessness. Voters deserve full transparency about the cost and context of tax increases they are being asked to pay.
Yet, too many local government leaders, their attorneys and taxpayer-funded campaign consultants continue to write ballot measures and voter material to tout the benefits while glossing over, or even hiding, the true costs.
It’s time for the deceit to stop.
As government officials prepare to submit to election officials measures for the upcoming ballot, they should commit to full transparency and fiscal responsibility. The goal should be helping voters make informed decisions — not manipulating them.
Here are some things we’ll be looking for — and voters should, too:
Ballot wording — The 75-word summary that goes on the ballot is the first thing — and too often the only thing — voters read. It should include the amount and duration of the tax and clearly indicate whether it’s an extension of an existing levy or an increase. If the tax is permanent, that should be explicitly stated.
Bond measures — Bonds are a form of borrowing. Taxes to repay the debt are based on property values and the repayment period. The ballot wording for bond measures should include the number of years the taxes would last and the average annual cost to property owners.
The tax rate should be expressed per $100,000 of assessed value so property owners can easily estimate how much they would pay. Voters should be wary of attempts to make the tax look smaller by expressing it per $100 of assessed value, thereby forcing them to pull out calculators to figure their costs.
Where the money goes — Whether the money is going to, for example, salaries, roads or new classrooms, the ballot wording should clearly state how the taxes would be spent. Voters should be wary of poll-tested, political-consultant hype such as “providing 21st-century technology.” The ballot pamphlet mailed to voters should include a clear budget for how the money would be spent and/or a link to an expenditure plan online.
Sunsets — Generally, tax increases should not be permanent. Accountability is essential. Voters should get a periodic say on whether they think they’re getting their money’s worth. And, this year, tax increases to plug budget holes during an economic downturn should be temporary.
Other taxes — The ballot material should clearly provide the details if a measure extends or increases an existing or similar tax. For example, if residents asked to approve a bond measure already pay to retire prior voter-approved bonds, the ballot material should include the amount and duration of the existing taxes for outstanding debt.
Fiscally prudent — When taxes are proposed to cover debt, that debt should be prudent. That means borrowing should only be for capital expenditures, not ongoing operations; the duration of the payback and the interest costs should be reasonable; and the payments should not be backloaded. In short, voters should not be asked to approve financial risks that wouldn’t be prudent for their own households.
Related Articles Editorials | Editorial: California should ban tackle football in high school
Editorial: California should ban tackle football in high school Editorials | Editorial: Firefighters’ Pink Poodle joy ride accounts simply not credible
Editorial: Firefighters’ Pink Poodle joy ride accounts simply not credible Editorials | Editorial: Finally, polluting Bay Area cement plant will be closed
Editorial: Finally, polluting Bay Area cement plant will be closed Editorials | Editorial: New PG&E wildfire safety strategy requires scrutiny
Editorial: New PG&E wildfire safety strategy requires scrutiny Editorials | Editorial: End legacy admissions at California’s private colleges Vote threshold — Let’s be transparent about the rules. With new legal issues surrounding whether a measure requires majority or two-thirds voter approval for passage, voters should be informed of the threshold from the onset. If there’s a legal issue, they should be told about it.
No publicly funded campaigns — Too many public agencies use taxpayer money to fund campaigns. They call those campaigns “informational,” but they walk right up to, and sometimes over, the legal line with mailers that tout the benefits of the measures. That must stop.
No one wants to draw a line in the sand. So let’s just say that these are some of the criteria we’ll be seriously considering — and voters should keep in mind — as we evaluate tax measures this upcoming election season.


mercurynews--2020-06-26--Review: Documentary on USA gymnastics abuse scandal

One of the most tragic lines in the powerful and damning documentary “ Athlete A , ” about sexual abuse in the USA Gymnastics , comes when the gymnast Jamie Dantzscher says Larry Nassar — the osteopathic physician who in his 29 years as the USA Gymnastics women ’ s team ’ s doctor used medical treatment as a guise for molesting hundreds of young athletes — was the only nice adult among the team staff .
It ’ s a point Dantzscher , a survivor of Nassar ’ s abuse , struggles to say out loud .
But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture that allowed Nasser to operate and thrive in .
“ I hate this sentence but I would actually look forward to treatment because Larry was the only nice adult I could remember being a part of the USA Gymnastics staff , ” Dantzscher says in the film .
“ He was really the only nice adult there.
” “ Athlete A , ” which began streaming Wednesday on Netflix , chronicles the often harrowing process of brave women coming forward against Nassar and the belated justice that eventually came his way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in prison in 2018 .
But the documentary , directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk , is vigilant in widening is lens to capture the broader problems at USA Gymnastics .
Nassar continued working for months after the first allegations , including those by Maggie Nichols , were brought to team leaders .
( Nichols was then dubbed “ Athlete A ” to preserve her anonymity . )
President Steve Penny , a former marketing executive , was later indicted on felony charges of tampering with evidence .
In only a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem like a friend to young competitors like Dantzscher .
But the sensational success of the US female gymnasts came at a steep cost .
The program , gymnasts say , adopted the harsh , militant style of the former Soviet Bloc .
It was overseen by coaches Bela and Martha Karolyi , who defected from Romania in 1981 .
Their training center in Huntsville , Texas , a wooded ranch where parents weren ’ t allowed , is where much of the abuse took place .
The pervasive psychological abuse — to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — survivors say made Nassar ’ s actions all the more confusing .
Some of the Karolyis ’ decisions — like dropping Nichols from the Olympic team shortly after she made the allegation — are also plainly dubious .
Aside from the vital issues of who knew about the abuse but didn ’ t contact authorities , there ’ s the question of whether the enormous pressure and marketing machinery set up around USA gymnastics should be borne by young girls .
Many begin serious training as 10-year-olds at national centers .
Predators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were “ everywhere.
” Blind eyes and cover-ups are also ubiquitous in “ Athlete A , ” one of the best of the many powerful # MeToo-era documentaries to delve into stories of powerful men and abuse , including “ Leaving Neverland , ” “ Untouchable , ” ” Surviving R. Kelly ” and “ On the Record .
” It is also , like some of those films , about the important role the press has played in bringing these stories to light .
“ Athlete A ” is told partially through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including investigative reporter Marisa Kwiatkowski ) , which began digging into reports of abuse in USA Gymnastics in 2016 .
Few Olympic athletes have been more celebrated in recent years than USA gymnasts .
But after “ Athlete A , ” you may never again watch America ’ s pursuit for gold with quite the same enthusiasm .
Rating : PG-13 ( for mature thematic content including detailed descriptions of sexual abuse of minors )

By Jake Coyle | Associated Press
One of the most tragic lines in the powerful and damning documentary “Athlete A,” about sexual abuse in the USA Gymnastics, comes when the gymnast Jamie Dantzscher says Larry Nassar — the osteopathic physician who in his 29 years as the USA Gymnastics women’s team’s doctor used medical treatment as a guise for molesting hundreds of young athletes — was the only nice adult among the team staff.
It’s a point Dantzscher, a survivor of Nassar’s abuse, struggles to say out loud. But it’s an important one about the culture that allowed Nasser to operate and thrive in.
“I hate this sentence but I would actually look forward to treatment because Larry was the only nice adult I could remember being a part of the USA Gymnastics staff,” Dantzscher says in the film. “He was really the only nice adult there.”
“Athlete A,” which began streaming Wednesday on Netflix, chronicles the often harrowing process of brave women coming forward against Nassar and the belated justice that eventually came his way. He was sentenced to 40 to 125 years in prison in 2018.
But the documentary, directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, is vigilant in widening is lens to capture the broader problems at USA Gymnastics. Nassar continued working for months after the first allegations, including those by Maggie Nichols, were brought to team leaders. (Nichols was then dubbed “Athlete A” to preserve her anonymity.) President Steve Penny, a former marketing executive, was later indicted on felony charges of tampering with evidence. In only a toxic atmosphere could a predator like Nassar seem like a friend to young competitors like Dantzscher.
But the sensational success of the US female gymnasts came at a steep cost. The program, gymnasts say, adopted the harsh, militant style of the former Soviet Bloc. It was overseen by coaches Bela and Martha Karolyi, who defected from Romania in 1981. Their training center in Huntsville, Texas, a wooded ranch where parents weren’t allowed, is where much of the abuse took place. The pervasive psychological abuse — to eat less, to perform through pain — survivors say made Nassar’s actions all the more confusing. Some of the Karolyis’ decisions — like dropping Nichols from the Olympic team shortly after she made the allegation — are also plainly dubious.
Aside from the vital issues of who knew about the abuse but didn’t contact authorities, there’s the question of whether the enormous pressure and marketing machinery set up around USA gymnastics should be borne by young girls. Many begin serious training as 10-year-olds at national centers. Predators, former gymnast Jennifer Sey says, were “everywhere.”
Blind eyes and cover-ups are also ubiquitous in “Athlete A,” one of the best of the many powerful #MeToo-era documentaries to delve into stories of powerful men and abuse, including “Leaving Neverland,” “Untouchable,””Surviving R. Kelly” and “On the Record. ” It is also, like some of those films, about the important role the press has played in bringing these stories to light.
“Athlete A” is told partially through the efforts of the Indianapolis Star (including investigative reporter Marisa Kwiatkowski), which began digging into reports of abuse in USA Gymnastics in 2016.
Few Olympic athletes have been more celebrated in recent years than USA gymnasts. But after “Athlete A,” you may never again watch America’s pursuit for gold with quite the same enthusiasm.
“Athlete A”
3 stars out of 4
Rating: PG-13 (for mature thematic content including detailed descriptions of sexual abuse of minors)
Running time: 103 minutes


mercurynews--2020-06-26--On this date, 2005: A’s rip Giants in historic fashion

OAKLAND — The A ’ s had absolutely no empathy for the Giants at any moment of their 16-0 blood bath Sunday .
They ’ ve been there before , and not too long ago , but certainly not to this magnitude .
“ You don ’ t want to look back , ” said right fielder Nick Swisher , who led the destruction with two home runs and four RBIs .
“ What ’ s done is done .
You look to the future , and the future looks bright for us.
” It was the largest margin of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s in Oakland , and tied the franchise record .
The win completed a three-game sweep and continued the A ’ s dramatic climb from the catacombs they once frequented .
On the other end of the spectrum , it was the largest margin of defeat in a shutout loss and matched the largest margin of defeat for the Giants since they moved to San Francisco .
The A ’ s rung up season highs in runs , hits ( 24 ) , and their eight doubles tied an Oakland record .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had at least a hit and a run scored .
Shortstop Bobby Crosby tied his career high with four hits , while Swisher , Jason Kendall , Mark Kotsay , Bobby Kielty and Marco Scutaro had three each .
Entering an off-day , the A ’ s have won eight of their last nine and 11 of 14 , escaping the American League West cellar and moving to within five games of .500 .
“ I don ’ t know what to say , ” said pitcher Rich Harden , who allowed one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was amazing .
Anybody who went up there couldn ’ t help but get a hit .
Everything was falling in.
” Said Swisher , “ It ’ s just one of those days .
They don ’ t happen often but when they do you ’ ve got to take advantage of it.
” Swisher certainly won ’ t forget his afternoon at the McAfee Coliseum .
He homered from both sides of the plate , joining Ruben Sierra as the only Oakland players to pull it off in the same game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 , 1994 .
“ I did it last year ( for Triple-A Sacramento ) , ” Swisher said .
“ It was in Vegas .
Of course , you could throw it out of that ballpark.
” The A ’ s had their 16 runs before the fifth inning was complete , and mercifully , manager Ken Macha began pulling some of his starters .
But the onslaught was not without incident .
Giants reliever Jason Christiansen , after allowing four straight hits in the fifth , threw a pitch at Swisher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scott issued a warning to both benches .
A pitch later , Swisher hit his second homer .
• On this date , 2014 : Giants ’ Tim Lincecum throws another no-hitter • Baseball basics : The new rules in pandemic-shortened 2020 season • First MLB player to test positive for COVID-19 is Rockies star Blackmon • MLB plans to implement 60-game season as negotiations falter between owners , players “ The guy ’ s a competitor , ” Macha said .
“ He doesn ’ t want to stand out there and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I thought it was handled professionally , by him and our hitter.
” Swisher didn ’ t make too much of a fuss over the matter during the at-bat and after the game .
“ I didn ’ t think it was a big deal , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t think he tried to throw at me .
Maybe he did , maybe he didn ’ t .
He told the ump he was not trying to throw at me .
He was trying to throw a cutter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I have good enough control that if I want to hit someone , I ’ ll hit him in the back .
I was trying to throw a fastball inside and move his feet .
And I did that .
Then he hit a home run on the next pitch .
Touche.
” The A ’ s teed off on Brett Tomko , who allowed 10 hits and six runs in 2 2/3 innings .
Brandon Puffer and Christiansen didn ’ t fare better , giving up five runs apiece .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not get a hit , ” Giants reliever Tyler Walker said .
“ I don ’ t think all their hits were line drives , but they are line drives in the box score .
We ’ ve got to forget about it .
It does no good to rehash it.
” It was obviously a memorable day for A ’ s hitting coach Dave Hudgens , who came under considerable criticism during the team ’ s hitting woes last month .
“ I was confident these guys would come around , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many good hitters , and when you play 162 games you ’ re eventually going to hit.
” Given a ridiculously comfortable cushion , about the only suspense surrounding Harden was when he ’ d allow his first hit .
It finally came with one out in the fifth , when Deivi Cruz blooped a broken bat single to left .
It would be the Giants ’ only hit .
• Baseball basics : The new rules in pandemic-shortened 2020 season • A ’ s set to negotiate to buy Oakland ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on a pitch count in his second start since returning from a strained left oblique muscle , was pulled after 76 pitches .
“ Rich is one of those guys who has special stuff , ” catcher Jason Kendall said .
“ There are only a handful of guys in the big leagues who have that.
” Kendall had three RBIs on three hits after going 20 straight games without driving in a run , the longest drought of his career .
“ I had no idea , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ read the newspapers .
”

(This story was originally published in 2005)
By Joe Roderick, Times staff writer
OAKLAND — The A’s had absolutely no empathy for the Giants at any moment of their 16-0 blood bath Sunday. They’ve been there before, and not too long ago, but certainly not to this magnitude.
“You don’t want to look back,” said right fielder Nick Swisher, who led the destruction with two home runs and four RBIs. “What’s done is done. You look to the future, and the future looks bright for us.”
It was the largest margin of victory in a shutout by the A’s in Oakland, and tied the franchise record. The win completed a three-game sweep and continued the A’s dramatic climb from the catacombs they once frequented.
On the other end of the spectrum, it was the largest margin of defeat in a shutout loss and matched the largest margin of defeat for the Giants since they moved to San Francisco.
The A’s rung up season highs in runs, hits (24), and their eight doubles tied an Oakland record. Every player in the original starting lineup had at least a hit and a run scored. Shortstop Bobby Crosby tied his career high with four hits, while Swisher, Jason Kendall, Mark Kotsay, Bobby Kielty and Marco Scutaro had three each.
Entering an off-day, the A’s have won eight of their last nine and 11 of 14, escaping the American League West cellar and moving to within five games of .500.
“I don’t know what to say,” said pitcher Rich Harden, who allowed one hit in seven innings. “It was amazing. Anybody who went up there couldn’t help but get a hit. Everything was falling in.”
Said Swisher, “It’s just one of those days. They don’t happen often but when they do you’ve got to take advantage of it.”
Swisher certainly won’t forget his afternoon at the McAfee Coliseum. He homered from both sides of the plate, joining Ruben Sierra as the only Oakland players to pull it off in the same game. Sierra accomplished the feat on June 7, 1994.
“I did it last year (for Triple-A Sacramento),” Swisher said. “It was in Vegas. Of course, you could throw it out of that ballpark.”
The A’s had their 16 runs before the fifth inning was complete, and mercifully, manager Ken Macha began pulling some of his starters. But the onslaught was not without incident. Giants reliever Jason Christiansen, after allowing four straight hits in the fifth, threw a pitch at Swisher’s feet. Plate umpire Dale Scott issued a warning to both benches. A pitch later, Swisher hit his second homer.
“The guy’s a competitor,” Macha said. “He doesn’t want to stand out there and get his (butt) kicked. I thought it was handled professionally, by him and our hitter.”
Swisher didn’t make too much of a fuss over the matter during the at-bat and after the game.
“I didn’t think it was a big deal,” he said. “I don’t think he tried to throw at me. Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t. He told the ump he was not trying to throw at me. He was trying to throw a cutter and it slipped.”
Said Christiansen, “I have good enough control that if I want to hit someone, I’ll hit him in the back. I was trying to throw a fastball inside and move his feet. And I did that. Then he hit a home run on the next pitch. Touche.”
The A’s teed off on Brett Tomko, who allowed 10 hits and six runs in 2 2/3 innings. Brandon Puffer and Christiansen didn’t fare better, giving up five runs apiece.
“Today they couldn’t swing and not get a hit,” Giants reliever Tyler Walker said. “I don’t think all their hits were line drives, but they are line drives in the box score. We’ve got to forget about it. It does no good to rehash it.”
It was obviously a memorable day for A’s hitting coach Dave Hudgens, who came under considerable criticism during the team’s hitting woes last month.
“I was confident these guys would come around,” he said. “We have too many good hitters, and when you play 162 games you’re eventually going to hit.”
Given a ridiculously comfortable cushion, about the only suspense surrounding Harden was when he’d allow his first hit. It finally came with one out in the fifth, when Deivi Cruz blooped a broken bat single to left. It would be the Giants’ only hit.
Harden, who was on a pitch count in his second start since returning from a strained left oblique muscle, was pulled after 76 pitches.
“Rich is one of those guys who has special stuff,” catcher Jason Kendall said. “There are only a handful of guys in the big leagues who have that.”
Kendall had three RBIs on three hits after going 20 straight games without driving in a run, the longest drought of his career.
“I had no idea,” he said. “I’m not one to read the newspapers.”


mercurynews--2020-06-26--Marin’s LGBTQ+ community rallies after verbal attack on transgender teen at Black Lives Matter bake

Marin’s LGBTQ+ community rallies after verbal attack on transgender teen at Black Lives Matter bake sale

Marin ’ s LGBTQ+ community and allies rallied in Fairfax on Thursday in response to a verbal attack against a transgender teenager over the weekend .
Leaders of the Corte Madera-based nonprofit Spahr Center organized the rally after one of its members , Jasper Lauter , 17 , was harassed because he is transgender .
“ Obviously I am and was hurt , ” said Lauter , a Fairfax resident .
“ It ’ s unfortunate that the event occurred and that it happened in a place where we pride ourselves in being so accepting .
But this is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has happened.
” The incident unfolded on Saturday evening when the two suspects were allegedly harassing volunteers at a bake sale at Bolinas Road and Elsie Lane benefiting the Black Lives Matter movement .
Lauter said he was attempting to defuse the situation when the suspects aimed their attacks at him .
In a video of the incident , the woman can be heard asking , “ What genitals were you born with ?
You look like a female .
… ” The man can be heard saying , “ the suicide rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s a reason for that.
” The Fairfax Police Department investigated the incident , and has referred the case to the Marin County District Attorney ’ s office for review .
The department requested criminal charges be filed against two suspects , a 67-year-old woman and 58-year-old man , for suspected use of “ offensive words in a public place which are inherently likely to provoke and immediate violent reaction , ” amounting to a hate crime .
The police department declined to release the names of the suspects .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t tolerate hate crimes , ” Police Chief Chris Morin said .
“ This shouldn ’ t have happened .
We will do our best to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.
” Suzanne Ford , a transgender woman and board member of the Spahr Center , said the incident is unacceptable .
“ People think that in Marin County , this doesn ’ t happen anymore , ” she said .
“ Transphobia does happen .
Discrimination does happen in Marin County.
” Ford said “ for instance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church in Novato when I transitioned .
When a person is accosted because he or she is transgender that is unacceptable.
” Lauter said while the incident was unfortunate , he hopes that with the rally he can bring awareness that all people have basic civil rights .
“ Marin has an attitude , ‘ you can be what you want but don ’ t be what you want in front of me , ’ and I think that is a toxic way to go about , ” he said .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the gay rights movement and respect that many trans women of color worked hard for the rights available today .
“ This is a reminder that we live in a place that really wants to turn its head from all this stuff , ” Lauter said .
“ There is a lot of work we need to do .
”

Marin’s LGBTQ+ community and allies rallied in Fairfax on Thursday in response to a verbal attack against a transgender teenager over the weekend.
Leaders of the Corte Madera-based nonprofit Spahr Center organized the rally after one of its members, Jasper Lauter, 17, was harassed because he is transgender.
“Obviously I am and was hurt,” said Lauter, a Fairfax resident. “It’s unfortunate that the event occurred and that it happened in a place where we pride ourselves in being so accepting. But this is not the first time that something like this has happened.”
The incident unfolded on Saturday evening when the two suspects were allegedly harassing volunteers at a bake sale at Bolinas Road and Elsie Lane benefiting the Black Lives Matter movement.
Lauter said he was attempting to defuse the situation when the suspects aimed their attacks at him.
In a video of the incident, the woman can be heard asking, “What genitals were you born with? You look like a female. …”
The man can be heard saying, “the suicide rate is really high with you people. There’s a reason for that.”
Video: Last weekend two suspects allegedly harassed volunteers, including a transgender teen, at #BlackLivesMattters bake sale. PROFANITY WARNING. Video provided by Suzanne Ford. Story: https://t.co/Ors3jGTzaY pic.twitter.com/Z4PNsBIoeE — Marin IJ (@marinij) June 25, 2020
The Fairfax Police Department investigated the incident, and has referred the case to the Marin County District Attorney’s office for review.
The department requested criminal charges be filed against two suspects, a 67-year-old woman and 58-year-old man, for suspected use of “offensive words in a public place which are inherently likely to provoke and immediate violent reaction,” amounting to a hate crime.
The police department declined to release the names of the suspects. No arrests have been made.
“We don’t tolerate hate crimes,” Police Chief Chris Morin said. “This shouldn’t have happened. We will do our best to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”
Suzanne Ford, a transgender woman and board member of the Spahr Center, said the incident is unacceptable.
“People think that in Marin County, this doesn’t happen anymore,” she said. “Transphobia does happen. Discrimination does happen in Marin County.”
Ford said “for instance, I was asked to leave my church in Novato when I transitioned. When a person is accosted because he or she is transgender that is unacceptable.”
Lauter said while the incident was unfortunate, he hopes that with the rally he can bring awareness that all people have basic civil rights.
“Marin has an attitude, ‘you can be what you want but don’t be what you want in front of me,’ and I think that is a toxic way to go about,” he said.
He said he wants to reflect on the history of the gay rights movement and respect that many trans women of color worked hard for the rights available today.
“This is a reminder that we live in a place that really wants to turn its head from all this stuff,” Lauter said. “There is a lot of work we need to do.”


mercurynews--2020-06-26--State investigating San Quentin inmate’s death amid coronavirus case spike

The Marin County Coroner ’ s Division and state Office of the Inspector General are investigating the death of a 71-year-old death row inmate at San Quentin State Prison .
Richard E. Stitely , who had been on California ’ s death row since 1992 for a rape and murder conviction , died Wednesday evening after being found unresponsive in his single-occupant cell , according to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation .
Staff provided medical assistance and called an ambulance .
Stitely was pronounced dead at 9:06 p.m. “ There were no signs of trauma ; his cause of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Marin County Coroner , ” the department news release on Thursday stated .
Stitely was convicted on Sept. 14 , 1992 , and admitted to death row on Sept. 23 , 1992 , for the rape and murder of 47-year-old Carol Unger .
Unger had last been seen on Jan. 19 , 1990 , leaving the White Oak Bar in Reseda with Stitely , according to the department .
Unger ’ s body was found in a parking lot of a North Hollywood industrial complex .
The OIG said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison at midnight to monitor the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ’ s investigation into the death .
The announcement comes after a significant spike in new coronavirus cases among inmates at San Quentin .
The prison has the highest number of inmates infected with COVID-19 at 515 inmates and the highest rate of new cases .
About 492 new cases were recorded at San Quentin within the last 14 days , which is nearly seven times higher as the next highest new case rate of 76 in the past 14 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Chino and the California Correctional Center in Susanville , according to the state data .
The California Institution for Men has 507 total infections .
The prison recorded its first COVID-19 case on June 1 .
The number of new cases rose sharply after inmates were transferred from a corrections facility in Chino , jumping to 48 cases by June 14 .
Within four days , the number skyrocketed to about 500 as more testing was performed , according to the data .
No COVID-19 deaths have been reported at San Quentin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates are housed at San Quentin , according to the latest state data .

The Marin County Coroner’s Division and state Office of the Inspector General are investigating the death of a 71-year-old death row inmate at San Quentin State Prison.
Richard E. Stitely, who had been on California’s death row since 1992 for a rape and murder conviction, died Wednesday evening after being found unresponsive in his single-occupant cell, according to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Staff provided medical assistance and called an ambulance. Stitely was pronounced dead at 9:06 p.m.
“There were no signs of trauma; his cause of death and COVID-19 status will be determined by the Marin County Coroner,” the department news release on Thursday stated.
Stitely was convicted on Sept. 14, 1992, and admitted to death row on Sept. 23, 1992, for the rape and murder of 47-year-old Carol Unger. Unger had last been seen on Jan. 19, 1990, leaving the White Oak Bar in Reseda with Stitely, according to the department. Unger’s body was found in a parking lot of a North Hollywood industrial complex.
The OIG said in a Twitter post its office responded to the prison at midnight to monitor the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s investigation into the death.
The announcement comes after a significant spike in new coronavirus cases among inmates at San Quentin. The prison has the highest number of inmates infected with COVID-19 at 515 inmates and the highest rate of new cases.
Late last night, we received notification that an inmate at San Quentin State Prison had died. We responded to the prison at midnight to monitor the department’s investigation into the inmate's death. pic.twitter.com/vrCGAe8QRq — Office of the Inspector General (@CaliforniaOIG) June 25, 2020
About 492 new cases were recorded at San Quentin within the last 14 days, which is nearly seven times higher as the next highest new case rate of 76 in the past 14 days at both the California Institution for Men in Chino and the California Correctional Center in Susanville, according to the state data. The California Institution for Men has 507 total infections.
The prison recorded its first COVID-19 case on June 1. The number of new cases rose sharply after inmates were transferred from a corrections facility in Chino, jumping to 48 cases by June 14. Within four days, the number skyrocketed to about 500 as more testing was performed, according to the data.
No COVID-19 deaths have been reported at San Quentin as of Thursday afternoon. About 3,500 inmates are housed at San Quentin, according to the latest state data.


mercurynews--2020-06-26--What helps, and what doesn’t, during a hectic home sale

Does it surprise you to know that there are usually about 29 people involved in a California real estate transaction ?
Of course , you have the buyers and sellers , their agents , and their agents ’ brokers .
Then , you add in the home inspector , the termite inspector , the termite company ’ s repair crew , the fumigation company , the escrow officer , the escrow officer ’ s assistant , the title rep , the title officer , the county clerk , the loan agent , the loan underwriter , the loan processor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buyer ’ s employment verification officer — just to name a few .
And how each of these people act , react and interact during the transaction can play a crucial role .
Here are a few examples of how these participants can support , enhance or detract from the experience for the primary players — the buyers and sellers .
When the escrow officer ’ s assistant sends the sellers ’ escrow opening package , it ’ s helpful when the email includes – along with the congratulatory message – a simple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a cell phone to call in the event of any questions or concerns , whether they ’ d like to complete their paperwork in “ long hand ” or via electronic platform and a form identifying the bank account where they ’ d like their proceeds wired after the closing .
When the loan underwriter provides a complete list of additional documents needed for final loan approval , this also moves the transaction forward in a meaningful and timely way .
But when the underwriter asks buyers for more financial or personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not as helpful .
Buyers are busy making a living so they can afford the house they are buying .
They lose their patience having to go back to the well more than one or two times to meet the vetting requirements of the lender .
( Note to you underwriters out there : I understand that some situations require you to ask for unanticipated additional documentation .
This should be the exception , not the rule . )
When the homeowner ’ s insurance agent tells the sellers that the chances of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to none , based on absolutely no information on the current status of said escrow , and cautions them not to cancel their policy on the date their escrow is scheduled to close , this is less than helpful .
It artificially and unnecessarily plants a seed of panic in the sellers .
That ’ s not helpful in most cases .
When the market response to a well-staged listing with an upgraded kitchen and a pool results in over 40 showing requests in three days , and more than a dozen offers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an agent who is undaunted by COVID-19 showing guidelines and rapidly accelerating demand , who has a strategy for countering each offer and who sets a cut-off date for additional offers can be very helpful .
Leslie Sargent Eskildsen is an agent with Realty One Group .
She can be reached at 949-678-3373 or leslie @ leslieeskildsen.com .

Does it surprise you to know that there are usually about 29 people involved in a California real estate transaction?
Of course, you have the buyers and sellers, their agents, and their agents’ brokers.
Then, you add in the home inspector, the termite inspector, the termite company’s repair crew, the fumigation company, the escrow officer, the escrow officer’s assistant, the title rep, the title officer, the county clerk, the loan agent, the loan underwriter, the loan processor, the buyer’s bank and the buyer’s employment verification officer — just to name a few.
And how each of these people act, react and interact during the transaction can play a crucial role. Here are a few examples of how these participants can support, enhance or detract from the experience for the primary players — the buyers and sellers.
When the escrow officer’s assistant sends the sellers’ escrow opening package, it’s helpful when the email includes – along with the congratulatory message – a simple net sheet of their expected sale proceeds, a cell phone to call in the event of any questions or concerns, whether they’d like to complete their paperwork in “long hand” or via electronic platform and a form identifying the bank account where they’d like their proceeds wired after the closing.
When the loan underwriter provides a complete list of additional documents needed for final loan approval, this also moves the transaction forward in a meaningful and timely way.
But when the underwriter asks buyers for more financial or personal information every other day, this is not as helpful.
Buyers are busy making a living so they can afford the house they are buying. They lose their patience having to go back to the well more than one or two times to meet the vetting requirements of the lender. (Note to you underwriters out there: I understand that some situations require you to ask for unanticipated additional documentation. This should be the exception, not the rule.)
When the homeowner’s insurance agent tells the sellers that the chances of them closing escrow on time is slim to none, based on absolutely no information on the current status of said escrow, and cautions them not to cancel their policy on the date their escrow is scheduled to close, this is less than helpful. It artificially and unnecessarily plants a seed of panic in the sellers. That’s not helpful in most cases.
Related Articles Home and Garden | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
San Jose office building wobbles into default — again Home and Garden | Bay Area, California hotel sales implode as investors flee sector
Bay Area, California hotel sales implode as investors flee sector Home and Garden | Google will activate downtown San Jose village sites ahead of project
Google will activate downtown San Jose village sites ahead of project Home and Garden | Big Bay Area vineyard lands local buyer
Big Bay Area vineyard lands local buyer Home and Garden | Colorado’s housing market is so strained it’s endangering domestic violence victims, advocates says When the market response to a well-staged listing with an upgraded kitchen and a pool results in over 40 showing requests in three days, and more than a dozen offers, many significantly over the list price, an agent who is undaunted by COVID-19 showing guidelines and rapidly accelerating demand, who has a strategy for countering each offer and who sets a cut-off date for additional offers can be very helpful.


mercurynews--2020-06-26--After 25 years, family and friends still wonder, where’s Jodi Huisentruit?

Television news anchor Jodi Huisentruit was smart and outgoing and not afraid to make fun of herself .
She was fearless , willing to take on any new sport .
She liked to play golf , bicycle , boat and in-line skate .
She loved to travel and make people laugh .
Friends described her as “ effervescent.
” Huisentruit , who worked for KIMT-TV in Mason City , Iowa , was racing to work on June 27 , 1995 , to anchor the 6 a.m. news when she was abducted in the parking lot of her apartment complex .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now , 25 years later , a team of family members , journalists and retired police officers is hoping renewed attention to the case will help solve the mystery of what happened to the 27-year-old native of Long Prairie , Minn. “ Somebody out there knows something , ” said Caroline Lowe , a former WCCO-TV investigative reporter who now works as a private investigator in California and helps run FindJodi.com , a website and podcast devoted to solving the case .
On Saturday , to mark the 25th anniversary of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and family plan to gather at a memorial in front of KIMT-TV .
People also are asked to “ Leave A Light On For Jodi ” by leaving a porch light on or lighting a candle in her memory and posting photos on social media using the # LightsForJodi hashtag .
“ We want to make sure that Jodi ’ s face is not forgotten in Mason City , ” Lowe said .
“ We still wonder if the answer is in Mason City or in that area .
We need someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mason City Police Department still regularly receives tips on Huisentruit ’ s disappearance , especially around the anniversary , said Police Chief Jeff Brinkley .
“ I can assure you that we ’ re working it , ” he said .
“ It is still an active case , and we have an investigator assigned to it.
” A number of cold cases in Iowa have been solved recently , Brinkley said , and he hopes Huisentruit ’ s will be next .
“ I do believe that there are people whom we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ If there is somebody who hasn ’ t talked to us — for whatever reason — we would like for them to reach out to us , so we can get that information from them and get that into the case file.
” The arrest and conviction of Danny Heinrich in 2016 in connection with the abduction and killing of Jacob Wetterling 27 years earlier gave Lowe renewed hope that Huisentruit ’ s case can be solved , she said .
Although Heinrich pleaded guilty to federal pornography @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he abducted , sexually assaulted and killed the 11-year-old boy in 1989 .
“ For years , they focused on that neighbor , and , in the end , it turned out to be somebody who was still in the community who had been looked at , but did not stay on the list of potential people of interest for many years , ” Lowe said .
“ The answer was right there in Jacob ’ s case , and we are wondering if that same answer isn ’ t there in Mason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case has been solved .
It has not been solved.
” Authorities believe someone grabbed Huisentruit shortly after 4 a.m. on June 27 , 1995 , as she went to her red Mazda Miata in the parking lot of the Key Apartments .
Neighbors said they heard a scream about that time and saw a white van in the parking lot .
Police found Huisentruit ’ s red high heels , blow dryer , hair spray and earrings strewn across the lot .
Her bent car key lay on the ground near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman was unlocking her car door when she was taken .
An unidentified partial palm print was found on her car , but there were no other substantial clues .
The crime rocked Mason City , population 28,000 , where Huisentruit was a beloved media personality .
She had arrived at CBS affiliate KIMT-TV in 1993 after stints at stations in Cedar Rapids , Iowa , and Alexandria , Minn .
Many people in Mason City knew her and recognized her .
Her name and phone number were listed in the Mason City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her apartment number , ” said Scott Fuller , a FindJodi team member who works for KAUS-AM/FM in Austin , Minn. WHO WOULD DO THIS ?
The person who abducted Huisentruit “ could literally be anybody in that whole media market who felt like they had a connection to her , ” Fuller said .
“ On television , you are paid to get that connection with people , and people can respond to that connection in all kinds of different ways.
” In 2017 , a federal grand jury in Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the case , but did not indict anyone .
That same year , a judge in Cerro Gordo County , Iowa , approved a search warrant on two vehicles belonging to that same suspect , but police officials have said the search did not produce any evidence .
FindJodi team members in 2018 launched a billboard campaign in Mason City to commemorate Huisentruit ’ s 50th birthday .
Four billboards featuring a photo of Huisentruit and the message “ Somebody knows something …is it YOU ?
” were installed ; two remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on New Year ’ s Eve , vandals defaced the billboard located on North Federal Avenue .
Two men climbed a ladder and spray painted the words “ machine shed ” and the name of a retired police investigator who worked on Huisentruit ’ s case .
“ We don ’ t know what it means , ” Fuller said .
“ Is it a message to somebody ?
Is it a tip ?
It is so specific.
” Brinkley , the police chief , doesn ’ t believe it was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was an act of vandalism done by “ somebody with their own agenda.
” Publicity surrounding the 25th anniversary might prompt someone who has information about the case to come forward , Lowe said .
“ Maybe someone ’ s niece or someone ’ s grandson or someone ’ s cousin has found something in the attic , ” said Lowe , whose home office is dotted with photos and clippings from the case .
“ We want to make sure that in the middle of a pandemic , with the protests going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has changed in Jodi ’ s case .
She is still missing , and we want to keep that out there.
” Huisentruit was supposed to be in a friend ’ s wedding in Long Prairie the Saturday after she disappeared .
“ She was everybody ’ s bridesmaid , everybody ’ s best friend , ” Lowe said .
JoAnn Nathe said her younger sister could light up a room when she walked in .
“ She would take on anything , ” said Nathe , 69 , who lives in Sauk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ Oh , that sport would be too hard for you , Jodi , ’ she ’ d say , ‘ Oh no , I know I can do it.
’ She ’ d pursue it .
Nothing deterred her.
” Nathe said it breaks her heart that their mother , Imogene , died in 2014 at age 91 without knowing what happened to her youngest daughter .
“ She so wanted to find Jodi.
” That the Jacob Wetterling case was solved after 27 years has given the family some hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t let hope go away totally , ” she said .
“ I have to admit it has dwindled in the 25 years because there have been cases that have never been solved , but , still , you ’ ve got to cling to that hope.
” The resolution of the Mindy Stavik case near Bellingham , Wash. , after nearly 30 years , also has encouraged Nathe , she said .
Stavik , 18 , went for a jog near her home east of Bellingham on Nov. 24 , 1989 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was found three days later in the Nooksack River .
In 2017 , authorities used DNA evidence to charge and convict a man of kidnapping , raping and murdering her .
“ We ’ ve lost way too much , ” she said .
“ We thought Jodi ’ s case would be solved right away , but it ’ s been 25 years now .
Whoever thought it would be that long ?
It ’ s unreal — that somebody could just get away with it .
There ’ s evil in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skin crawl .
We want to know what happened .
”

Television news anchor Jodi Huisentruit was smart and outgoing and not afraid to make fun of herself. She was fearless, willing to take on any new sport. She liked to play golf, bicycle, boat and in-line skate. She loved to travel and make people laugh. Friends described her as “effervescent.”
Huisentruit, who worked for KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa, was racing to work on June 27, 1995, to anchor the 6 a.m. news when she was abducted in the parking lot of her apartment complex.
She hasn’t been seen since.
Now, 25 years later, a team of family members, journalists and retired police officers is hoping renewed attention to the case will help solve the mystery of what happened to the 27-year-old native of Long Prairie, Minn.
“Somebody out there knows something,” said Caroline Lowe, a former WCCO-TV investigative reporter who now works as a private investigator in California and helps run FindJodi.com, a website and podcast devoted to solving the case.
On Saturday, to mark the 25th anniversary of her disappearance, FindJodi.com team members and friends and family plan to gather at a memorial in front of KIMT-TV. People also are asked to “Leave A Light On For Jodi” by leaving a porch light on or lighting a candle in her memory and posting photos on social media using the #LightsForJodi hashtag.
“We want to make sure that Jodi’s face is not forgotten in Mason City,” Lowe said. “We still wonder if the answer is in Mason City or in that area. We need someone who has information to come forward.”
SEARCHING FOR HOPE
The Mason City Police Department still regularly receives tips on Huisentruit’s disappearance, especially around the anniversary, said Police Chief Jeff Brinkley. “I can assure you that we’re working it,” he said. “It is still an active case, and we have an investigator assigned to it.”
A number of cold cases in Iowa have been solved recently, Brinkley said, and he hopes Huisentruit’s will be next. “I do believe that there are people whom we haven’t talked to yet,” he said. “If there is somebody who hasn’t talked to us — for whatever reason — we would like for them to reach out to us, so we can get that information from them and get that into the case file.”
The arrest and conviction of Danny Heinrich in 2016 in connection with the abduction and killing of Jacob Wetterling 27 years earlier gave Lowe renewed hope that Huisentruit’s case can be solved, she said. Although Heinrich pleaded guilty to federal pornography charges, he admitted in court that he abducted, sexually assaulted and killed the 11-year-old boy in 1989.
“For years, they focused on that neighbor, and, in the end, it turned out to be somebody who was still in the community who had been looked at, but did not stay on the list of potential people of interest for many years,” Lowe said. “The answer was right there in Jacob’s case, and we are wondering if that same answer isn’t there in Mason City. … Maybe they think the case has been solved. It has not been solved.”
Authorities believe someone grabbed Huisentruit shortly after 4 a.m. on June 27, 1995, as she went to her red Mazda Miata in the parking lot of the Key Apartments. Neighbors said they heard a scream about that time and saw a white van in the parking lot.
Police found Huisentruit’s red high heels, blow dryer, hair spray and earrings strewn across the lot. Her bent car key lay on the ground near the Miata, and police believe the young woman was unlocking her car door when she was taken.
An unidentified partial palm print was found on her car, but there were no other substantial clues.
The crime rocked Mason City, population 28,000, where Huisentruit was a beloved media personality. She had arrived at CBS affiliate KIMT-TV in 1993 after stints at stations in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Alexandria, Minn.
Many people in Mason City knew her and recognized her. Her name and phone number were listed in the Mason City phone book “along with her address and her apartment number,” said Scott Fuller, a FindJodi team member who works for KAUS-AM/FM in Austin, Minn.
WHO WOULD DO THIS?
The person who abducted Huisentruit “could literally be anybody in that whole media market who felt like they had a connection to her,” Fuller said. “On television, you are paid to get that connection with people, and people can respond to that connection in all kinds of different ways.”
In 2017, a federal grand jury in Iowa subpoenaed DNA and fingerprints from a suspect in the case, but did not indict anyone. That same year, a judge in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, approved a search warrant on two vehicles belonging to that same suspect, but police officials have said the search did not produce any evidence.
FindJodi team members in 2018 launched a billboard campaign in Mason City to commemorate Huisentruit’s 50th birthday. Four billboards featuring a photo of Huisentruit and the message “Somebody knows something …is it YOU?” were installed; two remain up in town.
Six months ago, on New Year’s Eve, vandals defaced the billboard located on North Federal Avenue. Two men climbed a ladder and spray painted the words “machine shed” and the name of a retired police investigator who worked on Huisentruit’s case.
“We don’t know what it means,” Fuller said. “Is it a message to somebody? Is it a tip? It is so specific.”
Brinkley, the police chief, doesn’t believe it was a tip. He said he thinks it was an act of vandalism done by “somebody with their own agenda.”
‘EVERYBODY’S BEST FRIEND’
Publicity surrounding the 25th anniversary might prompt someone who has information about the case to come forward, Lowe said.
“Maybe someone’s niece or someone’s grandson or someone’s cousin has found something in the attic,” said Lowe, whose home office is dotted with photos and clippings from the case. “We want to make sure that in the middle of a pandemic, with the protests going on, that people know that nothing has changed in Jodi’s case. She is still missing, and we want to keep that out there.”
Huisentruit was supposed to be in a friend’s wedding in Long Prairie the Saturday after she disappeared. “She was everybody’s bridesmaid, everybody’s best friend,” Lowe said.
JoAnn Nathe said her younger sister could light up a room when she walked in.
“She would take on anything,” said Nathe, 69, who lives in Sauk Centre, Minn. “If somebody said, ‘Oh, that sport would be too hard for you, Jodi,’ she’d say, ‘Oh no, I know I can do it.’ She’d pursue it. Nothing deterred her.”
Nathe said it breaks her heart that their mother, Imogene, died in 2014 at age 91 without knowing what happened to her youngest daughter. “She so wanted to find Jodi.”
WETTERLING CASE OFFERS HOPE
That the Jacob Wetterling case was solved after 27 years has given the family some hope, she said.
“You can’t let hope go away totally,” she said. “I have to admit it has dwindled in the 25 years because there have been cases that have never been solved, but, still, you’ve got to cling to that hope.”
The resolution of the Mindy Stavik case near Bellingham, Wash., after nearly 30 years, also has encouraged Nathe, she said.
Stavik, 18, went for a jog near her home east of Bellingham on Nov. 24, 1989, and never returned. Her body was found three days later in the Nooksack River. In 2017, authorities used DNA evidence to charge and convict a man of kidnapping, raping and murdering her.
“We’ve lost way too much,” she said. “We thought Jodi’s case would be solved right away, but it’s been 25 years now. Whoever thought it would be that long? It’s unreal — that somebody could just get away with it. There’s evil in the world; it just makes my skin crawl. We want to know what happened.”