mercurynews--2020-07-07--Horgan: Thomas Jefferson in Daly City in 2020? What to do?

The boiling cultural debate that is rocking the nation shows few signs of abating anytime soon .
Monuments are being toppled .
Legacies are being questioned .
Names of buildings , streets , schools , entire towns are being changed or challenged .
The painful U.S. history of past slavery is the primary cause of this societal earthquake .
In Daly City , a pair of public education systems , embracing students from kindergarten through grade 12 , are named for a Virginia slave-holder who was a key figure in the creation of the U.S. and later became president .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most prominent of America ’ s Founding Fathers , graces both the Jefferson Union High School District ( and Jefferson High School itself ) and the Jefferson Elementary School District .
The two districts , among the oldest in San Mateo County , educated a total of 12,325 students in 2018-19 , the most recent year for which the California Department of Education has official numbers .
Most of those youngsters ( 86 percent ) were non-white .
What to do about the identification with Thomas Jefferson , if anything at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question .
Kalimah Salahuddin , president of the high school district ’ s board of trustees , said now is not the time to consider a name-change .
The district , in her view , has too much on its present plate as it deals with how to handle the myriad academic ramifications of the pandemic , she said this week .
“ I would be open to changing the name , ” she said , “ but this is not the time .
And the community would have to be involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considerable , she predicted .
But changing the district ’ s name , if it happened , would also end confusion with the elementary district , she offered .
“ People get the two mixed up all the time , ” she said .
As for the elementary district , Shakeel Ali , president of its board of trustees , said he has been talking with his superintendent about a name change .
“ This actually came up years ago , but we had bigger fish to fry at the time , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get ahead of the issue.
” As he explained it , “ I don ’ t think it ( the name ) is appropriate.
” He added that he wants to be pro-active in this matter and understands that “ there will be pushback ” when it comes up for public discussion , likely in the fall when he expects a name-change ( for several schools as well ) to be placed on a board agenda .
He added that he intends to follow “ the pulse of the people.
” One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she would not be in favor of changing her district ’ s name .
“ Speaking for myself , I would oppose that , ” she said .
“ History is history and we have to learn from that.
” As she put it , “ We can ’ t undo the past.
” In the ongoing national debate about how to address documented cases of aggressive and over-the-line behavior by police , especially in terms of the use of tactics that can lead to death or severe injury , Burlingame Councilman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather stunning and novel potential solution .
According to published reports , he has suggested that only women ( who are presumably less confrontational and blessed with better people skills than their male peers ) be hired to staff his town ’ s police department going forward ; his aim would be to make the Burlingame force 50 percent female within ten years .
Whether such an unprecedented , targeted hiring program involving a single gender would be practical or even legal in terms of employment rules remains to be seen .
John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mercury News .
Contact him by email at johnhorganmedia @ gmail.com or by regular mail at P.O .
Box 117083 , Burlingame , CA 94011 .

The boiling cultural debate that is rocking the nation shows few signs of abating anytime soon.
Monuments are being toppled. Legacies are being questioned. Names of buildings, streets, schools, entire towns are being changed or challenged. The painful U.S. history of past slavery is the primary cause of this societal earthquake.
In Daly City, a pair of public education systems, embracing students from kindergarten through grade 12, are named for a Virginia slave-holder who was a key figure in the creation of the U.S. and later became president.
The moniker of Thomas Jefferson, one of the most prominent of America’s Founding Fathers, graces both the Jefferson Union High School District (and Jefferson High School itself) and the Jefferson Elementary School District.
The two districts, among the oldest in San Mateo County, educated a total of 12,325 students in 2018-19, the most recent year for which the California Department of Education has official numbers. Most of those youngsters (86 percent) were non-white.
What to do about the identification with Thomas Jefferson, if anything at all? It’s a sensitive question.
Kalimah Salahuddin, president of the high school district’s board of trustees, said now is not the time to consider a name-change.
The district, in her view, has too much on its present plate as it deals with how to handle the myriad academic ramifications of the pandemic, she said this week.
“I would be open to changing the name,” she said, “but this is not the time. And the community would have to be involved in extensive discussions.” The debate would be considerable, she predicted.
But changing the district’s name, if it happened, would also end confusion with the elementary district, she offered. “People get the two mixed up all the time,” she said.
As for the elementary district, Shakeel Ali, president of its board of trustees, said he has been talking with his superintendent about a name change.
“This actually came up years ago, but we had bigger fish to fry at the time,” he said. “We wanted to get ahead of the issue.” As he explained it, “I don’t think it (the name) is appropriate.”
He added that he wants to be pro-active in this matter and understands that “there will be pushback” when it comes up for public discussion, likely in the fall when he expects a name-change (for several schools as well) to be placed on a board agenda.
He added that he intends to follow “the pulse of the people.”
One of his fellow trustees, Marie Brizuela, said she would not be in favor of changing her district’s name.
“Speaking for myself, I would oppose that,” she said. “History is history and we have to learn from that.” As she put it, “We can’t undo the past.”
Female cops only?
In the ongoing national debate about how to address documented cases of aggressive and over-the-line behavior by police, especially in terms of the use of tactics that can lead to death or severe injury, Burlingame Councilman Michael Brownrigg has come up with a rather stunning and novel potential solution.
According to published reports, he has suggested that only women (who are presumably less confrontational and blessed with better people skills than their male peers) be hired to staff his town’s police department going forward; his aim would be to make the Burlingame force 50 percent female within ten years.
Whether such an unprecedented, targeted hiring program involving a single gender would be practical or even legal in terms of employment rules remains to be seen.
John Horgan’s column appears weekly in the Mercury News. Contact him by email at johnhorganmedia@gmail.com or by regular mail at P.O. Box 117083, Burlingame, CA 94011.


mercurynews--2020-07-07--Coronavirus: State orders Monterey County bars, indoor dining to close back down

Bars , brewpubs , indoor dining , theaters and museums are all among the businesses required to shut down again , this time for three weeks , due to Monterey County exceeding key COVID-19 metrics .
Shortly after noon on Monday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced by Twitter that the county would be among several counties being asked by the state to close a variety of indoor and outdoor operations .
Other counties mentioned by the governor included Colusa , Madera , Marin , Merced , and San Diego .
Also , the state Department of Public Health website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those that had been on the state watch list for more than three days and thus subject to additional restrictions .
In response , county Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno said during a county briefing that he had not yet been informed by the state that the county would be included in the business re-opening rollback list , but he said it wasn ’ t a “ surprise ” since the county had been added to a state Department of Public Health watch list last week for exceeding state COVID-19 indicators .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch list , and we knew it was possible we would have to shut down businesses , ” Moreno said .
Moreno said he would reach out to state public health officials for details on Monday , including written guidance on when businesses would be required to shut down and how .
He declined to comment further until that occurred .
State Department of Public Health officials indicated Monday the county had been placed on a “ targeted engagement list ” due to its “ elevated disease transmission ” and the state would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to set up strategy calls and provide technical assistance to address issues such as key actions to slow COVID-19 transmission .
In addition to the businesses already mentioned , wineries and tasting rooms , zoos , card rooms and family entertainment centers must also close .
The county was placed on the state watch list on Thursday last week for exceeding state indicators signifying an increased spread of the novel coronavirus , including the 14-day positive case rate and three-day average increase in hospitalizations .
The state indicated that if the county remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days then it would be required to close down certain businesses .
On Monday , the state public health website reported that the county ’ s 14-day positive case rate was at 112.3 per 100,000 population , above the state ’ s limit of 100 and its positivity rate was at 8.1 % , just beyond the state ’ s 8 % limit , while the county ’ s three-day average hospitalization increase had fallen below the state ’ s limit of 10 .
• Foreign students face ousting from US under new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for coronavirus • Report shows small biz aid went beyond the hardest-hit Also Monday , the county reported a total of 2,151 confirmed cases out of 29,636 tests completed and 149 total hospitalizations , representing increases of 403 cases and 14 hospitalizations since Thursday .
The county also reported on Monday its overall positivity rate rose to 7.26 % from 6.51 % on Thursday last week out of a total of 29,636 tests completed .
On Monday , the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History announced it would temporarily close its doors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the state watch list , apparently before Gov .
Newsom ’ s announcement .
The museum had just re-opened on June 29 last week after being closed for three months .
The Monterey Aquarium had planned to re-open next week , but has postponed its reopening “ until further notice ” in the wake of the county remaining on the state watch list according to a press release .

Bars, brewpubs, indoor dining, theaters and museums are all among the businesses required to shut down again, this time for three weeks, due to Monterey County exceeding key COVID-19 metrics.
Shortly after noon on Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced by Twitter that the county would be among several counties being asked by the state to close a variety of indoor and outdoor operations. Other counties mentioned by the governor included Colusa, Madera, Marin, Merced, and San Diego.
Also, the state Department of Public Health website on Monday showed the county was among those that had been on the state watch list for more than three days and thus subject to additional restrictions.
In response, county Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno said during a county briefing that he had not yet been informed by the state that the county would be included in the business re-opening rollback list, but he said it wasn’t a “surprise” since the county had been added to a state Department of Public Health watch list last week for exceeding state COVID-19 indicators.
“We were worried about being on the watch list, and we knew it was possible we would have to shut down businesses,” Moreno said.
Moreno said he would reach out to state public health officials for details on Monday, including written guidance on when businesses would be required to shut down and how. He declined to comment further until that occurred.
State Department of Public Health officials indicated Monday the county had been placed on a “targeted engagement list” due to its “elevated disease transmission” and the state would be working with the county health department to set up strategy calls and provide technical assistance to address issues such as key actions to slow COVID-19 transmission.
In addition to the businesses already mentioned, wineries and tasting rooms, zoos, card rooms and family entertainment centers must also close.
The county was placed on the state watch list on Thursday last week for exceeding state indicators signifying an increased spread of the novel coronavirus, including the 14-day positive case rate and three-day average increase in hospitalizations. The state indicated that if the county remained on the watch list for three straight days then it would be required to close down certain businesses.
On Monday, the state public health website reported that the county’s 14-day positive case rate was at 112.3 per 100,000 population, above the state’s limit of 100 and its positivity rate was at 8.1%, just beyond the state’s 8% limit, while the county’s three-day average hospitalization increase had fallen below the state’s limit of 10.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Restaurants, Food and Drink | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Also Monday, the county reported a total of 2,151 confirmed cases out of 29,636 tests completed and 149 total hospitalizations, representing increases of 403 cases and 14 hospitalizations since Thursday. The county also reported on Monday its overall positivity rate rose to 7.26% from 6.51% on Thursday last week out of a total of 29,636 tests completed.
On Monday, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History announced it would temporarily close its doors based on the county’s placement on the state watch list, apparently before Gov. Newsom’s announcement. The museum had just re-opened on June 29 last week after being closed for three months.
The Monterey Aquarium had planned to re-open next week, but has postponed its reopening “until further notice” in the wake of the county remaining on the state watch list according to a press release.


mercurynews--2020-07-07--Horoscopes July 7, 2020: Berenice Bejo and Ringo Starr share advice.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY : Michelle Kwan , 40 ; C , 44 ; Berenice Bejo , Shelley Duvall , 71 ; Ringo Starr , 80 .
Happy Birthday : Dream on , enjoy using your imagination and take time to explore possibilities .
Using your creative talents will give you a sense of security , hope and thoughts regarding new ways to bring in extra cash .
Don ’ t sit back when you have so much to offer .
Be part of the solution , and you will build a brighter future for you and those you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 , 20 , 27 , 31 , 38 , 42 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : How you help others will also benefit you .
An articulate adaptation of what you want to happen will help you get others to back you during critical times when social distancing has become a preference .
Treat yourself to something special .
4 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Set high goals and standards without deviating from your plan .
Reach for the stars , and don ’ t settle for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it takes to turn a little into a lot .
Refuse to let emotions come between you and your goal .
2 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June 20 ) : Look for the silver lining , and you will excel .
Turn a negative into a positive , and refuse to get bogged down with people who can see only what ’ s lacking .
Make a lasting impression .
5 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Look for an outlet for pent-up energy before you implode .
Keeping busy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an argument .
Reach out with love , affection and an offer to work with those you deal with daily .
3 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Emotional decisions or changes will not turn out as planned .
Spend more time figuring out the best way to proceed and less time letting others push you in a direction that makes you feel uncertain .
Personal interests will fetch better results .
3 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Your mind will work like a sponge , soaking up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trends kick in and lifestyle changes take place .
Stay informed and make innovative suggestions ; the result will be lucrative .
3 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Do your own thing .
If you let others push you around or take advantage of you , it will lower your self-esteem .
Stand up for your rights , beliefs and traditions , and you will gain respect .
Romance is on the rise .
5 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Put emotions aside when it comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation at home will push you to make a lifestyle change .
Make sure the decisions you make are for the right reason .
Do your homework first .
2 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Learn through experience .
Refuse to let anyone use you or feed you false information .
Do background checks and go directly to the source before you make a move based on hearsay .
Personal gains should include health , wealth and educational pursuits .
4 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home in motion .
Get the family involved in your plans , and it will result in suggestions that make your life easier .
An unexpected turn of events will favor you and your pursuits .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Direct your energy into personal gains , home improvements and physical fitness .
Channel your energy into making your space a welcome and efficient environment that encourages you to be productive .
A close relationship will improve with nurturing .
3 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the changes in your community .
Reach out virtually , and discover what the most recent boundaries are and how best to utilize them to get ahead .
Turn a negative situation into a positive one .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are intelligent , adaptable and convincing .
You are imaginative and helpful .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Michelle Kwan, 40; C, 44; Berenice Bejo, Shelley Duvall, 71; Ringo Starr, 80.
Happy Birthday: Dream on, enjoy using your imagination and take time to explore possibilities. Using your creative talents will give you a sense of security, hope and thoughts regarding new ways to bring in extra cash. Don’t sit back when you have so much to offer. Be part of the solution, and you will build a brighter future for you and those you love. Your numbers are 4, 13, 20, 27, 31, 38, 42.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): How you help others will also benefit you. An articulate adaptation of what you want to happen will help you get others to back you during critical times when social distancing has become a preference. Treat yourself to something special. 4 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Set high goals and standards without deviating from your plan. Reach for the stars, and don’t settle for less. You’ve got what it takes to turn a little into a lot. Refuse to let emotions come between you and your goal. 2 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Look for the silver lining, and you will excel. Turn a negative into a positive, and refuse to get bogged down with people who can see only what’s lacking. Make a lasting impression. 5 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Look for an outlet for pent-up energy before you implode. Keeping busy is the best way to avoid getting into an argument. Reach out with love, affection and an offer to work with those you deal with daily. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Emotional decisions or changes will not turn out as planned. Spend more time figuring out the best way to proceed and less time letting others push you in a direction that makes you feel uncertain. Personal interests will fetch better results. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your mind will work like a sponge, soaking up information that will come in handy as trends kick in and lifestyle changes take place. Stay informed and make innovative suggestions; the result will be lucrative. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Do your own thing. If you let others push you around or take advantage of you, it will lower your self-esteem. Stand up for your rights, beliefs and traditions, and you will gain respect. Romance is on the rise. 5 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Put emotions aside when it comes to personal or joint money matters. A situation at home will push you to make a lifestyle change. Make sure the decisions you make are for the right reason. Do your homework first. 2 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Learn through experience. Refuse to let anyone use you or feed you false information. Do background checks and go directly to the source before you make a move based on hearsay. Personal gains should include health, wealth and educational pursuits. 4 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Put a change you want to make at home in motion. Get the family involved in your plans, and it will result in suggestions that make your life easier. An unexpected turn of events will favor you and your pursuits. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Direct your energy into personal gains, home improvements and physical fitness. Channel your energy into making your space a welcome and efficient environment that encourages you to be productive. A close relationship will improve with nurturing. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Be creative in how you handle the changes in your community. Reach out virtually, and discover what the most recent boundaries are and how best to utilize them to get ahead. Turn a negative situation into a positive one. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are intelligent, adaptable and convincing. You are imaginative and helpful.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-07-07--Bridge: July 7, 2020

Bridge: July 7, 2020

In the club lounge , Unlucky Louie told us his 13-year-old daughter was starting to think about careers .
“ I told her she could be anyone she wanted , ” Louie sighed , “ and she looked upset .
She said , ‘ Dad , that ’ s what they call identity theft.
’ It ’ s become a cynical world.
” There was theft in today ’ s deal from a team match .
Both Souths played at 3NT , and West led a heart .
Dummy ’ s jack won .
One declarer came to his hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
East took the queen and returned a heart , and South was doomed .
West set up his hearts with the ace of diamonds as an entry .
Down one .
The other South stole the game .
At Trick Two he led dummy ’ s deuce of diamonds , hoping to lose to West , who couldn ’ t continue hearts effectively .
East beats 3NT by putting up his queen ( ! )
to return a heart , but when he played low , declarer ’ s jack won .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but South went right by playing the king .
He lost a diamond to the ace and made overtricks .
You hold : S K 7 H A Q 3 D J 9 7 6 5 C A 5 3 .
You open one diamond , your partner responds one spade , you bid 1NT and he jumps to three hearts .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Since partner has a distributional hand , I would not insist on notrump with a primary club stopper and weak diamonds .
Bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take a spade preference , and he must be prepared for you to do so with a doubleton honor .
You can still get to notrump .

In the club lounge, Unlucky Louie told us his 13-year-old daughter was starting to think about careers.
“I told her she could be anyone she wanted,” Louie sighed, “and she looked upset. She said, ‘Dad, that’s what they call identity theft.’ It’s become a cynical world.”
There was theft in today’s deal from a team match. Both Souths played at 3NT, and West led a heart. Dummy’s jack won. One declarer came to his hand and let the nine of diamonds ride. East took the queen and returned a heart, and South was doomed. West set up his hearts with the ace of diamonds as an entry. Down one.
OTHER TABLE
The other South stole the game. At Trick Two he led dummy’s deuce of diamonds, hoping to lose to West, who couldn’t continue hearts effectively.
East beats 3NT by putting up his queen (!) to return a heart, but when he played low, declarer’s jack won. West ducked again on the next diamond, but South went right by playing the king. He lost a diamond to the ace and made overtricks.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S K 7 H A Q 3 D J 9 7 6 5 C A 5 3. You open one diamond, your partner responds one spade, you bid 1NT and he jumps to three hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: Since partner has a distributional hand, I would not insist on notrump with a primary club stopper and weak diamonds. Bid three spades. His bidding invites you to take a spade preference, and he must be prepared for you to do so with a doubleton honor. You can still get to notrump.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S A Q 6 3
H J 10
D K 10 2
C K 9 6 2
WEST
S 8 4 2
H K 9 7 6 2
D A 8 3
C 10 7
EAST
S J 10 9 5
H 8 5 4
D Q 4
C Q J 8 4
SOUTH
S K 7
H A Q 3
D J 9 7 6 5
C A 5 3
South West North East
1 D Pass 1 S Pass
1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — H 6
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-07-07--Word Game: July 7, 2020

Word Game: July 7, 2020

Can you find 22 or more words in ELAPSE ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — ELAPSE (ELAPSE: ih-LAPS: To slip by; pass.)
Average mark 18 words
Time limit 25 minutes
Can you find 22 or more words in ELAPSE? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — CIVILIANS cavil cilia civil civilian clan vain vial visa laic
lain anvil nail sail scan silica silva slain snail
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-07-07--Ask Amy: I want my unhappy neighbor to leave me alone

Dear Amy : I need to distance myself from an eight-year friendship with a neighbor .
This is hard to do , since we are more or less isolated due to COVID .
I can ’ t use the excuse that I ’ m out with other people or tell a little white lie about why I can ’ t talk to her when she calls .
Her negativity , repeated stories and complaints are driving me crazy .
She has become extremely negative and unhappy .
I did tell her to seek therapy , and she said it didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upside down right now and , honestly , I want to savor every moment I have left .
I just don ’ t have the patience to deal with other people ’ s issues right now .
I don ’ t want to be a phony and pretend to agree with the things she says and does .
I want to distance myself , but I don ’ t want to be mean .
• Ask Amy : I ’ m very put off by my girlfriend ’ s relationship with her dog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeps calling the cops , and now she has a camera on us • Ask Amy : I used the tuna casserole to send a message • Ask Amy : I just realized I don ’ t like my family .
Do I have to visit them ?
• Ask Amy : I ’ m engaged to a great guy who just might dump me “ I struggle with your negativity .
I feel bad for you , but I know I can ’ t help you .
I hope you get some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit my time talking and listening — for my own mental health.
” None of these statements are “ mean.
” Your neighbor vents to you .
You have the right to honestly speak your own truth .
Dear Amy : After some false starts , our 20-year-old son is ready to go to college .
He ’ s retaken some community college classes he originally failed , and gotten mostly As and Bs .
He ’ s got a job , and this fall is planning to move near the college , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve always said we would support him for college , but he wants to live with his long-term girlfriend .
We like her , and they ’ ve been together two years , but they ’ re only 20 !
She will also be in school in the city , but her family can ’ t afford for her to have her own place , and she doesn ’ t have anyone to live with .
Our son and she want to get a place between their two schools and split the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other half ) .
We don ’ t like the idea of 20-year-olds living together just out of financial expediency , or pushing the relationship faster than it should go .
He ’ s just getting his life back on track , and we think the idea of being sort-of married and sharing a home ( that the parents pay for ) while going to school is just not a good idea — for school or the relationship .
Now , however , our son says they will break up if they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be too hard to be in a relationship “ long distance.
” What do you think ?
Would you support the cohabitation ?
Or are we right to hold the line and let them figure it out ?
Dear Slow it Down : If you hold the lease on an apartment and are paying the rent , you have the right to insist that your son get a different roommate — preferably someone who also goes to his school .
However , understand that the roommate you know ( his girlfriend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to college nearby ) might be a much better bet than the roommate you don ’ t know .
Your son ’ s girlfriend might continue to be a good and stabilizing influence for him .
It seems that she has been , so far .
If you are very much against them living together , then you should put your foot down and deny them this arrangement .
However , both of these young people are leaving home , and if they are determined to be together and stay together , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together with you knowing about it , or they will simply cohabit for at least part of the time ( as many 20-year-olds have done ) and keep it a secret from you .
I believe it should be up to the two of them to make the ultimate decision .
Yes , they are young — but if they have made a mistake they will have to cope with the consequences .
Dear Amy : I didn ’ t like your answer to “ Pandemic Pandemonium.
” This man was complaining because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was wearing old clothes at home .
Honestly , the pandemic has been a liberation from all of that for many of us , and if he doesn ’ t like it he can lump it .
Dear Free : I didn ’ t take this as complaining , but as an expression of concern .
Any time someone ’ s affect changes dramatically , it warrants attention .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her on Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

Dear Amy: I need to distance myself from an eight-year friendship with a neighbor. This is hard to do, since we are more or less isolated due to COVID. I can’t use the excuse that I’m out with other people or tell a little white lie about why I can’t talk to her when she calls.
Her negativity, repeated stories and complaints are driving me crazy. She has become extremely negative and unhappy.
I did tell her to seek therapy, and she said it didn’t help.
Our world is upside down right now and, honestly, I want to savor every moment I have left. I just don’t have the patience to deal with other people’s issues right now. I don’t want to be a phony and pretend to agree with the things she says and does. I want to distance myself, but I don’t want to be mean.
Any suggestions?
Short-distance Friend
Dear Short-distance: Write down some simple statements:
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“I need to limit my time talking and listening — for my own mental health.”
None of these statements are “mean.” Your neighbor vents to you. You have the right to honestly speak your own truth.
Dear Amy: After some false starts, our 20-year-old son is ready to go to college. He’s retaken some community college classes he originally failed, and gotten mostly As and Bs. He’s got a job, and this fall is planning to move near the college, which is 45 minutes away.
We’ve always said we would support him for college, but he wants to live with his long-term girlfriend. We like her, and they’ve been together two years, but they’re only 20!
She will also be in school in the city, but her family can’t afford for her to have her own place, and she doesn’t have anyone to live with. Our son and she want to get a place between their two schools and split the rent (with her parents paying the other half).
We don’t like the idea of 20-year-olds living together just out of financial expediency, or pushing the relationship faster than it should go.
He’s just getting his life back on track, and we think the idea of being sort-of married and sharing a home (that the parents pay for) while going to school is just not a good idea — for school or the relationship.
Now, however, our son says they will break up if they can’t live together, because it would be too hard to be in a relationship “long distance.”
What do you think? Would you support the cohabitation? Or are we right to hold the line and let them figure it out?
Slow It Down
Dear Slow it Down: If you hold the lease on an apartment and are paying the rent, you have the right to insist that your son get a different roommate — preferably someone who also goes to his school.
However, understand that the roommate you know (his girlfriend, who is nice, stable, also going to college nearby) might be a much better bet than the roommate you don’t know. Your son’s girlfriend might continue to be a good and stabilizing influence for him. It seems that she has been, so far.
If you are very much against them living together, then you should put your foot down and deny them this arrangement. However, both of these young people are leaving home, and if they are determined to be together and stay together, they will. They will either live together with you knowing about it, or they will simply cohabit for at least part of the time (as many 20-year-olds have done) and keep it a secret from you.
I believe it should be up to the two of them to make the ultimate decision. Yes, they are young — but if they have made a mistake they will have to cope with the consequences.
Dear Amy: I didn’t like your answer to “Pandemic Pandemonium.” This man was complaining because his wife had stopped wearing makeup and was wearing old clothes at home.
Honestly, the pandemic has been a liberation from all of that for many of us, and if he doesn’t like it he can lump it.
Free at Last
Dear Free: I didn’t take this as complaining, but as an expression of concern. Any time someone’s affect changes dramatically, it warrants attention.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-07-08--Ex-Mission College instructor arrested on suspicion of sexual assault

SANTA CLARA – A former Mission College instructor has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a student with developmental disabilities , authorities said Tuesday .
In late May , the 25-year-old student ’ s parents reported that their daughter had been sexually assaulted on several occasions in Santa Clara , police said in a news release .
A joint investigation by Santa Clara police and West Valley-Mission College District police culminated in Ruiz ’ s arrest on July 2 .
Police said Ruiz became acquainted with the student while he was working as a contract instructor in her class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disabilities .
The program serves adults with developmental disabilities and is operated on the Mission campus under a contract from the San Andreas Regional Center .
The program stopped meeting in person in March due to COVID-19 , and Ruiz has not had any access to students since then , said college spokesman Niall Adler in an email .
Adler said Ruiz passed a background check and started working for the district in August 2015 .
“ With student safety as the utmost concern , Ruiz was quickly removed from his role following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s parent of alleged inappropriate conduct and was separated from employment with Mission College in June 2020 , ” Adler said .
Police did not disclose exactly when and where the alleged sexual assaults took place .
Ruiz was booked into Santa Clara County jail on charges of forcible rape , forcible sexual penetration with a foreign object , and lewd and lascivious acts by a caretaker involving a dependent adult , police said .
“ Mission College takes these charges very seriously , ” said Mission College President Daniel Peck in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closely with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation and have moved quickly in our response , ” he continued .
“ This does not reflect the environment that we promote at Mission College.
” Anyone with information about the alleged sexual assaults can contact Santa Clara police Detective Doug Gerbrandt at 408-615-4812 .

SANTA CLARA – A former Mission College instructor has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a student with developmental disabilities, authorities said Tuesday.
Santa Clara police identified the suspect as 68-year-old San Jose resident Raymond Ruiz.
In late May, the 25-year-old student’s parents reported that their daughter had been sexually assaulted on several occasions in Santa Clara, police said in a news release. A joint investigation by Santa Clara police and West Valley-Mission College District police culminated in Ruiz’s arrest on July 2.
Police said Ruiz became acquainted with the student while he was working as a contract instructor in her class in the Program for Students with Developmental Disabilities. The program serves adults with developmental disabilities and is operated on the Mission campus under a contract from the San Andreas Regional Center.
The program stopped meeting in person in March due to COVID-19, and Ruiz has not had any access to students since then, said college spokesman Niall Adler in an email.
Adler said Ruiz passed a background check and started working for the district in August 2015.
“With student safety as the utmost concern, Ruiz was quickly removed from his role following a report from the 25-year-old adult student’s parent of alleged inappropriate conduct and was separated from employment with Mission College in June 2020,” Adler said.
Police did not disclose exactly when and where the alleged sexual assaults took place.
Ruiz was booked into Santa Clara County jail on charges of forcible rape, forcible sexual penetration with a foreign object, and lewd and lascivious acts by a caretaker involving a dependent adult, police said.
“Mission College takes these charges very seriously,” said Mission College President Daniel Peck in a statement.
“We are working closely with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation and have moved quickly in our response,” he continued. “This does not reflect the environment that we promote at Mission College.”
Anyone with information about the alleged sexual assaults can contact Santa Clara police Detective Doug Gerbrandt at 408-615-4812.


mercurynews--2020-07-08--Michael V. Drake is named new UC president

By Jocelyn Gecker and Julie Watson | Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO — The University of California system has named Dr. @ @ @ @ @ Napolitano and become its first Black president .
A physician , Drake was unanimously approved @ @ @ @ @ Regents .
He enters the president ’ s office as campus budgets are being slashed @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
Drake was chancellor the University of California , Irvine from 2005 @ @ @ @ @ university increased the number of applicants for undergraduate admission by more than 90 % and @ @ @ @ @ , public health , pharmaceutical sciences and nursing science .
Drake went on to become @ @ @ @ @ University before he retired from that position last month .
Prior to UC Irvine , @ @ @ @ @ for health affairs for the University of California system .
This is a breaking story @ @ @ @ @

By Jocelyn Gecker and Julie Watson | Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — Dr. Michael Drake was chosen Tuesday to be president of the University of California, the first Black leader in the system’s 150-year history.
Drake, a seasoned university administrator, replaces Janet Napolitano in overseeing a sprawling, 280,000-student system dealing with issues of accessibility for Blacks and other minorities along with slashed budgets and upended campus life because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Drake is a UC-trained physician who served as chancellor of the University of California, Irvine, and also led The Ohio State University before retiring from that job last month.
The UC Board of Regents unanimously approved Drake’s appointment.
“I’m excited and ready to go,” Drake told the board, noting the challenging times amid the pandemic, the threat of climate change, and “the yawning wounds of social injustice that we see in so many ways that really tears at the fabric of our lives.”
He noted that the UC system is “best equipped worldwide” to be “fully engaged in finding solutions.”
Napolitano, whose seven years as president end Aug. 1, said Drake’s appointment is “one more step in our university’s ongoing effort to ensure that the university reflects the rich diversity of our state. It follows other recent decisions by this board to address issues of inequity and systemic racism in our society.”
The first woman to serve as UC president, Napolitano added that: “I recognize the significance of these firsts and while I hope that this kind of leadership diversity at our nation’s universities will soon become commonplace, I am humbled and grateful to have been part of this chapter in UC’s history.”
Drake was UC Irvine’s chancellor from 2005 to 2014, when the university increased the number of applicants for undergraduate admission by more than 90% and added programs in law, public health, pharmaceutical sciences and nursing science.
Drake went on to become president at The Ohio State University before he retired from that position last month.
In that position, he worked to increase the numbers of minority and underrepresented students. The university boosted financial aid, and introduced changes to the tuition model.
He also worked to create minority representation during his years in the UC system. Prior to UC Irvine, he served as vice president for health affairs for the UC system. He earned his medical degree in ophthalmology at UC San Francisco.
“Michael is a wise and thoughtful leader, never afraid to do the right thing at the right time,” said Kim A. Wilcox, UC Riverside’s chancellor, who served with Drake on the board of the University Innovation Alliance, a group of 11 public universities working to improve college access for low-income students, first-generation students, and students of color.
Drake takes the helm as the state budget cuts more than $470 million from the UC system, and many campuses have already announced plans for mostly online instruction in the fall.
The announcement also comes as the California State University system is searching for a new leader. President Timothy White announced he would retire in June, but delayed his departure until the fall because of the pandemic.
Napolitano oversaw historic expansions at the 10-campus system and championed immigrant students. When she took the post in 2013, Napolitano seemed an unconventional choice to lead the prestigious public university system. She had no ties to UC and no experience in academic leadership in her career.
Napolitano has been governor of Arizona, secretary of U.S. Homeland Security, a federal prosecutor and a partner in a prominent Phoenix law firm.
During her tenure at UC, Napolitano won praise for helping to boost enrollment to historic numbers. UC schools now have 280,000 students and 227,000 employees. She is also credited with reforming sexual misconduct policies.
However a state audit in 2016 found that Napolitano’s office not only amassed millions of dollars in reserve funds that weren’t disclosed but that top aides also sought to suppress criticism of her office in surveys that were supposed to be confidential and sent directly to the state auditor.
State Auditor Elaine Howle’s report said there was “insufficient evidence” to conclude Napolitano knew or approved of any interference. But the investigation and subsequent oversight prompted a rare public rebuke by the UC’s governing Board of Regents, and the university adopted measures to improve transparency.
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4 ways restarting student loan payments could impact economy Education | Are they students or employees? Stanford joins surge in graduate student unions across the country Napolitano was also a staunch supporter of the rights of immigrant students. In 2017, the university joined a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, an action that led to injunctions that allowed hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients to extend their authorization to legally live and work in the U.S., including students in the UC system.
Napolitano has battled a recurrence of breast cancer, but when she announced her resignation last September she said her health was good. She plans to resume teaching at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy in the fall of 2021.
Jocelyn Gecker in San Francisco and Robert Jablon in Los Angeles contributed to this story.


mercurynews--2020-07-08--Data: Lots of virus aid money went to people in Washington

By Matthew Daly and Brian Slodysko | Associated Press WASHINGTON — At least a dozen lawmakers have ties to organizations that received federal coronavirus aid , according to newly released government data , highlighting how Washington insiders were both author and beneficiary of one of the biggest government programs in U.S. history .
Under pressure from Congress and outside groups , the Trump administration this week disclosed the names of some loan recipients in the $ 659 billion Paycheck Protection Program , launched in April to help smaller businesses keep Americans employed during the pandemic .
Connections to lawmakers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , were quickly apparent .
Among businesses that received money was a California hotel partially owned by the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , as well as a shipping business started by Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao ’ s family .
Chao is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
Car dealerships owned by Republican Reps. Roger Williams of Texas and Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania , and fast-food franchises owned by Rep. Kevin Hern , R-Okla. , received money .
So , too , did a law firm owned by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the former law firm of Rep. Matt Cartwright , D-Pa. , which employs his wife .
Money also flowed to a farming and equipment business owned by the family of Rep. Vicky Hartzler , R-Mo.
, and a regional casino company led by the husband of Rep. Susie Lee , D-Nev. Members of Congress and their families are not barred from receiving loans under the PPP , and there is no evidence they received special treatment .
Loans were granted to Democrats and Republicans alike , something President Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ records showed donors to his campaign coffers were among the earliest beneficiaries .
Hundreds of millions of dollars also flowed to political consultants , opposition research shops , law firms , advocacy organizations and trade associations whose work is based around influencing government and politics .
While voting , lobbying and ultimately benefiting from legislation aren ’ t illegal , advocates say the blurred lines risk eroding public trust in the federal pandemic response as Congress begins debating yet another round of coronavirus relief .
“ It certainly looks bad and smells bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson for Common Cause , a watchdog group that was also approved for a loan through the program .
As of June 30 , the Treasury Department program had handed out $ 521 billion to industries including manufacturing , construction , restaurants and hotels .
Treasury identified just a fraction of the total borrowers Monday , naming only companies that got more than $ 150,000 .
Those firms made up less than 15 % of the nearly 5 million small companies and organizations that received assistance .
Many of the lawmakers connected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the application process .
A spokesperson for Pelosi said her husband , Paul , is a minority investor in the company that owns the El Dorado Hotel in the wine-country town of Sonoma , Calif. Paul Pelosi has a 8.1 % stake in the company , valued at $ 250,000 to $ 500,000 , Pelosi ’ s office said .
“ Mr .
Pelosi is a minor , passive investor in this company , ” said the Democratic speaker ’ s spokesperson , Drew Hammill .
“ He was not involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loan.
” The firm , EDI Associates , is listed as a recipient of a loan between $ 350,000 and $ 1 million .
New York-based Foremost Maritime Co. , founded by Chao ’ s parents and run by her sister , was cleared for a loan valued between $ 350,000 and $ 1 million .
McConnell , a Republican seeking reelection in Kentucky , said Tuesday : “ Neither my wife , nor I , have anything to do with that business and didn ’ t know anything about it.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , N , H. , got a loan of $ 1 million to $ 2 million .
The firm is owned by Jeanne Shaheen ’ s husband , William Shaheen .
A title company partially owned by William Shaheen got a $ 160,000 loan and a half dozen companies he partially owns or another relative owns got loans , below $ 150,000 .
Jeanne Shaheen said she “ was not involved in any way in applying for those loans nor do I have anything to do with their businesses , and Congress had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Four car dealerships owned by Kelly received $ 600,000 to $ 1.4 million .
Mike Kelly Automotive Group , Mike Kelly Automotive LP and Mike Kelly Hyundai and Kelly Chevrolet-Cadillac , all near Pittsburgh , received the money .
A spokesman for Kelly said he wasn ’ t part of the loan application and isn ’ t involved in the operations of the dealerships , in accordance with ethics rules .
Williams , one of the wealthiest lawmakers with a net worth of over $ 27 million in 2018 , received a loan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealership in Weatherford , Texas .
Williams is president and CEO of JRW Corp. of Fort Worth , which is listed as receiving a loan of $ 1 million to $ 2 million .
“ Like every other company who accepted a small business loan , our business qualified under law and regulation , and today over 100 of our employees are grateful that we did , ” Williams said in a statement .
At least five car dealerships owned by the husband of Rep. Carol Miller , R-W.Va. , also received loans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 million , the data show .
Other lawmakers , while distancing themselves from the loan process , sought to portray the PPP program as a success story .
Hern ’ s Tulsa-based KTAK Corp. , a management company for several McDonald ’ s restaurants , received $ 1 million to $ 2 million .
Hern isn ’ t involved in the day-to-day operations , but “ he is happy to share that the family business was able to keep all employees either at their current level of employment or move part-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s chief of staff , Cameron Foster , said .
Four businesses owned by fellow Rep. Markwayne Mullin , R-Okla. , received at least $ 800,000 .
Full House Resorts , a Las Vegas-based casino company led by Lee ’ s husband , Daniel , got two loans totaling $ 5.6 million , according to the Securities and Exchange Commission .
The company said the funds would be used to rehire several hundred employees and prepare for reopening two casinos in Indiana and Colorado .
Lee ’ s office said she had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence over the application .
Two wineries tied to Rep. Devin Nunes , R-Calif. , and an Iowa farm run by his family received loans worth at least $ 2 million .
The wineries got separate loans worth $ 1 million to $ 2 million , and an Iowa dairy farm that is tied to his relatives received $ 150,000 to $ 350,000 .
Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro in Washington ; Holly Ramer in Concord , N.H. ; Marc Levy in Harrisburg , Pa. ; Cuneyt Dil in Sacramento , Calif. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , contributed to this report .

By Matthew Daly and Brian Slodysko | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — At least a dozen lawmakers have ties to organizations that received federal coronavirus aid, according to newly released government data, highlighting how Washington insiders were both author and beneficiary of one of the biggest government programs in U.S. history.
Under pressure from Congress and outside groups, the Trump administration this week disclosed the names of some loan recipients in the $659 billion Paycheck Protection Program, launched in April to help smaller businesses keep Americans employed during the pandemic. Connections to lawmakers, and the organizations that work to influence them, were quickly apparent.
Among businesses that received money was a California hotel partially owned by the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as well as a shipping business started by Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao’s family. Chao is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Car dealerships owned by Republican Reps. Roger Williams of Texas and Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, and fast-food franchises owned by Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., received money. So, too, did a law firm owned by the husband of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and the former law firm of Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Pa., which employs his wife.
Money also flowed to a farming and equipment business owned by the family of Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., and a regional casino company led by the husband of Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev.
Members of Congress and their families are not barred from receiving loans under the PPP, and there is no evidence they received special treatment. Loans were granted to Democrats and Republicans alike, something President Donald Trump’s campaign was quick to highlight when records showed donors to his campaign coffers were among the earliest beneficiaries.
Hundreds of millions of dollars also flowed to political consultants, opposition research shops, law firms, advocacy organizations and trade associations whose work is based around influencing government and politics.
While voting, lobbying and ultimately benefiting from legislation aren’t illegal, advocates say the blurred lines risk eroding public trust in the federal pandemic response as Congress begins debating yet another round of coronavirus relief.
“It certainly looks bad and smells bad,” said Aaron Scherb, a spokesperson for Common Cause, a watchdog group that was also approved for a loan through the program.
As of June 30, the Treasury Department program had handed out $521 billion to industries including manufacturing, construction, restaurants and hotels.
Treasury identified just a fraction of the total borrowers Monday, naming only companies that got more than $150,000. Those firms made up less than 15% of the nearly 5 million small companies and organizations that received assistance.
Many of the lawmakers connected to loan awards emphasized they weren’t part of the application process.
A spokesperson for Pelosi said her husband, Paul, is a minority investor in the company that owns the El Dorado Hotel in the wine-country town of Sonoma, Calif. Paul Pelosi has a 8.1% stake in the company, valued at $250,000 to $500,000, Pelosi’s office said.
“Mr. Pelosi is a minor, passive investor in this company,” said the Democratic speaker’s spokesperson, Drew Hammill. “He was not involved in or even aware of this PPP loan.” The firm, EDI Associates, is listed as a recipient of a loan between $350,000 and $1 million.
New York-based Foremost Maritime Co., founded by Chao’s parents and run by her sister, was cleared for a loan valued between $350,000 and $1 million. McConnell, a Republican seeking reelection in Kentucky, said Tuesday: “Neither my wife, nor I, have anything to do with that business and didn’t know anything about it.”
The Shaheen & Gordon law firm in Dover, N,H., got a loan of $1 million to $2 million. The firm is owned by Jeanne Shaheen’s husband, William Shaheen. A title company partially owned by William Shaheen got a $160,000 loan and a half dozen companies he partially owns or another relative owns got loans, below $150,000.
Jeanne Shaheen said she “was not involved in any way in applying for those loans nor do I have anything to do with their businesses, and Congress had no role in processing PPP applications.”
Four car dealerships owned by Kelly received $600,000 to $1.4 million. Mike Kelly Automotive Group, Mike Kelly Automotive LP and Mike Kelly Hyundai and Kelly Chevrolet-Cadillac, all near Pittsburgh, received the money. A spokesman for Kelly said he wasn’t part of the loan application and isn’t involved in the operations of the dealerships, in accordance with ethics rules.
Williams, one of the wealthiest lawmakers with a net worth of over $27 million in 2018, received a loan for his Roger Williams Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership in Weatherford, Texas. Williams is president and CEO of JRW Corp. of Fort Worth, which is listed as receiving a loan of $1 million to $2 million. “Like every other company who accepted a small business loan, our business qualified under law and regulation, and today over 100 of our employees are grateful that we did,” Williams said in a statement.
At least five car dealerships owned by the husband of Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., also received loans, each ranging from $350,000 to $1 million, the data show.
Other lawmakers, while distancing themselves from the loan process, sought to portray the PPP program as a success story.
Hern’s Tulsa-based KTAK Corp., a management company for several McDonald’s restaurants, received $1 million to $2 million. Hern isn’t involved in the day-to-day operations, but “he is happy to share that the family business was able to keep all employees either at their current level of employment or move part-time employees to full time,” Hern’s chief of staff, Cameron Foster, said. Four businesses owned by fellow Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., received at least $800,000.
Full House Resorts, a Las Vegas-based casino company led by Lee’s husband, Daniel, got two loans totaling $5.6 million, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company said the funds would be used to rehire several hundred employees and prepare for reopening two casinos in Indiana and Colorado.
Lee’s office said she had no knowledge of the loans and no influence over the application.
Two wineries tied to Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., and an Iowa farm run by his family received loans worth at least $2 million. The wineries got separate loans worth $1 million to $2 million, and an Iowa dairy farm that is tied to his relatives received $150,000 to $350,000.
Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro in Washington; Holly Ramer in Concord, N.H.; Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pa.; Cuneyt Dil in Sacramento, Calif., and Anthony Izaguirre in Charleston, W.Va., contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-07-07--‘Hawaii Five-0,’ ‘Magnum P.I.’ producer fired by CBS

Peter Lenkov , the TV producer behind highly successful reboots of “ Hawaii Five-0 , ” “ Magnum P.I.
” and “ MacGyver , ” has been fired by CBS for creating what the network describes as a “ toxic work environment.
” “ Peter Lenkov is no longer the executive producer overseeing ‘ MacGyver ’ and ‘ Magnum P.I.
, ’ and the studio has ended its relationship with him , ” a CBS TV Studios spokesperson said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday .
The statement went on to say , “ Our studio is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environments .
Over the past year , we have assigned human resource production partners to every show , expanded staff training and increased reporting options .
We will continue to evolve our practices with continued focus on building trust with all who work on our sets .
Every complaint is taken seriously , every claim is investigated , and when evidence is clear that policies were violated and values not upheld , we take decisive action.
” Lenkov was dismissed with year remaining on a lucrative deal with CBS TV Studios , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ P.I.
” The show that launched his run with CBS — “ Hawaii Five-0 ” — ended earlier this year after 10 seasons .
In a statement of his own to THR , Lenkov took an apologetic tone .
“ Now is the time to listen and I am listening , ” he said .
“ It ’ s difficult to hear that the working environment I ran was not the working environment my colleagues deserved , and for that , I am deeply sorry .
I accept responsibility for what I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work that is required to do better and be better.
” Sources told THR that Lenkov had been the subject of at least three complaints alleging that he was “ manipulative and abusive ” during his time overseeing “ Hawaii Five-0 ” and “ MacGyver.
” He allegedly had a “ boys club ” that included favored male employees who regularly gathered , smoked cigars and inappropriately judged the appearance of women in Hawaii .
Others allege that he accommodated special work-schedule requests from male actors without offering similar consideration to actresses on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reboot of the iconic procedural , concluded its run in April .
“ It was a hard place to be a woman on that set , ” one source said of the former “ Five-0 ” set on Oahu .
Behind the scenes , sources told THR that Lenkov would routinely talk down to writers — particularly women and people of color .
In one incident , he allegedly mocked a disabled fan and , after a writer objected to his behavior , attempted to have her fired .
“ He isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ singularly — it ’ s all of it , ” says an insider .
“ He ’ s anti-woman , anti-POC , anti-gay , and everything you ’ d expect .
But he ’ d also torture straight white men if he felt like it.
” Variety reported similar complaints , writing that multiple sources said Lenkov was “ known to be misogynistic and to make crude jokes on set.
” The first public hint of trouble on the “ Hawaii Five-0 ” set came in the summer of 2017 when original series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stunningly walked away from the show after seven seasons in a contract dispute .
Both had asked for salary parity with co-stars Alex O ’ Loughlin and Scott Caan , but were not granted it .
Lenkov , in some ways , has been an odd television success story .
He was never the kind of creative auteur who molded a highly original , groundbreaking and/or critically acclaimed series .
But he had a knack for regurgitating successful shows from the past and tailoring them for an older CBS audience .
“ Hawaii @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a slicker take on the island crime series that ran from 1968 to ’ 80 on CBS .
Lenkov is the latest producer or executive at CBS to be terminated in recent years due to allegations of misconduct .
The most high-profile exit came in 2018 when CEO Leslie Moonves left after The New Yorker published multiple allegations of harassment and abuse by the top executive .
Other ignominious departures included “ NCIS : New Orleans ” producer Brad Kern , “ 60 Minutes ” executive producer Jeff Fager and “ CBS This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 , was accused of sexual harassment .

Peter Lenkov, the TV producer behind highly successful reboots of “Hawaii Five-0,” “Magnum P.I.” and “MacGyver,” has been fired by CBS for creating what the network describes as a “toxic work environment.”
“Peter Lenkov is no longer the executive producer overseeing ‘MacGyver’ and ‘Magnum P.I.,’ and the studio has ended its relationship with him,” a CBS TV Studios spokesperson said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday.
The statement went on to say, “Our studio is committed to ensuring safe and respectful production environments. Over the past year, we have assigned human resource production partners to every show, expanded staff training and increased reporting options. We will continue to evolve our practices with continued focus on building trust with all who work on our sets. Every complaint is taken seriously, every claim is investigated, and when evidence is clear that policies were violated and values not upheld, we take decisive action.”
Lenkov was dismissed with year remaining on a lucrative deal with CBS TV Studios, which produces “MacGyver” and “Magnum P.I.” The show that launched his run with CBS — “Hawaii Five-0” — ended earlier this year after 10 seasons.
In a statement of his own to THR, Lenkov took an apologetic tone.
“Now is the time to listen and I am listening,” he said. “It’s difficult to hear that the working environment I ran was not the working environment my colleagues deserved, and for that, I am deeply sorry. I accept responsibility for what I am hearing and am committed to doing the work that is required to do better and be better.”
Sources told THR that Lenkov had been the subject of at least three complaints alleging that he was “manipulative and abusive” during his time overseeing “Hawaii Five-0” and “MacGyver.” He allegedly had a “boys club” that included favored male employees who regularly gathered, smoked cigars and inappropriately judged the appearance of women in Hawaii.
Others allege that he accommodated special work-schedule requests from male actors without offering similar consideration to actresses on “Hawaii Five-0.” The series, a reboot of the iconic procedural, concluded its run in April.
“It was a hard place to be a woman on that set,” one source said of the former “Five-0” set on Oahu.
Behind the scenes, sources told THR that Lenkov would routinely talk down to writers — particularly women and people of color. In one incident, he allegedly mocked a disabled fan and, after a writer objected to his behavior, attempted to have her fired.
“He isn’t racist or sexist or classist singularly — it’s all of it,” says an insider. “He’s anti-woman, anti-POC, anti-gay, and everything you’d expect. But he’d also torture straight white men if he felt like it.”
Variety reported similar complaints, writing that multiple sources said Lenkov was “known to be misogynistic and to make crude jokes on set.”
The first public hint of trouble on the “Hawaii Five-0” set came in the summer of 2017 when original series stars Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park stunningly walked away from the show after seven seasons in a contract dispute. Both had asked for salary parity with co-stars Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan, but were not granted it.
Lenkov, in some ways, has been an odd television success story. He was never the kind of creative auteur who molded a highly original, groundbreaking and/or critically acclaimed series. But he had a knack for regurgitating successful shows from the past and tailoring them for an older CBS audience. “Hawaii Five-0,” for example, was a slicker take on the island crime series that ran from 1968 to ’80 on CBS.
Lenkov is the latest producer or executive at CBS to be terminated in recent years due to allegations of misconduct. The most high-profile exit came in 2018 when CEO Leslie Moonves left after The New Yorker published multiple allegations of harassment and abuse by the top executive.
Other ignominious departures included “NCIS: New Orleans” producer Brad Kern, “60 Minutes” executive producer Jeff Fager and “CBS This Morning” host Charlie Rose who, in 2017, was accused of sexual harassment.


mercurynews--2020-07-07--H-1B: San Jose firm will pay to resolve claim it favored Indian applicants over white applicants

A San Jose information-technology company reliant on the controversial H-1B visa , and which trumpets its commitment to diversity , has agreed to pay $ 171,000 to resolve claims that it discriminated against white job applicants in favor of workers of Indian descent .
The U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release Tuesday that its settlement with Mphasis , whose parent company is headquartered in India , followed a finding from a “ routine compliance evaluation ” that between 2015 and 2017 the company “ discriminated against white applicants in favor of Asian applicants for computer systems analyst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more-specific description of the applicants allegedly favored , describing them as “ Asian applicants , particularly Asian Indians.
” The agreement notes that Mphasis denies the department ’ s claims .
The agreed-upon payment by Mphasis represents lost wages , according to the department , which declined to say whether its probe of the company was linked to a long-running lawsuit .
In that suit , which settled confidentially this year in federal court in New York , a white man claimed in 2012 that after he ’ d been hired by Mphasis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the company ’ s workforce was overwhelmingly composed of workers of Indian descent , and that discrimination against non-Indians was “ an everyday occurrence.
” Mphasis in a court filing acknowledged that its workers were overwhelmingly Indian , but denied the discrimination claim by the man , Curt Hawley .
Mphasis is considered by the federal government to be “ dependent ” on the H-1B visa , which is intended for jobs required specialized skills and is widely used by IT staffing and outsourcing companies , among others .
That dependent classification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of their full-time workforce on the visa .
Mphasis this year and over the previous two years received a total of 722 approvals for new H-1B workers , 2,056 H-1B visa extensions , and 427 denials , federal government data show .
The H-1B has become a flashpoint in America ’ s immigration debate , and a target for reform by the administration of President Donald Trump , which has dramatically increased visa-denial rates for IT staffing firms and outsourcers , but has failed to make promised changes including redefining which jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of spouses of H-1B holders on track for green cards .
Silicon Valley ’ s technology giants use the H-1B heavily and have pushed to expand the annual 85,000 cap on new visas , arguing that they need more visas to secure the world ’ s top talent .
Critics point to reported abuses and allege that staffing companies , outsourcers and major tech firms use the H-1B to supplant U.S. workers , undercut wages and facilitate outsourcing .
• H-1B and Mountain View : Visa fraudster from China with alleged luxury tastes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No Indians ’ : Bay Area firm to pay $ 350,000 to settle claims of bias against Indian , Middle Eastern customers • H-1B : Government issues first-ever official estimate of visa population in U.S .
The Labor Department said in the settlement agreement that it believed the alleged anti-white hiring bias at Mphasis led to a “ shortfall of 14 hires.
” Mphasis , on its website , says of its workers that “ everyone is unique and the diverse background that they come from adds to the plethora of point of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the table.
” While Mphasis understands that “ all aspects of diversity needs must be given equal importance , ” it has selected gender and disability as “ focus areas , ” the site says .
According to the settlement agreement , which was signed in April by representatives from the Labor Department and company , the department alleged that Mphasis refused to provide access to employees and employment records , a claim Mphasis denied .
Under the settlement ’ s terms , the company will “ provide access to information relevant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agreement says .
The firm also agreed to contact applicants it allegedly discriminated against , so those who respond can share the back-wages payment .
And Mphasis agreed to change its hiring processes for computer systems analysts to minimize the chance of discrimination , the agreement says .

A San Jose information-technology company reliant on the controversial H-1B visa, and which trumpets its commitment to diversity, has agreed to pay $171,000 to resolve claims that it discriminated against white job applicants in favor of workers of Indian descent.
The U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release Tuesday that its settlement with Mphasis, whose parent company is headquartered in India, followed a finding from a “routine compliance evaluation” that between 2015 and 2017 the company “discriminated against white applicants in favor of Asian applicants for computer systems analyst positions.” The settlement agreement contains a more-specific description of the applicants allegedly favored, describing them as “Asian applicants, particularly Asian Indians.” The agreement notes that Mphasis denies the department’s claims.
The agreed-upon payment by Mphasis represents lost wages, according to the department, which declined to say whether its probe of the company was linked to a long-running lawsuit.
In that suit, which settled confidentially this year in federal court in New York, a white man claimed in 2012 that after he’d been hired by Mphasis as a sales manager, he found that the company’s workforce was overwhelmingly composed of workers of Indian descent, and that discrimination against non-Indians was “an everyday occurrence.” Mphasis in a court filing acknowledged that its workers were overwhelmingly Indian, but denied the discrimination claim by the man, Curt Hawley.
Mphasis is considered by the federal government to be “dependent” on the H-1B visa, which is intended for jobs required specialized skills and is widely used by IT staffing and outsourcing companies, among others. That dependent classification applies to companies with at least 15% of their full-time workforce on the visa. Mphasis this year and over the previous two years received a total of 722 approvals for new H-1B workers, 2,056 H-1B visa extensions, and 427 denials, federal government data show.
The H-1B has become a flashpoint in America’s immigration debate, and a target for reform by the administration of President Donald Trump, which has dramatically increased visa-denial rates for IT staffing firms and outsourcers, but has failed to make promised changes including redefining which jobs and workers qualify, and prohibiting employment of spouses of H-1B holders on track for green cards. Silicon Valley’s technology giants use the H-1B heavily and have pushed to expand the annual 85,000 cap on new visas, arguing that they need more visas to secure the world’s top talent. Critics point to reported abuses and allege that staffing companies, outsourcers and major tech firms use the H-1B to supplant U.S. workers, undercut wages and facilitate outsourcing.
Related Articles Technology | H-1B and Mountain View: Visa fraudster from China with alleged luxury tastes gets three years in prison
H-1B and Mountain View: Visa fraudster from China with alleged luxury tastes gets three years in prison Technology | ‘No Indians’: Bay Area firm to pay $350,000 to settle claims of bias against Indian, Middle Eastern customers
‘No Indians’: Bay Area firm to pay $350,000 to settle claims of bias against Indian, Middle Eastern customers Technology | H-1B: Government issues first-ever official estimate of visa population in U.S. The Labor Department said in the settlement agreement that it believed the alleged anti-white hiring bias at Mphasis led to a “shortfall of 14 hires.” Mphasis, on its website, says of its workers that “everyone is unique and the diverse background that they come from adds to the plethora of point of views and experiences that our employees bring to the table.” While Mphasis understands that “all aspects of diversity needs must be given equal importance,” it has selected gender and disability as “focus areas,” the site says.
According to the settlement agreement, which was signed in April by representatives from the Labor Department and company, the department alleged that Mphasis refused to provide access to employees and employment records, a claim Mphasis denied. Under the settlement’s terms, the company will “provide access to information relevant to any future compliance review,” the agreement says. The firm also agreed to contact applicants it allegedly discriminated against, so those who respond can share the back-wages payment. And Mphasis agreed to change its hiring processes for computer systems analysts to minimize the chance of discrimination, the agreement says.


mercurynews--2020-07-07--Chez Panisse sues insurance company for denial of COVID-19 coverage

Famed Berkeley restaurant Chez Panisse filed a lawsuit Tuesday against its insurance company , AMCO , for denying coverage for losses resulting from the government-mandated shutdowns related to the coronavirus pandemic .
Owner and founder Alice Waters said in a statement that “ Chez Panisse spent years paying hefty premiums for business interruption insurance and AMCO has an obligation to help provide economic relief to my team and restore the wide-ranging supply chain of small farms and businesses that Chez Panisse relies on to provide fresh and local cuisine.
” Business interruption insurance typically helps protect against lost income after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the first lawsuit of its kind during COVID-19 .
Tuesday ’ s news comes on the heels of similar individual and class-action lawsuits being filed by restaurant owners around the country , including Napa ’ s Thomas Keller , following broad denials by insurance companies with little or no investigation into the specific needs of the restaurants .
Chez Panisse is being represented in the suit by two firms — California-based Gibbs Law Group and Washington , D.C.-based Cohen Milstein Sellers and Toll PLLC — and both are reviewing potential claims on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small business owners , including Albany ’ s The Ivy Room , San Francisco ’ s Mudpie and Berkeley ’ s The Gardener , who have been affected by similar insurance company denials .
In a phone call , Andre Mura , a partner at Gibbs Law Group , explained that AMCO ’ s denial appears to be based on an unreasonable reading of its policy and overly broad exclusions .
“ These businesses were responsible and paid substantial premiums for insurance and in our view this is a covered loss , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are having a profound impact on the restaurant industry and now it ’ s having a substantial impact on a broader group of people within the supply chain .
It ’ s a pretty substantial social issue .
”

Famed Berkeley restaurant Chez Panisse filed a lawsuit Tuesday against its insurance company, AMCO, for denying coverage for losses resulting from the government-mandated shutdowns related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Owner and founder Alice Waters said in a statement that “Chez Panisse spent years paying hefty premiums for business interruption insurance and AMCO has an obligation to help provide economic relief to my team and restore the wide-ranging supply chain of small farms and businesses that Chez Panisse relies on to provide fresh and local cuisine.”
Business interruption insurance typically helps protect against lost income after a covered peril, and this is not the first lawsuit of its kind during COVID-19. Tuesday’s news comes on the heels of similar individual and class-action lawsuits being filed by restaurant owners around the country, including Napa’s Thomas Keller, following broad denials by insurance companies with little or no investigation into the specific needs of the restaurants.
Chez Panisse is being represented in the suit by two firms — California-based Gibbs Law Group and Washington, D.C.-based Cohen Milstein Sellers and Toll PLLC — and both are reviewing potential claims on behalf of other Bay Area restaurants and small business owners, including Albany’s The Ivy Room, San Francisco’s Mudpie and Berkeley’s The Gardener, who have been affected by similar insurance company denials.
In a phone call, Andre Mura, a partner at Gibbs Law Group, explained that AMCO’s denial
appears to be based on an unreasonable reading of its policy and overly broad exclusions.
“These businesses were responsible and paid substantial premiums for insurance and in our view this is a covered loss,” he said. “The COVID-19 closures are having a profound impact on the restaurant industry and now it’s having a substantial impact on a broader group of people within the supply chain. It’s a pretty substantial social issue.”
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mercurynews--2020-07-07--Coronavirus retail: Levi Strauss cuts 700 corporate jobs

Levi Strauss , jolted by coronavirus-linked shutdowns of its retail stores , has decided to chop 700 corporate jobs , the legendary maker of denim jeans said Tuesday .
“ The second-quarter results highlight the difficult external environment we ’ ve been navigating the last several months , ” Chip Bergh , Levi Strauss president and chief executive officer , said in an email distributed Tuesday to employees .
San Francisco-based Levi Strauss lost $ 364 million in its second fiscal quarter , which ended in late May , compared with a profit of $ 29 million for the year-ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revenue totaled $ 498 million during the second quarter , down 62 percent from $ 1.31 billion in the same period of last year .
Levi Strauss has decided to lay off 700 workers , which equates to 15 percent of its corporate staff worldwide , the company said Tuesday .
The big problem ?
For 10 of the 13 weeks during the second quarter , most Levi Strauss stores and most stores operated by the company ’ s wholesale partners were closed due to coronavirus-linked shutdowns .
Sales of merchandise online weren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in any meaningful way .
“ Although our online sales accelerated , it was not nearly enough to offset the revenue impact of closed doors , ” Bergh said .
Even though stores have begun to open their doors again , the situation is far from normal , according to Levi Strauss , a maker and retailer of clothes including denim jeans .
• State , nonprofits step up to help undocumented workers hit with staggering job losses , crushing debt • Union to California ’ s teachers : Brace for cuts steeper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 90 percent of our stores have now reopened around the world , as well as most of our franchise and wholesale partner doors , traffic and revenues continue to lag behind prior year , ” Bergh said .
Levi Strauss has spotted some signs of improvement , however .
“ Although we are starting to see some green shoots , we need to continue to be cautious , ” Bergh said .
“ We still face many unknowns .
”

Levi Strauss, jolted by coronavirus-linked shutdowns of its retail stores, has decided to chop 700 corporate jobs, the legendary maker of denim jeans said Tuesday.
“The second-quarter results highlight the difficult external environment we’ve been navigating the last several months,” Chip Bergh, Levi Strauss president and chief executive officer, said in an email distributed Tuesday to employees.
San Francisco-based Levi Strauss lost $364 million in its second fiscal quarter, which ended in late May, compared with a profit of $29 million for the year-ago second quarter, the company reported.
Revenue totaled $498 million during the second quarter, down 62 percent from $1.31 billion in the same period of last year.
Levi Strauss has decided to lay off 700 workers, which equates to 15 percent of its corporate staff worldwide, the company said Tuesday.
The big problem? For 10 of the 13 weeks during the second quarter, most Levi Strauss stores and most stores operated by the company’s wholesale partners were closed due to coronavirus-linked shutdowns.
Sales of merchandise online weren’t enough to buoy Levi Strauss in any meaningful way. “Although our online sales accelerated, it was not nearly enough to offset the revenue impact of closed doors,” Bergh said.
Even though stores have begun to open their doors again, the situation is far from normal, according to Levi Strauss, a maker and retailer of clothes including denim jeans.
“While about 90 percent of our stores have now reopened around the world, as well as most of our franchise and wholesale partner doors, traffic and revenues continue to lag behind prior year,” Bergh said.
Levi Strauss has spotted some signs of improvement, however.
“Although we are starting to see some green shoots, we need to continue to be cautious,” Bergh said. “We still face many unknowns.”


mercurynews--2020-07-07--Judge denies emergency order to reconsider pipeline order

NEW YORK – A federal judge denied an emergency request by owners of the Dakota Access oil pipeline ( DAPL ) for the court to reconsider its order to shut and drain the 570,000 barrel-a-day line within a month , court records showed on Tuesday .
The pipeline , operated by Energy Transfer , is the largest out of the Bakken shale region in North Dakota , one of the biggest oil producing patches in the United States .
Without the pipeline , the region ’ s production capacity will be constrained .
Native American tribes led by the Standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s construction because a portion of the pipeline runs beneath South Dakota ’ s Lake Oahe .
The reservoir is a source of drinking water for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe .
The tribes opposed the emergency request , saying the company was trying to rush legal process and deny opponents adequate time to respond .
Energy Transfer said on Monday that if the request was denied , its next move would be to pursue a stay and expedited appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals to delay the process of shutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of D.C. on Monday ordered pipeline owner consortium Dakota Access LLC , controlled by Energy Transfer , to stop operations and empty DAPL pending an environmental review that could take a year .
The court said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated national environmental law when it granted an easement to Energy Transfer to build and operate beneath Lake Oahe because the it failed to produce an adequate Environmental Impact Statement .
As well as contesting the need for the environmental review , Energy Transfer is trying to prevent the pipeline ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The company likely faces a months-long appeals process at a higher court on the review , legal experts say .
And if it can ’ t secure a stay , it will not only have to shut the line but empty 5.8 million barrels of crude oil by Aug. 5 , analysts said .
Energy Transfer said in legal filings this week that it could take an estimated three months to empty the line , putting it in jeopardy of violating the court order .
Energy Transfer has previously estimated the costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about $ 67.5 million per year and said a prolonged closure would actually increase the risk of a spill under Lake Oahe .
During a shutdown , potentially corrosive products would likely gather in the lowest point of the pipeline below the lake , Energy Transfer said in May .
That , in turn , could increase the risk of a potential leak when the pipeline resumes operation .
There ’ s a higher possibility than on the district court level that the appellate court will grant a stay , said James Coleman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University .
But Dakota Access will need to show that the order forcing the pipeline to shut was wrong and that it would cause significant financial harm to the company or other beneficiaries , he added .
“ It ’ s still a long shot .
The Supreme Court option is even a bigger long shot , ” said Coleman , who has expertise in environmental and energy cases .
The process to get a stay order , allowing the pipeline to run , could take the full 30 days Dakota Access has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Department of Justice could also appeal the district court ’ s decision and apply for a stay directly to Chief Justice John Roberts , analysts at Height Capital Markets said in a note , adding Roberts would be likely to grant the request .
“ We expect the DOJ will appeal the district court decision by the end of the week or early next and anticipate the circuit court will decide on the motion for a stay before the Aug. 5 shutdown date , ” the financial research group said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellis )

By Laila Kearney and Devika Krishna Kumar | Reuters
NEW YORK – A federal judge denied an emergency request by owners of the Dakota Access oil pipeline (DAPL) for the court to reconsider its order to shut and drain the 570,000 barrel-a-day line within a month, court records showed on Tuesday.
The pipeline, operated by Energy Transfer, is the largest out of the Bakken shale region in North Dakota, one of the biggest oil producing patches in the United States. Without the pipeline, the region’s production capacity will be constrained.
Native American tribes led by the Standing Rock Sioux and environmental groups protested DAPL’s construction because a portion of the pipeline runs beneath South Dakota’s Lake Oahe. The reservoir is a source of drinking water for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
The tribes opposed the emergency request, saying the company was trying to rush legal process and deny opponents adequate time to respond.
Energy Transfer said on Monday that if the request was denied, its next move would be to pursue a stay and expedited appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals to delay the process of shutting the pipeline.
The U.S. District Court of D.C. on Monday ordered pipeline owner consortium Dakota Access LLC, controlled by Energy Transfer, to stop operations and empty DAPL pending an environmental review that could take a year.
The court said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated national environmental law when it granted an easement to Energy Transfer to build and operate beneath Lake Oahe because the it failed to produce an adequate Environmental Impact Statement.
As well as contesting the need for the environmental review, Energy Transfer is trying to prevent the pipeline’s closure while the review takes place.
The company likely faces a months-long appeals process at a higher court on the review, legal experts say. And if it can’t secure a stay, it will not only have to shut the line but empty 5.8 million barrels of crude oil by Aug. 5, analysts said.
Energy Transfer said in legal filings this week that it could take an estimated three months to empty the line, putting it in jeopardy of violating the court order.
Energy Transfer has previously estimated the costs related to shutting down the pipeline at about $67.5 million per year and said a prolonged closure would actually increase the risk of a spill under Lake Oahe.
During a shutdown, potentially corrosive products would likely gather in the lowest point of the pipeline below the lake, Energy Transfer said in May. That, in turn, could increase the risk of a potential leak when the pipeline resumes operation.
There’s a higher possibility than on the district court level that the appellate court will grant a stay, said James Coleman, a law professor at Southern Methodist University. But Dakota Access will need to show that the order forcing the pipeline to shut was wrong and that it would cause significant financial harm to the company or other beneficiaries, he added.
“It’s still a long shot. The Supreme Court option is even a bigger long shot,” said Coleman, who has expertise in environmental and energy cases.
The process to get a stay order, allowing the pipeline to run, could take the full 30 days Dakota Access has to empty the pipeline, he said.
The Department of Justice could also appeal the district court’s decision and apply for a stay directly to Chief Justice John Roberts, analysts at Height Capital Markets said in a note, adding Roberts would be likely to grant the request.
“We expect the DOJ will appeal the district court decision by the end of the week or early next and anticipate the circuit court will decide on the motion for a stay before the Aug. 5 shutdown date,” the financial research group said. (Editing by Simon Webb and Aurora Ellis)