mercurynews--2020-08-06--Palo Alto: Suspect arrested in stabbing of elderly man

A man in his 80s remained hospitalized this week after being stabbed in the face and neck in Palo Alto on July 31 , police said .
Officers were dispatched to the area of Lytton Avenue and Seneca Street about 7:05 p.m. for a report of a man down with a head wound , said Palo Alto police Sgt .
Craig Lee in a news release Wednesday .
They arrived to find the victim conscious but bleeding from major injuries to his face and neck , including several stab wounds .
Lee said a witness reported seeing a teenager running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , two women showed up and told officers they were looking for a teenage relative – he had just called them , saying he needed a ride and sharing his GPS location .
An initial investigation , which included a review of surveillance footage from homes near the scene , led to the identification of the suspect as 18-year-old East Palo Alto resident Andrew McMenomy-Cortez , the same person the women were looking for , Lee said .
Lee said it appeared that the victim was walking on the sidewalk when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation .
The suspect and victim then walked together for a time before the alleged assault occurred .
Robbery is not suspected as a motive because the victim was not missing any property , Lee said .
McMenomy-Cortez was arrested at his home on Garden Street and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail in San Jose on felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse .
Anyone with information about the alleged assault can contact the Palo Alto Police Department at 650-329-2413 .
Those wishing to remain anonymous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paloalto @ tipnow.org .

A man in his 80s remained hospitalized this week after being stabbed in the face and neck in Palo Alto on July 31, police said.
Officers were dispatched to the area of Lytton Avenue and Seneca Street about 7:05 p.m. for a report of a man down with a head wound, said Palo Alto police Sgt. Craig Lee in a news release Wednesday. They arrived to find the victim conscious but bleeding from major injuries to his face and neck, including several stab wounds.
Lee said a witness reported seeing a teenager running from the scene. At the same time, two women showed up and told officers they were looking for a teenage relative – he had just called them, saying he needed a ride and sharing his GPS location.
An initial investigation, which included a review of surveillance footage from homes near the scene, led to the identification of the suspect as 18-year-old East Palo Alto resident Andrew McMenomy-Cortez, the same person the women were looking for, Lee said.
Lee said it appeared that the victim was walking on the sidewalk when the suspect approached him and struck up a conversation. The suspect and victim then walked together for a time before the alleged assault occurred.
Robbery is not suspected as a motive because the victim was not missing any property, Lee said.
McMenomy-Cortez was arrested at his home on Garden Street and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail in San Jose on felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse.
Anyone with information about the alleged assault can contact the Palo Alto Police Department at 650-329-2413. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call or text 650-383-8984 or email paloalto@tipnow.org.


mercurynews--2020-08-06--Facebook takes down Trump post about COVID-19

Twitter said on Wednesday it had restricted President Donald Trump ’ s campaign from tweeting after its account shared a video containing false claims about the coronavirus .
The tweet , a video of Trump ’ s interview with Fox News in which he said children are “ almost immune ” to the virus , “ is in violation of the Twitter Rules on Covid-19 misinformation , ” a Twitter spokesperson said in a statement .
“ The account owner will be required to remove the Tweet before they can Tweet again.
” The account appeared to have the ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , suggesting the campaign had complied with the order and removed the video .
Just hours before , Facebook removed a post from Trump ’ s main page featuring the same interview for similar reasons .
CNN has reached out to the Trump campaign and Twitter for comment .
Earlier Wednesday , Facebook deleted a post by Trump for the first time , saying it violated its policy against spreading misinformation about the coronavirus .
The post in question featured a link to the Fox News video in which Trump says children are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Facebook said Wednesday that the “ video includes false claims that a group of people is immune from COVID-19 which is a violation of our policies around harmful COVID misinformation.
” This is the first time that Facebook has removed a post from Trump entirely , rather than labeling it , as it has done in the past .
Several studies suggest , but don ’ t prove , that children are less likely to become infected than adults and more likely to have only mild symptoms .
But this is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to the virus .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

By Rishi Iyengar | CNN
Twitter said on Wednesday it had restricted President Donald Trump’s campaign from tweeting after its account shared a video containing false claims about the coronavirus.
The tweet, a video of Trump’s interview with Fox News in which he said children are “almost immune” to the virus, “is in violation of the Twitter Rules on Covid-19 misinformation,” a Twitter spokesperson said in a statement. “The account owner will be required to remove the Tweet before they can Tweet again.”
The account appeared to have the ability to tweet following Twitter’s statement, suggesting the campaign had complied with the order and removed the video.
Just hours before, Facebook removed a post from Trump’s main page featuring the same interview for similar reasons.
CNN has reached out to the Trump campaign and Twitter for comment.
Earlier Wednesday, Facebook deleted a post by Trump for the first time, saying it violated its policy against spreading misinformation about the coronavirus.
The post in question featured a link to the Fox News video in which Trump says children are “virtually immune” to the virus.
Facebook said Wednesday that the “video includes false claims that a group of people is immune from COVID-19 which is a violation of our policies around harmful COVID misinformation.”
This is the first time that Facebook has removed a post from Trump entirely, rather than labeling it, as it has done in the past.
Several studies suggest, but don’t prove, that children are less likely to become infected than adults and more likely to have only mild symptoms. But this is not the same as being “virtually immune” to the virus.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-08-06--Mountain West football plans to start season Sept. 26 because of coronavirus pandemic

The Mountain West Conference announced plans Wednesday to have its football teams play an eight-game conference schedule and up to two non-conference games .
The football season will start no earlier than Sept. 26 .
The Mountain West championship game , scheduled for Dec. 5 at the home stadium of the division winner with the best record , could be pushed back to Dec. 12 or 19 if a coronavirus outbreak delays conference games .
San Jose State has already lost non-conference football games with Penn State of the Big Ten and independent UConn , which canceled its entire football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming off a 5-7 season , was scheduled to open the season Sept. 5 at Central Michigan .
The conference says its revised fall sports plan will align with the requirements announced Wednesday by the NCAA Board of Governors .
Officials will track the virus on each school ’ s campus and communities , and alter the conference ’ s plan accordingly — including the possibility of delaying or canceling games .
• NCAA Division II and III cancel fall championships over coronavirus , Division I football up to schools • WCC creates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hiring in athletics Olympic sports in the conference will play only within the league and competition will also begin Sept. 26 .
Women ’ s soccer and women ’ s volleyball champions will be determined by regular-season competition , while options for men ’ s and women ’ s cross country continue to be reviewed .
All fall competition in the sports of men ’ s and women ’ s golf , men ’ s and women ’ s tennis , swimming and diving , indoor track and field , softball and baseball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and well-being of our students , student-athletes , coaches , staff and overall communities remain the first and foremost priority , ” read a statement from Dr. Mary Papazian , president of San José State University and chair of the Mountain West Board of Directors .
“ An incredible amount of thought and discussion from multiple perspectives went into making this decision .
The modified fall structure supports the measures being taken by each of our institutions to ensure responsible return to play .
We will continue to gather the best medical information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health professionals , as well as state and local officials , as we make decisions and necessary adjustments in the future .
”

The Mountain West Conference announced plans Wednesday to have its football teams play an eight-game conference schedule and up to two non-conference games.
The football season will start no earlier than Sept. 26.
The Mountain West championship game, scheduled for Dec. 5 at the home stadium of the division winner with the best record, could be pushed back to Dec. 12 or 19 if a coronavirus outbreak delays conference games.
San Jose State has already lost non-conference football games with Penn State of the Big Ten and independent UConn, which canceled its entire football season Wednesday. San Jose State, coming off a 5-7 season, was scheduled to open the season Sept. 5 at Central Michigan.
The conference says its revised fall sports plan will align with the requirements announced Wednesday by the NCAA Board of Governors. Officials will track the virus on each school’s campus and communities, and alter the conference’s plan accordingly — including the possibility of delaying or canceling games.
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All fall competition in the sports of men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, swimming and diving, indoor track and field, softball and baseball has been canceled.
“The health and well-being of our students, student-athletes, coaches, staff and overall communities remain the first and foremost priority,” read a statement from Dr. Mary Papazian, president of San José State University and chair of the Mountain West Board of Directors. “An incredible amount of thought and discussion from multiple perspectives went into making this decision. The modified fall structure supports the measures being taken by each of our institutions to ensure responsible return to play. We will continue to gather the best medical information available and lean on advice from public health professionals, as well as state and local officials, as we make decisions and necessary adjustments in the future.”


mercurynews--2020-08-06--Chomp! It’s Shark Fest time at Bay Area drive-ins

Shark Week has arrived and even our drive-in theaters aren ’ t safe .
Yes , the annual celebration of our favorite finned feeding machine always brings special programming to the Discovery Channel ( here ’ s what you need to know about that ) .
But now the West Wind Drive-In Theaters are getting in on the fun , bringing Shark Fest to its sites across the country , including San Jose , Concord and Sacramento , Aug. 7-16 .
West Wind theaters during that stretch will show double features including such fin-tastic classics as “ Jaws ” ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Deep Blue Sea , ” “ 47 Meters Down ” and more .
But the feeding frenzy doesn ’ t end there .
Go to the digital theater chain ’ s website and you will find information on how you can enter a “ Baby Shark ” dance contest ( the prize includes free movie tickets ) , as well as suggestions for shark-themed costumes , car decorations and snacks .
( We don ’ t know exactly what constitutes an appropriate snack for a shark movie , and we don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admission tickets for shows are $ 8.25 , $ 1.75 for kids ages 5-11 .
Get tickets , showtimes and more information at www.westwinddi.com .

Shark Week has arrived and even our drive-in theaters aren’t safe.
Yes, the annual celebration of our favorite finned feeding machine always brings special programming to the Discovery Channel (here’s what you need to know about that).
But now the West Wind Drive-In Theaters are getting in on the fun, bringing Shark Fest to its sites across the country, including San Jose, Concord and Sacramento, Aug. 7-16.
West Wind theaters during that stretch will show double features including such fin-tastic classics as “Jaws” (natch!) “The Meg,” “Deep Blue Sea,” “47 Meters Down” and more. But the feeding frenzy doesn’t end there.
Go to the digital theater chain’s website and you will find information on how you can enter a “Baby Shark” dance contest (the prize includes free movie tickets), as well as suggestions for shark-themed costumes, car decorations and snacks. (We don’t know exactly what constitutes an appropriate snack for a shark movie, and we don’t want to).
General admission tickets for shows are $8.25, $1.75 for kids ages 5-11. Get tickets, showtimes and more information at www.westwinddi.com.


mercurynews--2020-08-06--Chinatown gangster who bribed Oakland cop gets life for double murder

OAKLAND — Once a small-time criminal who for years enjoyed protection from a corrupt Oakland police officer he bribed , Wing Wo Ma was sentenced Wednesday to life in federal prison for murdering a husband and wife in Mendocino County .
Ma , of Oakland , shot and killed suspected Chinese underworld gangster Jim Tat Kong and Cindy Bao Feng Chen execution style in Fort Bragg in October 2013 .
Ma had borrowed money from Kong for a failed marijuana grow and a real estate scheme and his various scams were catching up with him .
Kong was known to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boy ” Chow , the infamous leader of the Ghee Kung Tong criminal organization who was convicted in a separate trial of being part of a conspiracy to murder Kong .
Chen was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time , and was asleep when Ma attacked them , according to prosecutors .
Ma rode with the couple to a secluded , wooded area , promising to show off his fictional marijuana operation .
From the back seat of a minivan , he shot the unsuspecting couple , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI .
“ Ma killed Cindy Chen , the mother of a young child , on her birthday .
Ma fired the killing shots just feet away from the child ’ s car seat , ” federal prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo .
“ According to the Medical Examiner , the gunshot to Jim Tat Kong likely awoke Cindy Chen who only had time to turn her head and raise her hand in a defensive posture before Ma shot her in the side of the head as well.
” After the killings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handler : former Alameda County District Attorney inspector , Oakland lieutenant and Chinatown gang expert , Harry Hu , in an attempt to learn what investigators knew about the murders .
On Nov. 7 , 2017 , a jury convicted Ma , also known as Mark or “ Fat Mark , ” of the murders , firearms charges , conspiring to distribute drugs and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and bribery .
Ma was born in Hong Kong and raised in a “ cramped apartment in a public housing project ” there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law at 15 , when he unwittingly delivered a box of drugs at the request of his neighbors .
He identified his neighbors to authorities , then fled to the United States on a tourist visa because he feared reprisal , his attorney wrote in a sentencing memo .
In California , Ma lived a double life : as a marijuana cultivator with ties to organized crime in the Bay Area , but also as a confidential informant , his attorney wrote .
The defense argued for a 30-year sentence , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use his years in custody for positive pursuits.
” Ma was not only a confidential informant for Hu .
A FBI investigation later uncovered Ma and Hu were friends , and Ma was bribing Hu and another Oakland officer with trips to Las Vegas and Reno , picking up tabs for drinks , hotel suites and “ company of hostesses ” in Vegas bars .
Ma also leased a $ 46,000 car to Hu , and sought protection from the veteran officer when he sensed that the feds were closing in on him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected Ma was involved in the murders but did not come forward because he was compromised for taking the bribes .
Over the years , Hu had helped Ma avoid arrest , including after a fire of an illegal marijuana grow in Oakland , and wrote a letter to an immigration judge in 2002 to stop the court from deporting Ma , after a felony pimping arrest in San Rafael ended in a conviction of misdemeanor running a house of prostitution and a 45-day jail sentence .
The shocking allegations tarnished the reputation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Oakland Police Department was considered an early bridge between the Chinatown community and the police , and was a mentor to younger Asian Oakland officers .
They called him “ dai lo ” or big brother .
Hu joined OPD in 1988 , retired in 2007 and went to work for the DA ’ s office .
Hu took a plea deal in late 2018 , agreeing to take the stand in Ma ’ s trial and is scheduled to be sentenced later this month , facing a one-year federal prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October revealed former Oakland police Sgt .
Warren Young partook in the trips Ma paid for , and Hu and Young each invested $ 40,000 in a hotel project , another one of Ma ’ s bogus business ventures .
Once they realized it was a sham , Ma paid them back — in cash , Hu testified .
At the time of Hu ’ s testimony , Young was working as an Alameda County welfare fraud investigator , having retired from the OPD .
He is expected to be named as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

OAKLAND — Once a small-time criminal who for years enjoyed protection from a corrupt Oakland police officer he bribed, Wing Wo Ma was sentenced Wednesday to life in federal prison for murdering a husband and wife in Mendocino County.
Ma, of Oakland, shot and killed suspected Chinese underworld gangster Jim Tat Kong and Cindy Bao Feng Chen execution style in Fort Bragg in October 2013. Ma had borrowed money from Kong for a failed marijuana grow and a real estate scheme and his various scams were catching up with him.
Kong was known to be a rival of Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow, the infamous leader of the Ghee Kung Tong criminal organization who was convicted in a separate trial of being part of a conspiracy to murder Kong. Chen was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and was asleep when Ma attacked them, according to prosecutors.
Ma rode with the couple to a secluded, wooded area, promising to show off his fictional marijuana operation. From the back seat of a minivan, he shot the unsuspecting couple, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI.
“Ma killed Cindy Chen, the mother of a young child, on her birthday. Ma fired the killing shots just feet away from the child’s car seat,” federal prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo. “According to the Medical Examiner, the gunshot to Jim Tat Kong likely awoke Cindy Chen who only had time to turn her head and raise her hand in a defensive posture before Ma shot her in the side of the head as well.”
After the killings, he called his longtime law enforcement handler: former Alameda County District Attorney inspector, Oakland lieutenant and Chinatown gang expert, Harry Hu, in an attempt to learn what investigators knew about the murders.
On Nov. 7, 2017, a jury convicted Ma, also known as Mark or “Fat Mark,” of the murders, firearms charges, conspiring to distribute drugs and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and bribery.
Ma was born in Hong Kong and raised in a “cramped apartment in a public housing project” there. He first got in trouble with the law at 15, when he unwittingly delivered a box of drugs at the request of his neighbors. He identified his neighbors to authorities, then fled to the United States on a tourist visa because he feared reprisal, his attorney wrote in a sentencing memo.
In California, Ma lived a double life: as a marijuana cultivator with ties to organized crime in the Bay Area, but also as a confidential informant, his attorney wrote. The defense argued for a 30-year sentence, saying it could be an “incentive to use his years in custody for positive pursuits.”
Ma was not only a confidential informant for Hu. A FBI investigation later uncovered Ma and Hu were friends, and Ma was bribing Hu and another Oakland officer with trips to Las Vegas and Reno, picking up tabs for drinks, hotel suites and “company of hostesses” in Vegas bars. Ma also leased a $46,000 car to Hu, and sought protection from the veteran officer when he sensed that the feds were closing in on him.
Hu would later tell investigators he suspected Ma was involved in the murders but did not come forward because he was compromised for taking the bribes. Over the years, Hu had helped Ma avoid arrest, including after a fire of an illegal marijuana grow in Oakland, and wrote a letter to an immigration judge in 2002 to stop the court from deporting Ma, after a felony pimping arrest in San Rafael ended in a conviction of misdemeanor running a house of prostitution and a 45-day jail sentence.
The shocking allegations tarnished the reputation of Hu, who during his years at the Oakland Police Department was considered an early bridge between the Chinatown community and the police, and was a mentor to younger Asian Oakland officers. They called him “dai lo” or big brother. Hu joined OPD in 1988, retired in 2007 and went to work for the DA’s office.
Hu took a plea deal in late 2018, agreeing to take the stand in Ma’s trial and is scheduled to be sentenced later this month, facing a one-year federal prison term. Hu’s testimony in October revealed former Oakland police Sgt. Warren Young partook in the trips Ma paid for, and Hu and Young each invested $40,000 in a hotel project, another one of Ma’s bogus business ventures. Once they realized it was a sham, Ma paid them back — in cash, Hu testified.
At the time of Hu’s testimony, Young was working as an Alameda County welfare fraud investigator, having retired from the OPD. He is expected to be named as an unindicted, co-consipirator when Hu is sentenced.


mercurynews--2020-08-06--Politicizing COVID: Poll finds big gaps between Trump and Biden voters in support for reopening scho

Politicizing COVID: Poll finds big gaps between Trump and Biden voters in support for reopening schools, masks

California voters are wary of sending children back to school in person , support rules requiring people to wear face masks in stores and offices , and think their state moved too quickly in trying to reopen its economy amid the coronavirus pandemic , a UC Berkeley poll released Wednesday found .
But in a testament to how politicized the response to COVID-19 has become , the Institute of Governmental Studies poll found attitudes on each of those topics varied widely depending on one factor : Whether the person answering supports President Donald Trump .
There were mirrored divisions between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president Joe Biden on whether California made a mistake when it sought to reopen shuttered sectors of its economy earlier this year , before backtracking on that plan amid a surge of new infections .
The poll found 80 percent of Biden voters thought the state moved too quickly to reopen businesses , while 79 percent of Trump supporters thought the opposite — that the restrictions needed to be lifted because of the damage inflicted on the economy .
Overall , 61 percent of residents said the state was too hasty in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watched this polarization with dread for much of the pandemic , as everything from mandated face coverings to in-person schooling have turned into political battles , with many of Trump ’ s most ardent supporters digging into positions that are at odds with what epidemiologists say must be done to contain the deadly virus .
“ It ’ s almost as if there ’ s a segment of the voting public that is off on an island looking at the world differently from the rest of the voting public , ” said Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Partisanship is hardly a new phenomenon , of course .
But in the coronavirus era , DiCamillo said , it has played a key role in determining whether people are willing to follow the advice of public health officials .
As a new school year begins — and after the Trump administration spent weeks pushing for schools to bring students back for in-person learning — nearly half of the president ’ s supporters in California , 47 percent , said they think schools should reopen for normal in-person instruction .
Just 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of Biden supporters , hold that view .
Instead , 51 percent of Biden voters said the right strategy for education this fall is online-only instruction , while 44 percent said they want to see a hybrid model in which students learn in-person on certain days and online on others to ensure class sizes stay small .
Only 12 percent of Trump supporters thought online learning was appropriate , while 36 percent backed the hybrid idea .
The poll was conducted in English and Spanish between July 21 and 27 , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered California voters .
It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percent , according to IGS .
There was more widespread agreement on face coverings : The poll found people across the political spectrum , including more than two-thirds of Trump supporters , agreed with the public health consensus that masks can be effective in limiting the spread of coronavirus , and favored rules that require people to wear them in enclosed spaces .
But again , Trump supporters were far less likely than Biden voters to believe masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support face covering requirements .
Nearly one quarter of Trump supporters said they believe face coverings are “ not effective at all , ” and 32 percent opposed mask requirements .
Practically no Biden supporters held those views .
“ If people ask you if the sky is blue , it seems to be affected by if you ’ re a Republican or a Democrat these days , ” DiCamillo said .
“ Here ’ s its coloring your view on what most people would believe to be a scientific fact — @ @ @ @ @ @ @

California voters are wary of sending children back to school in person, support rules requiring people to wear face masks in stores and offices, and think their state moved too quickly in trying to reopen its economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, a UC Berkeley poll released Wednesday found. But in a testament to how politicized the response to COVID-19 has become, the Institute of Governmental Studies poll found attitudes on each of those topics varied widely depending on one factor: Whether the person answering supports President Donald Trump.
There were mirrored divisions between Trump supporters and those backing former vice president Joe Biden on whether California made a mistake when it sought to reopen shuttered sectors of its economy earlier this year, before backtracking on that plan amid a surge of new infections.
The poll found 80 percent of Biden voters thought the state moved too quickly to reopen businesses, while 79 percent of Trump supporters thought the opposite — that the restrictions needed to be lifted because of the damage inflicted on the economy. Overall, 61 percent of residents said the state was too hasty in its initial reopening.
Public health officials have watched this polarization with dread for much of the pandemic, as everything from mandated face coverings to in-person schooling have turned into political battles, with many of Trump’s most ardent supporters digging into positions that are at odds with what epidemiologists say must be done to contain the deadly virus.
“It’s almost as if there’s a segment of the voting public that is off on an island looking at the world differently from the rest of the voting public,” said Mark DiCamillo, director of the IGS poll.
Partisanship is hardly a new phenomenon, of course. But in the coronavirus era, DiCamillo said, it has played a key role in determining whether people are willing to follow the advice of public health officials.
As a new school year begins — and after the Trump administration spent weeks pushing for schools to bring students back for in-person learning — nearly half of the president’s supporters in California, 47 percent, said they think schools should reopen for normal in-person instruction. Just 14 percent of respondents overall, and 1 percent of Biden supporters, hold that view.
Instead, 51 percent of Biden voters said the right strategy for education this fall is online-only instruction, while 44 percent said they want to see a hybrid model in which students learn in-person on certain days and online on others to ensure class sizes stay small. Only 12 percent of Trump supporters thought online learning was appropriate, while 36 percent backed the hybrid idea.
The poll was conducted in English and Spanish between July 21 and 27, with an online survey of more than 8,000 registered California voters. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points, according to IGS.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge There was more widespread agreement on face coverings: The poll found people across the political spectrum, including more than two-thirds of Trump supporters, agreed with the public health consensus that masks can be effective in limiting the spread of coronavirus, and favored rules that require people to wear them in enclosed spaces.
But again, Trump supporters were far less likely than Biden voters to believe masks were “extremely” effective, or to support face covering requirements. Nearly one quarter of Trump supporters said they believe face coverings are “not effective at all,” and 32 percent opposed mask requirements. Practically no Biden supporters held those views.
“If people ask you if the sky is blue, it seems to be affected by if you’re a Republican or a Democrat these days,” DiCamillo said. “Here it’s coloring your view on what most people would believe to be a scientific fact — that face masks are effective.”


mercurynews--2020-08-05--In Beirut, echoes of Texas blast: ‘We don’t seem to learn’

By Paul J. Weber and Ellen Knickmeyer | Associated Press AUSTIN , Texas — The staggering videos from the Lebanese capital are grimly familiar to Tommy Muska thousands of miles away in Texas : a towering blast , a thundering explosion and shock waves demolishing buildings with horrifying speed .
It is what the mayor of West , Texas , lived seven years ago when one of the deadliest fertilizer plant explosions in U.S. history partly leveled his rural town .
On Wednesday , Muska also couldn ’ t shake a familiar feeling — that yet again , no lessons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know what people were thinking about storing that stuff , ” Muska told The Associated Press .
He was a volunteer firefighter at the time of the West explosion .
The 2013 disaster at the West Fertilizer Co. was a fraction of the size of Tuesday ’ s explosion at Beirut ’ s port that authorities say killed least 135 people and wounded about 5,000 .
Both blasts involved massive stockpiles of ammonium nitrate , a common but highly explosive chemical , and swift allegations that negligence and weak government oversight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on chemical storage came in the wake of the West explosion , which killed 15 people .
President Donald Trump scaled back industrial safety and disaster regulations enacted in direct response to the tragedy in Texas .
With a government mired in factional fighting and corruption , Lebanon offers an extreme example of what was once a bustling business economy operating now under little dependable regulation and enforcement .
The investigation is focusing on how a reported 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate came to be stored at the facility for six years and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The chemical had been stored at the port since it was confiscated from a ship in 2013 .
On Tuesday it is believed to have detonated when a fire started nearby .
In Texas , authorities suspected arson but no arrests have been made .
The West explosion had the force of a small earthquake .
It flattened homes in a five-block radius and destroyed a nursing home where residents , some in wheelchairs , were trapped in rubble .
Ten of those killed in the blast were firefighters or first responders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn that chemical is deadly , ” Muska said .
“ I feel for those people in Beirut , I surely do .
It brought back a lot of memories.
” Last year , the Trump administration scaled back chemical safety measures that included ending a requirement that plants provide members of the public information about chemical risks upon request .
Chemical manufacturers had pushed for the changes .
The Obama-era Chemical Disaster Rule is one of several rules or proposals meant to lessen the risks of major , possibly high-casualty industrial disasters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Others include stripping a Nuclear Regulatory Commission proposed rule that would have required nuclear plants to greatly harden their facilities against the kind of natural disasters that struck the plant in Fukushima , Japan .
Other steps cut proposed safety requirements for offshore rigs after the Deepwater Horizon explosion , and allowed shipment of liquefied natural gas by rail despite criticism from several states , firefighters and the National Transportation Safety Board .
The Environmental Protection Agency , which has trimmed scores of environmental and public health protections that the Trump administration sees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday about the rollback .
At the time , EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the weakening of the proposed Chemical Disaster Rule would save $ 88 million a year in compliance costs .
Wheeler said the administration ’ s move “ addresses emergency responders ’ longstanding concerns and maintains important public safety measures ” while saving money .
Elena Craft , a Texas-based senior director with the Environmental Defense Fund environmental group , cited the Chemical Disaster Rule among a series of other proposals weakening protections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and disproportionately Black or Hispanic — living around dangerous industrial sites .
Even the West , Texas , disaster , with its toll on first responders , failed to change the regulatory picture much after the headlines faded away , Craft said .
“ It ’ s always been sort of the constant story … it gets to be accepted business in Texas.
” In 1989 , Juan Flores was in sixth grade when an explosion at a Phillips 66 plastics plant near his Galena Park , Texas , community outside Houston killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school and blew out windows .
That area bordering Houston ’ s Shipping Channel is the nation ’ s hub for oil and gas and petrochemicals .
Yet Houston ’ s lack of zoning means residents ’ yards in poorer and minority neighborhoods butt up against looming chemical and petroleum storage tanks or booming industrial sites working with hazardous materials .
Six major chemical explosions have rocked the Houston area since March 2019 alone .
One , an explosion at a chemical tank , prompted widespread shelter-in-place orders for residents and sent a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for days .
A more recent chemical blast , in January , killed three people and damaged more than 450 surrounding buildings .
• As Beirut digs out , anger grows at authorities over blast • At least 50 dead after massive explosion in Beirut “ To see that happen ” in Beirut , it was the worst-case scenario for already worried people in his community , said Flores , a community activist and former Galena Park mayor .
“ There ’ s one or two plants here , if they ever go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could wind up in that situation.
” In West , street images on Google Maps still show crumbled buildings that were taken shortly after the blast that shook the town of only 3,000 people .
“ They ’ ve never come back with their little car , ” Muska said of Google .
Ammonium nitrate isn ’ t stored in the town any longer .
“ It ’ s got it ’ s useful places in the farming community , ” Muska said .
“ But it ’ s also , like we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be devastating .
”

By Paul J. Weber and Ellen Knickmeyer | Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas — The staggering videos from the Lebanese capital are grimly familiar to Tommy Muska thousands of miles away in Texas: a towering blast, a thundering explosion and shock waves demolishing buildings with horrifying speed.
It is what the mayor of West, Texas, lived seven years ago when one of the deadliest fertilizer plant explosions in U.S. history partly leveled his rural town. On Wednesday, Muska also couldn’t shake a familiar feeling — that yet again, no lessons will be learned.
“I don’t know what people were thinking about storing that stuff,” Muska told The Associated Press. He was a volunteer firefighter at the time of the West explosion.
The 2013 disaster at the West Fertilizer Co. was a fraction of the size of Tuesday’s explosion at Beirut’s port that authorities say killed least 135 people and wounded about 5,000. Both blasts involved massive stockpiles of ammonium nitrate, a common but highly explosive chemical, and swift allegations that negligence and weak government oversight were to blame.
Few significant crackdowns on chemical storage came in the wake of the West explosion, which killed 15 people. President Donald Trump scaled back industrial safety and disaster regulations enacted in direct response to the tragedy in Texas.
With a government mired in factional fighting and corruption, Lebanon offers an extreme example of what was once a bustling business economy operating now under little dependable regulation and enforcement.
The investigation is focusing on how a reported 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate came to be stored at the facility for six years and why nothing was done about it. The chemical had been stored at the port since it was confiscated from a ship in 2013. On Tuesday it is believed to have detonated when a fire started nearby.
In Texas, authorities suspected arson but no arrests have been made. The West explosion had the force of a small earthquake. It flattened homes in a five-block radius and destroyed a nursing home where residents, some in wheelchairs, were trapped in rubble. Ten of those killed in the blast were firefighters or first responders.
“We don’t seem to learn that chemical is deadly,” Muska said. “I feel for those people in Beirut, I surely do. It brought back a lot of memories.”
Last year, the Trump administration scaled back chemical safety measures that included ending a requirement that plants provide members of the public information about chemical risks upon request. Chemical manufacturers had pushed for the changes.
The Obama-era Chemical Disaster Rule is one of several rules or proposals meant to lessen the risks of major, possibly high-casualty industrial disasters that have been weakened under Trump. Others include stripping a Nuclear Regulatory Commission proposed rule that would have required nuclear plants to greatly harden their facilities against the kind of natural disasters that struck the plant in Fukushima, Japan.
Other steps cut proposed safety requirements for offshore rigs after the Deepwater Horizon explosion, and allowed shipment of liquefied natural gas by rail despite criticism from several states, firefighters and the National Transportation Safety Board.
The Environmental Protection Agency, which has trimmed scores of environmental and public health protections that the Trump administration sees as unfriendly to business, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday about the rollback.
At the time, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the weakening of the proposed Chemical Disaster Rule would save $88 million a year in compliance costs. Wheeler said the administration’s move “addresses emergency responders’ longstanding concerns and maintains important public safety measures” while saving money.
Elena Craft, a Texas-based senior director with the Environmental Defense Fund environmental group, cited the Chemical Disaster Rule among a series of other proposals weakening protections for the communities — often lower-income, and disproportionately Black or Hispanic — living around dangerous industrial sites.
Even the West, Texas, disaster, with its toll on first responders, failed to change the regulatory picture much after the headlines faded away, Craft said. “It’s always been sort of the constant story … it gets to be accepted business in Texas.”
In 1989, Juan Flores was in sixth grade when an explosion at a Phillips 66 plastics plant near his Galena Park, Texas, community outside Houston killed 23. The blast shook Flores’ school and blew out windows.
That area bordering Houston’s Shipping Channel is the nation’s hub for oil and gas and petrochemicals. Yet Houston’s lack of zoning means residents’ yards in poorer and minority neighborhoods butt up against looming chemical and petroleum storage tanks or booming industrial sites working with hazardous materials.
Six major chemical explosions have rocked the Houston area since March 2019 alone. One, an explosion at a chemical tank, prompted widespread shelter-in-place orders for residents and sent a mile-high plume of smoke over the city for days. A more recent chemical blast, in January, killed three people and damaged more than 450 surrounding buildings.
Related Articles National News | As Beirut digs out, anger grows at authorities over blast
As Beirut digs out, anger grows at authorities over blast National News | At least 50 dead after massive explosion in Beirut “To see that happen” in Beirut, it was the worst-case scenario for already worried people in his community, said Flores, a community activist and former Galena Park mayor. “There’s one or two plants here, if they ever go, there’s a chance we could wind up in that situation.”
In West, street images on Google Maps still show crumbled buildings that were taken shortly after the blast that shook the town of only 3,000 people. “They’ve never come back with their little car,” Muska said of Google.
Ammonium nitrate isn’t stored in the town any longer. “It’s got it’s useful places in the farming community,” Muska said. “But it’s also, like we just saw yesterday, it can just be devastating.”


mercurynews--2020-08-05--Save Ricky’s: COVID-19 threatens San Leandro sports bar of 50 years

If you ’ re a Bay Area sports fan , you know Ricky ’ s Sports Theatre and Grill in San Leandro simply as Ricky ’ s , the family-owned spot where you ’ ve watched more Raiders , Warriors and A ’ s games than you can remember .
Tina and Ricky Ricardo ’ s sports bar , which Ricky ’ s father built 50 years ago and which Sports Illustrated rated as the No .
2 sports bar in the country , is now at risk of closing due to COVID-19 .
A longtime patron and friend of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an attempt to save the gathering place , home base for Raider Nation and many other groups over the years .
So far , $ 3,000 of $ 100,00 has been raised .
“ During the Oakland Raiders ’ 13 years of exile in Los Angeles , from 1982 to ’ 95 , Ricky ’ s was the Penelope of sports bars , ” Sports Illustrated ’ s Chris Ballard wrote about the bar in 2005 .
“ When Oakland beat Minnesota in Super Bowl XI in 1977 , the bar recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it three times a day for several weeks ; one afternoon a bunch of Raiders players even came in to watch , ” the article said .
Dr. Robert Gingery , the patron who started the GoFundMe page , has his own Ricky ’ s stories .
For the past 20 years , the vascular surgeon has passed the time between surgeries at San Leandro Hospital having steak suppers at Ricky ’ s and getting to know the Ricardos .
He went to Warriors games with Ricky and calls him his best friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
It would be a shame if they went under , ” he says .
Over the years , Ricky ’ s has hosted every kind of gathering , Gingery says , from sports and clubs to hospital groups and local government .
“ You name it , they ’ ve done it .
I even took a traffic school course there once .
The welcoming atmosphere is unequalled anywhere else.
” Things first became challenging for the Ricardos four years ago , when Ricky , who managed the business side of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Disease .
He is currently hospitalized due to complications of the disease .
“ We got hit hard , ” Tina says .
“ It was a slow time for us before the pandemic , but when COVID-19 hit it was literally game over .
I ’ m just buried in bills.
” Like other bars in Alameda County , Ricky ’ s remains closed for indoor service .
But Gingery hopes that enough funds can be raised to get Ricky ’ s through the shutdown and in the meantime allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This has been the perfect storm of bad luck , ” he says .
“ I hope we can help save them .
”

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If you’re a Bay Area sports fan, you know Ricky’s Sports Theatre and Grill in San Leandro simply as Ricky’s, the family-owned spot where you’ve watched countless Raiders, Warriors and A’s games.
Tina and Ricky Ricardo’s sports bar, which Sports Illustrated once named the No. 2 sports bar in the country, is now at risk of closing due to COVID-19. A longtime patron and friend of the owners has launched a GoFundMe page in an attempt to save the gathering place, home base for Raider Nation and many other groups over the years. So far, just over $4,000 of $100,00 has been raised.
Ricky’s has been in its current location on Hesperian Boulevard since 1960, but Ricky’s father, a San Leandro native, opened the business in 1946. The bar’s history could fill stadiums.
“During the Oakland Raiders’ 13 years of exile in Los Angeles, from 1982 to ’95, Ricky’s was the Penelope of sports bars,” Sports Illustrated’s Chris Ballard wrote about the bar in 2005. “When Oakland beat Minnesota in Super Bowl XI in 1977, the bar recorded the game on three-quarter-inch tape and replayed it three times a day for several weeks; one afternoon a bunch of Raiders players even came in to watch,” the article said.
Dr. Robert Gingery, the patron who started the GoFundMe page, has his own Ricky’s stories. For the past 20 years, the vascular surgeon has passed the time between surgeries at San Leandro Hospital having steak suppers at Ricky’s and getting to know the Ricardos. He went to Warriors games with Ricky and calls him his best friend.
“There is so much history there. It would be a shame if they went under,” he says. Over the years, Ricky’s has hosted every kind of gathering, Gingery says, from sports and clubs to hospital groups and local government. “You name it, they’ve done it. I even took a traffic school course there once. The welcoming atmosphere is unequalled anywhere else.”
Things first became challenging for the Ricardos four years ago, when Ricky, who managed the business side of the bar, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. He is currently hospitalized due to complications of the disease.
“We got hit hard,” Tina says. “It was a slow time for us before the pandemic, but when COVID-19 hit it was literally game over. I’m just buried in bills.”
Like other bars in Alameda County, Ricky’s remains closed for indoor service. But Gingery hopes that enough funds can be raised to get Ricky’s through the shutdown and in the meantime allow them to open for outdoor dining.
“This has been the perfect storm of bad luck,” he says. “I hope we can help save them.”
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mercurynews--2020-08-06--Coronavirus: Los Angeles will shut off water, power at sites of large ‘super-spreader’ parties

Amid reports of large parties that flout coronavirus-spurred public safety orders , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday , Aug. 5 , that he will begin authorizing shutting off water and power services at the properties of repeat offenders .
“ The consequences of these large parties ripple far beyond just those parties , ” Garcetti said in a series of stern statements delivered during an online video briefing .
Starting Friday evening , the Los Angeles Police Department will begin logging and responding to large gatherings , and if there are “ egregious cases , ” the process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to shut off Department of Water and Power service within 48 hours , he said .
Garcetti described such parties as “ super-spreader ” events that can have a disproportionate impact on how many people get infected with the virus .
They have the potential to “ ripple throughout our entire community , because the virus can quickly and easily spread , ” he said .
“ While we have already closed all nightclubs and bars , these large house parties have essentially become nightclubs in the hills , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacant or used for short term rentals.
” As of Wednesday , a total of 4,825 in Los Angeles County who tested positive for the virus have died , according to public health figures .
Earlier in the day , Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said relying solely on enforcement to quell such gatherings would be “ foolhardy.
” “ We ’ re not against laws and enforcement , ” Ferrer said , who added that public health officers have closed down many businesses for violating the county ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re in the middle of a pandemic , you have to make people feel like they are part of this team .
This is a situation where we can not just rely on enforcement.
” Ferrer urged an educational approach , reminding residents of how COVID-19 spreads and urging teamwork in helping to stem the growth of the resurgent virus .
A large party along Mulholland Drive that ended with a fatal shooting drew attention to such gatherings this week .
A party at a bar in Hollywood , called the Sassafras @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held in honor of law enforcement officials — also drew some scrutiny amid reports of gatherings that defy “ Safer-At-Home ” at home orders .
Initially reported as being an event for Los Angeles Sheriff ’ s officials , only a Los Angeles Police Department officer appears to have been identified as one of the attendees , according to a CNN report .
Sheriff ’ s officials have denied that department personnel were responsible for hosting any such event .
Garcetti said that in regards to the reported bar gathering , “ there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on about Los Angeles Police Department , so I can ’ t speak in greater detail.
” Garcetti added that “ regardless of who was there , ” if a bar violated indoor spaces , “ penalties can come to them .
”

Amid reports of large parties that flout coronavirus-spurred public safety orders, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday, Aug. 5, that he will begin authorizing shutting off water and power services at the properties of repeat offenders.
“The consequences of these large parties ripple far beyond just those parties,” Garcetti said in a series of stern statements delivered during an online video briefing.
Starting Friday evening, the Los Angeles Police Department will begin logging and responding to large gatherings, and if there are “egregious cases,” the process will begin to notify the parties responsible and to shut off Department of Water and Power service within 48 hours, he said.
Garcetti described such parties as “super-spreader” events that can have a disproportionate impact on how many people get infected with the virus. They have the potential to “ripple throughout our entire community, because the virus can quickly and easily spread,” he said.
“While we have already closed all nightclubs and bars, these large house parties have essentially become nightclubs in the hills,” he said. “Many times the homes are vacant or used for short term rentals.”
As of Wednesday, a total of 4,825 in Los Angeles County who tested positive for the virus have died, according to public health figures.
Earlier in the day, Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said relying solely on enforcement to quell such gatherings would be “foolhardy.”
“We’re not against laws and enforcement,” Ferrer said, who added that public health officers have closed down many businesses for violating the county’s safety orders. “But when you’re in the middle of a pandemic, you have to make people feel like they are part of this team. This is a situation where we cannot just rely on enforcement.”
Ferrer urged an educational approach, reminding residents of how COVID-19 spreads and urging teamwork in helping to stem the growth of the resurgent virus.
A large party along Mulholland Drive that ended with a fatal shooting drew attention to such gatherings this week.
A party at a bar in Hollywood, called the Sassafras Saloon — that appeared to have been held in honor of law enforcement officials — also drew some scrutiny amid reports of gatherings that defy “Safer-At-Home” at home orders.
Initially reported as being an event for Los Angeles Sheriff’s officials, only a Los Angeles Police Department officer appears to have been identified as one of the attendees, according to a CNN report. Sheriff’s officials have denied that department personnel were responsible for hosting any such event.
Garcetti said that in regards to the reported bar gathering, “there’s an active personnel investigation going on about Los Angeles Police Department, so I can’t speak in greater detail.”
Garcetti added that “regardless of who was there,” if a bar violated indoor spaces, “penalties can come to them.”


mercurynews--2020-08-06--Coronavirus: Fewer unemployed California workers expect to regain their old jobs

California workers who are unemployed amid coronavirus-linked business shutdowns have grown sharply more pessimistic that they will regain the jobs they had lost due to government mandates , a new study determined .
About 61 percent of the California workers who filed new unemployment claims during the week that ended on July 25 reported that they expected to be recalled by the employers who had laid them off or furloughed them , according to a report prepared by the California Policy Lab at UC Berkeley and UCLA .
While a large chunk of California ’ s unemployed workers are expressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 80 percent who expected to be recalled to their jobs during the week that ended on March 15 .
Most of the initial claims for unemployment benefits filed during the week that ended July 25 were from workers who were re-opening a jobless claim that they had previously filed , according to the study prepared through a partnership of the California Policy Lab and a unit of the state ’ s Employment Development Department .
The researchers believe these were people who had been furloughed , might have gone back to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the California economy , then were shoved back into unemployment when the businesses were shuttered once again .
“ These individuals likely found or returned to work temporarily after their original unemployment insurance claim , but then re-filed their claims as their hours or positions were cut again in response to communities re-instituting restrictions , ” said Till von Wachter , a co-author of the analysis , which was released Thursday .
These findings are a cause for some hope since it means the official numbers of weekly initial unemployment claims might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unique claimants when accounting for the number who were re-filing for unemployment .
“ However , it ’ s become apparent that for the individuals who have been lucky enough to return to work , they ’ re seeing that this new employment is especially unstable , ” von Wachter said .
The gyrations in government decisions about what should re-open , what should shut down again , or what are the restrictions for a re-opened business has eroded the confidence people might normally have regarding the job market in the Bay Area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounding the pandemic is leading to more people cycling in and out of the unemployment insurance system , ” von Wachter said .
Of the unemployment claims filed by California workers who were re-opening a previously filed claim , 56 percent were filed by females , 49 percent were filed by workers 34 years of age or younger , and 44 percent were filed by Hispanic workers .
“ The COVID-19 crisis in the labor market continues to have a disproportionate impact on women , younger workers , lower-educated workers , and Hispanic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Policy Lab researchers determined .

California workers who are unemployed amid coronavirus-linked business shutdowns have grown sharply more pessimistic that they will regain the jobs they lost, a new study determined.
About 61 percent of the California workers who filed new unemployment claims during the week that ended on July 25 reported that they expected to be recalled by the employers who had laid them off or furloughed them, according to a report prepared by the California Policy Lab at UC Berkeley and UCLA.
That’s a drop from the 80 percent who expected to be recalled to their jobs during the week that ended on March 15.
Most of the initial claims for unemployment benefits filed during the week that ended July 25 were from workers who were re-opening a jobless claim that they had previously filed, according to the study prepared through a partnership of the California Policy Lab and a unit of the state’s Employment Development Department.
The researchers believe these were people who had been furloughed, might have gone back to work when government agencies re-opened large swaths of the California economy, then were shoved back into unemployment when the businesses were shuttered once again.
“These individuals likely found or returned to work temporarily after their original unemployment insurance claim, but then re-filed their claims as their hours or positions were cut again in response to communities re-instituting restrictions,” said Till von Wachter, a co-author of the analysis, which was released Thursday.
About 57 percent of the unemployment claims filed during the week that ended on July 25 were jobless claims by people who were re-opening an older filing, the researchers determined.
“However, it’s become apparent that for the individuals who have been lucky enough to return to work, they’re seeing that this new employment is especially unstable,” von Wachter said.
The gyrations in government decisions about what should re-open, what should shut down again, or what are the restrictions for a re-opened business has eroded the confidence people might typically have regarding the job market in the Bay Area and California generally.
“The uncertainty surrounding the pandemic is leading to more people cycling in and out of the unemployment insurance system,” von Wachter said.
Since government-imposed business shutdowns began in mid-March, about 7.31 million California workers have filed initial claims for unemployment benefits. During the week that ended July 25, about 244,600 California workers filed initial claims for unemployment benefits, the government reported.
Of the unemployment claims filed by California workers who were re-opening a previously filed claim, 56 percent were filed by females, 49 percent were filed by workers 34 years of age or younger, and 44 percent were filed by Hispanic workers.
“The COVID-19 crisis in the labor market continues to have a disproportionate impact on women, younger workers, lower-educated workers, and Hispanic workers, and Black workers,” California Policy Lab researchers determined.


mercurynews--2020-08-06--Biker-turned-lawyer and murderer seeking release from California prison at second parole hearing

It took two trials — one lasting 17 months — to convict biker-turned-lawyer Tom Maniscalco and send him to prison in 1994 for killing three people .
Maniscalco , 75 , is hoping that in one morning he can persuade a state parole board on Thursday , Aug. 5 , to recommend his release from his prison sentence of 46 years to life .
One of the founders of the Hessians motorcycle gang , Maniscalco rode Harleys and practiced law , defending fellow bikers .
He was accused in the May 1980 deaths of two former motorcycle gang members and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims at a ranch home in Westminster .
Maniscalco was in custody 10 years before his conviction and has been eligible for release from prison since 2014 .
He was convicted of ordering a hit on Memorial Day weekend of 1980 on Richard “ Rabbit ” Rizzone , 35 , at his home .
Rena Arlene Miley , 19 , and Rizzone ’ s friend , Thomas Bernard Monahan , 28 , also were shot to death there .
All the bodies were found several days later .
The three had been shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prosecutors later argued .
Miley , the daughter of a Los Alamitos police captain , was found on her back , naked and raped .
According to court records , Maniscalco believed Rizzone was ripping him off in his counterfeiting and meth-distribution ring .
Also participating in the slayings was fellow Hessian Daniel “ Shame ” Duffy , who was convicted of special-circumstances murder and is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole .
Maniscalco ’ s first trial started in 1990 , and ended a year later with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 1 1/2 years , Eight lawyers represented Maniscalco at one time or another .
Four deputy district attorneys — including former District Attorney Tony Rackauckas — were assigned to the prosecution .
Maniscalco was turned down at his first parole suitability hearing in 2013 .
His hearing Thursday , Aug. 6 , will be at 8:30 a.m. via video at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione , California .
.
• Chinatown gangster who bribed Oakland cop gets life for double murder • Conviction reversed for Bay Area man who allegedly asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pimp ; judge says gang ties not sufficient • Oakland man killed child ’ s mother outside of East Bay convenience store , police say

It took two trials — one lasting 17 months — to convict biker-turned-lawyer Tom Maniscalco and send him to prison in 1994 for killing three people.
Maniscalco, 75, is hoping that in one morning he can persuade a state parole board on Thursday, Aug. 5, to recommend his release from his prison sentence of 46 years to life.
One of the founders of the Hessians motorcycle gang, Maniscalco rode Harleys and practiced law, defending fellow bikers.
He was accused in the May 1980 deaths of two former motorcycle gang members and the 19-year-old girlfriend of one of the victims at a ranch home in Westminster. Maniscalco was in custody 10 years before his conviction and has been eligible for release from prison since 2014.
He was convicted of ordering a hit on Memorial Day weekend of 1980 on Richard “Rabbit” Rizzone, 35, at his home. Rena Arlene Miley, 19, and Rizzone’s friend, Thomas Bernard Monahan, 28, also were shot to death there. All the bodies were found several days later.
The three had been shot multiple times at close range — execution-style, prosecutors later argued. Miley, the daughter of a Los Alamitos police captain, was found on her back, naked and raped.
According to court records, Maniscalco believed Rizzone was ripping him off in his counterfeiting and meth-distribution ring.
Also participating in the slayings was fellow Hessian Daniel “Shame” Duffy, who was convicted of special-circumstances murder and is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Maniscalco’s first trial started in 1990, and ended a year later with a hung jury. A second trial stretched nearly 1 1/2 years,
Eight lawyers represented Maniscalco at one time or another. Four deputy district attorneys — including former District Attorney Tony Rackauckas — were assigned to the prosecution.
Maniscalco was turned down at his first parole suitability hearing in 2013. His hearing Thursday, Aug. 6, will be at 8:30 a.m. via video at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California.
.


mercurynews--2020-08-06--Jake Paul has propelled to fame as a brash social media villain. And he loves it

With his spiky blond hair , brash personality and eye-popping antics , YouTube star Jake Paul has propelled to fame as a social media villain and provocateur .
To his devout fans — who call themselves the Jake Paulers — no prank is too wild , no controversy is too big .
Every time he ’ s mired in a scandal , tweets pour in with the hashtag # jakepaulisover .
But he ’ s never really over .
On the contrary , with every stunt , prank or internet feud , he gains more fans on his YouTube channel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has over 20 million followers .
Some of his pranks are so outrageous , Canada ’ s National Post once described him as a “ moronic menace to society.
” Paul found himself in trouble again Wednesday when FBI agents executed a search warrant at his home in the Los Angeles area for unknown reasons .
The agency said it ’ s in connection with an ongoing investigation but declined to go into details .
Here are other incidents that have made headlines : He hosted a party during the pandemic As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month , Paul hosted hordes of partygoers at his mansion in Calabasas .
The mayor was not amused .
Videos captured at his home showed carefree young people partying without masks or social distancing .
They danced , rolled dice and drank from red cups .
Others held onto an excavator crane that pulled them up and twirled them around .
“ It ’ s completely unacceptable to be interacting with people like that during this time .
People need to be wearing masks and people need to be keeping their distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties with over 100 people , ” Mayor Alicia Weintraub said .
After the party , the mayor said the city and law enforcement were adopting a zero-tolerance policy for anyone who hosts large gatherings .
He was accused of trespassing at a mall Paul was charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly after video showed him at an Arizona mall that was being looted .
“ Social media influencer Jake Paul was in attendance and remained inside of the mall after an unlawful assembly was declared , ” the Scottsdale Police Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was present during the property destruction at Scottsdale ’ s Fashion Square mall .
Paul denied any involvement .
“ To be absolutely clear , neither I nor anyone in our group was engaged in any looting or vandalism , ” he tweeted .
“ We filmed everything we saw in an effort to share our experience and bring more attention to the anger felt in every neighborhood we traveled to ; we were strictly documenting , not engaging.
” On Wednesday , the Scottdale Police Department said it is dismissing the charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is in the best interest of the community to dismiss misdemeanor charges without prejudice so that a federal criminal investigation can be completed .
Scottsdale retains the option to refile charges depending on the outcome of the federal investigation , ” police said in a statement .
His brother is just as controversial Jake Paul has a brother who has more fans than him on YouTube .
Just call them double trouble .
Logan Paul made headlines in 2018 when he visited a Japanese forest known for suicides .
Signs posted there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visitors to seek help .
During the visit with his group , they found a body hanging in the forest and videotaped it .
Logan Paul later posted a video apology after intense criticism for showing the body .
“ I should have never posted the video , ” he said .
“ There are a lot of things I should have done differently but I didn ’ t and for that , from the bottom of my heart , I am sorry.
” Disney dropped him after feuds with neighbors In 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who appeared on the channel ’ s series “ Bizaardvark.
” The decision came after his neighbors complained about his stunts , which included setting furniture ablaze in an empty swimming pool .
At the time , the neighbors considered filing a public nuisance lawsuit against him .
“ It used to be a nice quiet street and now we ’ re just like this war zone , ” neighbor Maytal Dahan told CNN affiliate KTLA at the time .
“ We are families here , and we ’ re more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re respectful to their neighbors , but they ’ re not.
” The neighbors told journalists that Paul liked to share his address , sending young girls gathering outside the home .
When the affiliate asked Paul how he felt about neighbors saying living next to him was “ a living hell ” and “ a circus , ” he appeared unfazed .
“ I mean , people like going to circuses , right ?
” he asked .
He once pranked the TSA with a teddy bear In 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the airport with a massive teddy bear .
The TSA posted a photo of the stuffed animal sitting alone and dejected at the airport .
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• Neil Young sues President Trump over use of his music • Photos : Marin property once owned by Bill Graham selling for $ 27.5 million “ He was abandoned by his owners at LAX after the airline and TSA determined that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screened as a carry-on and taken on the plane , ” TSA wrote in the photo caption with a reminder to passengers about the size of carry-ons .
People unleashed fury at the TSA , saying it likely ruined a child ’ s Christmas by not letting the passenger take the bear on board .
But there was no kid involved .
Paul uploaded a video of his encounter with the TSA , telling his followers he ’ d tried to take “ Brodie the Bear ” — a gift for his girlfriend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it .

With his spiky blond hair, brash personality and eye-popping antics, YouTube star Jake Paul has propelled to fame as a social media villain and provocateur.
To his devout fans — who call themselves the Jake Paulers — no prank is too wild, no controversy is too big. Every time he’s mired in a scandal, tweets pour in with the hashtag #jakepaulisover. But he’s never really over. On the contrary, with every stunt, prank or internet feud, he gains more fans on his YouTube channel.
[vemba-video id=”us/2020/08/06/fbi-jake-paul-home-mxp-vpx.hln”]
His channel includes his rap music and has over 20 million followers. Some of his pranks are so outrageous, Canada’s National Post once described him as a “moronic menace to society.”
Paul found himself in trouble again Wednesday when FBI agents executed a search warrant at his home in the Los Angeles area for unknown reasons. The agency said it’s in connection with an ongoing investigation but declined to go into details.
Here are other incidents that have made headlines:
He hosted a party during the pandemic
As Los Angeles struggled with resurging coronavirus cases last month, Paul hosted hordes of partygoers at his mansion in Calabasas. The mayor was not amused.
Videos captured at his home showed carefree young people partying without masks or social distancing. They danced, rolled dice and drank from red cups. Others held onto an excavator crane that pulled them up and twirled them around.
“It’s completely unacceptable to be interacting with people like that during this time. People need to be wearing masks and people need to be keeping their distance. You can’t be having parties with over 100 people,” Mayor Alicia Weintraub said.
After the party, the mayor said the city and law enforcement were adopting a zero-tolerance policy for anyone who hosts large gatherings.
He was accused of trespassing at a mall
Paul was charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly after video showed him at an Arizona mall that was being looted.
“Social media influencer Jake Paul was in attendance and remained inside of the mall after an unlawful assembly was declared,” the Scottsdale Police Department said in June.
Authorities said he was present during the property destruction at Scottsdale’s Fashion Square mall. Paul denied any involvement.
“To be absolutely clear, neither I nor anyone in our group was engaged in any looting or vandalism,” he tweeted. “We filmed everything we saw in an effort to share our experience and bring more attention to the anger felt in every neighborhood we traveled to; we were strictly documenting, not engaging.”
On Wednesday, the Scottdale Police Department said it is dismissing the charges against him and two friends.
“It is in the best interest of the community to dismiss misdemeanor charges without prejudice so that a federal criminal investigation can be completed. Scottsdale retains the option to refile charges depending on the outcome of the federal investigation,” police said in a statement.
His brother is just as controversial
Jake Paul has a brother who has more fans than him on YouTube. Just call them double trouble.
Logan Paul made headlines in 2018 when he visited a Japanese forest known for suicides. Signs posted there offer a hotline number and urge suicidal visitors to seek help. During the visit with his group, they found a body hanging in the forest and videotaped it. Logan Paul later posted a video apology after intense criticism for showing the body.
“I should have never posted the video,” he said. “There are a lot of things I should have done differently but I didn’t and for that, from the bottom of my heart, I am sorry.”
Disney dropped him after feuds with neighbors
In 2017, Disney cut ties with Jake Paul, who appeared on the channel’s series “Bizaardvark.”
The decision came after his neighbors complained about his stunts, which included setting furniture ablaze in an empty swimming pool. At the time, the neighbors considered filing a public nuisance lawsuit against him.
“It used to be a nice quiet street and now we’re just like this war zone,” neighbor Maytal Dahan told CNN affiliate KTLA at the time. “We are families here, and we’re more than happy to have them live here if they’re respectful to their neighbors, but they’re not.”
The neighbors told journalists that Paul liked to share his address, sending young girls gathering outside the home. When the affiliate asked Paul how he felt about neighbors saying living next to him was “a living hell” and “a circus,” he appeared unfazed.
“I mean, people like going to circuses, right?” he asked.
He once pranked the TSA with a teddy bear
In 2016, Jake Paul made headlines when he went to the airport with a massive teddy bear. The TSA posted a photo of the stuffed animal sitting alone and dejected at the airport.
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People unleashed fury at the TSA, saying it likely ruined a child’s Christmas by not letting the passenger take the bear on board.
But there was no kid involved. Paul uploaded a video of his encounter with the TSA, telling his followers he’d tried to take “Brodie the Bear” — a gift for his girlfriend — through airport security but did not make it.
#LetBrodieFly, he later tweeted.
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mercurynews--2020-08-06--California prosecutors charge twin brothers in YouTube prank involving fake bank robbery that led to

California prosecutors charge twin brothers in YouTube prank involving fake bank robbery that led to police response

Two 23-year old twins face criminal charges for a prank in which authorities say they staged a fake bank robbery in Irvine that resulted in a police response , including officers holding an unsuspecting Uber driver at gunpoint .
Alan and Alex Stokes , 23 , of Irvine each were charged with a felony count of false imprisonment and a misdemeanor count of falsely reporting an emergency , according to the Orange County District Attorney ’ s Office .
Prosecutors allege that around 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 15 , 2019 , the brothers – dressed in black , wearing ski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash – pretended like they had just robbed a bank , while their videographer filmed them .
According to the DA ’ s office , the brothers ordered an Uber , but the driver – who was unaware of the alleged prank – refused to drive them anywhere .
A bystander , believing the two men had robbed a bank and were trying to carjack the driver , called 911 .
Irvine officers ordered the Uber driver out of the car at gunpoint , then released him after determining he hadn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Stokes brothers go with a warning , according to the DA ’ s office .
Prosecutors allege that four hours later the brothers carried out a similar prank on the UC Irvine campus , and officers once again responded to reports of a bank being robbed .
The men left before officers arrived .
The “ Stokes Twins ” YouTube page has more than 4.8 million followers , and includes videos that routinely drew millions of views .
A video entitled “ Bank Robbery Prank !
( goes wrong ) , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearing to depict the alleged actions cited by the DA ’ s office was still posted on YouTube on Wednesday afternoon .
The video shows the brothers running around the college campus , asking bystanders for help finding , or robbing a bank .
It depicts an Uber driver kicking them out of his car .
It also shows one of the brothers talking to a group about what happened to the driver .
“ There were like 10 cop cars that pulled out like guns on him , ” one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poor guy.
” The video also shows one of the twins talking to officers , telling them he “ just didn ’ t expect this happening.
” “ Think about what is going on nowadays , ” one of the officers tells one of the twins in the video .
“ You ’ ve got to be smarter .
You know better … What do you think people are going to do ?
You are lucky you didn ’ t get any guns drawn on you.
” The brothers could not be reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their arraignment has not been set .
“ These were not pranks , ” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a written statement .
“ These are crimes that could have resulted in someone getting seriously injured or even killed .
Law enforcement officers are sworn to protect the public and when someone calls 911 to report an active bank robbery they are going to respond to protect lives .
Instead , what they found was some kind of twisted attempt to gain more popularity on the internet by unnecessarily putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in danger.
” If convicted , the brothers face up to four years in prison , according to the DA ’ s office .

Two 23-year old twins face criminal charges for a prank in which authorities say they staged a fake bank robbery in Irvine that resulted in a police response, including officers holding an unsuspecting Uber driver at gunpoint.
Alan and Alex Stokes, 23, of Irvine each were charged with a felony count of false imprisonment and a misdemeanor count of falsely reporting an emergency, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors allege that around 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2019, the brothers – dressed in black, wearing ski masks and carrying duffel bags full of cash – pretended like they had just robbed a bank, while their videographer filmed them.
According to the DA’s office, the brothers ordered an Uber, but the driver – who was unaware of the alleged prank – refused to drive them anywhere. A bystander, believing the two men had robbed a bank and were trying to carjack the driver, called 911.
Irvine officers ordered the Uber driver out of the car at gunpoint, then released him after determining he hadn’t committed a crime. The officers let the Stokes brothers go with a warning, according to the DA’s office.
Prosecutors allege that four hours later the brothers carried out a similar prank on the UC Irvine campus, and officers once again responded to reports of a bank being robbed. The men left before officers arrived.
The “Stokes Twins” YouTube page has more than 4.8 million followers, and includes videos that routinely drew millions of views. A video entitled “Bank Robbery Prank! (goes wrong),” posted on Oct. 20, 2019 and appearing to depict the alleged actions cited by the DA’s office was still posted on YouTube on Wednesday afternoon.
The video shows the brothers running around the college campus, asking bystanders for help finding, or robbing a bank. It depicts an Uber driver kicking them out of his car. It also shows one of the brothers talking to a group about what happened to the driver.
“There were like 10 cop cars that pulled out like guns on him,” one of the brothers says in the video. “Poor guy.”
The video also shows one of the twins talking to officers, telling them he “just didn’t expect this happening.”
“Think about what is going on nowadays,” one of the officers tells one of the twins in the video. “You’ve got to be smarter. You know better … What do you think people are going to do? You are lucky you didn’t get any guns drawn on you.”
The brothers could not be reached Wednesday for comment. A date for their arraignment has not been set.
“These were not pranks,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a written statement. “These are crimes that could have resulted in someone getting seriously injured or even killed. Law enforcement officers are sworn to protect the public and when someone calls 911 to report an active bank robbery they are going to respond to protect lives. Instead, what they found was some kind of twisted attempt to gain more popularity on the internet by unnecessarily putting members of the public and police officers in danger.”
If convicted, the brothers face up to four years in prison, according to the DA’s office.


mercurynews--2020-08-06--Grammy-winning producer Detail arrested by L.A. Sheriff’s detectives, accused of sexual assault

LOS ANGELES — Grammy Award-winning music producer Detail was arrested Wednesday on more than a dozen charges of sexual assault , authorities said .
The 41-year-old producer was held on nearly $ 6.3 million bail , according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department .
Detail , whose real name is Noel Christopher Fisher , was charged on July 31 with 15 counts of sexual assault and five counts of felony assault , the statement said .
He is accused of crimes between 2010 and 2018 .
Detectives submitted the case to the Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January , the statement said .
It didn ’ t provide other details .
“ Mr .
Fisher was just arrested some hours ago and I have not had an opportunity to speak to him or look at the charges .
I am quite certain he will enter a not guilty plea and contest to the fullest all of these allegations , ” his attorney , Irwin Mark Bledstein , said in an email late Wednesday night .
Detail won a Grammy in 2015 for co-writing the Beyonce and Jay-Z hit “ Drunk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hits for Lil Wayne , Nicki Minaj and Wiz Khalifa .
• Man pleads no contest to 2004 Mountain View sexual assault after DNA match • Teen alleges : Drew Drechsel had sex with me behind warped wall • Judge won ’ t be removed from presiding over rape case involving California surgeon , girlfriend • Prince Andrew helped Jeffrey Epstein pressure U.S. government for reduced sentence in sex case , documents claim Last year , a model and aspiring singer was awarded $ 15 million in a Los Angeles lawsuit that accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She is one of six women , some established professionals and others music-industry newcomers , who have spoken out publicly against what they said was Fisher ’ s sexual aggression .
At least two , both former assistants , have filed their own lawsuits .
Fisher has said in court documents filed in those lawsuits that all the allegations against him are false , and have led to his losing all work and being evicted .

LOS ANGELES — Grammy Award-winning music producer Detail was arrested Wednesday on more than a dozen charges of sexual assault, authorities said.
The 41-year-old producer was held on nearly $6.3 million bail, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Detail, whose real name is Noel Christopher Fisher, was charged on July 31 with 15 counts of sexual assault and five counts of felony assault, the statement said. He is accused of crimes between 2010 and 2018.
Detectives submitted the case to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office in January, the statement said. It didn’t provide other details.
“Mr. Fisher was just arrested some hours ago and I have not had an opportunity to speak to him or look at the charges. I am quite certain he will enter a not guilty plea and contest to the fullest all of these allegations,” his attorney, Irwin Mark Bledstein, said in an email late Wednesday night.
Detail won a Grammy in 2015 for co-writing the Beyonce and Jay-Z hit “Drunk in Love” and has also produced hits for Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Wiz Khalifa.
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She is one of six women, some established professionals and others music-industry newcomers, who have spoken out publicly against what they said was Fisher’s sexual aggression.
At least two, both former assistants, have filed their own lawsuits. Fisher has said in court documents filed in those lawsuits that all the allegations against him are false, and have led to his losing all work and being evicted.


mercurynews--2020-08-06--Search is on for gunman who fired at Northern California police officer

SACRAMENTO — Authorities in Sacramento were searching Thursday for an armed man who fired several times at a police sergeant before speeding away .
Officers went to a home in North Sacramento Tuesday night after 50-year-old Albert Wheeler ’ s family family reported that he had a gun and was threatening to commit suicide , police Chief Daniel Hahn said in a videotaped statement .
When the officers spotted Wheeler driving a truck in the area , they tried to get him to pull over but he refused and led them on a chase through the neighborhood , Hahn said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the house and he fired several rounds at a sergeant who went to check on his family , striking his patrol car twice .
Hahn said when the sergeant realized that Wheeler was leading the chase back to the house , he hurried the man ’ s family back into the house .
The sergeant ’ s action prevented a possible tragedy , the chief said .
“ We ’ re very thankful that our sergeant went back to that house and was able to get that family to safety and was able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ squad car , ” he said .
The truck was found abandoned Wednesday about 1 1/2 miles from the shooting scene .

SACRAMENTO — Authorities in Sacramento were searching Thursday for an armed man who fired several times at a police sergeant before speeding away.
Officers went to a home in North Sacramento Tuesday night after 50-year-old Albert Wheeler’s family family reported that he had a gun and was threatening to commit suicide, police Chief Daniel Hahn said in a videotaped statement.
When the officers spotted Wheeler driving a truck in the area, they tried to get him to pull over but he refused and led them on a chase through the neighborhood, Hahn said.
Police said Wheeler looped back to the house and he fired several rounds at a sergeant who went to check on his family, striking his patrol car twice.
Hahn said when the sergeant realized that Wheeler was leading the chase back to the house, he hurried the man’s family back into the house.
The sergeant’s action prevented a possible tragedy, the chief said.
“We’re very thankful that our sergeant went back to that house and was able to get that family to safety and was able to get himself to safety behind that squad car,” he said.
The truck was found abandoned Wednesday about 1 1/2 miles from the shooting scene.


mercurynews--2020-08-06--SF Giants Gameday podcast: Yaz’s breakout, Bart’s ranking, Webb emerging as a force

The Giants billed the 2020 season as the year they ’ d learn all about the unproven talent in their organization .
Thirteen games in , they ’ re beginning to get some answers .
Rookie right-hander Logan Webb turned in the best outing of any Giants starter this season in Wednesday ’ s 4-3 win over the Rockies , throwing five innings while allowing just one earned run .
Webb has outperformed veterans Johnny Cueto , Jeff Samardzija and Kevin Gausman to open the season and has been the starter responsible for snapping three separate losing streaks this season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an improved changeup and a sweeping slider that has more bite than his breaking ball did a season ago , Webb is showing he ’ s much improved after making his debut late last summer .
In Thursday ’ s episode of the SF Giants Gameday podcast , we look at how the Giants ’ 2020 outfield experiment has played out and examine how two players the front office talked up this offseason have ended up at different ends of the playing time spectrum .
Jaylin Davis is still struggling to find a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site in Sacramento , but Mike Yastrzemski has exceeded expectations and morphed into a reliable everyday player with the type of power that will give him a chance to lead the Giants in home runs for a second straight season .
Yastrzemski was never considered a top prospect during his time in the Baltimore Orioles organization , but he has become the Giants ’ most consistent player this season and his breakthrough shows a player doesn ’ t necessarily need to have the attention of every scout to have a successful major league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great farm systems produce great major league players and the Giants have taken a step forward in accumulating depth at the minor league level in recent years .
MLB.com released its top 100 prospect ranking on Tuesday and we took a look at players such as Joey Bart , Marco Luciano and Hunter Bishop as well as the prospects the Giants selected in the 2020 amateur draft .
SF Giants Gameday : Listen to the Bay Area News Group ’ s daily San Francisco Giants podcast , hosted by our beat reporter Kerry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at the 2020 regular season with soundbites from manager Gabe Kapler and your favorite Giants players plus the latest analysis on every move during an unprecedented season .
We Need Your Support !
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I ’ ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you ’ ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com .
Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crowley

The Giants billed the 2020 season as the year they’d learn all about the unproven talent in their organization.
Thirteen games in, they’re beginning to get some answers.
Rookie right-hander Logan Webb turned in the best outing of any Giants starter this season in Wednesday’s 4-3 win over the Rockies, throwing five innings while allowing just one earned run.
Webb has outperformed veterans Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija and Kevin Gausman to open the season and has been the starter responsible for snapping three separate losing streaks this season. With a low-to-mid 90s fastball, an improved changeup and a sweeping slider that has more bite than his breaking ball did a season ago, Webb is showing he’s much improved after making his debut late last summer.
In Thursday’s episode of the SF Giants Gameday podcast, we look at how the Giants’ 2020 outfield experiment has played out and examine how two players the front office talked up this offseason have ended up at different ends of the playing time spectrum.
Jaylin Davis is still struggling to find a rhythm at the team’s alternate site in Sacramento, but Mike Yastrzemski has exceeded expectations and morphed into a reliable everyday player with the type of power that will give him a chance to lead the Giants in home runs for a second straight season.
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With that being said, great farm systems produce great major league players and the Giants have taken a step forward in accumulating depth at the minor league level in recent years. MLB.com released its top 100 prospect ranking on Tuesday and we took a look at players such as Joey Bart, Marco Luciano and Hunter Bishop as well as the prospects the Giants selected in the 2020 amateur draft.
SF Giants Gameday: Listen to the Bay Area News Group’s daily San Francisco Giants podcast, hosted by our beat reporter Kerry Crowley. We give you an all-access look at the 2020 regular season with soundbites from manager Gabe Kapler and your favorite Giants players plus the latest analysis on every move during an unprecedented season.
We Need Your Support!
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I’ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you’ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com. Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer. Thank you! — Kerry Crowley