mercurynews--2020-06-12--In wake of Kobe Bryant’s death, House and Senate introduce helicopter safety bill

LOS ANGELES — Legislation introduced Thursday in the House and Senate would require terrain awareness and warning systems and crash-resistant flight data and voice recorders on all helicopters that carry six or more passengers , which the bills ’ authors say would prevent tragedies like the Jan. 26 Calabasas crash that killed Kobe Bryant and his daughter .
“ Despite NTSB recommendations 15 years ago that the FAA make terrain awareness equipment and other safety technology mandatory on all helicopters , some of this lifesaving equipment is only required to be installed in air ambulances .
That ’ s simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-Calif. “ ” We saw the deadly results of this inaction in January when a helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant , his daughter and seven others crashed , ” she said .
“ If that helicopter had terrain awareness equipment , the tragedy may have been averted .
This commonsense bill will save lives , and Congress should act to pass it immediately.
” Feinstein introduced the Helicopter Safety Act in the Senate and Rep. Brad Sherman , D-Sherman Oaks , introduced a companion bill in the House .
Sherman said the legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require these safety features for passenger helicopters in order to avoid tragedies like the one that claimed the life of Kobe Bryant , his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others.
” Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , D-N.Y. , and Sens .
Kamala Harris , D-Calif ) , Richard Blumenthal , D-Conn. , Kirsten Gillibrand , D-N.Y. , and Edward J. Markey , D-Mass.
, are co-signers of the legislation .
“ The death of Kobe Bryant , his daughter and seven others was devastating news for Los Angeles and the entire country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is critical that helicopters be required to have terrain awareness equipment and warning systems in place .
I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to prevent accidents like this from occurring again.
” Bryant , his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and several of her teammates and their parents were in a Sikorsky S-76B helicopter that was en route from John Wayne Airport in Orange County to a basketball tournament at the former NBA star ’ s Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks when it hit the foothills of the Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , killing everyone on board .
A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board found that the helicopter was flying in foggy weather and was not equipped with terrain awareness technology .
• Autopsy report : Pilot in Kobe Bryant crash had no alcohol or drugs • Kobe and Gianna Bryant knew the risks of flying , helicopter company says in legal filing Bryant ’ s widow and family members of other crash victims have filed lawsuits against the companies that owned and operated the aircraft and the estate of the pilot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the operation and maintenance of the chopper .
Since 2006 , the NTSB has recommended that all helicopters be equipped with terrain awareness technology , but so far the Federal Aviation Administration has only applied the requirement to air ambulances .
Earlier this year , Feinstein asked the FAA to expand current regulations on terrain awareness equipment to include all helicopters with six or more passengers .

LOS ANGELES — Legislation introduced Thursday in the House and Senate would require terrain awareness and warning systems and crash-resistant flight data and voice recorders on all helicopters that carry six or more passengers, which the bills’ authors say would prevent tragedies like the Jan. 26 Calabasas crash that killed Kobe Bryant and his daughter.
“Despite NTSB recommendations 15 years ago that the FAA make terrain awareness equipment and other safety technology mandatory on all helicopters, some of this lifesaving equipment is only required to be installed in air ambulances. That’s simply unacceptable,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.
“”We saw the deadly results of this inaction in January when a helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others crashed,” she said. “If that helicopter had terrain awareness equipment, the tragedy may have been averted. This commonsense bill will save lives, and Congress should act to pass it immediately.”
Feinstein introduced the Helicopter Safety Act in the Senate and Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, introduced a companion bill in the House.
Sherman said the legislation would “finally direct the FAA to require these safety features for passenger helicopters in order to avoid tragedies like the one that claimed the life of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others.”
Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sens. Kamala Harris, D-Calif), Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., are co-signers of the legislation.
“The death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others was devastating news for Los Angeles and the entire country,” Harris said. “It is critical that helicopters be required to have terrain awareness equipment and warning systems in place. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to prevent accidents like this from occurring again.”
Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and several of her teammates and their parents were in a Sikorsky S-76B helicopter that was en route from John Wayne Airport in Orange County to a basketball tournament at the former NBA star’s Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks when it hit the foothills of the Santa Monica mountains in Calabasas and caught fire, killing everyone on board.
A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board found that the helicopter was flying in foggy weather and was not equipped with terrain awareness technology.
Bryant’s widow and family members of other crash victims have filed lawsuits against the companies that owned and operated the aircraft and the estate of the pilot, alleging the defendants were negligent in the operation and maintenance of the chopper.
Since 2006, the NTSB has recommended that all helicopters be equipped with terrain awareness technology, but so far the Federal Aviation Administration has only applied the requirement to air ambulances.
Earlier this year, Feinstein asked the FAA to expand current regulations on terrain awareness equipment to include all helicopters with six or more passengers.


mercurynews--2020-06-12--Los Angeles County sees biggest single-day jump in coronavirus cases day before more businesses can

Los Angeles County sees biggest single-day jump in coronavirus cases day before more businesses can reopen

A day before Los Angeles County is set to allow businesses in several industries like gyms , day camps , zoos , film production and more , to reopen after forcing them to close to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus , officials reported the highest single-day jump of coronavirus cases to date .
LA County public health officials announced 1,857 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday , June 11 , bringing the total number of positive cases identified in the county as of Thursday to 68,875 .
Although the number of new cases reported Thursday was the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them were from a backlog of test results , officials said .
Public health officials also confirmed 46 new deaths , bringing the county ’ s death toll to 2,813 .
LA County makes up nearly half of the cases and 58 % of deaths in the state .
Of those whose deaths were most recently reported , 32 were older than 65 , 27 of whom had underlying health conditions ; 13 people between 41 and 65 years old , 12 whom had underlying conditions , and one person between 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an underlying health condition .
The tally did not include five deaths and 76 cases that were reported in Long Beach , which maintains its own health department , on Thursday .
Pasadena reported eight new cases , bringing its total to 1,023 , but added no deaths to its total of 84.
“ Each day , we are thinking of the many people across LA County who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 , ” the county ’ s Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement .
“ You are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you find healing during this difficult time.
” County public health officials issued a modified health order Thursday , June 11 , giving guidelines for more sectors to reopen after being shuttered since March .
On Wednesday , however , new data suggested that COVID-19 transmission will likely increase gradually over time , said Christina Ghaly , director of Health Services for LA County , as physical distancing requirements continue to relax .
The World Health Organization at the start of the week urged countries that have seen improvement in virus spread to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed LA County on a watch list of jurisdictions that could see an increased spread of the coronavirus .
As with every coronavirus related reopening , employees and visitors to those businesses must wear cloth face coverings when around other people and maintain a minimum 6 foot distance .
“ Reopening businesses and public spaces safely requires everyone to continue to make physical distancing , wearing cloth face coverings and other infection control practices a part of day-to-day life , ” Ferrer said .
“ We have shown that we can work together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we need to continue to do so through our recovery journey to prevent huge increases in cases , hospitalizations and deaths.
” The industries that can reopen Friday , June 12 , assuming they meet health safety guidelines , are :

A day before Los Angeles County is set to allow businesses in several industries like gyms, day camps, zoos, film production and more, to reopen after forcing them to close to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus, officials reported the highest single-day jump of coronavirus cases to date.
LA County public health officials announced 1,857 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, June 11, bringing the total number of positive cases identified in the county as of Thursday to 68,875.
Although the number of new cases reported Thursday was the biggest single-day jump to date, about 600 of them were from a backlog of test results, officials said.
Public health officials also confirmed 46 new deaths, bringing the county’s death toll to 2,813. LA County makes up nearly half of the cases and 58% of deaths in the state.
Of those whose deaths were most recently reported, 32 were older than 65, 27 of whom had underlying health conditions; 13 people between 41 and 65 years old, 12 whom had underlying conditions, and one person between 18 and 40 years old, who had an underlying health condition.
The tally did not include five deaths and 76 cases that were reported in Long Beach, which maintains its own health department, on Thursday. Pasadena reported eight new cases, bringing its total to 1,023, but added no deaths to its total of 84.“Each day, we are thinking of the many people across LA County who have lost loved ones to COVID-19,” the county’s Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement. “You are in our prayers, and we hope you find healing during this difficult time.”
County public health officials issued a modified health order Thursday, June 11, giving guidelines for more sectors to reopen after being shuttered since March.
On Wednesday, however, new data suggested that COVID-19 transmission will likely increase gradually over time, said Christina Ghaly, director of Health Services for LA County, as physical distancing requirements continue to relax.
The World Health Organization at the start of the week urged countries that have seen improvement in virus spread to remain vigilant. California, meanwhile, placed LA County on a watch list of jurisdictions that could see an increased spread of the coronavirus.
As with every coronavirus related reopening, employees and visitors to those businesses must wear cloth face coverings when around other people and maintain a minimum 6 foot distance.
“Reopening businesses and public spaces safely requires everyone to continue to make physical distancing, wearing cloth face coverings and other infection control practices a part of day-to-day life,” Ferrer said. “We have shown that we can work together on slowing the spread of COVID-19, and we need to continue to do so through our recovery journey to prevent huge increases in cases, hospitalizations and deaths.”
The industries that can reopen Friday, June 12, assuming they meet health safety guidelines, are:


mercurynews--2020-06-12--Coachella, Stagecoach festival dates announced for 2021

A day after Riverside County health officials canceled the 2020 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Stagecoach Country Music Festival , which had been rescheduled for October , the events ’ promoter announced dates for 2021 .
Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser signed an order June 10 canceling the popular festivals , citing concerns of another wave of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , in the fall .
“ A year without Coachella and Stagecoach is hard for us to comprehend , but we have every intention of returning in 2021 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the festivals .
For now , the Empire Polo Club in Indio will host Coachella again April 9-11 and April 16-18 , 2021 .
Stagecoach will follow at the venue on April 23-35 .
“ We look forward to sharing our new lineups and more information .
We can ’ t wait to be together in the desert again when it is safe , ” the statement continues .
The phrasing of the company ’ s statement indicates that the lineups may differ from 2020 .
In recent weeks , Bloomberg reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 Coachella artists to sign on for next year .
Kaiser said Thursday that the decision to cancel the festivals was made now rather than closer to the event dates , originally rescheduled from April of this year to October , to help the promoter work with their vendors and the artists .
He also said that it was unknown what the status of live concerts would be in 2021 , noting that festivals are in the final stage of Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s reopening plan for California , which requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has begun to enter the third stage of the governor ’ s plan , starting June 12 , which allows for businesses such as bars , wineries , movie theaters and gyms to reopen with local approval .
Coachella ’ s 2020 lineup was topped by Rage Against the Machine , Travis Scott and Frank Ocean .
Other artists on the bill included Run the Jewels , Lil Uzi Vert , Lana Del Rey and K-pop boy band Big Bang .
Stagecoach ’ s 2020 lineup featured headliners Thomas Rhett , Carrie Underwood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Alan Jackson , Bryan Adams , Tanya Tucker , Billy Ray Cyrus and Orville Peck .
Producer and DJ Diplo was also expected to bring back the Stagecoach After-Party Sunday night .
Coachella ’ s inaugural was in October 1999 and grew into a musical , cultural and fashion zeitgeist that attracts around 125,000 people each weekend .
This year would have been the festival ’ s 21st edition , after skipping the year 2000 .
Stagecoach attracts 85,000 people yearly to the festival , which started in 2007 .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the country fest won ’ t happen .
Goldenvoice ’ s statement said all 2020 passes will be honored in 2021 and ticket holders will receive an email by Monday , June 15 , with instructions on how to roll the passes over to 2021 or obtain a refund .

A day after Riverside County health officials canceled the 2020 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Stagecoach Country Music Festival, which had been rescheduled for October, the events’ promoter announced dates for 2021.
Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser signed an order June 10 canceling the popular festivals, citing concerns of another wave of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the fall.
“A year without Coachella and Stagecoach is hard for us to comprehend, but we have every intention of returning in 2021,” Goldenvoice said in a statement about the festivals.
For now, the Empire Polo Club in Indio will host Coachella again April 9-11 and April 16-18, 2021. Stagecoach will follow at the venue on April 23-35.
“We look forward to sharing our new lineups and more information. We can’t wait to be together in the desert again when it is safe,” the statement continues.
The phrasing of the company’s statement indicates that the lineups may differ from 2020. In recent weeks, Bloomberg reported that the promoter was working to get the 2020 Coachella artists to sign on for next year.
Kaiser said Thursday that the decision to cancel the festivals was made now rather than closer to the event dates, originally rescheduled from April of this year to October, to help the promoter work with their vendors and the artists.
He also said that it was unknown what the status of live concerts would be in 2021, noting that festivals are in the final stage of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s reopening plan for California, which requires a vaccine and/or treatment.
The state has begun to enter the third stage of the governor’s plan, starting June 12, which allows for businesses such as bars, wineries, movie theaters and gyms to reopen with local approval.
Coachella’s 2020 lineup was topped by Rage Against the Machine, Travis Scott and Frank Ocean. Other artists on the bill included Run the Jewels, Lil Uzi Vert, Lana Del Rey and K-pop boy band Big Bang.
Stagecoach’s 2020 lineup featured headliners Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood and Eric Church as well as artists such as Alan Jackson, Bryan Adams, Tanya Tucker, Billy Ray Cyrus and Orville Peck. Producer and DJ Diplo was also expected to bring back the Stagecoach After-Party Sunday night.
Coachella’s inaugural was in October 1999 and grew into a musical, cultural and fashion zeitgeist that attracts around 125,000 people each weekend. This year would have been the festival’s 21st edition, after skipping the year 2000.
Stagecoach attracts 85,000 people yearly to the festival, which started in 2007. This is the first time in its history that the country fest won’t happen.
Goldenvoice’s statement said all 2020 passes will be honored in 2021 and ticket holders will receive an email by Monday, June 15, with instructions on how to roll the passes over to 2021 or obtain a refund.


mercurynews--2020-06-13--Sponsored: A new luxury development is redefining the commute with home workspace possibilities

In the California Delta , the glint of sunlight on water announces the beginning of the day , where the soundtrack is made up of the clear trills of the song sparrow , the splash of kayak paddles slicing through the water ’ s surface , and the occasional distant hum of a ski boat engine .
Working from home never looked quite so good , or so relaxing .
Though some places in the Bay Area might be considered the old-school version of “ bedroom communities , ” Delta Coves was designed to shift opinions and perspectives on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be both a destination for relaxation and adventure , it offers far more than just a bedroom .
It becomes a way of life .
“ Delta Coves offers a rich life on water , ” says Nick Taratsas , general manager of Delta Coves and executive vice president of DMB Development , the company leading the effort to build 560 waterfront and water-facing houses in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta .
“ It ’ s a place where you can take your boat out and hike natural trails with your family.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of personal space , room to breathe and fresh air .
With a home office on the water , instant accessibility to the outdoors means that it ’ s easier to blend your work style with lifestyle .
There ’ s no need to spend time between home and work driving to the beach or park when you have them both , combined , right out your back door .
It changes the meaning of a lunch break or sneaking out early for extra free time .
When you do venture into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun — you ’ re not far away .
Just 10 minutes away is the Antioch BART Station , which makes it possible for people who want to live a waterfront lifestyle within close proximity to the Bay Area .
“ We ’ re going to be considered a bedroom community , but at the same time a highly recreational community , ” Taratsas says .
“ Delta Coves will be an ideal place to call home.
” Delta Coves ’ prime location on a man-made lagoon sits at the gateway to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 740,000 acres of natural preserves .
The canal-front setting and the region ’ s warm , Mediterranean-style climate set the stage for an exceptional lifestyle for those who want to experience life on the water .
Due to modest waterfront settlements of early Delta inhabitants being responsive to the local climate , it was important for Delta Coves architects to design modern buildings that match the Delta ’ s rustic aesthetic .
It ’ s a place where the barrier between inside and outside disappears .
Homes here feature board-and-batten siding , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guests toward the back , to the lagoon and private docks — the launchpad to the great outdoors .
“ One thing we emphasized to the builders is that they needed to make the houses water-centric , ” Taratsas says .
“ We wanted them to pull the living spaces on the ground floor to the back .
After all , residents are genuinely there for the water.
” Find out more at www.DeltaCoves.com .

In the California Delta, the glint of sunlight on water announces the beginning of the day, where the soundtrack is made up of the clear trills of the song sparrow, the splash of kayak paddles slicing through the water’s surface, and the occasional distant hum of a ski boat engine. Working from home never looked quite so good, or so relaxing.
Though some places in the Bay Area might be considered the old-school version of “bedroom communities,” Delta Coves was designed to shift opinions and perspectives on what a bedroom community is. When home can be both a destination for relaxation and adventure, it offers far more than just a bedroom. It becomes a way of life.
“Delta Coves offers a rich life on water,” says Nick Taratsas, general manager of Delta Coves and executive vice president of DMB Development, the company leading the effort to build 560 waterfront and water-facing houses in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. “It’s a place where you can take your boat out and hike natural trails with your family.”
Here, there’s plenty of personal space, room to breathe and fresh air. With a home office on the water, instant accessibility to the outdoors means that it’s easier to blend your work style with lifestyle. There’s no need to spend time between home and work driving to the beach or park when you have them both, combined, right out your back door. It changes the meaning of a lunch break or sneaking out early for extra free time.
When you do venture into the Bay Area — whether for work or fun — you’re not far away. Just 10 minutes away is the Antioch BART Station, which makes it possible for people who want to live a waterfront lifestyle within close proximity to the Bay Area. “We’re going to be considered a bedroom community, but at the same time a highly recreational community,” Taratsas says. “Delta Coves will be an ideal place to call home.”
Delta Coves’ prime location on a man-made lagoon sits at the gateway to the Delta’s 1,000-plus miles of waterways and 740,000 acres of natural preserves. The canal-front setting and the region’s warm, Mediterranean-style climate set the stage for an exceptional lifestyle for those who want to experience life on the water.
Due to modest waterfront settlements of early Delta inhabitants being responsive to the local climate, it was important for Delta Coves architects to design modern buildings that match the Delta’s rustic aesthetic. It’s a place where the barrier between inside and outside disappears. Homes here feature board-and-batten siding, and floor plans are designed to funnel guests toward the back, to the lagoon and private docks — the launchpad to the great outdoors.
“One thing we emphasized to the builders is that they needed to make the houses water-centric,” Taratsas says. “We wanted them to pull the living spaces on the ground floor to the back. After all, residents are genuinely there for the water.”
Find out more at www.DeltaCoves.com.
Content provided by Delta Coves


mercurynews--2020-06-13--Report: Man arrested after threatening to burn down black church

Authorities arrested a North Carolina man after he allegedly called and threatened to set on fire a predominantly black church with ties to a peaceful demonstration over the death of George Floyd .
“ You ( racial slur ) need to shut up , ” John Malcolm Bareswill told church members Sunday morning before threatening to burn the church in a call that was put on speakerphone and overheard by two adult parishioners and several children , according to prosecutors .
A minister at the Virginia Beach , Virginia , church , which is not named , had participated in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier that marked Floyd ’ s death , court documents say .
Bareswill , 63 , of Catawba , North Carolina , is charged with making a telephonic threat to use fire to kill , injure or intimidate any individual or to unlawfully damage or destroy a building .
He made an initial appearance in Virginia federal court Friday afternoon and is now in custody , Joshua Stueve , a spokesman for the Eastern District of Virginia , told CNN .
Bareswill is “ scheduled for preliminary and detention hearings on June 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unable to immediately reach Bareswill for comment .
The Eastern District of Virginia was unable to confirm whether he had secured an attorney .
According to prosecutors , Bareswill initially stated that he had not made a phone call to any religious institution on Sunday , claiming to have been asleep , but investigators obtained records of an outgoing call from his cell phone to the church on Sunday morning .
They also found recent internet search queries including “ Who said all whites are racist , ” “ Black Lives Matter protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organized the protests from mount trashmore to town center ” and information about multiple nearby predominantly African American religious institutions , including that church .
Last week , “ a leader of the church was one of several ministers who took part in a prayer vigil and peaceful demonstration , which included a moment of silence for George Floyd , in the Mount Trashmore area of Virginia Beach , ” according to court documents .
The death of Floyd , a black man who died last month in Minneapolis police custody , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial inequality .
According to court documents , a church member reported the alleged call by Bareswill to the City of Virginia Beach Police Department , which in turn informed the FBI , which opened the investigation into the incident on Monday .
If convicted , Bareswill faces up to 10 years in prison , according to the Justice Department .

By David Shortell and Caroline Kennedy | CNN
Authorities arrested a North Carolina man after he allegedly called and threatened to set on fire a predominantly black church with ties to a peaceful demonstration over the death of George Floyd.
“You (racial slur) need to shut up,” John Malcolm Bareswill told church members Sunday morning before threatening to burn the church in a call that was put on speakerphone and overheard by two adult parishioners and several children, according to prosecutors.
A minister at the Virginia Beach, Virginia, church, which is not named, had participated in a prayer vigil and peaceful demonstration days earlier that marked Floyd’s death, court documents say.
Bareswill, 63, of Catawba, North Carolina, is charged with making a telephonic threat to use fire to kill, injure or intimidate any individual or to unlawfully damage or destroy a building.
He made an initial appearance in Virginia federal court Friday afternoon and is now in custody, Joshua Stueve, a spokesman for the Eastern District of Virginia, told CNN. Bareswill is “scheduled for preliminary and detention hearings on June 17,” Stueve added.
CNN was unable to immediately reach Bareswill for comment. The Eastern District of Virginia was unable to confirm whether he had secured an attorney.
According to prosecutors, Bareswill initially stated that he had not made a phone call to any religious institution on Sunday, claiming to have been asleep, but investigators obtained records of an outgoing call from his cell phone to the church on Sunday morning. They also found recent internet search queries including “Who said all whites are racist,” “Black Lives Matter protest held in Virginia,” “Who organized the protests from mount trashmore to town center” and information about multiple nearby predominantly African American religious institutions, including that church.
Last week, “a leader of the church was one of several ministers who took part in a prayer vigil and peaceful demonstration, which included a moment of silence for George Floyd, in the Mount Trashmore area of Virginia Beach,” according to court documents. The death of Floyd, a black man who died last month in Minneapolis police custody, has prompted protests nationwide over police brutality and racial inequality.
According to court documents, a church member reported the alleged call by Bareswill to the City of Virginia Beach Police Department, which in turn informed the FBI, which opened the investigation into the incident on Monday.
If convicted, Bareswill faces up to 10 years in prison, according to the Justice Department.


mercurynews--2020-06-13--Taylor Swift says ‘racist’ monuments ‘make me sick’

LOS ANGELES – Taylor Swift , who recently took the president to task for his response to the George Floyd killing and resulting social upheaval , is not wanting to go lightly on legislators in her home state , either , as she has joined a chorus of activists in urging the removal of monuments to racist leaders in Tennessee and elsewhere .
In a string of tweets and Instagram posts , Swift specifically called for the removal of the state ’ s monuments to Nathan Bedford Forrest , who was a Ku Klux Klan leader as well as Confederate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it makes me sick that there are monuments standing in our state that celebrate racist historical figures who did evil things , ” Swift wrote .
“ We need to retroactively change the status of people who perpetuated hideous patterns of racism from ‘ heroes ’ to ‘ villains.
’ And villains don ’ t deserve statues.
” She continued , “ I ’ m asking the Capitol Commission and the Tennessee Historical Commission to please consider the implications of how hurtful it would be to continue fighting for these monuments .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show black Tennesseans and all of their allies where you stand , and you continue this cycle of hurt .
You can ’ t change history , but you can change this.
” Earlier in the week , the legislature passed a bill that released Governor Bill Lee from proclaiming Nathan Bedford Forrest Day , as the leader of the state traditionally would .
Last year ’ s proclamation resulted in a firestorm , yet the day is set to be observed in Tennessee on July 13 .
Other native daughters who ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removal include Reese Witherspoon , who tweeted , “ We need to get rid of this disgusting symbol of racism .
And every other marker of White supremacy in the state .
The Great state of TN deserves better.
” Tuesday , the state ’ s Naming , Designating & Private Acts committee rejected a resolution to get rid of the statue .
The vote fell along partisan lines , with all of the committee ’ s Democrats wanting to remove it while every Republican but one voted for keeping it .
Nashville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over issues that have come to the fore as a result of the George Floyd-related protests .
One of Swift ’ s nemeses , Sen. Marsha Blackburn , tweeted an alert about a protest scheduled for the capitol and tweeted Friday , “ Nashville — radical anarchists are coming to town .
Please watch out .
These misfits want to turn our city into Seattle.
” Replied singer-songwriter Jason Isbell : “ Oh no Marsha will we finally get a decent sushi restaurant .
”

By Chris Willman | Variety.com
LOS ANGELES – Taylor Swift, who recently took the president to task for his response to the George Floyd killing and resulting social upheaval, is not wanting to go lightly on legislators in her home state, either, as she has joined a chorus of activists in urging the removal of monuments to racist leaders in Tennessee and elsewhere.
In a string of tweets and Instagram posts, Swift specifically called for the removal of the state’s monuments to Nathan Bedford Forrest, who was a Ku Klux Klan leader as well as Confederate general.
“As a Tennessean, it makes me sick that there are monuments standing in our state that celebrate racist historical figures who did evil things,” Swift wrote. “We need to retroactively change the status of people who perpetuated hideous patterns of racism from ‘heroes’ to ‘villains.’ And villains don’t deserve statues.”
She continued, “I’m asking the Capitol Commission and the Tennessee Historical Commission to please consider the implications of how hurtful it would be to continue fighting for these monuments. When you fight to honor racists, you show black Tennesseans and all of their allies where you stand, and you continue this cycle of hurt. You can’t change history, but you can change this.”
Earlier in the week, the legislature passed a bill that released Governor Bill Lee from proclaiming Nathan Bedford Forrest Day, as the leader of the state traditionally would. Last year’s proclamation resulted in a firestorm, yet the day is set to be observed in Tennessee on July 13.
Other native daughters who’ve called for the statue’s removal include Reese Witherspoon, who tweeted, “We need to get rid of this disgusting symbol of racism. And every other marker of White supremacy in the state. The Great state of TN deserves better.”
“I 100% agree,” responded country singer Kelsea Ballerini.
Tuesday, the state’s Naming, Designating & Private Acts committee rejected a resolution to get rid of the statue. The vote fell along partisan lines, with all of the committee’s Democrats wanting to remove it while every Republican but one voted for keeping it.
Nashville continues to be a hotbed of disagreement over issues that have come to the fore as a result of the George Floyd-related protests. One of Swift’s nemeses, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, tweeted an alert about a protest scheduled for the capitol and tweeted Friday, “Nashville — radical anarchists are coming to town. Please watch out. These misfits want to turn our city into Seattle.”
Replied singer-songwriter Jason Isbell: “Oh no Marsha will we finally get a decent sushi restaurant.”


mercurynews--2020-06-13--Oklahoma traffic stop leads to $750K stash of cocaine

CANADIAN COUNTY , OK – A man was arrested after a traffic stop led to the discovery of more than 60 pounds of cocaine , totaling over $ 750,000 .
About 1:30 a.m. on June 8 , deputies with the Canadian County Sheriff ’ s Office made the arrest of a North Carolina truck driver after he was stopped along I-40 near Radio Road for driving off the roadway .
The driver , identified as Irvin Rodriguez , 31 , of Wake Forrest , North Carolina , was taken into custody for drug smuggling .
A sheriff ’ s drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs under the bed inside the sleeper compartment of the semi-tractor .
Officials say Rodriguez had denied having any illegal drugs in the vehicle , but responded , “ They are going to kill me ” to the deputies after they told him they found the suitcase with the drugs .
“ I believe Rodriguez ’ s spontaneous utterance was definitely an admission of guilt , ” said Chris West , Canadian County Sheriff .
Rodriguez was taken into custody and transported to the Canadian County Jail , where he was booked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bail was set at $ 50,000 and he remains in custody .
The value of the cocaine is estimated to be around $ 750,000 to $ 800,000 .

By K. Butcher | KFOR via CNN
CANADIAN COUNTY, OK – A man was arrested after a traffic stop led to the discovery of more than 60 pounds of cocaine, totaling over $750,000.
About 1:30 a.m. on June 8, deputies with the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest of a North Carolina truck driver after he was stopped along I-40 near Radio Road for driving off the roadway.
The driver, identified as Irvin Rodriguez, 31, of Wake Forrest, North Carolina, was taken into custody for drug smuggling.
A sheriff’s drug dog alerted to the presence of illegal drugs under the bed inside the sleeper compartment of the semi-tractor.
Authorities discovered cocaine wrapped in 23 individual bundles weighing 62 pounds in total.
Officials say Rodriguez had denied having any illegal drugs in the vehicle, but responded, “They are going to kill me” to the deputies after they told him they found the suitcase with the drugs.
“I believe Rodriguez’s spontaneous utterance was definitely an admission of guilt,” said Chris West, Canadian County Sheriff.
Rodriguez was taken into custody and transported to the Canadian County Jail, where he was booked in for trafficking in illegal drugs. His bail was set at $50,000 and he remains in custody.
The value of the cocaine is estimated to be around $750,000 to $800,000.


mercurynews--2020-06-12--Trump administration rolls back transgender protections

The Trump administration announced Friday it is eliminating an Obama-era regulation prohibiting discrimination in health care against patients who are transgender .
The move — coming during Pride Month , an annual celebration of the LGBTQ community that takes place throughout the month of June , and on the four-year anniversary of the deadly Pulse nightclub shooting , in which 49 people were killed at a popular LGBTQ venue in Orlando — was swiftly denounced by LGBTQ groups , which see the action as discriminatory .
Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act , known as the Health Care Rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race , color , national origin , sex , age or disability in certain health programs and activities.
” A rule enacted in 2016 interpreted the ban on sex discrimination to include discrimination on the basis of gender identity , building on similar interpretations in other federal civil rights laws and court rulings , and termination of pregnancy .
But the US Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement Friday that it was eliminating “ certain provisions of the 2016 Rule that exceeded the scope of the authority delegated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforce Section 1557 by returning to the government ’ s interpretation of sex discrimination according to the plain meaning of the word ‘ sex ’ as male or female and as determined by biology.
” “ The 2016 Rule declined to recognize sexual orientation as a protected category under the ACA , and HHS will leave that judgment undisturbed , ” HHS said .
The Human Rights Campaign , an LGBTQ rights group , has said it plans to mount a legal challenge to the rule change , which the Trump administration proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We can not and will not allow Donald Trump to continue attacking us .
Today , the Human Rights Campaign is announcing plans to sue the Trump administration for exceeding their legal authority and attempting to remove basic health care protections from vulnerable communities including LGBTQ people , ” HRC president Alphonso David said in a statement .
The American Civil Liberties Union also denounced the move , saying it could cost lives .
“ The Trump administration has made a mission out of putting politicians and religious beliefs above a patient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly and all of us should be outraged , ” ACLU deputy legal director Louise Melling said in a news release .

By Devan Cole | CNN
The Trump administration announced Friday it is eliminating an Obama-era regulation prohibiting discrimination in health care against patients who are transgender.
The move — coming during Pride Month, an annual celebration of the LGBTQ community that takes place throughout the month of June, and on the four-year anniversary of the deadly Pulse nightclub shooting, in which 49 people were killed at a popular LGBTQ venue in Orlando — was swiftly denounced by LGBTQ groups, which see the action as discriminatory.
Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, known as the Health Care Rights Law, “prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in certain health programs and activities.” A rule enacted in 2016 interpreted the ban on sex discrimination to include discrimination on the basis of gender identity, building on similar interpretations in other federal civil rights laws and court rulings, and termination of pregnancy.
But the US Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement Friday that it was eliminating “certain provisions of the 2016 Rule that exceeded the scope of the authority delegated by Congress in Section 1557. HHS will enforce Section 1557 by returning to the government’s interpretation of sex discrimination according to the plain meaning of the word ‘sex’ as male or female and as determined by biology.”
“The 2016 Rule declined to recognize sexual orientation as a protected category under the ACA, and HHS will leave that judgment undisturbed,” HHS said.
The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ rights group, has said it plans to mount a legal challenge to the rule change, which the Trump administration proposed a similar version of last year.
“We cannot and will not allow Donald Trump to continue attacking us. Today, the Human Rights Campaign is announcing plans to sue the Trump administration for exceeding their legal authority and attempting to remove basic health care protections from vulnerable communities including LGBTQ people,” HRC president Alphonso David said in a statement.
The American Civil Liberties Union also denounced the move, saying it could cost lives.
“The Trump administration has made a mission out of putting politicians and religious beliefs above a patient’s health care. This is deadly and all of us should be outraged,” ACLU deputy legal director Louise Melling said in a news release.


mercurynews--2020-06-12--Review: ‘The Last of Us Part II’ details physics of human relationships

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction .
Newton ’ s third law describes bodies in motion , but it can also be applied to human interaction .
Each act of love can be reciprocated by love and inversely violent acts — though they can appear one-sided — reverberate and rebound .
That ’ s the physics that describes “ The Last of Us Part II.
” It ’ s a sequel that brings a reckoning for the violence in the original .
That game ’ s climax put players in a horrific position .
Joel brought Ellie to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding a cure to cordyceps brain infection that has consumed the world .
Ellie is immune to the disease that essentially turns people into zombies , and she is the key to saving the world .
The only problem is that the cure would kill her , and Joel makes the fateful decision to murder the militia to save the child .
The sequel follows the aftermath of that choice and it acts as a fulcrum for the game .
Ellie and Joel settle in the town of Jackson , Wyoming .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by unknown assailants changes their lives and slingshots Ellie and other town members to Seattle for retaliation .
“ The Last of Us Part II ” is Ellie ’ s story and a study of revenge .
That journey mostly unfolds in Seattle as she hunts down her transgressors .
The missions , broken up into several days , show developer Naughty Dog pushing the limits of its level design , creating expansive environments that feel open-world but are actually large maps with nooks and crannies of exploration scattered throughout .
These wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use different tactics to take out the cordyceps Infected and the rival factions in the Emerald City : the Washington Liberation Front militia and the Seraphite religious sect .
Most of the combat is based on stealth and Ellie picking apart squads by crawling through tall grass , stalking behind adversaries and shivving them .
When stealth is broken , gunfights erupt and it becomes about outflanking enemies and efficiently killing them with weapons at hand .
“ The Last of Us Part II ” has a survival component , as players must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ items .
The campaign has a progression system that improves character skills when they find training manuals .
That opens up skill trees with talents that become accessible via stimulants collected through the levels .
Most confrontations deal with one faction at a time in maps that can range from open-air battle to claustrophobic urban combat .
The campaign ’ s best action moments come when a mix of WLF , Seraphites and Infected are in the same room together .
Players who know how each faction reacts can play them off each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or defeat them .
It offers the most intriguing dynamic of play .
Slight puzzle elements break up the skirmishes .
They come in scenarios such as trying to figure out safe combinations that hold power-ups , or they can be in the form of obstacles that players have to figure out .
None of them is too difficult and the puzzles are mostly ways to blocked rooms that hold a treasure trove of scrap and items that will power up characters through the campaign .
Ellie ’ s vengeance is thorough and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viciousness .
She ’ s a wraith stalking those who wronged her , but a strange thing happens in “ The Last of Us Part II.
” The campaign flips the script and it forces empathy on players .
It ’ s Newton ’ s third law in action as players see the other side of the story .
They realize that they are not killing faceless enemies but people dealing with their own plights .
When Ellie stabs an enemy in front of his comrade , they ’ ll notice how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exact retribution .
Players discover that even the dogs that Ellie shoots have names .
“ The Last of Us Part II ” takes advantage of this innate form of compassion in video games .
It ’ s a medium that puts players in shoes of heroes , but it can also do the opposite .
That switch can be uncomfortable at times , but it ’ s also necessary to understand what director Neil Druckmann is trying to convey with the sequel .
“ It ’ s a story of tribalism ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the outside .
It ’ s a story of obsession — when is it time to let go ?
And when should you hold on at any cost ?
This is a story of trauma , redemption , and empathy , ” he wrote .
The only issue is the game ’ s third section .
It feels like a forced epilogue after the second part ’ s climax , but that ’ s because players care so much about Ellie .
They also must realize that though they control her movements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her character .
The adult Ellie is molded from a multitude of other experiences not seen in flashbacks or in cutscenes .
Although players want her to make the right choice , they can ’ t force her to .
All they can do is try to understand her decisions through the empathy the game is trying to elicit .
That message isn ’ t always clear in “ The Last of Us Part II ” but Naughty Dog offers enough through the weaving narrative that it can be understood just as long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and step outside themselves .
‘ The Last of Us Part II

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Newton’s third law describes bodies in motion, but it can also be applied to human interaction.
Each act of love can be reciprocated by love and inversely violent acts — though they can appear one-sided — reverberate and rebound. That’s the physics that describes “The Last of Us Part II.” It’s a sequel that brings a reckoning for the violence in the original.
That game’s climax put players in a horrific position. Joel brought Ellie to the Fireflies, a militia hellbent on finding a cure to cordyceps brain infection that has consumed the world. Ellie is immune to the disease that essentially turns people into zombies, and she is the key to saving the world. The only problem is that the cure would kill her, and Joel makes the fateful decision to murder the militia to save the child.
The sequel follows the aftermath of that choice and it acts as a fulcrum for the game. Ellie and Joel settle in the town of Jackson, Wyoming. They live a quiet life until an attack by unknown assailants changes their lives and slingshots Ellie and other town members to Seattle for retaliation.
“The Last of Us Part II” is Ellie’s story and a study of revenge. That journey mostly unfolds in Seattle as she hunts down her transgressors. The missions, broken up into several days, show developer Naughty Dog pushing the limits of its level design, creating expansive environments that feel open-world but are actually large maps with nooks and crannies of exploration scattered throughout.
These wide arenas become playgrounds in which players can use different tactics to take out the cordyceps Infected and the rival factions in the Emerald City: the Washington Liberation Front militia and the Seraphite religious sect. Most of the combat is based on stealth and Ellie picking apart squads by crawling through tall grass, stalking behind adversaries and shivving them.
When stealth is broken, gunfights erupt and it becomes about outflanking enemies and efficiently killing them with weapons at hand. “The Last of Us Part II” has a survival component, as players must scavenge ammo, weapon scraps and other items. The campaign has a progression system that improves character skills when they find training manuals. That opens up skill trees with talents that become accessible via stimulants collected through the levels.
Most confrontations deal with one faction at a time in maps that can range from open-air battle to claustrophobic urban combat. The campaign’s best action moments come when a mix of WLF, Seraphites and Infected are in the same room together. Players who know how each faction reacts can play them off each and, in the chaos, escape or defeat them. It offers the most intriguing dynamic of play.
Slight puzzle elements break up the skirmishes. They come in scenarios such as trying to figure out safe combinations that hold power-ups, or they can be in the form of obstacles that players have to figure out. None of them is too difficult and the puzzles are mostly ways to blocked rooms that hold a treasure trove of scrap and items that will power up characters through the campaign.
Ellie’s vengeance is thorough and she kills her adversaries with a frightful viciousness. She’s a wraith stalking those who wronged her, but a strange thing happens in “The Last of Us Part II.” The campaign flips the script and it forces empathy on players. It’s Newton’s third law in action as players see the other side of the story. They realize that they are not killing faceless enemies but people dealing with their own plights. When Ellie stabs an enemy in front of his comrade, they’ll notice how the man screams a name and tries to exact retribution. Players discover that even the dogs that Ellie shoots have names.
“The Last of Us Part II” takes advantage of this innate form of compassion in video games. It’s a medium that puts players in shoes of heroes, but it can also do the opposite. That switch can be uncomfortable at times, but it’s also necessary to understand what director Neil Druckmann is trying to convey with the sequel.
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What to play: ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ will keep gamers busy during August Entertainment | ‘First Descendant’ crossplay beta delayed until September but will be open to all “It’s a story of tribalism; of how we vilify and dehumanize those on the outside. It’s a story of obsession — when is it time to let go? And when should you hold on at any cost? This is a story of trauma, redemption, and empathy,” he wrote.
The only issue is the game’s third section. It feels like a forced epilogue after the second part’s climax, but that’s because players care so much about Ellie. They also must realize that though they control her movements, they aren’t acting as her character. The adult Ellie is molded from a multitude of other experiences not seen in flashbacks or in cutscenes. Although players want her to make the right choice, they can’t force her to. All they can do is try to understand her decisions through the empathy the game is trying to elicit.
That message isn’t always clear in “The Last of Us Part II” but Naughty Dog offers enough through the weaving narrative that it can be understood just as long as players are willing to reach out and step outside themselves.
‘The Last of Us Part II
3½ stars out of 4
Rating: Mature
Platform: PlayStation 4


mercurynews--2020-06-12--Mnuchin refuses to detail recipients of $600B aid program

By Marcy Gordon and Mary Clare Jalonick | Associated Press WASHINGTON — Building ramparts of secrecy around a $ 600 billion-plus coronavirus aid program for small businesses , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has moved from delay to denial in refusing outright to disclose the recipients of taxpayer-funded loans .
Mnuchin told Congress at a hearing this week that the names of loan recipients and the amounts are “ proprietary information.
” While he claimed the information is confidential , ethics advocates and some lawmakers see the move as an attempt to dodge accountability for how the money is spent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ early weeks of the program , and several hundred publicly traded companies received loans despite their likely ability to get the money from private financial sources .
Publicly shamed , a number of big corporations said they would return their loans .
“ Given the many problems with the program , it is imperative American taxpayers know if the money is going where Congress intended — to the truly small and unbanked small business , ” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Friday .
“ The administration ’ s resistance to transparency is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspicions about how the funds are being distributed and who is actually benefiting.
” The Small Business Administration — an agency with about 3,200 employees and an annual budget shy of $ 1 billion — is shouldering the massive relief effort for U.S. small businesses and their employees left reeling by the economic punch of the pandemic .
A signature piece of Congress ’ multitrillion-dollar coronavirus rescue , and touted by President Donald Trump , the unprecedented lending program is intended to help small employers stay afloat and preserve jobs in a cratering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
About 10 weeks after the Paycheck Protection Program was launched , the SBA says it has processed 4.5 million loans worth $ 511 billion .
But it has yet to make public the recipients of taxpayer aid .
The agency has only provided general information , such as the total amounts of loans awarded in a given time period .
The loans can be forgiven if businesses use the money to keep employees on payroll or rehire workers who have been laid off .
South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn , who heads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s coronavirus response , said he intends to push vigorously for greater transparency in the wake of Mnuchin ’ s remarks .
“ Hiding recipients of federal funds is unacceptable and must end , ” Clyburn , a Democrat , said in a statement to The Associated Press .
“ American taxpayers deserve to know if their money is being used to help struggling small businesses , as Congress intended , or instead is being siphoned off through waste , fraud and abuse.
” At least one Republican lawmaker shared the frustration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data .
Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri was angered after SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza told him that confidentiality also applies to Paycheck Protection Program loans made to Planned Parenthood or its affiliates .
“ We learned nothing new about what the SBA has been doing to rectify this , or if any of the funds have been paid back , ” Hawley said in a statement Friday .
“ As far as we know , Planned Parenthood has taken $ 80 million in taxpayer money straight to the bank .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until I get answers.
” Asked previously by news organizations for information on the companies receiving loans , the SBA has said it ’ s too consumed by the urgent effort of helping small businesses through the economic downturn to provide the data .
It said specific loan data may be released “ in the near future.
” But Mnuchin ditched that ambiguous position this week , making it clear at a Senate hearing that the administration does not plan to disclose the recipient names and amounts .
While the SBA administers the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has ultimate control over it .
“ We believe that that ’ s proprietary information , and in many cases , for sole proprietors and small businesses , is confidential information , ” Mnuchin said during the hearing by the Senate Small Business Committee .
He said the emergency lending program is unlike SBA ’ s main traditional lending program , known as 7 ( a ) , for which the agency has regularly released information on businesses that have borrowed money .
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine , who supports Mnuchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement Friday that the PPP is different from the 7 ( a ) program because the amount of a PPP loan is calculated directly and only as a percentage of the business ’ payroll .
Therefore , Collins said , public disclosure of the new data “ would reveal proprietary information.
” At the same time , Collins said , the Government Accountability Office , which is Congress ’ auditing arm , and other government watchdogs should have access to the detailed data .
Mnuchin promised in his testimony to give the GAO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The loan application for the Paycheck Protection Program includes this notice to potential borrowers : Under the Freedom of Information Act and with certain exceptions , the SBA “ must supply information reflected in agency files and records to a person requesting it.
” Nearly a dozen news organizations , including The AP , The Washington Post and The New York Times , have sued the SBA in federal court for not having released the loan data despite several requests under the Freedom of Information Act .
They accuse the agency of violating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to comment on the lawsuit .
Mnuchin ’ s pledge to give the GAO ’ s auditors access to the PPP loan data appeared to satisfy some senators , who didn ’ t press him on public release of the information .
• Silence in the elevator , we ’ re having a pandemic : Bay Area tech giant ’ s coronavirus return-to-office plan • Coronavirus : Nine new Bay Area deaths , including six in San Mateo County • Some states hit the pause button as other rush to reopen Praise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mnuchin and Carranza at the hearing from senators from both parties , who cited the positive economic impact across the country .
Typical of the enthusiasm was Sen. Cory Booker , Democrat from New Jersey , who told them , “ I just want to give my gratitude for the difference it has made in my state.
” Sen. Marco Rubio , the Florida Republican who heads the Small Business panel , said Friday he will “ work closely with SBA and Treasury to ensure enough data is disclosed about the program to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is adequate transparency without compromising borrowers ’ proprietary information .
”

By Marcy Gordon and Mary Clare Jalonick | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Building ramparts of secrecy around a $600 billion-plus coronavirus aid program for small businesses, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has moved from delay to denial in refusing outright to disclose the recipients of taxpayer-funded loans.
Mnuchin told Congress at a hearing this week that the names of loan recipients and the amounts are “proprietary information.” While he claimed the information is confidential, ethics advocates and some lawmakers see the move as an attempt to dodge accountability for how the money is spent.
Businesses struggled to obtain loans in the early weeks of the program, and several hundred publicly traded companies received loans despite their likely ability to get the money from private financial sources. Publicly shamed, a number of big corporations said they would return their loans.
“Given the many problems with the program, it is imperative American taxpayers know if the money is going where Congress intended — to the truly small and unbanked small business,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Friday. “The administration’s resistance to transparency is outrageous and only serves to raise further suspicions about how the funds are being distributed and who is actually benefiting.”
The Small Business Administration — an agency with about 3,200 employees and an annual budget shy of $1 billion — is shouldering the massive relief effort for U.S. small businesses and their employees left reeling by the economic punch of the pandemic. A signature piece of Congress’ multitrillion-dollar coronavirus rescue, and touted by President Donald Trump, the unprecedented lending program is intended to help small employers stay afloat and preserve jobs in a cratering economy losing tens of millions of them.
About 10 weeks after the Paycheck Protection Program was launched, the SBA says it has processed 4.5 million loans worth $511 billion. But it has yet to make public the recipients of taxpayer aid. The agency has only provided general information, such as the total amounts of loans awarded in a given time period.
The loans can be forgiven if businesses use the money to keep employees on payroll or rehire workers who have been laid off.
South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, who heads a House subcommittee overseeing the Trump administration’s coronavirus response, said he intends to push vigorously for greater transparency in the wake of Mnuchin’s remarks.
“Hiding recipients of federal funds is unacceptable and must end,” Clyburn, a Democrat, said in a statement to The Associated Press. “American taxpayers deserve to know if their money is being used to help struggling small businesses, as Congress intended, or instead is being siphoned off through waste, fraud and abuse.”
At least one Republican lawmaker shared the frustration over Mnuchin shutting the door on the data. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri was angered after SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza told him that confidentiality also applies to Paycheck Protection Program loans made to Planned Parenthood or its affiliates.
“We learned nothing new about what the SBA has been doing to rectify this, or if any of the funds have been paid back,” Hawley said in a statement Friday. “As far as we know, Planned Parenthood has taken $80 million in taxpayer money straight to the bank. It’s unacceptable and I won’t stop until I get answers.”
Asked previously by news organizations for information on the companies receiving loans, the SBA has said it’s too consumed by the urgent effort of helping small businesses through the economic downturn to provide the data. It said specific loan data may be released “in the near future.”
But Mnuchin ditched that ambiguous position this week, making it clear at a Senate hearing that the administration does not plan to disclose the recipient names and amounts. While the SBA administers the program, Mnuchin’s Treasury Department has ultimate control over it.
“We believe that that’s proprietary information, and in many cases, for sole proprietors and small businesses, is confidential information,” Mnuchin said during the hearing by the Senate Small Business Committee.
He said the emergency lending program is unlike SBA’s main traditional lending program, known as 7(a), for which the agency has regularly released information on businesses that have borrowed money.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who supports Mnuchin’s position, said in a statement Friday that the PPP is different from the 7(a) program because the amount of a PPP loan is calculated directly and only as a percentage of the business’ payroll. Therefore, Collins said, public disclosure of the new data “would reveal proprietary information.”
At the same time, Collins said, the Government Accountability Office, which is Congress’ auditing arm, and other government watchdogs should have access to the detailed data. Mnuchin promised in his testimony to give the GAO access to the PPP loan data.
The loan application for the Paycheck Protection Program includes this notice to potential borrowers: Under the Freedom of Information Act and with certain exceptions, the SBA “must supply information reflected in agency files and records to a person requesting it.”
Nearly a dozen news organizations, including The AP, The Washington Post and The New York Times, have sued the SBA in federal court for not having released the loan data despite several requests under the Freedom of Information Act. They accuse the agency of violating the FOIA law. The SBA has declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Mnuchin’s pledge to give the GAO’s auditors access to the PPP loan data appeared to satisfy some senators, who didn’t press him on public release of the information.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Business | California COVID cases are rising. Here’s why and where health experts are masking Praise for the small-business loan program flowed to Mnuchin and Carranza at the hearing from senators from both parties, who cited the positive economic impact across the country. Typical of the enthusiasm was Sen. Cory Booker, Democrat from New Jersey, who told them, “I just want to give my gratitude for the difference it has made in my state.”
Sen. Marco Rubio, the Florida Republican who heads the Small Business panel, said Friday he will “work closely with SBA and Treasury to ensure enough data is disclosed about the program to determine its effectiveness, and ensure there is adequate transparency without compromising borrowers’ proprietary information.”


mercurynews--2020-06-12--Santa Cruz deputy killing: Defense lawyer says Steven Carrillo suffered from traumatic brain injury

SANTA CRUZ — Air Force Sgt .
Steven Carrillo suffered from a traumatic brain injury and “ extreme personal family loss , ” his lawyer said Friday in an early indication of a possible defense for the man charged with killing a deputy and seriously injuring another in a shocking ambush that shook the Santa Cruz mountains community last weekend .
The revelation came outside the Santa Cruz County courthouse after Carrillo ’ s first court appearance by video to face 19 felonies connected to Saturday ’ s rampage .
The 32-year-old Ben Lomond man was in jail in Monterey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his protection .
“ I ’ m simply pointing out there are more colors to Mr. Carrillo and what his possible motivation and what his involvement is beyond what you might hear and see from the complaint , ” Jeffrey Stotter , a private lawyer , told reporters .
Although Carrillo is not admitting responsibility , “ he ’ s very sorry for what has happened , ” Any apologies rang hollow to Santa Cruz sheriff ’ s officials and the family of Sgt .
Damon Gutzwiller , who left behind a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused to say more about the brain injury other than it wasn ’ t connected to Carrillo ’ s military service .
The attack on law enforcement came with the country on edge after weeks of protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Carrillo also has been identified in connection with the fatal shooting late last month of a federal security officer in Oakland , a source close to the investigation told the Bay Area News Group on Thursday .
But neither Stotter nor Santa Cruz County District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 29 death of Dave Patrick Underwood , who was gunned down blocks from a protest .
Both the Oakland and Santa Cruz cases involved a white van .
Rosell added more intrigue to the case when he told reporters Friday that there were actually two white vans connected to Saturday ’ s ambush .
Although he wasn ’ t completely clear , Rosell explained that someone called police about a suspicious van parked in nearby Boulder Creek that appeared to contain explosives and firearms .
The license plate number led deputies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lomond , who arrived in a second white van as deputies were investigating .
The shootout followed .
Sgt .
Gutzwiller was killed .
Deputy Alex Spencer was seriously wounded .
“ The initial ambush of the officers was just that , an ambush , ” Rosell said .
“ This individual then waited , other officers arrived at the scene , ambushed them by shooting at them and literally came up behind their car and ambushed them and tried to murder both of those guys.
” Carrillo went on to steal one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being apprehended , authorities say .
During the news conference outside the courthouse , about a dozen armed deputies in bulletproof vests stood guard .
Rosell explained that the extra security came because “ we are still in the process of investigating this individual , his background and connections to any groups .
We ’ re talking about literally the murder and attempted murder of many people — and those are the reasons.
” Although Rosell wouldn ’ t identify any specific groups , Carrillo had shared memes on his Facebook page before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , citizen militia-style , anti-government group called “ Boogaloo.
” Carrillo , who had been on active duty at Travis Air Force Base , appeared by video Thursday in a red-and white-striped jail shirt , shifting nervously in front of a cinder-block wall .
He grew up in Ben Lomond and lived with his father off a mountain road where the ambush took place Saturday afternoon .
Carrillo ’ s wife killed herself two years ago .
Their two school-age children live with his late wife ’ s mother .
Carrillo , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the killing of Sgt .
Gutzwiller , did not enter a plea on Friday .
His next court date is scheduled for July 17 .
Carrillo is also charged with five counts of attempted murder involving four deputies and an unnamed citizen who pinned Carrillo to the ground , wrestling away a firearm and explosive .
Spencer , whose bullet proof vest saved him from a shot to the chest , is still recovering from serious wounds caused by explosive shrapnel and injuries from being hit by the stolen getaway car , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also faces explosives and carjacking charges .
Authorities declined to discuss any motives for Carrillo ’ s alleged violent crimes .
But his social media posts and interviews with a former friend from the Air Force suggest Carrillo appeared increasingly upset about law enforcement actions lately , including the use of force on protesters .
“ Everything he would say or post was all about limiting government overreach , ” said Justin Ehrhardt , who served with Carrillo in the Air Force when they were stationed together in Utah in 2013 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wanted the government out of a lot of our decision-making process.
” Another friend , Victor Martinez , who hasn ’ t seen Carrillo in about five years , described himself as “ extremely shocked.
” They met when they were both selling cell phones when they were 16 and remembers Carrillo had at one time enrolled in a $ 40,000 real estate class to learn how to flip houses .
“ I never in my right mind would ever imagine he would do something like this .
”

SANTA CRUZ — Air Force Sgt. Steven Carrillo suffered from a traumatic brain injury and “extreme personal family loss,” his lawyer said Friday in an early indication of a possible defense for the man charged with killing a deputy and seriously injuring another in a shocking ambush that shook the Santa Cruz mountains community last weekend.
The revelation came outside the Santa Cruz County courthouse after Carrillo’s first court appearance by video to face 19 felonies connected to Saturday’s rampage. The 32-year-old Ben Lomond man was in jail in Monterey County — instead of Santa Cruz — for his protection.
“I’m simply pointing out there are more colors to Mr. Carrillo and what his possible motivation and what his involvement is beyond what you might hear and see from the complaint,” Jeffrey Stotter, a private lawyer, told reporters. Although Carrillo is not admitting responsibility, “he’s very sorry for what has happened,”
Any apologies rang hollow to Santa Cruz sheriff’s officials and the family of Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, who left behind a young child and pregnant wife.
Stotter refused to say more about the brain injury other than it wasn’t connected to Carrillo’s military service.
The attack on law enforcement came with the country on edge after weeks of protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Carrillo also has been identified in connection with the fatal shooting late last month of a federal security officer in Oakland, a source close to the investigation told the Bay Area News Group on Thursday. But neither Stotter nor Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeff Rosell would comment on the May 29 death of Dave Patrick Underwood, who was gunned down blocks from a protest. Both the Oakland and Santa Cruz cases involved a white van.
Rosell added more intrigue to the case when he told reporters Friday that there were actually two white vans connected to Saturday’s ambush. Although he wasn’t completely clear, Rosell explained that someone called police about a suspicious van parked in nearby Boulder Creek that appeared to contain explosives and firearms. The license plate number led deputies to the home of Carrillo in nearby Ben Lomond, who arrived in a second white van as deputies were investigating.
The shootout followed. Sgt. Gutzwiller was killed. Deputy Alex Spencer was seriously wounded.
“The initial ambush of the officers was just that, an ambush,” Rosell said. “This individual then waited, other officers arrived at the scene, ambushed them by shooting at them and literally came up behind their car and ambushed them and tried to murder both of those guys.”
Carrillo went on to steal one vehicle and attempt to steal others before being apprehended, authorities say.
During the news conference outside the courthouse, about a dozen armed deputies in bulletproof vests stood guard. Rosell explained that the extra security came because “we are still in the process of investigating this individual, his background and connections to any groups. We’re talking about literally the murder and attempted murder of many people — and those are the reasons.”
Although Rosell wouldn’t identify any specific groups, Carrillo had shared memes on his Facebook page before it was shut down of an extreme-right, citizen militia-style, anti-government group called “Boogaloo.”
Carrillo, who had been on active duty at Travis Air Force Base, appeared by video Thursday in a red-and white-striped jail shirt, shifting nervously in front of a cinder-block wall.
He grew up in Ben Lomond and lived with his father off a mountain road where the ambush took place Saturday afternoon. Carrillo’s wife killed herself two years ago. Their two school-age children live with his late wife’s mother.
Carrillo, who is facing a possible death sentence for the killing of Sgt. Gutzwiller, did not enter a plea on Friday. His next court date is scheduled for July 17.
Carrillo is also charged with five counts of attempted murder involving four deputies and an unnamed citizen who pinned Carrillo to the ground, wrestling away a firearm and explosive. Spencer, whose bullet proof vest saved him from a shot to the chest, is still recovering from serious wounds caused by explosive shrapnel and injuries from being hit by the stolen getaway car, according to an indictment filed Thursday. Carrillo also faces explosives and carjacking charges.
Authorities declined to discuss any motives for Carrillo’s alleged violent crimes. But his social media posts and interviews with a former friend from the Air Force suggest Carrillo appeared increasingly upset about law enforcement actions lately, including the use of force on protesters.
“Everything he would say or post was all about limiting government overreach,” said Justin Ehrhardt, who served with Carrillo in the Air Force when they were stationed together in Utah in 2013. “He wanted to abolish the ATF, he wanted the government out of a lot of our decision-making process.”
Another friend, Victor Martinez, who hasn’t seen Carrillo in about five years, described himself as “extremely shocked.” They met when they were both selling cell phones when they were 16 and remembers Carrillo had at one time enrolled in a $40,000 real estate class to learn how to flip houses. “I never in my right mind would ever imagine he would do something like this.”


mercurynews--2020-06-12--Silence in the elevator, we’re having a pandemic: Bay Area tech giant’s coronavirus return-to-office

Silence in the elevator, we’re having a pandemic: Bay Area tech giant’s coronavirus return-to-office plan

Shhhh , no talking in the elevator .
And mind the “ Yield ” signs in the office .
Those are two of the new rules technology giant Salesforce , with some 50,000 employees world-wide , will impose in all its offices , including in San Francisco ’ s tallest tower , to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
“ We realize that as we reopen our workplaces in the coming weeks and months , the virus will still be with us , ” says the company ’ s 21-page Reopening Playbook .
Salesforce , which sells business software , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in four phases , although it will allow employees to work remotely if they wish until year ’ s end .
Phase 1 , the only period with a specified time period so far , is to last four to six weeks , bring in workers whose presence in offices is crucial , and fill offices only to 15 % of capacity , says the digital handbook , provided by Salesforce to this news organization .
In Phase 2 , up to 40 % of employees will be back in the office , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Phase 1 will be imposed , in part to “ accommodate elevator queuing , ” the handbook says .
Some types of work will be done in shifts .
The next phase will see up to 75 % of workers return , likely in multiple shifts with staggered arrivals .
Salesforce , which said late last month it was starting to reopen offices in Asia , did not say when it would start to reopen U.S. offices , including Salesforce Tower in San Francisco , which contains its headquarters .
Phase 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers back in offices , but when that occurs will depend on whether a vaccine becomes available , the handbook says .
“ The timing of when we bring employees back into our offices will be unique to each office — we ’ ll make those decisions on a city-by-city basis , in a way that ’ s consistent with local government guidelines and in line with the advice of our medical experts , ” the company said in a blog post last month .
San Francisco County will on Monday start allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only if their work can ’ t be done remotely .
Salesforce employees will have to attest , before entering offices , that they haven ’ t tested positive for coronavirus or traveled out of state in the previous two weeks , or had contact with anyone confirmed or suspected to be infected , the handbook says .
As workers return , they ’ ll be given face masks , and thermometers so they can comply with the mandatory temperature check they must conduct shortly before coming in .
Every floor will feature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and to provide “ a highly visible assurance of safety at work.
” Since infectious-disease experts believe talking may spread coronavirus , it will be prohibited in elevators .
Six-foot buffers around desks will help keep up social distancing , and Plexiglas barriers will add protection , the handbook says .
Workers will be allowed to remove facial coverings when at their desks and while eating .
A “ clean desk ” policy will be imposed to facilitate twice-a-week deep cleaning of offices , with employees given boxes to bring home personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-touch areas such as doorknobs , elevator keypads and touch-screens will be disinfected , the handbook says .
Office-air systems will be “ optimized ” to bring in as much fresh air as possible and limit re-circulated air .
Changes to office infrastructure to enable social distancing will reduce the average capacity of any office floor to 40 % to 60 % of the usual number of workers , according to the handbook .
Signs , including “ Yield , ” “ Enter , ” and “ Exit ” will direct workers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Initially , the company will pay for food to be brought in , but later there will be “ centralized food-delivery drop-off areas.
” Only individually packaged snacks will be available .
Office staff may be pouring coffee and milk , but external catering for meetings will be prohibited , the handbook says .
In cases of an employee becoming infected , Salesforce would conduct contact tracing , and use a Salesforce app to confidentially document cases and manage notifications .
The company has also launched Work.com , a website that markets a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen safely .
• Bay Area tech firm says it won ’ t reopen offices till fall , citing potential ‘ second wave ’ of coronavirus • Macy ’ s is reopening , and here ’ s what they ’ re doing to keep workers and customers safe While Salesforce , with $ 17 billion in revenue in its latest fiscal year , has substantial resources to spend on reopening offices , bringing employees back to workplaces will be a complicated and potentially costly endeavor for most any business , said UC Berkeley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t cost much , such as putting spacing markers on floors for social distancing , but other work , such as modifying ventilation systems , would be expensive , and for companies that don ’ t own their office space , require negotiation with landlords , Reingold said .
Communal spaces , including bathrooms , elevators and stairwells , are probably the riskiest areas in an office , but rooms with many people working in them might also pose a risk , even with plastic dividers around desks , Reingold said @

Shhhh, no talking in the elevator. And mind the “Yield” signs in the office.
Those are two of the new rules technology giant Salesforce, with some 50,000 employees world-wide, will impose in all its offices, including in San Francisco’s tallest tower, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“We realize that as we reopen our workplaces in the coming weeks and months, the virus will still be with us,” says the company’s 21-page Reopening Playbook.
Salesforce, which sells business software, plans to bring workers back to offices in four phases, although it will allow employees to work remotely if they wish until year’s end.
Phase 1, the only period with a specified time period so far, is to last four to six weeks, bring in workers whose presence in offices is crucial, and fill offices only to 15% of capacity, says the digital handbook, provided by Salesforce to this news organization.
In Phase 2, up to 40% of employees will be back in the office, and staggered arrivals that might be implemented in Phase 1 will be imposed, in part to “accommodate elevator queuing,” the handbook says. Some types of work will be done in shifts.
The next phase will see up to 75% of workers return, likely in multiple shifts with staggered arrivals. Salesforce, which said late last month it was starting to reopen offices in Asia, did not say when it would start to reopen U.S. offices, including Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, which contains its headquarters.
Phase 4 would see all the company’s workers back in offices, but when that occurs will depend on whether a vaccine becomes available, the handbook says.
“The timing of when we bring employees back into our offices will be unique to each office — we’ll make those decisions on a city-by-city basis, in a way that’s consistent with local government guidelines and in line with the advice of our medical experts,” the company said in a blog post last month.
San Francisco County will on Monday start allowing workers to return to offices, but only if their work can’t be done remotely.
Salesforce employees will have to attest, before entering offices, that they haven’t tested positive for coronavirus or traveled out of state in the previous two weeks, or had contact with anyone confirmed or suspected to be infected, the handbook says.
As workers return, they’ll be given face masks, and thermometers so they can comply with the mandatory temperature check they must conduct shortly before coming in. Every floor will feature a temperature-check kiosk for employees feeling unwell, and to provide “a highly visible assurance of safety at work.”
Since infectious-disease experts believe talking may spread coronavirus, it will be prohibited in elevators.
Six-foot buffers around desks will help keep up social distancing, and Plexiglas barriers will add protection, the handbook says. Workers will be allowed to remove facial coverings when at their desks and while eating. A “clean desk” policy will be imposed to facilitate twice-a-week deep cleaning of offices, with employees given boxes to bring home personal items after work. All day, high-touch areas such as doorknobs, elevator keypads and touch-screens will be disinfected, the handbook says.
Office-air systems will be “optimized” to bring in as much fresh air as possible and limit re-circulated air.
Changes to office infrastructure to enable social distancing will reduce the average capacity of any office floor to 40% to 60% of the usual number of workers, according to the handbook. Signs, including “Yield,” “Enter,” and “Exit” will direct workers in shared spaces to promote social distancing.
Initially, the company will pay for food to be brought in, but later there will be “centralized food-delivery drop-off areas.” Only individually packaged snacks will be available. Office staff may be pouring coffee and milk, but external catering for meetings will be prohibited, the handbook says.
In cases of an employee becoming infected, Salesforce would conduct contact tracing, and use a Salesforce app to confidentially document cases and manage notifications. The company has also launched Work.com, a website that markets a variety of software intended to help companies reopen safely.
Related Articles Technology | Bay Area tech firm says it won’t reopen offices till fall, citing potential ‘second wave’ of coronavirus
Bay Area tech firm says it won’t reopen offices till fall, citing potential ‘second wave’ of coronavirus Technology | Google announces phased-in return to offices, but adds home-expenses ‘allowance’
Google announces phased-in return to offices, but adds home-expenses ‘allowance’ Technology | Macy’s is reopening, and here’s what they’re doing to keep workers and customers safe While Salesforce, with $17 billion in revenue in its latest fiscal year, has substantial resources to spend on reopening offices, bringing employees back to workplaces will be a complicated and potentially costly endeavor for most any business, said UC Berkeley epidemiologist Art Reingold. Some infrastructure changes won’t cost much, such as putting spacing markers on floors for social distancing, but other work, such as modifying ventilation systems, would be expensive, and for companies that don’t own their office space, require negotiation with landlords, Reingold said.
Communal spaces, including bathrooms, elevators and stairwells, are probably the riskiest areas in an office, but rooms with many people working in them might also pose a risk, even with plastic dividers around desks, Reingold said.


mercurynews--2020-06-12--Oakland-based Gourmet Puff brings Nigerian fried pastries to Bay Area

Puff-puffs are slightly sweet fried balls of dough originally from Nigeria .
They are denser than doughnuts , less chewy than mochi , and , thanks to Chidera Anyanwu , now available in the Bay Area .
Anyanwu is the brains behind Gourmet Puff , a pickup-and-delivery-only puff-puff bakery she recently launched in her Oakland home kitchen , which is licensed for a cottage food operation .
Anyanwu , who is a trademark , copyright and advertising lawyer , grew up as a child in Owerri eating puff-puffs .
When she was six , she and her family moved to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued making puff-puffs and other Nigerian delicacies for Chidera and her four siblings as a way to keep them connected to their culture , Anyanwu first told Berkeleyside ’ s Nosh .
After years of perfecting her own puff-puffs — lighter than her mother ’ s , she says , but still made with just flour , yeast , water , sugar , salt and oil for frying — for friends and parties , Anyanwu and her husband , Bayo , a tech engineer , decided to launch Gourmet Puff in April .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be more serious about the business when shutdowns happened in March , ” she says via email .
Anyanwu ’ s menu features six-piece puff-puffs that come in house special plain ( $ 6 ) , powdered sugar ( $ 9 ) , cinnamon sugar ( $ 9 ) and Nutella ( $ 9 ) .
She offers a 12-piece Puff Party ( $ 15 ) , 18-piece Puff Party ( $ 24 ) and plans to add savory versions too .
Since launching just two months ago , the Anyanwus have done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a $ 3 fee .
But they plan to add delivery via DoorDash and GrubHub by the end of June .
For more information , including pickup hours , visit https : //gourmetpuff.co .

Puff-puffs are slightly sweet fried balls of dough originally from Nigeria. They are denser than doughnuts, less chewy than mochi, and, thanks to Chidera Anyanwu, now available in the Bay Area.
Anyanwu is the brains behind Gourmet Puff, a pickup-and-delivery-only puff-puff bakery she recently launched in her Oakland home kitchen, which is licensed for a cottage food operation. Anyanwu, who is a trademark, copyright and advertising lawyer, grew up as a child in Owerri eating puff-puffs.
When she was six, she and her family moved to the United States, where her mother continued making puff-puffs and other Nigerian delicacies for Chidera and her four siblings as a way to keep them connected to their culture, Anyanwu first told Berkeleyside’s Nosh.
After years of perfecting her own puff-puffs — lighter than her mother’s, she says, but still made with just flour, yeast, water, sugar, salt and oil for frying — for friends and parties, Anyanwu and her husband, Bayo, a tech engineer, decided to launch Gourmet Puff in April.
“COVID-19 gave us more time to be more serious about the business when shutdowns happened in March,” she says via email.
Anyanwu’s menu features six-piece puff-puffs that come in house special plain ($6), powdered sugar ($9), cinnamon sugar ($9) and Nutella ($9). She offers a 12-piece Puff Party ($15), 18-piece Puff Party ($24) and plans to add savory versions too.
Since launching just two months ago, the Anyanwus have done their own deliveries within the East Bay for a $3 fee. But they plan to add delivery via DoorDash and GrubHub by the end of June. For more information, including pickup hours, visit https://gourmetpuff.co.
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Bridge: June 13, 2020

When you ’ re declarer at a suit contract , it may be desirable to draw the defenders ’ trumps .
Among the many reasons to wait : You may need to do something more important first .
In today ’ s deal , West leads the deuce of spades against South ’ s four hearts : three , ten , king .
Declarer should start by counting his losers .
He has two high trumps , the ace of diamonds and also a spade .
The trump and diamond losers are beyond his control , but he can plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high diamond in dummy .
Suppose declarer is terrified of not drawing trumps and leads a trump at the second trick .
West will win and lead a second spade .
He sets up a spade trick for the defense before declarer has arranged his discard , and the contract will fail .
At Trick Two , South must lead a diamond .
East captures dummy ’ s king and returns a spade , but declarer wins and reaches dummy with the king of clubs to discard a spade on the queen of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start the trumps .
You hold : S Q 9 6 2 H A K D 8 7 4 2 C 10 8 2 .
Your partner opens one diamond , you respond one spade , he bids two clubs and you return to two diamonds .
Partner then bids two spades .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Your preference bid of two diamonds showed at most nine points , and if partner saw no chance of game , he would have stopped there .
His two spades says he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be no stronger , you should go forward .
Bid 3NT .

When you’re declarer at a suit contract, it may be desirable to draw the defenders’ trumps. Among the many reasons to wait: You may need to do something more important first.
In today’s deal, West leads the deuce of spades against South’s four hearts: three, ten, king. Declarer should start by counting his losers. He has two high trumps, the ace of diamonds and also a spade. The trump and diamond losers are beyond his control, but he can plan to pitch the spade loser on a high diamond in dummy.
SECOND SPADE
Suppose declarer is terrified of not drawing trumps and leads a trump at the second trick. West will win and lead a second spade. He sets up a spade trick for the defense before declarer has arranged his discard, and the contract will fail.
At Trick Two, South must lead a diamond. East captures dummy’s king and returns a spade, but declarer wins and reaches dummy with the king of clubs to discard a spade on the queen of diamonds. Then he can afford to start the trumps.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S Q 9 6 2 H A K D 8 7 4 2 C 10 8 2. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one spade, he bids two clubs and you return to two diamonds. Partner then bids two spades. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your preference bid of two diamonds showed at most nine points, and if partner saw no chance of game, he would have stopped there. His two spades says he is still interested, and since your hand could be no stronger, you should go forward. Bid 3NT.
South dealer
Both sides vulnerable
NORTH
S 7 4 3
H 8 7 4
D K Q 10 3
C K 9 6
WEST
S Q 9 6 2
H A K
D 8 7 4 2
C 10 8 2
EAST
S J 10 5
H 5 3
D A J 9 6
C J 7 4 3
SOUTH
S A K 8
H Q J 10 9 6 2
D 5
C A Q 5
SouthWestNorthEast
1 HPass2 HPass
4 HAll Pass
Opening lead — S 2
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-06-13--Word Game: June 13, 2020

Word Game: June 13, 2020

TODAY ’ S WORD — CRIMINALS ( CRIMINALS : KRIM-ih-nuls : Persons that have been convicted of a crime .
@ @ @ @ @ or more words in CRIMINALS ?
The list will be published Monday .
To purchase @ @ @ @ @ visit WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 @ @ @ @ @ four or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition @ @ @ @ @ such as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 @ @ @ @ @ adding a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
@ @ @ @ @ bake ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed @ @ @ @ @ and “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , @ @ @ @ @ words are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — CRIMINALS (CRIMINALS: KRIM-ih-nuls: Persons that have been convicted of a crime.)
Average mark 34 words
Time limit 60 minutes
Can you find 50 or more words in CRIMINALS? The list will be published Monday.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — PERFUMES peer perfuse perse peruse presume pure puree
purse reef refuse resume reuse rump rupee ruse femur free frump fume fuse fusee user
mere muse seem seep seer sere serf serum sperm spree spume spur suer sump super
sure surf
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.