mercurynews--2020-10-17--Dear Abby: I slam the window, but my neighbor doesn’t get the picture

DEAR ABBY : My family and I bought a house in a nice , quiet , safe neighborhood three years ago .
What we didn ’ t know prior to moving in was that our next-door neighbor sometimes smokes cigarettes .
It rains eight months out of the year here , and we usually keep our windows closed , so it isn ’ t an issue .
But during the summer , we like to sleep with the windows open .
When our neighbor steps outside for a cigarette , the smoke drifts into our bedroom .
Our homes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first , I thought they didn ’ t realize that the smoke was bothering us .
Eventually I began to get upset .
When I wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom , I can smell it .
• Dear Abby : Was she trying to ask for help ?
I ’ m haunted by this episode .
• Dear Abby : When he started wearing women ’ s clothes , I didn ’ t think it would get to this • Dear Abby : I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to adopt her ?
• Dear Abby : My husband gets offended , but I can ’ t even be in the same room with him I have made a point of loudly slamming the windows shut , hoping it would make them stop .
There is no way they don ’ t hear the noise , but it doesn ’ t stop them .
We don ’ t want to have to keep our windows closed , because it is not an everyday occurrence .
It happens once a week or so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early in the morning .
I don ’ t know if this is how they handle insomnia or what the deal is .
Why do they still smoke in this day and age ?
There ’ s no landlord to complain to because they own their home .
After all these years , we have never introduced ourselves to each other , and I don ’ t believe they care to know us any more than we care to get to know them .
Because of this , confronting them is not an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DEAR HATES : Your letter illustrates the disadvantages of isolationism .
Had you made a point of introducing yourself when you ( or they ) moved in , you probably wouldn ’ t have needed to write to me now .
Slamming your window shut is not a friendly or efficient way to communicate because these people are not mind readers .
Going next door , introducing yourself , politely explaining that there ’ s a problem and asking if they could smoke on the other side of their house , away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you can ’ t bring yourself to do that , write a letter — keeping the communication civil — and tell them in simple language that you would appreciate their cooperation in solving this problem .
DEAR ABBY : I ’ ve been with the same man for 22 years , married for 16 .
We live in a small town .
During the last four or five years , everything has become about politics for my husband .
I have absolutely no interest in hearing about what happens politically in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that matter .
How can I get him to stop going on and on about what he reads or hears ?
So far , I haven ’ t been successful , and we end up arguing .
Must I take an interest in it for his sake ?
Do you see any room for a compromise ?
DEAR DON ’ T : To some degree , you have to allow your husband to vent .
Because we are in an important election year , there is no escaping the subject .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t know that could be relevant to you .
Limit the amount of time you spend listening , but I don ’ t recommend cutting him off .
I ’ m willing to bet that you sometimes bring up subjects that may be less than fascinating for him , too .
Tolerance and a willingness to compromise are two of the ingredients in a healthy marriage .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .

DEAR ABBY: My family and I bought a house in a nice, quiet, safe neighborhood three years ago. What we didn’t know prior to moving in was that our next-door neighbor sometimes smokes cigarettes.
It rains eight months out of the year here, and we usually keep our windows closed, so it isn’t an issue. But during the summer, we like to sleep with the windows open. When our neighbor steps outside for a cigarette, the smoke drifts into our bedroom.
Our homes are separated by small yards, so at first, I thought they didn’t realize that the smoke was bothering us. Eventually I began to get upset. When I wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, I can smell it.
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Dear Abby: Our teen’s messy breakup has had awkward repercussions for us Advice | Dear Abby: I was annoyed to discover why our friends picked this restaurant I have made a point of loudly slamming the windows shut, hoping it would make them stop. There is no way they don’t hear the noise, but it doesn’t stop them.
We don’t want to have to keep our windows closed, because it is not an everyday occurrence. It happens once a week or so, and always late at night or early in the morning. I don’t know if this is how they handle insomnia or what the deal is. Why do they still smoke in this day and age?
There’s no landlord to complain to because they own their home. After all these years, we have never introduced ourselves to each other, and I don’t believe they care to know us any more than we care to get to know them. Because of this, confronting them is not an option. What do we do?
HATES THE SMOKE IN OREGON
DEAR HATES: Your letter illustrates the disadvantages of isolationism. Had you made a point of introducing yourself when you (or they) moved in, you probably wouldn’t have needed to write to me now.
Slamming your window shut is not a friendly or efficient way to communicate because these people are not mind readers. Going next door, introducing yourself, politely explaining that there’s a problem and asking if they could smoke on the other side of their house, away from your bedroom window, would be better. If you can’t bring yourself to do that, write a letter — keeping the communication civil — and tell them in simple language that you would appreciate their cooperation in solving this problem.
DEAR ABBY: I’ve been with the same man for 22 years, married for 16. We live in a small town. During the last four or five years, everything has become about politics for my husband. I have absolutely no interest in hearing about what happens politically in big cities — or anywhere, for that matter.
How can I get him to stop going on and on about what he reads or hears? So far, I haven’t been successful, and we end up arguing. Must I take an interest in it for his sake?
Do you see any room for a compromise?
DON’T SHOW ME IN MISSOURI
DEAR DON’T: To some degree, you have to allow your husband to vent. Because we are in an important election year, there is no escaping the subject. If you listen, you may learn something you didn’t know that could be relevant to you.
Limit the amount of time you spend listening, but I don’t recommend cutting him off. I’m willing to bet that you sometimes bring up subjects that may be less than fascinating for him, too. Tolerance and a willingness to compromise are two of the ingredients in a healthy marriage.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


mercurynews--2020-10-17--Richmond police investigating Friday night homicide

RICHMOND — Police opened a murder investigation Friday evening after a man was shot and killed in the Iron Triangle @ @ @ @ @ shooting occurred in the 900 block of 9th Street , near Lincoln Avenue , shortly @ @ @ @ @ said .
The victim has been identified as a man , but his name and @ @ @ @ @ released .
The killing is Richmond ’ s 17th homicide of the year , including @ @ @ @ @

RICHMOND — A man was shot and killed Friday evening in the Iron Triangle, authorities said.
Officers received a ShotSpotter notification from the 900 block on Ninth Street, near Lincoln Avenue in the Triangle Court housing complex, at 6:51 p.m. Friday, the Richmond Police Department said in a news release. There, officers found Richmond resident Joe Frank Walker III, 44, suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso.
Richmond Fire Department and AMR paramedics provided emergency care, but Walker was declared dead at the scene.
Officers are investigating whether the shooting was connected to an argument that allegedly took place beforehand, the department said in its news release, adding that “detectives know there were other people present when the shooting happened.”
The killing is Richmond’s 17th homicide of the year, including an April police shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richmond Police Department, including its anonymous tip line at 510-307-8177.


mercurynews--2020-10-18--Seager homers again, Dodgers beat Braves to force NLCS Game 7

ARLINGTON , Texas ( AP ) — Corey Seager homered again , Walker Buehler pitched six scoreless innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers pushed the NL Championship Series to Game 7 with a 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday .
The Dodgers avoided elimination for the second time in less than 24 hours , and now have a winner-take-all game to try to get to their third World Series in four years .
They haven ’ t won a championship since 1988 .
“ I ’ m still sort of recovering from this one , but already thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts said .
“ That ’ s what you live for.
” Max Fried took his first loss all year for the Braves , who were trying to celebrate manager Brian Snitker ’ s 65th birthday with the franchise ’ s first World Series since 1999 .
But the young left-hander worked into the seventh without allowing another run after LA ’ s three-run first .
“ Shoot , we ’ ll go out there and let ’ er fly .
A Game 7 is another baseball game , ” Snitker said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ let me get the first down .
It ’ s a baseball game .
You have to treat it as such.
” Game 7 is Sunday night , with Roberts staying quiet about his starter and the Braves going with rookie right-hander Ian Anderson , who has thrown 15 2/3 scoreless innings in his three postseason starts .
The Dodgers could go with Tony Gonsolin or give the ball to Clayton Kershaw on short rest .
Justin Turner also homered for the NL West champions , and Kenley Jansen threw a six-pitch ninth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was Jansen ’ s first save chance in five appearances since closing out the Dodgers ’ first playoff win this season in the wild-card round .
He struck out the side on 12 pitches in Friday night ’ s 7-3 win .
“ Two huge outings , not only for us , but him personally , you can just see the confidence he has on the mound attacking guys , ” Turner said .
“ That ’ s the Kenley Jansen I and all of us in there all know and love.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his 11 starts while going 7-0 during the regular season , but the Dodgers went deep twice in three pitches in the first .
Seager pulled a towering shot to right on a 73-mph curveball , and Turner connected on a 93-mph sinker that went 418 feet to straightaway center .
Max Muncy walked and scored after back-to-back singles by Will Smith and Cody Bellinger .
Seager , who homered twice in Game 4 on Friday night , has NLCS records with five homers and 11 RBIs , and still a game to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already a Dodgers postseason record .
The last batter Fried faced Saturday was Muncy , who struck out for the second out of the seventh .
Fried allowed eight hits while striking out five and walking four .
Mookie Betts , the 2018 AL MVP and first-year Dodger , made a leaping catch against the right field wall to end the fifth .
While it wouldn ’ t have been a homer , it robbed Marcell Ozuna of extra bases , and the Braves a likely run .
Betts let out a emphatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrated with Bellinger while Buehler held his right arm high in the air .
Buehler threw 65 of his 89 pitches for strikes , allowing seven hits while striking out six without a walk .
After Atlanta loaded the bases with three singles in a row to start the top of second — the last hit by his Vanderbilt roommate Dansby Swanson — the right-hander really brought the heat , with 10 consecutive fastballs to get out of the jam .
“ It ’ s unbelievable .
You just watch his demeanor now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calm and collected , second strikeout calm and collected , then he gets out of it , and you see the emotion come out of him after the fact , ” Turner said .
“ His mound presence is just unbelievable.
” Austin Riley struck out on a 98.7 mph pitch before Nick Markakis took a called third strike on 99.7 mph .
Cristian Pache , the 21-year-old rookie who had an RBI in each of his first four NLCS starts , was retired on an inning-ending groundout .
It was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postseason debut two years ago in Game 3 of the NL Division Series , when the Braves also loaded the bases against him in the second inning .
After a walk drove in a run , Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a grand slam on the next pitch for a 5-0 lead .
With Buehler out of Saturday ’ s game , Nick Markakis greeted Blake Treinen with triple to right leading off off the seventh and came home on a one-out double by Acuña .
The Braves had a strange sixth against Buehler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chopper down the first base line that was fielded by Muncy , who then made the tag before the ball popped out .
Albies thought he was out and never touched first base .
Muncy tossed the ball to Buehler , who tagged the runner already heading back to the Atlanta dugout .
Swanson followed with his third single , before a stolen base and throwing error by catcher Austin Barnes sent him to third base .
Riley then hit a long , loud foul ball into the upper deck only feet foul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
The Dodgers are playing in a Game 7 for the third time in four years .
They beat Milwaukee 5-1 in the deciding game of the 2018 NLCS , after losing 5-1 to the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series .
Atlanta hasn ’ t played in a Game 7 since its 15-0 win over St. Louis in the 1996 NLCS .
The 14 homers by Los Angeles are tied for the most in an NLCS , and two behind the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once before have the Dodgers won three consecutive potential elimination games to take a series .
That was in the best-of-five NL Division Series in 1981 .
They won the World Series that year .
… It was the first time in 10 postseason starts that Buehler didn ’ t have at least seven strikeouts .
He shares the record with Randy Johnson with nine consecutive postseason starts with at least seven strikeouts .
Braves : Anderson needed 85 pitches to get through four innings in Game 2 , when he allowed only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he walked five batters in a game Atlanta held on to win 8-7 .
Dodgers : Gonsolin ’ s postseason debut starting Game 2 came after Kershaw was scratched because of back spasms .
Gonsolin struck out seven but allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings .
Kershaw pitched Game 4 on Thursday .

By STEPHEN HAWKINS
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Corey Seager’s sweet swing. Walker Buehler’s calm. Kenley Jansen’s resurgence.
The Los Angeles Dodgers got what they needed — again.
“We did what we had to do to force a Game 7,” Justin Turner said.
They sure did.
Seager homered again, Buehler pitched six scoreless innings and the Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 on Saturday to send the NL Championship Series to a winner-take-all finale.
Los Angeles avoided elimination for the second time in less than 24 hours, staying alive in its pursuit of a third pennant in four years. It hasn’t won a championship since 1988.
“I’m still sort of recovering from this one, but already thinking about Game 7,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “That’s what you live for.”
Turner also homered for Los Angeles, and Jansen threw a six-pitch ninth for his 18th career postseason save.
The NL West and East champions play again Sunday night, with the potential for two rookie starters in a Game 7 for the first time in big league history. The winner gets the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series.
Roberts was keeping his options open for his starting pitcher while the Braves plan to go with rookie right-hander Ian Anderson, who has thrown 15 2/3 scoreless innings in his three postseason starts. Tony Gonsolin and three-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw are among the possibilities for Los Angeles.
“Shoot, we’ll go out there and let ’er fly. A Game 7 is another baseball game,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. “You have to treat it as such.”
The Braves were hoping to celebrate Snitker’s 65th birthday Saturday with the franchise’s first World Series berth since 1999. But Max Fried took his first loss all year, working into the seventh inning after surrendering three runs during a rocky first.
Buehler, using Stan’s Rodeo Ointment to deal with bothersome blisters, threw 65 of his 89 pitches for strikes. He allowed seven hits while striking out six without a walk.
After Atlanta loaded the bases with three singles in a row to start the top of second — the last hit by his Vanderbilt roommate Dansby Swanson — the right-hander really brought the heat, with 10 consecutive fastballs to get out of the jam.
Austin Riley struck out on a 98.7 mph pitch before Nick Markakis took a called third strike on 99.7 mph. Cristian Pache, the 21-year-old rookie who had an RBI in each of his first four NLCS starts, was retired on an inning-ending groundout.
“His mound presence is just unbelievable,” Turner said.
Buehler said he has never felt that calm in a game, especially a situation like that. He credited catcher Austin Barnes — and past experiences.
“I’ve failed in those moments. I’ve been through it and I’ve been good after it, but that failure doesn’t really scare me anymore,” Buehler said. “The more times you go through things like that, your heartbeat kind of changes and can slow down.”
It was a much different result than Buehler’s postseason debut two years ago in Game 3 of the NL Division Series, when the Braves also loaded the bases against him in the second inning. After a walk drove in a run, Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a grand slam on the next pitch.
Fried, who struck out five and walked four in 6 2/3 innings, allowed only two homers in his 11 starts while going 7-0 during the regular season. But the Dodgers went deep twice in three pitches in the first.
Seager pulled a towering shot to right on a 73-mph curveball, and Turner connected on a 93-mph sinker that went 418 feet to straightaway center. Max Muncy walked and scored after back-to-back singles by Will Smith and Cody Bellinger that made it 3-0.
“I came out in a game like this and kind of put us behind the eight-ball real quick.” Fried said. “To me, that’s unacceptable.”
Seager, who homered twice in Game 5 on Friday night, has NLCS records with five homers and 11 RBIs, and still a game to play. His six homers overall are already a Dodgers postseason record.
Mookie Betts, the 2018 AL MVP and first-year Dodger, made a l eaping catch against the right field wall to end the fifth. While it wouldn’t have been a homer, it robbed Marcell Ozuna of extra bases, and the Braves a likely run.
Betts let out a emphatic shout while pumping both fists, then celebrated with Bellinger while Buehler held his right arm high in the air.
With Buehler out of the game, Nick Markakis greeted Blake Treinen with triple to right leading off off the seventh and came home on a one-out double by Ronald Acuña Jr.
But the Dodgers’ bullpen closed it out from there, with Jansen finishing the victory in an encouraging performance heading into Game 7.
It was Jansen’s first save chance in five appearances since closing out the Dodgers’ first playoff win this season in the wild-card round. He struck out the side on 12 pitches in Friday night’s 7-3 win.
“Two huge outings, not only for us, but him personally, you can just see the confidence he has on the mound attacking guys,” Turner said. “That’s the Kenley Jansen I and all of us in there all know and love.”
STRANGE PLAY
Ozzie Albies hit a slow chopper down the first-base line in the Braves sixth that was fielded by Muncy, who then made the tag before the ball popped out. Albies thought he was out and never touched first base. Muncy tossed the ball to Buehler, who tagged the runner already heading back to the Atlanta dugout.
GAME 7s
The Dodgers are playing in a Game 7 for the third time in four years. They won 5-1 at Milwaukee in the deciding game of the 2018 NLCS, after losing 5-1 at home to the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series. Atlanta hasn’t played in a Game 7 since its 15-0 win over St. Louis in the 1996 NLCS.
SHORT HOPS
The 14 homers by Los Angeles are tied for the most in an NLCS, and two behind the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays for the most in any LCS. … Only once before have the Dodgers won three consecutive potential elimination games to take a series. That was in the best-of-five NL Division Series in 1981. They won the World Series that year.
UP NEXT
Braves: Anderson needed 85 pitches to get through four innings in Game 2, when he allowed only one hit with five strikeouts. But he walked five batters in a game Atlanta held on to win 8-7.
Dodgers: Gonsolin’s postseason debut starting Game 2 came after Kershaw was scratched because of back spasms. Gonsolin struck out seven but allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings. Kershaw pitched Game 4 on Thursday.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


mercurynews--2020-10-17--Trump leans into fear tactics in bid to win Midwest states

By Brian Slodysko and Jill Colvin | Associated Press MUSKEGON , Michigan — President Donald Trump leaned into fear tactics Saturday as he accused the left of trying to “ erase American history , purge American values and destroy the American way of life ” in a late reelection pitch to voters in Michigan .
“ The Democrat Party you once knew doesn ’ t exist , ” Trump told voters in Muskegon , Michigan , ahead of a rally in Wisconsin — two states in the Upper Midwest that were instrumental to his 2016 victory but may now be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to keep more voters from turning against him , Trump sought to paint Democrats as “ anti-American radicals ” on a “ crusade against American history.
” He told moderate voters they had a “ a moral duty ” to join the Republican Party .
He also revisited his monthslong feud with Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer .
Whitmer , a Democrat , was the focus of a kidnapping plot by anti-government extremists who were angered by lockdown measures she put in place as a result of the coronavirus .
Thirteen men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme , which included plans to storm the state Capitol and to hold some kind of trial for the governor .
It ’ s a theme Trump leaned into , while the crowd chanted “ Lock her up.
” “ You got to get your governor to open your state and get your schools open .
The schools have to be open , right ?
” said Trump , who also took credit for federal law enforcement ’ s role in foiling the plot .
“ Every single time the President does this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards her immediately escalates on social media , ” Whitmer ’ s digital director , Tori Saylor , tweeted .
“ It has to stop .
It just has to.
” Trump ’ s reelection pitch comes as he faces headwinds not only in national polling , which shows Democrat Joe Biden leading , but also in key battleground surveys .
And it comes after the campaign largely retreated from TV advertising in the Midwest , shifting much of its money to Sun Belt states such as Florida , North Carolina , Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The president continues to be dogged by his handling of the coronavirus , which hospitalized him for several days earlier this month .
Wisconsin broke the record for new positive coronavirus cases on Friday — the third time that ’ s happened in a week .
The state also hit record highs for daily deaths and hospitalizations this past week .
But there was little evidence of concern among the crowd at Trump ’ s airport rally , where thousands of supporters stood closely together in the cold .
The vast majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events planned for Saturday .
But in a memo to supporters , campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillon warned about becoming complacent .
“ The reality is that this race is far closer than some of the punditry we ’ re seeing on Twitter and on TV would suggest , ” she wrote in the memo , a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press .
“ If we learned anything from 2016 , it ’ s that we can not underestimate Donald Trump or his ability to claw his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days of a campaign , through whatever smears or underhanded tactics he has at his disposal.
” Trump is keeping up an aggressive campaign schedule despite his own recent bout with the virus .
He ’ s holding rallies Sunday in Nevada and Monday in Arizona before returning Tuesday to Pennsylvania .
The difficulty of securing a second term was apparent Friday when Trump campaigned in Georgia .
No Republican presidential contender has lost the state since 1992 , but polling shows Trump and Biden in a tight contest .
Trump also has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he carried by almost 10 percentage points four years ago .
The latest campaign fundraising figures from the Trump team suggest he ’ s likely the first incumbent president in the modern era to face a financial disadvantage .
After building a massive cash edge , his campaign spent lavishly , while Biden kept expenses low and benefited from an outpouring of donations that saw him raise nearly $ 1 billion over the past three months .
That gives Biden a massive cash advantage with just over two weeks to go before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his rallies on Saturday , Trump focused on settling a score with a member of his own party , Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska .
Referring to him as “ Little Ben Sasse , ” Trump tweeted that the senator was a “ liability to the Republican Party , and an embarrassment to the Great State of Nebraska.
” The series of tweets came after Sasse told constituents Wednesday during a telephone town hall meeting that Trump has “ flirted with white supremacists , ” mocks Christian evangelicals in private and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is up for reelection this year in the strongly Republican state , went on to criticize the president ’ s handling of the coronavirus and said Trump ’ s family has treated the presidency “ like a business opportunity.
” Trump ’ s Twitter broadside blasted Sasse as “ the least effective of our 53 Republican Senators , and a person who truly doesn ’ t have what it takes to be great.
” Sasse ’ s spokesman , James Wegmann , tweeted in response that Sasse was focusing on helping Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ he ’ s not going to waste a single minute on tweets .
”

By Brian Slodysko and Jill Colvin | Associated Press
MUSKEGON, Michigan — President Donald Trump leaned into fear tactics Saturday as he accused the left of trying to “erase American history, purge American values and destroy the American way of life” in a late reelection pitch to voters in Michigan.
“The Democrat Party you once knew doesn’t exist,” Trump told voters in Muskegon, Michigan, ahead of a rally in Wisconsin — two states in the Upper Midwest that were instrumental to his 2016 victory but may now be slipping from his grasp.
As he tried to keep more voters from turning against him, Trump sought to paint Democrats as “anti-American radicals” on a “crusade against American history.” He told moderate voters they had a “a moral duty” to join the Republican Party.
He also revisited his monthslong feud with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Whitmer, a Democrat, was the focus of a kidnapping plot by anti-government extremists who were angered by lockdown measures she put in place as a result of the coronavirus. Thirteen men have been charged in connection with the scheme, which included plans to storm the state Capitol and to hold some kind of trial for the governor.
It’s a theme Trump leaned into, while the crowd chanted “Lock her up.”
“You got to get your governor to open your state and get your schools open. The schools have to be open, right?” said Trump, who also took credit for federal law enforcement’s role in foiling the plot.
A Whitmer aide responded to Trump’s attacks in a tweet.
“Every single time the President does this at a rally, the violent rhetoric towards her immediately escalates on social media,” Whitmer’s digital director, Tori Saylor, tweeted. “It has to stop. It just has to.”
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/10/16/trump-biden-midwest-blue-wall-polling-enten-sot-lead.cnn”]
Trump’s reelection pitch comes as he faces headwinds not only in national polling, which shows Democrat Joe Biden leading, but also in key battleground surveys. And it comes after the campaign largely retreated from TV advertising in the Midwest, shifting much of its money to Sun Belt states such as Florida, North Carolina, Arizona and Georgia, as well as Pennsylvania.
The president continues to be dogged by his handling of the coronavirus, which hospitalized him for several days earlier this month.
Wisconsin broke the record for new positive coronavirus cases on Friday — the third time that’s happened in a week. The state also hit record highs for daily deaths and hospitalizations this past week.
But there was little evidence of concern among the crowd at Trump’s airport rally, where thousands of supporters stood closely together in the cold. The vast majority eschewed masks.
Biden had no public events planned for Saturday. But in a memo to supporters, campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon warned about becoming complacent.
“The reality is that this race is far closer than some of the punditry we’re seeing on Twitter and on TV would suggest,” she wrote in the memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. “If we learned anything from 2016, it’s that we cannot underestimate Donald Trump or his ability to claw his way back into contention in the final days of a campaign, through whatever smears or underhanded tactics he has at his disposal.”
Trump is keeping up an aggressive campaign schedule despite his own recent bout with the virus. He’s holding rallies Sunday in Nevada and Monday in Arizona before returning Tuesday to Pennsylvania.
The difficulty of securing a second term was apparent Friday when Trump campaigned in Georgia. No Republican presidential contender has lost the state since 1992, but polling shows Trump and Biden in a tight contest. Trump also has had to court voters in Iowa, which he carried by almost 10 percentage points four years ago.
The latest campaign fundraising figures from the Trump team suggest he’s likely the first incumbent president in the modern era to face a financial disadvantage. After building a massive cash edge, his campaign spent lavishly, while Biden kept expenses low and benefited from an outpouring of donations that saw him raise nearly $1 billion over the past three months. That gives Biden a massive cash advantage with just over two weeks to go before the election.
In the hours before his rallies on Saturday, Trump focused on settling a score with a member of his own party, Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska.
Referring to him as “Little Ben Sasse,” Trump tweeted that the senator was a “liability to the Republican Party, and an embarrassment to the Great State of Nebraska.”
The series of tweets came after Sasse told constituents Wednesday during a telephone town hall meeting that Trump has “flirted with white supremacists,” mocks Christian evangelicals in private and “kisses dictators’ butts.”
Sasse, who is up for reelection this year in the strongly Republican state, went on to criticize the president’s handling of the coronavirus and said Trump’s family has treated the presidency “like a business opportunity.”
Trump’s Twitter broadside blasted Sasse as “the least effective of our 53 Republican Senators, and a person who truly doesn’t have what it takes to be great.”
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Slodysko reported from Washington.


mercurynews--2020-10-17--ICC prosecutor arrives in Sudan to discuss Darfur charges

CAIRO — The International Criminal Court ’ s prosecutor arrived in Sudan late Saturday to discuss cooperation with local authorities over bringing to trial those internationally wanted for war crimes and genocide in the country ’ s Darfur conflict , the Sudanese official news agency said .
Prime Minister Abdallla Hamdok ’ s office said in a statement that ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and other court officials would stay in Sudan until Wednesday .
It is the first announced visit for Bensouda to Sudan .
“ The ICC delegation will discuss methods of cooperation between the Government of Sudan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against whom the ICC has issued arrest warrants , ” read the statement , which did not name any of the suspects .
Among those wanted by the international court is former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir , who has been in jail in Khartoum since his ouster last year and is facing several trials in Sudanese courts related to his three decades of strongman rule and the uprising that helped oust him .
The conflict in Sudan ’ s Darfur region broke out when rebels from the territory ’ s ethnic central and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2003 , complaining of oppression by the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum .
Al-Bashir ’ s government responded with a scorched-earth campaign of aerial bombings and unleashed militias known as Janjaweed , who are accused of mass killings and rapes .
Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes .
The ICC charged al-Bashir , 76 , with war crimes and genocide for allegedly masterminding the campaign of attacks in Darfur .
Sudanese prosecutors started last week their own investigation into the Darfur conflict .
Also indicted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of al-Bashir ’ s rule : Abdel-Rahim Muhammad Hussein , interior and defense minister during much of the conflict , and Ahmed Haroun , a senior security chief at the time and later the leader of al-Bashir ’ s ruling party .
Both , Hussein and Haroun , have been under arrest in Khartoum since the Sudanese military , under pressure from protesters , ousted al-Bashir in April 2019 .
The court also indicted rebel leader Abdulla Banda , whose whereabouts are not known , and Janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb , who surrendered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sudan ’ s neighbor , in June before being flown to The Hague to face justice more than 13 years after ICC judges issued an arrest warrant against him .
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Sudan ’ s transitional government , which has promised democratic reforms and is led by a mix of civilian and military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime suspects including al-Bashir would be tried before the ICC , but the trial venue is a matter for negotiations with The Hague-based court .

By Samy Magdy | Associated Press
CAIRO — The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor arrived in Sudan late Saturday to discuss cooperation with local authorities over bringing to trial those internationally wanted for war crimes and genocide in the country’s Darfur conflict, the Sudanese official news agency said.
Prime Minister Abdallla Hamdok’s office said in a statement that ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and other court officials would stay in Sudan until Wednesday. It is the first announced visit for Bensouda to Sudan.
“The ICC delegation will discuss methods of cooperation between the Government of Sudan and the ICC with regard to the suspects against whom the ICC has issued arrest warrants,” read the statement, which did not name any of the suspects.
Among those wanted by the international court is former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who has been in jail in Khartoum since his ouster last year and is facing several trials in Sudanese courts related to his three decades of strongman rule and the uprising that helped oust him.
The conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region broke out when rebels from the territory’s ethnic central and sub-Saharan African community launched an insurgency in 2003, complaining of oppression by the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum.
Al-Bashir’s government responded with a scorched-earth campaign of aerial bombings and unleashed militias known as Janjaweed, who are accused of mass killings and rapes. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes.
The ICC charged al-Bashir, 76, with war crimes and genocide for allegedly masterminding the campaign of attacks in Darfur. Sudanese prosecutors started last week their own investigation into the Darfur conflict.
Also indicted by the court are two other senior figures of al-Bashir’s rule: Abdel-Rahim Muhammad Hussein, interior and defense minister during much of the conflict, and Ahmed Haroun, a senior security chief at the time and later the leader of al-Bashir’s ruling party. Both, Hussein and Haroun, have been under arrest in Khartoum since the Sudanese military, under pressure from protesters, ousted al-Bashir in April 2019.
The court also indicted rebel leader Abdulla Banda, whose whereabouts are not known, and Janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb, who surrendered to authorities in the Central African Republic, Sudan’s neighbor, in June before being flown to The Hague to face justice more than 13 years after ICC judges issued an arrest warrant against him.


mercurynews--2020-10-17--San Bruno police searching for suspects in Friday night shooting

SAN BRUNO — Police are searching for suspects in a possibly gang-related shooting that struck an occupied home in the @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
Officers responded to reports of multiple gunshots at about 7:44 p.m. Friday @ @ @ @ @ find any victims or suspects in the area , but a preliminary investigation found at @ @ @ @ @ a group of people hanging out outside an apartment .
Besides the occupied home , @ @ @ @ @ by gunfire .
No one was injured and the police department is investigating the shooting @

SAN BRUNO — Police are searching for suspects in a possibly gang-related shooting that struck an occupied home in the 800 block of Huntington Avenue on Friday.
Officers responded to reports of multiple gunshots at about 7:44 p.m. Friday. They didn’t find any victims or suspects in the area, but a preliminary investigation found at least one suspect fired at a group of people hanging out outside an apartment.


mercurynews--2020-10-17--Iran, Ukraine to discuss compensation for passenger plane shoot-down

TEHRAN , Iran _ Iran said on Saturday that it would enter into talks with Ukraine next week over compensation for the accidental shoot-down of a passenger plane in January , resulting in 176 deaths .
Talks are to begin Monday when experts will first investigate the technical and legal details of the incident , Deputy Foreign Minister Mohsen Baharwand told the ISNA news agency .
The Ukrainian International Airlines ( UIA ) Boeing 737 was shot down by Iranian air forces shortly after take-off on January 8 , killing all 176 people on board .
Passengers were from Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain and Sweden .
Iran had initially blamed the crash on a technical problem but then admitted to unintentionally shooting down the airliner amid heightened tensions with U.S. forces in neighboring Iraq .
In its final report on the crash from mid-July , the Iranian aviation agency spoke of “ human error , ” saying a malfunctioning radar system caused communication problems with the responsible military unit .
Last month , Iran said it would negotiate the payment of damages to relatives of the victims .
In August , the Iranian Central Insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ relatives , saying the plane was insured by Ukrainian and European companies , which should therefore pay the damages .
However , the Iranian Foreign Ministry then declared it was willing “ in principle ” to pay damages as soon as technical and legal aspects were clarified .

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
TEHRAN, Iran _ Iran said on Saturday that it would enter into talks with Ukraine next week over compensation for the accidental shoot-down of a passenger plane in January, resulting in 176 deaths.
Talks are to begin Monday when experts will first investigate the technical and legal details of the incident, Deputy Foreign Minister Mohsen Baharwand told the ISNA news agency.
The Ukrainian International Airlines (UIA) Boeing 737 was shot down by Iranian air forces shortly after take-off on January 8, killing all 176 people on board.
Passengers were from Ukraine, Iran, Canada, Afghanistan, Britain and Sweden.
Iran had initially blamed the crash on a technical problem but then admitted to unintentionally shooting down the airliner amid heightened tensions with U.S. forces in neighboring Iraq.
In its final report on the crash from mid-July, the Iranian aviation agency spoke of “human error,” saying a malfunctioning radar system caused communication problems with the responsible military unit.
Last month, Iran said it would negotiate the payment of damages to relatives of the victims.
In August, the Iranian Central Insurance Organization had still declined compensation for victims’ relatives, saying the plane was insured by Ukrainian and European companies, which should therefore pay the damages.
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mercurynews--2020-10-17--Online petition to keep Mexican Pizza on Taco Bell’s menu attracts more than 120,000 fans

Taco Bell is touched but unmoved by an online petition to keep the chain from removing Mexican Pizza from its menu .
It is one of several items the Irvine-based chain is retiring on Nov. 5 in an effort to streamline its menu and cut down on packaging waste .
The drive , launched by New Jersey resident Krish Jagirdar , has attracted nearly 125,000 supporters at Change.org .
In the petition , Jagirdar said losing the Mexican Pizza would be like losing a piece of childhood .
It has been on Taco Bell ’ s menu since the 1980s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beans slathered on thin , crispy tortillas and topped with sauce , diced tomatoes and grated cheese .
In a statement , Taco Bell said it appreciates the loyalty but intends to go forward with streamlining its menu .
It reads in part : • 7 incredible Bay Area things to do this weekend • Indoor dining returns to Santa Clara County — on a sunny day made for alfresco meals • King ’ s Fish House arrives in the Bay Area ; here ’ s when Valley Fair restaurant opens “ Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make , we ’ ve loved the passion and energy our fans have showed us and want them to know we ’ re always listening and we care .
”

Taco Bell is touched but unmoved by an online petition to keep the chain from removing Mexican Pizza from its menu.
It is one of several items the Irvine-based chain is retiring on Nov. 5 in an effort to streamline its menu and cut down on packaging waste.
The drive, launched by New Jersey resident Krish Jagirdar, has attracted nearly 125,000 supporters at Change.org.
In the petition, Jagirdar said losing the Mexican Pizza would be like losing a piece of childhood. It has been on Taco Bell’s menu since the 1980s.
It features ground beef and refried beans slathered on thin, crispy tortillas and topped with sauce, diced tomatoes and grated cheese.
In a statement, Taco Bell said it appreciates the loyalty but intends to go forward with streamlining its menu. It reads in part:
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Information: tacobell.com


mercurynews--2020-10-17--The Latest: States see “fall resurgence” as COVID cases rise

By The Associated Press Pennsylvania is reporting 1,857 new COVID-19 cases , the second-highest daily total since the beginning of pandemic , days after officials said the commonwealth was seeing a “ fall resurgence ” of the coronavirus .
The numbers announced Saturday by the state health department are exceeded only by the 1,989 cases reported April 9 and bring the statewide total to almost 181,000 .
Nine new deaths were reported , bringing the total number of deaths associated with the virus to 8,466 .
On Wednesday , the state ’ s health secretary pronounced Pennsylvania “ at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 but said there were no plans to reimpose a stay-at-home order or shut down businesses again in response .
Dr. Rachel Levine said Pennsylvania is more prepared for such an influx than it was in the spring , citing a contact tracing program in place , more personal protective equipment supplies and enough hospital beds available .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK : — President Donald Trump is showing new determination to minimize the threat of the virus that has killed more than 215,000 Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Police say a man upset with a mask mandate threatened the mayor of Wichita , Kan. — Britain ’ s Space Agency is backing a medical drone delivery service that aims to move virus samples , test kits and protective equipment between hospitals .
— A spike in cases in Europe deals a bitter blow to the economy .
— Rural parts of the American Midwest are seeing a surge in cases and hospitals are struggling to keep up .
— In Germany , Chancellor Angela Merkel warned of “ difficult months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily record of new cases Saturday .
— The Dutch royal couple has cut short a Greek vacation after an uproar back home .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : OKLAHOMA CITY — The number of hospitalizations due to the coronavirus remained near a record high in Oklahoma on Saturday while the number of reported cases increased by 1,195 and deaths rose by 14 .
Some 792 people were hospitalized , the state Department of Health said Saturday , one fewer than the one-day record of 793 reported Friday .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic began in March and 1,168 deaths due to COVID-19 , the illness caused by the virus .
The department said that there were 8,272 new coronavirus cases during the week ending Thursday , an increase of 15 % from the previous week , and 58 additional deaths from the previous week due to COVID-19 .
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana ’ s daily average of new coronavirus infections continued growing at record levels with Saturday ’ s update from state health officials , who also added 31 more COVID-19 deaths to the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s daily update showed Indiana ’ s seven-day rolling average of newly confirmed COVID-19 infections reached 1,799 as of Friday .
That is the highest level the state has seen during the pandemic and has more than doubled over the past three weeks .
The 2,521 new infections reported Saturday , a daily high , marked the second straight day that figure topped 2,000 in a single day .
The health department said the number was inflated by about 100 cases that weren ’ t previously included because of technical issues .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s death toll to 3,918 , including confirmed and presumed coronavirus infections , according to the health department .
Gov .
Eric Holcomb cited the increase in cases on Wednesday when he said he would continue the statewide mask mandate for another month .
Holcomb chastised those who resist wearing masks as disregarding the safety of others .
NEW YORK — Movie theaters in New York state can reopen beginning next Friday with restrictions on audience size and other precautions in place , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Saturday .
Theaters in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and counties must have a positivity rate below 2 % on a 14-day average and have no “ cluster zones.
” Audiences will be restricted to 25 % of capacity with a maximum of 50 people per screen , Cuomo said at his briefing .
Masks will be required and there will be assigned seating to ensure social distancing .
This week , the Global Cinema Federation sent an open letter to Cuomo urging him to let theaters reopen , saying Hollywood studios may continue delaying their remaining 2020 releases if theaters remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adopt a county-by-county plan for theater openings based on virus data , similar what it said California Gov .
Gavin Newsom has done .
ATHENS , Greece — Greece has reported its 500th death from the coronavirus , as well as the second highest daily cases of the disease following Friday ’ s record .
Health authorities reported 482 new cases Saturday , as well as 10 deaths , a day after recording a record 508 new cases .
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Authorities pointed to violations in social distancing in bars and outdoor parties and added that the danger of transmission will only increase in cooler weather .
Asked about a return to pre-pandemic normality , an epidemiologist advising the health ministry said that “ an improvement in our daily lives ” will take place only 7-8 months after the introduction of a vaccine , if it proves effective .
DENVER — Roughly seven months after the coronavirus cut the ski season short at the height of spring break , resorts across the U.S. and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to figure out how to safely reopen this winter .
Resort leaders are asking guests to curb their expectations and to embrace a new normal while skiing amid a pandemic .
That could mean skiing with face coverings , socially-distanced lift lines , no dine-in service , sharing lifts only with your group and no large gatherings .
Resorts , some of which are set to open at the beginning of November , are trying to avoid a repeat of last spring when many mountain communities were disproportionately hurt by the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the world hit the slopes during one of the busiest times of the season .
ROME — The Vatican says someone who lives in the same Vatican hotel as Pope Francis has tested positive for coronavirus , adding to the 11 cases of COVID-19 among the Swiss Guards who protect him .
The Vatican said Saturday that the resident of the Domus Sanctae Marthae has moved out temporarily and is in isolation , as are all the people who came into direct contact with him .
The hotel serves as a residence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clerics and lay people .
Francis chose to live there permanently after his 2013 election , shunning the Apostolic Palace , because he said he needed to be around ordinary people .
The hotel has a communal dining room and chapel where Francis celebrates Mass each morning .
The Vatican , a tiny city state in the center of Rome , has beefed up its anti-COVID-19 measures amid a resurgence of the outbreak in Italy .
Protective masks are required indoors and out , but Francis has largely shunned them even when holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and with part of a lung removed when he was in his 20s due to illness , the pope would be at high-risk for COVID-19 complications .
Last week , the Vatican confirmed a cluster of 11 cases among the Swiss Guards who serve as ceremonial guards at papal Masses , guard the Vatican City gates and protect the pope .
Italy added another 10,925 coronavirus infections to its official toll Saturday as the government mulls new national restrictions including curfews for bars and other measures intended to discourage large gatherings without a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that another 47 people died , bringing Italy ’ s official COVID-19 toll to 36,474 , the second highest in Europe after Britain .
BRATISLAVA , Slovakia — Slovakia is acquiring 13 million rapid antigen tests for a mass testing of its population amid a record surge of coronavirus infections .
Prime Minister Igor Matovic says almost 6,000 testing sites will be established across the country for the testing that is scheduled to take place the next two weekends , starting with the three or four hardest-hit counties .
Matovic says it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cast ballots at elections .
It ’ s unclear if the testing will be mandatory .
Antigen tests are less accurate than PCR tests , which are considered the gold standard , but have the advantage of producing faster results .
The nation of 5.4 million has been facing a record spike with the number of confirmed positive cases in one day surpassing 2,000 on Thursday .
The Slovak authorities have so far conducted a relatively low number of tests compared with other European countries .
Just under 12,000 were carried out on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 28,268 confirmed cases and 82 people have died .
DUBAI , United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates has announced its highest single-day total of new cases of the coronavirus amid a spike in this Mideast nation home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai .
The country ’ s Health Ministry said tests found 1,538 new cases of the virus , pushing the overall number of cases to 114,387 .
The ministry said another four people died from the virus , bringing the overall death toll to 459 .
Recorded infections have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities have relaxed restrictions and resumed schools for in-person instruction .
Dubai has reopened its airport for international travelers and embarked on an active campaign promoting itself as a tourism destination amid the pandemic .
The UAE is engaged in an aggressive testing campaign , with over 11 million tests conducted in a country home to over 9 million people .
PRAGUE — Coronavirus infections in the Czech Republic have surpassed 10,000 in one day for the first time , setting a new record high for the third straight day .
The Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases surged to 11,105 on Friday .
It is almost 1,400 more than the previous record set a day earlier .
The country has registered a total of 160,112 cases , including 1,283 deaths .
After a series of new restrictive measures adopted by the government to slow down the surge , Health Minister Roman Prymula said he still expected a rise of those tested positive for about two weeks .
If the new measures fail to make an impact , the number of new cases could reach a quarter of million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Health Ministry predicted .
BEIJING — Qingdao , a coastal city in eastern China , has completed coronavirus testing for its 11 million residents following an outbreak and found no new infections so far .
As of Friday , the 10.9 million samples came back negative .
Xue Qingguo , Qingdao ’ s deputy mayor , told state broadcaster CCTV that the risk of community transmission “ is basically eliminated.
” The citywide testing was ordered after 13 people were infected in China ’ s first locally transmitted cases in over two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was traced to two dock workers who had tested positive for the virus in September but did not exhibit any symptoms at first .
They had visited a hospital in Qingdao and were sent to a CAT scan room , which was not disinfected properly afterward and led to the infection of other patients , according to health officials .
Health Commission Director Sui Zhenhua and Deng Kai , president of Qingdao ’ s thoracic hospital to which the cases have been linked , have been placed under investigation in connection with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Commission reported 13 new imported cases .
China has reported 4,634 deaths among 85,659 confirmed cases .
NEW DELHI — India reported 62,212 new cases in the past 24 hours , raising its total to more than 7.4 million and continuing a downward trend .
The Health Ministry on Saturday also registered 837 additional fatalities , taking the death toll to 112,998 .
The worst-hit western Maharashtra state accounted for nearly 36 % of total fatalities .
According to the Health Ministry , India ’ s average number of daily cases dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the week of Sept. 9-15 , when the virus peaked .
It is recording an average of around 70,000 cases daily so far this month .
But some experts say India ’ s figures may not be reliable because of poor reporting and inadequate health infrastructure .
India is also relying heavily on antigen tests , which are faster but less accurate than traditional RT-PCR tests .
Health officials have warned about the potential for the virus to spread during the religious festival season beginning later this month .
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two months were particularly crucial because of the winter season and festivals .
New Delhi is also bracing for high air pollution levels , making the coronavirus fight more complicated in upcoming months .
MELBOURNE , Australia — Australia ’ s Victoria state has reported just one new case of COVID-19 and no deaths as the city of Melbourne moves closer towards the easing of some lifestyle restrictions .
The state ’ s coronavirus death toll remains at 816 and the Australian total is 904 .
Melbourne residents are expecting COVID-19 restrictions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear how much freedom will be regained .
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has indicated the changes would be more “ in the social space , ” prompting pleas from business operators for relief from restrictions that once included an overnight curfew .
Current restrictions include a two-hour exercise limit within 5 kilometers ( 3 miles ) of work or home and mandatory face masks covering the mouth and nose when a person leaves their home .

By The Associated Press
MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne, has loosened lockdown restrictions as new and active COVID-19 continue to decline.
From midnight Sunday, Melbourne residents will no longer face limits on the time they can spend away from their homes for education or recreation. Previous restrictions allowing Melburnians to travel only 5 kilometers (3 miles) from home will increase at midnight to 25 kilometers (15 miles).
Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people from two households will be allowed and golf and tennis can resume.
Victoria state reported only two new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and no deaths. The rolling 14-day average of cases dropped to eight, the lowest in four months.
There were only 137 active cases across Victoria state on Sunday with 12 people receiving hospital treatment, none in intensive care.
Regulations will be further loosened on Nov. 2 with the partial reopening of shops, bars and restaurants.
__
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
— Rural Midwest hospitals struggling to handle virus surge
— Trump plays down virus as he steps up pitch for second term
— US resorts adapt to new normal of skiing amid pandemic
— Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Germans to come together like they did in the spring to slow the spread of the coronavirus as the country posted another daily record of new cases.
— Iran has its death toll from the coronavirus has passed the milestone of 30,000, in what has been the Mideast region’s worst outbreak.
— Europe’s economy was just catching its breath from what had been the sharpest recession in modern history. A resurgence in coronavirus cases this month is a bitter blow that will likely turn what was meant to be a period of healing for the economy into a lean winter of job losses and bankruptcies.
___
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
___
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
The Navajo Nation, which sprawls across Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, reported 53 new coronavirus cases and no new deaths Saturday.
The total number of cases on the reservation is now 10,913. The total number of deaths remains at 571.
___
FAIRBANKS, Alaska — State officials say an outbreak of coronavirus has infected 33 inmates at a prison in Fairbanks, causing the facility to go into quarantine for 14 days.
The Alaska Department of Corrections says 32 of the cases at the Fairbanks Correctional Center are men and one is a woman. All of those infected were housed in the general population.
Other inmates are being tested for coronavirus, with results expected by Monday. The inmates with coronavirus are being isolated in a separate unit of the prison.
The facility serves northern Alaska and has male and female inmates, some of whom are serving sentences and others of whom are awaiting trial.
___
Pennsylvania is reporting 1,857 new COVID-19 cases, the second-highest daily total since the beginning of pandemic, days after officials said the commonwealth was seeing a “fall resurgence” of the coronavirus.
The numbers announced Saturday by the state health department are exceeded only by the 1,989 cases reported April 9 and bring the statewide total to almost 181,000. Nine new deaths were reported, bringing the total number of deaths associated with the virus to 8,466.
On Wednesday, the state’s health secretary pronounced Pennsylvania “at the start of the fall resurgence” of COVID-19 but said there were no plans to reimpose a stay-at-home order or shut down businesses again in response.
Dr. Rachel Levine said Pennsylvania is more prepared for such an influx than it was in the spring, citing a contact tracing program in place, more personal protective equipment supplies and enough hospital beds available.
___
OKLAHOMA CITY — The number of hospitalizations due to the coronavirus remained near a record high in Oklahoma on Saturday while the number of reported cases increased by 1,195 and deaths rose by 14.
Some 792 people were hospitalized, the state Department of Health said Saturday, one fewer than the one-day record of 793 reported Friday. There are 106,503 total cases reported since the pandemic began in March and 1,168 deaths due to COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.
The department said that there were 8,272 new coronavirus cases during the week ending Thursday, an increase of 15% from the previous week, and 58 additional deaths from the previous week due to COVID-19.
___
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s daily average of new coronavirus infections continued growing at record levels with Saturday’s update from state health officials, who also added 31 more COVID-19 deaths to the state’s toll.
The state health department’s daily update showed Indiana’s seven-day rolling average of newly confirmed COVID-19 infections reached 1,799 as of Friday. That is the highest level the state has seen during the pandemic and has more than doubled over the past three weeks.
The 2,521 new infections reported Saturday, a daily high, marked the second straight day that figure topped 2,000 in a single day. The health department said the number was inflated by about 100 cases that weren’t previously included because of technical issues. The newly recorded deaths raise Indiana’s death toll to 3,918, including confirmed and presumed coronavirus infections, according to the health department.
Gov. Eric Holcomb cited the increase in cases on Wednesday when he said he would continue the statewide mask mandate for another month. Holcomb chastised those who resist wearing masks as disregarding the safety of others.
__
NEW YORK — Movie theaters in New York state can reopen beginning next Friday with restrictions on audience size and other precautions in place, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday.
Theaters in New York City aren’t included, and counties must have a positivity rate below 2% on a 14-day average and have no “cluster zones.”
Audiences will be restricted to 25% of capacity with a maximum of 50 people per screen, Cuomo said at his briefing. Masks will be required and there will be assigned seating to ensure social distancing.
This week, the Global Cinema Federation sent an open letter to Cuomo urging him to let theaters reopen, saying Hollywood studios may continue delaying their remaining 2020 releases if theaters remain closed. The group asked Cuomo to adopt a county-by-county plan for theater openings based on virus data, similar what it said California Gov. Gavin Newsom has done.


mercurynews--2020-10-17--Pinnacles National Park fully reopens to visitors

While temperatures approached 100 degrees Friday , Pinnacles National Park fully reopened to visitors last week .
The park closed the west end of the park including the entrance near Soledad and all trails except for the Bench and Sycamore trails last month as a fire safety precaution .
“ We have not experienced a large fire in a number of years , actually more than 15 , and if you look at our fire history almost all of the park has burned throughout the years , ” said park Superintendent Blanca Alvarez Stransky .
“ So we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Pinnacles is at a high risk for fire , so we ’ re taking every precaution we can to prevent that and that ’ s one of the reasons we had to close.
” Stransky cited the change in seasons leading to increased humidity at night and shorter days and the slow return of wildland fire resources to the area as reasons to fully reopen the park .
Multiple wildfires were burning in the region , in the state and in the western United States causing the partial closures .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firefighting efforts by trying to limit folks so if there was a fire we could easily evacuate , ” she said .
“ People come to our parks and they go hiking in the wilderness and it ’ s very difficult to get to them if there is a fire.
” However , Stransky said the park still has a high fuel load of dried vegetation and fire danger will fluctuate between high and very high until December .
The fire danger was very high Thursday and should remain there into the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibited in the park and use of propane or gas stoves for cooking purposes is restricted to designated campsites , use of charcoal grills is prohibited , smoking is only allowed within enclosed vehicles and driving or parking vehicles off-road and/or on vegetation is prohibited .
“ We don ’ t have what they call an initial attack crew available , so if there was a small fire that was started in the park we do not have anyone that ’ s trained that can immediately go to that area , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait for the response to come out of the Cal Fire station that ’ s further down the road .
Because of all the fires in California we were at 96 % commitment of resources , so that puts us in a little bit of a shaky situation.
” COVID-19 regulations remain in place at the park , keeping the Bear Gulch Nature Canter and West Visitor Center closed as well as the Balconies and Bear Gulch Caves .
Shuttle services inside the park remain non-operational .
“ It ’ s hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it ’ s hard not to touch everything when you ’ re going through , ” Stransky said .
“ It ’ s also a moist , dark space that ’ s a perfect breeding ground for all kinds of germs.
” • Cows vs. elk : the latest battle at Point Reyes National Seashore • 130th anniversary : A look at the sequoia trees in the nation ’ s second National Park • Yosemite National Park to reopen Friday , with more campsites available The caves will not be available to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperatures are expected to hover in the 90s .
Stransky advised visitors to come prepared .
“ Come out in the early morning or late afternoon ( to avoid the hottest time of the day ) , ” she said .

Fire season isn’t over yet, but Pinnacles National Park has reopened areas that had been closed because of wildfire danger.
The park last month had closed the west side of the park, including the entrance near Soledad, and all trails except for the Bench and Sycamore trails.
“We have not experienced a large fire in a number of years — actually more than 15 — and if you look at our fire history almost all of the park has burned throughout the years,” said park Superintendent Blanca Alvarez Stransky. “So we’ve been told by our fire management officers that Pinnacles is at a high risk for fire, so we’re taking every precaution we can to prevent that and that’s one of the reasons we had to close.”
The rugged rocks of Pinnacles' High Peaks trail form a window to the national park below. (Photo courtesy of Tom Bentley)
Rock formations are seen near the Balconies Cave Trail at Pinnacles National Park in Soledad. (David Royal/Monterey Herald archives)
Nicole Belle Isle, right, of SheClimbs, teaches an intro to climbing course through REI at Pinnacles National Park near Paicines, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014. Belle Isle has been a huge influencer in encouraging women to climb and bringing women together to climb. (Patrick Tehan/Bay Area News Group)
Fossil fumaroles are a highlight on the Pinnacles hiking trail. (Mary Orlin/Bay Area News Group)
Alexandre Ribero of Brazil carries his son Alex ,7, on the Balconies Cave Trail at Pinnacles National Park in Soledad on Saturday August 27, 2016. (David Royal - Monterey Herald)
Rachel Klinkatsis, left, and Britania Light, both of the Bay Area, walk on the Balconies Cave Trail at Pinnacles National Park in Soledad on Saturday August 27, 2016. (David Royal - Monterey Herald)
Pinnacles National Park offers rugged trails, spectacular views and otherworldly rock formations. (Photo courtesy of Tom Bentley)
Rock formations are seen from the High Peaks Trail at Pinnacles National Monument in Paicines on April 22, 2010. President Obama on Jan. 10, 2013, signed a bill elevating its status from a national monument to a national park.
The view from Condor Gulch Trail at Pinnacles National Monument in Paicines is photographed on April 22, 2010. (President Obama on Jan. 10, 2013 signed a bill elevating its status from a national monument to a national park.
John Debell heads down the High Peaks Trail at Pinnacles National Monument in Paicines on April 22, 2010. Debell is from Menlo Park. (Gary Reyes/Mercury News)
Pinnacles National Park has been closed to people making day trips. (Monterey Herald archives)
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In announcing the reopening, Stransky cited the shift of seasons — bringing increased humidity at night — and the slow return of wildland fire resources to the area.
“We were doing our part to support the firefighting efforts by trying to limit folks so if there was a fire we could easily evacuate,” she said. “People come to our parks and they go hiking in the wilderness and it’s very difficult to get to them if there is a fire.”
Stransky said the park still has a high fuel load of dried vegetation and fire danger will fluctuate between high and very high until December. All campfires or cooking fires are prohibited in the park and use of propane or gas stoves for cooking purposes is restricted to designated campsites, use of charcoal grills is prohibited, smoking is only allowed within enclosed vehicles and driving or parking vehicles off-road and/or on vegetation is prohibited.
“We don’t have what they call an initial attack crew available, so if there was a small fire that was started in the park we do not have anyone that’s trained that can immediately go to that area,” Stransky said. “We would have to wait for the response to come out of the Cal Fire station that’s further down the road. Because of all the fires in California we were at 96% commitment of resources, so that puts us in a little bit of a shaky situation.”
COVID-19 regulations remain in place at the park, keeping the Bear Gulch Nature Canter and West Visitor Center closed as well as the Balconies and Bear Gulch Caves. Shuttle services inside the park remain non-operational.
“It’s hard to socially distance (in the caves) and it’s hard not to touch everything when you’re going through,” Stransky said. “It’s also a moist, dark space that’s a perfect breeding ground for all kinds of germs.”


mercurynews--2020-10-17--Two deaths in separate shootings 30 minutes apart in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO — Two men were killed and three people were injured after two separate shootings just 30 minutes from each other on Friday night , police said .
Officers were called to the first shooting at about 7:55 p.m. in the 300 block of Hunter ’ s Point Boulevard .
There , they found a 49-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds .
He was taken to a local hospital , where he died from his injuries .
Then at 8:27 p.m. , officers responded to the 200 block of Schwerin Street , in Visitation Valley , where they found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was declared dead .
A 34-year-old woman and a 63-year-old woman were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening , while a 46-year-old man was treated at the scene of the second shooting .
The shootings came on a deadly day in the Bay Area , which included two dead in a shooting and one dead in a stabbing in San Jose , and one dead in a shooting in Richmond .
Anyone with information about the San Francisco shootings is asked to call the San Francisco Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 415-575-4444 .

SAN FRANCISCO — Two men were killed and three people were injured after two separate shootings just 30 minutes from each other on Friday night, police said.
Officers were called to the first shooting at about 7:55 p.m. in the 300 block of Hunter’s Point Boulevard. There, they found a 49-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Then at 8:27 p.m., officers responded to the 200 block of Schwerin Street, in Visitation Valley, where they found a 33-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds who was declared dead.
A 34-year-old woman and a 63-year-old woman were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, while a 46-year-old man was treated at the scene of the second shooting.
The shootings came on a deadly day in the Bay Area, which included two dead in a shooting and one dead in a stabbing in San Jose, and one dead in a shooting in Richmond.
Anyone with information about the San Francisco shootings is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department, including the tip line at 415-575-4444.


mercurynews--2020-10-17--Statue of ex-Gov. Pete Wilson removed after policies criticized

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) — A statue of former California Gov .
Pete Wilson was removed from a San Diego park after critics said the governor supported laws and policies that hurt immigrants and LGBTQ community members , a newspaper reported .
The 13-year-old statue near Horton Plaza Park was removed by Horton Walk , the nonprofit that owns it , the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Thursday .
Horton Walk president Steve Williams wrote in an email that no decision had been made on whether it will eventually be returned .
“ All property … whether statues or real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wrote .
“ With this in mind , we have decided to secure and protect the statue in a place of safekeeping.
” On Monday , representatives of Latino and gay rights groups held a news conference in front of the life-sized bronze sculpture , saying Wilson supported laws and policies that hurt their communities .
Activist Enrique Morones , who spearheaded the removal effort , told the Union-Tribune he is glad the statue was taken down because it was not something the community wanted in the first place .
“ No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than Pete Wilson , ” Morones said in an email .
“ His racist support of Proposition 187 back in 1994 unified Latino community and supporters of human rights , against him.
” In 1994 , voters approved the Wilson-supported Proposition 187 , which sought to limit illegal immigration by cutting off state services , including health care and public education , to undocumented immigrants in California .
A federal judge later ruled it unconstitutional .
Wilson could not be reached immediately for comment .
Sean Walsh , his law partner and former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a recognition of the governor ’ s 50 years of public service .
“ It ’ s regrettable that intimidation tactics similar to those used in Seattle , Portland , Oakland and other cities across the country are causing individuals and businesses to protect themselves , ” he said .
“ Our country , our society can not be ruled by the threat of intimidation and violence.
” The property where the statue was located is owned and maintained by a private company , and the city was not involved in removing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portela said .
• Amy Cooper made second 911 call about Black birdwatcher in Central Park , prosecutors say • Proposition 25 would end cash bail in California .
Is the replacement any better ?
• Police : Five arrested in connection with toppling Junipero Serra statue in Marin County The move comes amid nationwide demands for the removal of statues and symbols of Confederate generals and those who owned enslaved people .
Wilson was mayor of San Diego from 1971 to 1983 .
He represented California in the U.S. Senate from 1983 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1991 to 1999 .

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A statue of former California Gov. Pete Wilson was removed from a San Diego park after critics said the governor supported laws and policies that hurt immigrants and LGBTQ community members, a newspaper reported.
The 13-year-old statue near Horton Plaza Park was removed by Horton Walk, the nonprofit that owns it, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Thursday.
Horton Walk president Steve Williams wrote in an email that no decision had been made on whether it will eventually be returned.
“All property … whether statues or real property … must be protected,” he wrote. “With this in mind, we have decided to secure and protect the statue in a place of safekeeping.”
On Monday, representatives of Latino and gay rights groups held a news conference in front of the life-sized bronze sculpture, saying Wilson supported laws and policies that hurt their communities.
Activist Enrique Morones, who spearheaded the removal effort, told the Union-Tribune he is glad the statue was taken down because it was not something the community wanted in the first place.
“No one has unified the Latino community more than Pete Wilson,” Morones said in an email. “His racist support of Proposition 187 back in 1994 unified Latino community and supporters of human rights, against him.”
In 1994, voters approved the Wilson-supported Proposition 187, which sought to limit illegal immigration by cutting off state services, including health care and public education, to undocumented immigrants in California. A federal judge later ruled it unconstitutional.
Wilson could not be reached immediately for comment. Sean Walsh, his law partner and former chief of staff, said the statue was a recognition of the governor’s 50 years of public service.
“It’s regrettable that intimidation tactics similar to those used in Seattle, Portland, Oakland and other cities across the country are causing individuals and businesses to protect themselves,” he said. “Our country, our society cannot be ruled by the threat of intimidation and violence.”
The property where the statue was located is owned and maintained by a private company, and the city was not involved in removing the statue, San Diego spokesman Gustavo Portela said.
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Wilson was mayor of San Diego from 1971 to 1983. He represented California in the U.S. Senate from 1983 to 1991 and served as governor from 1991 to 1999.