washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Virus stalls work to keep alive a rare rhino subspecies

NANYUKI , Kenya ( AP ) - It ’ s not quite a case of coitus interruptus , but efforts to create a very special baby are definitely on hold .
Blame the pandemic .
Groundbreaking work to keep alive the nearly extinct northern white rhino subspecies - population , two - by in-vitro fertilization has been stalled by travel restrictions .
And time is running out .
The two northern white rhinos are female .
The goal is to create viable embryos in a lab by inseminating their eggs with frozen sperm from dead males , then transfer them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common southern white rhino .
As of January , three embryos had been created and stored in liquid nitrogen .
But further key steps now have to wait .
“ It has been disrupted by COVID-19 , like everything else , ” said Richard Vigne , managing director of Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya , home of the two remaining rhinos .
“ That is , the process of collecting more eggs from the females as well as the process of developing the technique to introduce the northern white rhino embryo into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s an international effort that includes conservationists from Kenya , the Czech Republic , Germany and Italy - many affected by closed borders or restricted travel .
For those involved in the effort , acutely aware of time , the delay can be painful .
The procedure to create viable embryos has proven to be safe , they say , and can be performed regularly before the animals become too old .
In January , the transfer of the embryos to surrogates had been planned for the coming months .
In March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round of eggs from the two remaining females .
Because those eggs are limited , scientists are working with embryos from southern white rhinos until they can establish a successful pregnancy .
Seven or eight transfers so far have failed to take hold .
A receptive female is needed , along with the knowledge of exactly when she ovulates .
“ We know time is working against us , ” said Cesare Galli , an in-vitro fertilization expert based in Italy .
“ The females will age and we don ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions on international travel will loosen in the coming weeks so key steps can resume in August .
“ The problem is quite serious , ” he said .
“ Certainly as soon as international travel is resumed , it will be the first priority to go ” to Kenya and collect more eggs from the two females .
Even when travel can resume , another problem looms .
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy also is home to primates - non-human primates - which are susceptible to the coronavirus , Galli said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s an additional risk , ” he said .
“ You threaten one species to save another.
” So for now , the two northern white rhinos wait .
Fatu and her mother , Najin , roam and graze within sight of rangers in the company of one intended surrogate mother , a southern white rhino named Tewa .
One of the rhinos ’ keepers , Zachariah Mutai , was sympathetic .
“ They won ’ t have a chance anymore to have babies in a natural way , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the scientific way , ” he said .
The ultimate goal is to create a herd of at least five animals that could be returned to their natural habitat in Africa .
That could take decades .
Decades of poaching have taken a heavy toll on rhino species .
The animals are killed for their horns , which have long been used as carving material and prized in traditional Chinese medicine for their supposed healing properties .
The last male northern white rhino was a 45-year-old named Sudan , who gained fame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Most Eligible Bachelor in the World ” on the Tinder dating app as part of a fundraising effort .
He was euthanized in 2018 because of age-related ills .
This effort to keep the northern white rhino subspecies alive has been a good way to draw the world ’ s attention to the issue of extinction , Vigne said .
“ The rate of extinction of species on this planet is now the fastest that has ever been recorded , much faster than the rate dinosaurs went extinct , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ So there comes a time where we have to draw a line … and say no more .
”

NANYUKI, Kenya (AP) - It’s not quite a case of coitus interruptus, but efforts to create a very special baby are definitely on hold. Blame the pandemic.
Groundbreaking work to keep alive the nearly extinct northern white rhino subspecies - population, two - by in-vitro fertilization has been stalled by travel restrictions. And time is running out.
The two northern white rhinos are female. The goal is to create viable embryos in a lab by inseminating their eggs with frozen sperm from dead males, then transfer them into a surrogate mother, a more common southern white rhino.
As of January, three embryos had been created and stored in liquid nitrogen. But further key steps now have to wait.
“It has been disrupted by COVID-19, like everything else,” said Richard Vigne, managing director of Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, home of the two remaining rhinos. “That is, the process of collecting more eggs from the females as well as the process of developing the technique to introduce the northern white rhino embryo into the southern white rhino females.”
It’s an international effort that includes conservationists from Kenya, the Czech Republic, Germany and Italy - many affected by closed borders or restricted travel.
For those involved in the effort, acutely aware of time, the delay can be painful. The procedure to create viable embryos has proven to be safe, they say, and can be performed regularly before the animals become too old.
In January, the transfer of the embryos to surrogates had been planned for the coming months. In March, the plan had been to collect another round of eggs from the two remaining females.
Because those eggs are limited, scientists are working with embryos from southern white rhinos until they can establish a successful pregnancy. Seven or eight transfers so far have failed to take hold. A receptive female is needed, along with the knowledge of exactly when she ovulates.
“We know time is working against us,” said Cesare Galli, an in-vitro fertilization expert based in Italy. “The females will age and we don’t have many to choose from.”
He hopes restrictions on international travel will loosen in the coming weeks so key steps can resume in August. “The problem is quite serious,” he said. “Certainly as soon as international travel is resumed, it will be the first priority to go” to Kenya and collect more eggs from the two females.
Even when travel can resume, another problem looms. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy also is home to primates - non-human primates - which are susceptible to the coronavirus, Galli said.
“If you bring in the virus accidentally, it’s an additional risk,” he said. “You threaten one species to save another.”
So for now, the two northern white rhinos wait. Fatu and her mother, Najin, roam and graze within sight of rangers in the company of one intended surrogate mother, a southern white rhino named Tewa.
One of the rhinos’ keepers, Zachariah Mutai, was sympathetic.
“They won’t have a chance anymore to have babies in a natural way, but the only hope is to save them with the scientific way,” he said.
The ultimate goal is to create a herd of at least five animals that could be returned to their natural habitat in Africa. That could take decades.
Decades of poaching have taken a heavy toll on rhino species. The animals are killed for their horns, which have long been used as carving material and prized in traditional Chinese medicine for their supposed healing properties.
The last male northern white rhino was a 45-year-old named Sudan, who gained fame in 2017 when he was listed as “The Most Eligible Bachelor in the World” on the Tinder dating app as part of a fundraising effort. He was euthanized in 2018 because of age-related ills.
This effort to keep the northern white rhino subspecies alive has been a good way to draw the world’s attention to the issue of extinction, Vigne said.
“The rate of extinction of species on this planet is now the fastest that has ever been recorded, much faster than the rate dinosaurs went extinct, and that is as a result of human activity,” he said. “So there comes a time where we have to draw a line … and say no more.”
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Kazziha contributed from Nairobi, Kenya.
___
Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Global shares rise on hopes for economies' gradual reopening

TOKYO ( AP ) - Global shares rose Monday , with Europe tracking gains in Asia despite news that the German economy fell into recession in the first quarter of the year amid the coronavirus pandemic .
France ’ s CAC 40 gained 0.8 % in early trading to 4,479.60 , while Germany ’ s DAX jumped 1.2 % to 11,206.26 .
British markets were closed for a bank holiday .
U.S. markets will be closed for Memorial Day .
Germany joined other major economies in logging its worst downturn since the global financial crisis more than a decade ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hit from shutdowns and other disruptions resulting from the pandemic .
Its economy contracted 2.2 % in January-March from a year earlier , the Federal Statistical Office said .
It said investments in the engineering sector , construction and public spending helped to prevent an even bigger downturn .
Since Germany ’ s economy dipped 0.1 % in the last quarter of 2019 , the country has entered what is known as a “ technical recession.
” The mood was upbeat , also , in Asia , where Japan ’ s benchmark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 20,741.65 ahead of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ’ s announcement that the state of emergency that still was in effect for Tokyo and several other areas was ending as outbreaks appeared to be subsiding .
“ We have drawn the attention of the world , ” Abe said .
“ We will take a strong step forward.
” Elsewhere in Asia , South Korea ’ s Kospi gained 1.2 % to 1,994.60 and Australia ’ s S & P ; /ASX 200 jumped 2.2 % to 5,615.60 .
Shares in Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to quell weekend protests over a proposed national security bill for the former British colony .
By the end of the day , but recouped earlier losses to be little changed .
Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng inched up less than 0.1 % to 22,952.24 .
The Shanghai Composite picked up 0.2 % to 2,817.97 .
The protests in Hong Kong in response to legislation presented to China ’ s National People ’ s Congress , which is now meeting in Beijing , were the largest in months despite bans on large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The revival of sometimes violent pro-democracy protests that rocked the city for much of 2019 raises the likelihood of more tensions between Beijing and Washington over China ’ s efforts to exert more control over the semi-autonomous territory .
“ With more riots in the street amid the knockdown effects of COVID-19 and a possible exodus of jobs from the city ’ s financial center , surely things will get much worse before better , ” Stephen Innes of AxiCorp said in a commentary .
Japan has followed South Korea , China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precautions as the pace of new coronavirus infections has ebbed .
Abe said , however , that the nation needs to adopt “ new thinking ” for a lifestyle that keeps social distancing restrictions to avoid contagion but will also allow an economic recovery .
He urged people to continue to fear the virus , wear masks and wash hands regularly .
People are still being requested to avoid mingling in crowds .
Concerts will be allowed with up to 100 people in the audience at first .
The professional baseball season will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the stands .
Japan has reported about 820 deaths and more than 16,000 cases , relatively few compared to hard-hit nations like the U.S .
In other trading Monday , benchmark U.S. crude oil picked up 9 cents to $ 33.34 a barrel .
It fell 2 % , or 67 cents , to $ 33.25 a barrel on Friday .
Brent crude oil , the international standard , lost 11 cents to $ 35.02 a barrel .
Crude oil started the year at about $ 60 a barrel and then plummeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and business shutdowns related to the coronavirus .
The U.S. dollar inched up to 107.69 Japanese yen from 107.63 yen late Friday .
The euro fell to $ 1.0884 from $ 1.0901 .

TOKYO (AP) - Shares rose in Asia on Tuesday as some regions in Japan resumed close-to-normal business activity, with hopes for economic recovery overshadowing worries over the coronavirus pandemic.
The market focus is shifting to how various nations are adapting to getting back to business, while striving to keep new COVID-19 cases in check.
Japan lifted its state of emergency under what Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday called a new lifestyle, with widespread wearing of masks and face shields.
Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 2.2% in morning trading to 21,190.85. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was up 1.7% at 5,711.30. South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.2% to 2,019.06. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 1.6% to 23,327.65, while the Shanghai Composite advanced 0.7% to 2,836.40.
“As is the financial market’s wont these days … even the slimmest of positive news on the COVID-19 front triggers a bullish immune response and another wave of the peak-virus trade,” Jeffrey Halley of Oanda said in a commentary.
U.S. markets were closed for Memorial Day on Monday, while European benchmarks ended higher, reflecting the global investor optimism. France’s CAC 40 jumped nearly 2.2% to end the day at 4,539.91. Germany’s DAX surged 2.9% to 11,391.28. Trading was closed in Britain for a bank holiday.
Yoshimasa Maruyama, chief market economist with SMBC Nikko Securities, said global trade and production appeared to be bottoming out in May, though demand will likely recover gradually.
Comments from China’s central bank governor on support for its slowing economy also lifted sentiment.
Yi Gang, in an interview on the bank’s website, promised to push down borrowing costs for entrepreneurs and “support development of the real economy.”
He said the People’s Bank of China will pursue “more flexible” monetary policy. He said that was in line with official goals announced Friday by Premier Li Keqiang of helping smaller and private companies survive the coronavirus pandemic.
The interview was published as China’s largely ceremonial National People’s Congress holds its annual session, where other senior officials have stressed the need to push growth higher and create jobs, while steering clear of excess government spending.
Investors are also awaiting U.S. consumer confidence data for May and home sales for April, indicators that might give further clues into the severity of the downturn brought on by the pandemic.
Benchmark U.S. crude gained 78 cents to $34.03 in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It closed at $33.25 on Friday, and markets were closed on Monday.
Brent crude oil, the international standard, rose 44 cents to $36.56 a barrel.
The U.S. dollar rose to 107.85 Japanese yen from 107.69 yen late Monday. The euro rose to $1.0919 from $1.0898.
___
AP Business Writer Joe McDonald in Beijing contributed.
___
Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yurikageyama


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--In race for tourism, Greece reopens cafes, island ferries

ATHENS , Greece ( AP ) - Greece restarted regular ferry services to its islands Monday , and cafes and restaurants were also back open for business as the country accelerated efforts to salvage its tourism season .
Travel to the islands had been generally off-limits since a lockdown was imposed in late March to halt the spread of the coronavirus , with only goods suppliers and permanent residents allowed access .
But the country ’ s low infection rate in the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the government to start the holiday season three weeks earlier than the expected June 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Italy , Spain and Turkey - are grappling with deadlier outbreaks .
At Bairaktaris restaurant on central Monastiraki Square in Athens , waiters and staff wearing purple face masks and some with plastic visors , sliced meat from the revolving gyros grill , arranged flowers on widely spaced tables and waited for customers , who remained cautious Monday .
Spiros Bairaktaris , the exuberant owner , is carrying on a family business running for 140 years and has framed pictures on the wall of himself sitting next to supermodel Naomi Campbell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrity customers .
He says he ’ s optimistic about the season despite the slow start .
“ This has never happened before , ” he told the AP .
“ We normally sit 100 in the inside area , now it ’ ll be just 30 .
… There won ’ t be any bouzouki music or dancing until we get the all-clear from the doctors .
“ But I think people from all over Europe will come here because we have a low death toll , thank God.
” Greece has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the virus .
Italy has seen nearly 33,000 coronavirus patients die , Spain has had nearly 29,000 dead and Turkey has had 4,340 deaths , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
Social distancing regulations and passenger limits have been imposed on ferries and at restaurants to ward off new infections .
State-run health services to combat the coronavirus are being expanded to the islands , with intensive care units being placed on five islands : Lesbos , Samos , Rhodes , Zakynthos , and Corfu , along with existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tourism is a vital part of the Greek economy , directly contributing more than 10 % of the country ’ s GDP as Greece struggles to emerge from years of financial crisis .
More than 34 million visitors traveled to Greece last year , spending 18.2 billion euros ( $ 19.5 billion ) , according to government data .
With a view of the Acropolis and padded lounge seating , it ’ s usually hard for cafe goers to find a spot at Kayak , but midday Monday it was still largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business is from tourism , and people in Greece are cautious , they fear they will lose their job , ” owner Liza Meneretzi said .
“ I ’ ve been running the cafe for 30 years , and I ’ ve never seen anything like this .
But I was born an optimist , so we ’ ll see how things go .
”

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greece restarted regular ferry services to its islands Monday, and cafes and restaurants were also back open for business as the country accelerated efforts to salvage its tourism season.
Travel to the islands had been generally off-limits since a lockdown was imposed in late March to halt the spread of the coronavirus, with only goods suppliers and permanent residents allowed access.
But the country’s low infection rate in the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the government to start the holiday season three weeks earlier than the expected June 15 date, as other Mediterranean countries - including Italy, Spain and Turkey - are grappling with deadlier outbreaks.
At Bairaktaris restaurant on central Monastiraki Square in Athens, waiters and staff wearing purple face masks and some with plastic visors, sliced meat from the revolving gyros grill, arranged flowers on widely spaced tables and waited for customers, who remained cautious Monday.
Spiros Bairaktaris, the exuberant owner, is carrying on a family business running for 140 years and has framed pictures on the wall of himself sitting next to supermodel Naomi Campbell, singer Cesaria Evora, and other past celebrity customers. He says he’s optimistic about the season despite the slow start.
“This has never happened before,” he told the AP. “We normally sit 100 in the inside area, now it’ll be just 30. … There won’t be any bouzouki music or dancing until we get the all-clear from the doctors.
“But I think people from all over Europe will come here because we have a low death toll, thank God.”
Greece has had nearly 2,900 infections and 171 deaths from the virus. Italy has seen nearly 33,000 coronavirus patients die, Spain has had nearly 29,000 dead and Turkey has had 4,340 deaths, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
Social distancing regulations and passenger limits have been imposed on ferries and at restaurants to ward off new infections.
State-run health services to combat the coronavirus are being expanded to the islands, with intensive care units being placed on five islands: Lesbos, Samos, Rhodes, Zakynthos, and Corfu, along with existing ICU facilities on the island of Crete.
Tourism is a vital part of the Greek economy, directly contributing more than 10% of the country’s GDP as Greece struggles to emerge from years of financial crisis. More than 34 million visitors traveled to Greece last year, spending 18.2 billion euros ($19.5 billion), according to government data.
With a view of the Acropolis and padded lounge seating, it’s usually hard for cafe goers to find a spot at Kayak, but midday Monday it was still largely empty.
“Eighty percent of our business is from tourism, and people in Greece are cautious, they fear they will lose their job,” owner Liza Meneretzi said. “I’ve been running the cafe for 30 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this. But I was born an optimist, so we’ll see how things go.”
___
Petros Giannakouris and Iliana Mier contributed to this report.
___
Derek Gatopoulos is on Twitter here: https://www.twitter.com/dgatopoulos
___
Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Trooper who died after chase saluted for donating organs

HAMMOND , La .
( AP ) - Louisiana State Police are calling Trooper George Baker ’ s decision to donate his organs a “ last act of selfless service.
” Baker died Sunday from injuries he suffered Wednesday when hit by a Hammond police officer during a vehicle pursuit .
The 33-year-old trooper ’ s body was taken from North Oaks Medical Center so his organs could be donated , escorted by a caravan of state police cars .
“ It ’ s very rare to have the opportunity , and that ’ s why we try to maximize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the donation process in hopes that their loved one can leave that legacy , ” said Kirsten Heintz , a spokesperson for the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency tells WWL-TV .
More than 112,000 people across the country are waiting for donations .
More than 2,000 of those are in Louisiana .
“ One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation , ” Heintz said .
“ But they can also help 50 or more through tissue and cornea donation.
” The process of organ donation is rare for a reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain injury and die in a certain way in a hospital on a ventilator to be able to be a donor , ” Heintz said .

HAMMOND, La. (AP) - Louisiana State Police are calling Trooper George Baker’s decision to donate his organs a “last act of selfless service.”
Baker died Sunday from injuries he suffered Wednesday when hit by a Hammond police officer during a vehicle pursuit. The 33-year-old trooper’s body was taken from North Oaks Medical Center so his organs could be donated, escorted by a caravan of state police cars.
“It’s very rare to have the opportunity, and that’s why we try to maximize each gift and support each family through the donation process in hopes that their loved one can leave that legacy,” said Kirsten Heintz, a spokesperson for the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency tells WWL-TV.
More than 112,000 people across the country are waiting for donations. More than 2,000 of those are in Louisiana.
“One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation,” Heintz said. “But they can also help 50 or more through tissue and cornea donation.”
The process of organ donation is rare for a reason.
“You have to sustain a brain injury and die in a certain way in a hospital on a ventilator to be able to be a donor,” Heintz said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Boy who drowned at Grand Isle identified as Hammond teen

GRAND ISLE , La .
( AP ) - Police say a Hammond teen drowned at Grand Isle on Saturday , with two other family members hospitalized after getting caught in strong currents .
The Jefferson Parish coroner tells local news outlets that the drowning victim was 17-year-old Oscar Gustavo Rivera Aguilar Grand Isle Police Chief Laine Landry says police were called Sunday evening to waters near the Andy P. Valence Memorial Bridge .
There , they searched for more than an hour before finding Aguilar ’ s body , Landry said .
He said a 15-year-old boy and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deceased teen were rescued .
The second teen was flown by helicopter to a hospital in New Orleans while the woman was hospitalized closer to Grand Isle .
Landry tells The Times-Picayune / The New Orleans Advocate that Aguilar and his relatives were all part of a large family that traveled down for the Memorial Day weekend to fish and swim .
“ On a normal day it ’ s safe to swim but conditions in the last few days have been conducive to strong undertows and rip currents , with strong southerly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

GRAND ISLE, La. (AP) - Police say a Hammond teen drowned at Grand Isle on Saturday, with two other family members hospitalized after getting caught in strong currents.
The Jefferson Parish coroner tells local news outlets that the drowning victim was 17-year-old Oscar Gustavo Rivera Aguilar
Grand Isle Police Chief Laine Landry says police were called Sunday evening to waters near the Andy P. Valence Memorial Bridge. There, they searched for more than an hour before finding Aguilar’s body, Landry said. He said a 15-year-old boy and a 47-year-old woman who were relatives of the deceased teen were rescued. The second teen was flown by helicopter to a hospital in New Orleans while the woman was hospitalized closer to Grand Isle.
Landry tells The Times-Picayune / The New Orleans Advocate that Aguilar and his relatives were all part of a large family that traveled down for the Memorial Day weekend to fish and swim.
“On a normal day it’s safe to swim but conditions in the last few days have been conducive to strong undertows and rip currents, with strong southerly winds and two-foot tides,” Landry said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Peter Manfredonia, UConn murder suspect, family urges surrender amid multi-state manhunt

A lawyer for the family of a Connecticut murder suspect pleaded Monday for his surrender as police involved in a multi-state search for the 23-year-old college student circulated a photo of a person matching his description walking along railroad tracks in Pennsylvania .
Peter Manfredonia , a University of Connecticut senior , is suspected of killing Ted DeMers , 62 , and Nicholas Eisele , 23 , before forcing Eisele ’ s girlfriend into her car and fleeing the state with her .
The woman , 23 , was located Sunday at a rest stop near Paterson , New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police said , and was not hurt .
Manfredonia , who is believed to be armed with several guns stolen during a home invasion , was last seen Sunday wearing a white T-shirt , dark shorts and carrying a large duffel bag near train tracks in East Stroudsburg , Pennsylvania .
Paterson is about a 90-minute drive from Derby .
East Stroudsburg is about an hour farther west on Interstate 80 .
A lawyer for Manfredonia ’ s family , Mike Dolan , said the suspect has struggled with mental health issues and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of therapists.
” “ Peter , if you are listening , you are loved , ” Dolan said at a news conference Monday .
“ It is time to let the healing process begin .
It ’ s time to surrender .
You have your parents ’ and your sisters ’ and your family ’ s entire support .
So , Peter , from your parents , we love you , please turn yourself in.
” Manfredonia , a finance and mechanical engineering major from Sandy Hook , is suspected of killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a sword or machete , in Willington on Friday after they found Manfredonia walking along a road and offered him a ride back to his motorcycle .
The second victim , Nicholas Eisele , was found dead at his home Sunday in Derby , which is about 60 miles ( 96 kilometers ) southwest of Willington and just west of New Haven .
Eisele , a 2016 Newtown High School graduate , worked with his father in a landscaping and irrigation business .
State police described him as an acquaintance of Manfredonia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Willington man reported being held against his will by Manfredonia , who then left with food , several guns and the man ’ s truck , which was later found abandoned near Osbornedale State Park , about a mile from Eisele ’ s home .
Eisele ’ s family set up an online fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses and far exceeded the goal of $ 10,000 in just a few hours .
On the page , friends and family shared memories , including his love of his mother ’ s German @ @ @ @ @ @

A lawyer for the family of a Connecticut murder suspect pleaded Monday for his surrender as police involved in a multi-state search for the 23-year-old college student circulated a photo of a person matching his description walking along railroad tracks in Pennsylvania.
Peter Manfredonia, a University of Connecticut senior, is suspected of killing Ted DeMers, 62, and Nicholas Eisele, 23, before forcing Eisele’s girlfriend into her car and fleeing the state with her.
The woman, 23, was located Sunday at a rest stop near Paterson, New Jersey, with her 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, police said, and was not hurt.
Manfredonia, who is believed to be armed with several guns stolen during a home invasion, was last seen Sunday wearing a white T-shirt, dark shorts and carrying a large duffel bag near train tracks in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
Paterson is about a 90-minute drive from Derby. East Stroudsburg is about an hour farther west on Interstate 80.
A lawyer for Manfredonia’s family, Mike Dolan, said the suspect has struggled with mental health issues and has “sought the help of a number of therapists.”
“Peter, if you are listening, you are loved,” Dolan said at a news conference Monday. “It is time to let the healing process begin. It’s time to surrender. You have your parents’ and your sisters’ and your family’s entire support. So, Peter, from your parents, we love you, please turn yourself in.”
Connecticut State Police plan to hold a press conference Tuesday.
Manfredonia, a finance and mechanical engineering major from Sandy Hook, is suspected of killing DeMers and assaulting another man, possibly with a sword or machete, in Willington on Friday after they found Manfredonia walking along a road and offered him a ride back to his motorcycle.
The second victim, Nicholas Eisele, was found dead at his home Sunday in Derby, which is about 60 miles (96 kilometers) southwest of Willington and just west of New Haven. Eisele, a 2016 Newtown High School graduate, worked with his father in a landscaping and irrigation business. State police described him as an acquaintance of Manfredonia’s.
Earlier on Sunday, a Willington man reported being held against his will by Manfredonia, who then left with food, several guns and the man’s truck, which was later found abandoned near Osbornedale State Park, about a mile from Eisele’s home.
Eisele’s family set up an online fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses and far exceeded the goal of $10,000 in just a few hours. On the page, friends and family shared memories, including his love of his mother’s German shepherds, Trooper and Sandy.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Mom charged after she doesn't note missing child for hours

WEST MONROE , La .
( AP ) - A northeast Louisiana woman is jailed on child desertion charges after police say her 2-year-old was found wandering alone .
The West Monroe Police Department says officers were called to a home Saturday morning after someone found the child unsupervised .
KNOE-TV reports officers couldn ’ t find a parent at the time and handed over the child to the state Department of Children and Family Services .
Arrest records show police later received a call from the child ’ s mother , 34-year-old Amber Bonner , who reported the child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called out .
Records state that Bonner told deputies she woke up around 11:00 a.m. and thought the child was still asleep .
They say Bonner stated she did not notice the child was missing until 1:00 p.m. Because Bonner lives outside the city limits , police handed the case off to Ouachita Parish sheriff ’ s deputies .
Bonner was placed under arrest and booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center .
Bail is set at $ 25,000 .
It ’ s unclear if Bonner has a lawyer to speak for her .

WEST MONROE, La. (AP) - A northeast Louisiana woman is jailed on child desertion charges after police say her 2-year-old was found wandering alone.
The West Monroe Police Department says officers were called to a home Saturday morning after someone found the child unsupervised.
KNOE-TV reports officers couldn’t find a parent at the time and handed over the child to the state Department of Children and Family Services.
Arrest records show police later received a call from the child’s mother, 34-year-old Amber Bonner, who reported the child missing four hours after officers were initially called out.
Records state that Bonner told deputies she woke up around 11:00 a.m. and thought the child was still asleep. They say Bonner stated she did not notice the child was missing until 1:00 p.m.
Because Bonner lives outside the city limits, police handed the case off to Ouachita Parish sheriff’s deputies. Bonner was placed under arrest and booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center. Bail is set at $25,000. It’s unclear if Bonner has a lawyer to speak for her.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Stormy weather puts damper on SpaceX's 1st astronaut launch

CAPE CANAVERAL , Fla. ( AP ) - Stormy weather is threatening to delay SpaceX ’ s first astronaut launch .
A SpaceX rocket is scheduled to blast off Wednesday afternoon from Kennedy Space Center , carrying a Dragon capsule with NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station .
It will be the first time astronauts launch from Florida in nine years and a first for a private company .
The manager of NASA ’ s commercial crew program , Kathy Lueders , said everything was progressing well - at least on the ground .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do is figure out how to control the weather , ” she said Monday evening as rain continued to drench the area .
“ We ’ re continuing to be vigilant and careful and make sure we do this right.
” Forecasters put the odds of acceptable launch weather at 40 % .
But that doesn ’ t include the conditions all the way up the U.S. and Canadian coasts and across the sea to Ireland - a complicated mix of measurements unique to the Dragon crew capsule .
The Dragon ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if necessary , all the way to orbit .
If that happens , the capsule will need relatively calm wind and seas in which to splash down .
SpaceX will have at least two recovery ships deployed off Florida , and NASA will have two military cargo planes ready to take off .
Additional planes will be stationed in New York and England to assist with a potential water rescue , according to Lueders .
Hans Koenigsmann , a vice president for SpaceX , said the launch control team will incorporate global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s safe to launch .
“ If the weather gods are working with us , ” he said , liftoff will occur at 4:33 p.m. SpaceX has a split-second launch window .
The good news is that the tropical weather headed toward Cape Canaveral should be gone in a couple days , with conditions also improving up the Eastern Seaboard later in the week .
If SpaceX doesn ’ t launch Wednesday , its next attempt would be Saturday .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - Stormy weather is threatening to delay SpaceX’s first astronaut launch.
A SpaceX rocket is scheduled to blast off Wednesday afternoon from Kennedy Space Center, carrying a Dragon capsule with NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station. It will be the first time astronauts launch from Florida in nine years and a first for a private company.
The manager of NASA’s commercial crew program, Kathy Lueders, said everything was progressing well - at least on the ground.
“Now the only thing we need to do is figure out how to control the weather,” she said Monday evening as rain continued to drench the area. “We’re continuing to be vigilant and careful and make sure we do this right.”
Forecasters put the odds of acceptable launch weather at 40%. But that doesn’t include the conditions all the way up the U.S. and Canadian coasts and across the sea to Ireland - a complicated mix of measurements unique to the Dragon crew capsule.
The Dragon’s emergency escape system can kick in, if necessary, all the way to orbit. If that happens, the capsule will need relatively calm wind and seas in which to splash down.
SpaceX will have at least two recovery ships deployed off Florida, and NASA will have two military cargo planes ready to take off. Additional planes will be stationed in New York and England to assist with a potential water rescue, according to Lueders.
Hans Koenigsmann, a vice president for SpaceX, said the launch control team will incorporate global weather patterns and models to determine whether it’s safe to launch.
“If the weather gods are working with us,” he said, liftoff will occur at 4:33 p.m. SpaceX has a split-second launch window.
The good news is that the tropical weather headed toward Cape Canaveral should be gone in a couple days, with conditions also improving up the Eastern Seaboard later in the week.
If SpaceX doesn’t launch Wednesday, its next attempt would be Saturday.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Council members could ban smoking in bars in Louisiana city

SHREVEPORT , La .
( AP ) - City leaders in northwest Louisiana will consider banning smoking in bars .
KTBS-TV reports the Shreveport City Council is scheduled to consider extending the city ’ s smoking ban to bars , parks and playgrounds on Tuesday .
The move would also ban vaping .
Councilman John Nickelson said he wants to ban smoking because it hurts others .
“ The problem with smoking in public places is that it doesn ’ t just impact the smoker .
It impacts people who are choosing not to smoke , ” Nickelson said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preventable deaths .
The proposal does make exceptions for casinos , as well as cigar and hookah lounges .
Nickelson said he would have liked to include casinos , but said he couldn ’ t win the votes to ban smoking in the large gambling halls .
“ Politics is the art of the possible .
If the decision were mine alone , I would ban smoking in casinos .
I see no reason to have a different rule for casinos , but I don ’ t have the votes to get that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grayson Boucher said he ’ s talked to a number of bar owners who support the measure .
Nickelson noted that New Orleans , Baton Rouge and Lafayette already ban smoking in bars , as do Dallas and Austin in Texas .

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) - City leaders in northwest Louisiana will consider banning smoking in bars.
KTBS-TV reports the Shreveport City Council is scheduled to consider extending the city’s smoking ban to bars, parks and playgrounds on Tuesday. The move would also ban vaping.
Councilman John Nickelson said he wants to ban smoking because it hurts others.
“The problem with smoking in public places is that it doesn’t just impact the smoker. It impacts people who are choosing not to smoke,” Nickelson said, labeling smoking as the cause of most preventable deaths.
The proposal does make exceptions for casinos, as well as cigar and hookah lounges.
Nickelson said he would have liked to include casinos, but said he couldn’t win the votes to ban smoking in the large gambling halls.
“Politics is the art of the possible. If the decision were mine alone, I would ban smoking in casinos. I see no reason to have a different rule for casinos, but I don’t have the votes to get that done,” he said.
Councilman Grayson Boucher said he’s talked to a number of bar owners who support the measure. Nickelson noted that New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette already ban smoking in bars, as do Dallas and Austin in Texas.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Ex-Pirates infielder Kang banned 1 year by Korean league

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - The Korean Baseball Organization has suspended ex-Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang for a year and ordered him to perform 300 hours of community service over a series drunk driving cases .
South Korea ’ s Yonhap news agency reported Monday the suspension for Kang , who last week filed to be reinstated from the league ’ s “ voluntarily retired ” list , will come into effect when he joins a KBO team .
The ban will delay his anticipated return to the Korean league .
Yonhap said the 33-year-old Kang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not attend Monday ’ s KBO disciplinary committee hearing , where he was represented by his lawyer , Kim Sun-woong .
Kang signed with Pittsburgh in January 2015 , becoming the first position player to jump directly from the Korean Baseball Organization to the majors .
He made a splash as a rookie , finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting after hitting 15 home runs .
His season ended abruptly that September when he broke his leg after getting taken out at second base by Chris Coghlan of the Chicago Cubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 home runs before his career went into a tailspin after getting arrested in Seoul in December 2016 on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol .
Yonhap said he had two previous DUI cases .
Kang received a two-year suspended sentence , spent the entire 2017 season on the restricted list after being unable to secure a visa back to the U.S. and played in just three games at the end of the 2018 season .
The Pirates initially cut him before bringing him back on a one-year deal worth $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he hit .169 with 10 home runs and had RBIs in 65 games .
Yonhap said Kang ’ s lawyer submitted a two-page letter to the hearing to apologize for his past DUI charges .
He later issued an apology through his agent , asking for one opportunity to play baseball and saying he ’ d taken the game for granted .
“ I was a fool not to see how precious it was , ” Kang said .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - The Korean Baseball Organization has suspended ex-Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang for a year and ordered him to perform 300 hours of community service over a series drunk driving cases.
League organizers issued a statement saying the suspension will come into effect when Kang signs a contract with a club. The KBO said Kang earlier this month submitted an inquiry about a return to the South Korean baseball league and a letter of apology.
The 33-year-old Kang didn’t attend Monday’s disciplinary committee meeting.
Kang signed with Pittsburgh in January 2015, becoming the first position player to jump directly from the KBO to the majors.
He made a splash as a rookie, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting after hitting 15 home runs. His season ended abruptly that September when he broke his leg after getting taken out at second base by Chris Coghlan of the Chicago Cubs.
Kang returned in 2016 and hit 21 home runs before his career went into a tailspin after getting arrested in Seoul in December 2016 on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol. Kang had two previous DUI cases in 2009 and 2011, according to the KBO.
Kang received a two-year suspended sentence, spent the entire 2017 season on the restricted list after being unable to secure a visa back to the U.S. and played in just three games at the end of the 2018 season. The Pirates initially cut him before bringing him back on a one-year deal worth $3 million for the 2019 season, when he hit .169 with 10 home runs and had RBIs in 65 games.
The KBO said that the latest disciplinary sanction was imposed because Kang undermined the KBO’s image, disappointed fans and caused public concern.
Yonhap news agency said Kang issued an apology through his agent, asking for one more opportunity to play baseball and saying he’d taken the game for granted.
“I was a fool not to see how precious it was,” Kang said in the statement.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Firefighter arrested for sexual assault, placed on leave

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - A Jackson firefighter has been placed on administrative leave after being accused @ @ @ @ @ Simmons was arrested by Byram police Saturday on charges of statutory rape and sexual battery @ @ @ @ @ G. Owens tells local news outlets that Simmons was immediately placed on leave from the @ @ @ @ @ of an internal affairs investigation .
Simmons remains jailed Sunday , according to Hinds County @ @ @ @ @ s unclear if he has a lawyer to speak for him .
The Byram Police @ @ @ @ @ to calls seeking information about Simmons ’ arrest .

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A Jackson firefighter has been placed on administrative leave after being accused of sexual assault.
Audric Simmons was arrested by Byram police Saturday on charges of statutory rape and sexual battery.
Jackson Fire Chief Willie G. Owens tells local news outlets that Simmons was immediately placed on leave from the fire department pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation.
Simmons remains jailed Sunday, according to Hinds County jail records. It’s unclear if he has a lawyer to speak for him.
The Byram Police Department hasn’t responded to calls seeking information about Simmons’ arrest.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Police look for clues as man found shot dead in vacant house

MERIDIAN , Miss .
( AP ) - Police in a Mississippi city are investigating after they found a dead @ @ @ @ @ .
Interim Meridian Police Chief Charles Coleman tells The Meridian Star that the body of @ @ @ @ @ found around 10 a.m. Monday .
The victim , who was shot in the chest @ @ @ @ @ .
Police have not identified a suspect or motive in the case , Coleman said @ @ @ @ @ Cobler said the man , who was between 16 and 25 years old , could @ @ @ @ @ 10 p.m. on Sunday .
The body is expected to be taken to the state @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday for an autopsy .

MERIDIAN, Miss. (AP) - Police in a Mississippi city are investigating after they found a dead man inside an abandoned house.
Interim Meridian Police Chief Charles Coleman tells The Meridian Star that the body of an African American man was found around 10 a.m. Monday.
The victim, who was shot in the chest, has not been identified.
Police have not identified a suspect or motive in the case, Coleman said.
Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler said the man, who was between 16 and 25 years old, could have been been killed around 10 p.m. on Sunday.
The body is expected to be taken to the state crime lab in Pearl on Tuesday for an autopsy.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--1 man dies and 4 others wounded in shootings at Jackson home

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - Jackson police are investigating multiple shootings at a house that left one @ @ @ @ @ injured .
The shootings were reported Sunday by local news outlets .
Robert Earl Brown @ @ @ @ @ multiple times and taken to a local hospital by private vehicle .
He later died @ @ @ @ @ to Jackson Police spokesman Sam Brown .
Kaswello Williams , who is suspected of shooting @ @ @ @ @ several times and taken to a hospital nearby .
He is currently listed in critical @ @ @ @ @ were shot but are expected to recover .

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Jackson police are investigating multiple shootings at a house that left one man dead and several others injured.
The shootings were reported Sunday by local news outlets.
Robert Earl Brown, 37, was shot multiple times and taken to a local hospital by private vehicle. He later died from his injuries, according to Jackson Police spokesman Sam Brown.
Kaswello Williams, who is suspected of shooting Brown, was also shot several times and taken to a hospital nearby. He is currently listed in critical condition.
Three other men were shot but are expected to recover.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--WHO halts hydroxychloroquine trial over safety fears

LONDON – The World Health Organization said that it will temporarily drop hydroxychloroquine – the malaria drug U.S. President Trump @ @ @ @ @ from its global study into experimental COVID-19 treatments , saying that its experts need to @ @ @ @ @ date .
In a news briefing on Monday , WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said @ @ @ @ @ paper published last week in the Lancet , that showed people taking hydroxychloroquine were at @ @ @ @ @ heart problems than those that were not , there would be “ a temporary pause @ @ @ @ @ of its global clinical trial .
“ This concern relates to the use of hydroxychloroquine @ @ @ @ @ ” Tedros said , adding that the drugs are accepted treatments for people with malaria @ @ @ @ @ treatments in the study , including the experimental drug remdesivir and an HIV combination therapy @ @ @ @ @ .

LONDON — The World Health Organization said that it will temporarily drop hydroxychloroquine — the malaria drug U.S. President Trump said he is taking — from its global study into experimental COVID-19 treatments, saying that its experts need to review all available evidence to date.
In a news briefing on Monday, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that in light of a paper published last week in the Lancet, that showed people taking hydroxychloroquine were at higher risk of death and heart problems than those that were not, there would be “a temporary pause” on the hydroxychloroquine arm of its global clinical trial.
“This concern relates to the use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in COVID-19,” Tedros said, adding that the drugs are accepted treatments for people with malaria or auto-immune diseases.
Other treatments in the study, including the experimental drug remdesivir and an HIV combination therapy, are still being pursued.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--William Small, 'hero to journalism' at CBS, NBC, dies at 93

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Longtime broadcast news executive William J .
Small , who led CBS News ’ Washington coverage during the civil rights movement , Vietnam War and Watergate and was later president of NBC News and United Press International , died Sunday , CBS News said .
He was 93 .
Small , whose career spanned from overseeing the news operation at a small radio station to testifying in Congress about press freedom , died in a New York hospital after a brief illness unrelated to the coronavirus , the network said .
During a six-decade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some cases hired generations of some of the best-known reporters and anchors in television news , among them : Dan Rather , Eric Sevareid , Daniel Schorr , Connie Chung , Diane Sawyer , “ 60 Minutes ” correspondents Ed Bradley and Lesley Stahl and “ Face the Nation ” anchor Bob Schieffer .
“ He was heroic and steadfast , especially during Watergate , when it seemed we were getting angry calls from the White House every night , ” Stahl said in a statement .
“ He made us want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disappoint him.
” Small hired the current CBS News president , Susan Zirinsky , to her first job at the network when she was 20 .
She remembered Small as a “ hero to journalism ” and said , “ every one of us carries Bill Small ’ s legacy with us - it ’ s the core to who we are as journalists.
” Small , born in 1926 in Chicago , broke into broadcasting after fighting in the Army in World War II , including stints as news director at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Less than a year after he arrived , the Kentucky station was honored in 1957 as the nation ’ s top news operation by the organization that is now known as the Radio Television Digital News Association .
Impressed by Small ’ s work in Louisville , CBS executives hired him in 1962 to be assistant news director of the network ’ s Washington bureau .
He was promoted to bureau director within a year and “ put together a TV News bureau the likes of which Washington had never known , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2009 book , “ The Place to Be : Washington , CBS , and the Glory Days of Television News.
” Early in his tenure , Small presided over the network ’ s coverage of the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy , scrambling cameras to the White House and Capitol Hill and turning a station wagon into a makeshift broadcast truck so they could get live pictures from Vice President Lyndon Johnson ’ s home .
Small didn ’ t leave the bureau for four days , “ from the shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press in 2013 .
“ When I finally got home , I asked my wife , ` What was it like ?
′ She said , ` There was no one on the streets .
Everyone was watching television.
’ ” Kennedy ’ s assassination marked a seminal moment for television , then still in its nascence , as a source of news and solace - from CBS anchor Walter Cronkite ’ s tearful announcement of the president ’ s death to live , wall-to-wall coverage of the funeral procession to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others on Small ’ s watch , including clashes over civil rights legislation , bitter divides over the Vietnam War and the 1972 Watergate break-in that prompted myriad legal and journalistic inquiries into President Richard Nixon ’ s involvement and ultimately led to his resignation .
“ Backed by the mystique of Murrow ’ s CBS and his own uncanny judge of talent , Small helped attract a stream of reporters , analysts and producers whose learning , talent , skill and experience were without precedent in news broadcasting , ” Mudd wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of journalistic horseflesh.
” Small remained in charge of the Washington bureau until 1974 , when CBS moved him to a senior position at its New York headquarters .
The promotion put him next in line to become president of CBS News , but after he testified before Congress in 1978 urging strong limits on police entering newsrooms , the network instead assigned him to be its chief lobbyist in Washington .
Small defected to NBC in 1979 , becoming president of the network ’ s news division and hiring away several CBS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 1982 , he became president of the UPI wire service .
Small and his late wife , Gish , had two daughters and six grandchildren .
He is the author of two books on the role of the media in politics and society , taught communications and media management at Fordham University and was on the sociology faculty at the University of Louisville .
Small spent the last decade of his career as chairman of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences , which hands out Emmy Awards for television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2014 , the organization honored Small with its lifetime achievement award .
In its presentation , it recognizing him as a television news icon whose work in Washington was “ paramount in the dramatic evolution of network news that continues today .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - Longtime broadcast news executive William J. Small, who led CBS News’ Washington coverage during the civil rights movement, Vietnam War and Watergate and was later president of NBC News and United Press International, died Sunday, CBS News said. He was 93.
Small, whose career spanned from overseeing the news operation at a small radio station to testifying in Congress about press freedom, died in a New York hospital after a brief illness unrelated to the coronavirus, the network said.
During a six-decade career, Small supervised, guided and in some cases hired generations of some of the best-known reporters and anchors in television news, among them: Dan Rather, Eric Sevareid, Daniel Schorr, Connie Chung, Diane Sawyer, “60 Minutes” correspondents Ed Bradley and Lesley Stahl and “Face the Nation” anchor Bob Schieffer.
“He was heroic and steadfast, especially during Watergate, when it seemed we were getting angry calls from the White House every night,” Stahl said in a statement. “He made us want to be better - and nobody wanted to disappoint him.”
Small hired the current CBS News president, Susan Zirinsky, to her first job at the network when she was 20. She remembered Small as a “hero to journalism” and said, “every one of us carries Bill Small’s legacy with us - it’s the core to who we are as journalists.”
Small, born in 1926 in Chicago, broke into broadcasting after fighting in the Army in World War II, including stints as news director at WLS-AM in Chicago and WHAS-TV in Louisville. Less than a year after he arrived, the Kentucky station was honored in 1957 as the nation’s top news operation by the organization that is now known as the Radio Television Digital News Association.
Impressed by Small’s work in Louisville, CBS executives hired him in 1962 to be assistant news director of the network’s Washington bureau. He was promoted to bureau director within a year and “put together a TV News bureau the likes of which Washington had never known,” reporter Roger Mudd wrote in his 2009 book, “The Place to Be: Washington, CBS, and the Glory Days of Television News.”
Early in his tenure, Small presided over the network’s coverage of the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, scrambling cameras to the White House and Capitol Hill and turning a station wagon into a makeshift broadcast truck so they could get live pictures from Vice President Lyndon Johnson’s home.
Small didn’t leave the bureau for four days, “from the shooting to the burial,” he told The Associated Press in 2013. “When I finally got home, I asked my wife, `What was it like?′ She said, `There was no one on the streets. Everyone was watching television.’”
Kennedy’s assassination marked a seminal moment for television, then still in its nascence, as a source of news and solace - from CBS anchor Walter Cronkite’s tearful announcement of the president’s death to live, wall-to-wall coverage of the funeral procession to Arlington National Cemetery.
There would be others on Small’s watch, including clashes over civil rights legislation, bitter divides over the Vietnam War and the 1972 Watergate break-in that prompted myriad legal and journalistic inquiries into President Richard Nixon’s involvement and ultimately led to his resignation.
“Backed by the mystique of Murrow’s CBS and his own uncanny judge of talent, Small helped attract a stream of reporters, analysts and producers whose learning, talent, skill and experience were without precedent in news broadcasting,” Mudd wrote, calling him a “sophisticated judge of journalistic horseflesh.”
Small remained in charge of the Washington bureau until 1974, when CBS moved him to a senior position at its New York headquarters.
The promotion put him next in line to become president of CBS News, but after he testified before Congress in 1978 urging strong limits on police entering newsrooms, the network instead assigned him to be its chief lobbyist in Washington.
Small defected to NBC in 1979, becoming president of the network’s news division and hiring away several CBS reporters, including Mudd and Marvin Kalb. In 1982, he became president of the UPI wire service.
Small and his late wife, Gish, had two daughters and six grandchildren. He is the author of two books on the role of the media in politics and society, taught communications and media management at Fordham University and was on the sociology faculty at the University of Louisville.
Small spent the last decade of his career as chairman of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which hands out Emmy Awards for television news and documentaries, retiring in 2010.
In 2014, the organization honored Small with its lifetime achievement award. In its presentation, it recognizing him as a television news icon whose work in Washington was “paramount in the dramatic evolution of network news that continues today.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Some visit Mississippi attractions as COVID-19 rules ease

BILOXI , Miss .
( AP ) - With water parks and amusement parks reopen in Mississippi , visitors at one Gulf Coast attraction said they believed they were safe from coronavirus infection .
Margaritaville , which includes an elaborate indoor arcade and rooftop pool , began greeting visitors in Biloxi on Thursday .
Other water parks and amusement parks statewide were allowed to reopen Monday , as long as they operated at half capacity of less and met additional requirements for sanitizing and social distancing .
“ It ’ s been a great experience so far .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a place welcome us , ” Amber Yochim , a visitor from Louisiana , told WLOX-TV .
“ All the staff are wearing masks .
There ’ s been social distancing in line at the slide and the staff has been great at serving us and getting our food and drinks.
” The Mississippi State Department of Health on Monday reported 206 new confirmed cases and 10 new deaths .
That brings the state ’ s total cases to nearly 13,500 and total reported deaths to 635 .
The state reports that 1,706 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing homes , assisted living centers and other long-term care facilities .
A Jackson firefighter was among those who tested positive .
He and two fellow firefighters were sent home on quarantine .
In Biloxi , Margaritaville general manager Joe Farruggio said indoor attractions were rearranged .
Employees are wearing gloves and masks .
“ We ’ ve actually redid the whole floor and we spaced it out quite a bit , ” Farruggio said .
“ That ’ s the first thing we did .
We have social distancing signs probably every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet , just letting them know.
” Louisiana resident Kristoffer Arrington said he and his friends wanted to go somewhere they knew the pandemic would be taken seriously .
“ Louisiana itself , especially New Orleans , is really a hotbed for corona , so we really wanted to get away .
I know it ’ s a lot of people here still , but just out of that state just because I know how bad it is there , ” Arrington said .
Up on the pool deck , even pool floats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
Some places held reduced ceremonies to honor the war dead on Memorial Day .
In Tupelo , dozens gathered at Veterans Park , where chairs were spread out and masks distributed , while others watched online “ Life has to go on , ” Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton told the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal .
“ We have to continue to have events such as the Memorial Day ceremony that are a huge part of who we are as a nation , so we tried our best to balance the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go forth with the annual Memorial Day ceremony.
” Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

BILOXI, Miss. (AP) - With water parks and amusement parks reopen in Mississippi, visitors at one Gulf Coast attraction said they believed they were safe from coronavirus infection.
Margaritaville, which includes an elaborate indoor arcade and rooftop pool, began greeting visitors in Biloxi on Thursday. Other water parks and amusement parks statewide were allowed to reopen Monday, as long as they operated at half capacity of less and met additional requirements for sanitizing and social distancing.
“It’s been a great experience so far. We are just glad to be out and have a place welcome us,” Amber Yochim, a visitor from Louisiana, told WLOX-TV. “All the staff are wearing masks. There’s been social distancing in line at the slide and the staff has been great at serving us and getting our food and drinks.”
The Mississippi State Department of Health on Monday reported 206 new confirmed cases and 10 new deaths. That brings the state’s total cases to nearly 13,500 and total reported deaths to 635. The state reports that 1,706 cases and 322 deaths have occurred in nursing homes, assisted living centers and other long-term care facilities.
A Jackson firefighter was among those who tested positive. He and two fellow firefighters were sent home on quarantine.
In Biloxi, Margaritaville general manager Joe Farruggio said indoor attractions were rearranged. Employees are wearing gloves and masks.
“We’ve actually redid the whole floor and we spaced it out quite a bit,” Farruggio said. “That’s the first thing we did. We have social distancing signs probably every 6 feet - they should be 6 feet, just letting them know.”
Louisiana resident Kristoffer Arrington said he and his friends wanted to go somewhere they knew the pandemic would be taken seriously.
“Louisiana itself, especially New Orleans, is really a hotbed for corona, so we really wanted to get away. I know it’s a lot of people here still, but just out of that state just because I know how bad it is there,” Arrington said.
Up on the pool deck, even pool floats were sanitized each time someone finished with them.
Some places held reduced ceremonies to honor the war dead on Memorial Day.
In Tupelo, dozens gathered at Veterans Park, where chairs were spread out and masks distributed, while others watched online
“Life has to go on,” Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton told the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. “We have to continue to have events such as the Memorial Day ceremony that are a huge part of who we are as a nation, so we tried our best to balance the need for safety precautions with the desire to go forth with the annual Memorial Day ceremony.”
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Officer on leave after video shows him grabbing man by neck

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - A police officer in Mississippi ’ s capital city is on leave after a video shows the officer holding a man by the neck .
Jackson Police James Davis tells the Clarion Ledger that department ’ s internal affairs division is investigating and trying to find out everything that happened .
“ They were in a struggle , a scuffle , ” Davis said .
In the video , the unnamed officer appears to grab a young man by the throat as a nearby bystander pleads with the officer that the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then tries to loosen the officer ’ s grip on the man .
“ He ’ s not breathing .
He ’ s not breathing , ” she says .
“ Ma ’ am .
You see my hands ?
I ’ m not even choking him , ” the officer replies as he presses the man against a car .
The nature of the confrontation remains unclear .
The officer repeatedly tells the young man that he asked him to leave .
“ I asked you to leave .
What did you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The officer repeatedly yells into the young man ’ s face , daring him to resist , saying , “ Make me .
Make me .
I said make me.
” No arrests were made , although a report was written , Davis said .
The department didn ’ t immediately release a copy .
The chief said the Hinds County jail is not admitting prisoners on misdemeanor charges because of the coronavirus pandemic .
It ’ s unclear what charges the young man faces .
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba released a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This administration is clear that we are trying to build an approach to public safety that is about trust , collaboration , and integrity , ” Lumumba said .
“ Any Actions that do not reflect those principles have no place in the city of Jackson .
”

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A police officer in Mississippi’s capital city is on leave after a video shows the officer holding a man by the neck.
Jackson Police James Davis tells the Clarion Ledger that department’s internal affairs division is investigating and trying to find out everything that happened.
“They were in a struggle, a scuffle,” Davis said.
In the video, the unnamed officer appears to grab a young man by the throat as a nearby bystander pleads with the officer that the man can’t breathe. The bystander then tries to loosen the officer’s grip on the man.
“He’s not breathing. He’s not breathing,” she says.
“Ma’am. You see my hands? I’m not even choking him,” the officer replies as he presses the man against a car.
The nature of the confrontation remains unclear. The officer repeatedly tells the young man that he asked him to leave.
“I asked you to leave. What did you do?” the officer asks.
The officer repeatedly yells into the young man’s face, daring him to resist, saying, “Make me. Make me. I said make me.”
No arrests were made, although a report was written, Davis said. The department didn’t immediately release a copy.
The chief said the Hinds County jail is not admitting prisoners on misdemeanor charges because of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s unclear what charges the young man faces.
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba released a statement saying he was aware of the video.
“This administration is clear that we are trying to build an approach to public safety that is about trust, collaboration, and integrity,” Lumumba said. “Any Actions that do not reflect those principles have no place in the city of Jackson.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Inside the Beltway: Biden has 'reelected' Trump

Democratic presidential hopeful Joseph R. Biden ’ s “ you ain ’ t black ” remark to black voters who would consider voting for President Trump — uttered four days ago in an interview with nationally syndicated radio host Charlamagne tha God — is still rattling the political landscape and prompting some to suggest Mr. Trump could benefit , despite Mr. Biden later apology .
“ Biden reelected Trump last Friday .
The former vice president ’ s patronizing remark was no jest and it was fatal to his campaign , ” writes David Catron , a columnist for The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina Republican , tweeted : “ 1.3 million black Americans already voted for Trump in 2016 .
Joe Biden told every single one of us we ‘ ain ’ t black.
’ I ’ d say I ’ m surprised , but it ’ s sadly par for the course for Democrats to take the black community for granted and brow beat those that don ’ t agree.
” Mr. Trump ’ s reelection campaign also points out that its outreach group Black Voices for Trump has staged an online forum to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The history books will reflect President Trump ’ s unprecedented contributions to the black community by uplifting black families and creating job opportunities across the country , ” observed T.W .
Shannon , an Trump campaign adviser and CEO of Oklahoma-based Chickasaw Community Bank .
“ As the first black speaker of the House in Oklahoma , I refuse to let Beijing Biden relentlessly use his liberal privilege to tell me who I am , or who I should be and get away with it , ” said Mr. Shannon .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American voters who think independently and wants to control our community like the Democrats have been doing for decades , ” he said .
Fellow campaign adviser Ken Blackwell , former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission , said “ the choice in this election could not be clearer .
While President Trump has created opportunity and prosperity within the black community , Joe Biden promotes and defends the status quo of poverty and marginalization.
” Katrina Pierson , a senior adviser to the Trump campaign , also had an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s incessant record of racism has never been vetted by the mainstream media conglomerates , we will no longer let white liberal elitists or the fake news media define what it means to be black in this country , ” Ms. Pierson said .
The media is quick to squawk about any poll which suggests the aforementioned Joe Biden will win the election .
Here ’ s a promising survey for President Trump , however .
A new Economist/YouGov poll conducted May 17-19 finds that 44 % of Americans predict a Trump victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden win .
Consult the Poll du Jour at column ’ s end for the partisan breakdown , and also what men and women have to say .
The nation ’ s college and university students are not standing by silently when it comes to the quality of their education .
Harvard University has now been hit with in a class-action lawsuit with a demand for a jury trial , filed by students upset with the school ’ s failure to refund the cost of tuition and mandatory fees after classes were forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
The campus is not the only one in this situation .
“ This makes Harvard at least the fourth Ivy League school to be targeted for failing to reimburse educational costs , following Brown , Columbia , and Cornell .
The school is facing a $ 5 million federal class-action lawsuit .
Students chose to pursue legal action as a result of not having received the benefit of in-person instruction or equivalent access to university facilities and services , ” writes Maria Copeland , an analyst for Campus Reform .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Harvard students are subpar in practically every aspect and a shadow of what they once were , including the lack of facilities , materials , and access to faculty , ” their lawsuit reads .
“ Students have been deprived of the opportunity for collaborative learning and in-person dialogue , feedback , and critique.
” The undergraduate tuition at Harvard , by the way , is approximately $ 23,865 per semester , according to the lawsuit .
At Harvard Business School it ’ s $ 36,720 for the semester ; at Harvard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawmakers will have another item on their laundry list of demands when they return to work on Tuesday .
A trio of progressive organizations plan to demand an increase in “ election assistance funding ” for mail-in or early in-person voting .
Stand Up America , Let America Vote/End Citizens United and Indivisible — will formally demand Tuesday that election assistance funding be a non-negotiable part of the next COVID-19 relief bill .
“ The three grassroots organizations — among the largest progressive advocacy groups in the country focused on democracy reform — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats ’ allocation of an additional $ 3.6 billion in election assistance in the HEROES Act .
A total of $ 4 billion in funding would provide all states the resources needed to implement vote-by-mail , guarantee no-excuse absentee ballots , provide safe in-person voting , extend early voting , and ensure online voter registration , ” the organizers said in a statement .
They are not alone , and the issue does not appear to be going away at any time soon .
The three groups were among 50 voting-rights groups that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urging them to include election assistance funding for states .
• 44 % of U.S. adults say President Trump will win reelection ; 88 % of Republicans , 40 % of independents and 14 % of Democrats agree .
• 40 % of women and 48 % of men also agree .
• 32 % overall say Joseph R. Biden will win the 2020 election ; 4 % of Republicans , 21 % of independents and 66 % of Democrats agree .
• 33 % of women and 30 % of men also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure who will win ; 8 % of Republicans , 39 % of independents and 20 % of Democrats agree .
• 27 % of women and 22 % of men also agree .
Source : An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,497 U.S. adults conducted May 17-19 .

NEWS AND OPINION:
Democratic presidential hopeful Joseph R. Biden‘s “you ain’t black” remark to black voters who would consider voting for President Trump — uttered four days ago in an interview with nationally syndicated radio host Charlamagne tha God — is still rattling the political landscape and prompting some to suggest Mr. Trump could benefit, despite Mr. Biden later apology.
“Biden reelected Trump last Friday. The former vice president’s patronizing remark was no jest and it was fatal to his campaign,” writes David Catron, a columnist for The American Spectator.
Sen. Tim Scott, South Carolina Republican, tweeted: “1.3 million black Americans already voted for Trump in 2016. Joe Biden told every single one of us we ‘ain’t black.’ I’d say I’m surprised, but it’s sadly par for the course for Democrats to take the black community for granted and brow beat those that don’t agree.”
Mr. Trump’s reelection campaign also points out that its outreach group Black Voices for Trump has staged an online forum to address Mr. Biden’s comment.
“The history books will reflect President Trump’s unprecedented contributions to the black community by uplifting black families and creating job opportunities across the country,” observed T.W. Shannon, an Trump campaign adviser and CEO of Oklahoma-based Chickasaw Community Bank.
“As the first black speaker of the House in Oklahoma, I refuse to let Beijing Biden relentlessly use his liberal privilege to tell me who I am, or who I should be and get away with it,” said Mr. Shannon.
“Joe Biden has no respect for African American voters who think independently and wants to control our community like the Democrats have been doing for decades,” he said.
Fellow campaign adviser Ken Blackwell, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission, said “the choice in this election could not be clearer. While President Trump has created opportunity and prosperity within the black community, Joe Biden promotes and defends the status quo of poverty and marginalization.”
Katrina Pierson, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, also had an observation.
“While Joe Biden’s incessant record of racism has never been vetted by the mainstream media conglomerates, we will no longer let white liberal elitists or the fake news media define what it means to be black in this country,” Ms. Pierson said.
A SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT STAT
The media is quick to squawk about any poll which suggests the aforementioned Joe Biden will win the election. Here’s a promising survey for President Trump, however.
A new Economist/YouGov poll conducted May 17-19 finds that 44% of Americans predict a Trump victory, compared to 32% expecting a Biden win. Consult the Poll du Jour at column’s end for the partisan breakdown, and also what men and women have to say.
THE IVY COVERED HALLS
The nation’s college and university students are not standing by silently when it comes to the quality of their education.
Harvard University has now been hit with in a class-action lawsuit with a demand for a jury trial, filed by students upset with the school’s failure to refund the cost of tuition and mandatory fees after classes were forced online on March 23 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The campus is not the only one in this situation.
“This makes Harvard at least the fourth Ivy League school to be targeted for failing to reimburse educational costs, following Brown, Columbia, and Cornell. The school is facing a $5 million federal class-action lawsuit. Students chose to pursue legal action as a result of not having received the benefit of in-person instruction or equivalent access to university facilities and services,” writes Maria Copeland, an analyst for Campus Reform.
“The online learning options being offered to Harvard students are subpar in practically every aspect and a shadow of what they once were, including the lack of facilities, materials, and access to faculty,” their lawsuit reads. “Students have been deprived of the opportunity for collaborative learning and in-person dialogue, feedback, and critique.”
The undergraduate tuition at Harvard, by the way, is approximately $23,865 per semester, according to the lawsuit. At Harvard Business School it’s $36,720 for the semester; at Harvard Law School it is $32,937.
WHAT’S ANOTHER $4 BILLION?
Lawmakers will have another item on their laundry list of demands when they return to work on Tuesday. A trio of progressive organizations plan to demand an increase in “election assistance funding” for mail-in or early in-person voting.
Stand Up America, Let America Vote/End Citizens United and Indivisible — will formally demand Tuesday that election assistance funding be a non-negotiable part of the next COVID-19 relief bill.
“The three grassroots organizations — among the largest progressive advocacy groups in the country focused on democracy reform — will demand that the Senate meet House Democrats’ allocation of an additional $3.6 billion in election assistance in the HEROES Act. A total of $4 billion in funding would provide all states the resources needed to implement vote-by-mail, guarantee no-excuse absentee ballots, provide safe in-person voting, extend early voting, and ensure online voter registration,” the organizers said in a statement.
They are not alone, and the issue does not appear to be going away at any time soon. The three groups were among 50 voting-rights groups that previously sent a letter to congressional leadership urging them to include election assistance funding for states.
POLL DU JOUR
• 44% of U.S. adults say President Trump will win reelection; 88% of Republicans, 40% of independents and 14% of Democrats agree.
• 40% of women and 48% of men also agree.
• 32% overall say Joseph R. Biden will win the 2020 election; 4% of Republicans, 21% of independents and 66% of Democrats agree.
• 33% of women and 30% of men also agree.
• 25% are not sure who will win; 8% of Republicans, 39% of independents and 20% of Democrats agree.
• 27% of women and 22% of men also agree.
Source: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,497 U.S. adults conducted May 17-19.
• Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Man killed in standoff with deputies in northwest Montana

MISSOULA , Mont .
( AP ) - Montana authorities say a man was killed following an exchange of gunfire @ @ @ @ @ the northwest part of the state .
The Flathead County sheriff ’ s office said @ @ @ @ @ to a report of a disturbance involving a weapon at a residence in the community @ @ @ @ @ shot at when they arrived .
A standoff ensued , and after several hours someone @ @ @ @ @ at officers , Sheriff Brian Heino said .
The officers returned fire and a man @ @ @ @ @ .
The deceased was not identified .
Three officers involved in the shooting were placed @ @ @ @ @ investigation .
An inquest by a citizen jury led by a county coroner is required @ @ @ @ @ is killed by law enforcement or dies in custody .

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - Montana authorities say a man was killed following an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement officers in the northwest part of the state.
The Flathead County sheriff’s office said deputies on Sunday night responded to a report of a disturbance involving a weapon at a residence in the community of Kila. They were shot at when they arrived.
A standoff ensued, and after several hours someone inside the house again shot at officers, Sheriff Brian Heino said. The officers returned fire and a man inside the house was killed.
The deceased was not identified.
Three officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
An inquest by a citizen jury led by a county coroner is required under Montana law whenever someone is killed by law enforcement or dies in custody.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Ilhan Omar believes Tara Reade, will vote for Joe Biden

Rep. Ilhan Omar became the most prominent Democrat to say she believes Tara Reade ’ s sex-assault accusations against presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden .
The Minnesota Democrat made the remarks in an interview with The Sunday Times , but on Monday said on Twitter that she plans to vote for Mr. Biden anyway — contrary to his own advice .
“ I do believe Reade , ” Ms. Omar told the British broadsheet .
“ Justice can be delayed but should never be denied.
” She added that if it were up to her , a supporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden wouldn ’ t be the nominee .
Faced with social-media backlash , she backtracked on that some the day after publication .
“ Believing survivors is consistent with my values .
Yes , I endorsed against Biden and I didn ’ t pick him as our nominee .
With that said , in this interview I did on May 6th , we talked about that and quotes aren ’ t always in context .
I will vote for him and help him defeat Trump , ” she wrote .
That isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , instead flatly denying the accusation .
“ If they believe Tara Reade , they probably shouldn ’ t vote for me , ” he said on MSNBC .
“ I wouldn ’ t vote for me if I believed Tara Reade.
” Most high-profile Democratic women — for example , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Elizabeth Warren — have flatly said they believe Mr. Biden ’ s denials over Ms. Reade ’ s accusation , even when their statements during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings are brought to their attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke obliquely about context , she did not elaborate on what the Sunday Times might ’ ve misconstrued .
Her campaign spokesman confirmed to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune on Monday that the statements attributed to her were accurate .
The Minnesota paper also reported that Ms. Omar ’ s challenger in the Aug. 11 Democratic primary had criticized her for believing Ms. Reade , accusing the Somali-born Muslim of promoting right-wing smears .
“ Ilhan Omar ’ s insistence on propping up a serious allegation without evidence against our presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antone Melton-Meaux said in a statement Monday .
He said that “ casually promoting right wing attacks to smear Vice President Biden because he ’ s not your preferred kind of Democrat shows that Rep. Omar does not take seriously the stakes of this election .
”

Rep. Ilhan Omar became the most prominent Democrat to say she believes Tara Reade’s sex-assault accusations against presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden.
The Minnesota Democrat made the remarks in an interview with The Sunday Times, but on Monday said on Twitter that she plans to vote for Mr. Biden anyway — contrary to his own advice.
“I do believe Reade,” Ms. Omar told the British broadsheet. “Justice can be delayed but should never be denied.”
She added that if it were up to her, a supporter of socialist Sen. Bernard Sanders, Mr. Biden wouldn’t be the nominee.
Faced with social-media backlash, she backtracked on that some the day after publication.
“Believing survivors is consistent with my values. Yes, I endorsed against Biden, and I didn’t pick him as our nominee. With that said, in this interview I did on May 6th, we talked about that and quotes aren’t always in context. I will vote for him and help him defeat Trump,” she wrote.
SEE ALSO: Ilhan Omar: ‘Not my place to litigate’ Tara Reade’s story
That isn’t the standard Mr. Biden has sought, though, instead flatly denying the accusation.
“If they believe Tara Reade, they probably shouldn’t vote for me,” he said on MSNBC. “I wouldn’t vote for me if I believed Tara Reade.”
Most high-profile Democratic women — for example, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Elizabeth Warren — have flatly said they believe Mr. Biden’s denials over Ms. Reade’s accusation, even when their statements during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings are brought to their attention.
While Ms. Omar’s tweet spoke obliquely about context, she did not elaborate on what the Sunday Times might’ve misconstrued.
Her campaign spokesman confirmed to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune on Monday that the statements attributed to her were accurate.
The Minnesota paper also reported that Ms. Omar’s challenger in the Aug. 11 Democratic primary had criticized her for believing Ms. Reade, accusing the Somali-born Muslim of promoting right-wing smears.
“Ilhan Omar’s insistence on propping up a serious allegation without evidence against our presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is not only wrongheaded but dangerous,” Antone Melton-Meaux said in a statement Monday.
He said that “casually promoting right wing attacks to smear Vice President Biden because he’s not your preferred kind of Democrat shows that Rep. Omar does not take seriously the stakes of this election.”
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Sparse crowd gathers at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery

A sparse crowd compared with previous Memorial Days gathered at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery near Mandan on Monday .
The North Dakota National Guard livestreamed the ceremony so a crowd wouldn ’ t gather as the state continues to battle the spread of the coronavirus .
Many people paid their respects and left .
But canceling the ceremony entirely was “ absolutely not ” an option , cemetery director Pamela Helbling-Schafer said .
About 3,000 people watched online , the Bismarck Tribune reported , close to the number that usually attend in person .
About 50 of those viewers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Danielson , 45 , never considered changing his plans .
He rode his Harley-Davidson from Minot to visit the grave of his father , Gary Danielson , a Vietnam-era veteran .
It ’ s a trip he ’ s made annually since 2011 , and one he said he would have made “ come hell or high water.
” The ceremony opened with a flyover by two North Dakota National Guard Black Hawk helicopters .
Those in attendance paused and listened from a distance to remarks from Gov .
Doug Burgum and U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The keynote speaker , retired Maj. Arnie Strebe , of Bismarck , said the bittersweet part of Memorial Day is “ when you remember someone , you remember them as they were .
”

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) -
A sparse crowd compared with previous Memorial Days gathered at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery near Mandan on Monday.
The North Dakota National Guard livestreamed the ceremony so a crowd wouldn’t gather as the state continues to battle the spread of the coronavirus. Many people paid their respects and left. But canceling the ceremony entirely was “absolutely not” an option, cemetery director Pamela Helbling-Schafer said.
About 3,000 people watched online, the Bismarck Tribune reported, close to the number that usually attend in person. About 50 of those viewers were overseas, Helbling-Schafer said.
Spencer Danielson, 45, never considered changing his plans. He rode his Harley-Davidson from Minot to visit the grave of his father, Gary Danielson, a Vietnam-era veteran. It’s a trip he’s made annually since 2011, and one he said he would have made “come hell or high water.”
The ceremony opened with a flyover by two North Dakota National Guard Black Hawk helicopters. Those in attendance paused and listened from a distance to remarks from Gov. Doug Burgum and U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer.
The keynote speaker, retired Maj. Arnie Strebe, of Bismarck, said the bittersweet part of Memorial Day is “when you remember someone, you remember them as they were.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-25--Alabama unemployment system glitches cause claims issue

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - Some Alabama residents spent the holiday weekend struggling to claim their weekly unemployment benefits .
The Alabama Department of Labor told local news outlets that about 53,000 people were blocked from filing the required weekly report telling state government that they still don ’ t have a job .
Only then will another week ’ s worth of unemployment benefits will be issued .
The department said Monday that it had resolved the problems as the number of confirmed COVID-19 infections rose by 154 to more than 14,500 and the number of confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While many Alabama residents went to lakes or Gulf of Mexico beaches for the Memorial Day holiday , others watched programs commemorating war dead online as many in-person ceremonies were canceled .
New rules from Gov .
Kay Ivey went into effect at 5 p.m. Friday allowing entertainment venues like bowling alleys , arcades and theaters as well as child care facilities to reopen subject to social-distancing and sanitation rules .
Youth sports practices also have been allowed to resume , though competition won ’ t begin until June 15 , and summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For most , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The state Labor Department said technical glitches led those who tried to file their weekly certification to have their account suspended .
“ Your access to the Internet Weekly Claim System has been suspended , ” said the message reported by Al.com .
“ You have had two chances to enter earnings for your claim .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from today ’ s date could result in a denial of benefits.
” Spokesperson Tara Hutchison told WSFA-TV claimants were not seeing errors Monday morning and that suspensions had been lifted .
However , a second message indicating filings had been made also caused some confusion .
“ Some of you saw a message on your trackers indicating that the week has already been filed for you , ” the department wrote online late Sunday .
“ This was an error .
You will need to go back and certify yourself , online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apologize for all of the inconveniences today , we know it has been stressful.
” As of May 19 , ADOL had disbursed more that $ 1 billion in unemployment benefits to a little more than 250,000 people , according to ADOL figures .
A vast majority of the money comes from the federal government ’ s coronavirus relief program .
More than $ 850 million has come from Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation , the additional $ 600 most are receiving in their unemployment check .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Some Alabama residents spent the holiday weekend struggling to claim their weekly unemployment benefits.
The Alabama Department of Labor told local news outlets that about 53,000 people were blocked from filing the required weekly report telling state government that they still don’t have a job. Only then will another week’s worth of unemployment benefits will be issued.
The department said Monday that it had resolved the problems as the number of confirmed COVID-19 infections rose by 154 to more than 14,500 and the number of confirmed deaths rose by nine to 560. While many Alabama residents went to lakes or Gulf of Mexico beaches for the Memorial Day holiday, others watched programs commemorating war dead online as many in-person ceremonies were canceled.
New rules from Gov. Kay Ivey went into effect at 5 p.m. Friday allowing entertainment venues like bowling alleys, arcades and theaters as well as child care facilities to reopen subject to social-distancing and sanitation rules. Youth sports practices also have been allowed to resume, though competition won’t begin until June 15, and summer camps are now allowed to open.
For most, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
The state Labor Department said technical glitches led those who tried to file their weekly certification to have their account suspended.
“Your access to the Internet Weekly Claim System has been suspended,” said the message reported by Al.com. “You have had two chances to enter earnings for your claim. Failure to call within 4 calendar days from today’s date could result in a denial of benefits.”
Spokesperson Tara Hutchison told WSFA-TV claimants were not seeing errors Monday morning and that suspensions had been lifted.
However, a second message indicating filings had been made also caused some confusion.
“Some of you saw a message on your trackers indicating that the week has already been filed for you,” the department wrote online late Sunday. “This was an error. You will need to go back and certify yourself, online or by phone. Again, we apologize for all of the inconveniences today, we know it has been stressful.”
As of May 19, ADOL had disbursed more that $1 billion in unemployment benefits to a little more than 250,000 people, according to ADOL figures. A vast majority of the money comes from the federal government’s coronavirus relief program. More than $850 million has come from Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, the additional $600 most are receiving in their unemployment check.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.