washingtontimes--2020-06-26--U.S. consumer spending up 8.2%, partly erasing record plunge

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — American consumers increased their spending by a sharp 8.2 % in May , partly erasing record plunges the previous two months , against the backdrop of an economy that ’ s likely shrinking by its steepest pace on record this quarter .
Last month ’ s rebound in consumer spending followed spending drops of 6.6 % in March and 12.6 % in April , when the viral pandemic shuttered businesses , forced millions of layoffs and sent the economy into a recession .
Since then , many businesses have reopened , drawing consumers back into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs .
Friday ’ s Commerce Department report showed that Americans stepped up their spending in May despite a 4.2 % decline in personal income , which had soared by 10.8 % the previous month .
Income had jumped in April on the strength of billions of dollars in support through government payments in the form of unemployment aid as well as one-time $ 1,200 stimulus checks .
In May , those stimulus checks were no longer counted as income for most people .
Besides whatever unemployment aid states are providing to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government is providing $ 600 a week in additional benefits .
The federal money has pumped nearly $ 20 billion a week into the economy and enabled many of the unemployed to stay afloat .
But the $ 600 a week in aid will expire after July , and Trump administration officials have said they oppose an extension .
Without the stimulus checks or an extension of unemployment aid , it ’ s unclear whether consumers will keep spending freely .
In testimony to Congress last week , Federal Reserve Jerome Powell said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form of extended unemployment benefits beyond their typical six-month period , on the assumption that joblessness will likely still be quite high by year ’ s end .
Last month ’ s rise in consumer spending also coincides with a sudden surge in coronavirus cases that ’ s forcing states and businesses to consider scaling back or even reversing the re-openings .
If an escalation of the pandemic does force another round of widespread business shutdowns , fewer people would shop , travel , eat out or attend large events .
That would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further weaken the economy .
Consumer spending is closely watched because it accounts for about 70 % of economic activity .
Despite the increased spending in May , economists have estimated that the economy , as measured by the gross domestic product , is contracting at a roughly 30 % annual rate in the April-June quarter after shrinking at a 5 % percent rate in the January-March period .
That would be , by far , the worst U.S. quarterly contraction since record-keeping began in 1948 .
In February , the economy fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Bureau of Economic Research , the association of economists that is the official arbiter of recessions in the United States .
Most analysts expect the economy to rebound in the second half of this year before potentially regaining its pre-pandemic level in late 2021 at the earliest .
The Trump administration is predicting a relatively fast and robust economic rebound starting this summer .
Most private economists are far less optimistic .
And they warn that if the pandemic intensifies and forces a second round of business closures , it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even further back .
The damage could be dire .
One hopeful sign , in the meantime , comes from data compiled from Chase Bank credit and debit cards .
It shows that consumers have gradually but consistently increased their spending since the government distributed the stimulus checks in mid-April .

WASHINGTON (AP) — American consumers increased their spending by a sharp 8.2% in May, partly erasing record plunges the previous two months, against the backdrop of an economy that’s likely shrinking by its steepest pace on record this quarter.
Last month’s rebound in consumer spending followed spending drops of 6.6% in March and 12.6% in April, when the viral pandemic shuttered businesses, forced millions of layoffs and sent the economy into a recession. Since then, many businesses have reopened, drawing consumers back into shops and restaurants and restoring some lost jobs.
Friday’s Commerce Department report showed that Americans stepped up their spending in May despite a 4.2% decline in personal income, which had soared by 10.8% the previous month. Income had jumped in April on the strength of billions of dollars in support through government payments in the form of unemployment aid as well as one-time $1,200 stimulus checks. In May, those stimulus checks were no longer counted as income for most people.
Besides whatever unemployment aid states are providing to the 30 million jobless Americans, the federal government is providing $600 a week in additional benefits. The federal money has pumped nearly $20 billion a week into the economy and enabled many of the unemployed to stay afloat. But the $600 a week in aid will expire after July, and Trump administration officials have said they oppose an extension.
Without the stimulus checks or an extension of unemployment aid, it’s unclear whether consumers will keep spending freely. In testimony to Congress last week, Federal Reserve Jerome Powell said he thought Congress should consider providing some form of extended unemployment benefits beyond their typical six-month period, on the assumption that joblessness will likely still be quite high by year’s end.
Last month’s rise in consumer spending also coincides with a sudden surge in coronavirus cases that’s forcing states and businesses to consider scaling back or even reversing the re-openings. If an escalation of the pandemic does force another round of widespread business shutdowns, fewer people would shop, travel, eat out or attend large events. That would reverse any rebound in spending and would further weaken the economy.
Consumer spending is closely watched because it accounts for about 70% of economic activity. Despite the increased spending in May, economists have estimated that the economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, is contracting at a roughly 30% annual rate in the April-June quarter after shrinking at a 5% percent rate in the January-March period. That would be, by far, the worst U.S. quarterly contraction since record-keeping began in 1948.
In February, the economy fell into a deep recession, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the association of economists that is the official arbiter of recessions in the United States. Most analysts expect the economy to rebound in the second half of this year before potentially regaining its pre-pandemic level in late 2021 at the earliest.
The Trump administration is predicting a relatively fast and robust economic rebound starting this summer. Most private economists are far less optimistic. And they warn that if the pandemic intensifies and forces a second round of business closures, it would set the job market and the economy even further back. The damage could be dire.
One hopeful sign, in the meantime, comes from data compiled from Chase Bank credit and debit cards. It shows that consumers have gradually but consistently increased their spending since the government distributed the stimulus checks in mid-April.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--US consumer spending jumped 8.2% in May in partial rebound from record drop, but economy is still se

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - US consumer spending jumped 8.2 % in May in partial rebound from record drop , @ @ @ @ @ as shrinking .

WASHINGTON (AP) - US consumer spending jumped 8.2% in May in partial rebound from record drop, but economy is still seen as shrinking.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Kanye West to bring Yeezy brand, but not sneakers, to Gap

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Kanye West is bringing his Yeezy brand to Gap .
The rap superstar will design adult and kids ’ clothing that will be sold at the chain ’ s stores next year .
Yeezy is best known for pricey sneakers that sell out online quickly .
But Yeezy footwear , made with sneaker company Adidas , won ’ t be sold at Gap stores .
San Francisco-based Gap Inc. , whose sales are dwindling , hopes the deal will keep it relevant with shoppers .
For Yeezy , being in more than 1,100 stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more people .
On Friday , West tweeted a photo of what the collaboration might look like : bright colored hoodies , jackets and T-shirts .
West has a history with Gap .
He worked at one of its stores in Chicago as a teenager .
And he told Vanity Fair magazine back in 2015 that he wanted to be creative director of the brand .
As part of the deal announced Friday , Yeezy will receive royalties and possibly Gap stock if the line sells well .
Shares of the retailer @ @ @ @ @ @ @

NEW YORK (AP) - Kanye West is bringing his Yeezy brand to Gap.
The rap superstar will design adult and kids’ clothing that will be sold at the chain next year. Yeezy is best known for pricey sneakers that sell out online quickly. But Yeezy footwear, made with sneaker company Adidas, won’t be sold at Gap stores.
San Francisco-based Gap Inc., whose sales are dwindling, hopes the deal will keep it relevant with shoppers. For Yeezy, being in more than 1,100 stores worldwide could get the brand in front of more people.
On Friday, West tweeted a photo of what the collaboration might look like: bright colored hoodies, jackets and T-shirts. Shares of the retailer soared nearly 19% Friday.
West has a history with Gap. He worked at one of its stores in Chicago as a teenager. And he told Vanity Fair magazine back in 2015 that he wanted to be creative director of the brand.
As part of the deal announced Friday, Yeezy will receive royalties and possibly Gap stock if the line sells well.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Maine hotels reopen to out-of-staters, but will they come?

PORTLAND , Maine ( AP ) - Maine innkeepers and hoteliers are opening their doors to out-of-state tourists on Friday for those who ’ ve either tested negative for the coronavirus or are willing to quarantine for 14 days .
But many say visitors are canceling over the measures .
Greg Dugal , spokesman for HospitalityMaine , said a survey of 51 testing locations between Maine and Virginia revealed only four locations where someone could get tested and get results within 72 hours or arriving in Maine .
“ There ’ s not enough availability for tests , ” Dugal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tasked with assisting with the recovery of the state ’ s tourism industry is recommending easing the testing and quarantine requirements .
The requirements apply to all states except New Hampshire and Vermont .
Draft recommendations from the Hospitality , Tourism and Retail subcommittee of Gov .
Janet Mills ’ Economic Recovery Committee suggests Maine ’ s outlier status is going to hurt the state ’ s tourism industry , the Portland Press Herald said .
“ We feel compelled to make this recommendation because the economic consequences are so massive for these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the draft report said , The subcommittee ’ s suggestions are not final and may be revised based on input from the full economic recovery panel .
The Maine Principals ’ Association has released rules for high school sports , but has not yet scheduled any fall games .
The phased-in approach allows students to reenter athletic facilities for the first time since early spring to begin physical training , and to participate in two-week summer sessions aimed at individual disciplines .
There will be no team hydration stations during the early phases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must bring their own water or face being turned away , the MPA said .
Masks will be required when social distancing can not be maintained with exceptions for training periods and intense physical activities , the MPA said .

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Maine innkeepers and hoteliers are opening their doors to out-of-state tourists on Friday for those who’ve either tested negative for the coronavirus or are willing to quarantine for 14 days.
But many say visitors are canceling over the measures.
Greg Dugal, spokesman for HospitalityMaine, said a survey of 51 testing locations between Maine and Virginia revealed only four locations where someone could get tested and get results within 72 hours or arriving in Maine.
“There’s not enough availability for tests,” Dugal said.
A panel that’s tasked with assisting with the recovery of the state’s tourism industry is recommending easing the testing and quarantine requirements. The requirements apply to all states except New Hampshire and Vermont.
Draft recommendations from the Hospitality, Tourism and Retail subcommittee of Gov. Janet Mills’ Economic Recovery Committee suggests Maine’s outlier status is going to hurt the state’s tourism industry, the Portland Press Herald said.
“We feel compelled to make this recommendation because the economic consequences are so massive for these sectors and Mainers more generally,” the draft report said.
The subcommittee’s suggestions are not final and may be revised based on input from the full economic recovery panel.
In other news related to the virus in Maine:
___
THE NUMBERS
Maine public health officials said Friday that 32 more people have tested positive for the virus. That brings the state’s total to 3,102. The number of deaths remained flat at 103.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.
___
RACIAL DISPARITY
Democratic state Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross said Friday members of the Maine Black community received an invitation from Mills to talk about racial disparity and coronavirus in the state. Black residents make up more than a fifth of Maine’s positive coronavirus cases, though they make up less than 2% of the state population overall.
Talbot Ross and others held a news conference on Thursday to talk about the disparity and how the state can respond to it. She said the invitation is a sign that “there’s progress.”
Mills and Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew said Friday the state is working to address the disparity. Mills said she’d like to see a specific proposal about how CARES Act funds can be used to help.
___
MUNICIPAL GRANTS
Mills also announced that her administration has approved nearly $9 million in grants to almost 100 municipalities in the state as part of the Keep Maine Healthy Plan that supports coronavirus prevention and education efforts.
The grants are made possible by federal money. Mills said the grants can help with public education activities, public health support, local business assistance and other essentials.
___
BE KIND
Business groups in Maine are launching a campaign called “Let’s Be Kind” in the wake of reports of customers harassing employees about state health guidelines. The customers don’t want to follow the guidelines, such as using face masks, WCSH-TV reported.
The Retail Association of Maine, Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce and Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association launched the new campaign on Thursday. It’s intended to encourage people to prioritize respect and kindness while following safety guidelines.
___
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
The Maine Principals’ Association has released rules for high school sports, but has not yet scheduled any fall games.
The phased-in approach allows students to reenter athletic facilities for the first time since early spring to begin physical training, and to participate in two-week summer sessions aimed at individual disciplines.
There will be no team hydration stations during the early phases, so students, coaches and staff must bring their own water or face being turned away, the MPA said.
Masks will be required when social distancing cannot be maintained with exceptions for training periods and intense physical activities, the MPA said.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Boy, 7, victim of Stockbridge drowning; body found in lake

STOCKBRIDGE , Vt. ( AP ) - A 7-year-old Stockbridge , Vermont , boy has been identified as the victim @ @ @ @ @ as an accidental drowning , police said .
Gabriel McEachern was with his parents , @ @ @ @ @ family Wednesday evening in the White River , police said .
The children were playing @ @ @ @ @ near the shore .
Shortly before 9 p.m. , Gabriel ’ s father found him @ @ @ @ @ Gabriel was pulled to shore , and lifesaving efforts were begun .
He was flown @ @ @ @ @ in Lebanon , New Hampshire , where he was pronounced dead .
In another drowning @ @ @ @ @ police say divers recovered the body Thursday of 52-year-old Dennis Rabideau , of Mooers Forks @ @ @ @ @ disappeared on Tuesday after jumping from a boat near Alburg .

STOCKBRIDGE, Vt. (AP) - A 7-year-old Stockbridge, Vermont, boy has been identified as the victim of what is being described as an accidental drowning, police said.
Gabriel McEachern was with his parents, two siblings and another large family Wednesday evening in the White River, police said.
The children were playing and wading in shallow water near the shore. Shortly before 9 p.m., Gabriel’s father found him submerged in the water. Gabriel was pulled to shore, and lifesaving efforts were begun.
He was flown to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, where he was pronounced dead.
In another drowning incident in Lake Champlain, police say divers recovered the body Thursday of 52-year-old Dennis Rabideau, of Mooers Forks, New York. He disappeared on Tuesday after jumping from a boat near Alburg.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Sri Lanka Telugu community fears decline of traditional ways

KUDAGAMA , Sri Lanka ( AP ) - Sri Lanka ’ s Telugu community , whose nomadic lifestyle has increasingly clashed with the modern world , is facing another threat that could hasten its decline : the COVID-19 pandemic .
Members of the smallest ethnic community in the country who speak Telugu language of South Indian origin did not have permanent addresses until 1981 , when the government built them villages from where they traveled to make money by staging snake and monkey performances and offering palm reading .
Such shows attract foreign tourists , who take pictures with pythons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t practice our job .
Police and public health inspectors have told us not to get out of the village , ” said Engatennage Podi Mahattaya , the village headman .
“ Even if we get out , people are not attracted to us as they used to be , ” he said .
“ They fear contracting the disease from us .
Our movements are completely ceased as people do not allow us to get into their villages.
” These days , the younger generation spurns the old ways .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charming that typically earns a person 3,000 rupees , or about $ 16 , a day .
The older members of the community say the pause in the traditional livelihoods due to COVID-19 will only accelerate their decline .

KUDAGAMA, Sri Lanka (AP) - Sri Lanka’s Telugu community, whose nomadic lifestyle has increasingly clashed with the modern world, is facing another threat that could hasten its decline: the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the smallest ethnic community in the country who speak Telugu language of South Indian origin did not have permanent addresses until 1981, when the government built them villages from where they traveled to make money by staging snake and monkey performances and offering palm reading.
Such shows attract foreign tourists, who take pictures with pythons and cobras.
“Now we can’t practice our job. Police and public health inspectors have told us not to get out of the village,” said Engatennage Podi Mahattaya, the village headman.
“Even if we get out, people are not attracted to us as they used to be,” he said. “They fear contracting the disease from us. Our movements are completely ceased as people do not allow us to get into their villages.”
These days, the younger generation spurns the old ways. Many young men prefer manual labor to snake charming that typically earns a person 3,000 rupees, or about $16, a day.
The older members of the community say the pause in the traditional livelihoods due to COVID-19 will only accelerate their decline.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--ABQ woman sentenced in kidnapping of two men over marijuana

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - A 22-year-old Albuquerque woman has been sentenced to 30 years in federal @ @ @ @ @ the kidnapping and assault of two men , one of whom died and was mutilated @ @ @ @ @ s Office says Mariah Ferry was sentenced on Friday after pleading guilty earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ kidnap .
Ferry is accused along with her then-boyfriend and two friends of killing 41-year-old @ @ @ @ @ torturing Matthew Tressler .
The group allegedly carried out the crime because they believed the @ @ @ @ @ Ferry ’ s boyfriend ’ s home .
Her boyfriend , 32-year-old Chase Smothermon , @ @ @ @ @ Tressler and to conspiracy to kidnap .
He faces between 40 and 60 years in @ @ @ @ @ been sentenced .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A 22-year-old Albuquerque woman has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for her role in the kidnapping and assault of two men, one of whom died and was mutilated.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Mariah Ferry was sentenced on Friday after pleading guilty earlier this year to kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap.
Ferry is accused along with her then-boyfriend and two friends of killing 41-year-old John Soyka and kidnapping and torturing Matthew Tressler.
The group allegedly carried out the crime because they believed the men had stolen marijuana from Ferry’s boyfriend’s home. Her boyfriend, 32-year-old Chase Smothermon, also pleaded guilty to kidnapping Tressler and to conspiracy to kidnap. He faces between 40 and 60 years in prison but hasn’t been sentenced.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Donald Trump calls on Chicago's mayor, Illinois governor to control violence in city

President Trump on Friday night urged the mayor of Chicago and governor of Illinois , both Democrats , to get control of violence that he said is disproportionately harming young Blacks on a “ shocking scale.
” In a letter to Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot , Mr. Trump noted news reports that shootings across the city increased by 71 % in May , and that 102 people were shot during one weekend recently .
He accused the mayor and governor of failed leadership and of wasting taxpayer dollars spent on public safety .
“ More Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat zones of Afghanistan and Iraq combined since September 11 , 2001 , a deadly trend that has continued under your tenure , ” the president said .
Mr. Trump offered in the letter to help “ tackle unsolved challenges ” in improving public safety .
He said if the mayor and the governor “ were willing to put partisanship aside , we can revitalize distressed neighborhood in Chicago , together.
” “ But to succeed , you must establish law and order , ” he said .
“ Unfortunately , you continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the lives , safety , and fortunes of your own citizens .
The people of Chicago deserve better.
” A Pritzker spokeswoman told the Chicago Sun-Times that the president was trying to “ to politicize tragedy.
” “ President Trump is a failure who has once again resorted to a press stunt in an attempt to distract from his long list of failures , especially his response to the deadly coronavirus and nationwide calls for racial justice , ” Jordan Abudayyeh told the paper .
“ The people of this state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his unhinged attempts to politicize tragedy with his predictable and worn-out strategy to distract , distract , distract.
” In his letter , Mr. Trump cited a huge taxpayer expense on the city with no apparent results .
“ The American people ( hardworking taxpayers ) send you millions of dollars in federal funding each year to support public safety in Chicago , ” the president said .
“ In 2018 and 2019 , the City of Chicago benefited from $ 136 million in funding from the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently announced for Chicago from this important program.
” He noted further that the Department of Justice awarded and is in the process of awarding nearly $ 20 million to support law enforcement and law-enforcement related entities in the city and Cook County in 2019 and 2020 , “ including resources for combating opioid abuse and recidivism reduction.
” “ My administration allocated $ 898.6 million to the City of Chicago and Cook County from the Coronavirus Relief Fund , which helps support your first responders on the front lines , ” Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any modicum of leadership , however , these substantial sums of taxpayer money are not being turned into results , and the safety of your most vulnerable communities continues to deteriorate .
These funds are in addition to those collected through your combined insatiable appetite to tax the people of Illinois and Chicago.
” He went on , “ Your lack of leadership on this important issue continues to fail the people you have sworn to protect .
I am concerned it is another example of your lack of commitment to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence and a lack of respect for the men and women in law enforcement .
”

President Trump on Friday night urged the mayor of Chicago and governor of Illinois, both Democrats, to get control of violence that he said is disproportionately harming young Blacks on a “shocking scale.”
In a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Mr. Trump noted news reports that shootings across the city increased by 71% in May, and that 102 people were shot during one weekend recently. He accused the mayor and governor of failed leadership and of wasting taxpayer dollars spent on public safety.
“More Americans have been killed in Chicago than in combat zones of Afghanistan and Iraq combined since September 11, 2001, a deadly trend that has continued under your tenure,” the president said.
Mr. Trump offered in the letter to help “tackle unsolved challenges” in improving public safety. He said if the mayor and the governor “were willing to put partisanship aside, we can revitalize distressed neighborhood in Chicago, together.”
“But to succeed, you must establish law and order,” he said. “Unfortunately, you continue to put your own political interests ahead of the lives, safety, and fortunes of your own citizens. The people of Chicago deserve better.”
A Pritzker spokeswoman told the Chicago Sun-Times that the president was trying to “to politicize tragedy.”
“President Trump is a failure who has once again resorted to a press stunt in an attempt to distract from his long list of failures, especially his response to the deadly coronavirus and nationwide calls for racial justice,” Jordan Abudayyeh told the paper. “The people of this state and this nation have unfortunately come to expect his unhinged attempts to politicize tragedy with his predictable and worn-out strategy to distract, distract, distract.”
In his letter, Mr. Trump cited a huge taxpayer expense on the city with no apparent results.
“The American people (hardworking taxpayers) send you millions of dollars in federal funding each year to support public safety in Chicago,” the president said. “In 2018 and 2019, the City of Chicago benefited from $136 million in funding from the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program, and another $68 million was recently announced for Chicago from this important program.”
He noted further that the Department of Justice awarded and is in the process of awarding nearly $20 million to support law enforcement and law-enforcement related entities in the city and Cook County in 2019 and 2020, “including resources for combating opioid abuse and recidivism reduction.”
“My administration allocated $898.6 million to the City of Chicago and Cook County from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which helps support your first responders on the front lines,” Mr. Trump said. “In the absence of any modicum of leadership, however, these substantial sums of taxpayer money are not being turned into results, and the safety of your most vulnerable communities continues to deteriorate. These funds are in addition to those collected through your combined insatiable appetite to tax the people of Illinois and Chicago.”
He went on, “Your lack of leadership on this important issue continues to fail the people you have sworn to protect. I am concerned it is another example of your lack of commitment to the vulnerable citizens who are victims of this violence and a lack of respect for the men and women in law enforcement.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Baylor to review statues, buildings over links to slavery

WACO , Texas ( AP ) - Baylor University regents are creating a panel to consider whether any statues , buildings or other tangible tributes on the Waco campus reflect a racist past .
The regents adopted a resolution Thursday that recognizes that most of the university ’ s founding fathers were slaveholders , racists and white supremacists when the school was founded in 1845 .
Those persons included Judge R.E.B .
Baylor himself , as well as the Rev .
James Huckins , the Rev .
William M. Tryon , most members of its initial board of trustees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ During Baylor ’ s infancy , a number of University leaders and prominent individuals connected to the institution supported Confederate causes and engaged in the fight to preserve the institution of slavery both during and following the Civil War , including some serving as members of the Confederacy ’ s armed forces , ” the resolution states .
The regents created “ a Commission on Historic Campus Representations ” to review the historical context of “ all statues , monuments , buildings and other aspects of the campus in reference to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The committee would then make recommendations to Baylor administrators and regents for possible action .
Baylor was recently the target of a lawsuit that accused the university of scapegoating black athletes for a scandal over its handling of sexual assaults against students .
It also has been associated with the Southern Baptist Convention , an organization created in a split with northern Baptists over slavery .
The convention in recent years has apologized for slavery .

WACO, Texas (AP) - Baylor University regents are creating a panel to consider whether any statues, buildings or other tangible tributes on the Waco campus reflect a racist past.
The regents adopted a resolution Thursday that recognizes that most of the university’s founding fathers were slaveholders, racists and white supremacists when the school was founded in 1845. Those persons included Judge R.E.B. Baylor himself, as well as the Rev. James Huckins, the Rev. William M. Tryon, most members of its initial board of trustees, and several early leaders of the institution.
“During Baylor’s infancy, a number of University leaders and prominent individuals connected to the institution supported Confederate causes and engaged in the fight to preserve the institution of slavery both during and following the Civil War, including some serving as members of the Confederacy’s armed forces,” the resolution states.
The regents created “a Commission on Historic Campus Representations” to review the historical context of “all statues, monuments, buildings and other aspects of the campus in reference to their physical location, placement and naming.” The committee would then make recommendations to Baylor administrators and regents for possible action.
Baylor was recently the target of a lawsuit that accused the university of scapegoating black athletes for a scandal over its handling of sexual assaults against students. It also has been associated with the Southern Baptist Convention, an organization created in a split with northern Baptists over slavery. The convention in recent years has apologized for slavery.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Arizona attorney general warns church where Trump had rally

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Arizona ’ s chief attorney has issued a cease-and-desist letter to a company touted by a church where President Donald Trump held a rally that claims its air filtration system neutralizes the coronavirus .
Attorney General Mark Brnovich also sent a warning letter to Dream City Church .
Leaders of the church posted a widely circulated video claiming the technology they used “ kills 99 percent of COVID within 10 minutes.
” The company that provides the products is Clean Air EXP .
Brnovich said it has continued to advertise that its products neutralize 99.9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrogates.
” Covid-19 refers to the disease caused by the coronavirus .
Brnovich said the company tested a virus that causes the common cold , not the coronavirus , which has killed over 1,500 people in Arizona .
Dream City Church was placed on notice that misrepresentations and false promises related to the safety of church facilities may violate the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act .
In a statement posted on its website , Clean Air EXP said there is recent confusion around the claims made by one of its customers .
It says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ best coronavirus surrogates available ” and found their patented technology leads to 99.99 % of elimination .
“ We do not , however , eliminate COVID-19 at this time , ” it said .
Dream City Church also issued a statement saying its leaders should not have used the word “ Covid ” and “ coronavirus ” interchangeably .
“ We hope to alleviate any confusion we may have caused , ” it said .
The claims came as cases in Arizona surge , making it one of the states with @ @ @ @ @

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona’s chief attorney has issued a cease-and-desist letter to a company touted by a church where President Donald Trump held a rally that claims its air filtration system neutralizes the coronavirus.
Attorney General Mark Brnovich also sent a warning letter to Dream City Church. Leaders of the church posted a widely circulated video claiming the technology they used “kills 99 percent of COVID within 10 minutes.”
The company that provides the products is Clean Air EXP. Brnovich said it has continued to advertise that its products neutralize 99.9% of viruses that are “COVID-19 surrogates.”
Covid-19 refers to the disease caused by the coronavirus. Brnovich said the company tested a virus that causes the common cold, not the coronavirus, which has killed over 1,500 people in Arizona.
Dream City Church was placed on notice that misrepresentations and false promises related to the safety of church facilities may violate the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act.
In a statement posted on its website, Clean Air EXP said there is recent confusion around the claims made by one of its customers. It says it used a third-party certified lab on the “best coronavirus surrogates available” and found their patented technology leads to 99.99% of elimination. “We do not, however, eliminate COVID-19 at this time,” it said.
Dream City Church also issued a statement saying its leaders should not have used the word “Covid” and “coronavirus” interchangeably.
“We hope to alleviate any confusion we may have caused,” it said.
The claims came as cases in Arizona surge, making it one of the states with the highest infection rates.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--AG William Barr forms task force to investigate anti-gov't extremists amid George Floyd protests

Attorney General William P. Barr late Friday ordered the formation of a task force to take on the “ anti-government extremists ” he says have disrupted peaceful protests against police brutality by causing chaos and sowing discord .
Mr. Barr wrote that the task force will work to develop information about “ extremist individuals , networks and movements ” and share that data with local law enforcement .
It will also provide training and resources to local authorities to build criminal cases against extremists , according to the memo .
“ The ultimate goal of the task force will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who engage in violence , but to understand these groups well enough that we can stop such violence before it occurs and ultimately eliminate it as a threat to public safety and the rule of law , ” Mr. Barr wrote .
In a memo to top Justice Department officials , Mr. Barr said the anti-government extremists had “ engaged in indefensible acts of violence designed to undermine public order.
” “ Among other lawless conduct , these extremists have violently attacked police officers and other government officials , destroyed public and private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr. Barr wrote .
“ Although these extremists profess a variety of ideologies , they are united in their opposition to the core constitutional values of a democratic society governed by law.
” Mr. Barr said the anti-government extremists “ pretend to profess a message of freedom in progress , ” in the wake of the protests over the death of George Floyd , a Black man who died while in the custody of for four White police officers in Minneapolis .
However , he said the anti-government extremists are actually “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In the memo , Mr. Barr named both Antifa , a left-leaning anarchy group that includes socialists and communists , and “ Boogaloo , ” a radical right-wing group organization that used the chaos amid the civil unrest to kill a federal officer in Oakland .
Mr. Barr said the extremist groups may be “ fortified by foreign entities seeking to cause chaos and disorder in our country.
” Although he has frequently claimed foreign adversaries have used the protests to fan the flames of division , Mr. Barr did not offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earlier this month , Mr. Barr said a “ witch ’ s brew ” of extremist groups have taken advantage of the protests to cause anarchy .
The Justice Department , he wrote in the Friday memo , “ will respond to these violent groups the same way we respond to other organized criminal or terrorist network — by disrupting their violent activities and ultimately dismantling their capability to threaten the rule of law.
” The task force will be led by Craig Carpenito , the U.S. attorney for New Jersey , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Northern District of Texas .
Representatives of the FBI and other federal agencies will be part of the task force , according to the memo .
Mr. Barr said this week the Justice Department has roughly 500 investigations into the violence that has occurred during riots nationwide over the past month .
The task force comes as the Trump administration threatens to escalate the force used against violent protesters .
President Trump has directed the Justice Department to seek stronger sentences against people who destroy memorials and statues .

Attorney General William P. Barr late Friday ordered the formation of a task force to take on the “anti-government extremists” he says have disrupted peaceful protests against police brutality by causing chaos and sowing discord.
Mr. Barr wrote that the task force will work to develop information about “extremist individuals, networks and movements” and share that data with local law enforcement. It will also provide training and resources to local authorities to build criminal cases against extremists, according to the memo.
“The ultimate goal of the task force will be not only to enable prosecutions of extremists who engage in violence, but to understand these groups well enough that we can stop such violence before it occurs and ultimately eliminate it as a threat to public safety and the rule of law,” Mr. Barr wrote.
In a memo to top Justice Department officials, Mr. Barr said the anti-government extremists had “engaged in indefensible acts of violence designed to undermine public order.”
“Among other lawless conduct, these extremists have violently attacked police officers and other government officials, destroyed public and private property, and threatened innocent people,” Mr. Barr wrote. “Although these extremists profess a variety of ideologies, they are united in their opposition to the core constitutional values of a democratic society governed by law.”
Mr. Barr said the anti-government extremists “pretend to profess a message of freedom in progress,” in the wake of the protests over the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died while in the custody of for four White police officers in Minneapolis.
However, he said the anti-government extremists are actually “forces of anarchy, destruction and coercion.”
In the memo, Mr. Barr named both Antifa, a left-leaning anarchy group that includes socialists and communists, and “Boogaloo,” a radical right-wing group organization that used the chaos amid the civil unrest to kill a federal officer in Oakland.
Mr. Barr said the extremist groups may be “fortified by foreign entities seeking to cause chaos and disorder in our country.” Although he has frequently claimed foreign adversaries have used the protests to fan the flames of division, Mr. Barr did not offer evidence to back up his claim.
Earlier this month, Mr. Barr said a “witch’s brew” of extremist groups have taken advantage of the protests to cause anarchy.
The Justice Department, he wrote in the Friday memo, “will respond to these violent groups the same way we respond to other organized criminal or terrorist network — by disrupting their violent activities and ultimately dismantling their capability to threaten the rule of law.”
The task force will be led by Craig Carpenito, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey, and Erin Nealy Cox, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas. Representatives of the FBI and other federal agencies will be part of the task force, according to the memo.
Mr. Barr said this week the Justice Department has roughly 500 investigations into the violence that has occurred during riots nationwide over the past month.
The task force comes as the Trump administration threatens to escalate the force used against violent protesters. President Trump has directed the Justice Department to seek stronger sentences against people who destroy memorials and statues.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Mexico City reopening shops, street markets, sport complexes

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Mexico said Friday that it will allow more businesses to reopen in parts of the country despite continued high infection and death rates .
The federal Health Department said 5,441 more coronavirus cases were confirmed nationwide Friday , for a total of 208,392 since the pandemic began .
Confirmed COVID-19 deaths rose by 719 , to 25,779 .
Mexico City announced that starting next week it would allow the reopening of shops , street markets and athletic complexes but with limited capacity and hours .
On a four-color alert level , in which red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mexico City said it was downgrading the city ’ s alert to “ orange ” even though it has the country ’ s largest numbers of infections and deaths .
Hotels and restaurants in the capital will reopen next week at about 30 % seating capacity .
And despite the announcement on markets , many of the city ’ s street markets never closed during the pandemic .
By July 6 , shopping malls and department stores will open .
Bars , gyms , schools and other businesses will remain closed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined somewhat , one indicator that could justify reopening .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico said Friday that it will allow more businesses to reopen in parts of the country despite continued high infection and death rates.
The federal Health Department said 5,441 more coronavirus cases were confirmed nationwide Friday, for a total of 208,392 since the pandemic began. Confirmed COVID-19 deaths rose by 719, to 25,779.
Mexico City announced that starting next week it would allow the reopening of shops, street markets and athletic complexes but with limited capacity and hours.
On a four-color alert level, in which red is the worst and green the best, Mexico City said it was downgrading the city’s alert to “orange” even though it has the country’s largest numbers of infections and deaths.
Hotels and restaurants in the capital will reopen next week at about 30% seating capacity. And despite the announcement on markets, many of the city’s street markets never closed during the pandemic.
By July 6, shopping malls and department stores will open. Bars, gyms, schools and other businesses will remain closed.
The city said hospital bed occupancy had declined somewhat, one indicator that could justify reopening.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--No paychecks for 11 big leaguers: advance larger than salary

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Grant Dayton will notice one glaring absence this season after he reports to the Atlanta Braves : his twice-a-month salary .
He is among 11 major leaguers whose prorated pay for the abbreviated 60-game season amounts to less than the $ 286,500 advance already received by the 32-year-old left-hander .
“ It ’ s going to be weird not getting a paycheck , ” he said Friday , “ but we already got paid.
” Dayton gave up the 6,776th and final home run of of last season ’ s record total , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To resume preparation for the new season he will drive Monday from his home in Winter Haven , Florida , to Atlanta with wife Cori , 2 1/2-year-old son Decker and nearly 6-month-old Nolan for Braves ’ workouts at Truist Park .
After opening day was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic , Major League Baseball and the players ’ association agreed March 26 to a deal that called for teams to advance $ 170 million in salaries over the first 60 days of the season .
Others who won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jimmy Nelson and New York Yankees reliever Jonathan Holder ( $ 277,778 each ) , Pittsburgh infielder Erik Gonzalez and Minnesota pitcher Matt Wisler ( $ 268,519 apiece ) , Philadelphia catcher Andrew Knapp ( $ 262,943 ) , Chicago Cubs pitcher Jharel Cotton ( $ 237,037 ) , pitchers Collin McHugh of Boston , Ross Stripling of the Dodgers and Jesse Hahn of Kansas City ( $ 222,222 each ) and Milwaukee pitcher Freddy Peralta ( $ 575,200 ) .
“ My first reaction was , wow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any games this year , I ’ m going to get paid the same amount that Freddie Freeman ’ s getting paid , so that ’ s pretty cool , ” Dayton said in a reference to his teammate , a four-time All-Star first baseman with a $ 22 million salary that was cut to about $ 8.15 million .
“ I knew that there was going to be a point that if we resume games , I wouldn ’ t get paid .
And I was OK with that because we still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re fine.
” Each of the roughly 480 players with so-called “ straight ” contracts that call for a single salary received $ 286,500 .
The 769 players with “ split ” contracts that have a lower salary in the minor leagues - generally a younger group not yet eligible for arbitration - got either $ 16,500 , $ 30,000 or $ 60,000 , depending on their minor league pay level .
Dayton , who has spent parts of three seasons in the majors , has a $ 655,000 , one-year contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season will be $ 242,593 , assuming the contagion does not cause more games to be canceled .
The group won ’ t have to return any cash because the March deal states “ in the event there is a 2020 championship season , any amounts advanced to individual players that can not be recouped by clubs via payroll deduction during the 2020 season for any reason shall be reimbursed to clubs from the International Tax Fund at the conclusion of the 2020 season.
” That tax fund is money collected from teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign high-priced Latin American amateurs .
“ We ’ re blessed because we ’ re getting more money than the prorated amount , ” Dayton said .
Most of the group has relatively low salaries for arbitration-eligible players because of injuries that sidelined them and reduced their statistics .
Nelson returned last June from shoulder surgery and was limited to three starts and seven relief appearances .
McHugh missed September and the postseason with a sore right elbow and signed a deal with a $ 600,000 salary and $ 3.65 million in performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hahn and Stripling all were interrupted by elbow surgery early in their careers , and Gonzalez missed more than half of last season after breaking his collarbone .
Peralta has a low salary in 2020 as part of a $ 15.5 million , five-year contract he agreed to in March .
Dayton was 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 14 relief appearances last year and is 1-3 with a 3.34 ERA in 68 big league games that included time with the Dodgers in 2016-17 .
He wonders how he will fare in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to be a weird year and a short season , but I guess they ’ re going to have to treat it on paper like a real season , a championship season , ” he said .
“ And as far as contracts go in the future , they ’ re going to have to take the stats this year , which is kind of scary for a relief pitcher , to be honest because you have one bad game , it takes a whole year to get that back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow starters anymore.
” Stripling , a financial adviser for B. Riley Wealth Management when he ’ s not playing baseball , negotiated a $ 2.1 million deal in January but was able to have $ 1.5 million designated as a signing bonus , which is protected and not reduced .
Only the $ 600,000 specified as salary in the contract gets prorated .
“ It will be strange to receive no money or paychecks throughout the year , ” he said .
“ I ’ m thankful for my background in finance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my ability to budget .
I do worry about the 10 other guys in my situation .
Technically will be receiving zero income until next April .
That ’ s a long time to budget ahead.
” One option for players could be licensing money they are owed that had been retained for them by the union .
“ Our PA is offering a stipend of sorts for guys in similar situations , ” Stripling said .
“ But I don ’ t know how much money or how often they can receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ` war chest , ′ which is money saved for salaries in case of a work stoppage in 2022 .
Most guys will try to avoid pulling money from that unless they are in dire situations .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - Grant Dayton will notice one glaring absence this season after he reports to the Atlanta Braves: his twice-a-month salary.
He is among 11 major leaguers whose prorated pay for the abbreviated 60-game season amounts to less than the $286,500 advance already received by the 32-year-old left-hander.
“It’s going to be weird not getting a paycheck,” he said Friday, “but we already got paid.”
Dayton gave up the 6,776th and final home run of of last season’s record total, to the New York Mets’ Dominic Smith. To resume preparation for the new season he will drive Monday from his home in Winter Haven, Florida, to Atlanta with wife Cori, 2 1/2-year-old son Decker and nearly 6-month-old Nolan for Braves’ workouts at Truist Park.
After opening day was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, Major League Baseball and the players’ association agreed March 26 to a deal that called for teams to advance $170 million in salaries over the first 60 days of the season.
Others who won’t get paychecks because of lower prorated salaries are Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jimmy Nelson and New York Yankees reliever Jonathan Holder ($277,778 each), Pittsburgh infielder Erik Gonzalez and Minnesota pitcher Matt Wisler ($268,519 apiece), Philadelphia catcher Andrew Knapp ($262,943), Chicago Cubs pitcher Jharel Cotton ($237,037), pitchers Collin McHugh of Boston, Ross Stripling of the Dodgers and Jesse Hahn of Kansas City ($222,222 each) and Milwaukee pitcher Freddy Peralta ($575,200).
“My first reaction was, wow, if we don’t have any games this year, I’m going to get paid the same amount that Freddie Freeman’s getting paid, so that’s pretty cool,” Dayton said in a reference to his teammate, a four-time All-Star first baseman with a $22 million salary that was cut to about $8.15 million. “I knew that there was going to be a point that if we resume games, I wouldn’t get paid. And I was OK with that because we still received significant amounts of money and we’re fine.”
Each of the roughly 480 players with so-called “straight” contracts that call for a single salary received $286,500. The 769 players with “split” contracts that have a lower salary in the minor leagues - generally a younger group not yet eligible for arbitration - got either $16,500, $30,000 or $60,000, depending on their minor league pay level.
Dayton, who has spent parts of three seasons in the majors, has a $655,000, one-year contract. His prorated salary for the short season will be $242,593, assuming the contagion does not cause more games to be canceled.
The group won’t have to return any cash because the March deal states “in the event there is a 2020 championship season, any amounts advanced to individual players that cannot be recouped by clubs via payroll deduction during the 2020 season for any reason shall be reimbursed to clubs from the International Tax Fund at the conclusion of the 2020 season.”
That tax fund is money collected from teams that exceeded their specified bonus pools to sign high-priced Latin American amateurs.
“We’re blessed because we’re getting more money than the prorated amount,” Dayton said.
Most of the group has relatively low salaries for arbitration-eligible players because of injuries that sidelined them and reduced their statistics.
Nelson returned last June from shoulder surgery and was limited to three starts and seven relief appearances.
McHugh missed September and the postseason with a sore right elbow and signed a deal with a $600,000 salary and $3.65 million in performance and roster bonuses.
Cotton, Dayton, Hahn and Stripling all were interrupted by elbow surgery early in their careers, and Gonzalez missed more than half of last season after breaking his collarbone.
Peralta has a low salary in 2020 as part of a $15.5 million, five-year contract he agreed to in March.
Dayton was 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 14 relief appearances last year and is 1-3 with a 3.34 ERA in 68 big league games that included time with the Dodgers in 2016-17. He wonders how he will fare in arbitration next winter.
“It’s going to be a weird year and a short season, but I guess they’re going to have to treat it on paper like a real season, a championship season,” he said. “And as far as contracts go in the future, they’re going to have to take the stats this year, which is kind of scary for a relief pitcher, to be honest because you have one bad game, it takes a whole year to get that back. The slow starters can’t be slow starters anymore.”
Stripling, a financial adviser for B. Riley Wealth Management when he’s not playing baseball, negotiated a $2.1 million deal in January but was able to have $1.5 million designated as a signing bonus, which is protected and not reduced. Only the $600,000 specified as salary in the contract gets prorated.
“It will be strange to receive no money or paychecks throughout the year,” he said. “I’m thankful for my background in finance, because I’m comfortable with my ability to budget. I do worry about the 10 other guys in my situation. Technically will be receiving zero income until next April. That’s a long time to budget ahead.”
One option for players could be licensing money they are owed that had been retained for them by the union.
“Our PA is offering a stipend of sorts for guys in similar situations,” Stripling said. “But I don’t know how much money or how often they can receive it. It also comes from our `war chest,′ which is money saved for salaries in case of a work stoppage in 2022. Most guys will try to avoid pulling money from that unless they are in dire situations.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Georgia lawmakers adopt $26B budget as end of session nears

ATLANTA ( AP ) - Georgia lawmakers agreed Friday to a budget that promises sharp cuts but is supposed to avoid unpaid employee furloughs and layoffs in one of the closing acts of the 2020 session of the General Assembly .
The final vote by the House on the $ 25.9 billion budget passed 104-62 , with Democrats again arguing Republicans were overly focused on cuts and weren ’ t doing enough to maintain or raise tax revenue for needed programs .
House Bill 793 went to Gov .
Brian Kemp for his signature with fewer than five days before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ In light of the drastic downturn in the economy and the drastic downturn in the revenues , I think we ’ ve got a much better budget than anybody thought we ’ d have , you know , a month and a half ago , ” the Republican Kemp told reporters Friday .
Universities and K-12 schools will have to set their own budgets now that they know how much they ’ re getting from the state .
“ It ’ s tough to cut 10 % .
There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the budget , ” House Appropriations Committee Chairman Terry England , an Auburn Republican , told representatives .
The cuts are deep , but had once been projected to be as high as 14 % .
Kemp let lawmakers spend $ 250 million out of the state ’ s savings account and increased projected tobacco tax revenue by $ 50 million earlier this week .
That and an improving economic outlook led to smaller reductions .
“ If there ’ s ever been a time to use the rainy day fund , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Combined with $ 15.1 billion in federal money and $ 11.4 billion in non-tax revenue , Georgia ’ s government plans to spend a total of $ 52.5 billion .
Kemp had to revise his revenue estimate , which sets a ceiling on what lawmakers can spend , after state revenues tumbled during the COVID-19 pandemic .
England said the cuts were necessary because of the decline in revenues , noting the downturn happened in just a few months , compared to the multi-year budget agony of the Great Recession more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was necessary when $ 2 billion , or $ 2.5 billion , disappeared out of the revenue stream almost overnight , ” he said .
Lawmakers have been considering proposals to increase revenue , including eliminating hundreds of millions in tax breaks and increasing taxes on cigarettes .
There are also last-minute efforts to expand gambling .
But none of those measures have passed even one legislative chamber and Republican budget writers said they included none of those plans .
Budget writers say they have found enough money to train new state troopers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments , and spend $ 19 million to pay for six months of Medicaid health insurance for indigent mothers after birth , up from two .
They also say there ’ s enough money for the Department of Public Health and Georgia ’ s child welfare agencies to fill some vacant positions instead of eliminating every unfilled job .
There are no cuts to the Department of Labor , which is struggling against a tide of unemployment claims .
There ’ s still a $ 900 million cut to the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will pay for the state ’ s share of enrollment growth , yearly teacher pay raises , running school buses and aid to school districts that don ’ t have much valuable property to tax .
Lawmakers are urging school districts to spend savings they have built up in recent years to avoid cutting teacher pay or instructional days .
England said Georgia ’ s 180 public school districts hold $ 3.3 billion in reserves , although some of that money is restricted .
“ Our school superintendents realized they had been caught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” England said , praising the reserve buildup .

ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia lawmakers agreed Friday to a budget that promises sharp cuts but is supposed to avoid unpaid employee furloughs and layoffs in one of the closing acts of the 2020 session of the General Assembly.
The final vote by the House on the $25.9 billion budget passed 104-62, with Democrats again arguing Republicans were overly focused on cuts and weren’t doing enough to maintain or raise tax revenue for needed programs.
House Bill 793 went to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature with fewer than five days before the 2021 budget year begins on Wednesday.
“In light of the drastic downturn in the economy and the drastic downturn in the revenues, I think we’ve got a much better budget than anybody thought we’d have, you know, a month and a half ago,” the Republican Kemp told reporters Friday.
Universities and K-12 schools will have to set their own budgets now that they know how much they’re getting from the state.
“It’s tough to cut 10%. There’s nothing easy about cutting 10% out of the budget,” House Appropriations Committee Chairman Terry England, an Auburn Republican, told representatives.
The cuts are deep, but had once been projected to be as high as 14%. Kemp let lawmakers spend $250 million out of the state’s savings account and increased projected tobacco tax revenue by $50 million earlier this week. That and an improving economic outlook led to smaller reductions.
“If there’s ever been a time to use the rainy day fund, it is right now,” Kemp said.
Combined with $15.1 billion in federal money and $11.4 billion in non-tax revenue, Georgia’s government plans to spend a total of $52.5 billion.
Kemp had to revise his revenue estimate, which sets a ceiling on what lawmakers can spend, after state revenues tumbled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
England said the cuts were necessary because of the decline in revenues, noting the downturn happened in just a few months, compared to the multi-year budget agony of the Great Recession more than a decade ago.
“It was necessary when $2 billion, or $2.5 billion, disappeared out of the revenue stream almost overnight,” he said.
Lawmakers have been considering proposals to increase revenue, including eliminating hundreds of millions in tax breaks and increasing taxes on cigarettes. There are also last-minute efforts to expand gambling. But none of those measures have passed even one legislative chamber and Republican budget writers said they included none of those plans.
Budget writers say they have found enough money to train new state troopers, avoid cutting aid to county health departments, and spend $19 million to pay for six months of Medicaid health insurance for indigent mothers after birth, up from two. They also say there’s enough money for the Department of Public Health and Georgia’s child welfare agencies to fill some vacant positions instead of eliminating every unfilled job. There are no cuts to the Department of Labor, which is struggling against a tide of unemployment claims.
There’s still a $900 million cut to the state’s K-12 funding formula, although budget writers will pay for the state’s share of enrollment growth, yearly teacher pay raises, running school buses and aid to school districts that don’t have much valuable property to tax.
Lawmakers are urging school districts to spend savings they have built up in recent years to avoid cutting teacher pay or instructional days. England said Georgia’s 180 public school districts hold $3.3 billion in reserves, although some of that money is restricted.
“Our school superintendents realized they had been caught short and realized they could do better,” England said, praising the reserve buildup.
___
Follow Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--New Mexico official says no to working with US border agency

ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. ( AP ) - The head of the New Mexico State Land Office on Friday declined to add her signature to the renewal of a cooperative agreement with U.S. border authorities .
Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard said she instead is siding with community members who urged her not to work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection over concerns about discrimination against people of color along the U.S.-Mexico border .
Garcia Richard and fellow Democrats in New Mexico have been critical of the Trump administration ’ s border policies .
The agreement , first executed in 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona , California and Texas and involves other federal land management agencies , state historic preservation offices and tribal governments in California , Arizona and Oklahoma .
Garcia Richard contends that other tribes that have expressed cultural ties to the border region haven ’ t been included .
Her office pointed to the Navajo Nation , the Hopi Tribe and Mescalero Apache , among several others .
“ We know consultation is not the actual intention of this document and the Land Office won ’ t give cover to border abuses , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from voicing her support for tribes , she said she stands by immigrants , refuses to support federal immigration authorities ’ operations along the border and opposes the construction of the border wall .
As required by federal law and internal directives , CBP officials said they work with other federal agencies , tribes , state agencies and non-governmental groups to meet environmental regulations as well as commitments to cultural stewardship and the protection of cultural resources .
But critics argue there are loopholes that allow CBP to control what ultimately happens on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the border .
They pointed to recent legal battles over waivers and other maneuvering that have cleared the way for work to move ahead on portions of the border wall .
The disputed agreement states CBP shall coordinate with affected parties as early in the project development process as practical and that alternate methods , routes and locations will be part of the discussion to avoid or minimize the effects on historic properties .
It also states that CBP will cooperate with the parties to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managers shall provide as much information as possible about cultural sensitivity concerns , the nature and location of any historic properties and if traditional cultural properties are present within 60 days of being requested .

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The head of the New Mexico State Land Office on Friday declined to add her signature to the renewal of a cooperative agreement with U.S. border authorities.
Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard said she instead is siding with community members who urged her not to work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection over concerns about discrimination against people of color along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Garcia Richard and fellow Democrats in New Mexico have been critical of the Trump administration’s border policies. The agreement, first executed in 2015 under the Obama administration, also covers Arizona, California and Texas and involves other federal land management agencies, state historic preservation offices and tribal governments in California, Arizona and Oklahoma.
Garcia Richard contends that other tribes that have expressed cultural ties to the border region haven’t been included. Her office pointed to the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe and Mescalero Apache, among several others.
“We know consultation is not the actual intention of this document and the Land Office won’t give cover to border abuses,” she said in a statement.
Aside from voicing her support for tribes, she said she stands by immigrants, refuses to support federal immigration authorities’ operations along the border and opposes the construction of the border wall.
As required by federal law and internal directives, CBP officials said they work with other federal agencies, tribes, state agencies and non-governmental groups to meet environmental regulations as well as commitments to cultural stewardship and the protection of cultural resources.
But critics argue there are loopholes that allow CBP to control what ultimately happens on state trust land and other non-federal lands along the border. They pointed to recent legal battles over waivers and other maneuvering that have cleared the way for work to move ahead on portions of the border wall.
The disputed agreement states CBP shall coordinate with affected parties as early in the project development process as practical and that alternate methods, routes and locations will be part of the discussion to avoid or minimize the effects on historic properties.
It also states that CBP will cooperate with the parties to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act, and that tribes and other land managers shall provide as much information as possible about cultural sensitivity concerns, the nature and location of any historic properties and if traditional cultural properties are present within 60 days of being requested.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Nevada to limit public access to special legislative session

CARSON CITY , Nev. ( AP ) - When Nevada lawmakers convene for a special session to address coronavirus-related budget shortfalls , the normally bustling legislative building will be closed to the public .
“ Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to prevent the potential spread of the virus , access to the legislative building during the upcoming special session of the Nevada Legislature will be limited to Legislators and essential staff , ” Legislative Counsel Bureau Director Brenda Erdoes announced Friday .
The Legislature , Erdoes said , plans to broadcast all committee meetings and floor hearings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their right to public comment via teleconference and through written comments .
“ Limited media access ” will be allowed , however in her statement , Erdoes did not specify any other exceptions that could , for example , allow the local officials , lobbyists or state workers who typically frequent the building to attend in-person .
Leaders of the Democrat-controlled Legislature announced last week that they had come to an agreement with Gov .
Steve Sisolak to delay convening a special session to “ early July ” in order to prepare safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during which the state ’ s totals have climbed to 15,240 reported cases and 498 deaths .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .
The Legislature has yet to unveil a safety proposal , but plans to rope off chairs , limit cafeteria seating and reprogram the building ’ s ventilation system , the Nevada Independent reported earlier this week .
The vast majority of Nevada ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encompasses the Las Vegas valley and , almost three-fourths of the state lawmakers needing to travel to Carson City for the special session reside in the Las Vegas area , where 12,204 individuals have tested positive and 408 have died from coronavirus .
Other states that have called special sessions to confront coronavirus-related challenges have enacted policies to limit public access and require widespread testing of legislative staff .
In New Mexico , lawmakers opposed to limiting public access petitioned the Supreme Court to prevent closing the Legislature ’ s doors during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the petition and allowed the session to proceed with limits on public access .

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - When Nevada lawmakers convene for a special session to address coronavirus-related budget shortfalls, the normally bustling legislative building will be closed to the public.
“Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to prevent the potential spread of the virus, access to the legislative building during the upcoming special session of the Nevada Legislature will be limited to Legislators and essential staff,” Legislative Counsel Bureau Director Brenda Erdoes announced Friday.
The Legislature, Erdoes said, plans to broadcast all committee meetings and floor hearings live and allow Nevada residents to exercise their right to public comment via teleconference and through written comments.
“Limited media access” will be allowed, however in her statement, Erdoes did not specify any other exceptions that could, for example, allow the local officials, lobbyists or state workers who typically frequent the building to attend in-person.
Leaders of the Democrat-controlled Legislature announced last week that they had come to an agreement with Gov. Steve Sisolak to delay convening a special session to “early July” in order to prepare safety precautions amid an uptick in cases, during which the state’s totals have climbed to 15,240 reported cases and 498 deaths. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
The Legislature has yet to unveil a safety proposal, but plans to rope off chairs, limit cafeteria seating and reprogram the building’s ventilation system, the Nevada Independent reported earlier this week.
The vast majority of Nevada’s population is in Clark County, which encompasses the Las Vegas valley and, almost three-fourths of the state lawmakers needing to travel to Carson City for the special session reside in the Las Vegas area, where 12,204 individuals have tested positive and 408 have died from coronavirus.
Other states that have called special sessions to confront coronavirus-related challenges have enacted policies to limit public access and require widespread testing of legislative staff. In New Mexico, lawmakers opposed to limiting public access petitioned the Supreme Court to prevent closing the Legislature’s doors during a special session. The court ultimately rejected the petition and allowed the session to proceed with limits on public access.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Judge: Alaska corporations can get tribal virus relief money

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. ( AP ) - Alaska Native corporations are eligible for a share of coronavirus relief funding set aside for tribes , a federal judge ruled late Friday in a case that has been closely watched around Indian Country .
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington , D.C. , initially granted a request from tribal nations to withhold money from the corporations while he determined whether they qualified for a share of $ 8 billion .
Mehta said the corporations can be treated as tribal governments for limited purposes after sorting through arguments that picked apart the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Economic Security Act , congressional intent and the history of other federal laws .
“ It stands to reason that Congress , in its effort to distribute emergency funds quickly to Indians under the CARES Act , intended to get those dollars in the hands of the same entities that deliver public services to Indians , ” he wrote .
“ In the lower 48 states , those entities are largely Tribal governments in the traditional sense , but in Alaska , those entities include Alaska Native village and regional corporations.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviewing the decision and deciding on next steps .
“ We sincerely believe that Alaska Native corporations are not governments and should not be allowed to access funding that is intended to go to tribal governments , ” said Rémi Bald Eagle , a spokesman for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota .
The Treasury Department , responsible for doling out the money , did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
It withheld more than $ 162 million for Alaska Native corporations from an initial disbursement that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court documents .
The total hasn ’ t publicly been disclosed .
Alaska Native corporations are unique to Alaska and own most of the Native land in the state under a 1971 settlement known as the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act .
The corporations were not party to lawsuits regarding the relief funding but have said they support Alaska Natives economically , socially and culturally .
“ This disaster assistance will provide immediate support to Alaska ’ s rural communities suffering from COVID-19 and help repair the economic damage caused by the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the ANCSA Regional Association .
Tribes had expressed concern that a ruling in favor of the corporations would lead to competition between tribal nations and the corporations for limited federal resources .
Mehta disputed that , saying his ruling in no way elevates the corporations to “ super tribal status , ” as some plaintiffs argued , or fosters competition .
The Alaska Federation of Natives said it understands that the more than 200 Alaska Native tribes have sovereignty that doesn ’ t extend to corporations through any federal law or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Sioux City , South Dakota , contributed to this report .

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Alaska Native corporations are eligible for a share of coronavirus relief funding set aside for tribes, a federal judge ruled late Friday in a case that has been closely watched around Indian Country.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, D.C., initially granted a request from tribal nations to withhold money from the corporations while he determined whether they qualified for a share of $8 billion.
Mehta said the corporations can be treated as tribal governments for limited purposes after sorting through arguments that picked apart the language in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, congressional intent and the history of other federal laws.
“It stands to reason that Congress, in its effort to distribute emergency funds quickly to Indians under the CARES Act, intended to get those dollars in the hands of the same entities that deliver public services to Indians,” he wrote. “In the lower 48 states, those entities are largely Tribal governments in the traditional sense, but in Alaska, those entities include Alaska Native village and regional corporations.”
Various tribes that sued said they were reviewing the decision and deciding on next steps.
“We sincerely believe that Alaska Native corporations are not governments and should not be allowed to access funding that is intended to go to tribal governments,” said Rémi Bald Eagle, a spokesman for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota.
The Treasury Department, responsible for doling out the money, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It withheld more than $162 million for Alaska Native corporations from an initial disbursement that was based on population data, according to court documents. The total hasn’t publicly been disclosed.
Alaska Native corporations are unique to Alaska and own most of the Native land in the state under a 1971 settlement known as the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The corporations were not party to lawsuits regarding the relief funding but have said they support Alaska Natives economically, socially and culturally.
“This disaster assistance will provide immediate support to Alaska’s rural communities suffering from COVID-19 and help repair the economic damage caused by the pandemic,” said Kim Reitmeier, executive director of the ANCSA Regional Association.
Tribes had expressed concern that a ruling in favor of the corporations would lead to competition between tribal nations and the corporations for limited federal resources.
Mehta disputed that, saying his ruling in no way elevates the corporations to “super tribal status,” as some plaintiffs argued, or fosters competition.
“Today’s decision would result in critical congressional funding intended for Indian tribal governments being diverted to state-chartered corporate entities with no governance authority and no governmental duties to tribal citizens in Alaska,” the National Congress of American Indians said in a statement Friday.
The Alaska Federation of Natives said it understands that the more than 200 Alaska Native tribes have sovereignty that doesn’t extend to corporations through any federal law or policy.
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Associated Press writer Stephen Groves in Sioux City, South Dakota, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Asia Today: Australia expects more cases with return flights

CANBERRA , Australia ( AP ) - Australian health officials are expecting more cases of COVID-19 as hundreds of nationals return from overseas to begin mandatory quarantine .
About 300 people are due to arrive in Adelaide this weekend from Mumbai , India , while hundreds are expected to follow from South America and Indonesia .
People in hotel quarantine will be tested for the coronavirus at the start and end of their 14-day isolation .
South Australia state Health Minister Stephen Wade said Saturday he is preparing for about 5 % to 10 % returnees to have the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned from Indonesia in other states .
Melbourne recorded 30 new cases on Friday , continuing a run of double-digit increases that has more than tripled Victoria state ’ s active cases to 183 in just over a week .
In an attempt to reduce the chance of new flareups during a two-week school holiday break , almost 5,000 infrared thermometers are being shipped to popular vacation spots in the state .
The thermometers will be used at testing clinics set up on the Great Ocean Road tourist drive and in the Victorian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 104 COVID-19 deaths and nearly 7,600 confirmed cases .
Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

NEW DELHI (AP) - India’s confirmed coronavirus cases crossed half a million on Saturday with another record 24-hour jump of 18,552 infections.
The Health Ministry also reported 384 new deaths, raising the total to 15,685.
The surge prompted authorities in the northeastern state of Assam to impose a two-week lockdown in the state capital of Gauhati. About 700 new cases were reported there in just four days.
Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the rest of Assam will be placed under a night curfew and weekend lockdowns.
He urged people to store essential goods and signaled a tighter lockdown where even grocery stores would be closed.
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In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:
- China has reported an uptick in new coronavirus cases, a day after the nation’s CDC said it expects an outbreak in Beijing to be brought under control soon. The National Health Commission said Saturday that 21 cases had been confirmed nationwide in the latest 24-hour period, including 17 in the nation’s capital. City officials have temporarily shut a huge wholesale food market where the virus spread widely, re-closed schools and locked down some neighborhoods. According to China’s CDC, testing has found only a few infected people without a link to the market and that the steps taken mean the risk of further spread is low, the official Xinhua News Agency said. Anyone leaving Beijing is required to have a negative result from a nucleic acid test within the previous seven days. Many Chinese are traveling during a four-day holiday weekend that ends Sunday. China has reported 83,483 confirmed cases and 4,634 deaths in the pandemic. People who test positive but show no symptoms are not included in its official case count.
- South Korea has reported 51 newly confirmed cases of the coronavirus as fresh clusters continue to emerge in the densely populated Seoul area. They bring the national caseload to 12,653, including 282 deaths. Thirty-five of the new cases came from Seoul and nearby cities and towns, which have been at the center of a COVID-19 resurgence since late May. Twelve others were linked to international arrivals. Health authorities are struggling to trace contacts and predict infection routes with new clusters popping up from just about everywhere. Hundreds of infections have been linked to nightspots, church gatherings, restaurants and low-income workers such as door-to-door salespeople and warehouse employees. Officials have so far resisted calls to reimpose stronger social distancing guidelines after easing them in mid-April, citing concerns about a fragile economy.
- Australian health officials are expecting more cases of COVID-19 as hundreds of nationals return from overseas to begin mandatory quarantine. About 300 people are due to arrive in Adelaide this weekend from Mumbai, India, while hundreds are expected to follow from South America and Indonesia. People in hotel quarantine will be tested for the coronavirus at the start and end of their 14-day isolation. South Australia state Health Minister Stephen Wade says he’s preparing for about 5% to 10% returnees to have the virus, as was the case when people returned from Indonesia in other states. Melbourne recorded 30 new cases on Friday, continuing a run of double-digit increases that has more than tripled Victoria state’s active cases to 183 in just over a week. In an attempt to reduce the chance of new flareups during a two-week school holiday break, almost 5,000 infrared thermometers are being shipped to popular vacation spots in the state. The thermometers will be used at testing clinics set up on the Great Ocean Road tourist drive and in the Victorian Alps ski area. Australia has had 104 COVID-19 deaths and nearly 7,600 confirmed cases.
- Sri Lanka reopened cinemas on Saturday as part of the island nation’s efforts to return to normalcy following more than two months of lockdown to contain the coronavirus. Patrons are required to follow health guidelines such as hand washing and wearing face masks. A seat must be kept vacant between patrons in a bid to maintain social distancing, and cinemas are only allowed to reach half capacity. Previously, Sri Lanka reopened places of worships, wildlife parks and zoos. The country has confirmed 2,014 cases of the coronavirus, including 11 deaths.
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Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Nevada, Energy Department settle fight over secret plutonium

RENO , Nev. ( AP ) - Nevada ended a two-year legal battle Friday with the U.S. Energy Department over the secret shipment of weapons grade plutonium to a site near Las Vegas .
Nevada said it would drop its lawsuit after the federal government agreed to remove the radioactive material already trucked there and abandon any future plans to send more .
The settlement agreement was disclosed in court papers filed in U.S. District Court in Reno and signed by Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and lawyers for the U.S. Justice Department .
Gov .
Steve Sisolak said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the effort to “ keep weapons grade material out of our state.
” Nevada said the shipment of one-half metric ton ( 600 pounds ) of the plutonium over its objections from the Savannah River Site in South Carolina in 2018 amounted to a “ secret plutonium smuggling operation.
” The U.S. government argued secrecy was necessitated by national security concerns .
Details of the settlement were not disclosed in the court filing .
But the statement released by Sisolak and Ford said the Energy Department will begin removing the plutonium next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 31 , 2026 .
Most importantly , they said , the agreement states that none of the more than 10 metric tons ( 22,000 pounds ) of additional surplus plutonium the Energy Department may be forced to remove from South Carolina in the next 18 months will be sent to Nevada .
The Energy Department agreed to notify the state if those plans change within the next 30 days so the state can resume its previous legal challenge , the statement said .
“ While I ’ m hopeful this agreement is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collaborative relationship with the Department of Energy , my office stands ready to protect the interests of Nevadans , ” Ford said .

RENO, Nev. (AP) - Nevada ended a two-year legal battle Friday with the U.S. Energy Department over the secret shipment of weapons-grade plutonium to a site near Las Vegas.
The state’s lawyers said they would drop their lawsuit after the federal government agreed to remove the highly radioactive material already trucked there and abandon any future plans to send more.
The settlement agreement was disclosed in court papers filed in U.S. District Court in Reno and signed by Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and lawyers for the U.S. Justice Department.
Gov. Steve Sisolak said in a statement it was a significant victory in the effort to “keep weapons grade material out of our state.”
Nevada said the clandestine shipment of one-half metric ton (1,100 pounds) of the plutonium over its objections from the Savannah River Site in South Carolina in 2018 amounted to a “secret plutonium smuggling operation.” The U.S. government argued secrecy was necessitated by national security concerns.
Details of the settlement were not disclosed in the court filing. But the statement released by Sisolak and Ford, both Democrats, said the Energy Department will begin removing the plutonium next year and complete removal no later than Dec. 31, 2026.
Most importantly, they said, the agreement states that none of the more than 10 metric tons (22,000 pounds) of additional surplus plutonium the Energy Department may be forced to remove from South Carolina in the next 18 months will be sent to Nevada.
The Energy Department agreed to notify Nevada if those plans change within the next 30 days so the state can resume its previous legal challenge, the statement said.
“While I’m hopeful this agreement is the basis for a stronger and more collaborative relationship with the Department of Energy, my office stands ready to protect the interests of Nevadans,” Ford said.
The state filed suit in 2018 after the Energy Department disclosed it had secretly trucked the plutonium to a specialized facility at the vast Nevada National Security Site, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island. The site was used to conduct nuclear weapons tests form 1945 to 1992.
U.S. Judge Miranda Du in Reno refused the state’s repeated requests to declare the shipments illegal, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Nevada’s appeal last August.
Nevada and the department notified Du in March and again in May they had reached a tentative settlement agreement but needed more time to formalize the details.
Ford said Friday the framework for the deal stemmed from assurances Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, received from then-Energy Secretary Rick Perry in April 2019 - and his successor Secretary Dan Brouillette seven moths later - that the department would expedite removal of the plutonium from Nevada and suspend plans for any future shipments.
Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nevada, the dean of the delegation who has led a separate fight for decades to prevent construction of a permanent repository for high-level nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain near the test site, said the Trump administration tried to “mislead the courts and secretly dump radioactive plutonium in our backyard.”
“Time and time again the Trump administration has treated our state as a trash can for the nation’s waste. Today’s announcement is a major step toward reversing the damaging inflicted upon our state and protecting the health and safety of Nevadans,” Titus said Friday.
The Energy Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment late Friday.
The “stipulation to dismiss” filed in federal court was signed by lawyers for the c representing the Energy Department.
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This story corrects an early version to show the metric conversion of one-half metric ton is 1,100 pounds, not 600 pounds.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Feds indict New Orleans city councilman, another attorney

NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) - A federal grand jury returned an 11-count indictment Friday against New Orleans City Council President Jason Williams and an attorney in his law firm on tax fraud charges .
Williams is accused of inflating his business expenses from 2013 to 2017 in order to reduce his tax liability by more than $ 200,000 , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the Western District of Louisiana said in a news release .
The indictment also said Williams , a criminal defense lawyer , and Nicole Burdett , an attorney in Williams ’ law office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to file the proper reports on cash payments from clients totaling $ 66,516 .
The charges include one count of conspiracy , five counts each of preparing false or fraudulent tax returns and failing to file tax forms related to cash received .
Williams ’ attorney , Billy Gibbens , issued a statement Friday saying they were “ deeply disappointed that the government chose to indict Jason Williams simply for following the advice of his tax preparer.
” Gibbens , according to The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate , also questioned the timing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney ’ s race weeks away .
Williams has said he plans to challenge Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro .
Michael Magner , an attorney for Burdett , touted Burdett ’ s innocence in a statement , saying they were “ disappointed and baffled ” at the indictment .
Burdett played no role in the tax decisions , the statement said .
The investigation into Williams , led by the Internal Revenue Service and the FBI , has been going on for at least two years , Williams has confirmed .
Williams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its roots in politics , blaming Cannizzaro for triggering the inquiry - though Cannizzaro has no authority over federal investigators .
Cannizzaro has responded by accusing Williams of airing a baseless suspicion to divert attention from his own legal problems .
Williams was elected to an at-large seat on the City Council in 2014 and easily re-elected in 2018 .
His current term expires in 2022 .
But for more than a year , he has said he plans to challenge Cannizzaro for the city ’ s top prosecutor post .
Cannizzaro has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third six-year term .
Williams ran for the office in 2008 , finishing third behind Cannizzaro and runner-up Ralph Capitelli .
Qualifying for the Nov. 3 election is from July 22-24 .

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A federal grand jury returned an 11-count indictment Friday against New Orleans City Council President Jason Williams and an attorney in his law firm on tax fraud charges.
Williams is accused of inflating his business expenses from 2013 to 2017 in order to reduce his tax liability by more than $200,000, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana said in a news release.
The indictment also said Williams, a criminal defense lawyer, and Nicole Burdett, an attorney in Williams’ law office who also handled administrative duties, failed to file the proper reports on cash payments from clients totaling $66,516.
The charges include one count of conspiracy, five counts each of preparing false or fraudulent tax returns and failing to file tax forms related to cash received.
Williams’ attorney, Billy Gibbens, issued a statement Friday saying they were “deeply disappointed that the government chose to indict Jason Williams simply for following the advice of his tax preparer.”
Gibbens, according to The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate, also questioned the timing of the indictment with qualifying for the district attorney’s race weeks away. Williams has said he plans to challenge Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro.
Michael Magner, an attorney for Burdett, touted Burdett’s innocence in a statement, saying they were “disappointed and baffled” at the indictment. Burdett played no role in the tax decisions, the statement said.
The investigation into Williams, led by the Internal Revenue Service and the FBI, has been going on for at least two years, Williams has confirmed. Williams has said he believes the probe has its roots in politics, blaming Cannizzaro for triggering the inquiry - though Cannizzaro has no authority over federal investigators.
Cannizzaro has responded by accusing Williams of airing a baseless suspicion to divert attention from his own legal problems.
Williams was elected to an at-large seat on the City Council in 2014 and easily re-elected in 2018. His current term expires in 2022. But for more than a year, he has said he plans to challenge Cannizzaro for the city’s top prosecutor post. Cannizzaro has yet to announce a run for a third six-year term.
Williams ran for the office in 2008, finishing third behind Cannizzaro and runner-up Ralph Capitelli.
Qualifying for the Nov. 3 election is from July 22-24.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Man convicted of stealing high tech trade secrets for China

SAN JOSE , Calif. ( AP ) - A federal judge has convicted a Chinese national of economic espionage , stealing trade secrets and engaging in a conspiracy for the benefit of his country ’ s government .
U.S. District Judge Edward Davila found Hao Zhang , 41 , guilty of the three counts Friday after a four-day trial .
The decision comes five years after Zhang was indicted on charges of conspiring to steal technology from two companies shortly after graduating from the University of Southern California .
The trade secrets were heisted from Zhang ’ s former employer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Avago Technlogies , a San Jose , California , company later acquired by chipmaker Broadcom .
The pilfered technology is used to help filter out unwanted signals to smartphones .
The conviction is part of efforts to crack down on China ’ s alleged theft of patented technology created in the U.S , a problem underlying the costly trade war between the two countries in recent years .
China ’ s government has consistently denied its involved in any effort to steal U.S. technology .
The verdict “ is an important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robbed his U.S. employer of trade secrets and sought to replicate the company ’ s technology and replace its market share , ” said John Demers , the Justice Department ’ s assistant attorney general for national security .
Zhang ’ s attorney , Daniel Olmos , declined to comment on the verdict .
Zhang faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 to 15 years and fines of up to $ 250,000 for each of the three felony convictions .

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - A federal judge has convicted a Chinese national of economic espionage, stealing trade secrets and engaging in a conspiracy for the benefit of his country’s government.
U.S. District Judge Edward Davila found Hao Zhang, 41, guilty of the three counts Friday after a four-day trial.
The decision comes five years after Zhang was indicted on charges of conspiring to steal technology from two companies shortly after graduating from the University of Southern California. The trade secrets were heisted from Zhang’s former employer, Skyworks Solutions in Woburn, Massachusetts, and Avago Technlogies, a San Jose, California, company later acquired by chipmaker Broadcom.
The pilfered technology is used to help filter out unwanted signals to smartphones.
The conviction is part of efforts to crack down on China’s alleged theft of patented technology created in the U.S, a problem underlying the costly trade war between the two countries in recent years. China’s government has consistently denied its involved in any effort to steal U.S. technology.
The verdict “is an important step in holding accountable an individual who robbed his U.S. employer of trade secrets and sought to replicate the company’s technology and replace its market share,” said John Demers, the Justice Department’s assistant attorney general for national security.
Zhang’s attorney, Daniel Olmos, declined to comment on the verdict. Zhang faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 to 15 years and fines of up to $250,000 for each of the three felony convictions.
The sentencing is scheduled Aug. 31.