washingtontimes--2020-07-20--American firm buys 85% stake in French soccer club Toulouse

TOULOUSE , France ( AP ) - American investment firm RedBird Capital Partners has agreed to buy an 85 % stake in struggling French soccer club Toulouse , the sides said Monday .
Olivier Sadran , who had been club president since 2001 , will retain a 15 % stake in his hometown club .
Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed .
The sides had been negotiating since May , when RedBird Capital founder Gerry Cardinale confirmed the takeover bid .
RedBird Capital immediately appointed Damien Comolli as president .
Comolli previously held strategic roles at Arsenal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the second division after finishing last this season .
The season ended early with 10 rounds remaining because of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We are proud and excited to help write the next chapter of Toulouse FC and realize its tremendous potential , ” Cardinale said in a statement .
Sadran , who will remain on the club ’ s board of directors , said the club and city are “ big parts of my life.
” Comolli said he is “ thrilled and honored ” to lead Toulouse .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has and plan to commit continued focus towards youth development throughout the region , ” said Comolli , a Frenchman who has also worked for Monaco and Saint-Etienne .

TOULOUSE, France (AP) - American investment firm RedBird Capital Partners has agreed to buy an 85% stake in struggling French soccer club Toulouse, the sides said Monday.
Olivier Sadran, who had been club president since 2001, will retain a 15% stake in his hometown club.
Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed. The sides had been negotiating since May, when RedBird Capital founder Gerry Cardinale confirmed the takeover bid.
RedBird Capital immediately appointed Damien Comolli as president. Comolli previously held strategic roles at Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool.
Toulouse was relegated to the second division after finishing last this season. The season ended early with 10 rounds remaining because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are proud and excited to help write the next chapter of Toulouse FC and realize its tremendous potential,” Cardinale said in a statement.
Sadran, who will remain on the club’s board of directors, said the club and city are “big parts of my life.”
Comolli said he is “thrilled and honored” to lead Toulouse.
“We recognize the unique talent this city has and plan to commit continued focus towards youth development throughout the region,” said Comolli, a Frenchman who has also worked for Monaco and Saint-Etienne.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Teen shot and wounded in Grand Forks, apparently accidental

GRAND FORKS , N.D. ( AP ) - Grand Forks police are investigating a shooting that injured a 16-year-old boy @ @ @ @ @ Forks , Minnesota stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation early Sunday and discovered the @ @ @ @ @ a gunshot wound to his shoulder , according to authorities .
Police believe the boy @ @ @ @ @ vehicle was being driven in Grand Forks .
Officials said the person who fired the @ @ @ @ @ victim and that there is no threat to the public .
KFGO reports an investigation @ @ @

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - Grand Forks police are investigating a shooting that injured a 16-year-old boy.
Officers in East Grand Forks, Minnesota stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation early Sunday and discovered the teen in the vehicle had a gunshot wound to his shoulder, according to authorities.
Police believe the boy was injured accidentally while the vehicle was being driven in Grand Forks.
Officials said the person who fired the gun is acquainted with the victim and that there is no threat to the public. KFGO reports an investigation is ongoing.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Chad Wolf, acting DHS head: We don't need invitations from mayors, governors to do our jobs

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad F. Wolf on Monday said that federal authorities will do their jobs to keep the peace and protect federal property whether states and cities like it or not .
“ I don ’ t need invitations by state mayors or state governors to do our job — we ’ re going to do that whether they like us there or not , ” Mr. Wolf said on “ Fox & Friends.
” “ At the end of the day , we ’ re going to do our job .
We ’ re not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to do it professionally and we ’ re going to do it correctly.
” He said it ’ s the responsibility of DHS to protect about 9,000 federal facilities across the country , and they ’ ve been doing that job long before recent “ civil unrest ” popped up in places like Portland , Oregon .
“ First and foremost , we want to work with them , and we have great working relationships with the vast majority of local law enforcement , ” Mr. Wolf said .
“ However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , want to breed this environment that allows this lawlessness.
” Local leaders in Oregon have told the Trump administration to get out of Portland after federal agents were recently deployed there to protect federal property .
Oregon ’ s attorney general has also sued DHS , saying agents are using unmarked vehicles to detain the public without properly explaining the crime people are being accused of committing .

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad F. Wolf on Monday said that federal authorities will do their jobs to keep the peace and protect federal property whether states and cities like it or not.
“I don’t need invitations by state mayors or state governors to do our job — we’re going to do that whether they like us there or not,” Mr. Wolf said on “Fox & Friends.” “At the end of the day, we’re going to do our job. We’re not going to apologize for it. We’re going to do it professionally and we’re going to do it correctly.”
He said it’s the responsibility of DHS to protect about 9,000 federal facilities across the country, and they’ve been doing that job long before recent “civil unrest” popped up in places like Portland, Oregon.
“First and foremost, we want to work with them, and we have great working relationships with the vast majority of local law enforcement,” Mr. Wolf said. “However, there are some communities that, again, want to breed this environment that allows this lawlessness.”
Local leaders in Oregon have told the Trump administration to get out of Portland after federal agents were recently deployed there to protect federal property.
Oregon’s attorney general has also sued DHS, saying agents are using unmarked vehicles to detain the public without properly explaining the crime people are being accused of committing.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Police: Body of 22-year-old man recovered in North Carolina

MOUNT HOLLY , N.C. ( AP ) - Authorities said they recovered the body of a 22-year-old man from a @ @ @ @ @ they were called about a possible drowning .
Witnesses told Mount Holly police that the @ @ @ @ @ swimming in Mountain Island Lake Sunday when the victim went under the water and never @ @ @ @ @ Chief Don Roper said in a news release reported by news outlets .
The victim @ @ @ @ @ of the area and declared dead at the scene .
Authorities have not released his @ @

MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. (AP) - Authorities said they recovered the body of a 22-year-old man from a lake in North Carolina after they were called about a possible drowning.
Witnesses told Mount Holly police that the man and another person were swimming in Mountain Island Lake Sunday when the victim went under the water and never resurfaced, Mount Holly Police Chief Don Roper said in a news release reported by news outlets.
The victim was found after a search of the area and declared dead at the scene. Authorities have not released his identity.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Officials: Virginia man cited for having gun in carry-on bag

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - A Virginia man has been citied for weapons charges after officials found a gun and a magazine with 12 bullets inside his carry-on bag at an airport security checkpoint , authorities said .
A Transportation Security Administration officer spotted the man ’ s weapon last week at Richmond International Airport and notified airport police , who confiscated the handgun and citied the man , the agency said in a news release .
Authorities have not released his identity .
“ Even though there have been fewer travelers this year as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uptick in the number of guns that passengers are bringing to the checkpoint , ” Chuck Burke , the agency ’ s federal security director at the airport , said in the release .
The agency said 14 guns were caught at the airport ’ s checkpoint last year compared to 11 that have been confiscated so far in 2020 .
Passengers can travel with firearms if it ’ s unloaded , placed in checked baggage and packed in a hard-sided case separately from the bullets , the release said .
Travelers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in carry-on bags .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Virginia man has been citied for weapons charges after officials found a gun and a magazine with 12 bullets inside his carry-on bag at an airport security checkpoint, authorities said.
A Transportation Security Administration officer spotted the man’s weapon last week at Richmond International Airport and notified airport police, who confiscated the handgun and citied the man, the agency said in a news release. Authorities have not released his identity.
“Even though there have been fewer travelers this year as a result of the pandemic, we are seeing an uptick in the number of guns that passengers are bringing to the checkpoint,” Chuck Burke, the agency’s federal security director at the airport, said in the release.
The agency said 14 guns were caught at the airport’s checkpoint last year compared to 11 that have been confiscated so far in 2020.
Passengers can travel with firearms if it’s unloaded, placed in checked baggage and packed in a hard-sided case separately from the bullets, the release said. Travelers are not allowed to carry guns onto airplanes in carry-on bags.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Vatican: In rare cases, lay faithful can lead marriage rite

VATICAN CITY ( AP ) - The Vatican said on Monday that in very exceptional circumstances and with special permission , lay Catholics can be allowed to perform marriage rites .
In a document issued by the Holy See office for clergy , the Vatican said that could only happen if there are no priests or deacons available , the nation ’ s bishops sign off on the exception and the Holy See OKs it too .
The same document stresses that lay faithful can preach at liturgy services , but never can give homilies at Masses .
The Vatican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using his “ prudent judgment , ” may entrust to lay faithful in “ exceptional circumstances ” such duties including celebrating funeral rites , administering baptism , assisting at marriages - with the Holy See ’ s permission - and preaching in a church in case of need .
It noted that “ where there is a lack of priests and deacons , the diocesan bishop can delegate lay persons to assist at marriages ” after the nation ’ s bishops conference signs off on the decision and the Vatican gives its permission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , may lay people give the homily during the celebration of the Eucharist , ” said the Congregation for the Clergy .
The document is aimed at encouraging parishes to be more dynamic in carrying out the church ’ s evangelizing mission and less focused on themselves , as desired by Pope Francis .
It also offered advice on the often sensitive situation where faithful give money to the local church or priest .
In some places , including after a funeral or marriage , or when Mass is said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer money .
The Congregation for the Clergy recommended : “ one might think of receiving offerings in an anonymous way , so that everyone feels free to donate what they can , or what they think is just , without feeling an obligation to respond to an expectation or a price .
”

VATICAN CITY (AP) - The Vatican said on Monday that in very exceptional circumstances and with special permission, lay Catholics can be allowed to perform marriage rites.
In a document issued by the Holy See office for clergy, the Vatican said that could only happen if there are no priests or deacons available, the nation’s bishops sign off on the exception and the Holy See OKs it too.
The same document stresses that lay faithful can preach at liturgy services, but never can give homilies at Masses.
The Vatican document said that the local bishop, using his “prudent judgment,” may entrust to lay faithful in “exceptional circumstances” such duties including celebrating funeral rites, administering baptism, assisting at marriages - with the Holy See’s permission - and preaching in a church in case of need.
It noted that “where there is a lack of priests and deacons, the diocesan bishop can delegate lay persons to assist at marriages” after the nation’s bishops conference signs off on the decision and the Vatican gives its permission, too.
“Under no circumstances, however, may lay people give the homily during the celebration of the Eucharist,” said the Congregation for the Clergy.
The document is aimed at encouraging parishes to be more dynamic in carrying out the church’s evangelizing mission and less focused on themselves, as desired by Pope Francis.
It also offered advice on the often sensitive situation where faithful give money to the local church or priest. In some places, including after a funeral or marriage, or when Mass is said in memory of a deceased parishioner, faithful offer money.
The Congregation for the Clergy recommended: “one might think of receiving offerings in an anonymous way, so that everyone feels free to donate what they can, or what they think is just, without feeling an obligation to respond to an expectation or a price.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--First COVID-19, now mosquitoes: Bracing for bug-borne ills

Sophia Garabedian had been dealing with a persistent fever and painful headache when her parents found her unresponsive in her bed one morning last fall .
Doctors ultimately diagnosed the then-5-year-old Sudbury , Massachusetts , resident with eastern equine encephalitis , a rare but severe mosquito-borne virus that causes brain swelling .
Garabedian survived the potentially fatal virus after about a month in Boston hospitals , but her parents say her ordeal and ongoing recovery should be a warning as people take advantage of the outdoors this summer .
“ It ’ s been a rough year , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With any brain injury , it ’ s hard to tell .
The damage is there .
How she works through it is anyone ’ s guess.
” As the coronavirus pandemic subsides for now in the hard-hit Northeast , public health officials in the region are warning about another potentially bad summer for EEE and other insect-borne illnesses .
EEE saw an unexpected resurgence last summer across 10 states : Alabama , Connecticut , Georgia , Indiana , Massachusetts , Michigan , New Jersey , North Carolina , Rhode Island and Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 deaths from the virus , with many of the cases in Massachusetts and Michigan , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Most years , the country sees just half a dozen cases of the virus in humans , the agency said .
In Massachusetts and New Jersey , officials have already detected EEE in mosquitoes this year , the earliest on record in those states .
There have been no human or animal cases yet .
“ It ’ s unnerving , ” said Scott Crans , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection .
“ It could signal a busy year.
” Crans and other state health officials say EEE , which has no cure in humans , tends to come in two- to three-year cycles , but they also stress that mosquito borne-diseases are notoriously tricky to predict .
A relatively mild winter may have benefited mosquito populations , but below-average rainfall could have also provided a welcome counterweight , he said .
Local health officials are also warning about the risk of contracting other insect-borne illnesses as more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid the coronavirus pandemic .
In Michigan , an invasive mosquito known to transmit dengue , Zika and other tropical viruses has already been detected for the first time this season , said Mary Grace Stobierski , the state ’ s public health veterinarian .
The state also had its first case of West Nile virus this season .
A more common but less severe mosquito-borne disease than EEE , it can cause fevers , headaches , body pain and other symptoms .
The infection was found in a captive hawk in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be out earlier and in larger numbers this season because of the relatively mild winter , warned Aaron Bernstein , a pediatrician at Boston Children ’ s Hospital and a director at Harvard ’ s School of Public Health .
That could mean more cases of debilitating Lyme disease and other tick-related illnesses for local health care systems already feeling the pressure of responding to the coronavirus , he said .
“ Some of the people going into the woods more now might not be experienced with how to protect themselves in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern , ” he said .
Officials say people should avoid the evening and early morning hours when mosquitoes are most active , use bug spray and wear long clothing where possible when outdoors .
The CDC has offered states additional help with mosquito testing this season as the coronavirus pandemic has overwhelmed state public health offices , said Candice Hoffmann , an agency spokeswoman .
Officials in eight states and the District of Columbia have so far taken up the offer : Maryland , Ohio , North Carolina , South Carolina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During last year ’ s EEE outbreak , the CDC provided about $ 700,000 in emergency funding and technical assistance to Rhode Island , Indiana , Michigan , and Massachusetts on top of roughly $ 18 million it provided to states for annual vector-borne disease surveillance , Hoffmann said .
In Michigan , where six of that state ’ s 10 cases of EEE last year proved fatal , officials this summer have launched a pilot program to improve the state ’ s response to mosquito-borne illnesses .
Ned Walker , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the effort , said the goal is to create the kind of regular mosquito surveillance system already in place in Massachusetts and elsewhere to better predict and prepare for disease outbreaks .
In Connecticut , officials have boosted the number of testing sites for mosquitoes in its high risk eastern portion , according to Philip Armstrong , a virologist with the state Department of Environmental Sciences .
In Massachusetts , which was the hardest hit by EEE last year , with 12 cases and 6 fatalities , officials have been testing earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range of locations this year in order to quickly identify infection clusters , said State Epidemiologist Catherine Brown .
A pilot effort is also testing the efficacy of different larvicides to help cull the mosquito population at its earliest stages , she said .
One troubling development : the two earliest cases of EEE in mosquitoes this year were found in a northern part of the state close to New Hampshire , rather than the virus ’ typical hotspots near Cape Cod , where officials also detected the virus in a mosquito sample @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year ’ s widespread cases , strongly suggests the territory of EEE-carrying mosquitoes is expanding , according to Brown .
Climate changes that are causing warmer summers and altering bird migration patterns and local mosquito populations could be among the drivers , she said .
Meanwhile an environmental group is calling on Massachusetts to avoid resorting to widespread aerial spraying of insecticide , which took place six times last year as cases surged .
Maryland-based Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Inspector General ’ s office this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aerial spraying cost more than $ 2 million but wasn ’ t effective in reducing EEE-carrying mosquitoes .
Brown disputes the group ’ s assertion , but acknowledges the insecticides can be toxic to bees and other species , another concern raised by the group .
“ Last year was unprecedented , ” she said .
“ No one wants to do that again.
” Back in Sudbury , David and Kirstin Garabedian say they ’ re optimistic their daughter can continue to heal from EEE .
Now 6 , she was able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic shuttered schools weeks later .
But her parents say she still regularly goes to speech and occupational therapy to deal with lingering speech and memory problems .
Kirstin Garabedian says she understands people want to take advantage of the outdoors this summer .
“ Go outside and enjoy yourself , but take the proper precautions , ” she said .
“ Just be vigilant .
Use common sense .
”

Sophia Garabedian had been dealing with a persistent fever and painful headache when her parents found her unresponsive in her bed one morning last fall.
Doctors ultimately diagnosed the then-5-year-old Sudbury, Massachusetts, resident with eastern equine encephalitis, a rare but severe mosquito-borne virus that causes brain swelling.
Garabedian survived the potentially fatal virus after about a month in Boston hospitals, but her parents say her ordeal and ongoing recovery should be a warning as people take advantage of the outdoors this summer.
“It’s been a rough year,” said David Garabedian, her father. “With any brain injury, it’s hard to tell. The damage is there. How she works through it is anyone’s guess.”
As the coronavirus pandemic subsides for now in the hard-hit Northeast, public health officials in the region are warning about another potentially bad summer for EEE and other insect-borne illnesses.
EEE saw an unexpected resurgence last summer across 10 states: Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Tennessee.
There were 38 human cases and 15 deaths from the virus, with many of the cases in Massachusetts and Michigan, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most years, the country sees just half a dozen cases of the virus in humans, the agency said.
In Massachusetts and New Jersey, officials have already detected EEE in mosquitoes this year, the earliest on record in those states. There have been no human or animal cases yet.
“It’s unnerving,” said Scott Crans, who heads up mosquito control efforts for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. “It could signal a busy year.”
Crans and other state health officials say EEE, which has no cure in humans, tends to come in two- to three-year cycles, but they also stress that mosquito borne-diseases are notoriously tricky to predict.
A relatively mild winter may have benefited mosquito populations, but below-average rainfall could have also provided a welcome counterweight, he said.
Local health officials are also warning about the risk of contracting other insect-borne illnesses as more people are spending a longer time outdoors amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In Michigan, an invasive mosquito known to transmit dengue, Zika and other tropical viruses has already been detected for the first time this season, said Mary Grace Stobierski, the state’s public health veterinarian.
The state also had its first case of West Nile virus this season. A more common but less severe mosquito-borne disease than EEE, it can cause fevers, headaches, body pain and other symptoms. The infection was found in a captive hawk in early June.
Ticks are also expected to be out earlier and in larger numbers this season because of the relatively mild winter, warned Aaron Bernstein, a pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital and a director at Harvard’s School of Public Health.
That could mean more cases of debilitating Lyme disease and other tick-related illnesses for local health care systems already feeling the pressure of responding to the coronavirus, he said.
“Some of the people going into the woods more now might not be experienced with how to protect themselves in the forest, and that’s a concern,” he said.
Officials say people should avoid the evening and early morning hours when mosquitoes are most active, use bug spray and wear long clothing where possible when outdoors.
The CDC has offered states additional help with mosquito testing this season as the coronavirus pandemic has overwhelmed state public health offices, said Candice Hoffmann, an agency spokeswoman.
Officials in eight states and the District of Columbia have so far taken up the offer: Maryland, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Vermont, Maine, Florida and Arizona.
During last year’s EEE outbreak, the CDC provided about $700,000 in emergency funding and technical assistance to Rhode Island, Indiana, Michigan, and Massachusetts on top of roughly $18 million it provided to states for annual vector-borne disease surveillance, Hoffmann said.
In Michigan, where six of that state’s 10 cases of EEE last year proved fatal, officials this summer have launched a pilot program to improve the state’s response to mosquito-borne illnesses.
Ned Walker, a medical entomologist at Michigan State University heading up the effort, said the goal is to create the kind of regular mosquito surveillance system already in place in Massachusetts and elsewhere to better predict and prepare for disease outbreaks.
In Connecticut, officials have boosted the number of testing sites for mosquitoes in its high risk eastern portion, according to Philip Armstrong, a virologist with the state Department of Environmental Sciences.
In Massachusetts, which was the hardest hit by EEE last year, with 12 cases and 6 fatalities, officials have been testing earlier, more often and in a wider range of locations this year in order to quickly identify infection clusters, said State Epidemiologist Catherine Brown. A pilot effort is also testing the efficacy of different larvicides to help cull the mosquito population at its earliest stages, she said.
One troubling development: the two earliest cases of EEE in mosquitoes this year were found in a northern part of the state close to New Hampshire, rather than the virus’ typical hotspots near Cape Cod, where officials also detected the virus in a mosquito sample last week.
That, along with last year’s widespread cases, strongly suggests the territory of EEE-carrying mosquitoes is expanding, according to Brown. Climate changes that are causing warmer summers and altering bird migration patterns and local mosquito populations could be among the drivers, she said.
Meanwhile an environmental group is calling on Massachusetts to avoid resorting to widespread aerial spraying of insecticide, which took place six times last year as cases surged.
Maryland-based Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Inspector General’s office this month, arguing that 2019’s aerial spraying cost more than $2 million but wasn’t effective in reducing EEE-carrying mosquitoes.
Brown disputes the group’s assertion, but acknowledges the insecticides can be toxic to bees and other species, another concern raised by the group. “Last year was unprecedented,” she said. “No one wants to do that again.”
Back in Sudbury, David and Kirstin Garabedian say they’re optimistic their daughter can continue to heal from EEE.
Now 6, she was able to return to kindergarten in January before the coronavirus pandemic shuttered schools weeks later. But her parents say she still regularly goes to speech and occupational therapy to deal with lingering speech and memory problems.
Kirstin Garabedian says she understands people want to take advantage of the outdoors this summer.
“Go outside and enjoy yourself, but take the proper precautions,” she said. “Just be vigilant. Use common sense.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Dr. Jerome Adams pleads: We're not trying to take away freedom by advocating for masks

Dr. Jerome Adams , the U.S. surgeon general , on Monday said he was “ begging ” the public to understand that the federal government is not trying to take away individual freedom by asking people to wear face coverings to combat the spread of the coronavirus .
“ I ’ m pleading with your viewers , I ’ m begging you : Please understand that we are not trying to take away your freedoms when we say wear a face covering , ” Dr. Adams said on “ Fox & Friends.
” “ This administration really fights to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know freedom comes with responsibility.
” He said they ’ re not trying to take away the public ’ s ability to go out by lobbying for restaurants to limit their capacity to 50 % .
“ We ’ re saying if we do these things , we can actually open and stay open — we can get back to school , to worship , to jobs , ” he said .
“ We ’ re focused because of politics on who ’ s not , but more people are wearing face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people are doing the right thing.
” Dr. Adams ‘ comments came shortly after President Trump , in a new interview , cited personal freedom as a rationale for not having a national mask mandate .
“ No , I want people to have a certain freedom , and I don ’ t believe in that , no , ” Mr. Trump told Fox News ’ Chris Wallace .
The president also pointed out that Dr. Adams was among the administration officials who had urged the public not to wear masks just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t agree with the statement that if everybody [ wears ] a mask , everything disappears , ” the president said .
“ With that being said , I ’ m a believer in masks .
I think masks are good.
” Dr. Adams said that as the science progressed , the administration changed its recommendations on masks .
“ As the president said , this whole administration is now supportive of masks , ” he said .
Dr. Adams acknowledged there are new coronavirus hot spots in states such as Arizona , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. is in a different place compared to February and March with better testing capacity , treatments and access to personal protective equipment .
“ But it ’ s important for people to know that we don ’ t want to rely on treating our way out of this problem , ” Dr. Adams said .
“ We really want to prevent the problem .
… The power to stop this epidemic is in the hands of the American people .
”

Dr. Jerome Adams, the U.S. surgeon general, on Monday said he was “begging” the public to understand that the federal government is not trying to take away individual freedom by asking people to wear face coverings to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
“I’m pleading with your viewers, I’m begging you: Please understand that we are not trying to take away your freedoms when we say wear a face covering,” Dr. Adams said on “Fox & Friends.” “This administration really fights to protect our freedoms, but we want people to know freedom comes with responsibility.”
He said they’re not trying to take away the public’s ability to go out by lobbying for restaurants to limit their capacity to 50%.
“We’re saying if we do these things, we can actually open and stay open — we can get back to school, to worship, to jobs,” he said. “We’re focused because of politics on who’s not, but more people are wearing face coverings than ever were — a lot of people are doing the right thing.”
Dr. Adams’ comments came shortly after President Trump, in a new interview, cited personal freedom as a rationale for not having a national mask mandate.
“No, I want people to have a certain freedom, and I don’t believe in that, no,” Mr. Trump told Fox News’ Chris Wallace.
The president also pointed out that Dr. Adams was among the administration officials who had urged the public not to wear masks just months ago.
“I don’t agree with the statement that if everybody [wears] a mask, everything disappears,” the president said. “With that being said, I’m a believer in masks. I think masks are good.”
Dr. Adams said that as the science progressed, the administration changed its recommendations on masks.
“As the president said, this whole administration is now supportive of masks,” he said.
Dr. Adams acknowledged there are new coronavirus hot spots in states such as Arizona, Florida and Texas, but said the U.S. is in a different place compared to February and March with better testing capacity, treatments and access to personal protective equipment.
“But it’s important for people to know that we don’t want to rely on treating our way out of this problem,” Dr. Adams said. “We really want to prevent the problem. … The power to stop this epidemic is in the hands of the American people.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Ken Cuccinelli: DHS would deploy Portland-like response if there are threats elsewhere

Ken Cuccinelli , the acting deputy secretary at the Department of Homeland Security , said the department is prepared to respond to other parts of the country if they see similar threats to federal facilities they saw in Portland , Oregon .
He said “ violence ” in Portland was going on for weeks before they got intelligence about “ planned attacks on federal facilities.
” “ We backed up the federal protective service , which is responsible for protecting the courthouse there and other federal buildings with other DHS law enforcement components , ” Mr. Cuccinelli said Monday on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ ve been there ever since.
” He said authorities have been wearing uniforms clearly identifying the officers , amid complaints from civil rights advocates that unidentified federal agents are indiscriminately sweeping up people and detaining them .
“ If we get the same kind of intelligence in other places about threats to other federal facilities or officers , we would respond the same way , ” Mr. Cuccinelli said .
Oregon ’ s attorney general has sued DHS , alleging that federal agents are using unmarked vehicles to detain people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being taken .
Democrats are also demanding an investigation into the federal government ’ s use of agents to keep the peace in Portland in recent days .

Ken Cuccinelli, the acting deputy secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, said the department is prepared to respond to other parts of the country if they see similar threats to federal facilities they saw in Portland, Oregon.
He said “violence” in Portland was going on for weeks before they got intelligence about “planned attacks on federal facilities.”
“We backed up the federal protective service, which is responsible for protecting the courthouse there and other federal buildings with other DHS law enforcement components,” Mr. Cuccinelli said Monday on CNN’s “New Day.” “We’ve been there ever since.”
He said authorities have been wearing uniforms clearly identifying the officers, amid complaints from civil rights advocates that unidentified federal agents are indiscriminately sweeping up people and detaining them.
“If we get the same kind of intelligence in other places about threats to other federal facilities or officers, we would respond the same way,” Mr. Cuccinelli said.
Oregon’s attorney general has sued DHS, alleging that federal agents are using unmarked vehicles to detain people without clearly saying why they’re being taken.
SEE ALSO: Move Oregon’s Border for a Greater Idaho puts initiative on one ballot
Democrats are also demanding an investigation into the federal government’s use of agents to keep the peace in Portland in recent days.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Separatists protest Spanish royals' visit to rural Catalonia

L ’ ESPLUGA DE FRANCOLI , Spain ( AP ) - Hundreds of Catalan independence supporters protested the visit of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia on Monday to the northeastern region as part of a royal tour across Spain that is meant to bolster spirits amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The visit came as a barrage of media leaks accuse the king ’ s father , former monarch Juan Carlos I , of allegedly hiding millions of untaxed euros in offshore funds .
Prosecutors in the country ’ s Supreme Court are determining whether the king emeritus can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arabia , possibly as kickbacks for a high-speed railway project .
Juan Carlos hasn ’ t publicly addressed the allegations against him .
The scandal is the latest to rock the Spanish royal family .
In mid-March , it prompted Felipe to renounce any inheritance he could receive from his father and stripped him of the annual stipend as king emeritus .
Juan Carlos abdicated on behalf of his son in 2014 .
With that backdrop , the royal couple launched a visit to all of Spain ’ s 17 regions that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the citizens and the economy as it recovers from the first wave of the pandemic .
The Catalan leg of the tour was initially planned for last week covering several towns and Barcelona , but the monarchy said it had postponed it and scaled it back to a short visit to a monastery because of the spike in virus cases in and around the regional capital .
Protesters on Monday carried photos of Felipe upside down and letters completing the sentence “ Catalonia doesn ’ t have a king ” during a march @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s largest pro-independence civil society group .
The march was headed to the Royal Monastery of Poblet , where the king and the queen were visiting , but police blocked access at the main road .
Some of the activists tried to reach the monastery by venturing into nearby vineyards .
High-speed and regular trains in and out of the northern Catalan city of Girona were also delayed or cancelled due to “ acts of vandalism , ” according to a tweet by Spain ’ s railway infrastructure operator , ADIF .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burning on railways next to a sign showing a crossed out upside down image of a crown .
Tensions between separatists in Catalonia , which has a population of 7.5 million , and those in support of Spanish unity came to a head in late 2017 following a banned referendum met with police violence that led to the prosecution of top elected officials and activists .

L’ESPLUGA DE FRANCOLI, Spain (AP) - Hundreds of Catalan independence supporters protested a visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia on Monday to the northeastern region, during a royal tour across Spain meant to boost morale amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The visit came amid mounting media reports accusing the king’s father, former monarch Juan Carlos I, of allegedly hiding millions of untaxed euros in offshore funds.
Prosecutors in the country’s Supreme Court are determining whether Juan Carlos can be investigated for allegedly receiving the funds from Saudi Arabia, possibly as kickbacks for a high-speed railway project. The former king hasn’t publicly addressed the allegations against him.
The scandal is the latest to rock the Spanish royal family. In mid-March, it prompted Felipe to renounce any inheritance he could receive from his father and stripped him of the annual stipend he received. Juan Carlos abdicated on behalf of his son in 2014.
With that backdrop, the royal couple launched a visit to all of Spain’s 17 regions that was designed as a show of support for the citizens and the economy as it recovers from the first wave of the pandemic.
The Catalan leg of the tour was initially planned for last week, covering several towns and Barcelona, but the palace said it had postponed it and scaled it back to a short visit to a monastery because of the spike in virus cases in and around the regional capital.
Protesters on Monday carried photos of Felipe upside down and letters completing the sentence “Catalonia doesn’t have a king” during a march organized by ANC, the region’s largest pro-independence civil society group.
“Are the king and the queen here to promote tourism? What they promote is repulsiveness,” said protester Marta Martí. “They know we don’t want them. But they come here to test our patience.”
Tensions between separatists in Catalonia, which has a population of 7.5 million, and those in support of Spanish unity came to a head in late 2017. A banned referendum was met with police violence, and prompted the prosecution of top elected officials and activists.
“We want democracy, simply democracy,” said school teacher Marcel Barbosa, adding that the king had shown disrespect for Catalans’ demands for independence. “They know they are going to lose and that they will need to leave, that’s why we are not allowed to vote.”
The march was headed to the Royal Monastery of Poblet, which the king and the queen were visiting, but police blocked access at the main road. Some of the activists tried to reach the monastery by venturing into nearby vineyards.
Separated by a line of riot police, a dozen people expressed support for the Spanish royals. All protesters left after the end of the visit.
High-speed and regular trains in and out of the northern Catalan city of Girona were also delayed or cancelled due to “acts of vandalism,” according to a tweet by Spain’s railway infrastructure operator, ADIF. A photo circulated on messaging apps showed tires burning on railways next to a sign showing a crossed-out, upside-down image of a crown.
Quim Torra, the head of the Catalan government and a fervent separatist, on Sunday said that he’s asked the regional government’s legal services to study how a personal lawsuit can be filed against the former king and anybody who was involved in the alleged corruption.
__
AP reporter Aritz Parra in Madrid contributed to this story.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Deputies help woman who called 911 over broken fridge

JENSEN BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - When a distraught senior citizen called 911 because her refrigerator broke , @ @ @ @ @ to her home to explain that the phone number is reserved only for emergencies .
@ @ @ @ @ County Sheriff ’ s deputies that she thought all of her food was going to @ @ @ @ @ for help , according to the agency ’ s Facebook post .
The deputies realized @ @ @ @ @ call because she “ believed she was in crisis , ” so they decided not @ @ @ @ @ solution .
They called the Jensen Beach Goodwill and arranged for a gently used refrigerator @ @ @ @ @ .
In a Facebook post , the sheriff ’ s office said Nanartonis is now @ @ @ @ @ ”

JENSEN BEACH, Fla. (AP) - When a distraught senior citizen called 911 because her refrigerator broke, sheriff’s deputies went to her home to explain that the phone number is reserved only for emergencies.
Cheryl Nanartonis told the Martin County Sheriff’s deputies that she thought all of her food was going to spoil, so she called for help, according to the agency’s Facebook post.
The deputies realized that she only made the call because she “believed she was in crisis,” so they decided not to leave without finding a solution.
They called the Jensen Beach Goodwill and arranged for a gently used refrigerator to be delivered to her.
In a Facebook post, the sheriff’s office said Nanartonis is now “back on track.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--5-year-old dies in accident at Calumet County racetrack

TOWN OF CHILTON , Wis. ( AP ) - A 5-year-old has died in an accident at a racetrack in @ @ @ @ @ died Sunday afternoon when he fell off a youth motorcycle at Gravity Park Speedway in @ @ @ @ @ was struck by an 18-year-old man operating an all-terrain vehicle , according to sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ remains under investigation .
Names have not been released .

TOWN OF CHILTON, Wis. (AP) - A 5-year-old has died in an accident at a racetrack in Calumet County.
The boy died Sunday afternoon when he fell off a youth motorcycle at Gravity Park Speedway in the Town of Chilton and was struck by an 18-year-old man operating an all-terrain vehicle, according to sheriff’s officials.
The death remains under investigation. Names have not been released.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Abandoned row houses being renovated in Detroit neighborhood

DETROIT ( AP ) - An abandoned multifamily building in southwest Detroit is being renovated into a dozen modern housing @ @ @ @ @ Mike Duggan ’ s plan to improve city neighborhoods .
The development is in Detroit @ @ @ @ @ .
When completed , three of the units in the Murray-Hubbard Farms will be offered @ @ @ @ @ $ 4.5 million project is expected to be completed next spring .
It will feature @ @ @ @ @ outdoor patios , gardens and grilling areas .
The original building of row houses was @ @ @ @ @ and long has been an eyesore in the neighborhood .
The project is receiving financing @ @ @ @ @ through Capital Impact Partners and the Strategic Neighborhood Fund through Invest Detroit .

DETROIT (AP) - An abandoned multifamily building in southwest Detroit is being renovated into a dozen modern housing units as part of Mayor Mike Duggan’s plan to improve city neighborhoods.
The development is in Detroit’s Hubbard Farms neighborhood. When completed, three of the units in the Murray-Hubbard Farms will be offered as affordable housing.
The $4.5 million project is expected to be completed next spring. It will feature a new landscape design, outdoor patios, gardens and grilling areas.
The original building of row houses was built about a century ago and long has been an eyesore in the neighborhood.
The project is receiving financing from the Detroit Neighborhoods Fund through Capital Impact Partners and the Strategic Neighborhood Fund through Invest Detroit.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Police: Suspect shot, killed during search

BATON ROUGE , La .
( AP ) - Authorities in Louisiana said a search for a suspect turned violent @ @ @ @ @ person dead and a K-9 injured .
Baton Rouge Police said the shooting happened around @ @ @ @ @ Avenue near Louisiana State University , news outlets reported .
Police said they were in @ @ @ @ @ suspect .
The unidentified suspect was later fatally shot by police .
A Baton Rouge @ @ @ @ @ in the incident .
Few details have been released on the shooting as police continue @ @ @

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Authorities in Louisiana said a search for a suspect turned violent Monday morning, leaving the person dead and a K-9 injured.
Baton Rouge Police said the shooting happened around 1:30 a.m. Monday on Tigerland Avenue near Louisiana State University, news outlets reported.
Police said they were in the area searching for a suspect. The unidentified suspect was later fatally shot by police.
A Baton Rouge Police K-9 was also injured in the incident.
Few details have been released on the shooting as police continue to investigate.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Hong Kong protesters adapt signs, slogans to skirt new law

HONG KONG ( AP ) - It was one of the first protests in Hong Kong after a feared national security law came into effect .
Among a dozen or so lunchtime demonstrators at a luxury mall in the Central business district , a man raised a poster that - viewed from afar - read in Chinese , “ Liberate Hong Kong , revolution of our times.
” The government had just banned the slogan , saying it had separatist connotations and so ran afoul of the new security law ’ s prohibition of secessionist acts .
Shortly after , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away onlookers .
They detained the man , telling him the slogan was banned .
But when officers looked at the poster up close , no words could be made out .
It merely had circular shapes against a contrasting background .
They snapped a few photographs of the poster and let him go .
Since the imposition of the security law -– which bans secessionist , subversive and terrorist activities , as well as collusion with foreign forces , with penalties of up to life imprisonment -– anti-government protesters in Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have adapted their methods to try to make their voices heard without violating the legislation .
Before the law took effect June 30 , protesters often held up colorful posters plastered with slogans that ranged from condemning the Chinese government to calling for Hong Kong ’ s independence .
Since then , they have become creative in obscuring their messages .
Many of the protesters at the luxury mall held up blank pieces of white paper to protest against China ’ s “ white terror ” of political repression .
Other posters are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government has not yet made clear if such forms of expression are illegal .
The law has had a chilling effect on “ yellow shops ” that support the protest movement .
Many have removed protest artwork and sticky notes bearing words of encouragement from customers , out of fear that they could land them in trouble with the authorities .
Some shop owners , like Tan Wong , have instead put up blank sticky notes to show solidarity with the movement .
“ We are doing this right now because ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are trying to tell Hong Kong people that this is the only thing that we ‘ yellow shops ’ can do , ” said Wong , who runs Kok Kok Chicken , a Korean fried chicken store .
“ If we do not persist , we would no longer be able to deliver our message to others , ” he said .
Yu Yee Cafe , a Hong Kong-style diner that serves fast food , has covered its windows with blank sticky notes and even displays an origami figure of Winnie the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Xi Jinping .
Chinese censors briefly banned social media searches for Winnie the Pooh in China after Xi ’ s appearance was compared to the cartoon bear .
“ I wonder if there ’ s still rule of law if sticking a ( blank ) piece of paper on the wall is illegal , ” said Eddie Tsui , one of the diner ’ s customers .
“ It ’ s just using a different way to express our demands .
If you don ’ t allow us to protest that way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The use of blank paper or sticky notes to protest is a changing form of resistance , according to Ma Ngok , an associate professor of politics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong .
“ They put up blank notes so that even if the government wants to prosecute them , there is nothing that can be used against them , ” he said .
Protesters in Hong Kong have also come up with alternative slogans to circumvent the ban on “ Liberate Hong Kong , revolution of our times.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ romanization of the eight Chinese characters in the banned slogan -– “ GFHG , SDGM.
” Others have changed the words entirely to terms that sound similar but mean very different things .
One alternative slogan now reads “ Patronize Hong Kong , Times Square , ” a reference to a popular shopping mall in the city .
A popular protest anthem , “ Glory to Hong Kong , ” has had some of its lyrics changed , with protesters replacing the words with numbers in Cantonese that sound approximately like the lyrics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is reminiscent of how mainland Chinese internet users come up with creative ways and similar-sounding words to talk about sensitive issues without triggering censorship under the “ Great Firewall of China , ” where censors delete posts containing sensitive terms and make such keywords unsearchable on online platforms .
“ There is a long history of censorship where we know that people will find ways to circumvent the system , no matter how you regulate , ” said Fu King-wa , associate professor at the University of Hong Kong ’ s journalism school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , triggering more people to discuss an issue because they think that if it is censored , then it must be something important , ” he said .
Associated Press journalist Alice Fung contributed to this report .

HONG KONG (AP) - It was one of the first protests in Hong Kong after a feared national security law came into effect.
Among a dozen or so lunchtime demonstrators at a luxury mall in the Central business district, a man raised a poster that - when viewed from afar - read in Chinese, “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times.”
The government had just banned the slogan, saying it had separatist connotations and so ran afoul of the new security law’s prohibition of secessionist acts.
Shortly after, riot police entered the mall, shooing away onlookers. They detained the man, telling him the slogan was banned. But when officers looked at the poster up close, no words could be made out. It merely had circular shapes against a contrasting background. They snapped a few photographs of the poster and let him go.
Since the imposition of the security law -– which bans secessionist, subversive and terrorist activities, as well as collusion with foreign forces, with penalties of up to life imprisonment -– anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, and those supporting the movement, have adapted their methods to try to make their voices heard without violating the legislation.
Before the law took effect June 30, protesters often held up colorful posters plastered with slogans that ranged from condemning the Chinese government to calling for Hong Kong’s independence. Since then, they have become creative in obscuring their messages.
Many of the protesters at the luxury mall held up blank pieces of white paper to protest against China’s “white terror” of political repression. Other posters are designed to circumvent bans on slogans. The government has not yet made clear if such forms of expression are illegal.
The law has had a chilling effect on “yellow shops” that support the protest movement. Many have removed protest artwork and sticky notes bearing words of encouragement from customers, out of fear that they could land them in trouble with the authorities.
Some shop owners, like Tan Wong, have instead put up blank sticky notes to show solidarity with the movement.
“We are doing this right now because (the shop) is private property. We are trying to tell Hong Kong people that this is the only thing that we ‘yellow shops’ can do,” said Wong, who runs Kok Kok Chicken, a Korean fried chicken store.
“If we do not persist, we would no longer be able to deliver our message to others,” he said.
Yu Yee Cafe, a Hong Kong-style diner that serves fast food, has covered its windows with blank sticky notes and even displays an origami figure of Winnie the Pooh, a playful taunt of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Chinese censors briefly banned social media searches for Winnie the Pooh in China after Xi’s appearance was compared to the cartoon bear.
“I wonder if there’s still rule of law if sticking a (blank) piece of paper on the wall is illegal,” said Eddie Tsui, one of the diner’s customers. “It’s just using a different way to express our demands. If you don’t allow us to protest that way, we’ll find another way.”
The use of blank paper or sticky notes to protest is a changing form of resistance, according to Ma Ngok, an associate professor of politics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
“They put up blank notes so that even if the government wants to prosecute them, there is nothing that can be used against them,” he said.
Protesters in Hong Kong have also come up with alternative slogans to circumvent the ban on “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times.”
Some users quote the initials of the romanization of the eight Chinese characters in the banned slogan -– “GFHG, SDGM.” Others have changed the words entirely to terms that sound similar but mean very different things. One alternative slogan now reads “Patronize Hong Kong, Times Square,” a reference to a popular shopping mall in the city.
A popular protest anthem, “Glory to Hong Kong,” has had some of its lyrics changed, with protesters replacing the words with numbers in Cantonese that sound approximately like the lyrics.
The circumventing of bans on slogans is reminiscent of how mainland Chinese internet users come up with creative ways and similar-sounding words to talk about sensitive issues without triggering censorship under the “Great Firewall of China,” where censors delete posts containing sensitive terms and make such keywords unsearchable on online platforms.
“There is a long history of censorship where we know that people will find ways to circumvent the system, no matter how you regulate,” said Fu King-wa, associate professor at the University of Hong Kong’s journalism school.
“Sometimes, censorship can backfire, triggering more people to discuss an issue because they think that if it is censored, then it must be something important,” he said.
___
Associated Press journalist Alice Fung contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Police: Texas boy, 4, found unresponsive in car dies

WICHITA FALLS , Texas ( AP ) - Police in Wichita Falls say a 4-year-old boy died after being found @ @ @ @ @ Police say the boy was found in the vehicle Saturday evening in the driveway of @ @ @ @ @ discovered in the vehicle after adults in the house noticed he was missing .
The @ @ @ @ @ hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
Temperatures in Wichita Falls reached the mid-90s @ @ @

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (AP) - Police in Wichita Falls say a 4-year-old boy died after being found unresponsive in a vehicle.
Police say the boy was found in the vehicle Saturday evening in the driveway of a home. He was discovered in the vehicle after adults in the house noticed he was missing.
The child was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Temperatures in Wichita Falls reached the mid-90s on Saturday.
Police are investigating the death.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Mark and Patricia McCloskey, St. Louis couple, protected by Castle Doctrine: Missouri AG

Missouri ’ s attorney general is intervening on behalf of a St. Louis couple who have been charged with felonies for brandishing their weapons against trespassers in a moment that went viral during the George Floyd protests .
And one of Missouri ’ s U.S. senators also vowed to act against the charges of illegal weapon use that were brought Monday by St. Louis Circuit Attorney ’ s Office against Mark and Patricia McCloskey .
Eric Schmitt said in a statement Monday evening that he filed a brief requesting that the charges brought by Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Castle Doctrine , which gives homeowners the right to use deadly force to protect their home .
“ The right to keep and bear arms is given the highest level of protection in our constitution and our laws , including the Castle Doctrine , ” Mr. Schmitt said in the statement .
“ This provides broad rights to Missourians who are protecting their property and lives from those who wish to do them harm.
” There may be federal backlash too .
Sen. Josh Hawley , Missouri Republican , took to Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an “ unacceptable abuse of power and threat to the Second Amendment.
” He said he would push for a federal civil rights investigation into the St. Louis Circuit Attorney ’ s Office to “ determine whether this investigation and impending prosecution violates this family ’ s constitutional rights.
” The unlawful use of a firearm charge brought against the McCloskeys is a felony and they could face a $ 10,000 fine and up to four years in prison .
However Ms. Gardner is recommending a diversion program such as community service rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convicted .
“ It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner at those participating in a nonviolent protest , and while we are fortunate this situation did not escalate into deadly force , this type of conduct is unacceptable in St. Louis , ” Ms. Gardner stated .

Missouri’s attorney general is intervening on behalf of a St. Louis couple who have been charged with felonies for brandishing their weapons against trespassers in a moment that went viral during the George Floyd protests.
And one of Missouri’s U.S. senators also vowed to act against the charges of illegal weapon use that were brought Monday by St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office against Mark and Patricia McCloskey.
Eric Schmitt said in a statement Monday evening that he filed a brief requesting that the charges brought by Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner against the McCloskeys be dismissed under the state’s Castle Doctrine, which gives homeowners the right to use deadly force to protect their home.
“The right to keep and bear arms is given the highest level of protection in our constitution and our laws, including the Castle Doctrine,” Mr. Schmitt said in the statement. “This provides broad rights to Missourians who are protecting their property and lives from those who wish to do them harm.”
There may be federal backlash too.
Sen. Josh Hawley, Missouri Republican, took to Twitter on Monday night to call the charges an “unacceptable abuse of power and threat to the Second Amendment.”
He said he would push for a federal civil rights investigation into the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office to “determine whether this investigation and impending prosecution violates this family’s constitutional rights.”
The unlawful use of a firearm charge brought against the McCloskeys is a felony and they could face a $10,000 fine and up to four years in prison.
However Ms. Gardner is recommending a diversion program such as community service rather than jail time if the McCloskeys are convicted.
“It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner at those participating in a nonviolent protest, and while we are fortunate this situation did not escalate into deadly force, this type of conduct is unacceptable in St. Louis,” Ms. Gardner stated.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Nevada governor signs budget bills, ending special session

CARSON CITY , Nev. ( AP ) - Nevada Gov .
Steve Sisolak on Monday signed five bills passed by the Legislature restoring some of the $ 536 million in cuts the governor outlined in his proposed budget and creating a federally funded grant program for schools facing coronavirus expenses .
Sisolak signed the bills a day after the conclusion of a marathon 12-day special legislative session .
Memories of the Great Recession and its effect on Nevada lingered as lawmakers worked to plug a projected deficit one-fourth the size of the state ’ s general fund .
With bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the number of virus cases on the rise , the state once again faces a severe budget crisis .
Its problems are compounded by its unique tax structure : the state levies no income tax on residents and relies heavily on sales taxes to underwrite its budget , particularly from Las Vegas ’ gambling and hospitality industries .
Lawmakers worked off Sisolak ’ s baseline budget proposal and pored line-by-line over proposed cuts to state spending , visibly exasperated by the need to make cuts to Medicaid and education programs to balance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given a terrible diagnosis .
And anytime you receive a terrible diagnosis , you want the very best doctor on your side .
And even if you have that … you also want a second opinion .
And I think that ’ s the work we did ” state Sen. Julia Ratti , D-Sparks , said .
Throughout the session , lawmakers identified $ 139 million in additional funding sources not tapped by the governor ’ s initial proposal .
They passed bills to defer major construction projects , draw millions from various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the state highway fund to the general fund and require mining businesses pre-pay taxes based on estimated annual activity .
Lawmakers restored $ 49 million for “ optional ” Medicaid programs that the federal government lets states choose whether to fund , including programs for prosthetics and behavioral health .
They restored $ 41.5 million to reduce the number of annual furlough days the state has asked public employees to take from 12 to 6 and to unfreeze merit-based pay increases , prompting a state workers ’ union to drop a lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of Local 4041 of the American Federation of State , County and Municipal Employees , said he was pleased workers would bear less of the brunt of the cuts .
He thanked lawmakers “ for listening to state workers as we shared how another round of cuts would devastate our families as we all continue to fight this pandemic.
” Republicans - the minority party in both the state Senate and Assembly - rebuked the final plan for prioritizing the restoration of funding for state workers over education .
“ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creates extreme , hyper-partisan legislation that favors special interest .
… Our Democrat colleagues have chosen to support unions who fill their campaign coffers over Nevada families , ” said Minority Leader Robin Titus , R-Wellington , who initially voted against the session ’ s major budget bill .
Titus and other Republicans reversed their votes after Democratic leaders inserted a $ 50 million block grant program for schools facing unexpected virus-related expenses .
With the program , lawmakers attempted to compensate for cuts to programs including Nevada ’ s “ Read by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have noted widespread broadband connectivity gaps and students without computers as they prepare to adopt a classroom-remote learning hybrid plan .
To balance its budget , Nevada will supplement cuts with another half-billion dollars in federal relief money , which they ’ re allowed to allocate to pandemic-related expenditures .
Exempt from Nevada ’ s open meetings and records laws , the Legislature held much of the special session behind closed doors .
When lawmakers convened on the floor , they heard from department heads about their reserve levels and the effects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when frustration over the cuts reached a boiling point - they passed a bipartisan plea for additional federal aid .
Provisions of the budget bill allow the state to restore funding for programs if projections change or Congress passes more federal aid .
Sam Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak on Monday signed five bills passed by the Legislature restoring some of the $536 million in cuts the governor outlined in his proposed budget and creating a federally funded grant program for schools facing coronavirus expenses.
Sisolak signed the bills a day after the conclusion of a marathon 12-day special legislative session.
Memories of the Great Recession and its effect on Nevada lingered as lawmakers worked to plug a projected deficit one-fourth the size of the state’s general fund. With bars closed throughout Nevada, visitor volume down and the number of virus cases on the rise, the state once again faces a severe budget crisis.
Its problems are compounded by its unique tax structure: the state levies no income tax on residents and relies heavily on sales taxes to underwrite its budget, particularly from Las Vegas’ gambling and hospitality industries.
Lawmakers worked off Sisolak’s baseline budget proposal and pored line-by-line over proposed cuts to state spending, visibly exasperated by the need to make cuts to Medicaid and education programs to balance the budget.
“Our state was given a terrible diagnosis. And anytime you receive a terrible diagnosis, you want the very best doctor on your side. And even if you have that … you also want a second opinion. And I think that’s the work we did” state Sen. Julia Ratti, D-Sparks, said.
Throughout the session, lawmakers identified $139 million in additional funding sources not tapped by the governor’s initial proposal. They passed bills to defer major construction projects, draw millions from various departmental reserves, divert $48 million from the state highway fund to the general fund and require mining businesses pre-pay taxes based on estimated annual activity.
Lawmakers restored $49 million for “optional” Medicaid programs that the federal government lets states choose whether to fund, including programs for prosthetics and behavioral health. They restored $41.5 million to reduce the number of annual furlough days the state has asked public employees to take from 12 to 6 and to unfreeze merit-based pay increases, prompting a state workers’ union to drop a lawsuit contesting the changes.
Harry Schiffman, president of Local 4041 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said he was pleased workers would bear less of the brunt of the cuts. He thanked lawmakers “for listening to state workers as we shared how another round of cuts would devastate our families as we all continue to fight this pandemic.”
Republicans - the minority party in both the state Senate and Assembly - rebuked the final plan for prioritizing the restoration of funding for state workers over education.
“This is what happens when a one-party control system creates extreme, hyper-partisan legislation that favors special interest. … Our Democrat colleagues have chosen to support unions who fill their campaign coffers over Nevada families,” said Minority Leader Robin Titus, R-Wellington, who initially voted against the session’s major budget bill.
Titus and other Republicans reversed their votes after Democratic leaders inserted a $50 million block grant program for schools facing unexpected virus-related expenses. With the program, lawmakers attempted to compensate for cuts to programs including Nevada’s “Read by Grade 3” initiative. School districts have noted widespread broadband connectivity gaps and students without computers as they prepare to adopt a classroom-remote learning hybrid plan.
To balance its budget, Nevada will supplement cuts with another half-billion dollars in federal relief money, which they’re allowed to allocate to pandemic-related expenditures.
Exempt from Nevada’s open meetings and records laws, the Legislature held much of the special session behind closed doors. When lawmakers convened on the floor, they heard from department heads about their reserve levels and the effects of the cuts. At one point – when frustration over the cuts reached a boiling point - they passed a bipartisan plea for additional federal aid.
Provisions of the budget bill allow the state to restore funding for programs if projections change or Congress passes more federal aid.
___
Sam Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Nearly 800 additional coronavirus cases in Washington

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - Nearly 800 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Washington state , bringing @ @ @ @ @ cases to 47,743 .
The Washington State Department of Health on Sunday also reported six @ @ @ @ @ , 1,453 people have now died from the disease .
In King County , home @ @ @ @ @ and 636 deaths have been reported , an increase of 166 cases and one death @ @ @ @ @ A total of 826,354 tests have been conducted in the state , with 5.8 % @ @ @ @ @ .
For most , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever @ @ @ @ @ in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with @ @ @ @ @ can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Nearly 800 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Washington state, bringing the state total number of cases to 47,743.
The Washington State Department of Health on Sunday also reported six additional deaths. In Washington, 1,453 people have now died from the disease.
In King County, home to Seattle, 13,319 cases and 636 deaths have been reported, an increase of 166 cases and one death from the day before.
A total of 826,354 tests have been conducted in the state, with 5.8% of them coming back positive.
For most, the 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 and death.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Black kids more likely to die after surgery than whites: study

Black children were more than three times likely to die after common surgeries than whites although deaths among patients overall were rare , a new study found .
A team of researchers examined national data on operations of nearly 173,000 children from 2012 through 2017 , of which 11 % of the children were Black and 70 % were white .
Although there were few deaths , the data revealed large disparities : 23 Black children died within 30 days of surgery compared to 13 whites , even though the Black children made up the minority of the study participants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the study , which was published Monday in the medical journal Pediatrics , were appendix removal and orthopedic operations .
Compared to their white counterparts , Black children also had an 18 % greater chance of developing postoperative complications and 7 % higher chance of experiencing serious adverse health events such as cardiac arrest or readmission .
Overall , there was a 14 % chance for postoperative complications and almost a 6 % chance of serious adverse events among the thousands of study participants.The 30-day mortality rate for white children was 0.02 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the study .
“ Despite ongoing improvements in surgical care and apparent rarity of postsurgical mortality , racial and ethnic disparities in postoperative morbidity and mortality remain significant and persistent , ” the researchers wrote in their study .
“ That African American patients have poorer health outcomes than their white peers is not novel .
Several investigators have shown that African American patients of all age groups are more likely to suffer postsurgical complications and die after surgery than their white peers.
” The children included in the study were younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their surgeries .
Pre-existing conditions were uncommon , although Black children had slightly more heart and digestive problems .
Those differences don ’ t fully explain the results , Dr. Olubukola Nafiu of Nationwide Children ’ s Hospital in Columbus , Ohio , the study ’ s lead author , told The Associated Press .
While other research has suggested that differences in hospital quality and doctor bias contribute to racial health inequities , Dr. Nafiu said those factors are not within the study ’ s scope , noting reasons for the disparities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care also has been attributed to factors such poverty , lack of access to resources , biological predisposition and a higher comorbidity burden among Blacks , the study authors note .
An editorial in Pediatrics says the research should prompt doctors and hospitals to confront their own biases , while citing a previous study that shows doctors “ with greater implicit bias ” were more likely to prescribe narcotic medications for post-surgery pain for white children than for Blacks .
The COVID-19 pandemic also has highlighted racial disparities in health care , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that Black people have a hospitalization rate that is five times higher than their white counterparts .
“ We have two crises going on at the same time .
We have the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic as well as extraordinary racial tensions after the terrible killing of George Floyd , ” Roger Severino , director of the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services , said Monday during a media conference call .
“ So now more than ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure that no one gets left behind when it comes to provision of health care services.
” Research also has shown that Black children with cancer are more likely to die after admission to the pediatric intensive care units than whites .
⦁ This article is based in part on wire service reports .

Black children were more than three times likely to die after common surgeries than whites although deaths among patients overall were rare, a new study found.
A team of researchers examined national data on operations of nearly 173,000 children from 2012 through 2017, of which 11% of the children were Black and 70% were white.
Although there were few deaths, the data revealed large disparities: 23 Black children died within 30 days of surgery compared to 13 whites, even though the Black children made up the minority of the study participants.
The most common surgeries included in the study, which was published Monday in the medical journal Pediatrics, were appendix removal and orthopedic operations.
Compared to their white counterparts, Black children also had an 18% greater chance of developing postoperative complications and 7% higher chance of experiencing serious adverse health events such as cardiac arrest or readmission.
Overall, there was a 14% chance for postoperative complications and almost a 6% chance of serious adverse events among the thousands of study participants.The 30-day mortality rate for white children was 0.02% and 0.07% for Blacks, according to the study.
“Despite ongoing improvements in surgical care and apparent rarity of postsurgical mortality, racial and ethnic disparities in postoperative morbidity and mortality remain significant and persistent,” the researchers wrote in their study.
“That African American patients have poorer health outcomes than their white peers is not novel. Several investigators have shown that African American patients of all age groups are more likely to suffer postsurgical complications and die after surgery than their white peers.”
The children included in the study were younger than 17 and considered relatively healthy before their surgeries. Pre-existing conditions were uncommon, although Black children had slightly more heart and digestive problems.
Those differences don’t fully explain the results, Dr. Olubukola Nafiu of Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, the study’s lead author, told The Associated Press.
While other research has suggested that differences in hospital quality and doctor bias contribute to racial health inequities, Dr. Nafiu said those factors are not within the study’s scope, noting reasons for the disparities found are uncertain.
Racial disparity in health care also has been attributed to factors such poverty, lack of access to resources, biological predisposition and a higher comorbidity burden among Blacks, the study authors note.
An editorial in Pediatrics says the research should prompt doctors and hospitals to confront their own biases, while citing a previous study that shows doctors “with greater implicit bias” were more likely to prescribe narcotic medications for post-surgery pain for white children than for Blacks.
The COVID-19 pandemic also has highlighted racial disparities in health care, disproportionately affecting Blacks and other minorities. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that Black people have a hospitalization rate that is five times higher than their white counterparts.
“We have two crises going on at the same time. We have the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic as well as extraordinary racial tensions after the terrible killing of George Floyd,” Roger Severino, director of the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services, said Monday during a media conference call. “So now more than ever, we need to redouble efforts to make sure that no one gets left behind when it comes to provision of health care services.”
Research also has shown that Black children with cancer are more likely to die after admission to the pediatric intensive care units than whites.
⦁ This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Shen Wu Tan can be reached at stan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Nevada logs 648 new virus cases, 1 death; rental aid offered

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - Nearly 393,000 people in Nevada have been tested for the COVID-19 illness , state health officials said Monday , and more than 36,700 have tested positive .
One more death was reported since the weekend , bringing the total to at least 648 since the coronavirus pandemic began , according to state Department of Health and Human Services figures .
Caleb Cage , state pandemic response chief , told reporters the 948 new cases reported since Sunday came in below the seven-day daily average of 1,171 for the period ending last Friday .
Nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were in the Las Vegas area .
Cage said the state treasurer ’ s office has launched a short-term rental assistance program to pay grants to landlords on behalf of eligible renters facing eviction or experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 .
This program , run through the state housing office , is expected to augment state , Las Vegas , Reno and rural area housing programs .
It is funded through the $ 2.2 trillion federal coronavirus relief measure .
Julia Peek , deputy administrator of the state community health office , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin next week to help the Southern Nevada Health District identify and notify people who have come in contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus .

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Nearly 393,000 people in Nevada have been tested for the COVID-19 illness, state health officials said Monday, and more than 36,700 have tested positive.
One more death was reported since the weekend, bringing the total to at least 648 since the coronavirus pandemic began, according to state Department of Health and Human Services figures.
Caleb Cage, state pandemic response chief, told reporters the 948 new cases reported since Sunday came in below the seven-day daily average of 1,171 for the period ending last Friday.
Nearly 93% of the new cases statewide were in the Las Vegas area.
Cage said the state treasurer’s office has launched a short-term rental assistance program to pay grants to landlords on behalf of eligible renters facing eviction or experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19.
This program, run through the state housing office, is expected to augment state, Las Vegas, Reno and rural area housing programs. It is funded through the $2.2 trillion federal coronavirus relief measure.
Julia Peek, deputy administrator of the state community health office, said a call center in Henderson will begin next week to help the Southern Nevada Health District identify and notify people who have come in contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus.


washingtontimes--2020-07-20--Trump to reverse Obama-era affordable housing rule

President Trump plans this week to reverse an Obama-era regulation designed to encourage more low-income units in the country ’ s mostly White suburbs , putting him squarely at odds with Democratic rival Joseph R. Biden over affordable housing .
The president is taking aim at the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule , a 2015 regulation requiring communities that accept certain federal funding to identify and address housing policies that have a “ discriminatory effect.
” Mr. Trump has been hammering the theme at White House events and in campaign conference calls with supporters .
He told Arizona supporters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulation is “ destroying suburbs.
” “ People work so hard to live in a certain community .
We shouldn ’ t be destroying that community , ” the president said .
The 2015 rule required local governments that qualify for federal housing funds to follow a checklist of dozens of questions to track patterns of poverty and segregation .
The Obama administration ’ s aim was to enforce the Fair Housing Act of 1968 .
“ We finalized the AFFH rule at HUD to guarantee the promise of fair housing to every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as housing and urban development secretary in the Obama administration , told The Washington Times in a statement .
“ It was the result of decades of work , sparked by leaders of the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
” The Trump administration has been working to roll back the rule , effectively suspending its enforcement in 2018 and issuing a proposal in January to redefine some of its requirements .
HUD Secretary Ben Carson said at the time that the regulations were “ overly burdensome to both HUD and grantees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet their reporting obligations.
” Congress has prohibited HUD for the past four years from requiring any grant recipients from undertaking specific changes to zoning laws as called for by the AFFH rule .
Mr. Biden ’ s campaign platform makes clear that he would try to further Mr. Obama ’ s goals in housing desegregation .
His campaign said Mr. Biden will “ eliminate local and state housing regulations that perpetuate discrimination.
” “ Exclusionary zoning has for decades been strategically used to keep people of color and low-income families out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s website states .
“ As president , Biden will enact legislation requiring any state receiving federal dollars through the Community Development Block Grants or Surface Transportation Block Grants to develop a strategy for inclusionary zoning.
” Mr. Biden also is proposing to spend $ 300 million in local housing policy grants to give states and local communities “ the technical assistance and planning support they need to eliminate exclusionary zoning policies and other local regulations that contribute to sprawl.
” Mr. Trump said Democrats are trying to “ snuff out ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bureaucrats in charge of local zoning decisions.
” “ They are absolutely determined to eliminate single-family zoning , destroy the value of houses and communities already built , just as they have in Minneapolis and other locations , ” Mr. Trump said last week at an event highlighting his deregulation agenda .
“ Your home will go down in value , and crime rates will rapidly rise.
” He said residents of the suburbs “ have worked all their lives to get into a community , and now they ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to happen , not while I ’ m here.
” “ My administration will continue pressing forward until we have made every last vestige of Washington fully , completely and totally accountable to the citizens of the United States , ” Mr. Trump said .
Mr. Castro said the president , whose support in the suburbs has been eroding , especially among White women , is playing identity politics .
“ While Vice President Biden has committed to reinstating the rule and fulfilling the promise of fair housing to all , Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further divide Americans , ” Mr. Castro said .
In 2016 , Mr. Trump won suburban districts by 4 percentage points nationwide , but an ABC News/Washington Post poll released Monday showed Mr. Biden leading the president 52 % to 43 % among suburban voters .
Other public polls in the past two months have shown Mr. Biden leading among suburban voters by as much as 25 percentage points .
Trump campaign officials have criticized such polls in general for skewing results by undercounting Republican voters .
In making his case for getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president has cited the case of Westchester County , New York .
The county settled a court case in 2009 with the federal government , which sued the county for falsely certifying that it was reviewing barriers to fair housing as a condition of accepting federal grants .
Westchester officials agreed to create 750 units of affordable housing in communities where Black and Hispanic residents made up less than 3 % and 7 % , respectively , of the county ’ s population .
The president said of the court case , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in Westchester , coming from New York .
They want low-income housing built in a neighborhood .
Well , I ’ m ending that rule .
I ’ m taking it out.
” The president said Mr. Biden “ and his bosses from the radical left want to significantly multiply what they ’ re doing now.
” “ And what will be the end result is you will totally destroy the beautiful suburbs , ” he said .
“ Suburbia will be no longer as we know it .
So they wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement while at the same time destroying our great suburbs.
” At a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing in February , Rep. Fred Keller , Pennsylvania Republican , said the administration ’ s moves would empower local communities to increase housing affordability .
He called the AFFH rule “ a burdensome paperwork exercise with no enforcement that would have done nothing to produce actual affordable housing.
” But Diane Yentel , president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition , said the action by HUD in January “ reverses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been fully implemented.
” “ No meaningful guidance existed until the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule was published in 2015 , ” she told lawmakers .
“ After several years of considerable input from a broad array of stakeholders , the 2015 AFFH rule made the strongest effort in decades to reverse harmful patterns of segregation and discriminatory practices in communities across the country .
Unfortunately , the Trump administration has completely undermined this work by gutting the 2015 rule and proposing a rule that ignores the legacy of segregation and practically eliminates @ @ @ @

President Trump plans this week to reverse an Obama-era regulation designed to encourage more low-income units in the country’s mostly White suburbs, putting him squarely at odds with Democratic rival Joseph R. Biden over affordable housing.
The president is taking aim at the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, a 2015 regulation requiring communities that accept certain federal funding to identify and address housing policies that have a “discriminatory effect.”
Mr. Trump has been hammering the theme at White House events and in campaign conference calls with supporters. He told Arizona supporters in a telephone rally Saturday that the Obama regulation is “destroying suburbs.”
“People work so hard to live in a certain community. We shouldn’t be destroying that community,” the president said.
The 2015 rule required local governments that qualify for federal housing funds to follow a checklist of dozens of questions to track patterns of poverty and segregation. The Obama administration’s aim was to enforce the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
“We finalized the AFFH rule at HUD to guarantee the promise of fair housing to every American,” Julian Castro, who served as housing and urban development secretary in the Obama administration, told The Washington Times in a statement. “It was the result of decades of work, sparked by leaders of the civil rights movement of the 1960s.”
The Trump administration has been working to roll back the rule, effectively suspending its enforcement in 2018 and issuing a proposal in January to redefine some of its requirements. HUD Secretary Ben Carson said at the time that the regulations were “overly burdensome to both HUD and grantees and are ineffective in helping program participants meet their reporting obligations.”
Congress has prohibited HUD for the past four years from requiring any grant recipients from undertaking specific changes to zoning laws as called for by the AFFH rule.
Mr. Biden’s campaign platform makes clear that he would try to further Mr. Obama’s goals in housing desegregation. His campaign said Mr. Biden will “eliminate local and state housing regulations that perpetuate discrimination.”
“Exclusionary zoning has for decades been strategically used to keep people of color and low-income families out of certain communities,” the campaign’s website states. “As president, Biden will enact legislation requiring any state receiving federal dollars through the Community Development Block Grants or Surface Transportation Block Grants to develop a strategy for inclusionary zoning.”
Mr. Biden also is proposing to spend $300 million in local housing policy grants to give states and local communities “the technical assistance and planning support they need to eliminate exclusionary zoning policies and other local regulations that contribute to sprawl.”
Mr. Trump said Democrats are trying to “snuff out” the American dream by putting “far-left Washington bureaucrats in charge of local zoning decisions.”
“They are absolutely determined to eliminate single-family zoning, destroy the value of houses and communities already built, just as they have in Minneapolis and other locations,” Mr. Trump said last week at an event highlighting his deregulation agenda. “Your home will go down in value, and crime rates will rapidly rise.”
He said residents of the suburbs “have worked all their lives to get into a community, and now they’re going to watch it go to hell. Not going to happen, not while I’m here.”
“My administration will continue pressing forward until we have made every last vestige of Washington fully, completely and totally accountable to the citizens of the United States,” Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Castro said the president, whose support in the suburbs has been eroding, especially among White women, is playing identity politics.
“While Vice President Biden has committed to reinstating the rule and fulfilling the promise of fair housing to all, Donald Trump has decided to stoke racism and further divide Americans,” Mr. Castro said.
In 2016, Mr. Trump won suburban districts by 4 percentage points nationwide, but an ABC News/Washington Post poll released Monday showed Mr. Biden leading the president 52% to 43% among suburban voters.
Other public polls in the past two months have shown Mr. Biden leading among suburban voters by as much as 25 percentage points. Trump campaign officials have criticized such polls in general for skewing results by undercounting Republican voters.
In making his case for getting rid of the housing rule, the president has cited the case of Westchester County, New York. The county settled a court case in 2009 with the federal government, which sued the county for falsely certifying that it was reviewing barriers to fair housing as a condition of accepting federal grants.
Westchester officials agreed to create 750 units of affordable housing in communities where Black and Hispanic residents made up less than 3% and 7%, respectively, of the county’s population.
The president said of the court case, “I’ve been watching this for years in Westchester, coming from New York. They want low-income housing built in a neighborhood. Well, I’m ending that rule. I’m taking it out.”
The president said Mr. Biden “and his bosses from the radical left want to significantly multiply what they’re doing now.”
“And what will be the end result is you will totally destroy the beautiful suburbs,” he said. “Suburbia will be no longer as we know it. So they wanted to defund and abolish your police and law enforcement while at the same time destroying our great suburbs.”
At a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing in February, Rep. Fred Keller, Pennsylvania Republican, said the administration’s moves would empower local communities to increase housing affordability. He called the AFFH rule “a burdensome paperwork exercise with no enforcement that would have done nothing to produce actual affordable housing.”
But Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said the action by HUD in January “reverses the 2015 policy before it had even been fully implemented.”
“No meaningful guidance existed until the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule was published in 2015,” she told lawmakers. “After several years of considerable input from a broad array of stakeholders, the 2015 AFFH rule made the strongest effort in decades to reverse harmful patterns of segregation and discriminatory practices in communities across the country. Unfortunately, the Trump administration has completely undermined this work by gutting the 2015 rule and proposing a rule that ignores the legacy of segregation and practically eliminates any accountability.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.