washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Marijuana ballot measures could tip competitive races toward Democrats

Pro-pot activists are convinced that marijuana ballot measures will help juice voter turnout this year and potentially push Democrats over the top in key states such as Arizona and Montana — a political calculus President Trump has fretted about .
Marijuana legalization measures are on the ballot in those two states , home to competitive presidential and/or Senate contests , plus Mississippi , New Jersey , and South Dakota .
“ Yes , it matters and there ’ s a reason Donald Trump doesn ’ t want it on the ballot , ” said Peter Marcus , a spokesman for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company .
“ The cannabis voter has the power to swing a race.
” Mr. Marcus , formerly a reporter in Colorado during that state ’ s legalization battle in 2012 , was apparently referring to comments Mr. Trump directed at former Wisconsin Gov .
Scott Walker when the president was campaigning in August .
“ The next time you run please don ’ t put marijuana on the ballot at the same time you ’ re running , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ You brought out like a million people that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right ?
” Mr. Walker narrowly lost a reelection bid in 2018 to Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers when legalization questions on the ballot passed in more than a dozen localities .
In Arizona , where recent polling has shown Mr. Trump running neck-and-neck with Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden , some polling has shown voters embracing Proposition 207 , which would legalize the possession of one ounce of marijuana for people ages 21 and older .
A majority of likely voters , 55 % , said they support legalizing recreational marijuana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were opposed , according to a poll this month from the firm OH Predictive Insights .
“ Clearly , the group that ’ s most favorable is the 18-34 crowd , ” said Mike Noble , the group ’ s chief of research .
“ It will have an effect .
However , I don ’ t think it will be nearly as prevalent compared to other single ideological issue ballot initiatives.
” The same survey showed Mr. Biden holding a 4-point , 49 % -45 % lead over Mr. Trump and Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martha McSally by 5 points , 50 % -45 % .
In Montana , home to a competitive Senate race between GOP Sen. Steve Daines and Gov .
Steve Bullock , two marijuana-related items are on the ballot .
Forty-nine percent of respondents said they plan to support legalization compared to 39 % who said they were opposed , according to a survey this month from Montana State University .
“ I think it is important to think about a ballot as a complete organic entity , ” said David Parker , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll .
“ Young voters strongly are in favor of the measure , and they tend to be Democratic leaning.
” Mr. Bullock led Mr. Daines by 2 points , 49 % -47 % , in the same poll .
Floyd Ciruli , a Colorado-based pollster , said proponents of ballot items generally try to play up the turnout argument as a way to attract support from political parties and win fundraising .
“ All of those advocates , some are conservative , some are liberal , argue it ’ ll help , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it does or not , I haven ’ t seen a lot of evidence .
My sense is , generally , that a presidential race dominates what people talk about.
” Mr. Marcus , though , pointed to the Senate race in Colorado between Republican Sen. Cory Gardner and former Gov .
John Hickenlooper as proof that elected officials believe the issue does move voters .
Mr. Hickenlooper , who famously told potential pot-smokers not to “ break out the Cheetos or Goldfish too quickly ” after Coloradans voted to legalize recreational weed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issue .
Mr. Gardner , a staunch conservative and ally of Mr. Trump , has become a leading advocate to try to open up banking services for the legal marijuana industry .
“ Both of these candidates found it necessary to sort of walk back their stances , or at least reevaluate their stances , potentially for political power in the race , ” Mr. Marcus said .
Marijuana is legal for adult recreational use in 11 states and the District of Columbia .
Medical marijuana is legal in more than 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports decriminalization , though he hasn ’ t gone as far as advocating for legalization at the federal level .
That is further than Mr. Trump is willing to go on the issue in public , though the president has appeared open in the past to legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes .
Mr. Trump ’ s campaign intervened in Mississippi this month to make it clear that the president does not support a ballot measure that would legalize medical marijuana .
Michael Glassner , chief operating officer for the Trump campaign , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s past words and says “ President Trump has stated his complete support for medical marijuana ” could trick voters into backing the measure because they think Mr. Trump himself supports it .
“ Therefore , let us be clear about this : President Trump has never stated his support for passage of Initiative 65 or the legalization of medical marijuana in Mississippi , ” Mr. Glassner wrote to Jamie Grantham , a spokeswoman for Mississippians for Compassionate Care .
Ms. Grantham said in response that the group stands by the mailer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple occasions that he supports medical marijuana , ” she said .
“ That is all that we ’ ve shared — the truth .
”

Pro-pot activists are convinced that marijuana ballot measures will help juice voter turnout this year and potentially push Democrats over the top in key states such as Arizona and Montana — a political calculus President Trump has fretted about.
Marijuana legalization measures are on the ballot in those two states, home to competitive presidential and/or Senate contests, plus Mississippi, New Jersey, and South Dakota.
“Yes, it matters and there’s a reason Donald Trump doesn’t want it on the ballot,” said Peter Marcus, a spokesman for Terrapin Care Station, a multistate cannabis company. “The cannabis voter has the power to swing a race.”
Mr. Marcus, formerly a reporter in Colorado during that state’s legalization battle in 2012, was apparently referring to comments Mr. Trump directed at former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker when the president was campaigning in August.
“The next time you run please don’t put marijuana on the ballot at the same time you’re running,” Mr. Trump said. “You brought out like a million people that nobody ever knew were coming out, right?”
Mr. Walker narrowly lost a reelection bid in 2018 to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers when legalization questions on the ballot passed in more than a dozen localities.
In Arizona, where recent polling has shown Mr. Trump running neck-and-neck with Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden, some polling has shown voters embracing Proposition 207, which would legalize the possession of one ounce of marijuana for people ages 21 and older.
A majority of likely voters, 55%, said they support legalizing recreational marijuana in Arizona while 37% said they were opposed, according to a poll this month from the firm OH Predictive Insights.
“Clearly, the group that’s most favorable is the 18-34 crowd,” said Mike Noble, the group’s chief of research. “It will have an effect. However, I don’t think it will be nearly as prevalent compared to other single ideological issue ballot initiatives.”
The same survey showed Mr. Biden holding a 4-point, 49%-45% lead over Mr. Trump and Democratic Senate candidate Mark Kelly leading Republican Sen. Martha McSally by 5 points, 50%-45%.
In Montana, home to a competitive Senate race between GOP Sen. Steve Daines and Gov. Steve Bullock, two marijuana-related items are on the ballot.
Forty-nine percent of respondents said they plan to support legalization compared to 39% who said they were opposed, according to a survey this month from Montana State University.
“I think it is important to think about a ballot as a complete organic entity,” said David Parker, a Montana State professor who helped conduct the poll. “Young voters strongly are in favor of the measure, and they tend to be Democratic leaning.”
Mr. Bullock led Mr. Daines by 2 points, 49%-47%, in the same poll.
Floyd Ciruli, a Colorado-based pollster, said proponents of ballot items generally try to play up the turnout argument as a way to attract support from political parties and win fundraising.
“All of those advocates, some are conservative, some are liberal, argue it’ll help,” Mr. Ciruli said. “Whether it does or not, I haven’t seen a lot of evidence. My sense is, generally, that a presidential race dominates what people talk about.”
Mr. Marcus, though, pointed to the Senate race in Colorado between Republican Sen. Cory Gardner and former Gov. John Hickenlooper as proof that elected officials believe the issue does move voters.
Mr. Hickenlooper, who famously told potential pot-smokers not to “break out the Cheetos or Goldfish too quickly” after Coloradans voted to legalize recreational weed in 2012, has since warmed to the issue.
Mr. Gardner, a staunch conservative and ally of Mr. Trump, has become a leading advocate to try to open up banking services for the legal marijuana industry.
“Both of these candidates found it necessary to sort of walk back their stances, or at least reevaluate their stances, potentially for political power in the race,” Mr. Marcus said.
Marijuana is legal for adult recreational use in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Medical marijuana is legal in more than 30 states.
Mr. Biden has said he supports decriminalization, though he hasn’t gone as far as advocating for legalization at the federal level.
That is further than Mr. Trump is willing to go on the issue in public, though the president has appeared open in the past to legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Mr. Trump’s campaign intervened in Mississippi this month to make it clear that the president does not support a ballot measure that would legalize medical marijuana.
Michael Glassner, chief operating officer for the Trump campaign, said a mailer that uses the president’s past words and says “President Trump has stated his complete support for medical marijuana” could trick voters into backing the measure because they think Mr. Trump himself supports it.
“Therefore, let us be clear about this: President Trump has never stated his support for passage of Initiative 65 or the legalization of medical marijuana in Mississippi,” Mr. Glassner wrote to Jamie Grantham, a spokeswoman for Mississippians for Compassionate Care.
Ms. Grantham said in response that the group stands by the mailer.
“President Trump has clearly stated on multiple occasions that he supports medical marijuana,” she said. “That is all that we’ve shared — the truth.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--New Mexico reports 828 new coronavirus cases, 2 more deaths

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - A day after reporting a record number of new COVID-19 cases with 875 , New Mexico health officials reported 828 more confirmed cases Sunday along with two additional deaths .
The latest numbers increase the state ’ s totals to 41,863 cases and 967 known deaths .
New Mexico Department of Health officials say 206 of the new cases were in Dona Ana County with 156 more in Bernalillo County , the state ’ s largest that includes Albuquerque .
Saturday ’ s case count topped the 827 cases newly reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday and 797 on Friday .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
But for some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The vast @ @ @ @ @

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A day after reporting a record number of new COVID-19 cases with 875, New Mexico health officials reported 828 more confirmed cases Sunday along with two additional deaths.
The latest numbers increase the state’s totals to 41,863 cases and 967 known deaths.
New Mexico Department of Health officials say 206 of the new cases were in Dona Ana County with 156 more in Bernalillo County, the state’s largest that includes Albuquerque.
Saturday’s case count topped the 827 cases newly reported on Wednesday. New Mexico reported 669 cases Thursday and 797 on Friday.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.
But for some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Police search for suspect following murder of Delaware man

CAMBRIDGE , Md .
( AP ) - Police said they are searching for a suspect in the murder of @ @ @ @ @ shot in Maryland .
Maryland State Police said Khalil St. Croxie Reid was found with @ @ @ @ @ a parking lot in Cambridge , Maryland .
Reid was transported to a local hospital @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said the 21-year-old from Laurel , Delaware , was shot by an unknown @ @ @ @ @ of firearm .

CAMBRIDGE, Md. (AP) - Police said they are searching for a suspect in the murder of a Delaware man who was shot in Maryland.
Maryland State Police said Khalil St. Croxie Reid was found with gunshot wounds Sunday morning in a parking lot in Cambridge, Maryland.
Reid was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police said the 21-year-old from Laurel, Delaware, was shot by an unknown assailant with an unknown type of firearm.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Japan rejects nuclear ban treaty; survivors to keep pushing

TOKYO ( AP ) — Japan said Monday it will not sign a U.N. treaty that bans nuclear weapons and does not welcome its entry into force next year , rejecting the wishes of atomic bomb survivors in Japan who are urging the government to join and work for a nuclear-free world .
The United Nations confirmed Saturday that 50 countries have ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons , paving the way for its entry into force in 90 days .
The announcement was hailed by anti-nuclear activists , but the treaty has been strongly opposed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers .
Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Japan shares the goal of achieving a nuclear-free world , but does not think the treaty is the way to go .
“ Japan ’ s approach is different from that of the treaty , and there is no change to our position not to sign it , as we have said , ” Kato told reporters Monday .
“ We doubt if support is growing even among non-nuclear weapons states , let alone nuclear weapons states.
” Japan has said that it is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers and non-nuclear weapons states sharply divided over it .
Kato said Japan has chosen instead to serve as a bridge to narrow the gap between the two sides .
Asked if Japan at least welcomes the treaty taking effect next year , Kato only repeated Japan ’ s position .
Japan has decided not to sign the treaty even though it is the world ’ s only country to have suffered nuclear attacks and has renounced its own possession , production or hosting of nuclear weapons .
That is because Japan hosts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. nuclear umbrella .
Its post-World War II security pact with the U.S. also complicates efforts to get Japan to sign the treaty as it beefs up its own military to deal with perceived threats from North Korea and China .
“ We need to appropriately respond to the current security threats , by maintaining or strengthening our deterrence .
We have to be realistic about promoting nuclear disarmament , ” Kato said .
Atomic bomb survivors , who have long worked to achieve the treaty , renewed their call for Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a survivor of the Aug. 9 , 1945 , Nagasaki bombing who has long campaigned for a nuclear weapons ban , said he has not given up hope .
“ It is the Japanese government that will be embarrassed when the treaty enters into effect , ” Tanaka told reporters Monday .
“ We will keep working to get the government to change its policy.
” The U.S. had written to treaty signatories urging them to rescind their ratification , saying four other nuclear powers — Russia , China , Britain and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies “ stand unified in our opposition to the potential repercussions ” of the treaty .
There are over 14,000 nuclear bombs in the world , many of them tens of times more powerful than the weapons dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that killed more than 210,000 people in the closing days of World War II .
The treaty was approved by the 193-member U.N. General Assembly in July , 2017 , by a vote of 122 in favor .
The five nuclear powers and four other countries known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India , Pakistan , North Korea and Israel — boycotted negotiations and the vote on the treaty , along with many of their allies , including Japan .

TOKYO (AP) — Japan said Monday it will not sign a U.N. treaty that bans nuclear weapons and does not welcome its entry into force next year, rejecting the wishes of atomic bomb survivors in Japan who are urging the government to join and work for a nuclear-free world.
The United Nations confirmed Saturday that 50 countries have ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, paving the way for its entry into force in 90 days.
The announcement was hailed by anti-nuclear activists, but the treaty has been strongly opposed by the United States and other major nuclear powers.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Japan shares the goal of achieving a nuclear-free world, but does not think the treaty is the way to go.
“Japan’s approach is different from that of the treaty, and there is no change to our position not to sign it, as we have said,” Kato told reporters Monday. “We doubt if support is growing even among non-nuclear weapons states, let alone nuclear weapons states.”
Japan has said that it is not realistic to pursue the treaty with nuclear powers and non-nuclear weapons states sharply divided over it. Kato said Japan has chosen instead to serve as a bridge to narrow the gap between the two sides.
Asked if Japan at least welcomes the treaty taking effect next year, Kato only repeated Japan’s position.
Japan has decided not to sign the treaty even though it is the world’s only country to have suffered nuclear attacks and has renounced its own possession, production or hosting of nuclear weapons.
That is because Japan hosts 50,000 American troops and is protected by the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Its post-World War II security pact with the U.S. also complicates efforts to get Japan to sign the treaty as it beefs up its own military to deal with perceived threats from North Korea and China.
“We need to appropriately respond to the current security threats, by maintaining or strengthening our deterrence. We have to be realistic about promoting nuclear disarmament,” Kato said.
Atomic bomb survivors, who have long worked to achieve the treaty, renewed their call for Japan to become a signatory. Terumi Tanaka, a survivor of the Aug. 9, 1945, Nagasaki bombing who has long campaigned for a nuclear weapons ban, said he has not given up hope.
“It is the Japanese government that will be embarrassed when the treaty enters into effect,” Tanaka told reporters Monday. “We will keep working to get the government to change its policy.”
The U.S. had written to treaty signatories urging them to rescind their ratification, saying four other nuclear powers — Russia, China, Britain and France - and America’s NATO allies “stand unified in our opposition to the potential repercussions” of the treaty.
There are over 14,000 nuclear bombs in the world, many of them tens of times more powerful than the weapons dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that killed more than 210,000 people in the closing days of World War II.
The treaty was approved by the 193-member U.N. General Assembly in July, 2017, by a vote of 122 in favor. The five nuclear powers and four other countries known or believed to possess nuclear weapons — India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel — boycotted negotiations and the vote on the treaty, along with many of their allies, including Japan.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Miami Beach commissioner tests positive for COVID-19

MIAMI BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - A Miami Beach commissioner said Sunday that he tested positive for COVID-19 , and two other commissioners who appeared at a campaign event with him on Friday stopped campaigning to get tested .
Everyone who attended Friday ’ s event at the Ocean Drive drag bar Palace wore masks .
the Miami Herald reported .
Commissioner David Richardson said in a statement that he began feeling “ mild ” symptoms on Saturday evening , hours after hosting a food distribution event outside the South Shore Community Center in Miami Beach..
Commissioners Daniella @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miami-Dade County mayor , and Eileen Higgins , who is seeking reelection to the commission , said they were tested at the Hard Rock Stadium site on Sunday .
Initial results were negative but they said they will remain isolated until more reliable “ PCR ” tests come back on Tuesday .
Miami Beach Mayor Mayor Dan Gelber attended the Friday event and said he will get tested on Monday , the newspaper reported .
“ I have already reached out to the few people who were around me in the past few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get tested as soon as possible , and I will continue to work with professionals on contact tracing , ” Richardson said in a statement Sunday .
Saturday ’ s food distribution event was no-contact , and all volunteers wore masks and gloves , the Herald reported .
Richardson said there was no contact with participants , as their car windows were rolled up .
“ Also , since I am busy managing the events I don ’ t touch the food that is placed in cars , ” Richardson said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been ticking upward in Florida after leveling off following a summer surge .
On Sunday , the state ’ s health department confirmed 2,385 new cases , while reporting 4,471 positive cases on Saturday .
That brings the total number of cases to 778,636 since the pandemic began .

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A Miami Beach commissioner said Sunday that he tested positive for COVID-19, and two other commissioners who appeared at a campaign event with him on Friday stopped campaigning to get tested.
Everyone who attended Friday’s event at the Ocean Drive drag bar Palace wore masks. the Miami Herald reported. Commissioner David Richardson said in a statement that he began feeling “mild” symptoms on Saturday evening, hours after hosting a food distribution event outside the South Shore Community Center in Miami Beach..
Commissioners Daniella Levine Cava, who is running for Miami-Dade County mayor, and Eileen Higgins, who is seeking reelection to the commission, said they were tested at the Hard Rock Stadium site on Sunday. Initial results were negative but they said they will remain isolated until more reliable “PCR” tests come back on Tuesday.
Miami Beach Mayor Mayor Dan Gelber attended the Friday event and said he will get tested on Monday, the newspaper reported.
“I have already reached out to the few people who were around me in the past few days without a mask to encourage them to get tested as soon as possible, and I will continue to work with professionals on contact tracing,” Richardson said in a statement Sunday.
Saturday’s food distribution event was no-contact, and all volunteers wore masks and gloves, the Herald reported. Richardson said there was no contact with participants, as their car windows were rolled up.
“Also, since I am busy managing the events I don’t touch the food that is placed in cars,” Richardson said.
The number of positive COVID-19 tests has been ticking upward in Florida after leveling off following a summer surge. On Sunday, the state’s health department confirmed 2,385 new cases, while reporting 4,471 positive cases on Saturday. That brings the total number of cases to 778,636 since the pandemic began.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--USDA approves Indiana's plan for commercial hemp growing

INDIANAPOLIS ( AP ) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Indiana ’ s plan to allow farmers to commercially grow and process hemp .
The plan will take the Office of the Indiana State Chemist ’ s pilot hemp program and transition it to one allowing for commercial hemp production .
Previously , hemp growers needed a research proposal and to be associated with a university to apply for a license .
Under this newly approved plan , however , farmers can become independently licensed .
Applications will open online in November for the 2021 growing season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ accomplishment for both farmers and our team , ” Don Robison , seed administrator for the Office of the Indiana State Chemist , said in news release .
“ We are looking forward to growing this program and offering more efficient licensing for Hoosier farmers and processing companies.
” Indiana is now one of 29 states with approved hemp plans .
Twelve other states are currently negotiating with USDA on their plans .
Earlier this month , the USDA also signed-off on hemp plans for Illinois , Michigan , New Mexico , Oklahoma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Comanche Nation , the San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona and the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma .

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Indiana’s plan to allow farmers to commercially grow and process hemp.
The plan will take the Office of the Indiana State Chemist’s pilot hemp program and transition it to one allowing for commercial hemp production. Previously, hemp growers needed a research proposal and to be associated with a university to apply for a license. Under this newly approved plan, however, farmers can become independently licensed.
Applications will open online in November for the 2021 growing season.
“This plan approval is a huge accomplishment for both farmers and our team,” Don Robison, seed administrator for the Office of the Indiana State Chemist, said in news release. “We are looking forward to growing this program and offering more efficient licensing for Hoosier farmers and processing companies.”
Indiana is now one of 29 states with approved hemp plans. Twelve other states are currently negotiating with USDA on their plans.
Earlier this month, the USDA also signed-off on hemp plans for Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, Oklahoma and South Dakota, as well as the Comanche Nation, the San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona and the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Will history repeat itself in 2 congressional rematches?

BINGHAMTON , N.Y. ( AP ) - It ’ s like 2018 all over again for voters in central New York , where two U.S. House members - one a Republican , the other a Democrat - are locked in close rematches against candidates they narrowly beat against the odds two years ago .
In the Republican-leaning 22nd Congressional District - which stretches from Lake Ontario to the Pennsylvania border , east of Syracuse - Republican Claudia Tenney is vying to reclaim her seat in Congress from U.S. Rep. Anthony Brindisi , the Democrat who ousted her by fewer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 41 , is one of several vulnerable freshman House Democrats in districts where voters favored President Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016 , and whose impeachment votes invited attack ads early this year .
And just to the west in the 24th Congressional District , where 35 % of voters are Democrats and 32 % are Republicans , Democrat Dana Balter is again running against Republican U.S. Rep. John Katko as he seeks a fourth term .
Two years ago , Balter lost by 5 percentage points to Katko , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to be close again amid circumstances that have changed since the last time .
The coronavirus pandemic has smashed the economy and killed thousands .
Cases have been spiking again lately in New York , especially near the Pennsylvania border .
And the two districts have seen sharp divisions over the issue of racial injustice and protests over police killings of Black people , including recent demonstrations in the nearby city of Rochester over the death of Daniel Prude .
“ The candidates are in a very different position facing voters this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Siena College pollster Steve Greenberg .
Balter has been critical over Katko ’ s support of Trump .
In 2016 , Katko had told voters that “ Donald Trump has not and will never earn my vote.
” But he then endorsed the president ’ s reelection in January .
At a debate Oct. 20 , Katko said that he considered withdrawing that endorsement , but that the nation needs lower taxes , better trade deals and market-based health care .
“ And that ’ s why I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Balter said the problem with Trump isn ’ t , as Katko suggested , that the president has occasionally “ put his foot into his mouth.
” “ It ’ s not about ill-advised word choices , ” she said the debate .
“ It ’ s about his flagrant disregard for the well-being of Americans.
” Meanwhile , 59-year-old Tenney is urging Republicans to turn out and prevent Brindisi from ushering in a “ far-left ” agenda backed by Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden .
She has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nancy Pelosi , criticized his vote to impeach Trump , and attended “ Back the Blue ” rallies as she lambasted Brindisi as “ anti-police.
” Brindisi has said he wants to fund more police training and body cameras and has campaigned on the need for a stimulus bill to offset the damage being done by the pandemic .
“ My worry is if we don ’ t pass another stimulus , the economy could fall into a tailspin , ” he said recently during a campaign stop at a Binghamton gas station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a propane-fueled bus as workers spaced out in a circle asked for more investment .
Outside political groups have poured money millions of dollars into efforts supporting the candidates in both races .
Polling is scant , but a recent Siena College poll shows Brindisi running with a slight edge over Tenney and signs of disapproval among district Republicans with Trump , whose support Tenney has frequently touted .
Biden and Trump have been polling neck-and-neck in the district .
In 2016 , Trump carried the district over Clinton by 15 points .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Binghamton gas station where Brindisi campaigned , said he considered the Democrat “ a little too liberal ” and voted for Tenney in 2018 .
But the Republican said he ’ ll consider both November , adding : “ I don ’ t like either of them.
” Another Siena poll has Balter and Katko nearly tied in their district , which includes Syracuse , where Biden has some history .
He graduated in 1968 from Syracuse University College of Law , and his late first wife , Neilia Hunter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a Finger Lakes native .
Balter , 44 , also moved to central New York in 2003 to pursue a doctorate at Syracuse University , where she later worked as a visiting assistant professor .
She grew up in Connecticut and pursued a career in disability services inspired by her childhood experience advocating for a brother with cognitive disabilities and has never held elective office before .
Health care has been a central issue in both districts .
Balter favors a phased-in version of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ “ Medicare for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have labeled her plan “ radical ” and featured Biden calling Sanders ’ proposal “ absolutely preposterous.
” Katko , 57 , voted in 2017 for legislation repealing the Affordable Care Act ’ s mandate that individuals get health insurance or face a penalty .
Tenney also voted for an Obamacare repeal bill and said she ’ ll fight Medicare-for-All .
As a state lawmaker , Brindisi supported single-payer health care but says he doesn ’ t support it nationally .
He has advocated for lower prescription drug costs and for protecting Obama-era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and individuals with preexisting conditions .
Three more upstate New York congressional races also feature rematches of past contests .
U.S. Rep. Tom Reed , a Republican , faces Democrat Tracy Mitrano in the 23rd Congressional District .
He defeated her in 2018 by about 8 percentage points .
Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik faces a challenge in the 21st Congressional District from Democrat Tedra Cobb , who she beat handily in 2018 .
And U.S. Chris Jacobs , another Republican , faces Democrat Nate McMurray , who he defeated in a special @ @ @ @

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (AP) - It’s like 2018 all over again for voters in central New York, where two U.S. House members - one a Republican, the other a Democrat - are locked in close rematches against candidates they narrowly beat against the odds two years ago.
In the Republican-leaning 22nd Congressional District - which stretches from Lake Ontario to the Pennsylvania border, east of Syracuse - Republican Claudia Tenney is vying to reclaim her seat in Congress from U.S. Rep. Anthony Brindisi, the Democrat who ousted her by fewer than 4,500 votes two years ago.
Brindisi, 41, is one of several vulnerable freshman House Democrats in districts where voters favored President Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016, and whose impeachment votes invited attack ads early this year.
And just to the west in the 24th Congressional District, where 35% of voters are Democrats and 32% are Republicans, Democrat Dana Balter is again running against Republican U.S. Rep. John Katko as he seeks a fourth term.
Two years ago, Balter lost by 5 percentage points to Katko, a former federal prosecutor.
Both races are expected to be close again amid circumstances that have changed since the last time. The coronavirus pandemic has smashed the economy and killed thousands. Cases have been spiking again lately in New York, especially near the Pennsylvania border.
And the two districts have seen sharp divisions over the issue of racial injustice and protests over police killings of Black people, including recent demonstrations in the nearby city of Rochester over the death of Daniel Prude.
“The candidates are in a very different position facing voters this time then they were two years ago,” said Siena College pollster Steve Greenberg.
Balter has been critical over Katko’s support of Trump.
In 2016, Katko had told voters that “Donald Trump has not and will never earn my vote.” But he then endorsed the president’s reelection in January.
At a debate Oct. 20, Katko said that he considered withdrawing that endorsement, but that the nation needs lower taxes, better trade deals and market-based health care.
“And that’s why I’m sticking with him, warts and all,” he said.
Balter said the problem with Trump isn’t, as Katko suggested, that the president has occasionally “put his foot into his mouth.”
“It’s not about ill-advised word choices,” she said the debate. “It’s about his flagrant disregard for the well-being of Americans.”
Meanwhile, 59-year-old Tenney is urging Republicans to turn out and prevent Brindisi from ushering in a “far-left” agenda backed by Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
She has portrayed him as obsequious to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, criticized his vote to impeach Trump, and attended “Back the Blue” rallies as she lambasted Brindisi as “anti-police.”
Brindisi has said he wants to fund more police training and body cameras and has campaigned on the need for a stimulus bill to offset the damage being done by the pandemic.
“My worry is if we don’t pass another stimulus, the economy could fall into a tailspin,” he said recently during a campaign stop at a Binghamton gas station, where he learned to fill up a propane-fueled bus as workers spaced out in a circle asked for more investment.
Outside political groups have poured money millions of dollars into efforts supporting the candidates in both races.
Polling is scant, but a recent Siena College poll shows Brindisi running with a slight edge over Tenney and signs of disapproval among district Republicans with Trump, whose support Tenney has frequently touted.
Biden and Trump have been polling neck-and-neck in the district. In 2016, Trump carried the district over Clinton by 15 points.
Matthew Taft, an Endicott auto detailer at the Binghamton gas station where Brindisi campaigned, said he considered the Democrat “a little too liberal” and voted for Tenney in 2018. But the Republican said he’ll consider both November, adding: “I don’t like either of them.”
Another Siena poll has Balter and Katko nearly tied in their district, which includes Syracuse, where Biden has some history. He graduated in 1968 from Syracuse University College of Law, and his late first wife, Neilia Hunter, who died in a car crash, was a Finger Lakes native.
Balter, 44, also moved to central New York in 2003 to pursue a doctorate at Syracuse University, where she later worked as a visiting assistant professor. She grew up in Connecticut and pursued a career in disability services inspired by her childhood experience advocating for a brother with cognitive disabilities and has never held elective office before.
Health care has been a central issue in both districts.
Balter favors a phased-in version of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ “Medicare for All.” Katko’s campaign ads have labeled her plan “radical” and featured Biden calling Sanders’ proposal “absolutely preposterous.” Katko, 57, voted in 2017 for legislation repealing the Affordable Care Act’s mandate that individuals get health insurance or face a penalty.
Tenney also voted for an Obamacare repeal bill and said she’ll fight Medicare-for-All. As a state lawmaker, Brindisi supported single-payer health care but says he doesn’t support it nationally. He has advocated for lower prescription drug costs and for protecting Obama-era benefits for maternity and emergency room care and individuals with preexisting conditions.
Three more upstate New York congressional races also feature rematches of past contests.
U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, a Republican, faces Democrat Tracy Mitrano in the 23rd Congressional District. He defeated her in 2018 by about 8 percentage points.
Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik faces a challenge in the 21st Congressional District from Democrat Tedra Cobb, who she beat handily in 2018.
And U.S. Chris Jacobs, another Republican, faces Democrat Nate McMurray, who he defeated in a special election in June.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Indiana provides first look at COVID-19 vaccination plans

INDIANAPOLIS ( AP ) - State health officials have released a first look at Indiana ’ s plan for distributing a COVID-19 vaccine , whenever one becomes available .
The Indiana State Department of Health released its interim draft last Tuesday , and it indicates that a phased approach will be used to dole out the vaccine .
Healthcare workers will be the first to get inoculated .
That group includes employees at hospitals , long-term care facilities , outpatient facilities and pharmacies , as well as emergency medical service providers and anyone working with COVID-19 diagnostic and immunization teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 65 years or older and those with underlying health conditions , will follow .
The next phase of Indiana ’ s plan focuses on mitigating the virus ’ spread by vaccinating people who can ’ t work from home , including teachers , food service workers , firefighters and police officers .
In the third phase , health officials anticipate distributing the vaccine publicly to all other Hoosiers .
The timeline for doing so , however , remains unclear .
All states were required to submit similar draft distribution plans to the Centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration .
President Donald Trump promised during the closing presidential debate last Thursday that a vaccine would be ready in a matter of weeks .

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - State health officials have released a first look at Indiana’s plan for distributing a COVID-19 vaccine, whenever one becomes available.
The Indiana State Department of Health released its interim draft last Tuesday, and it indicates that a phased approach will be used to dole out the vaccine. Healthcare workers will be the first to get inoculated. That group includes employees at hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient facilities and pharmacies, as well as emergency medical service providers and anyone working with COVID-19 diagnostic and immunization teams.
Vulnerable groups, such as people 65 years or older and those with underlying health conditions, will follow.
The next phase of Indiana’s plan focuses on mitigating the virus’ spread by vaccinating people who can’t work from home, including teachers, food service workers, firefighters and police officers.
In the third phase, health officials anticipate distributing the vaccine publicly to all other Hoosiers. The timeline for doing so, however, remains unclear.
All states were required to submit similar draft distribution plans to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A vaccine has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. President Donald Trump promised during the closing presidential debate last Thursday that a vaccine would be ready in a matter of weeks.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Turkish lira drops to record low over US sanction threat

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) - The Turkish currency slid further Monday to an all-time low against the U.S. dollar after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan challenged the United States to slap sanctions over his government ’ s decision to test its Russian-made air defense system .
The lira dropped another 1.3 % to 8.06 against the dollar , a day after Erdogan dared Washington to impose sanctions after the NATO-member country tested the S-400 air defense system it purchased from Russia .
The purchase has already seen Turkey kicked off the U.S. F-35 stealth fighter program .
NATO has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat to the military alliance and particularly endangers the technical secrets of the F-35 .
For months , the U.S. warned Ankara that it risked sanctions under the Countering America ’ s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act if the S-400 system was activated .
President Donald Trump , however , has held back on implementing the sanctions amid hopes Erdogan will not go ahead with activating the missiles .
The lira has lost around 25 % of its value this year as the coronavirus pandemic continues to batter the economy and amid concerns over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States and several European nations .

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - The Turkish currency slid further Monday to an all-time low against the U.S. dollar after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan challenged the United States to slap sanctions over his government’s decision to test its Russian-made air defense system.
The lira dropped another 1.3% to 8.06 against the dollar, a day after Erdogan dared Washington to impose sanctions after the NATO-member country tested the S-400 air defense system it purchased from Russia.
The purchase has already seen Turkey kicked off the U.S. F-35 stealth fighter program.
NATO has said that the Russian system poses a threat to the military alliance and particularly endangers the technical secrets of the F-35.
For months, the U.S. warned Ankara that it risked sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act if the S-400 system was activated. President Donald Trump, however, has held back on implementing the sanctions amid hopes Erdogan will not go ahead with activating the missiles.
The lira has lost around 25% of its value this year as the coronavirus pandemic continues to batter the economy and amid concerns over Turkey’s troubled relations with the United States and several European nations.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Police: Virginia officer shot while chasing robbery suspect

ALEXANDRIA , Va. ( AP ) - A Virginia police officer was hospitalized early Monday after being shot by a @ @ @ @ @ according to authorities .
Alexandria police were called to a report of shots fired at @ @ @ @ @ after midnight , the department said .
While chasing a suspect , an officer was @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
The officer returned fire but it was not immediately clear whether @ @ @ @ @ WUSA-TV reported , citing the agency .
The officer , who was not immediately identified @ @ @ @ @ hospital for treatment and was expected to recover , officials said .
No suspects were @ @ @ @ @ outlets reported .
Police did not release any additional details and the circumstances surrounding the @ @ @ @ @

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A robbery suspect accused of shooting and wounding a Virginia police officer early Monday was found dead following another shootout with police, authorities said.
Alexandria police were called to a report of shots fired at a hotel at around 5 a.m., public information officer Lt. Courtney Ballantine said during a news conference. Officers determined a robbery allegedly happened in one of the rooms, he said.
Officers encountered a possible suspect, and an officer chased the person on foot. An exchange of gunfire took place. The officer was struck by a bullet in the lower body and was in “fair condition” at a hospital Monday morning, Ballantine said.
The suspect initially ran away before being encountered by other officers. Another shootout took place, according to police.
The officers took cover before again searching the area and finding the suspect dead, officials said.
Ballantine did not immediately say whether the suspect was struck by police gunfire.
The suspect and officers were not immediately identified. Police did not release any additional details and the circumstances surrounding the alleged robbery remained unclear.
The Virginia State Police Department was assisting in the investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--El Paso imposes curfew as virus cases overwhelm hospitals

EL PASO , Texas ( AP ) - Residents in the Texas border city of El Paso have been urged to stay home for two weeks as a spike in coronavirus cases overwhelms hospitals , prompting the state to dedicate part of the city ’ s civic center as a makeshift care center for the ill. El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego on Sunday night issued a stay home order with a daily curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m .
Violators could be fined $ 500 under the order .
“ We are in a crisis stage , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top elected official .
Earlier Sunday , Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott said 50 hospital beds will be set up in the convention center and another 50 beds could be added if needed .
Abbott ordered the alternate care site to expand hospital capacity in the El Paso area in response to the coronavirus surge , he said .
The site , scheduled to open this week , will provide additional medical equipment and medical personnel .
The surge in El Paso cases comes as President Donald Trump downplayed the virus ’ effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s presidential debate : “ There was a very big spike in Texas , it ’ s now gone.
” The state has already provided over 900 medical personnel to El Paso , some of whom will be staffing the convention center site .
“ The alternate care site and auxiliary medical units will reduce the strain on hospitals in El Paso as we contain the spread of COVID-19 in the region , ” Abbott said .
El Paso County health officials reported 772 new coronavirus cases Sunday , a day after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , making up more than 20 % of the 3,793 new cases reported statewide .
That brought the total cases since the pandemic first hit Texas to 862,375 .
An estimated 91,885 active cases was the most since Aug. 30 , and the 5,206 COVID-19 hospitalizations reported statewide Sunday was the most since Aug. 22 .

EL PASO, Texas (AP) - Residents in the Texas border city of El Paso have been urged to stay home for two weeks as a spike in coronavirus cases overwhelms hospitals, prompting the state to dedicate part of the city’s civic center as a makeshift care center for the ill.
El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego on Sunday night issued a stay home order with a daily curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Violators could be fined $500 under the order, but the curfew does not apply to people who are going to or from work or out for essential services, including grocery stores and healthcare.
“We are in a crisis stage,” said Samaniego, the county’s top elected official.
On Monday, the county reported a new record high in daily coronavirus cases, with 1,443 cases of the virus recorded. That breaks the daily record of 1,216 cases set Saturday.
The county had 853 patients hospitalized for the virus on Monday, up from 786 a day earlier.
Earlier Sunday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said 50 hospital beds will be set up in the convention center and another 50 beds could be added if needed.
Abbott ordered the alternate care site to expand hospital capacity in the El Paso area in response to the coronavirus surge, he said. The site, scheduled to open this week, will provide additional medical equipment and medical personnel.
Dr. David Persse, chief medical officer for the city of Houston, on Monday said at a press conference that they have been coordinating with state officials to move patients from El Paso - and potentially Amarillo, Lubbock, and the Rio Grande Valley - to Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston. He was told Saturday that they could get 2 to 4 patients a day, said Persse, who added that he was unaware of whether they had already received patients.
“The plan is in place, the connections have been made,” he said. “At this point it looks like the volume of patients to be moved will be very, very small, and let’s hope it stays that way.”
The surge in El Paso cases comes as President Donald Trump downplayed the virus’ effect on Texas, saying during last week’s presidential debate: “There was a very big spike in Texas, it’s now gone.”
The state has already provided over 900 medical personnel to El Paso, some of whom will be staffing the convention center site.
“The alternate care site and auxiliary medical units will reduce the strain on hospitals in El Paso as we contain the spread of COVID-19 in the region,” Abbott said.
As of Monday, Texas has reported a total of 867,075 virus cases statewide since the pandemic began, an increase of 4,700 from Sunday. The true number of cases in the state is likely higher though because many people haven’t been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
An estimated 93,479 active cases was the most since Aug. 29, and the 5,278 COVID-19 hospitalizations reported statewide Sunday was the most since Aug. 21. Meanwhile, 10 more COVID-19 fatalities were reported Monday, bringing the toll for the pandemic in Texas to 17,514 deaths.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a 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--2020-10-26--Law enforcement cracks down on Minneapolis street racing

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Law enforcement officers pulled over more than 100 vehicles in a crackdown on drag racing in downtown Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs this past weekend .
Authorities issued 29 citations and booked 22 people as area law enforcement agencies partnered to stop drag racers .
A dozen firearms were recovered , one person was arrested for drunken driving and four others were detained on fleeing charges , the Star Tribune reported .
Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder says drag racing this year has been “ more egregious.
” Last month , police opened fire hydrants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is not about hot rodding , but in fact about people just behaving badly and making a dangerous environment and damaging property , ” Elder said .
“ We will continue to do these details until these behaviors stop.
” Metro Transit , the State Patrol , the Hennepin and Ramsey County Sheriff ’ s Offices and police from Minneapolis , St. Paul and Brooklyn Park formed a partnership to crackdown on street racing .
Elder said other suburbs seeing more drag racing include Brooklyn Park , St. Louis Park @ @ @ @ @ @

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Law enforcement officers pulled over more than 100 vehicles in a crackdown on drag racing in downtown Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs this past weekend.
Authorities issued 29 citations and booked 22 people as area law enforcement agencies partnered to stop drag racers. A dozen firearms were recovered, one person was arrested for drunken driving and four others were detained on fleeing charges, the Star Tribune reported.
Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder says drag racing this year has been “more egregious.” Last month, police opened fire hydrants to flood downtown streets and deter drag racing.
“This is not about hot rodding, but in fact about people just behaving badly and making a dangerous environment and damaging property,” Elder said. “We will continue to do these details until these behaviors stop.”
Metro Transit, the State Patrol, the Hennepin and Ramsey County Sheriff’s Offices and police from Minneapolis, St. Paul and Brooklyn Park formed a partnership to crackdown on street racing.
Elder said other suburbs seeing more drag racing include Brooklyn Park, St. Louis Park and Roseville, among others.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Woman found stabbed to death in Philadelphia apartment fire

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) - Firefighters found a woman stabbed to death after extinguishing a fire in an apartment in @ @ @ @ @ section .
Firefighters responded to a report of a fire with people trapped inside around @ @ @ @ @ they put out the flames , police said firefighters discovered Devin Gold , 27 , @ @ @ @ @ She was pronounced dead at the scene .
A 40-year-old man was found with injuries @ @ @ @ @ He was taken to a hospital .
His condition was not known .
Police have @ @ @ @ @ woman .
Two other people escaped the fire .
The cause of the blaze was @ @ @

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Firefighters found a woman stabbed to death after extinguishing a fire in an apartment in the city’s Brewerytown section.
Firefighters responded to a report of a fire with people trapped inside around 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
After they put out the flames, police said firefighters discovered Devin Gold, 27, with multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 40-year-old man was found with injuries nearby, police said. He was taken to a hospital. His condition was not known.
Police have not said who stabbed the woman.
Two other people escaped the fire. The cause of the blaze was under investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Lithuania swings to the center-right as opposition wins vote

VILNIUS , Lithuania ( AP ) - A center-right coalition in Lithuania , led by the conservative Homeland Union , is headed back to power after eight years in the opposition after winning the most votes in a weekend parliamentary runoff .
Key challenges looming for the new three-party coalition will be tackling a budget deficit , a growing health crisis and high unemployment caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Lithuania , a nation of 2.8 million , has seen its economy hit hard by the pandemic .
Unemployment rose from 9 % in February to over 14 % in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 budget with a 4-billion euro ( $ 4.7 billion ) deficit .
“ These were rather typical European elections as disappointed voters turned to the opposition in hopes of more effective management and better results , ” said Mazvydas Jastramskis , a political analyst at Vilnius University .
On Monday , party leaders agreed to form a center-right coalition that will have a majority in the 141-seat parliament , the Seimas .
Former presidential candidate Ingrida Simonyte of the Homeland Union is likely to become the Baltic country ’ s next prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a joint statement .
After two rounds of voting , the Homeland Union party had won 50 seats , and its partners , the Liberal Movement and a political newcomer , the Freedom Party , got 13 and 11 seats each , respectively .
Together they secured a majority with 74 seats , clearing the minimum of 71 seats to be able to form a government .
The outgoing senior ruling party , the Farmers and Greens , won only 32 seats while their supporters - the Social Democrats and the populist Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respectively .
In Sunday ’ s elections , 68 seats were up for grabs while the remaining seats had been allotted after the first round .
“ They will immediately find themselves under rather strong pressure to cope with the virus and that may force the Homeland Union to be more flexible in negotiations with coalition partners , ” said Kestutis Girnius , political analyst at Vilnius University .
On Sunday , the southernmost Baltic country reported a record high number of new coronavirus cases , 603 .
The worsening of the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter turnout Sunday , which was just under 40 % , lower than the more than 47 % in the first round .
Overall , Lithuania has had more than 10,000 cases and 134 deaths .
Authorities set up special drive-in polling stations where people were required to wear masks and bring their own pens .
These drew more than 7 % of Lithuania ’ s 2.5 million registered voters .
Critics have condemned the outgoing government for its handling of the COVID-19 outbreak .
After weeks of hesitation , it imposed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect on Monday .
Lithuania , a member of the European Union and NATO , has kept strong democratic traditions and sustainable economic growth since declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1990 .
It has also played a major diplomatic role as protests in Belarus , its southern neighbor , have unfolded against that nation ’ s authoritarian leader .
This story has corrected to show that two parties have gotten 13 and 11 seats each , not the other way around .

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) - A center-right coalition in Lithuania, led by the conservative Homeland Union, is headed back to power after eight years in the opposition after winning the most votes in a weekend parliamentary runoff.
Key challenges looming for the new three-party coalition will be tackling a budget deficit, a growing health crisis and high unemployment caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Lithuania, a nation of 2.8 million, has seen its economy hit hard by the pandemic. Unemployment rose from 9% in February to over 14% in September. The outgoing parliament drafted a 2021 budget with a 4-billion euro ($4.7 billion) deficit.
“These were rather typical European elections as disappointed voters turned to the opposition in hopes of more effective management and better results,” said Mazvydas Jastramskis, a political analyst at Vilnius University.
On Monday, party leaders agreed to form a center-right coalition that will have a majority in the 141-seat parliament, the Seimas. Former presidential candidate Ingrida Simonyte of the Homeland Union is likely to become the Baltic country’s next prime minister, the three parties said in a joint statement.
After two rounds of voting, the Homeland Union party had won 50 seats, and its partners, the Liberal Movement and a political newcomer, the Freedom Party, got 13 and 11 seats each, respectively. Together they secured a majority with 74 seats, clearing the minimum of 71 seats to be able to form a government.
The outgoing senior ruling party, the Farmers and Greens, won only 32 seats while their supporters - the Social Democrats and the populist Labour party - got 13 and 10 seats respectively.
In Sunday’s elections, 68 seats were up for grabs while the remaining seats had been allotted after the first round.
“They will immediately find themselves under rather strong pressure to cope with the virus and that may force the Homeland Union to be more flexible in negotiations with coalition partners,” said Kestutis Girnius, political analyst at Vilnius University.
On Sunday, the southernmost Baltic country reported a record high number of new coronavirus cases, 603. The worsening of the outbreak is seen as likely to have affected voter turnout Sunday, which was just under 40%, lower than the more than 47% in the first round.
Overall, Lithuania has had more than 10,000 cases and 134 deaths. Authorities set up special drive-in polling stations where people were required to wear masks and bring their own pens. These drew more than 7% of Lithuania’s 2.5 million registered voters.
Critics have condemned the outgoing government for its handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. After weeks of hesitation, it imposed a lockdown in 12 of 60 districts taking effect on Monday.
Lithuania, a member of the European Union and NATO, has kept strong democratic traditions and sustainable economic growth since declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. It has also played a major diplomatic role as protests in Belarus, its southern neighbor, have unfolded against that nation’s authoritarian leader.
___
This story has corrected to show that two parties have gotten 13 and 11 seats each, not the other way around.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Airstrike in northwestern Syria kills over 50 rebel fighters

BEIRUT ( AP ) — An airstrike on a rebel training camp in northwestern Syria on Monday killed more than 50 fighters and wounded nearly as many , a Syrian opposition spokesman and a war monitor said .
The airstrike in the northwestern part of Idlib province , the last rebel enclave in Syria , targeted a military training camp for Failaq al-Sham , one of the largest Turkey-backed opposition groups in Syria , said Youssef Hammoud , a spokesman for the groups .
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , which monitors the war in Syria , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 50 .
Rescue missions are still underway , the Observatory said .
It said it also suspected the airstrike was carried out by Russia , which is a close ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad in the country ’ s civil war .
Leaders of the camp were among those killed in airstrike in Jabal al-Dweila , according to Hammoud .
Turkey and Russia had brokered a truce in Idlib earlier this year to halt a government offensive that displaced hundreds of thousands .
But the truce remained shaky .
Turkey has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia has negotiated with Ankara to deploy observation teams in the rebel enclave to monitor the truce .

BEIRUT (AP) — An airstrike on a rebel training camp in northwestern Syria on Monday killed more than 50 fighters and wounded nearly as many, a Syrian opposition spokesman and a war monitor said.
The airstrike in the northwestern part of Idlib province, the last rebel enclave in Syria, targeted a military training camp for Failaq al-Sham, one of the largest Turkey-backed opposition groups in Syria, said Youssef Hammoud, a spokesman for the groups.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war in Syria, said the strike killed 56 fighters and wounded nearly 50. Rescue missions are still underway, the Observatory said. It said it also suspected the airstrike was carried out by Russia, which is a close ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad in the country’s civil war.
Leaders of the camp were among those killed in airstrike in Jabal al-Dweila, according to Hammoud.
Turkey and Russia had brokered a truce in Idlib earlier this year to halt a government offensive that displaced hundreds of thousands. But the truce remained shaky.
Turkey has long supported Syrian rebel forces in Syria. Russia has negotiated with Ankara to deploy observation teams in the rebel enclave to monitor the truce.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Early vote total exceeds 2016; GOP chips at Dems' advantage

With eight days before Election Day , more people already have cast ballots in this year ’ s presidential election than voted early or absentee in the 2016 race as the start of in-person early voting in big states led to a surge in turnout in recent days .
The opening of early voting locations in Florida , Texas and elsewhere has piled millions of new votes on top of the mail ballots arriving at election offices as voters try to avoid crowded places on Nov. 3 during the coronavirus pandemic .
The result is a total of 58.6 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 58 million that The Associated Press logged as being cast through the mail or at in-person early voting sites in 2016 .
Democrats have continued to dominate the initial balloting , but Republicans are narrowing the gap .
GOP voters have begun to show up at early in-person voting , a sign that many heeded President Donald Trump ’ s unfounded warnings about mail-voting fraud .
On Oct. 15 , Democrats registrants cast 51 % of all ballots reported , compared with 25 % from Republicans .
On Sunday , Democrats had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 31 % .
The early vote totals , reported by state and local election officials and tracked by the AP , are an imperfect indicator of which party may be leading .
The data only shows party registration , not which candidate voters support .
Most GOP voters are expected to vote on Election Day .
Analysts said the still sizable Democratic turnout puts extra pressure on the Republican Party to push its voters out in the final week and on Nov. 3 .
That ’ s especially clear in closely contested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina .
“ This is a glass half-full , glass half-empty situation , ” said John Couvillon , a Republican pollster who tracks early voting closely .
“ They ’ re showing up more , ” he added , but “ Republicans need to rapidly narrow that gap.
” In Florida , for example , Democrats have outvoted Republicans by a 596,000 margin by mail , while Republicans only have a 230,000 edge in person .
In Nevada , where Democrats usually dominate in-person early voting but the state decided to send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , the GOP has a 42,600 voter edge in-person while Democrats have an 97,500 advantage in mail ballots .
“ At some point , Republicans have to vote , ” said Michael McDonald , a University of Florida political scientist who tracks early voting on ElectProject.org .
“ You can ’ t force everyone through a vote center on Election Day .
Are you going to expect all those Republicans to stand in line for eight hours ?
” Campaigns typically push their voters to cast ballots early so they can focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the days tick down to Election Day .
That usually saves them money on mailers and digital ads — something the cash-strapped Trump campaign would likely want — and minimizes the impact of late surprises that could change the race .
Trump ’ s campaign has been pushing its voters to cast ballots early , but with limited success , delighting Democrats .
“ We see the Trump campaign , the RNC ( Republican National Committee ) and their state parties urging Trump ’ s supporters to vote by mail while the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a fraud , ” Tom Bonier , a Democratic data analyst , said on a recent call with reporters .
“ The Twitter account is going to win every time.
” But Bonier warned that he does not expect a one-sided election .
“ There are signs of Republicans being engaged , ” he said .
“ We do expect them to come out in very high numbers on Election Day.
” That split in voting behavior — Democrats voting early , Republicans on Election Day — has led some Democrats to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes are counted last in Rust Belt battlegrounds .
But they ’ re counted swiftly in swing states such as Arizona , Florida and North Carolina , which may balance out which party seems ahead on election night .
Some of the record-setting turnout has led to long lines at early-vote locations , and there have been occasional examples of voters receiving mail ballots that are incorrectly formatted .
But on a whole , voting has gone relatively smoothly .
With more than one-third of the 150 million ballots that experts predict will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been no armed confrontations at polling places or massive disenfranchisement that have worried election experts for months .
One sign of enthusiasm is the large number of new or infrequent voters who have already voted — 25 % of the total cast , according to an AP analysis of data from the political data firm L2 .
Those voters are younger than a typical voter and less likely to be white .
So far similar shares of them are registering Democratic and Republican .
They have helped contribute to enormous turnouts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the people who ’ ve voted are new or infrequent voters , and Texas , which is expected to set turnout record and where 30.5 % are new or infrequent voters .
The strong share of new and infrequent voters in the early vote is part of what leads analysts to predict more than 150 million total votes will be cast and possibly the highest turnout in a U.S. presidential election since 1908 .
“ There ’ s a huge chunk of voters who didn ’ t cast ballots in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re the best sign of intensity at this point.
” ___ This story has been corrected to show it ’ s eight days , not nine days , before Election Day .

With eight days before Election Day, more people already have cast ballots in this year’s presidential election than voted early or absentee in the 2016 race as the start of in-person early voting in big states led to a surge in turnout in recent days.
The opening of early voting locations in Florida, Texas and elsewhere has piled millions of new votes on top of the mail ballots arriving at election offices as voters try to avoid crowded places on Nov. 3 during the coronavirus pandemic.
The result is a total of 58.6 million ballots cast so far, more than the 58 million that The Associated Press logged as being cast through the mail or at in-person early voting sites in 2016.
Democrats have continued to dominate the initial balloting, but Republicans are narrowing the gap. GOP voters have begun to show up at early in-person voting, a sign that many heeded President Donald Trump’s unfounded warnings about mail-voting fraud.
On Oct. 15, Democrats registrants cast 51% of all ballots reported, compared with 25% from Republicans. On Sunday, Democrats had a slightly smaller lead, 51% to 31%.
The early vote totals, reported by state and local election officials and tracked by the AP, are an imperfect indicator of which party may be leading. The data only shows party registration, not which candidate voters support. Most GOP voters are expected to vote on Election Day.
Analysts said the still sizable Democratic turnout puts extra pressure on the Republican Party to push its voters out in the final week and on Nov. 3. That’s especially clear in closely contested states such as Florida, Nevada and North Carolina.
“This is a glass half-full, glass half-empty situation,” said John Couvillon, a Republican pollster who tracks early voting closely. “They’re showing up more,” he added, but “Republicans need to rapidly narrow that gap.”
In Florida, for example, Democrats have outvoted Republicans by a 596,000 margin by mail, while Republicans only have a 230,000 edge in person. In Nevada, where Democrats usually dominate in-person early voting but the state decided to send a mail ballot to every voter this year, the GOP has a 42,600 voter edge in-person while Democrats have an 97,500 advantage in mail ballots.
“At some point, Republicans have to vote,” said Michael McDonald, a University of Florida political scientist who tracks early voting on ElectProject.org. “You can’t force everyone through a vote center on Election Day. Are you going to expect all those Republicans to stand in line for eight hours?”
Campaigns typically push their voters to cast ballots early so they can focus scarce resources chasing more marginal voters as the days tick down to Election Day. That usually saves them money on mailers and digital ads — something the cash-strapped Trump campaign would likely want — and minimizes the impact of late surprises that could change the race.
Trump’s campaign has been pushing its voters to cast ballots early, but with limited success, delighting Democrats. “We see the Trump campaign, the RNC (Republican National Committee) and their state parties urging Trump’s supporters to vote by mail while the president’s Twitter account says it’s a fraud,” Tom Bonier, a Democratic data analyst, said on a recent call with reporters. “The Twitter account is going to win every time.”
But Bonier warned that he does not expect a one-sided election. “There are signs of Republicans being engaged,” he said. “We do expect them to come out in very high numbers on Election Day.”
That split in voting behavior — Democrats voting early, Republicans on Election Day — has led some Democrats to worry about Trump declaring victory because early votes are counted last in Rust Belt battlegrounds. But they’re counted swiftly in swing states such as Arizona, Florida and North Carolina, which may balance out which party seems ahead on election night.
Some of the record-setting turnout has led to long lines at early-vote locations, and there have been occasional examples of voters receiving mail ballots that are incorrectly formatted. But on a whole, voting has gone relatively smoothly.
With more than one-third of the 150 million ballots that experts predict will be cast in the election, there have been no armed confrontations at polling places or massive disenfranchisement that have worried election experts for months.
One sign of enthusiasm is the large number of new or infrequent voters who have already voted — 25% of the total cast, according to an AP analysis of data from the political data firm L2. Those voters are younger than a typical voter and less likely to be white. So far similar shares of them are registering Democratic and Republican.
They have helped contribute to enormous turnouts in states such as Georgia, where 26.3% of the people who’ve voted are new or infrequent voters, and Texas, which is expected to set turnout record and where 30.5% are new or infrequent voters.
The strong share of new and infrequent voters in the early vote is part of what leads analysts to predict more than 150 million total votes will be cast and possibly the highest turnout in a U.S. presidential election since 1908.
“There’s a huge chunk of voters who didn’t cast ballots in 2016,” Bonier said. “They’re the best sign of intensity at this point.”
___
This story has been corrected to show it’s eight days, not nine days, before Election Day.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Election 2020 Today: Early voting, White House outbreak

Here ’ s what ’ s happening Monday in Election 2020 , eight days until Election Day : ON THE TRAIL : President Donald Trump plans to intensify an already breakneck travel schedule in the final full week of the presidential campaign , overlooking a surge of coronavirus cases in the U.S. and a fresh outbreak in his own White House .
Democrat Joe Biden also plans to pick up his travel schedule , aiming to hit the half-dozen battleground states the campaign sees as key to his chances .
HOW TO VOTE : AP ’ s state-by-state interactive has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
EARLY VOTE : More people already have cast ballots in this year ’ s presidential election than voted early or absentee in the 2016 race as the start of in-person early voting in big states has caused a surge in turnout in recent days .
The opening of early voting locations in Florida , Texas and elsewhere has piled millions of new votes on top of the mail ballots arriving at election offices as voters try to avoid crowded places on Nov. 3 during the coronavirus pandemic .
WHITE HOUSE OUTBREAK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ echelons of the White House again , with an outbreak among aides to Vice President Mike Pence just over a week from Election Day .
Officials scoffed at the notion of Pence dialing back in-person campaigning despite positive tests among several people in his office .
BALLOT BOX FIRE : Massachusetts election officials say a fire was set in a Boston ballot drop box holding more than 120 ballots in what appears to have been a “ deliberate attack.
” The fire that was set around 4 a.m. Sunday in a ballot drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin ’ s office said .
“ We stand in line to buy tickets to concerts , we stand in line to buy tickets to sporting events , we stand in line to go to the movies .
Standing in line to vote is not a problem.
” —Brian Warner , one of hundreds of masked people who stood in long lines at the six polling places in Albany County , New York , on Saturday .
New Yorkers line up for hours in 2nd day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has voted every election since 1944

Here’s what’s happening Monday in Election 2020, eight days until Election Day:
ON THE TRAIL: President Donald Trump plans to intensify an already breakneck travel schedule in the final full week of the presidential campaign, overlooking a surge of coronavirus cases in the U.S. and a fresh outbreak in his own White House. Democrat Joe Biden also plans to pick up his travel schedule, aiming to hit the half-dozen battleground states the campaign sees as key to his chances.
HOW TO VOTE: AP’s state-by-state interactive has details on how to vote in this election.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES:
EARLY VOTE: More people already have cast ballots in this year’s presidential election than voted early or absentee in the 2016 race as the start of in-person early voting in big states has caused a surge in turnout in recent days. The opening of early voting locations in Florida, Texas and elsewhere has piled millions of new votes on top of the mail ballots arriving at election offices as voters try to avoid crowded places on Nov. 3 during the coronavirus pandemic.
WHITE HOUSE OUTBREAK: The coronavirus has reached the upper echelons of the White House again, with an outbreak among aides to Vice President Mike Pence just over a week from Election Day. Officials scoffed at the notion of Pence dialing back in-person campaigning despite positive tests among several people in his office.
BALLOT BOX FIRE: Massachusetts election officials say a fire was set in a Boston ballot drop box holding more than 120 ballots in what appears to have been a “deliberate attack.” The fire that was set around 4 a.m. Sunday in a ballot drop box outside the Boston Public Library downtown, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin’s office said.
QUOTABLE:
“We stand in line to buy tickets to concerts, we stand in line to buy tickets to sporting events, we stand in line to go to the movies. Standing in line to vote is not a problem.” —Brian Warner, one of hundreds of masked people who stood in long lines at the six polling places in Albany County, New York, on Saturday.
ICYMI:
New Yorkers line up for hours in 2nd day of early voting
Illinois woman, 99, has voted every election since 1944
Eyes turn to Texas as early voting surge surpasses 2016


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Armenia, Azerbaijan accuse each other of truce violations

YEREVAN , Armenia ( AP ) — Armenia and Azerbaijan on Monday accused each other of violating the new cease-fire announced the day before in a bid to halt the fighting over the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh that has killed hundreds , and possibly thousands , in just four weeks .
The truce that took effect Monday morning was agreed upon on Sunday after talks facilitated by the United States .
It was a third attempt to establish a lasting cease-fire in the flare-up of a decades-old conflict .
Two previous Russia-brokered cease-fires , including one last weekend , frayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides blaming each other for violations .
The new cease-fire was also challenged quickly by accusations from both sides .
Azerbaijani Defense Ministry alleged that Armenian forces fired at Azerbaijani settlements and the positions of the Azerbaijani army “ along the entire front , as well as on the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border ” using various small arms , mortars and howitzers .
Armenian military officials rejected the accusations and in turn accused Azerbaijani forces of shelling the northeastern area of Nagorno-Karabakh and other areas .
Separatist authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh also charged that Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aviation .
Azerbaijan ’ s Defense Ministry called claims about their use of military aviation “ misinformation ” and insisted that Azerbaijan was adhering to the cease-fire agreement .
Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a war there ended in 1994 .
The latest fighting that began Sept. 27 has involved heavy artillery , rockets and drones , killing hundreds in the largest escalation of hostilities over the separatist region in more than a quarter-century .
According to Nagorno-Karabakh officials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been killed in the clashes so far .
Azerbaijani authorities haven ’ t disclosed their military losses , but say the fighting has killed 65 civilians and wounded 300 .
Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that according to Moscow ’ s information , the death toll from the fighting was nearing 5,000 , significantly higher than what both sides report .
The new cease-fire deal brokered by the U.S. came out of “ intensive negotiations ” Washington facilitated over the weekend among the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in the 1990s to mediate the conflict .
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Monday appeared optimistic about the new truce , despite the accusations from both sides .
“ Despite several provocations , the ceasefire is generally being maintained .
The Armenian side will continue to strictly adhere to the ceasefire regime , ” Pashinian said in a Facebook post .
Daria Litvinova in Moscow and Aida Sultanova in London contributed to this report .

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenia and Azerbaijan on Monday accused each other of violating the new cease-fire announced the day before in a bid to halt the fighting over the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh that has killed hundreds, and possibly thousands, in just four weeks.
The truce that took effect Monday morning was agreed upon on Sunday after talks facilitated by the United States. It was a third attempt to establish a lasting cease-fire in the flare-up of a decades-old conflict. Two previous Russia-brokered cease-fires, including one last weekend, frayed immediately after taking force, with both sides blaming each other for violations.
The new cease-fire was also challenged quickly by accusations from both sides. Azerbaijani Defense Ministry alleged that Armenian forces fired at Azerbaijani settlements and the positions of the Azerbaijani army “along the entire front, as well as on the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border” using various small arms, mortars and howitzers.
Armenian military officials rejected the accusations and in turn accused Azerbaijani forces of shelling the northeastern area of Nagorno-Karabakh and other areas. Separatist authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh also charged that Azerbaijan targeted the town of Martuni with military aviation.
Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry called claims about their use of military aviation “misinformation” and insisted that Azerbaijan was adhering to the cease-fire agreement.
Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a war there ended in 1994. The latest fighting that began Sept. 27 has involved heavy artillery, rockets and drones, killing hundreds in the largest escalation of hostilities over the separatist region in more than a quarter-century.
According to Nagorno-Karabakh officials, 974 of their troops and 37 civilians have been killed in the clashes so far. Azerbaijani authorities haven’t disclosed their military losses, but say the fighting has killed 65 civilians and wounded 300.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that according to Moscow’s information, the death toll from the fighting was nearing 5,000, significantly higher than what both sides report.
The new cease-fire deal brokered by the U.S. came out of “intensive negotiations” Washington facilitated over the weekend among the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan and co-chairs of the Minsk Group, set up by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in the 1990s to mediate the conflict.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Monday appeared optimistic about the new truce, despite the accusations from both sides.
“Despite several provocations, the ceasefire is generally being maintained. The Armenian side will continue to strictly adhere to the ceasefire regime,” Pashinian said in a Facebook post.
___
Daria Litvinova in Moscow and Aida Sultanova in London contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-26--Liz Weston: How losing Obamacare could cost you

If the Supreme Court throws out the Affordable Care Act , your finances and your future could pay the price .
Retiring early or starting a business might become too hazardous if your access to health insurance isn ’ t guaranteed .
You might have to wait a year before preexisting conditions are covered by an employer ’ s plan .
Young adults could be kicked off their parents ’ policies .
Millions of people who buy insurance through the ACA marketplaces or who now qualify for Medicaid could lose their coverage as well .
Even if you were able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could face caps on your coverage that expose you to enormous medical bills .
Preventive care and birth control could cost you more .
Medicare beneficiaries could face higher premiums , deductibles and copays .
Insurers could cancel your policy retroactively for even minor mistakes on your application .
In the decade since the ACA became law , many Americans have become so accustomed to the protections and savings afforded by the landmark legislation that they may not realize how much could change if Obamacare is struck down .
Its effects on health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American could be affected , according to the Kaiser Family Foundation , which tracks health care issues .
The Trump administration and a group of Republican attorneys general have asked that the entire law be thrown out .
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Nov. 10 .
Before the ACA , insurers routinely used preexisting health conditions as a reason to deny coverage or charge people more .
Preexisting conditions included serious ailments such as cancer or heart disease as well as more common conditions such as high cholesterol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diabetes and obesity , and temporary conditions including pregnancy .
Insurers denied about 1 in 5 applications for individual policies because of preexisting conditions , and some employer-provided group policies required people to wait up to a year before their preexisting conditions were covered .
Back then , many people who had health issues - or whose family members did - avoided changing jobs , starting businesses or retiring early because of the risk they couldn ’ t find affordable health insurance .
President Trump signed an executive order in September announcing “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with preexisting conditions , ” but the order alone can ’ t force insurers to offer coverage if the ACA is struck down .
And America is a land of preexisting conditions .
Half of adults under age 65 , or up to 133 million people , had health issues that could cause them to be denied coverage or charged exorbitant premiums , according to a 2017 government analysis .
Health insurance is meant to help people pay their medical expenses and avoid potentially catastrophic bills .
Before Obamacare , however , using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
If someone with an individual insurance policy got sick , the insurer could scour the person ’ s application looking for errors .
Even minor mistakes could cause the company to revoke the policy , a practice called rescission .
Under the ACA , rescissions are allowed only if there ’ s fraud or a material misrepresentation of facts .
Policies also routinely had caps that limited how much insurers had to pay out over someone ’ s lifetime .
People who were sick enough could hit those caps and be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their medical costs afterward .
Millions could become uninsured if the ACA exchanges are shut down , expanded Medicaid coverage is rescinded and insurers are no longer required to cover children under 26 on their parents ’ plans .
Some employers may continue dependent coverage , since young people in general tend to use less health care .
But young people in poor health or with preexisting conditions could be shut out .
Without the ACA , insurers could once again charge copayments or coinsurance for preventive care , including screenings , immunizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicare beneficiaries could once again have to pay for certain services , including screenings for breast cancer , colorectal cancer , cardiovascular disease and diabetes .
The law also closed the infamous “ doughnut hole ” in Medicare ’ s prescription drug coverage that left many older people paying thousands of dollars out of pocket for their medication .
Ending Obamacare could increase Medicare beneficiaries ’ costs in other ways .
The ACA reduced payments to medical providers and private insurers .
Reversing that could lead to higher deductibles and copays for Part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and higher premiums and deductibles for Part B , which covers doctor visits and other outpatient care .
On the other hand , fewer high-income beneficiaries would face premium surcharges if Obamacare went away .
Private Medicare Advantage plans could reduce costs and improve coverage .
A 0.9 percentage point increase in the payroll tax on higher-income workers also would be repealed .
Then again , increased Medicare spending and reduced revenues will deplete the system ’ s trust fund faster .
The current insolvency date , with ACA in place , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s revenues won ’ t be enough to cover all of its promised benefits .
You may not have thought America ’ s health care system could get any more dysfunctional .
If Obamacare goes away , prepare to be unpleasantly surprised .
This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet .
Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet , a certified financial planner and author of “ Your Credit Score.
” Email : lweston @ nerdwallet.com .
Twitter : @ lizweston .

If the Supreme Court throws out the Affordable Care Act, your finances and your future could pay the price.
Retiring early or starting a business might become too hazardous if your access to health insurance isn’t guaranteed. You might have to wait a year before preexisting conditions are covered by an employer’s plan. Young adults could be kicked off their parents’ policies. Millions of people who buy insurance through the ACA marketplaces or who now qualify for Medicaid could lose their coverage as well.
Even if you were able to keep your health insurance, you could face caps on your coverage that expose you to enormous medical bills. Preventive care and birth control could cost you more. Medicare beneficiaries could face higher premiums, deductibles and copays. Insurers could cancel your policy retroactively for even minor mistakes on your application.
In the decade since the ACA became law, many Americans have become so accustomed to the protections and savings afforded by the landmark legislation that they may not realize how much could change if Obamacare is struck down. Its effects on health care are so pervasive that nearly every American could be affected, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, which tracks health care issues.
THE RETURN OF PREEXISTING CONDITIONS
The Trump administration and a group of Republican attorneys general have asked that the entire law be thrown out. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Nov. 10.
Before the ACA, insurers routinely used preexisting health conditions as a reason to deny coverage or charge people more. Preexisting conditions included serious ailments such as cancer or heart disease as well as more common conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes and obesity, and temporary conditions including pregnancy. Insurers denied about 1 in 5 applications for individual policies because of preexisting conditions, and some employer-provided group policies required people to wait up to a year before their preexisting conditions were covered.
Back then, many people who had health issues - or whose family members did - avoided changing jobs, starting businesses or retiring early because of the risk they couldn’t find affordable health insurance.
President Trump signed an executive order in September announcing “a steadfast commitment to always protecting individuals with preexisting conditions,” but the order alone can’t force insurers to offer coverage if the ACA is struck down.
And America is a land of preexisting conditions. Half of adults under age 65, or up to 133 million people, had health issues that could cause them to be denied coverage or charged exorbitant premiums, according to a 2017 government analysis.
‘USE IT AND LOSE IT’ COVERAGE
Health insurance is meant to help people pay their medical expenses and avoid potentially catastrophic bills. Before Obamacare, however, using your insurance could cause you to lose it.
If someone with an individual insurance policy got sick, the insurer could scour the person’s application looking for errors. Even minor mistakes could cause the company to revoke the policy, a practice called rescission. Under the ACA, rescissions are allowed only if there’s fraud or a material misrepresentation of facts.
Policies also routinely had caps that limited how much insurers had to pay out over someone’s lifetime. People who were sick enough could hit those caps and be on the hook for 100% of their medical costs afterward.
OTHER POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Millions could become uninsured if the ACA exchanges are shut down, expanded Medicaid coverage is rescinded and insurers are no longer required to cover children under 26 on their parents’ plans. Some employers may continue dependent coverage, since young people in general tend to use less health care. But young people in poor health or with preexisting conditions could be shut out.
Without the ACA, insurers could once again charge copayments or coinsurance for preventive care, including screenings, immunizations, annual checkups and birth control. Medicare beneficiaries could once again have to pay for certain services, including screenings for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The law also closed the infamous “doughnut hole” in Medicare’s prescription drug coverage that left many older people paying thousands of dollars out of pocket for their medication.
Ending Obamacare could increase Medicare beneficiaries’ costs in other ways. The ACA reduced payments to medical providers and private insurers. Reversing that could lead to higher deductibles and copays for Part A, which covers hospital visits, and higher premiums and deductibles for Part B, which covers doctor visits and other outpatient care.
On the other hand, fewer high-income beneficiaries would face premium surcharges if Obamacare went away. Private Medicare Advantage plans could reduce costs and improve coverage. A 0.9 percentage point increase in the payroll tax on higher-income workers also would be repealed.
Then again, increased Medicare spending and reduced revenues will deplete the system’s trust fund faster. The current insolvency date, with ACA in place, is 2028; after that point, Medicare’s revenues won’t be enough to cover all of its promised benefits.
You may not have thought America’s health care system could get any more dysfunctional. If Obamacare goes away, prepare to be unpleasantly surprised.
__________________________
This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and author of “Your Credit Score.” Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lizweston.
RELATED LINK:
NerdWallet: Your step-by-step guide to choosing a health insurance plan http://bit.ly/nerdwallet-health-insurance