washingtontimes--2020-06-05--California rules on the reopening of gyms, hotels, camps

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California released guidelines Friday for the reopening of a range of businesses , including gyms , family entertainment such as bowling , day camps and hotels .
Counties can allow the reopening starting June 12 .
Across the board , businesses are expected to provide workers with face coverings , ramp up cleaning protocols and make it easier for people to stay six feet apart .
Gyms should consider reservations to limit the number of people in the facility .
They should put hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes near exercise machines , changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space machines at least six feet apart .
They should suspend high-contact activities like pick-up basketball and limit the number of people in exercise classes to maintain physical distancing .
They can open pools , but saunas and steam rooms should remain closed .
Bowling alleys , mini golf courses , arcades and batting cages can reopen .
Score sheets , pencils , 3D glasses or other required items should be disposable or single use if possible .
Ball pits , indoor playgrounds and climbing structures have to stay closed .
Activities such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not reopen , nor can amusement parks , movie and other theaters or roller rinks .
Museums , galleries , zoos and aquariums can reopen but should discontinue tours that mix together groups of people , use one-way hall and walkways if possible and discontinue the use of audio headsets and strollers , so long as its consistent with their obligations to people with disabilities .
Rooms will no longer have magazines , menus or coupons , and hotels must disable manually operated ice machines that are common in hallways .
Pillow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed in single-use sealed plastic bags .
Hotels should limit the number of people who can be in an elevator at one time .
Small groups where children are in the same group all day long are the lowest risk , and camps should prioritize outdoor activities .
Camps should suspend the use of water fountains , limit the sharing of toys , games and supplies where possible , and direct campers to bring their own meals if they can .
Campers should be checked each day with a no-touch thermometer .
Music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , and so can professional sports without live audiences .
Rather than issue specific guidelines , the state is directing the industries to set rules through labor agreements and by following county public health orders .
Bars and wineries should follow similar rules as recently reopened restaurants , including prioritizing outdoor seating and keeping patrons six feet apart .
Tasting rooms should use a fresh glass for each tasting and limit groups .
The schools guidance is interim and designed to help districts prepare for students to return in the fall .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact between students , staff and families at beginning and end of each school day .
They should consider portable hand-washing stations to minimize movement and gatherings in bathrooms .
Lunchtime should take place in classrooms or outdoors instead of cafeterias or group dining areas .
Schools should limit the sharing of toys , books and other supplies .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California released guidelines Friday for the reopening of a range of businesses, including gyms, family entertainment such as bowling, day camps and hotels. Counties can allow the reopening starting June 12. Across the board, businesses are expected to provide workers with face coverings, ramp up cleaning protocols and make it easier for people to stay six feet apart.
FITNESS CENTERS
Gyms should consider reservations to limit the number of people in the facility. They should put hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes near exercise machines, changing rooms and other regularly-used areas and should space machines at least six feet apart. They should suspend high-contact activities like pick-up basketball and limit the number of people in exercise classes to maintain physical distancing. They can open pools, but saunas and steam rooms should remain closed.
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Bowling alleys, mini golf courses, arcades and batting cages can reopen. Score sheets, pencils, 3D glasses or other required items should be disposable or single use if possible. Ball pits, indoor playgrounds and climbing structures have to stay closed.
Activities such as laser tag that require closer contact cannot reopen, nor can amusement parks, movie and other theaters or roller rinks.
Museums, galleries, zoos and aquariums can reopen but should discontinue tours that mix together groups of people, use one-way hall and walkways if possible and discontinue the use of audio headsets and strollers, so long as its consistent with their obligations to people with disabilities.
HOTELS
Rooms will no longer have magazines, menus or coupons, and hotels must disable manually operated ice machines that are common in hallways. Pillow protectors should be changed daily and linens removed in single-use sealed plastic bags. Hotels should limit the number of people who can be in an elevator at one time.
DAY CAMPS
Small groups where children are in the same group all day long are the lowest risk, and camps should prioritize outdoor activities. Camps should suspend the use of water fountains, limit the sharing of toys, games and supplies where possible, and direct campers to bring their own meals if they can. Campers should be checked each day with a no-touch thermometer.
FILM, TV, AND PRO SPORTS
Music, television and film production can start again, and so can professional sports without live audiences. Rather than issue specific guidelines, the state is directing the industries to set rules through labor agreements and by following county public health orders.
BARS AND WINERIES
Bars and wineries should follow similar rules as recently reopened restaurants, including prioritizing outdoor seating and keeping patrons six feet apart. Tasting rooms should use a fresh glass for each tasting and limit groups.
SCHOOLS
The schools guidance is interim and designed to help districts prepare for students to return in the fall. Schools should stagger arrival times to minimize contact between students, staff and families at beginning and end of each school day. They should consider portable hand-washing stations to minimize movement and gatherings in bathrooms. Lunchtime should take place in classrooms or outdoors instead of cafeterias or group dining areas. Schools should limit the sharing of toys, books and other supplies.


washingtontimes--2020-06-05--California man gets life in prison in race-related killings

FRESNO , Calif. ( AP ) - A man convicted of killing four white men in 2017 in a race-related rampage in California ’ s Central Valley was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole , prosecutors said .
Kori Ali Muhammad ’ s sentence comes three years after he said he was fed up with racism against black people and shot several people in Fresno , killing four white men .
He was convicted by a Fresno County jury in April of first-degree murder , second-degree murder , attempted murder and other crimes , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
He withdrew a previous plea of not guilty by reason of insanity , and prosecutors said they wouldn ’ t seek the death penalty .
Muhammad , a black man whose defense said he was mentally ill , was accused of a series of shooting attacks on white men in April 2017 in Fresno .
In a recorded confession to investigators that was played at his trial , Muhammad said he shot Motel 6 security guard Carl Williams III and tried to kill another guard on April 13 because he felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to visit a friend .
A security camera recording showed Muhammad coming up behind Williams , 25 , and shooting him .
“ It starts taking its toll on you , and you get fed up with the racism , ” Muhammad said .
“ You get tired of letting things slide.
” While on the run after the shooting , Muhammad learned that he was wanted for Williams ’ killing .
On the recording , Muhammad said that if he was “ going down for murder ” the best thing was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he could .
On April 18 , 2017 , Muhammad drove through downtown shooting at white men , he said .
He surrendered to police after , at one point , firing nearly 20 shots in less than a minute , authorities said .
“ When I walked up to the truck , I saw a Mexican driver and a white guy , ” Muhammad said .
“ I didn ’ t want to target the driver because he was Mexican so I shot the white dude.
” He also was convicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and David Jackson , 58 , and trying to shoot three other men .
Muhammad was convicted of first-degree murder for Jackson ’ s slaying ; second-degree murder for Williams , Randalls and Gassett ; four counts of attempted murder ; one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle ; and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm .

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - A man convicted of killing four white men in 2017 in a race-related rampage in California’s Central Valley was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole, prosecutors said.
Kori Ali Muhammad’s sentence comes three years after he said he was fed up with racism against black people and shot several people in Fresno, killing four white men.
He was convicted by a Fresno County jury in April of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, attempted murder and other crimes, the Fresno County district attorney’s office said.
He withdrew a previous plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, and prosecutors said they wouldn’t seek the death penalty.
Muhammad, a black man whose defense said he was mentally ill, was accused of a series of shooting attacks on white men in April 2017 in Fresno.
In a recorded confession to investigators that was played at his trial, Muhammad said he shot Motel 6 security guard Carl Williams III and tried to kill another guard on April 13 because he felt he had been disrespected when he went to visit a friend.
A security camera recording showed Muhammad coming up behind Williams, 25, and shooting him.
“It starts taking its toll on you, and you get fed up with the racism,” Muhammad said. “You get tired of letting things slide.”
While on the run after the shooting, Muhammad learned that he was wanted for Williams’ killing. On the recording, Muhammad said that if he was “going down for murder” the best thing was to “kill as many white men” as he could.
On April 18, 2017, Muhammad drove through downtown shooting at white men, he said. He surrendered to police after, at one point, firing nearly 20 shots in less than a minute, authorities said.
Zachary Randalls, 34, was shot in a Pacific Gas & Electric truck.
“When I walked up to the truck, I saw a Mexican driver and a white guy,” Muhammad said. “I didn’t want to target the driver because he was Mexican so I shot the white dude.”
He also was convicted of killing Mark Gassett, 37, and David Jackson, 58, and trying to shoot three other men.
Muhammad was convicted of first-degree murder for Jackson’s slaying; second-degree murder for Williams, Randalls and Gassett; four counts of attempted murder; one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle; and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.


washingtontimes--2020-06-05--8 more die in Mexico from methanol-tainted liquor

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - At least eight more people in Mexico have died from drinking alcohol adulterated with methanol , the latest round of mass alcohol poisoning incidents that have cost around a hundred lives in the country .
Authorities in the southern state of Guerrero said Friday the deaths occurred near the mountain city of Tlapa de Comonfort , after inhabitants drank a tequila-type drink of a little-known brand called “ Rancho Escondido.
” The Guerrero Health Department said the liquor was labeled as “ distilled agave , ” the cactus-like plant from which both tequila and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is strictly limited to certain regions , drinks made outside those areas are sometimes labelled “ agave Liquor.
” The department said the victims were admitted to hospitals in such serious condition that they rapidly died .
Authorities seized 505 bottles of the liquor from four stores in the area .
Such deaths have mounted in Mexico since coronavirus lockdowns began and many towns banned legitimate liquor sales .
Many people also lost their jobs and apparently became unable to buy more professionally made liquors .
But officials have not said whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors .
In May , authorities said as many as 40 people died after drinking methanol in two states in central Mexico .
The suspect liquor in that case was a little-known brand called “ Refino , ” which translates roughly as “ very fine.
” In late April , 25 people died in the state of Jalisco after drinking a cheap brand of cane alcohol known as “ El Chorrito.
” Local media reported seven people died of methanol poisoning recently in the Yucatan village of Acanceh .
Methanol is a poisonous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liquors and can not be smelled or tasted in drinks .
It causes organ and brain damage , and its symptoms include chest pain , nausea , hyperventilation , blindness and even coma .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - At least eight more people in Mexico have died from drinking alcohol adulterated with methanol, the latest round of mass alcohol poisoning incidents that have cost around a hundred lives in the country.
Authorities in the southern state of Guerrero said Friday the deaths occurred near the mountain city of Tlapa de Comonfort, after inhabitants drank a tequila-type drink of a little-known brand called “Rancho Escondido.”
The Guerrero Health Department said the liquor was labeled as “distilled agave,” the cactus-like plant from which both tequila and mescal are made. Because tequila production is strictly limited to certain regions, drinks made outside those areas are sometimes labelled “agave Liquor.”
The department said the victims were admitted to hospitals in such serious condition that they rapidly died. Authorities seized 505 bottles of the liquor from four stores in the area.
Such deaths have mounted in Mexico since coronavirus lockdowns began and many towns banned legitimate liquor sales. Many people also lost their jobs and apparently became unable to buy more professionally made liquors. But officials have not said whether the poisonings have arisen from either of those factors.
In May, authorities said as many as 40 people died after drinking methanol in two states in central Mexico. The suspect liquor in that case was a little-known brand called “Refino,” which translates roughly as “very fine.”
In late April, 25 people died in the state of Jalisco after drinking a cheap brand of cane alcohol known as “El Chorrito.”
Local media reported seven people died of methanol poisoning recently in the Yucatan village of Acanceh.
Methanol is a poisonous cousin of the ethanol alcohol in normal liquors and cannot be smelled or tasted in drinks. It causes organ and brain damage, and its symptoms include chest pain, nausea, hyperventilation, blindness and even coma.


washingtontimes--2020-06-05--MLB players say teams 'depriving America of baseball games'

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Players accused teams of “ depriving America of baseball games ” as part of a money fight set off by the coronavirus pandemic and raised the possibility baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred might push ahead with a shortened season over the union ’ s objection .
Bruce Meyer , the union ’ s chief negotiator , sent a letter to Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem on Friday threatening that an attempt to play without an agreement could lead players to block any attempt to expand the playoffs and deny consent to neutral-site games in the postseason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tactic of depriving America of baseball games in furtherance of their demand for unwarranted salary concessions is shortsighted and troubling , ” Meyer wrote .
“ Meanwhile , other leagues are moving forward with their plans for resumption.
” Meyer ’ s letter was first reported by The Athletic , and a copy was obtained by The Associated Press .
Major League Baseball made its initial economic proposal on May 26 , offering an 82-game regular season schedule and a sliding scale of cuts beyond the prorated shares of salaries the sides agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday with a 114-game regular season schedule running through October and no additional cuts .
Each player would get about 70 % of his original salary under the union ’ s plan and roughly 22-47 % under MLB ’ s proposal , including $ 200 million tied to the postseason being completed .
“ We are disappointed that you are purportedly shutting down negotiations after making one proposal demanding over $ 800 million in further pay cuts , ” Meyer wrote .
“ We reject your invitation at the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are similarly chagrined by your decision to carry through on Rob ’ s threat from last Sunday to intentionally play as few games as possible unless players agree to your demand for pay cuts.
” MLB has proposed expanding the playoffs from 10 teams to 14 , which would create at least six new games with broadcast rights to sell .
The union offered to agree to a playoff expansion through 2021 .
Both sides have said they hope to start the season around the beginning of July , and talks may intensify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players were set to earn about $ 4 billion in salaries , not including signing bonuses , termination pay and option buyouts .
Under the March 26 agreement , that would be cut to around $ 2 billion in an 82-game season .
MLB ’ s offer would lower salaries to $ 1.2 billion plus the $ 200 million for the postseason .
The union ’ s proposal would leave salaries at $ 2.8 billion .
“ The league needs to tell us immediately when it plans to start the season if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meyer wrote .
“ We assume the league understands that in the event of a unilateral implementation of a season by MLB there are numerous aspects of a season that the players association will not be under any obligation to agree to , most notably any changes to the existing playoff structure and the locations of playoff games .
If you intend to seek the players ’ agreement to any such changes , we suggest that you raise them expeditiously.
” Under the March agreement , the season can not start without MLB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government restrictions on playing in front of fans in home ballparks , no relevant travel restrictions in the U.S. and Canada , and a determination by Manfred there is no health risk to players , staff or spectators .
The sides committed to “ discuss in good faith the economic feasibility of playing games in the absence of spectators or at appropriate substitute neutral sites.
” Halem had written to the union on Wednesday that “ we do not have any reason to believe that a negotiated solution for an 82-game season is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to playing baseball in 2020 , ” he added .
“ He has started discussions with ownership about staging a shorter season without fans .
Assuming that those discussions go well , we will notify you at the appropriate time of our intentions.
” Meyer criticized MLB for the pace of negotiations and for not responding to all of the union ’ s document requests , which include agreements between clubs and regional sports networks .
Some of the RSNs have elements of ownership overlapping teams and individuals who own teams .
MLB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it would lose $ 640,000 for each additional game .
The union has challenged MLB ’ s analysis .
“ We note that the league frequently claims that it has negative operating profits from playing baseball yet it still puts on baseball games every year , ” Meyer said .
“ The league has done nothing to persuade us of the veracity of its claims .
As an example , the RSN contracts finally produced by the league on June 1 were so heavily redacted as to be essentially meaningless.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 million in salaries if the postseason isn ’ t completed this year , but Halem said teams have assumed $ 2 billion in additional debt .
“ Rob said at our last meeting that the league ‘ can pay 100 % of salaries right now ’ and that MLB doesn ’ t have liquidity issues , ” Meyer wrote .
“ Rob ’ s statement that the league can easily borrow the equivalent of the proposed deferral is also noteworthy in light of the league ’ s claims about clubs being buried @ @ @ @

NEW YORK (AP) - Players accused teams of “depriving America of baseball games” as part of a money fight set off by the coronavirus pandemic and raised the possibility baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred might push ahead with a shortened season over the union’s objection.
Bruce Meyer, the union’s chief negotiator, sent a letter to Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem on Friday threatening that an attempt to play without an agreement could lead players to block any attempt to expand the playoffs and deny consent to neutral-site games in the postseason.
“The league’s cynical tactic of depriving America of baseball games in furtherance of their demand for unwarranted salary concessions is shortsighted and troubling,” Meyer wrote. “Meanwhile, other leagues are moving forward with their plans for resumption.”
Meyer’s letter was first reported by The Athletic, and a copy was obtained by The Associated Press.
Major League Baseball made its initial economic proposal on May 26, offering an 82-game regular season schedule and a sliding scale of cuts beyond the prorated shares of salaries the sides agreed to on March 26.
Players responded on Sunday with a 114-game regular season schedule running through October and no additional cuts. Each player would get about 70% of his original salary under the union’s plan and roughly 22-47% under MLB’s proposal, including $200 million tied to the postseason being completed.
“We are disappointed that you are purportedly shutting down negotiations after making one proposal demanding over $800 million in further pay cuts,” Meyer wrote. “We reject your invitation at the end of the letter to negotiate against ourselves. We are similarly chagrined by your decision to carry through on Rob’s threat from last Sunday to intentionally play as few games as possible unless players agree to your demand for pay cuts.”
MLB has proposed expanding the playoffs from 10 teams to 14, which would create at least six new games with broadcast rights to sell. The union offered to agree to a playoff expansion through 2021.
Both sides have said they hope to start the season around the beginning of July, and talks may intensify next week.
Before the pandemic, players were set to earn about $4 billion in salaries, not including signing bonuses, termination pay and option buyouts. Under the March 26 agreement, that would be cut to around $2 billion in an 82-game season.
MLB’s offer would lower salaries to $1.2 billion plus the $200 million for the postseason. The union’s proposal would leave salaries at $2.8 billion.
“The league needs to tell us immediately when it plans to start the season if it plans to do so unilaterally,” Meyer wrote. “We assume the league understands that in the event of a unilateral implementation of a season by MLB there are numerous aspects of a season that the players association will not be under any obligation to agree to, most notably any changes to the existing playoff structure and the locations of playoff games. If you intend to seek the players’ agreement to any such changes, we suggest that you raise them expeditiously.”
Under the March agreement, the season cannot start without MLB’s consent until there are no government restrictions on playing in front of fans in home ballparks, no relevant travel restrictions in the U.S. and Canada, and a determination by Manfred there is no health risk to players, staff or spectators. The sides committed to “discuss in good faith the economic feasibility of playing games in the absence of spectators or at appropriate substitute neutral sites.”
Halem had written to the union on Wednesday that “we do not have any reason to believe that a negotiated solution for an 82-game season is possible.”
“The commissioner is committed to playing baseball in 2020,” he added. “He has started discussions with ownership about staging a shorter season without fans. Assuming that those discussions go well, we will notify you at the appropriate time of our intentions.”
Meyer criticized MLB for the pace of negotiations and for not responding to all of the union’s document requests, which include agreements between clubs and regional sports networks. Some of the RSNs have elements of ownership overlapping teams and individuals who own teams.
MLB claims that by playing in empty ballparks, it would lose $640,000 for each additional game. The union has challenged MLB’s analysis.
“We note that the league frequently claims that it has negative operating profits from playing baseball yet it still puts on baseball games every year,” Meyer said. “The league has done nothing to persuade us of the veracity of its claims. As an example, the RSN contracts finally produced by the league on June 1 were so heavily redacted as to be essentially meaningless.”
The union offered to defer up to $100 million in salaries if the postseason isn’t completed this year, but Halem said teams have assumed $2 billion in additional debt.
“Rob said at our last meeting that the league ‘can pay 100% of salaries right now’ and that MLB doesn’t have liquidity issues,” Meyer wrote. “Rob’s statement that the league can easily borrow the equivalent of the proposed deferral is also noteworthy in light of the league’s claims about clubs being buried in debt.”
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-06-05--Springfield man sentenced to 2 life terms for 2 killings

SPRINGFIELD , Mo .
( AP ) - A Springfield man has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms for @ @ @ @ @ same week in 2018 .
Twenty-seven-year-old Willie Haughton was sentenced Thursday for two counts of @ @ @ @ @ Lance Loveless and 49-year-old Robert Hewitt .
The two men were both found shot to @ @ @ @ @ Prosecutors say Haughton killed Loveless on March 27 , 2018 , in order to steal @ @ @ @ @ Hewitt with the stolen gun five days later , possibly because he felt Hewitt had @ @ @ @ @ was on bond at the time in an unrelated felony domestic assault case involving allegations @ @ @ @ @ to the first killing through GPS plotting data , prosecutors say .
Haughton also was @ @ @ @ @ including robbery , armed criminal action and failure to appear .

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - A Springfield man has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms for killing two men in the same week in 2018.
Twenty-seven-year-old Willie Haughton was sentenced Thursday for two counts of first-degree murder for killing 30-year-old Lance Loveless and 49-year-old Robert Hewitt. The two men were both found shot to death in their cars.
Prosecutors say Haughton killed Loveless on March 27, 2018, in order to steal his gun. He shot Hewitt with the stolen gun five days later, possibly because he felt Hewitt had disrespected his friend.
Haughton was on bond at the time in an unrelated felony domestic assault case involving allegations of choking and was linked to the first killing through GPS plotting data, prosecutors say.
Haughton also was convicted of several other charges including robbery, armed criminal action and failure to appear.


washingtontimes--2020-06-05--Milwaukee man accused of trying to burn mobile phone store

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - Federal prosecutors have charged a 26-year-old Milwaukee man with trying to set a mobile phone store on fire with a Molotov cocktail during unrest in Milwaukee following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Tyshaun Smith faces federal counts of attempted arson and possession of a destructive device .
According to the criminal complaint , police were called to a Boost Mobile late Sunday .
When officers arrived , they saw three men standing outside a broken window .
The Journal Sentinel reports authorities allege Smith was holding what appeared to be a Molotov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside the store before the three men fled .
Smith fell .
When police arrested him , they noticed his clothing smelled of gasoline and he had possession of a loaded handgun .
Police were able to extinguish the burning Molotov cocktail in the store and recover the device .
Smith later told investigators he noticed on Facebook that rioting was going on , that he became enraged and felt he had to do something .
He said he threw the Molotov cocktail into the store “ because he wanted to stand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Smith had an attorney who could comment for him .
Floyd , a handcuffed black man , died in Minneapolis on May 25 after a white police officer pressed his knee on Floyd ’ s neck , ignoring his “ I can ’ t breathe ” cries .
Floyd ’ s death has sparked protests around the nation and the world .

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Federal prosecutors have charged a 26-year-old Milwaukee man with trying to set a mobile phone store on fire with a Molotov cocktail during unrest in Milwaukee following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Tyshaun Smith faces federal counts of attempted arson and possession of a destructive device.
According to the criminal complaint, police were called to a Boost Mobile late Sunday. When officers arrived, they saw three men standing outside a broken window.
The Journal Sentinel reports authorities allege Smith was holding what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail -already burning - and threw it inside the store before the three men fled.
Smith fell. When police arrested him, they noticed his clothing smelled of gasoline and he had possession of a loaded handgun. Police were able to extinguish the burning Molotov cocktail in the store and recover the device.
Smith later told investigators he noticed on Facebook that rioting was going on, that he became enraged and felt he had to do something. He said he threw the Molotov cocktail into the store “because he wanted to stand for something.”
It was not immediately known if Smith had an attorney who could comment for him.
Floyd, a handcuffed black man, died in Minneapolis on May 25 after a white police officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck, ignoring his “I can’t breathe” cries. Floyd’s death has sparked protests around the nation and the world.


washingtontimes--2020-06-05--Multnomah County applies to ease coronavirus restrictions

SALEM , Ore. ( AP ) - Multnomah County officials submitted reopening framework to Gov .
Kate Brown ’ s office Friday in the hope of beginning phase 1 of the state ’ s plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions .
If approved , restaurants in Multnomah County on June 12 could once again offer dine-in service , gyms could open , personal services would be available by appointment and the gathering size would increase from 10 people to 25 .
Multnomah , which is state ’ s most populous county , is the only county in Oregon that has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have moved thoughtfully and deliberately to this day so that the sacrifices our communities have made since March will not be lost , ” said Multnomah County Commission Chair Deborah Kafoury .
The county has taken a slower and more deliberative approach to reopening during the pandemic due to size , density , diversity and health care capacity .
For most , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
As of Friday , at least 161 people across Oregon have died from the coronavirus and more than 4,570 in the state have tested positive for the disease .
While Multnomah is working to enter the first phase 29 other counties have been approved to begin phase 2 , some starting today .
Phase 2 allows for pools , movie theaters , zoos and museums to open , it loosens restaurant restrictions , allows for recreational sports and increases the indoor gathering size to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 .
Sara Cline is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Multnomah County officials submitted reopening framework to Gov. Kate Brown’s office Friday in the hope of beginning phase 1 of the state’s plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions.
If approved, restaurants in Multnomah County on June 12 could once again offer dine-in service, gyms could open, personal services would be available by appointment and the gathering size would increase from 10 people to 25.
Multnomah, which is state’s most populous county, is the only county in Oregon that has not yet entered phase 1.
“We have moved thoughtfully and deliberately to this day so that the sacrifices our communities have made since March will not be lost,” said Multnomah County Commission Chair Deborah Kafoury.
The county has taken a slower and more deliberative approach to reopening during the pandemic due to size, density, diversity and health care capacity.
For most, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
As of Friday, at least 161 people across Oregon have died from the coronavirus and more than 4,570 in the state have tested positive for the disease.
While Multnomah is working to enter the first phase 29 other counties have been approved to begin phase 2, some starting today.
Phase 2 allows for pools, movie theaters, zoos and museums to open, it loosens restaurant restrictions, allows for recreational sports and increases the indoor gathering size to 50 and the outdoor gathering size to 100.
___
Sara Cline is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues


washingtontimes--2020-06-05--Former state lawmaker Doris Goodale dies at age 71

GLENDALE , Ariz. ( AP ) - Doris Goodale , a former member of the Arizona House who was one of a handful of Republican lawmakers who joined with minority Democrats in 2013 to back former Gov .
Jan Brewer ’ s Medicaid expansion plan , has died .
She was 71 .
Goodale died Friday , said Rep. Regina Cobb , a longtime friend who replaced her in 2015 .
Goodale , of Kingman , had been in declining health after suffering a severe stroke after the 2013 session and recently was recovering from a coronavirus infection , Cobb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cobb did not know if the virus was a factor .
After suffering the stroke in September 2013 that caused partial paralysis , Goodale returned to the Legislature for the 2014 session using a wheelchair .
Members from both Democratic and Republican parties would help her stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each day ’ s session .
Goodale was elected to the House in 2008 and served three terms .
She chaired the House Education Committee for two years .
An Arizona State University graduate , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 1988-2005 and worked as a Mohave County probation officer from 1972-2005 , retiring as the assistant chief probation officer , according to biographical information compiled by the Arizona Capitol Times .
The 2013 session was a historic one , and Goodale was right in the thick of it .
Republicans who controlled both chambers were mostly opposed to Brewer ’ s decision to expand Medicaid , a key part of former President Barack Obama ’ s health care law .
But Brewer , a Republican , put together a coalition that included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House and Senate to win a majority .
Even though she had the votes , former House Speaker Andy Tobin and then-Senate President Andy Biggs for weeks refused to put the proposal up for a vote .
Brewer and expansion backers finally had enough .
The governor called lawmakers into a special session , and Medicaid backers forced Tobin and Biggs to bring up the expansion bill .
On the night it passed , Goodale was subjected to bitter recrimination from Republican opponents , but she held her ground and voted for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard thing to watch – because you know she was getting beat up pretty bad for that , ” Cobb said .
“ But our hospital at that time , it would have gone under without Medicaid expansion .
And I think her heart was in her local community.
” The expansion restored coverage to childless adults who lost coverage after the Great Recession forced state budget cuts .
The expansion also added a large group of low-income Arizonans who previously earned too much for coverage but could not afford to buy health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now covered under the expansion .
Goodale is survived by a twin sister and two grown children .
Her husband of 38 years , Bill , died in 2012 .

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Doris Goodale, a former member of the Arizona House who was one of a handful of Republican lawmakers who joined with minority Democrats in 2013 to back former Gov. Jan Brewer’s Medicaid expansion plan, has died. She was 71.
Goodale died Friday, said Rep. Regina Cobb, a longtime friend who replaced her in 2015.
Goodale, of Kingman, had been in declining health after suffering a severe stroke after the 2013 session and recently was recovering from a coronavirus infection, Cobb said. She died of natural causes. Cobb did not know if the virus was a factor.
After suffering the stroke in September 2013 that caused partial paralysis, Goodale returned to the Legislature for the 2014 session using a wheelchair. Members from both Democratic and Republican parties would help her stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each day’s session.
Goodale was elected to the House in 2008 and served three terms. She chaired the House Education Committee for two years. An Arizona State University graduate, she was a school board member in Kingman from 1988-2005 and worked as a Mohave County probation officer from 1972-2005, retiring as the assistant chief probation officer, according to biographical information compiled by the Arizona Capitol Times.
The 2013 session was a historic one, and Goodale was right in the thick of it. Republicans who controlled both chambers were mostly opposed to Brewer’s decision to expand Medicaid, a key part of former President Barack Obama’s health care law.
But Brewer, a Republican, put together a coalition that included all Democrats and enough Republicans in the House and Senate to win a majority. Even though she had the votes, former House Speaker Andy Tobin and then-Senate President Andy Biggs for weeks refused to put the proposal up for a vote.
Brewer and expansion backers finally had enough. The governor called lawmakers into a special session, and Medicaid backers forced Tobin and Biggs to bring up the expansion bill. On the night it passed, Goodale was subjected to bitter recrimination from Republican opponents, but she held her ground and voted for the bill.
“It was such a hard thing to watch – because you know she was getting beat up pretty bad for that,” Cobb said. “But our hospital at that time, it would have gone under without Medicaid expansion. And I think her heart was in her local community.”
The expansion restored coverage to childless adults who lost coverage after the Great Recession forced state budget cuts. The expansion also added a large group of low-income Arizonans who previously earned too much for coverage but could not afford to buy health insurance. More than 450,000 Arizonans are now covered under the expansion.
Goodale is survived by a twin sister and two grown children. Her husband of 38 years, Bill, died in 2012.


washingtontimes--2020-06-05--Doctors demonstrate to honor George Floyd and decry racism

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - Dozens of doctors , nurses and other health care workers and students knelt in support of anti-police brutality protests in Salt Lake City on Friday .
About 100 people in Utah joined healthcare professionals around the country using the label White Coats for Black Lives to honor George Floyd , a black man in Minnesota who died at the hands of police in an incident that sparked protests around the world .
They knelt for 8 minutes and 46 seconds , the same amount of time Floyd was held under an officer ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been taking to the streets in Salt Lake City every night this week to draw attention to police brutality and racism .
Meanwhile , in the southern Utah city of St. George on Thursday , nearly 1,000 protesters walked the streets shouting “ No justice , no peace ” and “ I can ’ t breathe.
” “ I just feel empowered to see so many people here .
I feel loved , ” said Augustus Fraser , a football player at Dixie State University , to the Spectrum newspaper .
Police handed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was calm aside from a brief incident where a line of trucks drove by and taunted the demonstrators .

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Dozens of doctors, nurses and other health care workers and students knelt in support of anti-police brutality protests in Salt Lake City on Friday.
About 100 people in Utah joined healthcare professionals around the country using the label White Coats for Black Lives to honor George Floyd, a black man in Minnesota who died at the hands of police in an incident that sparked protests around the world. They knelt for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the same amount of time Floyd was held under an officer’s knee.
Hundreds of people have been taking to the streets in Salt Lake City every night this week to draw attention to police brutality and racism.
Meanwhile, in the southern Utah city of St. George on Thursday, nearly 1,000 protesters walked the streets shouting “No justice, no peace” and “I can’t breathe.”
“I just feel empowered to see so many people here. I feel loved,” said Augustus Fraser, a football player at Dixie State University, to the Spectrum newspaper.
Police handed out Popsicles to protests at the demonstration, which was calm aside from a brief incident where a line of trucks drove by and taunted the demonstrators.


washingtontimes--2020-06-05--Footage shows cops shot at fleeing man over 20 times in Utah

Salt Lake City police officers fired at least 20 shots at a man as he ran away , body camera footage released Friday shows .
Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal , 22 , was shot and killed May 23 after police who were responding to a call of a gun threat chased him when he ran from a motel .
Officers said a weapon was found near him after he was shot .
The two officers who fired their weapons have been put on administrative leave , which is standard practice for a police shooting .
The case is still under investigation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ three videos from body cameras worn by officers who were on scene .
The video showed Palacios-Carbajal running away from the officers at the Utah Village Motel just after 2 a.m. Capt .
Richard Lewis said the officers chased him and yelled at him 17 times to either “ stop , ” “ show me your hands , ” or “ drop it , ” referring to a gun , the Deseret News reported .
The footage shows Palacios-Carbajal trip and fall several times before getting up and continuing to run .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and continues running before two officers begin shooting .
After Palacios-Carbajal is shot in the back and falls to the ground , officers continue shouting at him to show his hands , footage shows .
Based on the body camera footage , it does not appear that Palacios-Carbajal pointed a gun at the officers involved .
Mayor Erin Mendenhall called the video “ disturbing and upsetting ” and said she expects the investigation to be handled quickly and with transparency .
“ Right now , given all that our country is going through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that so many people of color are feeling , outrage is understandable , ” Mendenhall said Friday as protests continue around the country over the killing in Minneapolis of George Floyd , a black man who died after a white officer pressed his knee into his neck .
“ I know that I haven ’ t walked in your shoes , but I will walk with you .
I hear you , and I accept the work that ’ s being asked of us.
” Police Chief Mike Brown said he trusts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer-involved incidents .
“ I love the women and men of the Salt Lake City police department , and I stand behind them , ” Brown said .
Palacios-Carbajal ’ s family is calling for the officers involved to be criminally charged .
They privately met with police Friday to see the video before it was publicly released .
“ They didn ’ t have to kill him , ” his sister , Elsa Karina Palacios , told The Salt Lake Tribune .
“ They didn ’ t have to shoot him so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was scared .
He would still be here .
”

Salt Lake City police officers fired at least 20 shots at a man as he ran away, body camera footage released Friday shows.
Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal, 22, was shot and killed May 23 after police who were responding to a call of a gun threat chased him when he ran from a motel. Officers said a weapon was found near him after he was shot.
The two officers who fired their weapons have been put on administrative leave, which is standard practice for a police shooting. The case is still under investigation.
The Salt Lake City Police Department released three videos from body cameras worn by officers who were on scene.
The video showed Palacios-Carbajal running away from the officers at the Utah Village Motel just after 2 a.m. Capt. Richard Lewis said the officers chased him and yelled at him 17 times to either “stop,” “show me your hands,” or “drop it,” referring to a gun, the Deseret News reported.
The footage shows Palacios-Carbajal trip and fall several times before getting up and continuing to run. He then picks up something from the ground and continues running before two officers begin shooting.
After Palacios-Carbajal is shot in the back and falls to the ground, officers continue shouting at him to show his hands, footage shows.
Based on the body camera footage, it does not appear that Palacios-Carbajal pointed a gun at the officers involved.
Mayor Erin Mendenhall called the video “disturbing and upsetting” and said she expects the investigation to be handled quickly and with transparency.
“Right now, given all that our country is going through, in particular the rawness and fear that so many people of color are feeling, outrage is understandable,” Mendenhall said Friday as protests continue around the country over the killing in Minneapolis of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white officer pressed his knee into his neck. “I know that I haven’t walked in your shoes, but I will walk with you. I hear you, and I accept the work that’s being asked of us.”
Police Chief Mike Brown said he trusts in the department’s investigative process for officer-involved incidents.
“I love the women and men of the Salt Lake City police department, and I stand behind them,” Brown said.
Palacios-Carbajal’s family is calling for the officers involved to be criminally charged. They privately met with police Friday to see the video before it was publicly released.
“They didn’t have to kill him,” his sister, Elsa Karina Palacios, told The Salt Lake Tribune. “They didn’t have to shoot him so many times. He was running. He was scared. He would still be here.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-05--Fargo's George Floyd event remains peaceful, despite threats

FARGO , N.D. ( AP ) - A memorial to George Floyd that was billed as a celebration and not a protest stayed true to form in North Dakota ’ s largest city on Friday , ending with event organizers and a Fargo police officer hugging and standing arm-in-arm to the song “ Lean On Me.
” Hundreds of people attended the event despite lingering social media threats of plans to burn down City Hall , which was supposed to be the final destination for a sit-in .
Instead , organizers agreed to stay at a downtown park for speeches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Lives Matter chapter leader Joseph Lewis , who opened the two-hour rally by urging the crowd to continue the conversation about race relations and demand social justice for Floyd , said afterward that Fargo police Sgt .
Cristie Jacobsen ’ s presence during the encore showed good-faith efforts of both sides to address injustice .
Lewis also compared it to a game of football , Fargo ’ s favorite sport as the home to perennial national champions North Dakota State University .
“ This is just the first first down .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Lewis told The Associated Press .
“ This is an initial step to having a dialogue with our political leaders and our community .
Our fight for Black Lives Matter is one of systemic change.
” Lewis and other black leaders spent two days this week meeting with Fargo police as well as officials from Fargo , West Fargo and Moorhead , Minnesota , a metropolitan area of about 230,000 people .
Among the topics discussed were what Jamaal Abegaz , a member of the Red River Valley Democratic Socialists of America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of demands.
” That list included creating local police oversight boards that would not include law enforcement , requiring mandatory cultural diversity training for officers , stopping surveillance of activists , and ending the use of tear gas , rubber bullets and other methods to “ terrorize protesters , ” Abegaz said .
The last point drew the largest round of applause .
Both North Dakota Gov .
Doug Burgum and Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz , who called the threats to City Hall credible , ordered National Guard troops to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weekend .
Concrete barriers were placed in front of Fargo City Hall and several businesses - as well as the main Fargo police station - boarded up windows as a precaution .
Meanwhile , several Fargo police officers led by Chief Dave Todd were scattered around Island Park .
They honored the request by organizers to leave their riot gear and shields behind .
The Police Department in a tweet thanked everyone for attending a “ wonderful ” event and reported no incidents .
Philome ran into the crowd and escorted Jacobsen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gazebo as the event drew to a close .
“ I have a firm belief in this life that when you achieve new height , it either becomes your ceiling or it becomes your floor , ” Philome said .
“ Today is a new height in not just Fargo , but North Dakota , the place that I ’ ve called home for the last 14 years .
So my question is , will today be North Dakota ’ s ceiling , or will today become North Dakota ’ s floor ?
@

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A memorial to George Floyd that was billed as a celebration and not a protest stayed true to form in North Dakota’s largest city on Friday, ending with event organizers and a Fargo police officer hugging and standing arm-in-arm to the song “Lean On Me.”
Hundreds of people attended the event despite lingering social media threats of plans to burn down City Hall, which was supposed to be the final destination for a sit-in. Instead, organizers agreed to stay at a downtown park for speeches, live music and dancing.
Local Black Lives Matter chapter leader Joseph Lewis, who opened the two-hour rally by urging the crowd to continue the conversation about race relations and demand social justice for Floyd, said afterward that Fargo police Sgt. Cristie Jacobsen’s presence during the encore showed good-faith efforts of both sides to address injustice.
Lewis also compared it to a game of football, Fargo’s favorite sport as the home to perennial national champions North Dakota State University.
“This is just the first first down. We still have 90 yards to go,” Lewis told The Associated Press. “This is an initial step to having a dialogue with our political leaders and our community. Our fight for Black Lives Matter is one of systemic change.”
Lewis and other black leaders spent two days this week meeting with Fargo police as well as officials from Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead, Minnesota, a metropolitan area of about 230,000 people. Among the topics discussed were what Jamaal Abegaz, a member of the Red River Valley Democratic Socialists of America, labeled Friday as a “working list of demands.”
That list included creating local police oversight boards that would not include law enforcement, requiring mandatory cultural diversity training for officers, stopping surveillance of activists, and ending the use of tear gas, rubber bullets and other methods to “terrorize protesters,” Abegaz said. The last point drew the largest round of applause.
Both North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who called the threats to City Hall credible, ordered National Guard troops to help protect buildings in Fargo and Moorhead over the weekend. Concrete barriers were placed in front of Fargo City Hall and several businesses - as well as the main Fargo police station - boarded up windows as a precaution.
Meanwhile, several Fargo police officers led by Chief Dave Todd were scattered around Island Park. They honored the request by organizers to leave their riot gear and shields behind. The Police Department in a tweet thanked everyone for attending a “wonderful” event and reported no incidents.
Philome ran into the crowd and escorted Jacobsen onto the steps of the Island Park gazebo as the event drew to a close.
“I have a firm belief in this life that when you achieve new height, it either becomes your ceiling or it becomes your floor,” Philome said. “Today is a new height in not just Fargo, but North Dakota, the place that I’ve called home for the last 14 years. So my question is, will today be North Dakota’s ceiling, or will today become North Dakota’s floor?”


washingtontimes--2020-06-05--Increase in Oklahoma COVID-19 daily case total slows

OKLAHOMA CITY ( AP ) - The pace slowed Friday in the increase of reported coronavirus infections in Oklahoma , @ @ @ @ @ .
The Oklahoma State Department of Health said 96 new people have tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ by the new coronavirus .
That is 12 cases fewer than those reported Thursday but @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak slightly past 7,000 , to 7,003 .
The true numbers are likely higher @ @ @ @ @ been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
@ @ @ @ @ , one fewer than the day before , bringing the state ’ s coronavirus death @ @ @ @ @ outbreak .

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The pace slowed Friday in the increase of reported coronavirus infections in Oklahoma, according to state health officials.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health said 96 new people have tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus. That is 12 cases fewer than those reported Thursday but pushed the state total for the outbreak slightly past 7,000, to 7,003.
The true numbers are likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
One death was reported Friday, one fewer than the day before, bringing the state’s coronavirus death toll to 345 for the outbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Native Americans want to be included in race talks

GREAT FALLS , Mont .
( AP ) - As protesters demand justice for George Floyd , a black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis , many Native Americans in Montana are showing solidarity for black Americans .
Floyd , 46 , died after pleading for his life as a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck .
The incident sparked outrage , and protesters flooded cities worldwide , including Great Falls , Helena , Bozeman , Missoula and Billings , calling for justice and an end to systemic racism .
Resulting anger and frustration are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illuminates inequity , as it disproportionately ravages minority communities .
A May report from the APM Research Lab found that the COVID-19 mortality rate for black Americans is 2.4 times higher than for white Americans .
While the report acknowledged “ limited and uneven data ” regarding Indigenous populations , it stated that in New Mexico , which contains portions of the Navajo Nation , the Indigenous mortality rate is eight times as high as the white mortality rate .
Rep. Barbara Bessette ( D-Great Falls ) , a Chippewa Cree tribal member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views systemic racism as a public health crisis .
“ Minority communities have high health disparities , economic injustice and inadequate housing .
This isn ’ t about just one incident but a myriad of things .
What ’ s happening now is symptomatic of a much deeper ‘ disease , ’ ” she told the Great Falls Tribune .
As Floyd ’ s death sparks an anti-racism movement , some Native Americans wonder if they will be included in conversations of injustice and change .
Indian Education for All Instructional Coach Jordann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provides an opportunity to discuss inequity , she is disappointed that other minorities have been excluded from the dialogue .
“ I fear people in Montana will see these things and see the riots and think , ‘ Well , that really doesn ’ t affect Montana because we don ’ t have a big black population here.
’ But it ’ s not just a black and white issue - racial inequity affects all minority groups , and it needs to be an open dialogue , including everyone , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member who is running for council in Seville District No .
7 , said that when it comes to conversations about racism , American Indians are often treated “ like the forgotten stepchild of the family that no one likes.
” “ The African American population often gets the spotlight on racism , but our struggle is very similar , ” Falcon said .
“ We also deal with racism on a daily basis , so this touches home for us , too .
Native Americans are often dehumanized and portrayed as savages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because America is ashamed , or embarrassed about its treatment of us.
” But , Ben Pease , an artist who , through his work , challenges cultural appropriation and confronts Indigenous stereotypes , said including Native voices in anti-racist movements “ happens at a different trajectory and velocity.
” “ This country is quite literally founded on stolen lands and the conquering of many peoples , thousands of tribes .
But we have a small population ; we don ’ t have a large representation in media .
As individuals and culturally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We haven ’ t had a Dr. ( Martin Luther ) King or a Dr. Cornel West .
We ’ ve had other scholars , activists and educators , but our voice is much smaller , ” he said .
Lance Morris , 62 , a member of the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes and local activist , said unrest is a familiar story in America .
He remembers the ransacking of the Bureau of Indian Affairs building , the burning of a courthouse in South Dakota and protests at Wounded Knee in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School , which , along with other boarding schools in the country , punished students for embracing their cultural identity .
It ’ s hard for Morris to reconcile new anti-racist movements with past injustices .
He often wonders where the protesters were when he was fighting for equality .
“ We ’ ve had the Indian Removal Act , Trail of Tears , ethnic cleansing and genocide .
This man didn ’ t deserve to die , and it ’ s very tragic , but where were these people when we needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Indigenous women , men and children go missing and are murdered every day … where ’ s the outrage for them ?
Where ’ s the outrage for the generational trauma that people are still dealing with on reservations ?
We ’ re still being forgotten.
” Lankford works with Indigenous youth and often talks with them about how to effectively incite change .
She said she encourages students to confront , rather than confirm , stereotypes and worries that when people see riots and the destruction of property , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .
“ Absolutely , people should stand for what they believe in .
We have the right to protest , but we have a moral responsibility to uphold , and there ’ s a line between protesting and anarchy , ” she said .
“ I don ’ t want to teach children that this is how you get your way .
I ’ m trying to teach kids how to rationally look at situations and make room for dialogue .
Reacting violently is not going to allow people to listen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how loud do you have to be to be heard ?
How many times do you have to die ?
How many African Americans have to die at the hands of the police for there to be systemic change ?
Rioting does work .
Looting does work .
Protesting does work , ” he said .
“ People are speaking up , and if no one is listening , it takes yelling.
” While feelings of anger , frustration and exhaustion reverberate nationwide , many see the growing movement as a sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement to the # MeToo movement , which supports survivors of sexual violence .
“ With the # MeToo movement , we saw a trickle-down effect that made a lot of room for conversation about missing and murdered Indigenous women .
Even though the issue has been around for more than 500 years , that movement allowed Indigenous voices to be heard .
It ’ s unfortunate that it takes a catastrophe for us to have an opening to talk about these things , but I hope the dialogue will stay open , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is proud of Montanans for speaking up .
“ We don ’ t want these atrocities to happen to any person of any color , and it seems that people are finally fed up with racism , ” he said .
Pease wrestles with his emotions on the topic but ultimately takes solace in local activism .
“ This country was built to say that yes , white people are more valuable , ” he said .
“ So , how am I supposed to feel ?
I ’ m angry , disappointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for myself , my children and their children .
But there is hope .
I am seeing a lot of beautiful things in our state of Montana , and I ’ m seeing people protest peacefully and race boundaries begin to dissolve.
” Rep. Bessette offered advice for Montanans who want to support the movement : “ Speak up if you see injustices , be a known ally for those who are disproportionately represented in these situations and , no matter what , vote .
”

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) - As protesters demand justice for George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis, many Native Americans in Montana are showing solidarity for black Americans.
Floyd, 46, died after pleading for his life as a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck. The incident sparked outrage, and protesters flooded cities worldwide, including Great Falls, Helena, Bozeman, Missoula and Billings, calling for justice and an end to systemic racism.
Resulting anger and frustration are compounded by the coronavirus pandemic, which illuminates inequity, as it disproportionately ravages minority communities.
A May report from the APM Research Lab found that the COVID-19 mortality rate for black Americans is 2.4 times higher than for white Americans. While the report acknowledged “limited and uneven data” regarding Indigenous populations, it stated that in New Mexico, which contains portions of the Navajo Nation, the Indigenous mortality rate is eight times as high as the white mortality rate.
Rep. Barbara Bessette (D-Great Falls), a Chippewa Cree tribal member, said, like coronavirus, she views systemic racism as a public health crisis.
“Minority communities have high health disparities, economic injustice and inadequate housing. This isn’t about just one incident but a myriad of things. What’s happening now is symptomatic of a much deeper ‘disease,’” she told the Great Falls Tribune.
As Floyd’s death sparks an anti-racism movement, some Native Americans wonder if they will be included in conversations of injustice and change.
Indian Education for All Instructional Coach Jordann Lankford said that while the growing movement provides an opportunity to discuss inequity, she is disappointed that other minorities have been excluded from the dialogue.
“I fear people in Montana will see these things and see the riots and think, ‘Well, that really doesn’t affect Montana because we don’t have a big black population here.’ But it’s not just a black and white issue - racial inequity affects all minority groups, and it needs to be an open dialogue, including everyone,” she said.
Craig Falcon, a Blackfeet tribal member who is running for council in Seville District No. 7, said that when it comes to conversations about racism, American Indians are often treated “like the forgotten stepchild of the family that no one likes.”
“The African American population often gets the spotlight on racism, but our struggle is very similar,” Falcon said. “We also deal with racism on a daily basis, so this touches home for us, too. Native Americans are often dehumanized and portrayed as savages. It seems like we get forgotten because America is ashamed, or embarrassed about its treatment of us.”
But, Ben Pease, an artist who, through his work, challenges cultural appropriation and confronts Indigenous stereotypes, said including Native voices in anti-racist movements “happens at a different trajectory and velocity.”
“This country is quite literally founded on stolen lands and the conquering of many peoples, thousands of tribes. But we have a small population; we don’t have a large representation in media. As individuals and culturally, we are not as vocal. We haven’t had a Dr. (Martin Luther) King or a Dr. Cornel West. We’ve had other scholars, activists and educators, but our voice is much smaller,” he said.
Lance Morris, 62, a member of the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes and local activist, said unrest is a familiar story in America.
He remembers the ransacking of the Bureau of Indian Affairs building, the burning of a courthouse in South Dakota and protests at Wounded Knee in the 1970s. He also attended Stewart Indian School, which, along with other boarding schools in the country, punished students for embracing their cultural identity.
It’s hard for Morris to reconcile new anti-racist movements with past injustices. He often wonders where the protesters were when he was fighting for equality.
“We’ve had the Indian Removal Act, Trail of Tears, ethnic cleansing and genocide. This man didn’t deserve to die, and it’s very tragic, but where were these people when we needed them to stand?” he said. “Indigenous women, men and children go missing and are murdered every day … where’s the outrage for them? Where’s the outrage for the generational trauma that people are still dealing with on reservations? We’re still being forgotten.”
Lankford works with Indigenous youth and often talks with them about how to effectively incite change.
She said she encourages students to confront, rather than confirm, stereotypes and worries that when people see riots and the destruction of property, it will be harder to have conversations about race.
“Absolutely, people should stand for what they believe in. We have the right to protest, but we have a moral responsibility to uphold, and there’s a line between protesting and anarchy,” she said. “I don’t want to teach children that this is how you get your way. I’m trying to teach kids how to rationally look at situations and make room for dialogue. Reacting violently is not going to allow people to listen to you.”
Artist Ben Pease disagrees.
“Personally, I think, how loud do you have to be to be heard? How many times do you have to die? How many African Americans have to die at the hands of the police for there to be systemic change? Rioting does work. Looting does work. Protesting does work,” he said. “People are speaking up, and if no one is listening, it takes yelling.”
While feelings of anger, frustration and exhaustion reverberate nationwide, many see the growing movement as a sign of hope.
Lankford likened the new movement to the #MeToo movement, which supports survivors of sexual violence.
“With the #MeToo movement, we saw a trickle-down effect that made a lot of room for conversation about missing and murdered Indigenous women. Even though the issue has been around for more than 500 years, that movement allowed Indigenous voices to be heard. It’s unfortunate that it takes a catastrophe for us to have an opening to talk about these things, but I hope the dialogue will stay open,” she said.
Falcon said he is proud of Montanans for speaking up.
“We don’t want these atrocities to happen to any person of any color, and it seems that people are finally fed up with racism,” he said.
Pease wrestles with his emotions on the topic but ultimately takes solace in local activism.
“This country was built to say that yes, white people are more valuable,” he said. “So, how am I supposed to feel? I’m angry, disappointed, scared and unsure of the future for myself, my children and their children. But there is hope. I am seeing a lot of beautiful things in our state of Montana, and I’m seeing people protest peacefully and race boundaries begin to dissolve.”
Rep. Bessette offered advice for Montanans who want to support the movement:
“Speak up if you see injustices, be a known ally for those who are disproportionately represented in these situations and, no matter what, vote.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Gillette museum exhibit focuses on Wyoming women during WWII

GILLETTE , Wyo .
( AP ) - The Rockpile Museum ’ s women serving in World War II exhibit is more than a glimpse back to a time when the “ Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy ” and “ I ’ ll Be Home for Christmas ” were popular on the radio as American soldiers were fighting for democracy across the globe .
“ We are now in this war .
We are in it all the way , ” states an exhibit poster from the era .
“ Every single man , woman and child is a partner in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history .
We must share together the bad news and the good news , the defeats and the victories - the changing fortunes of war.
” While many men were off fighting the Nazis , fascist Italy and the Japanese , women on the home front were changing the fortunes of World War II by playing pivotal roles .
More than 30 women from the Campbell County area served in all branches of the military stationed at home and abroad .
Their roles ranged from being supply clerks and pharmacist mates to yeoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Fitch was one of them , the Gillette News Record reports .
Fitch grew up in Douglas before moving to Gillette , where she ranched .
She joined the Women ’ s Army Auxiliary Corps during World War II before transferring to the Women ’ s Army Corps .
Fitch was chosen to attend the Women ’ s Army Corps officers candidate school and received her commission in June 1943 .
Months later in December 1943 , Fitch attempted to recruit her husband ’ s aunt , Vivian Sutherland Edwards .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Fitch asked her in a letter .
“ We are desperately in need of them .
This field has been trying to get a company of WAC ’ s since July , but there just aren ’ t any to be had .
The manpower shortage is terrible .
You ’ d like the WAC too , I know.
” Fitch would go on to serve as a member of the Women ’ s Army Corps in Brownsville , Texas , before moving to the 2520th Army Air Force Base Unit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Jordan , Montana , in 2003 .
Others who served their country during the war include Mary Gayl Gibson , the first local woman to enlist in the Women ’ s Reserve of the U.S. Coast Guard , and Rachel Hemenway , who was reportedly the first war nurse from Campbell County .
They are part of the “ She Served Too : Campbell County Women in World War II ” exhibit , which features the role local women played in World War II .
“ The research takes months typically , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the display .
“ The posters and uniforms for this exhibit directly connect to the branches of service that Campbell County women served in , including the Women ’ s Army Corps , Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service , Marine Corps Women ’ s Reserve and the Women ’ s Reserve of the Coast Guard.
” The idea to focus on Campbell County women who served in World War II came from last year ’ s celebration of the 150th anniversary of women ’ s suffrage in the Cowboy State .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ showcase the incredible roles women served during that time , ” Beenken said .
Rockpile visitors also will have an opportunity to see a traveling display from the National WASP WWII Museum of Sweetwater , Texas .
Only 1,830 women pilots ages 18-35 with a private or commercial pilot ’ s license and more than 500 hours of cockpit time joined the WASP from fall 1942-44 .
They got their training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater , and those who graduated received their wings and were deployed to bases all over the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” exhibit will continue through the end of the year while the WASP display runs through June 30 .
It will then return to the National WASP WWII Museum in Texas .
In addition to the World War II displays , the Rockpile Museum also has a Medal of Honor exhibit that features Wyoming recipients who earned their medals during the Native American campaigns of the 19th century .
It will be on display through August .
The museum is open under the first phase of its re-opening plan as the county and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes visitors strictly adhering to social distancing guidelines like being at least 6 feet apart and no more than 10 people are allowed in each exhibit room .
People also need to use hand sanitizer when they come in and sign a sheet for coronavirus contact tracing purposes .
People who are medically vulnerable or are sick are encouraged not to visit .

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) - The Rockpile Museum’s women serving in World War II exhibit is more than a glimpse back to a time when the “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” were popular on the radio as American soldiers were fighting for democracy across the globe.
“We are now in this war. We are in it all the way,” states an exhibit poster from the era. “Every single man, woman and child is a partner in the most tremendous undertaking of our American history. We must share together the bad news and the good news, the defeats and the victories - the changing fortunes of war.”
While many men were off fighting the Nazis, fascist Italy and the Japanese, women on the home front were changing the fortunes of World War II by playing pivotal roles. More than 30 women from the Campbell County area served in all branches of the military stationed at home and abroad. Their roles ranged from being supply clerks and pharmacist mates to yeoman and flight nurses.
Pauline “Pat” Fitch was one of them, the Gillette News Record reports.
Fitch grew up in Douglas before moving to Gillette, where she ranched. She joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps during World War II before transferring to the Women’s Army Corps. Fitch was chosen to attend the Women’s Army Corps officers candidate school and received her commission in June 1943.
Months later in December 1943, Fitch attempted to recruit her husband’s aunt, Vivian Sutherland Edwards.
“How about joining the WAC after Christmas?” Fitch asked her in a letter. “We are desperately in need of them. This field has been trying to get a company of WAC’s since July, but there just aren’t any to be had. The manpower shortage is terrible. You’d like the WAC too, I know.”
Fitch would go on to serve as a member of the Women’s Army Corps in Brownsville, Texas, before moving to the 2520th Army Air Force Base Unit in Frederick, Oklahoma. Fitch died in Jordan, Montana, in 2003.
Others who served their country during the war include Mary Gayl Gibson, the first local woman to enlist in the Women’s Reserve of the U.S. Coast Guard, and Rachel Hemenway, who was reportedly the first war nurse from Campbell County.
They are part of the “She Served Too: Campbell County Women in World War II” exhibit, which features the role local women played in World War II.
“The research takes months typically,” Rockpile Museum registrar Angela Beenken said about the display. “The posters and uniforms for this exhibit directly connect to the branches of service that Campbell County women served in, including the Women’s Army Corps, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, Marine Corps Women’s Reserve and the Women’s Reserve of the Coast Guard.”
The idea to focus on Campbell County women who served in World War II came from last year’s celebration of the 150th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the Cowboy State.
“This is an excellent opportunity to showcase the incredible roles women served during that time,” Beenken said.
Rockpile visitors also will have an opportunity to see a traveling display from the National WASP WWII Museum of Sweetwater, Texas. Only 1,830 women pilots ages 18-35 with a private or commercial pilot’s license and more than 500 hours of cockpit time joined the WASP from fall 1942-44.
They got their training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, and those who graduated received their wings and were deployed to bases all over the United States.
The “She Served Too” exhibit will continue through the end of the year while the WASP display runs through June 30. It will then return to the National WASP WWII Museum in Texas.
In addition to the World War II displays, the Rockpile Museum also has a Medal of Honor exhibit that features Wyoming recipients who earned their medals during the Native American campaigns of the 19th century.
It will be on display through August.
The museum is open under the first phase of its re-opening plan as the county and Wyoming emerge from COVID-19 restrictions. It includes visitors strictly adhering to social distancing guidelines like being at least 6 feet apart and no more than 10 people are allowed in each exhibit room. People also need to use hand sanitizer when they come in and sign a sheet for coronavirus contact tracing purposes. People who are medically vulnerable or are sick are encouraged not to visit.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Canadian found in Detroit River tethered to marijuana packs

DETROIT ( AP ) - An unconscious man was discovered in the Detroit River with 265 pounds of suspected marijuana connected to him with a tow strap , agents said .
The capture occurred in the wee hours Friday near a small island known as Celeron Island .
It ’ s the latest twist involving a Canadian who was first arrested on May 10 while driving a U-Haul truck in St. Clair County .
Glen Mousseau had $ 97,000 .
He told authorities that he had used a submersible to ferry drugs and cash between Michigan and Ontario , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay at a Flat Rock hotel while the investigation continued .
But a federal agent said he disappeared on May 22 , leaving behind five phones , a laptop and a suit used by divers .
He wasn ’ t found until Friday when Border Patrol agents pursuing a boat said they discovered Mousseau in the river with packages of marijuana tethered to him .
During an interview with agents after his first arrest , Mousseau said he was the owner of a submersible found on April 23 at Zug Island , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His next court date is Tuesday .
A judge assigned the public defender ’ s office to represent Mousseau .

DETROIT (AP) - An unconscious man was discovered in the Detroit River with 265 pounds of suspected marijuana connected to him with a tow strap, agents said.
The capture occurred in the wee hours Friday near a small island known as Celeron Island.
It’s the latest twist involving a Canadian who was first arrested on May 10 while driving a U-Haul truck in St. Clair County. Glen Mousseau had $97,000.
He told authorities that he had used a submersible to ferry drugs and cash between Michigan and Ontario, according to agents.
Mousseau had agreed to stay at a Flat Rock hotel while the investigation continued. But a federal agent said he disappeared on May 22, leaving behind five phones, a laptop and a suit used by divers.
He wasn’t found until Friday when Border Patrol agents pursuing a boat said they discovered Mousseau in the river with packages of marijuana tethered to him.
During an interview with agents after his first arrest, Mousseau said he was the owner of a submersible found on April 23 at Zug Island, the government said in a court filing.
His next court date is Tuesday. A judge assigned the public defender’s office to represent Mousseau.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--UK's rapid-fire changes on face coverings advice criticized

LONDON ( AP ) - The British government faced criticism Saturday for another sudden change in its advice on face coverings that has left those running hospitals in England scrambling to work out how they will be able to meet the new requirements .
On Friday , as the World Health Organization broadened its recommendations for the use of masks , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said all hospital staff in England will have to wear surgical face masks from June 15 while visitors and outpatients will need to don some sort of face covering .
His announcement came a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which can be made from any fabric , would be mandatory on public transport in England , from the same date to coincide with the planned reopening of nonessential shops such as department stores and electronic retailers .
The government , which notably did not recommend their use at the height of the pandemic , now says face coverings can provide some limited protection to others and help people avoid unknowingly spreading the virus .
The change in advice echoed developments elsewhere in Europe , where the guidance through the pandemic has often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the WHO said it is now advising that in areas where the virus is spreading , people should wear fabric masks when social distancing is not possible , such as on public transport and in shops .
Chris Hopson , chief executive of NHS Providers , which represents NHS organizations including hospitals , said the British government appeared to be making last-minute decisions “ on the hoof ” that seem “ overly influenced ” by political considerations .
“ I think it ’ s the latest in a long line of announcements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way the NHS operates , in which those frontline organisations feel they have been left completely in the dark and they are then expected to make significant and complex operational changes either immediately or with very little notice , ” he told the BBC .
His criticism was echoed by the British Medical Association , which warned there was “ little detail ” on how the policy would be implemented , where the masks would come from or how outpatients and visitors would be given them .
While acknowledging that face coverings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next stage of the pandemic , the BMA ’ s consultants committee chair Dr .
Rob Harwood pointed to the consistent lack of personal protective equipment through the pandemic , which has seen more than 40,000 people die in the U.K. across all settings , including hospitals and care homes - the second-highest figure in the world .
“ It is absolutely crucial that the government ensures there are enough supplies of face masks for staff , and adequate provision of face coverings for outpatients and the public by June 15 , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Social Care said NHS England , which oversees budget and planning issues , had been informed and that hospitals have all of next week to implement the changes .
Britain hasn ’ t been the only country in Europe grappling with the merits of face coverings , unlike many countries in Asia where people are used to wearing masks .
In Germany , the federal government changed its message in April after the country ’ s 16 states made wearing basic fabric masks - also known in German as “ mouth-nose-covers ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on public transport , in stores and public buildings such as libraries and local government offices .
They have now become ubiquitous , as has the debate over how to deal with refuseniks .
And in Italy , where the pandemic in Europe took root , the public health messaging over masks has been mixed between regional and national authorities and seemingly more conditioned on the fact that during the peak of the outbreak , they were exceedingly hard to find .
Masks are now compulsory on public transport and in closed public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport .
At restaurants customers are supposed to put them on , for example , if they get up from the table to use the restroom .
And even though they are not required by law nationwide , most Italians are wearing them outdoors .
Frank Jordans in Berlin and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this report .

LONDON (AP) - The British government faced criticism Saturday for another sudden change in its advice on face coverings that has left those running hospitals in England scrambling to work out how they will be able to meet the new requirements.
On Friday, as the World Health Organization broadened its recommendations for the use of masks, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said all hospital staff in England will have to wear surgical face masks from June 15 while visitors and outpatients will need to don some sort of face covering.
His announcement came a day after the government said face coverings, which can be made from any fabric, would be mandatory on public transport in England, from the same date to coincide with the planned reopening of nonessential shops such as department stores and electronic retailers.
The government, which notably did not recommend their use at the height of the pandemic, now says face coverings can provide some limited protection to others and help people avoid unknowingly spreading the virus.
The change in advice echoed developments elsewhere in Europe, where the guidance through the pandemic has often been confused and contradictory.
On Friday, the WHO said it is now advising that in areas where the virus is spreading, people should wear fabric masks when social distancing is not possible, such as on public transport and in shops.
Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents NHS organizations including hospitals, said the British government appeared to be making last-minute decisions “on the hoof” that seem “overly influenced” by political considerations.
“I think it’s the latest in a long line of announcements that have had a major impact on the way the NHS operates, in which those frontline organisations feel they have been left completely in the dark and they are then expected to make significant and complex operational changes either immediately or with very little notice,” he told the BBC.
His criticism was echoed by the British Medical Association, which warned there was “little detail” on how the policy would be implemented, where the masks would come from or how outpatients and visitors would be given them.
While acknowledging that face coverings will play an important role in the next stage of the pandemic, the BMA’s consultants committee chair Dr. Rob Harwood pointed to the consistent lack of personal protective equipment through the pandemic, which has seen more than 40,000 people die in the U.K. across all settings, including hospitals and care homes - the second-highest figure in the world.
“It is absolutely crucial that the government ensures there are enough supplies of face masks for staff, and adequate provision of face coverings for outpatients and the public by June 15,” he said.
The Department of Health and Social Care said NHS England, which oversees budget and planning issues, had been informed and that hospitals have all of next week to implement the changes.
Britain hasn’t been the only country in Europe grappling with the merits of face coverings, unlike many countries in Asia where people are used to wearing masks.
In Germany, the federal government changed its message in April after the country’s 16 states made wearing basic fabric masks - also known in German as “mouth-nose-covers” or “everyday masks” - compulsory on public transport, in stores and public buildings such as libraries and local government offices. They have now become ubiquitous, as has the debate over how to deal with refuseniks.
And in Italy, where the pandemic in Europe took root, the public health messaging over masks has been mixed between regional and national authorities and seemingly more conditioned on the fact that during the peak of the outbreak, they were exceedingly hard to find.
Masks are now compulsory on public transport and in closed public spaces, such as stores and public transport. At restaurants customers are supposed to put them on, for example, if they get up from the table to use the restroom. And even though they are not required by law nationwide, most Italians are wearing them outdoors.
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Frank Jordans in Berlin and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this report.
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Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.
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washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Separate attacks kill 14 Afghan forces in Kabul, northeast

KABUL , Afghanistan ( AP ) - Two separate militant attacks killed 14 Afghan security personnel on Saturday in the northeastern Badakhshan province and the capital of Kabul , officials said .
A roadside bomb killed 11 security force members in Badakhshan when it tore through a security vehicle responding to attacks on checkpoints in Khash district .
Sanaullah Rohani , spokesman for Badakhshan ’ s provincial police chief , said a local commander was among the dead , and that four militants were killed in the fighting .
An hour-long gunbattle also erupted in Kabul ’ s Gul Dara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , killing three police officers , said Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian .
Both Afghan officials said the Taliban had carried out the attacks , although no one immediately claimed responsibility .
The Taliban on Saturday claimed an attack a day earlier that killed 10 policemen in the southern Zabul province .
Afghan government officials said the Taliban ambushed an Afghan police convoy on Friday after setting off a roadside bomb .
U.S. forces had carried out two sets of airstrikes Friday against the Taliban in western and southern Afghanistan .
These were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cease-fire declared by the insurgents for a major Muslim holiday last month .
Since the signing of a U.S.-Taliban peace agreement at the end of February , U.S. forces have only once before announced a strike against the Taliban , in defense of Afghan forces .
The uptick in fighting comes as U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad embarked on a new round of diplomatic trips to Qatar , Pakistan and Afghanistan , according to a U.S. State Department statement Friday .
The U.S.-Taliban agreement was signed to allow American soldiers to return home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engagement .
The deal also calls for Afghans in Kabul and the Taliban to start negotiations to decide the country ’ s future .
Those negotiations have been delayed because of political feuding between Afghanistan ’ s President Ashraf Ghani and his rival in last year ’ s presidential polls , Abdullah Abdullah .
Associated Press writer Maamoun Youssef in Cairo contributed to this report .

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Two separate militant attacks killed 14 Afghan security personnel on Saturday in the northeastern Badakhshan province and the capital of Kabul, officials said.
A roadside bomb killed 11 security force members in Badakhshan when it tore through a security vehicle responding to attacks on checkpoints in Khash district. Sanaullah Rohani, spokesman for Badakhshan’s provincial police chief, said a local commander was among the dead, and that four militants were killed in the fighting.
An hour-long gunbattle also erupted in Kabul’s Gul Dara district when insurgents attacked a police checkpoint, killing three police officers, said Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian.
Both Afghan officials said the Taliban had carried out the attacks, although no one immediately claimed responsibility.
The Taliban on Saturday claimed an attack a day earlier that killed 10 policemen in the southern Zabul province. Afghan government officials said the Taliban ambushed an Afghan police convoy on Friday after setting off a roadside bomb.
U.S. forces had carried out two sets of airstrikes Friday against the Taliban in western and southern Afghanistan. These were the first U.S. strikes following a brief cease-fire declared by the insurgents for a major Muslim holiday last month.
Since the signing of a U.S.-Taliban peace agreement at the end of February, U.S. forces have only once before announced a strike against the Taliban, in defense of Afghan forces.
The uptick in fighting comes as U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad embarked on a new round of diplomatic trips to Qatar, Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to a U.S. State Department statement Friday.
The U.S.-Taliban agreement was signed to allow American soldiers to return home, ending America’s longest military engagement.
The deal also calls for Afghans in Kabul and the Taliban to start negotiations to decide the country’s future. Those negotiations have been delayed because of political feuding between Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani and his rival in last year’s presidential polls, Abdullah Abdullah.
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Associated Press writer Maamoun Youssef in Cairo contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Kosovo lifts trade measures, hoping to resume Serbia talks

PRISTINA , Kosovo ( AP ) - The new Kosovo government on Saturday lifted some recently imposed measures on Serb goods entering the country , in an effort to pave the way to resuming dialogue to improve ties with its neighbor .
The decision was among the first taken by Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti ’ s Cabinet of the center-right Democratic League of Kosovo , or LDK , three days after taking office .
Hoti ’ s predecessor , Albin Kurti , introduced the “ reciprocity ” measures a few days before leaving office .
They required Serbian authorities to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exported to Kosovo as they require for Kosovar goods entering Serbia .
The move was a replacement for a 100 % tariff imposed on Serb and Bosnian goods in 2018 , but both actions were opposed by Serbia , which considered they were blocking dialogue .
The LDK ’ s governing coalition includes three smaller ethnic Albanian parties , Kosovo ’ s ethnic Serb minority party and other minority lawmakers .
Resuming the European Union-facilitated dialogue over ties between Kosovo and Serbia remains a top challenge .
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way .
“ Six months of a hard political battle are ahead of us , ” Vucic told the pro-government TV Prva .
Hoti said : “ Now we wait to see the same thing from the Serb side to lift all the obstacles and give air to the dialogue process.
” He added that “ we also preserve our rights as a sovereign state to set all the necessary measures to preserve our sovereignty in coordination with our international partners.
” Hoti wants the United States and the European Union to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarantee the implementation of any deal that comes out of them .
Kosovo was part of Serbia until an armed uprising in 1998-1999 by the ethnic Albanian majority population triggered a bloody Serb crackdown .
A NATO bombing campaign to force Serbia ’ s troops out of Kosovo ended the war .
Llazar Semini in Kavaja , Albania , and Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade contributed to this report .

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) - The new Kosovo government on Saturday lifted some recently imposed measures on Serb goods entering the country, in an effort to pave the way to resuming dialogue to improve ties with its neighbor.
The decision was among the first taken by Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti’s Cabinet of the center-right Democratic League of Kosovo, or LDK, three days after taking office.
Hoti’s predecessor, Albin Kurti, introduced the “reciprocity” measures a few days before leaving office. They required Serbian authorities to apply the same documentation standards on goods exported to Kosovo as they require for Kosovar goods entering Serbia.
The move was a replacement for a 100% tariff imposed on Serb and Bosnian goods in 2018, but both actions were opposed by Serbia, which considered they were blocking dialogue.
The LDK’s governing coalition includes three smaller ethnic Albanian parties, Kosovo’s ethnic Serb minority party and other minority lawmakers.
Resuming the European Union-facilitated dialogue over ties between Kosovo and Serbia remains a top challenge. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Saturday the lifting of the trade barriers paves the way.
“Six months of a hard political battle are ahead of us,” Vucic told the pro-government TV Prva.
Hoti said: “Now we wait to see the same thing from the Serb side to lift all the obstacles and give air to the dialogue process.” He added that “we also preserve our rights as a sovereign state to set all the necessary measures to preserve our sovereignty in coordination with our international partners.”
Hoti wants the United States and the European Union to be involved in the talks and help guarantee the implementation of any deal that comes out of them.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation, an independent U.S. government agency, welcomed the lifting of the “reciprocity” measures and resumed implementation of a $49-million funding program for Kosovo. The agency paused the program in March to pressure Kurti to change his stand on Serbian imports.
The new prime minister expressed his gratitude “for the continuous support of the American government to our country.”
Kosovo was part of Serbia until an armed uprising in 1998-1999 by the ethnic Albanian majority population triggered a bloody Serb crackdown. A NATO bombing campaign to force Serbia’s troops out of Kosovo ended the war.
Serbia refuses to recognize Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence.
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Llazar Semini in Kavaja, Albania, and Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade contributed to this report.