Editorial Roundup: Ohio

Recent editorials of statewide and national interest from Ohio newspapers : Ohioans have left Gov .
Mike DeWine with few options to fight COVID-19 Eight months after shutting Ohio down during the early emergence of COVID-19 , Gov .
Mike DeWine can ’ t win .
Too many Ohioans have ignored his pleas to avoid gatherings and wear masks .
Pandemic fatigue is real , even for people taking this health threat seriously .
Our upcoming holiday season and colder weather will undoubtedly make things worse .
DeWine ’ s fellow Republicans bristle at any suggestion of closing down businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hospitalizations .
Democrats assail him for losing his political spine just months after they praised his bold actions .
Our president says all the wrong things , leaving governors to fight alone .
We concede it seems odd for DeWine to react to November ’ s explosion of new cases with less firepower than he used for March ’ s first few cases .
The curve is anything but flattened .
Then again , in March we knew very little about COVID-19 , how it spread and how rapidly sick people might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal protective equipment for caregivers .
Few people owned masks .
Social distancing was a new concept .
The governor did what he had to do this spring .
Anyone who suggests otherwise either isn ’ t being honest with themselves or recklessly disregards others .
Fast forward to today and the pandemic presents a much different challenge , although hospital capacity remains a critical concern forcing DeWine ’ s hand .
Doctors can more effectively treat the sickest and now face a greater threat from community spread while off duty than from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect employees , which the vast majority do successfully .
Even schools have taught students while avoiding virus spread .
Still , the threat is unrelenting and growing while our federal government sits and watches .
DeWine ’ s warning Wednesday night that he might close restaurants , bars and fitness centers while adding teeth to the state ’ s mask requirement and enforcement , is unfortunate but grounded in reality .
Crowded indoor restaurants where people remove masks to eat and drink give the virus a chance to spread no matter how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reducing capacity might balance economic and health considerations , especially with owners already destined to lose significant holiday business .
The governor ’ s plan to use Bureau of Workers ’ Compensation inspectors to ensure businesses are enforcing the mask mandate seems more appropriate , although it could force lower-paid service employees to police uncooperative patrons .
The threat of 24-hour shutdowns for second violations certainly carries significant weight for owners .
Some Ohioans joked that DeWine ’ s speech pleading for cooperation resembled a parent counting to 3 in tiny fractions before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a governor who ’ s acted boldly and pleaded with residents who have increasingly rejected his sound advice rooted in science .
If DeWine finds himself forced to impose more restrictions , it will hardly be his fault .
It will reflect the will of Ohioans who have decided the risk of a potentially deadly illness is worth living their lives as they see fit .
The consequences of those decisions remain to be seen .
Please wear a mask .
Avoid unnecessary gatherings .
Pray for our health care workers .
Plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ends , but will they do it ?
Ohio lawmakers could do a lot to restore an election-weary public ’ s faith in government by getting some important work done before the term ends on Dec. 31 .
The so-called lame duck session typically is crowded with last-gasp attempts to get bills passed , including those that for one reason or another got little attention over the previous two years .
It could be especially busy this time around because the coronavirus pandemic interfered with legislative work for much of the spring and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ note that legislative leaders seem focused , among other priorities , on a capital works budget , school funding , criminal sentencing reform and repeal of the House Bill 6 nuclear plant bailout .
We ’ re disappointed , yet again , that they ’ re unlikely to take any meaningful action to curb gun violence .
The simplest item of business should be repealing HB 6 .
It ’ s simple because it clearly is the product of unprecedented corruption : a U.S. District Attorney in July revealed an investigation that charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with bribery and racketeering .
Since then two defendants have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation .
In addition , FirstEnergy Corp. , which is implicated but not charged in the investigation , has fired four top executives including its CEO , citing unethical behavior .
FirstEnergy once owned the power plants that are subject to the bailout and was the parent company of a new entity that now owns them .
Some lawmakers have urged a “ repeal and replace ” of HB 6 , but no time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep .
No bailout money should go to the power plants without a full understanding of FirstEnergy ’ s role in the scandal , and the rest of the bill - undermining the development of clean energy in Ohio - is terrible policy that shouldn ’ t have been enacted in the first place .
Repeal the bill and come back in January to consider a forward-looking energy policy .
Another priority - approving a new formula for funding public schools - isn ’ t nearly so simple .
Given that general assembly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to agree on a fair and sustainable formula , it ’ s fair to ask why the 133rd thinks it can do the job .
It helps that Rep. Bob Cupp , co-author of a proposed plan with Rep. John Patterson , is now house speaker .
Cupp , a Republican former state senator and supreme court justice from Lima , and Patterson , a Democrat from Jefferson , set out to do what many public education advocates long have wanted : to establish the cost of a basic education and ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Past formulas weren ’ t based on any defined cost .
The plan also attempts to do two other important things : 1 .
Change the way charter schools are funded .
Since charters first appeared in Ohio , the state has allocated funding to traditional school districts based on every child who lives in the district and then required districts to count how many kids opted for charters and pass their share of the funding on to the charter schools .
This has been a burden on school districts and has heightened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawmakers need to clarify how and when a charter school ’ s enrollment would be determined for funding , but separating charter funding from district funding would be fairer and more transparent .
2 .
Give extra help to high-poverty districts by taking into account average income , not just property values , in determining how much local revenue each district should be expected to generate .
Overreliance on property taxes and inadequate funding for poor districts were key flaws cited when the Ohio Supreme Court declared Ohio ’ s school funding system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plan would require hiking education spending by nearly $ 2 billion per year .
Given that lawmakers are looking at a deficit of about the same amount because of pandemic-shrunken revenues , the plan likely would have to be phased in over several years .
Passing the Cupp/Patterson plan won ’ t solve every problem with funding Ohio ’ s schools , but it would mark the most substantial progress in many years .
Perhaps the most overdue item on the lame duck agenda is criminal sentencing reform , in the form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced in February 2019 , after a ballot effort to change sentencing via a state constitutional amendment failed by a wide margin .
SB 3 finally was approved by the Senate in late June of this year and introduced in the House a week later , but has seen no committee hearings .
The recalcitrance may be because the House had its own criminal sentencing reform legislation , House Bill 1 , which has been ignored in the Senate since the House passed it in September 2019 .
The Senate measure , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tackle addiction by reclassifying most low-level drug felony charges to misdemeanors .
That gives people with addiction a better chance at rebuilding their lives by focusing on treatment and avoiding the stigma of a felony offense , which can rule someone ineligible for many jobs .
It also avoids the expensive use of jail and prison space for people who don ’ t belong there .
As with all major reforms , SB 3 may need tweaks in the future , but Ohio has waited too long already for this more sensible and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House should pass Senate Bill 3 as a starting point .
Perhaps the easiest lift for Republicans and Democrats to reach agreement will be a capital spending bill .
Normally that budget is enacted midyear , but the COVID-19 shock to the economy in June prompted lawmakers to simply re-authorize existing levels of spending while also allocating some federal CARES Act relief dollars .
Ohio ’ s economy needs a stimulus and the state has plenty of infrastructure that needs to be built or repaired ; a reasonable spending bill would help with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little hope of passage in the waning weeks of this legislative session is Senate Bill 221 .
It would enact Gov .
Mike Dewine ’ s STRONG Ohio plan to curb gun violence in the wake of the Aug. 4 , 2019 , mass shooting in Dayton with nine people killed in about 40 seconds .
DeWine proposed the bill after angry Ohioans implored him to “ Do something !
” and predicted it could meet legislative approval , but he apparently underestimated the force of Ohio ’ s gun lobby .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action on SB 221 , which would have increased background checks for gun purchases and improved systems for temporarily disarming those deemed a danger to themselves or others due to mental illness or addiction .
Not acting to curb gun violence in this legislative session gives new meaning to “ lame duck.
” Should Ohio put an inmate with dementia to death ?
James Frazier was 64 in 2005 when he was sentenced to die in the 2004 Toledo murder and robbery of Mary Stevenson , a 49-year-old with cerebral palsy who lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex .
Frazier was living on Social Security disability , which he argued in his death penalty appeal was tied to his low intellectual functioning .
His IQ was rated as borderline , just over 70 , by experts for both the prosecution and defense .
But it wasn ’ t until 2014 that the U.S. Supreme Court , which had earlier ruled that severely intellectually disabled individuals should not be put to death , threw out Florida ’ s strict cutoff of a 70 IQ for executions .
In its 2014 ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standard five-point margin of error on IQ tests ( which Frazier would have fallen within ) , and ruled a more comprehensive assessment of mental functioning should be used .
In 2007 , the Ohio Supreme Court had unanimously turned down Frazier ’ s challenge to his death sentence on the grounds of his low mental functioning ; his lawyers ’ failure to use it as a defense at trial ; and the prosecutor ’ s use of peremptory challenges against two of the three African American jurors in the final jury pool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Black .
The Ohio Supreme Court noted in its ruling that Frazier grew up in a chaotic and deeply impoverished family with a largely absent and abusive father , and was kidnapped and raped by a man as he got off a bus when he was only 13 or 14 , an experience that still haunted him .
As a boy , Frazier was taunted by fellow students for his slowness , and refrained from participating in most non-school activities from shame over his shabby clothes .
Frazier , at 79 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Death Row , suffering from dementia so acute that he can not recall his trial , much less the murder for which he was convicted , say his current lawyers , who have filed a notice of insanity seeking to have him removed from Death Row .
It ’ s the first time a dementia defense has been raised on Ohio ’ s Death Row , according to experts interviewed by cleveland.com ’ s John Caniglia — but likely won ’ t be the last .
Ohio hasn ’ t executed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of a lack of death penalty drugs .
Our editorial board has long opposed the death penalty but this case raises the further question of how a state with the death penalty should deal with aging defendants who ’ ve lost mental understanding .
The U.S. Supreme Court last year wrote that a Death Row inmate with dementia who can not “ reach a rational understanding of why the State wants to execute him ” should not be put to death .
But is it right that Frazier should escape the sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost knowledge of what has happened , or is about to happen ?
It ’ s up to us When it comes to the coronavirus in northwest Ohio , things are bad and they look like they ’ re about to get worse .
But they don ’ t have to .
As the prevalence of coronavirus cases spirals in some smaller northwest Ohio counties , health authorities are warning that the region ’ s relatively large counties - Lucas and Wood counties - could be headed for a similar super spike in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiencing a surge in cases in recent weeks .
With a “ high incidence ” of cases in nearly all of Ohio ’ s 88 counties now , Gov .
Mike DeWine has said “ there is nowhere left to hide.
” And yet , Lucas County and Wood County are still faring relatively better than nearby Putnam County , with an infection rate of 915 per 100,000 people , and Allen County , with 375 cases per 100,000 people .
Lucas County still has an infection rate of just 159 cases per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per 100,000 people .
Wood County ’ s health commissioner has urged these two populous counties to recognize this threat and take their fate into their own hands .
“ We have the ability to control the outcomes ourselves , ” he said .
We know what to do : Wear masks , maintain social distancing , wash our hands frequently , avoid crowds and large gatherings .
These precautions are relatively simple , if not always easy .
Who hasn ’ t been halfway across the store parking lot before they realized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
They require some diligence and patience .
These measures , however , are the best strategies we have to control the spread of coronavirus before a vaccine arrives .
And ignoring these simple preventative strategies — or worse , mocking them , as some do — comes with a great cost .
Surging numbers of coronavirus cases threaten , as always , to overwhelm our health-care system .
They post particular dangers to our elderly and others with health complications .
The virus is already a burden on our economy , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , our health .
It ’ s difficult to imagine the situation spiraling into an even worse scenario , though that is an immediate threat .
Whether we can halt the surging infection rate is up to us .
We must do the things we need to do .
Joe Biden is not yet president-elect officially , but it seems clear he will be the nation ’ s next chief executive .
The sooner he clarifies his agenda - especially regarding energy - the better .
It is probably no coincidence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy companies began revealing their own plans .
Two major firms , American Electric Power and First Energy , have revealed plans to reduce generation using fossil fuels .
AEP says it will eliminate 1,633 megawatts of coal-fueled generation by the end of 2028 .
First Energy plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent , by 2030 .
That will adversely affect electricity prices in areas served by the companies .
Many Americans already are paying more for power than we did just a few years ago , because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How will Biden address electric generation ?
Will he use executive orders to make mining and use of coal even less attractive ?
Also of concern in our area is Biden ’ s stance on natural gas and petroleum production .
Will he , as critics warned , “ ban fracking ?
” Hydraulic fracturing of gas and oil wells has been the reason Americans have become largely self-reliant for energy .
It also has become a key facet of the economies in some states .
Banning or even placing new limits on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our states .
It also would force gas and gasoline prices up nationally .
Biden may not have formulated a detailed energy strategy .
During the election campaign , he clearly wanted to appeal to his base voters , many of whom favor harsh steps against fossil fuels such as those suggested in the “ New Green Deal.
” At the same time , Biden disavowed warnings he would ban fracking , in order to persuade more conservative voters to back him .
But what are his post-election plans ?
We don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adopt a rational energy policy .
One way or another , however , the sooner we know what he plans , the better .

Recent editorials of statewide and national interest from Ohio newspapers:
Ohioans have left Gov. Mike DeWine with few options to fight COVID-19
Akron Beacon Journal
Nov. 15
Eight months after shutting Ohio down during the early emergence of COVID-19, Gov. Mike DeWine can’t win.
Too many Ohioans have ignored his pleas to avoid gatherings and wear masks. Pandemic fatigue is real, even for people taking this health threat seriously. Our upcoming holiday season and colder weather will undoubtedly make things worse.
DeWine’s fellow Republicans bristle at any suggestion of closing down businesses to control a troubling spike in cases and hospitalizations. Democrats assail him for losing his political spine just months after they praised his bold actions. Our president says all the wrong things, leaving governors to fight alone.
We concede it seems odd for DeWine to react to November’s explosion of new cases with less firepower than he used for March’s first few cases. The curve is anything but flattened.
Then again, in March we knew very little about COVID-19, how it spread and how rapidly sick people might overwhelm our hospitals already struggling to find personal protective equipment for caregivers. Few people owned masks. Social distancing was a new concept.
The governor did what he had to do this spring. Anyone who suggests otherwise either isn’t being honest with themselves or recklessly disregards others.
Fast forward to today and the pandemic presents a much different challenge, although hospital capacity remains a critical concern forcing DeWine’s hand.
Doctors can more effectively treat the sickest and now face a greater threat from community spread while off duty than from contagious patients. Businesses are equipped to protect employees, which the vast majority do successfully. Even schools have taught students while avoiding virus spread.
Still, the threat is unrelenting and growing while our federal government sits and watches.
DeWine’s warning Wednesday night that he might close restaurants, bars and fitness centers while adding teeth to the state’s mask requirement and enforcement, is unfortunate but grounded in reality.
Crowded indoor restaurants where people remove masks to eat and drink give the virus a chance to spread no matter how well management follows the rules. Further reducing capacity might balance economic and health considerations, especially with owners already destined to lose significant holiday business.
The governor’s plan to use Bureau of Workers’ Compensation inspectors to ensure businesses are enforcing the mask mandate seems more appropriate, although it could force lower-paid service employees to police uncooperative patrons. The threat of 24-hour shutdowns for second violations certainly carries significant weight for owners.
Some Ohioans joked that DeWine’s speech pleading for cooperation resembled a parent counting to 3 in tiny fractions before finally punishing a child.
We see a governor who’s acted boldly and pleaded with residents who have increasingly rejected his sound advice rooted in science.
If DeWine finds himself forced to impose more restrictions, it will hardly be his fault. It will reflect the will of Ohioans who have decided the risk of a potentially deadly illness is worth living their lives as they see fit.
The consequences of those decisions remain to be seen.
Please wear a mask. Avoid unnecessary gatherings. Pray for our health care workers.
Online: https://bit.ly/3nBwEaB
___
Plenty of work for legislators before the year ends, but will they do it?
The Columbus Dispatch
Nov. 15
Ohio lawmakers could do a lot to restore an election-weary public’s faith in government by getting some important work done before the term ends on Dec. 31.
The so-called lame duck session typically is crowded with last-gasp attempts to get bills passed, including those that for one reason or another got little attention over the previous two years. It could be especially busy this time around because the coronavirus pandemic interfered with legislative work for much of the spring and summer.
We’re glad to note that legislative leaders seem focused, among other priorities, on a capital works budget, school funding, criminal sentencing reform and repeal of the House Bill 6 nuclear plant bailout. We’re disappointed, yet again, that they’re unlikely to take any meaningful action to curb gun violence.
The simplest item of business should be repealing HB 6. It’s simple because it clearly is the product of unprecedented corruption: a U.S. District Attorney in July revealed an investigation that charged then-House Speaker Larry Householder and four associates with bribery and racketeering. Since then two defendants have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
In addition, FirstEnergy Corp., which is implicated but not charged in the investigation, has fired four top executives including its CEO, citing unethical behavior. FirstEnergy once owned the power plants that are subject to the bailout and was the parent company of a new entity that now owns them.
Some lawmakers have urged a “repeal and replace” of HB 6, but no time should be spent debating what parts to keep. No bailout money should go to the power plants without a full understanding of FirstEnergy’s role in the scandal, and the rest of the bill - undermining the development of clean energy in Ohio - is terrible policy that shouldn’t have been enacted in the first place.
Repeal the bill and come back in January to consider a forward-looking energy policy.
Another priority - approving a new formula for funding public schools - isn’t nearly so simple. Given that general assembly after general assembly has failed for decades to agree on a fair and sustainable formula, it’s fair to ask why the 133rd thinks it can do the job.
It helps that Rep. Bob Cupp, co-author of a proposed plan with Rep. John Patterson, is now house speaker. Cupp, a Republican former state senator and supreme court justice from Lima, and Patterson, a Democrat from Jefferson, set out to do what many public education advocates long have wanted: to establish the cost of a basic education and ensure that every school district can afford it. Past formulas weren’t based on any defined cost.
The plan also attempts to do two other important things:
1. Change the way charter schools are funded. Since charters first appeared in Ohio, the state has allocated funding to traditional school districts based on every child who lives in the district and then required districts to count how many kids opted for charters and pass their share of the funding on to the charter schools. This has been a burden on school districts and has heightened the conflict between districts and charters. Lawmakers need to clarify how and when a charter school’s enrollment would be determined for funding, but separating charter funding from district funding would be fairer and more transparent.
2. Give extra help to high-poverty districts by taking into account average income, not just property values, in determining how much local revenue each district should be expected to generate. Overreliance on property taxes and inadequate funding for poor districts were key flaws cited when the Ohio Supreme Court declared Ohio’s school funding system unconstitutional 23 years ago.
Paying for the plan would require hiking education spending by nearly $2 billion per year. Given that lawmakers are looking at a deficit of about the same amount because of pandemic-shrunken revenues, the plan likely would have to be phased in over several years.
Passing the Cupp/Patterson plan won’t solve every problem with funding Ohio’s schools, but it would mark the most substantial progress in many years.
Perhaps the most overdue item on the lame duck agenda is criminal sentencing reform, in the form of Senate Bill 3. It was introduced in February 2019, after a ballot effort to change sentencing via a state constitutional amendment failed by a wide margin.
SB 3 finally was approved by the Senate in late June of this year and introduced in the House a week later, but has seen no committee hearings. The recalcitrance may be because the House had its own criminal sentencing reform legislation, House Bill 1, which has been ignored in the Senate since the House passed it in September 2019. The Senate measure, which has broad bipartisan support, aims to tackle addiction by reclassifying most low-level drug felony charges to misdemeanors.
That gives people with addiction a better chance at rebuilding their lives by focusing on treatment and avoiding the stigma of a felony offense, which can rule someone ineligible for many jobs. It also avoids the expensive use of jail and prison space for people who don’t belong there. As with all major reforms, SB 3 may need tweaks in the future, but Ohio has waited too long already for this more sensible and humane approach to drug laws. The House should pass Senate Bill 3 as a starting point.
Perhaps the easiest lift for Republicans and Democrats to reach agreement will be a capital spending bill. Normally that budget is enacted midyear, but the COVID-19 shock to the economy in June prompted lawmakers to simply re-authorize existing levels of spending while also allocating some federal CARES Act relief dollars.
Ohio’s economy needs a stimulus and the state has plenty of infrastructure that needs to be built or repaired; a reasonable spending bill would help with both of those needs.
LegIslation with little hope of passage in the waning weeks of this legislative session is Senate Bill 221. It would enact Gov. Mike Dewine’s STRONG Ohio plan to curb gun violence in the wake of the Aug. 4, 2019, mass shooting in Dayton with nine people killed in about 40 seconds. DeWine proposed the bill after angry Ohioans implored him to “Do something!” and predicted it could meet legislative approval, but he apparently underestimated the force of Ohio’s gun lobby.
Now it seems the session will end without action on SB 221, which would have increased background checks for gun purchases and improved systems for temporarily disarming those deemed a danger to themselves or others due to mental illness or addiction. Not acting to curb gun violence in this legislative session gives new meaning to “lame duck.”
Online: https://bit.ly/3f6qoVh
___
Should Ohio put an inmate with dementia to death?
Clevland Plain Dealer
Nov. 14
James Frazier was 64 in 2005 when he was sentenced to die in the 2004 Toledo murder and robbery of Mary Stevenson, a 49-year-old with cerebral palsy who lived in the same federally subsidized low-income apartment complex.
Frazier was living on Social Security disability, which he argued in his death penalty appeal was tied to his low intellectual functioning. His IQ was rated as borderline, just over 70, by experts for both the prosecution and defense.
But it wasn’t until 2014 that the U.S. Supreme Court, which had earlier ruled that severely intellectually disabled individuals should not be put to death, threw out Florida’s strict cutoff of a 70 IQ for executions. In its 2014 ruling, the high court pointed to a standard five-point margin of error on IQ tests (which Frazier would have fallen within), and ruled a more comprehensive assessment of mental functioning should be used.
In 2007, the Ohio Supreme Court had unanimously turned down Frazier’s challenge to his death sentence on the grounds of his low mental functioning; his lawyers’ failure to use it as a defense at trial; and the prosecutor’s use of peremptory challenges against two of the three African American jurors in the final jury pool, among other alleged errors. Frazier is Black. The Ohio Supreme Court noted in its ruling that Frazier grew up in a chaotic and deeply impoverished family with a largely absent and abusive father, and was kidnapped and raped by a man as he got off a bus when he was only 13 or 14, an experience that still haunted him. As a boy, Frazier was taunted by fellow students for his slowness, and refrained from participating in most non-school activities from shame over his shabby clothes.
Frazier, at 79, is now the oldest inmate on Ohio’s Death Row, suffering from dementia so acute that he cannot recall his trial, much less the murder for which he was convicted, say his current lawyers, who have filed a notice of insanity seeking to have him removed from Death Row. It’s the first time a dementia defense has been raised on Ohio’s Death Row, according to experts interviewed by cleveland.com’s John Caniglia — but likely won’t be the last. Ohio hasn’t executed anyone since July 2018, in part because of a lack of death penalty drugs.
Our editorial board has long opposed the death penalty but this case raises the further question of how a state with the death penalty should deal with aging defendants who’ve lost mental understanding. The U.S. Supreme Court last year wrote that a Death Row inmate with dementia who cannot “reach a rational understanding of why the State wants to execute him” should not be put to death. But is it right that Frazier should escape the sentence adjudicated against him simply because he has lost knowledge of what has happened, or is about to happen?
Online: https://bit.ly/35C74ft
___
It’s up to us
The Toledo Blade
Nov. 16
When it comes to the coronavirus in northwest Ohio, things are bad and they look like they’re about to get worse. But they don’t have to.
As the prevalence of coronavirus cases spirals in some smaller northwest Ohio counties, health authorities are warning that the region’s relatively large counties - Lucas and Wood counties - could be headed for a similar super spike in the coronavirus.
All of Ohio is experiencing a surge in cases in recent weeks. With a “high incidence” of cases in nearly all of Ohio’s 88 counties now, Gov. Mike DeWine has said “there is nowhere left to hide.”
And yet, Lucas County and Wood County are still faring relatively better than nearby Putnam County, with an infection rate of 915 per 100,000 people, and Allen County, with 375 cases per 100,000 people.
Lucas County still has an infection rate of just 159 cases per 100,000 people and Wood County has 191 per 100,000 people.
Wood County’s health commissioner has urged these two populous counties to recognize this threat and take their fate into their own hands. “We have the ability to control the outcomes ourselves,” he said.
We know what to do: Wear masks, maintain social distancing, wash our hands frequently, avoid crowds and large gatherings.
These precautions are relatively simple, if not always easy. Who hasn’t been halfway across the store parking lot before they realized they forgot their mask in the car? They require some diligence and patience.
These measures, however, are the best strategies we have to control the spread of coronavirus before a vaccine arrives.
And ignoring these simple preventative strategies — or worse, mocking them, as some do — comes with a great cost. Surging numbers of coronavirus cases threaten, as always, to overwhelm our health-care system. They post particular dangers to our elderly and others with health complications.
The virus is already a burden on our economy, our quality of life, and, of course, our health. It’s difficult to imagine the situation spiraling into an even worse scenario, though that is an immediate threat. Whether we can halt the surging infection rate is up to us. We must do the things we need to do.
Online: https://bit.ly/2H7WJOR
___
Biden must make energy plans clear
The Marietta Times
Nov. 16
Joe Biden is not yet president-elect officially, but it seems clear he will be the nation’s next chief executive. The sooner he clarifies his agenda - especially regarding energy - the better.
It is probably no coincidence that within days of the election, some energy companies began revealing their own plans.
Two major firms, American Electric Power and First Energy, have revealed plans to reduce generation using fossil fuels. AEP says it will eliminate 1,633 megawatts of coal-fueled generation by the end of 2028. First Energy plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent, by 2030.
That will adversely affect electricity prices in areas served by the companies. Many Americans already are paying more for power than we did just a few years ago, because of the move away from coal-fired generating stations.
How will Biden address electric generation? Will he use executive orders to make mining and use of coal even less attractive?
Also of concern in our area is Biden’s stance on natural gas and petroleum production. Will he, as critics warned, “ban fracking?”
Hydraulic fracturing of gas and oil wells has been the reason Americans have become largely self-reliant for energy. It also has become a key facet of the economies in some states.
Banning or even placing new limits on fracking would inflict drastic harm on both our states.
It also would force gas and gasoline prices up nationally.
Biden may not have formulated a detailed energy strategy. During the election campaign, he clearly wanted to appeal to his base voters, many of whom favor harsh steps against fossil fuels such as those suggested in the “New Green Deal.”
At the same time, Biden disavowed warnings he would ban fracking, in order to persuade more conservative voters to back him.
But what are his post-election plans? We don’t know. We hope Biden will adopt a rational energy policy. One way or another, however, the sooner we know what he plans, the better.
Online: https://bit.ly/3f7uNY4
___


washingtontimes--2020-11-16--Some prosecutors haven't met pre-trial diversion guidelines

NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) - Some members of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association haven ’ t been meeting the association ’ s own guidelines for running programs that offer some offenders alternatives to prosecution and punishment , the state Legislative Auditor ’ s Office said Monday .
All 42 district attorney offices in the state have some form of pre-trial diversion program .
Depending on the locality and type of offense , the programs typically allow suspects of certain crimes to avoid formal charges by entering training , rehabilitation or other programs .
The report released Monday says the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district attorneys were implementing the association ‘ s guidelines .
It found that 10 provisions were not being fully met .
For example , 28 offices don ’ t have a policy prohibiting the use of information obtained from program participants for possible later prosecution of the diverted charge , and three pre-trial diversion programs “ require defendants to sign an admission of guilt , which will be used against the defendant to prosecute the diverted charge if he or she fails to satisfactorily complete the diversion program , ” the report said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorneys screening criminal cases for eligibility in diversion programs .
Seven don ’ t expressly require that cases considered for pre-trial diversion actually merit prosecution .
And 14 diversion programs have had no written policy for helping graduates expunge their records .
In a response released with Monday ’ s report , the association ‘ s executive director , Loren Lampert , notes it sought the help of the auditor ’ s office in reviewing compliance .
It said it has notified the various offices of deficiencies and is conducting training to educate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is still work to be done , in large measure the adoption of and compliance with these revised standards has significantly improved both the practices and perception of pre-trial diversion in Louisiana , ” Lampert said .
Criminal justice advocates said the audit points to problems they are familiar with .
Hannah Lommers-Johnson , with the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center in New Orleans said in an interview that the district attorney ’ s office in New Orleans has “ post-trial ” diversion programs that require an admission of guilt for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s a huge problem , ” she said , raising concerns about a defendant ’ s right to remain silent .
“ This audit report confirms what we already knew : prosecutors are not doing enough to stem Louisiana ’ s ongoing mass incarceration crisis or consistently pursue safer , more fiscally responsible alternatives to incarceration , ” Alanah Odoms , executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana , said in an emailed statement .
Lommers-Johnson took some comfort in the fact that the guidelines exist and that there is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see that they are complied with .
“ While it doesn ’ t mean that there ’ s going to necessarily be a solution here in Orleans or elsewhere to some of the problems we frequently see , I think it does sort of spell out that there ’ s a move toward more accountability among prosecutors , ” she said .

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Some members of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association haven’t been meeting the association’s own guidelines for running programs that offer some offenders alternatives to prosecution and punishment, the state Legislative Auditor’s Office said Monday.
All 42 district attorney offices in the state have some form of pre-trial diversion program. Depending on the locality and type of offense, the programs typically allow suspects of certain crimes to avoid formal charges by entering training, rehabilitation or other programs.
The report released Monday says the audit was done to determine if local district attorneys were implementing the association’s guidelines. It found that 10 provisions were not being fully met.
For example, 28 offices don’t have a policy prohibiting the use of information obtained from program participants for possible later prosecution of the diverted charge, and three pre-trial diversion programs “require defendants to sign an admission of guilt, which will be used against the defendant to prosecute the diverted charge if he or she fails to satisfactorily complete the diversion program,” the report said.
Nine offices don’t have attorneys screening criminal cases for eligibility in diversion programs. Seven don’t expressly require that cases considered for pre-trial diversion actually merit prosecution.
And 14 diversion programs have had no written policy for helping graduates expunge their records.
In a response released with Monday’s report, the association’s executive director, Loren Lampert, notes it sought the help of the auditor’s office in reviewing compliance. It said it has notified the various offices of deficiencies and is conducting training to educate prosecutors on the standards.
“Although there is still work to be done, in large measure the adoption of and compliance with these revised standards has significantly improved both the practices and perception of pre-trial diversion in Louisiana,” Lampert said.
Criminal justice advocates said the audit points to problems they are familiar with.
Hannah Lommers-Johnson, with the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center in New Orleans said in an interview that the district attorney’s office in New Orleans has “post-trial” diversion programs that require an admission of guilt for entry. “In our view, that’s a huge problem,” she said, raising concerns about a defendant’s right to remain silent.
“This audit report confirms what we already knew: prosecutors are not doing enough to stem Louisiana’s ongoing mass incarceration crisis or consistently pursue safer, more fiscally responsible alternatives to incarceration,” Alanah Odoms, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana, said in an emailed statement.
Lommers-Johnson took some comfort in the fact that the guidelines exist and that there is an effort in the prosecutors’ association to see that they are complied with.
“While it doesn’t mean that there’s going to necessarily be a solution here in Orleans or elsewhere to some of the problems we frequently see, I think it does sort of spell out that there’s a move toward more accountability among prosecutors,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-16--Moore poised to win record-tying fourth term as N.C. speaker

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - Incoming North Carolina House Republicans in a meeting Monday formally backed Speaker Tim Moore to lead their chamber for another two years , a result of the GOP expanding their majority in the Nov. 3 election .
Moore , a Kings Mountain attorney , will be the nominee of the House Republican Caucus when the new General Assembly session convenes Jan. 13 .
Since Republicans will hold 69 of the 120 seats , a four-seat increase compared with current margins , Moore ’ s reelection to the speaker ’ s dais is all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as speaker would mean winning a record-tying fourth two-year term for the job .
Rep. Liston Ramsey of Madison County was elected four times as speaker , serving from 1981 through 1988 , as was Rep. Jim Black of Mecklenburg County , serving from 1999 through 2006 .
The fact that “ we actually expanded our numbers shows that we have a mandate to continue the legislative leadership that we ’ ve had , ” Moore said at a news conference at state GOP headquarters , where returning House Republicans met and approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll continue to do all we can to to allow the ‘ Old North State ’ to be even greater.
” Moore , 50 , joined the House in 2003 and became rules committee chairman under then-Speaker Thom Tillis .
Moore succeeded Tillis in 2015 when Tillis moved to the U.S. Senate .
The incoming Republican caucus also said it would back Rep. Sarah Stevens of Surry County for reelection as speaker pro tempore , which is considered the chamber ’ s No .
2 post .
For caucus positions , Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as majority leader , Rep. Brenden Jones of Columbus County as deputy leader and Rep. Jon Hardister of Guilford County as majority whip .
Senate Republicans will meet Nov. 30 to choose their caucus leaders .
Senate leader Phil Berger of Rockingham County has said he planned to seek reelection to the chamber ’ s top job , one he ’ s held since 2011 .
Republicans will hold 28 of 50 state Senate seats in January , one fewer than the previous two years .
Among Democrats , current House Minority Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday that he wouldn ’ t seek reelection to that caucus position .
Democrats entered the Nov. 3 election hopeful that they could take over the House and Senate chambers for the first time in 10 years , but they fell short in each chamber .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Incoming North Carolina House Republicans in a meeting Monday formally backed Speaker Tim Moore to lead their chamber for another two years, a result of the GOP expanding their majority in the Nov. 3 election.
Moore, a Kings Mountain attorney, will be the nominee of the House Republican Caucus when the new General Assembly session convenes Jan. 13.
Since Republicans will hold 69 of the 120 seats, a four-seat increase compared with current margins, Moore’s reelection to the speaker’s dais is all but assured. Moore’s election as speaker would mean winning a record-tying fourth two-year term for the job. Rep. Liston Ramsey of Madison County was elected four times as speaker, serving from 1981 through 1988, as was Rep. Jim Black of Mecklenburg County, serving from 1999 through 2006.
The fact that “we actually expanded our numbers shows that we have a mandate to continue the legislative leadership that we’ve had,” Moore said at a news conference at state GOP headquarters, where returning House Republicans met and approved his nomination by acclamation. “We’ll continue to do all we can to to allow the ‘Old North State’ to be even greater.”
Moore, 50, joined the House in 2003 and became rules committee chairman under then-Speaker Thom Tillis. Moore succeeded Tillis in 2015 when Tillis moved to the U.S. Senate.
The incoming Republican caucus also said it would back Rep. Sarah Stevens of Surry County for reelection as speaker pro tempore, which is considered the chamber’s No. 2 post. For caucus positions, Republicans reelected Rep. John Bell of Wayne County as majority leader, Rep. Brenden Jones of Columbus County as deputy leader and Rep. Jon Hardister of Guilford County as majority whip.
Senate Republicans will meet Nov. 30 to choose their caucus leaders. Senate leader Phil Berger of Rockingham County has said he planned to seek reelection to the chamber’s top job, one he’s held since 2011. Republicans will hold 28 of 50 state Senate seats in January, one fewer than the previous two years.
Among Democrats, current House Minority Leader Darren Jackson of Wake County confirmed last Friday that he wouldn’t seek reelection to that caucus position. Democrats entered the Nov. 3 election hopeful that they could take over the House and Senate chambers for the first time in 10 years, but they fell short in each chamber.


washingtontimes--2020-11-16--Ohio Republican governor tweaked by Trump, praised by Biden

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) - Republican Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine found himself on the receiving end of criticism by President Donald Trump and praise by President-Elect Joe Biden on Monday , with the result being an early focus on the 2022 elections .
It started when Trump appeared to suggest in a tweet that DeWine needed a primary challenger .
The president ’ s remark came a day after DeWine said on CNN that Trump should begin a transition to Biden , repeating a statement he put out last week that set him apart from many other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio ?
Will be hotly contested !
, ” the president tweeted .
DeWine said Sunday that Trump has every right to go into court with evidence , but added : “ It ’ s clear that , certainly based on what we know now , that Joe Biden is the president-elect.
” Speculation has swirled that DeWine might attract a primary challenger from the right because of dissatisfaction among conservative Republican lawmakers over his handling of the coronavirus , including a statewide mask mandate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and restaurants , and strict limits on gatherings .
Among names mentioned have been former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci , a former Wadsworth mayor who ran briefly for governor in 2018 , or U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan , a bulldog for Trump ‘ s agenda in Congress .
Later Monday , Biden gave a shout-out to DeWine as a leader among conservative Republicans for his proactive efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
DeWine said in a statement Monday he has always had a “ great working relationship ” with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have served as President Trump ’ s Campaign Co-Chairman in Ohio where we won by the largest margin of any swing state in the country , ” the statement said .
“ And I intend to run a winning campaign for governor in 2022 .
”

ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS and JULIE CARR SMYTH

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine found himself on the receiving end of criticism by President Donald Trump and praise by President-Elect Joe Biden on Monday, with the result being an early focus on the 2022 elections.
It started when Trump appeared to suggest in a tweet that DeWine needed a primary challenger. The president’s remark came a day after DeWine said on CNN that Trump should begin a transition to Biden, repeating a statement he put out last week that set him apart from many other Republican officeholders.
“Who will be running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio? Will be hotly contested!,” the president tweeted.
DeWine said Sunday that Trump has every right to go into court with evidence, but added: “It’s clear that, certainly based on what we know now, that Joe Biden is the president-elect.”
Speculation has swirled that DeWine might attract a primary challenger from the right because of dissatisfaction among conservative Republican lawmakers over his handling of the coronavirus, including a statewide mask mandate, a 10 p.m. curfew for bars and restaurants, and strict limits on gatherings. Among names mentioned have been former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, a former Wadsworth mayor who ran briefly for governor in 2018, or U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, a bulldog for Trump’s agenda in Congress.
Later Monday, Biden gave a shout-out to DeWine as a leader among conservative Republicans for his proactive efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
DeWine said in a statement Monday he has always had a “great working relationship” with the president.
“I am proud to have served as President Trump’s Campaign Co-Chairman in Ohio where we won by the largest margin of any swing state in the country,” the statement said. “And I intend to run a winning campaign for governor in 2022.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-16--Colorado man pleads not guilty in 1984 slayings

DENVER ( AP ) - A Colorado man has pleaded not guilty after he was accused of bludgeoning four people to death with a hammer in 1984 in two separate attacks .
Alexander Ewing , 60 , entered his plea Monday in Arapahoe County after DNA evidence connected him to the crime scenes , The Denver Post reported .
Prosecutors said he will not face the death penalty but instead faces life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years for each of the first-degree murder counts he is charged with .
Ewing is being represented by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which does not comment on cases .
Prosecutors have accused Ewing of killing Patricia Louise Smith , 50 , in Lakewood on Jan. 10 , 1984 and then killing Bruce and Debra Bennett and their 7-year-old daughter six days later in Aurora .
The couple ’ s 3-year-old daughter survived the attack , authorities said .
The slayings have remained unsolved for over three decades .
The suspect was named the “ Hammer Killer.
” Ewing was arrested in August 1984 and sentenced to 40 years in prison for two attempted murders in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Colorado killings until 2018 , when his DNA was matched .
He was in prison when he was charged .
First Judicial District Attorney Peter Weir said in August that he would not seek the death penalty against Ewing in Smith ’ s killing , arguing it was “ not a lawful sentencing option ” because of a lack of aggravating factors necessary to warrant a death sentence .
A date for trial in Jefferson County has not yet been set .
18th Judicial District Chief Judge Michelle Amico ruled Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalty in connection to charges related to the slaying of the Bennett family , arguing the death penalty statute violated the state ’ s constitution .
A trial date in Arapahoe County was scheduled for April .

DENVER (AP) - A Colorado man has pleaded not guilty after he was accused of bludgeoning four people to death with a hammer in 1984 in two separate attacks.
Alexander Ewing, 60, entered his plea Monday in Arapahoe County after DNA evidence connected him to the crime scenes, The Denver Post reported.
Prosecutors said he will not face the death penalty but instead faces life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years for each of the first-degree murder counts he is charged with. Ewing is being represented by the state public defender’s office, which does not comment on cases.
Prosecutors have accused Ewing of killing Patricia Louise Smith, 50, in Lakewood on Jan. 10, 1984 and then killing Bruce and Debra Bennett and their 7-year-old daughter six days later in Aurora. The couple’s 3-year-old daughter survived the attack, authorities said.
The slayings have remained unsolved for over three decades. The suspect was named the “Hammer Killer.”
Ewing was arrested in August 1984 and sentenced to 40 years in prison for two attempted murders in Nevada. But he was not connected to the Colorado killings until 2018 ,when his DNA was matched. He was in prison when he was charged.
First Judicial District Attorney Peter Weir said in August that he would not seek the death penalty against Ewing in Smith’s killing, arguing it was “not a lawful sentencing option” because of a lack of aggravating factors necessary to warrant a death sentence.
A date for trial in Jefferson County has not yet been set.
18th Judicial District Chief Judge Michelle Amico ruled Friday that Ewing could not face the death penalty in connection to charges related to the slaying of the Bennett family, arguing the death penalty statute violated the state’s constitution.
A trial date in Arapahoe County was scheduled for April.


washingtontimes--2020-11-16--Ben McAdams concedes to Burgess Owens in Utah House race

SALT LAKE CITY — Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams has lost his bid to win re-election against former NFL player Burgess Owens .
McAdams , the state ’ s only congressional Democrat , conceded in an online news conference Monday afternoon .
The Associated Press determined Owens won in the closely watched race in the suburban Salt Lake City congressional district .
Owens is a Republican who has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump .
He is a frequent Fox News guest who has come under scrutiny for other media appearances linked to QAnon , a baseless conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His spokesman has said Owens doesn ’ t believe in the theory .
McAdams is a moderate who was part of the so-called blue wave that won control of the U.S. House for the Democrats in 2018 .
He has focused on kitchen-table issues and occasionally bucked party leadership , though he did vote to impeach the president .
During the Republican primary , Owens handily won a crowded field by running to the right of his opponents .
Vote counting in the close general election race continued for days .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Love , another Black conservative who was the first Black Republican woman elected to the House .
She was critical of Trump at times , including when he used an expletive to refer to her parents ’ home country of Haiti .
Owens has backed the president , and Donald Trump Jr. campaigned for him .
The former NFL player helped the Oakland Raiders win the 1980 Super Bowl and later converted to the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .
He has disagreed with athletes kneeling during the national anthem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearances on Fox News .
McAdams , meanwhile , was a well-known mayor of Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County before he ran for Congress .
He defeated Love by less than 700 votes , and the race this year was one of the more closely watched in the country .

SALT LAKE CITY — Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams has lost his bid to win re-election against former NFL player Burgess Owens.
McAdams, the state’s only congressional Democrat, conceded in an online news conference Monday afternoon.
The Associated Press determined Owens won in the closely watched race in the suburban Salt Lake City congressional district.
Owens is a Republican who has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump. He is a frequent Fox News guest who has come under scrutiny for other media appearances linked to QAnon, a baseless conspiracy theory that has increasingly crept into politics.
His spokesman has said Owens doesn’t believe in the theory.
McAdams is a moderate who was part of the so-called blue wave that won control of the U.S. House for the Democrats in 2018. He has focused on kitchen-table issues and occasionally bucked party leadership, though he did vote to impeach the president.
During the Republican primary, Owens handily won a crowded field by running to the right of his opponents. Vote counting in the close general election race continued for days.
The district was held until 2018 by Mia Love, another Black conservative who was the first Black Republican woman elected to the House. She was critical of Trump at times, including when he used an expletive to refer to her parents’ home country of Haiti. Owens has backed the president, and Donald Trump Jr. campaigned for him.
The former NFL player helped the Oakland Raiders win the 1980 Super Bowl and later converted to the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He has disagreed with athletes kneeling during the national anthem in support of Black Lives Matter during appearances on Fox News.
McAdams, meanwhile, was a well-known mayor of Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County before he ran for Congress. He defeated Love by less than 700 votes, and the race this year was one of the more closely watched in the country.


washingtontimes--2020-11-16--Airbnb details years of losses ahead of planned IPO

Airbnb was losing money even before the pandemic struck and cut its revenue by almost a third , the home-sharing company revealed in documents filed Monday ahead of a planned initial public offering of its stock .
The San Francisco-based company has yet to set a date for the IPO but it is laying the groundwork by filing financial records with U.S. securities regulators .
The documents show that leading up to the coronavirus outbreak earlier this year , Airbnb was spending heavily on technology and marketing to grow its business .
The company said it was expanding its operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other experiences that travelers could book through its website .
Its revenue jumped 32 % to $ 4.8 billion in 2019 , but it reported a net loss of $ 674 million that year .
The company also lost money in 2018 and 2017 .
This year , Airbnb said , revenue fell 32 % to $ 2.5 billion in the first nine months as travelers canceled their plans after the pandemic crippled travel and forced lockdowns around the world .
The pandemic forced a financial reckoning , the company said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or around 25 % of its workforce , and slashed investments in programs , like movie production , not related to its core business .
Airbnb funded operations with $ 2 billion from various sources , including a $ 1 billion investment from private equity firms Silver Lake and Sixth Street Partners .
Now , the company said , demand is rebounding as some travelers see home rentals as safer than crowded hotels .
The number of nights and experiences booked , which plummeted more than 100 % in March and April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , August and September .
Airbnb said that indicates its business model is resilient and can adapt to future travel needs , including an increase in business travelers who want to work from a rental home .
“ We believe that the lines between travel and living are blurring , and the global pandemic has accelerated the ability to live anywhere , ” the company said .
Airbnb said it currently has 7.4 million listings run by 4 million hosts worldwide .
Eighty-six percent of its hosts are outside the U.S. and 55 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The company said it had 54 million guests in 2019 .
Airbnb was founded 12 years ago by Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia - classmates at the Rhode Island School of Design - and Nate Blecharczyk , a software engineer .
Their first listing was Chesky and Gebbia ’ s apartment in San Francisco .
Chesky , Airbnb ’ s CEO , will receive a multi-year equity grant worth an estimated $ 120 million in lieu of a salary , the company said .
The award will vest if he meets stock-price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company has angered some cities that accuse it of promoting overtourism and making neighborhoods less affordable by taking housing off the market .
Cities like Los Angeles , Barcelona , Paris and even Airbnb ’ s home city of San Francisco have passed laws restricting its rentals .
The company has tried to clean up its couch-surfing reputation by adding luxury rentals and promising to verify each of its properties to make sure the photos on its website match the accommodations .
It has also been cracking down on parties since a 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California .
The shooting left five people dead .
In the meantime , relationships with its hosts have sometimes frayed .
Earlier this year , hosts were infuriated when Airbnb allowed guests to cancel and get full refunds amid the pandemic .
Airbnb later promised $ 250 million to hosts to make up the shortfall .
More recently , the company said it will set aside 9.2 million shares for a host endowment , which will fund projects for hosts when its value tops $ 1 billion .
It also named a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds and meet regularly with Airbnb leadership .

Airbnb was losing money even before the pandemic struck and cut its revenue by almost a third, the home-sharing company revealed in documents filed Monday ahead of a planned initial public offering of its stock.
The San Francisco-based company has yet to set a date for the IPO but it is laying the groundwork by filing financial records with U.S. securities regulators.
The documents show that leading up to the coronavirus outbreak earlier this year, Airbnb was spending heavily on technology and marketing to grow its business. The company said it was expanding its operations and adding new programs, like tours and other experiences that travelers could book through its website.
Its revenue jumped 32% to $4.8 billion in 2019, but it reported a net loss of $674 million that year. The company also lost money in 2018 and 2017.
This year, Airbnb said, revenue fell 32% to $2.5 billion in the first nine months as travelers canceled their plans after the pandemic crippled travel and forced lockdowns around the world.
The pandemic forced a financial reckoning, the company said. In May, Airbnb cut 1,900 employees, or around 25% of its workforce, and slashed investments in programs, like movie production, not related to its core business.
Airbnb funded operations with $2 billion from various sources, including a $1 billion investment from private equity firms Silver Lake and Sixth Street Partners.
Now, the company said, demand is rebounding as some travelers see home rentals as safer than crowded hotels. The number of nights and experiences booked, which plummeted more than 100% in March and April, were down 28% in July, August and September.
Airbnb said that indicates its business model is resilient and can adapt to future travel needs, including an increase in business travelers who want to work from a rental home.
“We believe that the lines between travel and living are blurring, and the global pandemic has accelerated the ability to live anywhere,” the company said.
Airbnb said it currently has 7.4 million listings run by 4 million hosts worldwide. Eighty-six percent of its hosts are outside the U.S. and 55% are women, the company said.
The company said it had 54 million guests in 2019.
Airbnb was founded 12 years ago by Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia - classmates at the Rhode Island School of Design - and Nate Blecharczyk, a software engineer. Their first listing was Chesky and Gebbia’s apartment in San Francisco.
Chesky, Airbnb’s CEO, will receive a multi-year equity grant worth an estimated $120 million in lieu of a salary, the company said. The award will vest if he meets stock-price targets over the next decade.
Airbnb’s massive growth hasn’t been without complications.
The company has angered some cities that accuse it of promoting overtourism and making neighborhoods less affordable by taking housing off the market. Cities like Los Angeles, Barcelona, Paris and even Airbnb’s home city of San Francisco have passed laws restricting its rentals.
The company has tried to clean up its couch-surfing reputation by adding luxury rentals and promising to verify each of its properties to make sure the photos on its website match the accommodations.
It has also been cracking down on parties since a 2019 shooting at an illegal Airbnb house party in California. The shooting left five people dead.
In the meantime, relationships with its hosts have sometimes frayed. Earlier this year, hosts were infuriated when Airbnb allowed guests to cancel and get full refunds amid the pandemic. Airbnb later promised $250 million to hosts to make up the shortfall.
More recently, the company said it will set aside 9.2 million shares for a host endowment, which will fund projects for hosts when its value tops $1 billion. It also named a 15-member host advisory committee to distribute those funds and meet regularly with Airbnb leadership.


washingtontimes--2020-11-16--Oregon businesses worry about lack of economic backstop

SALEM , Ore. ( AP ) - In March life in Oregon , and across the country , came to a screeching halt .
Restaurants only served meals in to-go bags .
Long-term care facilities locked their doors in an effort to save their tenants .
Playgrounds were childless and classrooms were operated through computer screens .
Businesses hastily expanded their online stores and employees were sent home .
The only crowds that could be seen were gathered outside grocery stores in lines stretching around the building .
During the summer and fall “ Closed ” signs began to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As COVID-19 cases surge across Oregon a slew of new restrictions are being implemented in the state , as part of a two-week freeze that begins Wednesday in and effort to halt social activities and slow the spread in transmission .
Restaurants are once again being limited to take-out only and some businesses must lock their doors .
This time , the lack of a federal economic backstop are leaving owners and employees apprehensive about their ability to survive the financial impact .
“ We were already hearing from members they were concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their chances of staying open , ” said Jason Brandt , the president & CEO for the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association .
“ This latest round of regulations focused on restaurants will trigger an unknown amount of permanent closures impacting the livelihoods of thousands of Oregon families.
” Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic around 200 restaurants , or 2 percent , have permanently closed .
Brandt said that number is likely significantly higher .
A month into Oregon ’ s March shutdown , an estimated 81 % of Oregon restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - impacting 127,000 employees , according to a national survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association .
But this time around federal funds have dwindled and the pool of significant financial resources are arid .
“ This is incredibly different than the last go around because we had the federal government to pass relief packages to prop up businesses , ” Brandt said .
The Paycheck Protection Program , a key piece of the coronavirus relief legislation Congress approved in March , handed out more than $ 650 billion in loans and increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal relief program that paid unemployed Americans an extra $ 600 per week has lapsed as well .
“ Congress needs to act to help us , ” Gov .
Kate Brown said .
For weeks Brown has called on Congress to pass another COVID-19 relief package , which she said should immediately reinstitute the $ 600 supplemental benefit for unemployment and enhance federal employment compensation .
“ We know very , very , clearly that the band-aid has been ripped off and that our historically underserved communities – our communities of color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural communities — have been disproportionately impacted , ” Brown said .
Last week the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association sent a letter to the governor and lawmakers asking that $ 75 million of Oregon ’ s remaining CARES funds be used to create a Hospitality Relief Fund to help restaurants , bars , breweries , cideries , lodging properties and other hospitality related businesses .
In addition , following the announcement of new restrictions , officials from the Oregon Employment Department said they are preparing to increase its claims processing capacity with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department is also developing an option for impacted employers to submit employee information in bulk to minimize the need for employees to locate key information that may not be easily accessible .
Between the start of the pandemic and July more than 500,000 Oregonians had filed unemployment claims , causing major delays in people receiving funds - thousands of people waiting months for unemployment .
In July Oregon ’ s Legislature passed a $ 35 million million relief check program that could pay 70,000 Oregonians , still waiting for unemployment benefits , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than three days all the funds had been used .
Brandt said the upcoming freeze is likely “ going to be the fight for small businesses ’ lives.
” For months many Oregon restaurants have been operating at a limited capacity , 100 people , and had a curfew of 10 p.m. Brandt said that since reopening , many restaurant owners have invested their money into creating outdoor dining structures and heating so they can operate in the winter .
Ezra Caraeff , who owns three bar-restaurants and one bar in Portland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his establishment for outdoor dining in Oregon ’ s wet winter weather .
During March , Ezra said he had to lay off 50 people .
Since then he has rehired most of them .
“ The hardest part last time was not closing down or washing my hands more , the hardest part was laying off 50 people , ” he said .
“ So to have to do this again is hard to even think about.
” Caraeff said the latest closure order will be devastating for him and his employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comprehend it .
It ’ s gon na be a blood bath .
… We should shut down , I agree with shutting down , but is there rent relief ?
There ’ s not , ” he said .
On Monday Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler urged Oregonians to buy local and support businesses .
“ My ask of the public is , let ’ s support some of these restaurants , ” he said .
“ Let ’ s show these restaurants some love because if we want them to be there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , we ’ ve got to support them now.
” Oregon ’ s statewide two-week freeze begins Nov. 18 but for some counties , including Multnomah - Oregon ’ s most populous county and home to Portland - the freeze is expected to last longer .
On top of take-out only , grocery stores , pharmacies and retail stores are limited to a maximum capacity of 75 % .
Faith based organizations will also have their capacity reduced to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors .
Gyms and fitness centers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movie theaters , zoos , gardens , aquariums and venues will have to close their doors completely .
All businesses will be required to close their offices to the public and mandate work-from-home “ to the greatest extent possible.
” Lastly , both indoor and outdoor social get-togethers are limited to six people , total , from no more than two households .
For the past few weeks , Oregon has seen daily case counts surging at an “ alarming ” rate , threatening hospital capacity .
The Oregon Health Authority reported 781 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , raising the state ’ s total to 57,646 .
The death toll is 765 .

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - In March life in Oregon, and across the country, came to a screeching halt.
Restaurants only served meals in to-go bags. Long-term care facilities locked their doors in an effort to save their tenants. Playgrounds were childless and classrooms were operated through computer screens. Businesses hastily expanded their online stores and employees were sent home. The only crowds that could be seen were gathered outside grocery stores in lines stretching around the building.
During the summer and fall “Closed” signs began to be flipped back over to “Open.”
As COVID-19 cases surge across Oregon a slew of new restrictions are being implemented in the state, as part of a two-week freeze that begins Wednesday in and effort to halt social activities and slow the spread in transmission. Restaurants are once again being limited to take-out only and some businesses must lock their doors. This time, the lack of a federal economic backstop are leaving owners and employees apprehensive about their ability to survive the financial impact.
“We were already hearing from members they were concerned about what another shutdown would do to their chances of staying open,” said Jason Brandt, the president & CEO for the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. “This latest round of regulations focused on restaurants will trigger an unknown amount of permanent closures impacting the livelihoods of thousands of Oregon families.”
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic around 200 restaurants, or 2 percent, have permanently closed. Brandt said that number is likely significantly higher.
A month into Oregon’s March shutdown, an estimated 81% of Oregon restaurant workers had been laid off or furloughed - impacting 127,000 employees, according to a national survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association.
But this time around federal funds have dwindled and the pool of significant financial resources are arid.
“This is incredibly different than the last go around because we had the federal government to pass relief packages to prop up businesses,” Brandt said.
The Paycheck Protection Program, a key piece of the coronavirus relief legislation Congress approved in March, handed out more than $650 billion in loans and increased the survivability of businesses.
The program stopped taking applications in August.
A separate federal relief program that paid unemployed Americans an extra $600 per week has lapsed as well.
“Congress needs to act to help us,” Gov. Kate Brown said.
For weeks Brown has called on Congress to pass another COVID-19 relief package, which she said should immediately reinstitute the $600 supplemental benefit for unemployment and enhance federal employment compensation.
“We know very, very, clearly that the band-aid has been ripped off and that our historically underserved communities – our communities of color, our low income communities, our rural communities — have been disproportionately impacted,” Brown said.
Last week the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association sent a letter to the governor and lawmakers asking that $75 million of Oregon’s remaining CARES funds be used to create a Hospitality Relief Fund to help restaurants, bars, breweries, cideries, lodging properties and other hospitality related businesses.
In addition, following the announcement of new restrictions, officials from the Oregon Employment Department said they are preparing to increase its claims processing capacity with support from the National Guard. The department is also developing an option for impacted employers to submit employee information in bulk to minimize the need for employees to locate key information that may not be easily accessible.
Between the start of the pandemic and July more than 500,000 Oregonians had filed unemployment claims, causing major delays in people receiving funds - thousands of people waiting months for unemployment.
In July Oregon’s Legislature passed a $35 million million relief check program that could pay 70,000 Oregonians, still waiting for unemployment benefits, a one-time payment of $500.
In less than three days all the funds had been used.
Brandt said the upcoming freeze is likely “going to be the fight for small businesses’ lives.”
For months many Oregon restaurants have been operating at a limited capacity, 100 people, and had a curfew of 10 p.m.
Brandt said that since reopening, many restaurant owners have invested their money into creating outdoor dining structures and heating so they can operate in the winter.
Ezra Caraeff, who owns three bar-restaurants and one bar in Portland, said he has spent weeks retrofitting his establishment for outdoor dining in Oregon’s wet winter weather. During March, Ezra said he had to lay off 50 people. Since then he has rehired most of them.
“The hardest part last time was not closing down or washing my hands more, the hardest part was laying off 50 people,” he said. “So to have to do this again is hard to even think about.”
Caraeff said the latest closure order will be devastating for him and his employees.
“It’s difficult to comprehend it. It’s gonna be a blood bath. … We should shut down, I agree with shutting down, but is there rent relief? There’s not,” he said.
On Monday Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler urged Oregonians to buy local and support businesses.
“My ask of the public is, let’s support some of these restaurants,” he said. “Let’s show these restaurants some love because if we want them to be there on the other side of the COVID crisis, we’ve got to support them now.”
Oregon’s statewide two-week freeze begins Nov. 18 but for some counties, including Multnomah - Oregon’s most populous county and home to Portland - the freeze is expected to last longer.
On top of take-out only, grocery stores, pharmacies and retail stores are limited to a maximum capacity of 75%. Faith based organizations will also have their capacity reduced to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.
Gyms and fitness centers, museums, pools, sports courts, movie theaters, zoos, gardens, aquariums and venues will have to close their doors completely. All businesses will be required to close their offices to the public and mandate work-from-home “to the greatest extent possible.”
Lastly, both indoor and outdoor social get-togethers are limited to six people, total, from no more than two households.
For the past few weeks, Oregon has seen daily case counts surging at an “alarming” rate, threatening hospital capacity.
The Oregon Health Authority reported 781 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 on Monday, raising the state’s total to 57,646. The death toll is 765.


washingtontimes--2020-11-16--Maryland man sought in double shooting that killed one

ANNAPOLIS , Md .
( AP ) - A Maryland man is being sought in connection with a double shooting over the weekend which left one man dead and a second man wounded , police said Monday .
Anne Arundel County police said they had obtained an arrest warrant for Wilber Oswaldo Nunez-Menendez , 25 , by Sunday morning , the Capital Gazette reported .
They said evidence and witness interviews pointed to Nunez-Menendez , who is charged with murder , attempted murder , assault and related firearms charges .
Police said Ronal Alcidis Maldonado Quijada , 53 , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man killed in the shooting .
Police have not released the identity of the 28-year-old man injured in the incident .
Authorities said they consider Nunez-Menendez armed and dangerous .
Patrol officers and homicide detectives rushed to the 20th block of Brick Church Road around 7 p.m. Saturday after someone called 911 to report a shooting .
At the scene , police said they found Quijada suffering from at least one gunshot wound .
Paramedics pronounced him dead , and his body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause and manner of his death .

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A Maryland man is being sought in connection with a double shooting over the weekend which left one man dead and a second man wounded, police said Monday.
Anne Arundel County police said they had obtained an arrest warrant for Wilber Oswaldo Nunez-Menendez, 25, by Sunday morning, the Capital Gazette reported. They said evidence and witness interviews pointed to Nunez-Menendez, who is charged with murder, attempted murder, assault and related firearms charges.
Police said Ronal Alcidis Maldonado Quijada, 53, of Annapolis was identified by police as the man killed in the shooting. Police have not released the identity of the 28-year-old man injured in the incident. Authorities said they consider Nunez-Menendez armed and dangerous.
Patrol officers and homicide detectives rushed to the 20th block of Brick Church Road around 7 p.m. Saturday after someone called 911 to report a shooting. At the scene, police said they found Quijada suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Paramedics pronounced him dead, and his body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of his death.


washingtontimes--2020-11-16--Republican Burgess Owens defeats Utah congressman McAdams

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams of Utah narrowly lost his bid to win re-election against former NFL player Burgess Owens , allowing Republicans to regain control of all four congressional seats in the conservative state .
McAdams conceded in an online news conference Monday afternoon shortly before The Associated Press determined Owens had won the closely watched race in the suburban Salt Lake City congressional district .
Owens won by less than 1 % of the votes in a district that has seen razor-thin margins over the last decade .
McAdams acknowledged that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political philosophy .
But he said he will continue his work through the end of his term to ensure a smooth transition .
He also urged both Republicans and Democrats to come together and reconcile their differences so they can improve the country .
“ My campaign was centered around a rejection of extremism and the need for leaders who will put the needs of the people they represent before any political party , ” McAdams said .
“ I am deeply humbled by the support I received from so many Utahns who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that while we did not prevail , I remain committed to that ideal.
” Owens is a Republican who has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump .
The former NFL player helped the Oakland Raiders win the 1980 Super Bowl and later converted to the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , widely known as the Mormon church .
He is a frequent Fox News guest who has come under scrutiny for other media appearances linked to QAnon , a baseless conspiracy theory that has increasingly crept into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Owens doesn ’ t believe in the theory .
Trump congratulated Owens over the weekend , saying in a tweet : “ Great going Burgess , you continue to be a STAR !
” Owens took to Twitter Monday afternoon to thank McAdams and the people of Utah for the opportunity to serve .
“ I promise to be an open ear for all Utahns and to serve with all I have , ” Owens wrote .
“ Now , it ’ s time to get to work.
” During the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field by running to the right of his opponents .
He has disagreed with athletes kneeling during the national anthem in support of Black Lives Matter during appearances on Fox News .
The district was held until two years ago by Republican Mia Love , who was the first Black Republican woman elected to the U.S. House .
She was critical of Trump at times , including when he used an expletive to refer to her parents ’ home country of Haiti .
McAdams is a moderate and former mayor of Democratic-leaning Salt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so-called blue wave that won control of the U.S. House for the Democrats in 2018 , when he defeated Love by less than 700 votes .
He voted to impeach the president , a decision he stood behind Monday while saying he didn ’ t know how it might have affected the election .
“ What the president did was wrong and he needed to be held accountable for his actions that I think weakened our country and jeopardized our national security , ” McAdams said .
Eppolito is a corps member for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams of Utah narrowly lost his bid to win re-election against former NFL player Burgess Owens, allowing Republicans to regain control of all four congressional seats in the conservative state.
McAdams conceded in an online news conference Monday afternoon shortly before The Associated Press determined Owens had won the closely watched race in the suburban Salt Lake City congressional district.
Owens won by less than 1% of the votes in a district that has seen razor-thin margins over the last decade.
McAdams acknowledged that he and his opponent have differences in political philosophy. But he said he will continue his work through the end of his term to ensure a smooth transition. He also urged both Republicans and Democrats to come together and reconcile their differences so they can improve the country.
“My campaign was centered around a rejection of extremism and the need for leaders who will put the needs of the people they represent before any political party,” McAdams said. “I am deeply humbled by the support I received from so many Utahns who share that vision and want them to know that while we did not prevail, I remain committed to that ideal.”
Owens is a Republican who has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump. The former NFL player helped the Oakland Raiders win the 1980 Super Bowl and later converted to the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church.
He is a frequent Fox News guest who has come under scrutiny for other media appearances linked to QAnon, a baseless conspiracy theory that has increasingly crept into politics.
His spokesman Jesse Ranney has said Owens doesn’t believe in the theory.
Trump congratulated Owens over the weekend, saying in a tweet: “Great going Burgess, you continue to be a STAR! ”
Owens took to Twitter Monday afternoon to thank McAdams and the people of Utah for the opportunity to serve.
“I promise to be an open ear for all Utahns and to serve with all I have,” Owens wrote. “Now, it’s time to get to work.”
During the Republican primary, Owens handily won a crowded field by running to the right of his opponents. He has disagreed with athletes kneeling during the national anthem in support of Black Lives Matter during appearances on Fox News.
The district was held until two years ago by Republican Mia Love, who was the first Black Republican woman elected to the U.S. House. She was critical of Trump at times, including when he used an expletive to refer to her parents’ home country of Haiti.
McAdams is a moderate and former mayor of Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County who was part of the so-called blue wave that won control of the U.S. House for the Democrats in 2018, when he defeated Love by less than 700 votes.
He voted to impeach the president, a decision he stood behind Monday while saying he didn’t know how it might have affected the election.
“What the president did was wrong and he needed to be held accountable for his actions that I think weakened our country and jeopardized our national security,” McAdams said.
____
Eppolito 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--2020-11-16--State says problems with deer license system are cleared up

LANSING , Mich. ( AP ) - Problems with the system that produces Michigan deer hunting licenses have been resolved , the state said Monday .
The traditional two-week season began Sunday .
The Department of Natural Resources reported Saturday that the system was slow and canceling transactions on the eve of the big hunt .
The vendor , Tennessee-based Sovereign Sportsmen Solutions , cleared things up later that day , the DNR said .
“ The DNR wanted to ensure the vendor ’ s system was selling licenses without issue for 48 hours before making this announcement , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had hit the woods without a license still must obtain one .
The accompanying kill tag can ’ t be used to get another deer if a hunter was already successful , the DNR said .
m on the eve of the traditional two-week deer season .
There were “ unforeseen technical issues ” with the system provided by Tennessee-based Sovereign Sportsmen Solutions , the Department of Natural Resources said .
“ Some hunters may not have been able to purchase a base license and deer kill tags today .
The DNR is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues , which are occurring across several states , as quickly as possible , ” the state said .
Hunters still are required to buy a license online or from a retailer as soon as possible .
The DNR said it doesn ’ t have authority to waive the license requirement .
Kill tags with a hunter ’ s name and other details should be attached to the deer with “ materials they have on hand , ” the DNR said .

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Problems with the system that produces Michigan deer hunting licenses have been resolved, the state said Monday.
The traditional two-week season began Sunday. The Department of Natural Resources reported Saturday that the system was slow and canceling transactions on the eve of the big hunt.
The vendor, Tennessee-based Sovereign Sportsmen Solutions, cleared things up later that day, the DNR said.
“The DNR wanted to ensure the vendor’s system was selling licenses without issue for 48 hours before making this announcement,” the state said Monday.
Hunters who had hit the woods without a license still must obtain one. The accompanying kill tag can’t be used to get another deer if a hunter was already successful, the DNR said.
m on the eve of the traditional two-week deer season.
There were “unforeseen technical issues” with the system provided by Tennessee-based Sovereign Sportsmen Solutions, the Department of Natural Resources said.
“Some hunters may not have been able to purchase a base license and deer kill tags today. The DNR is working with the vendor to resolve these issues, which are occurring across several states, as quickly as possible,” the state said.
Hunters still are required to buy a license online or from a retailer as soon as possible. The DNR said it doesn’t have authority to waive the license requirement.
Kill tags with a hunter’s name and other details should be attached to the deer with “materials they have on hand,” the DNR said.
The firearm season begins Sunday.


washingtontimes--2020-11-16--Education Department investigating anti-Semitism at Illinois

URBANA , Ill. ( AP ) - Allegations of anti-Semitism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education , university officials said Monday .
Spokesman Robin Kaler said the Education Department ’ s Office for Civil Rights notified the university of the investigation on Friday .
Allegations filed with the department describe increased anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism at the university over the past five years .
The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law , located in Washington , filed the complaint in October along with Chicago-based Jewish United Fund and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the allegations are based on the experiences of two students at the university .
They point to the defacement of religious ornaments , depictions of swastikas drawn on campus property and tense interactions between Jewish students and a student group advocating for liberation and self-determination of the Palestinian people .
The university released a joint statement Monday with the organizations that filed the complaint condemning anti-Semitism .
“ We deplore anti-Semitic incidents on campus , including those that demonize or delegitimize Jewish and pro-Israel students or compare them to Nazis , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to double standards that are not applied to others .
All Jewish students , including those who identify with Israel or Jewish campus organizations , should be able to participate in campus activities aimed at fighting racism and achieving social justice.
” The university said that before the spring 2021 semester , it will create an advisory council on Jewish and campus life made up of students , faculty and alumni to work with the chancellor and other officials on the issue of anti-Semitism .

URBANA, Ill. (AP) - Allegations of anti-Semitism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education, university officials said Monday.
Spokesman Robin Kaler said the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights notified the university of the investigation on Friday. Allegations filed with the department describe increased anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism at the university over the past five years.
The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, located in Washington, filed the complaint in October along with Chicago-based Jewish United Fund and Hillel International.
The Chicago Tribune reports the allegations are based on the experiences of two students at the university. They point to the defacement of religious ornaments, depictions of swastikas drawn on campus property and tense interactions between Jewish students and a student group advocating for liberation and self-determination of the Palestinian people.
The university released a joint statement Monday with the organizations that filed the complaint condemning anti-Semitism.
“We deplore anti-Semitic incidents on campus, including those that demonize or delegitimize Jewish and pro-Israel students or compare them to Nazis,” said the statement. “This subjects them to double standards that are not applied to others. All Jewish students, including those who identify with Israel or Jewish campus organizations, should be able to participate in campus activities aimed at fighting racism and achieving social justice.”
The university said that before the spring 2021 semester, it will create an advisory council on Jewish and campus life made up of students, faculty and alumni to work with the chancellor and other officials on the issue of anti-Semitism.


washingtontimes--2020-11-16--Baltimore mayor vetoes renaming Christopher Columbus obelisk

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - Baltimore ‘ s mayor has vetoed a bill that would have rededicated a Christopher Columbus monument to victims of police violence , sharing concerns with the city ’ s police commissioner that the two-story-tall obelisk is too close to a separate monument honoring fallen officers .
Mayor Bernard C. “ Jack ” Young , a Democrat , expressed reservations about the bill in a letter to City Council President Brandon Scott dated Monday , The Baltimore Sun reported .
Scott is also a Democrat , as are all council members .
The newspaper said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried the monument that was set to be renamed was too close to another memorial honoring officers who died in the line of duty .
Harrison first questioned the location of the proposed monument , which is in the same section of a park as the memorial to the Baltimore officers .
“ I agree with the commissioner that both memorials are important , and that they should be places for reflection and remembrance , free of disruption and divisiveness , ” The Sun quoted Young ’ s letter as saying .
City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation , tweeted the letter Monday with a response .
“ If cops are saying that they don ’ t want a memorial for victims of police violence near a memorial for police , then it ’ s the cops sowing division , ” Dorsey wrote .
His proposal had called for the Columbus obelisk to be changed into the “ Victims of Police Violence Monument.
” The council approved the measure by an 11-4 vote in September .
The bill was drafted as communities and institutions in Maryland and around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many called for the removal of monuments considered to be symbols of inequality .
Some of the targeted items included Confederate monuments and memorials to other historical figures , such as Columbus .
This summer , a group of protesters in Baltimore toppled a different statue of the Italian explorer and tossed it into the city ’ s Inner Harbor .
Also on Monday , a bill changing the Columbus Day holiday to Indigenous Peoples ’ Day in Baltimore became law without Young ’ s signature , The Sun said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maryland ’ s largest city .

BALTIMORE (AP) - Baltimore’s mayor has vetoed a bill that would have rededicated a Christopher Columbus monument to victims of police violence, sharing concerns with the city’s police commissioner that the two-story-tall obelisk is too close to a separate monument honoring fallen officers.
Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young, a Democrat, expressed reservations about the bill in a letter to City Council President Brandon Scott dated Monday, The Baltimore Sun reported. Scott is also a Democrat, as are all council members.
The newspaper said that Young and Police Commissioner Michael Harrison were worried the monument that was set to be renamed was too close to another memorial honoring officers who died in the line of duty.
Harrison first questioned the location of the proposed monument, which is in the same section of a park as the memorial to the Baltimore officers.
“I agree with the commissioner that both memorials are important, and that they should be places for reflection and remembrance, free of disruption and divisiveness,” The Sun quoted Young’s letter as saying.
City Councilman Ryan Dorsey, who introduced the legislation, tweeted the letter Monday with a response.
“If cops are saying that they don’t want a memorial for victims of police violence near a memorial for police, then it’s the cops sowing division,” Dorsey wrote.
His proposal had called for the Columbus obelisk to be changed into the “Victims of Police Violence Monument.” The council approved the measure by an 11-4 vote in September.
The bill was drafted as communities and institutions in Maryland and around the world face calls to address racist legacies and as many called for the removal of monuments considered to be symbols of inequality. Some of the targeted items included Confederate monuments and memorials to other historical figures, such as Columbus.
This summer, a group of protesters in Baltimore toppled a different statue of the Italian explorer and tossed it into the city’s Inner Harbor.
Also on Monday, a bill changing the Columbus Day holiday to Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Baltimore became law without Young’s signature, The Sun said.
The law changes the holiday in Baltimore, Maryland’s largest city.