washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Protesters stage Operation Haircut in Michigan

The latest iteration of protests swirling around the Michigan capital Wednesday was aptly named Operation Haircut .
Amid widespread and often unpopular economic lockdowns , barbers and hairstylists stepped forward as improbable Minutemen in a swelling rebellion against government restrictions .
In Michigan , 77-year-old barber Karl Manke is the public face of the resistance to Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s ongoing economic shutdown to deal with COVID-19 .
On Wednesday , he got plenty of company wielding scissors , clippers and combs in civil disobedient revolt .
Among those joining him in the Lansing hair-cutting hair demonstration was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was briefly jailed for defying her state ’ s stay-at-home orders .
Other barbers and hairstylists are also railing against the extended lockdowns imposed and now being extended primarily by Democratic governors .
“ I ’ ve been tempted to reopen , but those people who have been defiant have been made examples of , ” said Alcides Franceschini , owner of the Consider It Done barbershop in south Philadelphia .
“ I have been in business since September 2000 , almost 20 years , and I don ’ t want them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barbers who never bothered to obtain state licenses now find themselves in a superior position , according to Mr. Franceschini .
“ They are flying under the radar ; they ’ re not on the books , so no one thinks to check on them , ” he told The Washington Times .
“ You can drive by , you can see them in there cutting hair , but they never get checked because they aren ’ t in the system.
” It was that sort of underground salon operation that contributed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local Texas authorities and reopen her salon , she said .
An open , regulated business can perform services in a more sanitary way during the pandemic than black market haircutters , she said .
Mr. Franceschini ’ s fears about losing his license are hardly fabricated .
Ms. Whitmer , a Democrat , did just that to Mr. Manke in an unannounced administrative hearing last week .
A state agency essentially “ made a complaint to itself , and then ruled in its own favor and summarily dismissed Karl ’ s license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kallman , Mr. Manke ’ s attorney .
County law enforcement officials declined to enforce Ms. Whitmer ’ s orders at Mr. Manke ’ s Owosso barbershop , and late Monday a state appeals court declined to grant the attorney general ’ s appeal of a county ruling against a state-imposed restraining order against Mr. Manke ’ s business .
He remained closed because his license was suspended .
The Republican-run legislature in Lansing also sued Ms. Whitmer in the Court of Claims , which has statewide jurisdiction .
The governor gained a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruled her actions are likely constitutional , which prompted the attorney general to ask the court to throw out the suit entirely .
While Operation Haircut happened without major incident Wednesday , state troopers demanded copies of the driver ’ s licenses of the two dozen hair cutters , dog groomers , masseuses and other business owners who were working at the state Capitol , according to Matthew Seely , a spokesman for the Michigan Conservative Coalition that helped organize the protest .
Mr. Manke set up shop atop the Capitol steps , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , waited patiently in social distanced lines .
An estimated 2,000 people attended the demonstration , which was a smaller turnout than at previous protests .
The attendance Wednesday could have been hurt by massive flooding across the middle of the state .
“ It ’ s a very peaceful , orderly demonstration , ” Mr. Seely said .
“ We assume they wanted the copies because they are going to try to strip all of them of their working licenses .
It ’ s heartbreaking , really .
It ’ s like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ridiculous.
” Still , protests by barbers and salon owners have drawn sharp criticism from pro-lockdown pundits .
A Philadelphia Inquirer report on Mr. Franceschini and his comrades called the demand for a haircut during the pandemic “ idiotic.
” Fumed CNN anchor Don Lemon : “ These people who want to get their hair cut — who the hell do they think they are ?
” Ms. Luther , Mr. Manke and Mr. Franceschini say they are defending their livelihood and the livelihood of their employees , who they said prefer working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seely distinguished the barbers ’ demonstration from the heavily armed protesters who have garnered much of the media attention .
“ Some of those bozos with the AR-15s showed up again today and we approached them and asked them to sort of go to the side of the steps and they did , which we appreciate , ” Mr. Seely said .
Ms. Whitmer has threatened to prolong the lockdown because of protests , which Mr. Seely called vindictive because the state ’ s overall number of coronavirus cases and deaths have declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to cutting hair , however , comes with a level of risk .
A barber in Kingston , New York , about 90 miles north of New York City , tested positive for COVID-19 last week after defying stay-at-home rules and cutting hair privately , according to health officials in Ulster County who are trying to track down the unidentified man ’ s customers .

The latest iteration of protests swirling around the Michigan capital Wednesday was aptly named Operation Haircut.
Amid widespread and often unpopular economic lockdowns, barbers and hairstylists stepped forward as improbable Minutemen in a swelling rebellion against government restrictions.
In Michigan, 77-year-old barber Karl Manke is the public face of the resistance to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s ongoing economic shutdown to deal with COVID-19. On Wednesday, he got plenty of company wielding scissors, clippers and combs in civil disobedient revolt.
Among those joining him in the Lansing hair-cutting hair demonstration was Texas hair salon owner Shelley Luther, who was briefly jailed for defying her state’s stay-at-home orders.
Other barbers and hairstylists are also railing against the extended lockdowns imposed and now being extended primarily by Democratic governors.
“I’ve been tempted to reopen, but those people who have been defiant have been made examples of,” said Alcides Franceschini, owner of the Consider It Done barbershop in south Philadelphia. “I have been in business since September 2000, almost 20 years, and I don’t want them to take away my license.”
Some barbers who never bothered to obtain state licenses now find themselves in a superior position, according to Mr. Franceschini.
“They are flying under the radar; they’re not on the books, so no one thinks to check on them,” he told The Washington Times. “You can drive by, you can see them in there cutting hair, but they never get checked because they aren’t in the system.”
It was that sort of underground salon operation that contributed to Ms. Luther’s decision to defy local Texas authorities and reopen her salon, she said. An open, regulated business can perform services in a more sanitary way during the pandemic than black market haircutters, she said.
Mr. Franceschini’s fears about losing his license are hardly fabricated. Ms. Whitmer, a Democrat, did just that to Mr. Manke in an unannounced administrative hearing last week.
A state agency essentially “made a complaint to itself, and then ruled in its own favor and summarily dismissed Karl’s license without any hearing,” said David Kallman, Mr. Manke’s attorney.
County law enforcement officials declined to enforce Ms. Whitmer’s orders at Mr. Manke’s Owosso barbershop, and late Monday a state appeals court declined to grant the attorney general’s appeal of a county ruling against a state-imposed restraining order against Mr. Manke’s business.
He remained closed because his license was suspended.
The Republican-run legislature in Lansing also sued Ms. Whitmer in the Court of Claims, which has statewide jurisdiction. The governor gained a victory there late Tuesday when a judge ruled her actions are likely constitutional, which prompted the attorney general to ask the court to throw out the suit entirely.
While Operation Haircut happened without major incident Wednesday, state troopers demanded copies of the driver’s licenses of the two dozen hair cutters, dog groomers, masseuses and other business owners who were working at the state Capitol, according to Matthew Seely, a spokesman for the Michigan Conservative Coalition that helped organize the protest.
Mr. Manke set up shop atop the Capitol steps, where customers, including two state lawmakers, waited patiently in social distanced lines.
An estimated 2,000 people attended the demonstration, which was a smaller turnout than at previous protests. The attendance Wednesday could have been hurt by massive flooding across the middle of the state.
“It’s a very peaceful, orderly demonstration,” Mr. Seely said. “We assume they wanted the copies because they are going to try to strip all of them of their working licenses. It’s heartbreaking, really. It’s like a police state, it’s ridiculous.”
Still, protests by barbers and salon owners have drawn sharp criticism from pro-lockdown pundits.
A Philadelphia Inquirer report on Mr. Franceschini and his comrades called the demand for a haircut during the pandemic “idiotic.”
Fumed CNN anchor Don Lemon: “These people who want to get their hair cut — who the hell do they think they are?”
Ms. Luther, Mr. Manke and Mr. Franceschini say they are defending their livelihood and the livelihood of their employees, who they said prefer working to applying for unemployment benefits.
Mr. Seely distinguished the barbers’ demonstration from the heavily armed protesters who have garnered much of the media attention.
“Some of those bozos with the AR-15s showed up again today and we approached them and asked them to sort of go to the side of the steps and they did, which we appreciate,” Mr. Seely said.
Ms. Whitmer has threatened to prolong the lockdown because of protests, which Mr. Seely called vindictive because the state’s overall number of coronavirus cases and deaths have declined in the past two weeks.
Getting back to cutting hair, however, comes with a level of risk.
A barber in Kingston, New York, about 90 miles north of New York City, tested positive for COVID-19 last week after defying stay-at-home rules and cutting hair privately, according to health officials in Ulster County who are trying to track down the unidentified man’s customers.
• James Varney can be reached at jvarney@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Alabama lawyer named to federal bench

Alabama lawyer named to federal bench

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - Alabama ’ s solicitor general has been nominated to serve as a judge @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump named Edmund G. LaCour Jr. to fill a vacancy on the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ District , The White House said in a news release Wednesday .
Before joining the @ @ @ @ @ Office in 2018 , LaCour was a partner in the Washington , D.C. , law @ @ @ @ @ , LLP , where he represented clients before the Supreme Court , courts of appeals @ @ @ @ @ LaCour is a summa cum laude graduate of Birmingham Southern College and earned his juris @ @ @ @ @ School .
The U.S. Senate must still confirm his nomination .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama’s solicitor general has been nominated to serve as a judge on the federal bench.
President Donald Trump named Edmund G. LaCour Jr. to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District, The White House said in a news release Wednesday.
Before joining the Alabama Attorney General’s Office in 2018, LaCour was a partner in the Washington, D.C., law office of Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, where he represented clients before the Supreme Court, courts of appeals, and trial courts.
LaCour is a summa cum laude graduate of Birmingham Southern College and earned his juris doctor degree from Yale Law School.
The U.S. Senate must still confirm his nomination.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Norma McCorvey, 'Jane Roe,' claim she was paid to oppose abortion is false, pro-life allies say

A former attorney for the late Norma McCorvey , the “ Jane Roe ” in the Supreme Court ’ s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision , denied as “ patently false ” her bombshell claim in an upcoming FX documentary that she was paid to lie about her pro-life conversion .
Allan Parker , who represented McCorvey from 2000 to 2005 in her efforts to reverse the ruling that made abortion a constitutional right , accused “ AKA Jane Roe ” producer Nick Sweeney of attempting to “ destroy the memory of Norma McCorvey , ” who died in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversations with Norma and considering the sworn testimony she provided to the Supreme Court , I believe the producers of the newly released FX documentary ‘ AKA Jane Roe ’ paid Norma , befriended her and then betrayed her , ” Mr. Parker said .
“ This documentary can not be trusted and the perception it attempts to create around my friend and former client , Norma , is patently false , ” he said .
In the documentary slated to air Friday , McCorvey gives what she calls a “ deathbed confession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from pro-choice icon to pro-life activist was an act , paid for by abortion foes like Operation Rescue .
Asked whether she was used by evangelicals as a “ trophy , ” she said in an interview from her nursing home , “ Of course.
” “ I was the big fish .
I think it was a mutual thing .
I took their money and they ’ d put me out in front of the cameras and tell me what to say .
That ’ s what I ’ d say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roe , ” according to The Los Angeles Times .
“ It was all an act .
I did it well , too .
I am a good actress.
” The documentary said she received more than $ 456,000 in “ benevolent gifts ” from pro-life groups , according to The Daily Beast .
In a statement , Operation Rescue President Troy Newman said the filmmakers “ should be ashamed that they took advantage of Norma in the vulnerable last days of her life , then released their spurious movie after she passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He said he knew McCorvey well , calling her a “ straightforward , down-to-earth woman who was witty and kind , ” adding that she lived for several months with him and his family at their home near Wichita , Kansas .
“ The FX movie does not portray the real Norma McCorvey , who I knew well and called my friend , ” Mr. Newman said .
“ I saw her in unguarded moments and can verify she was 100 % pro-life .
She spent more years trying to overturn Roe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-abortion activist.
” Mr. Newman accused Mr. Sweeney of using McCorvey to “ advance his own depraved , leftist , pro-abortion agenda .
Because of that , he simply has no credibility.
” Mr. Sweeney ’ s previous work includes “ Born in the Wrong Body , ” a 2015 series about transgender children and youth , and the 2016 television documentary “ Transgender Kids Camp.
” The New York and London-based filmmaker was also behind the 2014 documentary “ Secrets of Living Dolls , ” about “ the secretive world of female @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by squeezing into elaborate rubber second skins , ” according to the Internet Movie Database .
The Washington Times has reached out to FX Networks for comment .
Last month , FX aired “ Mrs .
America , ” a series starring Cate Blanchett about Equal Rights Amendment foe Phyllis Schlafly , who died in 2016 , that was decried by conservatives as a feminist hit job The McCorvey documentary also features evangelical clergyman Rob Schenck , a former pro-life advocate who came out in 2010 against banning abortion .
He accused Operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Mr. Newman denied .
“ Nothing could be further from the truth , ” said Mr. Newman .
“ Operation Rescue loved , respected , and protected Norma , even taking her in to our own families .
Rob has turned on those he once called friends and is now trying to hurt us .
It is very sad that his bitterness and confusion were also exploited by the filmmakers.
” Mr. Parker , founder of the Justice Foundation , said that McCorvey “ fought to the end of her life with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could muster to reverse Roe v. Wade , including asking the Supreme Court to hear her case again.
” McCorvey lived by all accounts a violent , hardscrabble life before becoming the lead plaintiff for pro-choice lawyers seeking to overturn the Texas abortion ban .
She gave varying accounts over the years about her pregnancy , at one point saying she was raped , then saying she wasn ’ t.The Jesuit magazine America called her the “ classic unreliable narrator , and those who have followed her story are not surprised that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her death.
” “ Does her history prove that she only pretended to be pro-life because of the money and fame it brought ?
Or does it prove that she was only pretending to be pro-choice because that , too , brought her attention and cash ?
” asked America ’ s Simcha Fisher .
“ I suspect the answer is : both , or neither .
”

A former attorney for the late Norma McCorvey, the “Jane Roe” in the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, denied as “patently false” her bombshell claim in an upcoming FX documentary that she was paid to lie about her pro-life conversion.
Allan Parker, who represented McCorvey from 2000 to 2005 in her efforts to reverse the ruling that made abortion a constitutional right, accused “AKA Jane Roe” producer Nick Sweeney of attempting to “destroy the memory of Norma McCorvey,” who died in 2017.
“In view of my many conversations with Norma and considering the sworn testimony she provided to the Supreme Court, I believe the producers of the newly released FX documentary ‘AKA Jane Roe’ paid Norma, befriended her and then betrayed her,” Mr. Parker said.
“This documentary cannot be trusted and the perception it attempts to create around my friend and former client, Norma, is patently false,” he said.
In the documentary slated to air Friday, McCorvey gives what she calls a “deathbed confession,” saying that her 1995 flip from pro-choice icon to pro-life activist was an act, paid for by abortion foes like Operation Rescue.
Asked whether she was used by evangelicals as a “trophy,” she said in an interview from her nursing home, “Of course.”
“I was the big fish. I think it was a mutual thing. I took their money and they’d put me out in front of the cameras and tell me what to say. That’s what I’d say,” she says in “AKA Jane Roe,” according to The Los Angeles Times. “It was all an act. I did it well, too. I am a good actress.”
The documentary said she received more than $456,000 in “benevolent gifts” from pro-life groups, according to The Daily Beast.
In a statement, Operation Rescue President Troy Newman said the filmmakers “should be ashamed that they took advantage of Norma in the vulnerable last days of her life, then released their spurious movie after she passed away when she could not defend herself.”
He said he knew McCorvey well, calling her a “straightforward, down-to-earth woman who was witty and kind,” adding that she lived for several months with him and his family at their home near Wichita, Kansas.
“The FX movie does not portray the real Norma McCorvey, who I knew well and called my friend,” Mr. Newman said. “I saw her in unguarded moments and can verify she was 100% pro-life. She spent more years trying to overturn Roe v. Wade than she spent as a pro-abortion activist.”
Mr. Newman accused Mr. Sweeney of using McCorvey to “advance his own depraved, leftist, pro-abortion agenda. Because of that, he simply has no credibility.”
Mr. Sweeney’s previous work includes “Born in the Wrong Body,” a 2015 series about transgender children and youth, and the 2016 television documentary “Transgender Kids Camp.”
The New York and London-based filmmaker was also behind the 2014 documentary “Secrets of Living Dolls,” about “the secretive world of female masking where men transform themselves into dolls by squeezing into elaborate rubber second skins,” according to the Internet Movie Database. The Washington Times has reached out to FX Networks for comment. Last month, FX aired “Mrs. America,” a series starring Cate Blanchett about Equal Rights Amendment foe Phyllis Schlafly, who died in 2016, that was decried by conservatives as a feminist hit job
The McCorvey documentary also features evangelical clergyman Rob Schenck, a former pro-life advocate who came out in 2010 against banning abortion. He accused Operation Rescue of taking advantage of McCorvey, which Mr. Newman denied.
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” said Mr. Newman. “Operation Rescue loved, respected, and protected Norma, even taking her in to our own families. Rob has turned on those he once called friends and is now trying to hurt us. It is very sad that his bitterness and confusion were also exploited by the filmmakers.”
Mr. Parker, founder of the Justice Foundation, said that McCorvey “fought to the end of her life with all of the power and effort she could muster to reverse Roe v. Wade, including asking the Supreme Court to hear her case again.”
McCorvey lived by all accounts a violent, hardscrabble life before becoming the lead plaintiff for pro-choice lawyers seeking to overturn the Texas abortion ban. She gave varying accounts over the years about her pregnancy, at one point saying she was raped, then saying she wasn’t.The Jesuit magazine America called her the “classic unreliable narrator, and those who have followed her story are not surprised that this new narrative is emerging three years after her death.”
“Does her history prove that she only pretended to be pro-life because of the money and fame it brought? Or does it prove that she was only pretending to be pro-choice because that, too, brought her attention and cash?” asked America’s Simcha Fisher. “I suspect the answer is: both, or neither.”
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--3 indicted in sex trafficking investigation

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - Three people have been indicted by a grand jury in connection to a @ @ @ @ @ .
Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill said Wednesday that Basukumbi Wamulumba was charged with @ @ @ @ @ , 10 counts of promoting prostitution 10 counts of compelling prostitution , kidnapping and tampering @ @ @ @ @ other charges .
Richelle Seamster was charged with two counts of compelling prostitution , two @ @ @ @ @ one count of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct .
Donte @ @ @ @ @ sex with a minor and sexual abuse .
Police arrested Seamster and Fuller Tuesday while @ @ @ @ @ in Portland .
It wasn ’ t immediately known if any of them have lawyers @ @ @ @ @ crimes occurred in 2019 and 2020 and involved a minor victim .
Underhill said the @ @ @ @

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Three people have been indicted by a grand jury in connection to a sex trafficking investigation in Portland.
Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill said Wednesday that Basukumbi Wamulumba was charged with 16 counts of sexual abuse, 10 counts of promoting prostitution 10 counts of compelling prostitution, kidnapping and tampering with a witness, among other charges.
Richelle Seamster was charged with two counts of compelling prostitution, two counts of promoting prostitution and one count of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct.
Donte Fuller is charged with purchasing sex with a minor and sexual abuse.
Police arrested Seamster and Fuller Tuesday while Wamulumba was arrested in March in Portland. It wasn’t immediately known if any of them have lawyers.
Court records say the crimes occurred in 2019 and 2020 and involved a minor victim.
Underhill said the investigation is ongoing.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Trump: Kansas governor doing 'fantastic job' on coronavirus

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly has received the kind of praise from President Donald Trump that Republicans in her home state of Kansas would love to hear about themselves .
Kelly met with the Republican president Wednesday in Washington to discuss the coronvirus pandemic , along with GOP Gov .
Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas .
Trump said , “ They ’ ve both done a fantastic job.
” Kelly said before leaving for Washington that she would discuss outbreaks in meatpacking plants , a major source of new cases in Kansas , and press Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help them cover revenue shortfalls tied to the nation ’ s economic slump .
A YouTube video of a session with reporters showed Trump touting his administration ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
As for Kelly , she remained quiet as Trump said she ’ d been on coronavirus calls with the White House and , “ I know she will speak her mind , and so will some of the others.
” “ If she was unhappy , she ’ d be letting you know it , ” Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal coronavirus effort “ really is not good enough ” as she expressed frustration over struggling to get testing supplies .
But she ’ s since praised the Trump administration for how it responded to outbreaks in meatpacking plants .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has received the kind of praise from President Donald Trump that Republicans in her home state of Kansas would love to hear about themselves.
Kelly met with the Republican president Wednesday in Washington to discuss the coronvirus pandemic, along with GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas.
Trump said, “They’ve both done a fantastic job.”
Kelly said before leaving for Washington that she would discuss outbreaks in meatpacking plants, a major source of new cases in Kansas, and press Trump to support direct aid to states to help them cover revenue shortfalls tied to the nation’s economic slump.
A YouTube video of a session with reporters showed Trump touting his administration’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
As for Kelly, she remained quiet as Trump said she’d been on coronavirus calls with the White House and, “I know she will speak her mind, and so will some of the others.”
“If she was unhappy, she’d be letting you know it,” Trump said.
In April, Kelly said the federal coronavirus effort “really is not good enough” as she expressed frustration over struggling to get testing supplies. But she’s since praised the Trump administration for how it responded to outbreaks in meatpacking plants.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Liberal coalition Win Justice retools strategies for voter turnout

The liberal coalition Win Justice sidelined its usual army of clipboard-wielding activists who swarm neighborhoods to register voters and build a get-out-the-vote database for 2020 .
The coronavirus crisis also put a crimp in the plans of political activists and advocacy groups across the political spectrum , with fundraising dried up by the economic lockdown and traditional voter contact strategies stifled by social distancing .
But political activists , by definition , are not easily deterred .
Win Justice ’ s network of activists from Planned Parenthood , Service Employees International Union and other left-wing groups this week retooled its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million effort emphasizing personalized mail and phone banks .
The Committee to Unleash Prosperity ’ s Stephen Moore said he estimated his income would drop 70 % this year because of canceled conferences and speaking engagements , and fewer economic consulting opportunities .
Mr. Moore , a member of President Trump ’ s task force to reopen the economy , said he is poised to weather the economic storm without hardship but he knows others in the policy-advocacy arena are not as fortunate .
“ The biggest problem for what we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poorer , ” Mr. Moore said .
“ I talk to donors and they say I just lost 30 % of my money in the stock market.
” The inability of activists to put boots on the ground nationwide has affected conservatives and liberals alike .
The Club for Growth said it hopes to resurrect its door-knocking campaigns if and when state and local officials allow it .
Club for Growth President David McIntosh said the biggest difference now than before the coronavirus shutdowns is that the group has focused more on digital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellowship program .
“ We ’ ve held a number of town halls with our friends including Sen. [ Ted ] Cruz , [ pollster ] Frank Luntz and more , and we ’ ve been getting great feedback , ” Mr. McIntosh said .
“ We are continuing to be very engaged with TV , cable , and digital ads and mail even with many primaries being pushed into the summer.
” Win Justice leaders said they want to do in-person field organizing if it is safe .
But in the meantime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newer digital tools for their campaigns in Florida , Minnesota , Nevada and Wisconsin .
“ We need to reach the communities who have been targeted and silenced by this administration and the people in power — from voters of color to immigrants , to young people , to women , ” said Planned Parenthood ’ s Jenny Lawson .
“ Enough is enough : While our country ’ s health care needs continue to rise in the face of a global pandemic , it ’ s time for the politicians who attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lose their jobs.
” The SEIU said it sees Win Justice as the beginning of its chance to fundamentally alter the American economy .
“ Workers and communities of color can ’ t afford to return to normal — we need to reject the inequality and economic pain that defines COVID but was present long before COVID , ” said Mary Kay Henry , SEIU international president .
“ That ’ s what this election is about .
Win Justice is the first step toward a better future where we rewrite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers ’ power , and reinvest in communities .
”

The liberal coalition Win Justice sidelined its usual army of clipboard-wielding activists who swarm neighborhoods to register voters and build a get-out-the-vote database for 2020.
The coronavirus crisis also put a crimp in the plans of political activists and advocacy groups across the political spectrum, with fundraising dried up by the economic lockdown and traditional voter contact strategies stifled by social distancing.
But political activists, by definition, are not easily deterred.
Win Justice’s network of activists from Planned Parenthood, Service Employees International Union and other left-wing groups this week retooled its voter turnout operation into a $30 million effort emphasizing personalized mail and phone banks.
The Committee to Unleash Prosperity’s Stephen Moore said he estimated his income would drop 70% this year because of canceled conferences and speaking engagements, and fewer economic consulting opportunities.
Mr. Moore, a member of President Trump’s task force to reopen the economy, said he is poised to weather the economic storm without hardship but he knows others in the policy-advocacy arena are not as fortunate.
“The biggest problem for what we’re doing now frankly is everybody’s poorer,” Mr. Moore said. “I talk to donors and they say I just lost 30% of my money in the stock market.”
The inability of activists to put boots on the ground nationwide has affected conservatives and liberals alike. The Club for Growth said it hopes to resurrect its door-knocking campaigns if and when state and local officials allow it.
Club for Growth President David McIntosh said the biggest difference now than before the coronavirus shutdowns is that the group has focused more on digital engagement with its members and its new fellowship program.
“We’ve held a number of town halls with our friends including Sen. [Ted] Cruz, [pollster] Frank Luntz and more, and we’ve been getting great feedback,” Mr. McIntosh said. “We are continuing to be very engaged with TV, cable, and digital ads and mail even with many primaries being pushed into the summer.”
Win Justice leaders said they want to do in-person field organizing if it is safe. But in the meantime, they are combining traditional methods with newer digital tools for their campaigns in Florida, Minnesota, Nevada and Wisconsin.
“We need to reach the communities who have been targeted and silenced by this administration and the people in power — from voters of color to immigrants, to young people, to women,” said Planned Parenthood’s Jenny Lawson. “Enough is enough: While our country’s health care needs continue to rise in the face of a global pandemic, it’s time for the politicians who attack our health care and our reproductive rights to lose their jobs.”
The SEIU said it sees Win Justice as the beginning of its chance to fundamentally alter the American economy.
“Workers and communities of color can’t afford to return to normal — we need to reject the inequality and economic pain that defines COVID but was present long before COVID,” said Mary Kay Henry, SEIU international president. “That’s what this election is about. Win Justice is the first step toward a better future where we rewrite the rules, rebuild the economy based on workers’ power, and reinvest in communities.”
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Trump cancels border wall section over rising costs

The Trump administration told a federal court Wednesday that it has canceled a portion of border wall it had planned to build near Yuma , Arizona , saying costs for other parts of the wall are coming in higher than anticipated and there ’ s not enough money to go around .
The Army Corps of Engineers , which is handling construction for Homeland Security , blamed “ difficult terrain ” at some locations for hiking the cost .
Brigadier General Glenn A. Goddard revealed the change in plans to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump ’ s attempt to use Pentagon money to build the wall .
The canceled section was to be build along several miles of the Colorado river just before it reaches the U.S.-Mexico border .
The wall would have be erected on land belonging to the Cocopah Indian Reservation .
“ Due to the difficult terrain at some of the approved project locations , contractor pricing for certain projects and segments approved by the secretary of Defense on February 13 , 2020 , was higher than expected , ” Gen. Goddard told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned to use some of the $ 3.831 billion in money Mr. Trump ordered siphoned away from other Pentagon accounts and toward wall building this year .
He made the move after Congress refused to approve his full wall request in the fiscal year 2020 spending agreement .
Gen. Goddard didn ’ t say which other sections of wall were coming in higher than anticipated .
The Washington Times last month that Customs and Border Protection had reduced the overall vision of wall construction by 22 miles because the cost was coming in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being assigned .
The current vision calls for 731 miles to be constructed from the money Congress has appropriated , combined with what Mr. Trump has siphoned from other accounts .
That ’ s down from the 753 miles CBP had predicted earlier this year .
At 731 miles , it would still be by far the largest wall-building project in U.S. history , outstripping construction of all previous presidents combined .

The Trump administration told a federal court Wednesday that it has canceled a portion of border wall it had planned to build near Yuma, Arizona, saying costs for other parts of the wall are coming in higher than anticipated and there’s not enough money to go around.
The Army Corps of Engineers, which is handling construction for Homeland Security, blamed “difficult terrain” at some locations for hiking the cost.
Brigadier General Glenn A. Goddard revealed the change in plans to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, which is handling two lawsuits challenging President Trump’s attempt to use Pentagon money to build the wall.
The canceled section was to be build along several miles of the Colorado river just before it reaches the U.S.-Mexico border. The wall would have be erected on land belonging to the Cocopah Indian Reservation.
“Due to the difficult terrain at some of the approved project locations, contractor pricing for certain projects and segments approved by the secretary of Defense on February 13, 2020, was higher than expected,” Gen. Goddard told the court.
The Army Corps had planned to use some of the $3.831 billion in money Mr. Trump ordered siphoned away from other Pentagon accounts and toward wall building this year. He made the move after Congress refused to approve his full wall request in the fiscal year 2020 spending agreement.
Gen. Goddard didn’t say which other sections of wall were coming in higher than anticipated.
The Washington Times last month that Customs and Border Protection had reduced the overall vision of wall construction by 22 miles because the cost was coming in higher than anticipated now that specific projects are being assigned.
The current vision calls for 731 miles to be constructed from the money Congress has appropriated, combined with what Mr. Trump has siphoned from other accounts. That’s down from the 753 miles CBP had predicted earlier this year.
At 731 miles, it would still be by far the largest wall-building project in U.S. history, outstripping construction of all previous presidents combined.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-20--Protest against virus restrictions held at Montana Capitol

HELENA , Mont .
( AP ) - Armed demonstrators were among a group gathered at the Montana Capitol to @ @ @ @ @ s response to the coronavirus .
About 60 protesters convened outside the Capitol building in @ @ @ @ @ Record reported .
Some demonstrators carried guns and others held signs , including many that @ @ @ @ @ Bullock .
Bullock enacted travel restrictions and a stay-at-home order March 28 in response to @ @ @ @ @ Bullock lifted the stay-at-home order for individuals April 26 and for many nonessential businesses April @ @ @ @ @ phased reopening plan , while keeping some social distancing requirements in place .
For most @ @ @ @ @ causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in @ @ @ @ @ For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can @ @ @ @ @ including pneumonia and death .
The vast majority of people recover .

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Armed demonstrators were among a group gathered at the Montana Capitol to protest the state government’s response to the coronavirus.
About 60 protesters convened outside the Capitol building in Helena Wednesday, The Independent Record reported.
Some demonstrators carried guns and others held signs, including many that referenced Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock.
Bullock enacted travel restrictions and a stay-at-home order March 28 in response to the spread of COVID-19.
Bullock lifted the stay-at-home order for individuals April 26 and for many nonessential businesses April 27 as part of a phased reopening plan, while keeping some social distancing requirements in place.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Man who shot, wounded Cleveland cop gets 19-year sentence

CLEVELAND ( AP ) - A man who shot and injured a Cleveland police officer with an assault-type rifle while @ @ @ @ @ a call is now headed to prison .
Jonathan Chambers received a 19-year sentence on @ @ @ @ @ guilty in February to three counts of attempted murder .
Authorities have said Chambers , @ @ @ @ @ in the neck while the man was sitting in a car in November 2018 and @ @ @ @ @ Shane McNea in both legs when McNea and another officer arrived to investigate .
The @ @ @ @ @ .
The first man was shot in the neck and survived , while McNea underwent @ @ @ @ @ the scene on foot after shooting McNea but was captured later that day .

CLEVELAND (AP) - A man who shot and injured a Cleveland police officer with an assault-type rifle while the officer was responding to a call is now headed to prison.
Jonathan Chambers received a 19-year sentence on Wednesday. He had pleaded guilty in February to three counts of attempted murder.
Authorities have said Chambers, 32, shot a man in the neck while the man was sitting in a car in November 2018 and then shot 28-year-old police officer Shane McNea in both legs when McNea and another officer arrived to investigate. The other officer was not injured.
The first man was shot in the neck and survived, while McNea underwent emergency surgery.
Chambers fled the scene on foot after shooting McNea but was captured later that day.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Brightline suspends South Florida train service for months

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. ( AP ) - A high speed train service that operates between Miami and West Palm @ @ @ @ @ suspending service “ for the coming months ” because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Virgin @ @ @ @ @ formerly known as Brightline , made an announcement on its social media platforms .
The @ @ @ @ @ service might resume .
“ Due to CDC social distancing guidelines , mandated work-from-home policies @ @ @ @ @ is expected to take a long period of time for service demand to return to @ @ @ @ @ Twitter post said .
The company said it is continuing construction of a West Palm @ @ @ @ @ It is also moving forward with planned stations at the Port of Miami , Aventura @ @ @ @ @ tweet said .
The train service also has a station in Fort Lauderdale .

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - A high speed train service that operates between Miami and West Palm Beach announced Wednesday it is suspending service “for the coming months” because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Virgin Trains USA, which was formerly known as Brightline, made an announcement on its social media platforms. The company did not say when service might resume.
“Due to CDC social distancing guidelines, mandated work-from-home policies and other considerations, it is expected to take a long period of time for service demand to return to pre-virus levels,” a Twitter post said.
The company said it is continuing construction of a West Palm Beach to Orlando route. It is also moving forward with planned stations at the Port of Miami, Aventura and Boca Raton, the tweet said.
The train service also has a station in Fort Lauderdale.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--COVID-19 testing bungled at St. Paul nursing home

ST. PAUL , Minn. ( AP ) - State health officials are apologizing for bungled COVID-19 testing at a St. Paul nursing home done by a Minnesota National Guard unit this week .
Test samples from 300 residents and staff members at the Episcopal Church Home were ruined because they were not stored in coolers while being transported to labs at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester .
The guard unit was deployed to the nursing home Monday as part of the state ’ s effort to ramp up testing at long-term care facilities .
Because there weren ’ t enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state health official allowed oral swabs to be used , which caused pain and bloody noses for some who were tested , the Star Tribune reported .
An elder care advocate said the incident raises serious questions about whether Minnesota can effectively carry out widespread testing .
“ This just further erodes any trust that we have had in the Department of Health , ” said Kris Sundberg , executive director of Elder Voice Family Advocates .
“ I think we have a long way to go to really have the clearly thought-out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( widespread ) testing.
” The National Guard referred questions to the Department of Health .

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - State health officials are apologizing for bungled COVID-19 testing at a St. Paul nursing home done by a Minnesota National Guard unit this week.
Test samples from 300 residents and staff members at the Episcopal Church Home were ruined because they were not stored in coolers while being transported to labs at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
The guard unit was deployed to the nursing home Monday as part of the state’s effort to ramp up testing at long-term care facilities.
Because there weren’t enough nasal swabs for the tests, a state health official allowed oral swabs to be used, which caused pain and bloody noses for some who were tested, the Star Tribune reported.
An elder care advocate said the incident raises serious questions about whether Minnesota can effectively carry out widespread testing.
“This just further erodes any trust that we have had in the Department of Health,” said Kris Sundberg, executive director of Elder Voice Family Advocates. “I think we have a long way to go to really have the clearly thought-out protocols we need in order to do (widespread) testing.”
The National Guard referred questions to the Department of Health.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--CDC now says COVID-19 'does not spread easily' on surfaces, objects

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its guidance on surfaces , saying the new coronavirus “ does not @ @ @ @ @ touching surfaces or objects , ” according to multiple reports on Wednesday .
The federal @ @ @ @ @ March initially warned “ it may be possible ” to spread the coronavirus on surfaces @ @ @ @ @ — two months later — the website has been updated , classifying surfaces under a @ @ @ @ @ not easily spread .
The CDC also notes COVID-19 , the disease caused by the @ @ @ @ @ transmitted between humans and animals .
“ COVID-19 is a new disease and we are @ @ @ @ @ spreads .
It may be possible for COVID-19 to spread in other ways , but @ @ @ @ @ be the main ways the virus spreads , ” the agency ’ s website reads @ @ @ @ @ the virus can spread easily between people who are within 6 feet of one another @ @ @ @ @ or talking .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its guidance on surfaces, saying the new coronavirus “does not spread easily” by “touching surfaces or objects,” according to multiple reports on Wednesday.
The federal agency’s website in March initially warned “it may be possible” to spread the coronavirus on surfaces and objects, but now — two months later — the website has been updated, classifying surfaces under a category where the virus does not easily spread.
The CDC also notes COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, is not easily transmitted between humans and animals.
“COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning about how it spreads. It may be possible for COVID-19 to spread in other ways, but these are not thought to be the main ways the virus spreads,” the agency’s website reads.
The website warns people the virus can spread easily between people who are within 6 feet of one another through respiratory droplets from sneezing or talking.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Latest Ohio reopenings include indoor dining, campgrounds

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) - After being abruptly shut down nearly two months ago to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , Ohio restaurants are set to offer indoor dining again Thursday .
Campgrounds are also reopening .
Horse racing begins again Friday , but without spectators .
Restaurants that allow diners inside must provide proper social distancing and other safety measures .
The Ohio Restaurant Association says seven in 10 restaurants plan to reopen Thursday or soon after .
Restaurants could offer outdoor dining beginning May 15 , which led to some scenes of overcrowded patios in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Mike DeWine that police officers and health investigators will be making safety checks as part of beefed up enforcement teams .
Bar owners could wind up in court or lose their liquor licenses if they don ’ t take steps to control their customers , DeWine warned .
Gyms and fitness centers reopen May 26 following a March 22 order shutting them down as nonessential businesses .
On Wednesday , a Lake County judge called that order by Health Director Dr. Amy Acton “ arbitrary , unreasonable and oppressive.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northeastern Ohio county .
The number of confirmed and probable deaths associated with the coronavirus in Ohio has reached 1,789 , state health officials said .
The Ohio Department of Health said that 61 new deaths were reported in the past day and that overall there have been a total of 5,100 hospitalizations .
Health officials said there were nearly 29,500 cases considered either confirmed or probable .
For most people , the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in a couple of weeks .
Older adults and people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more severe illness , including pneumonia , or death .

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Nursing home residents continue to make up the vast majority of coronavirus-related deaths in Ohio, according to new Department of Health statistics.
At least 1,246 residents of Ohio’s long-term care facilities have died as of Wednesday from the virus, or about 70% of the total COVID-19 deaths statewide, the data show.
As nursing home fatalities continue to rise, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has promised a plan to ramp up testing in long-term care facilities, including the deployment of 14 teams of Ohio National Guard members to assist with the testing.
The nursing home death toll includes 877 reported since mid-April in facilities identified in 38 counties. Those are on top of the deaths of 369 residents who died earlier when Ohio recorded only whether an individual had been in a nursing home.
The state says 14 National Guard teams of 10 members each will assist the Health Department with testing, with teams consisting of medically qualified Ohio Air and Army guard personnel including medics and nurses.
Nationally, outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities have claimed more then 32,000 lives, according to a count by The Associated Press.
Last week, the White House strongly recommended to governors that all residents and staff at long-term care facilities be tested for the coronavirus in the next two weeks. DeWine said then that it was unlikely in Ohio, arguing the state had a responsible plan without widespread testing.
Meanwhile, the state reported Thursday that more than 1.2 million people filed unemployment claims in the past nine weeks as Ohio’s stay-at-home order depressed the economy and led to widespread layoffs.
For the week ending May 16, just over 46,000 people filed jobless claims, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. That’s down from the approximately 51,000 claims filed the previous week.
The numbers announced Thursday pushed total unemployment claims during the coronavirus pandemic to 1,215,756, above the total number of claims over the past three years. The state says it has now distributed more than $2.8 billion in unemployment checks to more than 619,000 claimants.
Nationally, more than 2.4 million people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week.
The unemployment numbers were released as Ohio restaurants were set to offer indoor dining again Thursday after a two-month shutdown. Campgrounds are also reopening.
Horse racing begins again Friday, but without spectators.
Restaurants that allow diners inside must provide proper social distancing and other safety measures. The Ohio Restaurant Association says seven in 10 restaurants plan to reopen Thursday or soon after.
Restaurants could offer outdoor dining beginning May 15, which led to some scenes of overcrowded patios in cities around Ohio and a warning from Gov. Mike DeWine that police officers and health investigators will be making safety checks as part of beefed up enforcement teams.
Bar owners could wind up in court or lose their liquor licenses if they don’t take steps to control their customers, DeWine warned.
Gyms and fitness centers reopen May 26 following a March 22 order shutting them down as nonessential businesses. On Wednesday, a Lake County judge called that order by Health Director Dr. Amy Acton “arbitrary, unreasonable and oppressive.”
The ruling applies only to gyms in that northeastern Ohio county.
___
LATEST CASES
The number of confirmed and probable deaths associated with the coronavirus in Ohio has reached 1,789, state health officials said.
The Ohio Department of Health said that 61 new deaths were reported in the past day and that overall there have been a total of 5,100 hospitalizations.
Health officials said there were nearly 29,500 cases considered either confirmed or probable.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in a couple of weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems are at higher risk of more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.
___
Sewer reported from Toledo.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Shooting in Milwaukee park leaves teen critically wounded

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - A shooting on the basketball courts of a Milwaukee park has left a teenager critically @ @ @ @ @ ’ s officials said the shooting happened just after 5 p.m. Wednesday at Dineen Park @ @ @ @ @ and Milwaukee police responded to 911 calls and found a 17-year-old boy with a gunshot @ @ @ @ @ were about 20 people in the area at the time .
The shooter has not @ @ @

MILWAUKEE (AP) - A shooting on the basketball courts of a Milwaukee park has left a teenager critically wounded.
Milwaukee County sheriff’s officials said the shooting happened just after 5 p.m. Wednesday at Dineen Park.
Sheriff’s deputies and Milwaukee police responded to 911 calls and found a 17-year-old boy with a gunshot wound.
Authorities say there were about 20 people in the area at the time. The shooter has not been arrested.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--China kicks off key political event delayed by coronavirus pandemic

BEIJING ( AP ) — China began its most important political event of the year on Thursday after a two-month delay because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The opening of the annual session of the Chinese People ’ s Political Consultative Conference is a further sign of what the government says is its victory over the outbreak that originated in the central city of Wuhan late last year .
Conference members would “ tell the world about how China , as a responsible major country , has taken firm action and contributed to international cooperation in the fight against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in his report to more than 2,000 delegates in attendance .
Rank-and-file members gathered in the vast auditorium inside the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing wore masks .
Other top officials , including Wang and president and leader of the ruling Communist Party , Xi Jinping , did not .
The session will be followed Friday by the opening of the National People ’ s Congress , the ceremonial parliament .
Premier Li Keqiang is to deliver a keynote speech outlining economic and social goals for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will issue the usual gross domestic product growth target for the world ’ s second-largest economy .
Given the economic devastation caused by the pandemic , the targeted GDP will likely be considerably lower than last year ’ s 6.0 % to 6.5 % .
Tens of millions of Chinese have been thrown out of work and it ’ s unclear how many jobs will return after the crisis passes .
Not only have domestic production and demand been hammered , but China ’ s key export markets such as the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losses and drops in consumption .
This year ’ s meeting of the two bodies is being shortened to one week from the usual two as part of virus-control measures .
Media access has also been largely reduced and only a limited number of reporters , diplomats and observers were permitted into the meeting hall .
Backed by massive state propaganda support , Xi has received plaudits at home for having contained the virus , even while the U.S. and others question China ’ s handling of the initial outbreak .
The Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Xi in his confrontational approach to foreign policy challenges , including criticisms from the U.S. , Australia and others .
Abroad , however , that policy has further bolstered concerns about China ’ s intentions , and the Trump administration has increasingly pressed China over trade , technology and other issues .
That may ultimately add to Xi ’ s difficulties in reviving economic growth and jobs at a time when global markets are partly shut and skepticism toward China runs high .

BEIJING (AP) — China began its most important political event of the year on Thursday after a two-month delay because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The opening of the annual session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference is a further sign of what the government says is its victory over the outbreak that originated in the central city of Wuhan late last year.
Conference members would “tell the world about how China, as a responsible major country, has taken firm action and contributed to international cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic,” Chair Wang Yang said in his report to more than 2,000 delegates in attendance.
Rank-and-file members gathered in the vast auditorium inside the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing wore masks. Other top officials, including Wang and president and leader of the ruling Communist Party, Xi Jinping, did not.
The session will be followed Friday by the opening of the National People’s Congress, the ceremonial parliament. Premier Li Keqiang is to deliver a keynote speech outlining economic and social goals for the year.
It remains unclear whether Li will issue the usual gross domestic product growth target for the world’s second-largest economy. Given the economic devastation caused by the pandemic, the targeted GDP will likely be considerably lower than last year’s 6.0% to 6.5%.
Tens of millions of Chinese have been thrown out of work and it’s unclear how many jobs will return after the crisis passes. Not only have domestic production and demand been hammered, but China’s key export markets such as the United States and Europe have also suffered massive job losses and drops in consumption.
This year’s meeting of the two bodies is being shortened to one week from the usual two as part of virus-control measures. Media access has also been largely reduced and only a limited number of reporters, diplomats and observers were permitted into the meeting hall.
Backed by massive state propaganda support, Xi has received plaudits at home for having contained the virus, even while the U.S. and others question China’s handling of the initial outbreak.
The Chinese public is also largely seen as backing Xi in his confrontational approach to foreign policy challenges, including criticisms from the U.S., Australia and others.
Abroad, however, that policy has further bolstered concerns about China’s intentions, and the Trump administration has increasingly pressed China over trade, technology and other issues. That may ultimately add to Xi’s difficulties in reviving economic growth and jobs at a time when global markets are partly shut and skepticism toward China runs high.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Capital Senior Living: 1Q Earnings Snapshot

DALLAS ( AP ) _ Capital Senior Living Corp. ( CSU ) on Thursday reported a loss of $ 48.4 @ @ @ @ @ .
The Dallas-based company said it had a loss of $ 1.59 per share .
@ @ @ @ @ costs , came to 72 cents per share .
The operator of senior living communities @ @ @ @ @ million in the period .
The company ’ s shares closed at 63 cents .
@ @ @ @ @ were trading at $ 4.01 .
This story was generated by Automated Insights ( http @ @ @ @ @ from Zacks Investment Research .
Access a Zacks stock report on CSU at https : @

DALLAS (AP) _ Capital Senior Living Corp. (CSU) on Thursday reported a loss of $48.4 million in its first quarter.
The Dallas-based company said it had a loss of $1.59 per share. Losses, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to 72 cents per share.
The operator of senior living communities posted revenue of $106.1 million in the period.
The company’s shares closed at 63 cents. A year ago, they were trading at $4.01.
_____
This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on CSU at https://www.zacks.com/ap/CSU


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--'We're expendable': Russian doctors face hostility, mistrust

MOSCOW ( AP ) — There are no daily public displays of gratitude for Russian doctors and nurses during the coronavirus crisis like there are in the West .
Instead of applause , they face mistrust , low pay and even open hostility .
Residents near the National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology , a Moscow hospital now treating virus patients , complained when they saw medical workers walking out of the building in full protective gear , fearing the workers would spread contagion .
“ Maybe once the disease knocks on the door of every family , then the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Dr. Alexander Gadzyra , a surgeon who works exhausting shifts .
The outbreak has put enormous pressure on Russia ’ s medical community .
While state media hails some of them as heroes , doctors and nurses interviewed by The Associated Press say they are fighting both the virus and a system that fails to support them .
They have decried shortages of protective equipment , and many say they have been threatened with dismissal or even prosecution for going public with their complaints .
Some have quit and a few are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials insist the shortages are isolated and not widespread .
Antipathy toward the medical profession is widespread in Russia , said social anthropologist Alexandra Arkhipova , who studies social media posts peddling virus conspiracy theories .
More than 100 theories she studied say doctors diagnose COVID-19 cases so they can get more money ; others say they help the government cover up the outbreak .
“ It ’ s a crisis of trust that the epidemic underscored , ” she said .
“ I haven ’ t seen this attitude anywhere else.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low in Russia , according to opinion polls , and most of its hospitals are state-run .
Russia is struggling in the pandemic , with over 300,000 infections and 2,972 deaths .
The government has disputed critics who have questioned the relatively low number of fatalities .
Official statements and news reports in more than 70 Russian regions show that at least 9,479 medical workers have been infected with the virus in the past month , and more than 70 have died .
Health care workers believe the death toll to be much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more than 250 .
Dr. Irina Vaskyanina said at least 40 workers are infected at a hospital in Reutov , outside Moscow , where she headed a department handling blood transfusions .
She also said insults and threats from superiors became common after she complained about working conditions to her bosses , to law enforcement and even to President Vladimir Putin .
“ I handed in my notice , ” Vaskyanina said .
“ They ’ re not letting me do my job .
I love my job and I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t go on like this.
” She said 13 of her 14 colleagues have also quit .
Dr. Tatyana Revva , an intensive care specialist in the town of Kalach-on-Don , was summoned by police for questioning and slapped with disciplinary action after recording a video about equipment shortages .
The hospital ’ s head reported her to a prosecutor for “ spreading false information ” — an offense punishable by fines of up to $ 25,000 or a prison term .
“ I am one reprimand away from being fired , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kumeiko , head of Revva ’ s hospital , rejected the claims .
He told the AP there were no shortages of protective equipment in the hospital , and said he had no intention of firing Revva .
Disciplinary action against her was justified , he said , and “ had nothing to do with her public activity.
” “ I don ’ t understand why they treat us like we ’ re expendable , ” said Nina Rogova , a nurse in the Vladimir region 200 kilometers ( 120 miles ) east @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus after getting it at work and she says she is being threatened with dismissal after she told local media about a lack of protective gear .
Doctors in the southern region of Chechnya who complained about equipment shortages later had to retract their statements as a “ mistake ” and apologize on TV .
The predominantly Muslim region ’ s leader , Ramzan Kadyrov , has a reputation for stifling dissent , and he has demanded they be fired .
Adding to the frustration is pay .
Health workers say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promised them for working with coronavirus patients .
In early April , Putin personally promised generous bonuses to monthly salaries — about $ 1,100 for doctors , $ 680 for nurses and paramedics , and $ 340 for orderlies .
A month later , social media was filled with photos of pay slips reflecting bonuses from 10 to 100 times smaller than promised .
Dr. Yevgeniya Bogatyryova , a Moscow-area paramedic , told AP the April bonuses varied from $ 2 to $ 120 .
“ They ’ re calculating the time ambulance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay by the hour , apparently , ” Bogatyryova said .
More than 110,000 people signed an online petition demanding the government keep its promise .
Dozens of paramedics protested in the Nizhny Novgorod region 400 kilometers ( 240 miles ) east of Moscow , and scores more from Siberia to southern Russia made videos demanding the bonuses .
“ Whoever we ask in our management , our superiors , they say , ‘ Putin promised you ( bonuses ) , so Putin should pay you , ’ ” Natalia Salomatova , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Chita , told the AP .
April bonuses for her colleagues ranged from the equivalent of 41 cents to $ 6.86 .
Salomatova herself didn ’ t receive any .
Only after Putin went on TV twice last week and angrily demanded that officials pay what was promised did medical workers in some regions start getting the payments .
“ Makes you wonder : Who should we protect the medics from , the infection or the administrators ?
” said Arkhipova , the social anthropologist .
Russia ’ s Health Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comment .
Reports of health care workers resigning are surfacing .
Over 300 quit in the western Kaliningrad region two weeks ago , dozens of paramedics reportedly resigned in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk in May and 40 workers gave notice at a hospital in the Vladimir region .
That could further cripple Russia ’ s health care system , already impaired by a widely criticized reform that closed half of its 10,000 hospitals in 20 years , with thousands of layoffs .
In December , Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it significantly affected the quality and the accessibility of health care .
“ Now we ’ re facing the threat of a complete destruction of the medical community , ” said Semyon Galperin , head of the Doctors Defense League rights group .

MOSCOW (AP) — There are no daily public displays of gratitude for Russian doctors and nurses during the coronavirus crisis like there are in the West. Instead of applause, they face mistrust, low pay and even open hostility.
Residents near the National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology, a Moscow hospital now treating virus patients, complained when they saw medical workers walking out of the building in full protective gear, fearing the workers would spread contagion.
“Maybe once the disease knocks on the door of every family, then the attitude to medics will change,” said Dr. Alexander Gadzyra, a surgeon who works exhausting shifts.
The outbreak has put enormous pressure on Russia’s medical community. While state media hails some of them as heroes, doctors and nurses interviewed by The Associated Press say they are fighting both the virus and a system that fails to support them.
They have decried shortages of protective equipment, and many say they have been threatened with dismissal or even prosecution for going public with their complaints. Some have quit and a few are suspected to have killed themselves.
Government officials insist the shortages are isolated and not widespread.
Antipathy toward the medical profession is widespread in Russia, said social anthropologist Alexandra Arkhipova, who studies social media posts peddling virus conspiracy theories. More than 100 theories she studied say doctors diagnose COVID-19 cases so they can get more money; others say they help the government cover up the outbreak.
“It’s a crisis of trust that the epidemic underscored,” she said. “I haven’t seen this attitude anywhere else.”
Trust in government institutions has always been low in Russia, according to opinion polls, and most of its hospitals are state-run.
Russia is struggling in the pandemic, with over 300,000 infections and 2,972 deaths. The government has disputed critics who have questioned the relatively low number of fatalities.
Official statements and news reports in more than 70 Russian regions show that at least 9,479 medical workers have been infected with the virus in the past month, and more than 70 have died. Health care workers believe the death toll to be much higher and they have compiled a list of more than 250.
Dr. Irina Vaskyanina said at least 40 workers are infected at a hospital in Reutov, outside Moscow, where she headed a department handling blood transfusions.
She also said insults and threats from superiors became common after she complained about working conditions to her bosses, to law enforcement and even to President Vladimir Putin.
“I handed in my notice,” Vaskyanina said. “They’re not letting me do my job. I love my job and I want to keep doing it, but I can’t go on like this.”
She said 13 of her 14 colleagues have also quit.
Dr. Tatyana Revva, an intensive care specialist in the town of Kalach-on-Don, was summoned by police for questioning and slapped with disciplinary action after recording a video about equipment shortages. The hospital’s head reported her to a prosecutor for “spreading false information” — an offense punishable by fines of up to $25,000 or a prison term.
“I am one reprimand away from being fired,” Revva told AP.
Dr. Oleg Kumeiko, head of Revva’s hospital, rejected the claims. He told the AP there were no shortages of protective equipment in the hospital, and said he had no intention of firing Revva. Disciplinary action against her was justified, he said, and “had nothing to do with her public activity.”
“I don’t understand why they treat us like we’re expendable,” said Nina Rogova, a nurse in the Vladimir region 200 kilometers (120 miles) east of Moscow. She is recovering from the virus after getting it at work and she says she is being threatened with dismissal after she told local media about a lack of protective gear.
Doctors in the southern region of Chechnya who complained about equipment shortages later had to retract their statements as a “mistake” and apologize on TV. The predominantly Muslim region’s leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, has a reputation for stifling dissent, and he has demanded they be fired.
Adding to the frustration is pay. Health workers say they haven’t gotten bonuses the government promised them for working with coronavirus patients. In early April, Putin personally promised generous bonuses to monthly salaries — about $1,100 for doctors, $680 for nurses and paramedics, and $340 for orderlies.
A month later, social media was filled with photos of pay slips reflecting bonuses from 10 to 100 times smaller than promised. Dr. Yevgeniya Bogatyryova, a Moscow-area paramedic, told AP the April bonuses varied from $2 to $120. “They’re calculating the time ambulance doctors spend with a coronavirus patient and pay by the hour, apparently,” Bogatyryova said.
More than 110,000 people signed an online petition demanding the government keep its promise. Dozens of paramedics protested in the Nizhny Novgorod region 400 kilometers (240 miles) east of Moscow, and scores more from Siberia to southern Russia made videos demanding the bonuses.
“Whoever we ask in our management, our superiors, they say, ‘Putin promised you (bonuses), so Putin should pay you,’” Natalia Salomatova, an orderly at a hospital in the Siberian city of Chita, told the AP. April bonuses for her colleagues ranged from the equivalent of 41 cents to $6.86. Salomatova herself didn’t receive any.
Only after Putin went on TV twice last week and angrily demanded that officials pay what was promised did medical workers in some regions start getting the payments.
“Makes you wonder: Who should we protect the medics from, the infection or the administrators?” said Arkhipova, the social anthropologist.
Russia’s Health Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Reports of health care workers resigning are surfacing. Over 300 quit in the western Kaliningrad region two weeks ago, dozens of paramedics reportedly resigned in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk in May and 40 workers gave notice at a hospital in the Vladimir region.
That could further cripple Russia’s health care system, already impaired by a widely criticized reform that closed half of its 10,000 hospitals in 20 years, with thousands of layoffs. In December, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova called the reform “horrible” and said it significantly affected the quality and the accessibility of health care.
“Now we’re facing the threat of a complete destruction of the medical community,” said Semyon Galperin, head of the Doctors Defense League rights group.
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Irina Trofimova in Chita, Russia, contributed.