washingtontimes--2020-05-26--Trump committed to July 4 celebration despite lawmaker alarm

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - The White House said Tuesday that President Donald Trump remains committed to holding a Fourth of July celebration in the nation ’ s capital even as Democratic lawmakers from the region — one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus — warn that the area will not be ready to hold a major event .
White House spokesman Judd Deere reiterated that Trump wants to hold an Independence Day celebration after members of Congress wrote on Tuesday to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to raise their concerns about the safety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that because of the coronavirus , the event would likely have to be smaller than last year ’ s “ Salute to America ” event on the National Mall that drew tens of thousands .
“ As President Trump has said , there will be an Independence Day celebration this year and it will have a different look than 2019 to ensure the health and safety of those attending , ” Deere said .
“ The American people have shown tremendous courage and spirit in the fight against this global pandemic just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secure our independence , and both deserve celebration on America ’ s birthday this year.
” In their letter , the D.C.-area members wrote that “ such an event would needlessly risk the health and safety of thousands of Americans.
” The letter was organized by Rep. Don Beyer , D-Va , and signed by 10 other congressional Democrats with constituencies in the District of Columbia , Virginia and Maryland .
Last year ’ s July Fourth event featured tanks , a military flyover and a Trump speech at the Lincoln Memorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still hasn ’ t been reimbursed by the federal government for security costs related to the event .
“ Given the number of individuals that would try to attend such an event , logistically such an event would be impossible to put on safely , ” the lawmakers wrote .
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Tuesday that the city won ’ t be issuing any permits for large gatherings in the immediate future .
The capital is still under a stay-home order , with plans to shift to Phase One of its reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mayor ’ s Reopen DC task force , large gatherings are prohibited during the first phase of reopening .
In Phase Three , gatherings would cap at 250 people , with physical distancing .
Large gatherings , like the Independence Day event , would not occur until the District enters Phase Four , “ when a vaccine or other cure has been widely administered , or the disease has effectively disappeared .
”

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House said Tuesday that President Donald Trump remains committed to holding a Fourth of July celebration in the nation’s capital even as Democratic lawmakers from the region — one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus — warn that the area will not be ready to hold a major event.
White House spokesman Judd Deere reiterated that Trump wants to hold an Independence Day celebration after members of Congress wrote on Tuesday to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to raise their concerns about the safety of such an event.
Trump in April said that because of the coronavirus, the event would likely have to be smaller than last year’s “Salute to America” event on the National Mall that drew tens of thousands.
“As President Trump has said, there will be an Independence Day celebration this year and it will have a different look than 2019 to ensure the health and safety of those attending,” Deere said. “The American people have shown tremendous courage and spirit in the fight against this global pandemic just as our forefathers did in the fight to secure our independence, and both deserve celebration on America’s birthday this year.”
In their letter, the D.C.-area members wrote that “such an event would needlessly risk the health and safety of thousands of Americans.” The letter was organized by Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va, and signed by 10 other congressional Democrats with constituencies in the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland.
Last year’s July Fourth event featured tanks, a military flyover and a Trump speech at the Lincoln Memorial. The District of Columbia says it still hasn’t been reimbursed by the federal government for security costs related to the event.
“Given the number of individuals that would try to attend such an event, logistically such an event would be impossible to put on safely,” the lawmakers wrote.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Tuesday that the city won’t be issuing any permits for large gatherings in the immediate future. The capital is still under a stay-home order, with plans to shift to Phase One of its reopening this upcoming weekend.
Under recommendations by the mayor’s Reopen DC task force, large gatherings are prohibited during the first phase of reopening. In Phase Three, gatherings would cap at 250 people, with physical distancing.
Large gatherings, like the Independence Day event, would not occur until the District enters Phase Four, “when a vaccine or other cure has been widely administered, or the disease has effectively disappeared.”


Illinois Editorial Roundup:

Here are editorials from newspapers around Illinois .
It should not surprise you that the Illinois legislature passed another state budget that doesn ’ t add up .
It should not surprise you that spending will outpace revenue by billions of dollars , and lawmakers bragged about it anyway .
It should not surprise you that the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 relies on borrowing from the federal government and a fingers-crossed rescue from Congress .
It should not surprise you that the budget , despite the coronavirus pandemic , includes no cuts or trims or furloughs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s public employee unions to , at least , delay pay raises .
Those raises will kick in this summer despite state unemployment at a record high , above 16 % , with layoffs , furloughs and pay cuts throughout the private sector .
It should not surprise you that Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , unlike other Democratic governors across the country , didn ’ t dare suggest that government workers share in the sacrifice , as he and other politicians so often request of private sector workers who heavily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wisconsin , California and New York either cut public sector pay , instituted across-the-board spending cuts throughout state government , froze hiring or other spending - and did so weeks ago when revenues began to plummet .
Not here .
Illinois lawmakers kissed the ring of organized labor repeatedly during their special session , arguing that state workers - at this time of great need - should not be touched , as if every employee in every agency is a front-line worker dealing with a health crisis , which is preposterous .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from tightening our belts and helping to support the cause and helping those most in need , ” California ’ s Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom said in pulling his state ’ s union leaders to the table to negotiate pay cuts .
Any such movement here by Pritzker or the Democratic leaders of the House and Senate , Speaker Michael Madigan and Don Harmon , to demand shared sacrifice ?
The answer will not surprise you .
With the state of Illinois in economic shambles , it would be folly to expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s return last week to Springfield .
Consider the circumstances , the state has gone from a record-low unemployment rate to what has to be close to a record-high level of 16.4 percent .
It ’ s impossible to say with certainty because the modern system of tracking joblessness began in 1976 .
With that caveat , the rate of 16.4 percent is the highest on record .
That horrific standard , the result of Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s economic lockdown aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirius , represents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those who have been put out of work , but also for the government entities that depend on revenues they anticipated but now won ’ t be coming in .
So what are our dear legislators to do in the midst of budget crunch time with not nearly enough tax revenue as they insist on spending ?
Chicago state Rep. Greg Harris , a member of Speaker Michael Madigan ’ s leadership team , indicated that “ the budget will call for borrowing from Washington to help cover expenses.
” That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pritzker ’ s $ 42 billion proposed budget , which takes effect July 1 , is going to fall way short in the revenue department .
The legislature ’ s commission on revenue forecasting recently reported that anticipated revenues are off by $ 2.7 billion for the current fiscal year that ends June 30 .
If the state maintains its lockdown - or some form of it - for long , revenue problems will only compound on themselves .
It ’ s kind of like a snowball rolling down a hill , getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it goes .
Reversing that reality will be one of the biggest economic challenges this state - and nation - will ever face .
But that ’ s a long-term problem .
Legislators are focused on what ’ s right in front of them - the budget .
So it is no surprise they did the same thing when times are bad as they did when times were good and their financial reach exceeded their grasp - spend money the state doesn ’ t have .
Legislators are hoping to take advantage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tree .
The biggest dreamer among those in search of a bailout is new Senate President Don Harmon , who asked the federal government to give Illinois $ 40 billion .
They won ’ t get that much , but they ’ ll get enough to paper over budget holes and pacify various interest groups so they can focus on their re-election campaigns .
The session was not without its moments of comedy and farce .
One legislator , state Rep. Darren Bailey , refused to wear his coronavirus face mask , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ejected from the House by an overwhelming vote .
When Bailey returned the next day , he had his face mask on .
So what was the point , except to generate a very simple and relatively unimportant news story that drew attention from more important things ?
Another disappointment was what looks to be the legislature ’ s decision to give government workers another paid holiday - Election Day in November .
Why ?
Isn ’ t 12 holidays enough for them ?
Those in the private sector are expected to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so special about government employees that super-majority Democrats felt compelled to provide an unnecessary day off ?
The good news is that the legislation applies only to this election year .
But once benefits are granted , they ’ re hard to take away , so the idea will be back .
One of the attributes of legislative action in Illinois is that House and Senate leaders like to wait until the last minute and then pass everything at once .
It makes oversight , debate and achieving a good understanding of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That , of course , is the idea .
So it was again with the whirlwind of legislative sausage-making last week , except that the pandemic session made conducting business as usual even more difficult .
In that respect , it ’ s going to take a while to sort out what legislators did in the name of the people of Illinois .
Everyone , however , can be confident there ’ s more bad news on the way .
The Rock Island Argus and The ( Moline ) Dispatch Have you checked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans ask this question .
If there ’ s anything that ’ s a near daily occurrence in this country , it ’ s to check for mail .
Americans rely on the U.S. mail .
We depend on it for letters and bills .
We endure its solicitations .
We get our magazines and birthday cards through the mail .
And a full 20 % of Americans over 40 get their prescription drugs exclusively through the mail , according to one survey .
Increasingly , we are voting by mail .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas , the post office is a community hub .
So it is distressing to hear the U.S .
Postal Service say that without help it may run out of money by the end of September .
The financial challenges facing the postal service have been around for years , as competition has increased and mail volume has fallen .
But the COVID-19 pandemic has hit especially hard .
The service , which operates without the benefit of tax dollars , anticipates a $ 13 billion loss this fiscal year due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losses over the next 10 years .
In response , the U.S .
Postal Service has asked Congress for $ 25 billion in emergency cash , a $ 25 billion grant for capital improvements and $ 25 billion in borrowing authority .
Previous coronavirus legislation set aside a $ 10 billion loan for the service , but President Trump has threatened to block it until the post office enacts big rate increases on shippers like Amazon .
Meanwhile , the Democrat-controlled House has included $ 25 billion in its latest stimulus bill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going anywhere .
Our view is the post office is an essential service , especially in rural America .
Like other businesses in this country , it needs and deserves bipartisan help .
It ’ s a view backed up by our readers ; lately , we have seen a large amount of people write us urging that the postal service be saved .
As for its daily operations , we ’ d rather see that determined by the postal service and its board of governors , not politicians .
They know their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is clear that the post office has fiscal challenges that need to be dealt with .
They existed even before the pandemic , and they are problems the postal service has acknowledged .
In that respect , the president and Congress can play a definite role .
One problem is the requirement that the postal service pre-fund retiree health benefits , something that was put in place by a 2006 law .
The service ’ s inspector general says this mandate is “ a primary ” cause for its financial difficulties .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirement isn ’ t put upon other federal agencies .
There are other challenges , too .
The postal service , which is required to provide universal service , has lagged in keeping its infrastructure up to date .
Thus , the need for capital expenditures .
It also is constrained by a statutory price cap .
We ’ re not crazy about the price of mail going up , but the cap should be recognized as an impediment .
Congress and the White House must find a way to keep the postal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and always has been , vital .
But now , there is an even greater reason for keeping the postal service operating : its potential role in upcoming elections .
Americans are turning more than ever to voting from home , by casting a ballot and dropping it in the mail .
In Iowa , voters have , in unprecedented numbers , asked for absentee ballots for the June 2 primary .
That happened in large part because Secretary of State Paul Pate , a Republican , decided to mail absentee requests to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is moving toward expanding its vote by mail program .
This has been a bipartisan phenomenon .
In Wisconsin , 70 % of primary voters cast absentee ballots last month .
Even if the dire predictions of the coronavirus ’ spread this fall don ’ t come to pass , we still believe Americans in large numbers will want to have the convenience and added security of voting from the comfort and safety of their homes .
For this and many other reasons , our leaders must find a way to keep this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems , yes .
But don ’ t expect that to happen quickly or easily .
The priority right now should be to ensure the postal service has the funds to withstand these unprecedented challenges .
For that , it will require America ’ s political leaders to deliver - and quickly .

Here are editorials from newspapers around Illinois.
May 26, 2020
Chicago Tribune
Is this news anymore? Illinois lawmakers approve out-of-balance, gimmicky budget
It should not surprise you that the Illinois legislature passed another state budget that doesn’t add up. It should not surprise you that spending will outpace revenue by billions of dollars, and lawmakers bragged about it anyway.
It should not surprise you that the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 relies on borrowing from the federal government and a fingers-crossed rescue from Congress.
It should not surprise you that the budget, despite the coronavirus pandemic, includes no cuts or trims or furloughs or even an “ask” of the state’s public employee unions to, at least, delay pay raises. Those raises will kick in this summer despite state unemployment at a record high, above 16%, with layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts throughout the private sector.
It should not surprise you that Gov. J.B. Pritzker, unlike other Democratic governors across the country, didn’t dare suggest that government workers share in the sacrifice, as he and other politicians so often request of private sector workers who heavily subsidize public employee pensions. Democratic governors in Wisconsin, California and New York either cut public sector pay, instituted across-the-board spending cuts throughout state government, froze hiring or other spending - and did so weeks ago when revenues began to plummet.
Not here. Illinois lawmakers kissed the ring of organized labor repeatedly during their special session, arguing that state workers - at this time of great need - should not be touched, as if every employee in every agency is a front-line worker dealing with a health crisis, which is preposterous.
“None of us will be immune from tightening our belts and helping to support the cause and helping those most in need,” California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said in pulling his state’s union leaders to the table to negotiate pay cuts.
Any such movement here by Pritzker or the Democratic leaders of the House and Senate, Speaker Michael Madigan and Don Harmon, to demand shared sacrifice?
The answer will not surprise you.
___
May 24, 2020
The (Champaign) News-Gazette
Infected session
With the state of Illinois in economic shambles, it would be folly to expect much positive from the General Assembly’s return last week to Springfield.
Consider the circumstances, the state has gone from a record-low unemployment rate to what has to be close to a record-high level of 16.4 percent. It’s impossible to say with certainty because the modern system of tracking joblessness began in 1976. With that caveat, the rate of 16.4 percent is the highest on record.
That horrific standard, the result of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s economic lockdown aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirius, represents a disaster on many fronts, mostly for those who have been put out of work, but also for the government entities that depend on revenues they anticipated but now won’t be coming in.
So what are our dear legislators to do in the midst of budget crunch time with not nearly enough tax revenue as they insist on spending?
Chicago state Rep. Greg Harris, a member of Speaker Michael Madigan’s leadership team, indicated that “the budget will call for borrowing from Washington to help cover expenses.”
That’s a lot of borrowing, because Pritzker’s $42 billion proposed budget, which takes effect July 1, is going to fall way short in the revenue department. The legislature’s commission on revenue forecasting recently reported that anticipated revenues are off by $2.7 billion for the current fiscal year that ends June 30.
If the state maintains its lockdown - or some form of it - for long, revenue problems will only compound on themselves. It’s kind of like a snowball rolling down a hill, getting larger and picking up more speed as it goes. Reversing that reality will be one of the biggest economic challenges this state - and nation - will ever face.
But that’s a long-term problem. Legislators are focused on what’s right in front of them - the budget. So it is no surprise they did the same thing when times are bad as they did when times were good and their financial reach exceeded their grasp - spend money the state doesn’t have.
Legislators are hoping to take advantage of what they perceive as the federal money tree. The biggest dreamer among those in search of a bailout is new Senate President Don Harmon, who asked the federal government to give Illinois $40 billion. They won’t get that much, but they’ll get enough to paper over budget holes and pacify various interest groups so they can focus on their re-election campaigns.
The session was not without its moments of comedy and farce.
One legislator, state Rep. Darren Bailey, refused to wear his coronavirus face mask, a pointless exercise of protest. He was ejected from the House by an overwhelming vote. When Bailey returned the next day, he had his face mask on. So what was the point, except to generate a very simple and relatively unimportant news story that drew attention from more important things?
Another disappointment was what looks to be the legislature’s decision to give government workers another paid holiday - Election Day in November.
Why? Isn’t 12 holidays enough for them? Those in the private sector are expected to work on Election Day. What’s so special about government employees that super-majority Democrats felt compelled to provide an unnecessary day off?
The good news is that the legislation applies only to this election year. But once benefits are granted, they’re hard to take away, so the idea will be back.
One of the attributes of legislative action in Illinois is that House and Senate leaders like to wait until the last minute and then pass everything at once.
It makes oversight, debate and achieving a good understanding of what is in pending legislation very difficult. That, of course, is the idea.
So it was again with the whirlwind of legislative sausage-making last week, except that the pandemic session made conducting business as usual even more difficult.
In that respect, it’s going to take a while to sort out what legislators did in the name of the people of Illinois. Everyone, however, can be confident there’s more bad news on the way.
___
May 24, 2020
The Rock Island Argus and The (Moline) Dispatch
White House, Congress must deliver for Americans
Have you checked the mail?
Practically every day, Americans ask this question.
If there’s anything that’s a near daily occurrence in this country, it’s to check for mail.
Americans rely on the U.S. mail.
We depend on it for letters and bills. We endure its solicitations. We get our magazines and birthday cards through the mail. And a full 20% of Americans over 40 get their prescription drugs exclusively through the mail, according to one survey.
Increasingly, we are voting by mail.
In many parts of America, particularly rural areas, the post office is a community hub.
So it is distressing to hear the U.S. Postal Service say that without help it may run out of money by the end of September.
The financial challenges facing the postal service have been around for years, as competition has increased and mail volume has fallen. But the COVID-19 pandemic has hit especially hard. The service, which operates without the benefit of tax dollars, anticipates a $13 billion loss this fiscal year due to the pandemic, and $54 billion in losses over the next 10 years.
In response, the U.S. Postal Service has asked Congress for $25 billion in emergency cash, a $25 billion grant for capital improvements and $25 billion in borrowing authority.
Previous coronavirus legislation set aside a $10 billion loan for the service, but President Trump has threatened to block it until the post office enacts big rate increases on shippers like Amazon. Meanwhile, the Democrat-controlled House has included $25 billion in its latest stimulus bill, but the legislation clearly isn’t going anywhere.
Our view is the post office is an essential service, especially in rural America. Like other businesses in this country, it needs and deserves bipartisan help. It’s a view backed up by our readers; lately, we have seen a large amount of people write us urging that the postal service be saved.
As for its daily operations, we’d rather see that determined by the postal service and its board of governors, not politicians. They know their business best.
This issue aside, it is clear that the post office has fiscal challenges that need to be dealt with. They existed even before the pandemic, and they are problems the postal service has acknowledged.
In that respect, the president and Congress can play a definite role.
One problem is the requirement that the postal service pre-fund retiree health benefits, something that was put in place by a 2006 law. The service’s inspector general says this mandate is “a primary” cause for its financial difficulties. Supporters of the postal service say this requirement isn’t put upon other federal agencies.
There are other challenges, too. The postal service, which is required to provide universal service, has lagged in keeping its infrastructure up to date. Thus, the need for capital expenditures. It also is constrained by a statutory price cap.
We’re not crazy about the price of mail going up, but the cap should be recognized as an impediment.
Congress and the White House must find a way to keep the postal service operating. Mail delivery is, and always has been, vital. But now, there is an even greater reason for keeping the postal service operating: its potential role in upcoming elections.
Americans are turning more than ever to voting from home, by casting a ballot and dropping it in the mail.
In Iowa, voters have, in unprecedented numbers, asked for absentee ballots for the June 2 primary. That happened in large part because Secretary of State Paul Pate, a Republican, decided to mail absentee requests to every registered Iowa voter.
Illinois also is moving toward expanding its vote by mail program.
This has been a bipartisan phenomenon.
In Wisconsin, 70% of primary voters cast absentee ballots last month.
Even if the dire predictions of the coronavirus’ spread this fall don’t come to pass, we still believe Americans in large numbers will want to have the convenience and added security of voting from the comfort and safety of their homes.
For this and many other reasons, our leaders must find a way to keep this uniquely American institution operating.
Fix its problems, yes. But don’t expect that to happen quickly or easily. The priority right now should be to ensure the postal service has the funds to withstand these unprecedented challenges.
For that, it will require America’s political leaders to deliver - and quickly.


washingtontimes--2020-05-26--Richard Grenell refutes report that he's joining Trump campaign

Former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell refuted a media report Tuesday night that he is joining the Trump @ @ @ @ @ , ” Mr. Grenell tweeted at Politico , which claimed it had a scoop .
@ @ @ @ @ before writing ?
What has happened to Washington DC media ?
!
” Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ the story .
“ I like @ RichardGrenell and we are friends but this story @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr. Parscale tweeted .
“ Just more garbage of people making sensational claims.
” @ @ @ @ @ would be taking a senior role as a campaign fundraiser and strategist .
Mr. Grenell @ @ @ @ @ president , also serves as U.S. ambassador to Germany .
In his final hours as @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , Mr. Grenell declassified more documents pertaining to the Russia investigation .
In @ @ @ @ @ delivered to the Justice Department a list of Obama administration officials — including Vice President @ @ @ @ @ had requested the “ unmasking ” of Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn .

Former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell refuted a media report Tuesday night that he is joining the Trump campaign.
“Fake news,” Mr. Grenell tweeted at Politico, which claimed it had a scoop. “Do you even check before writing? What has happened to Washington DC media?!”
Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale also rejected the story.
“I like @RichardGrenell and we are friends but this story isn’t true,” Mr. Parscale tweeted. “Just more garbage of people making sensational claims.”
Politico reported that Mr. Grenell would be taking a senior role as a campaign fundraiser and strategist.
Mr. Grenell, a favorite of the president, also serves as U.S. ambassador to Germany.
In his final hours as the top U.S. intelligence official on Monday, Mr. Grenell declassified more documents pertaining to the Russia investigation. In that job, he also delivered to the Justice Department a list of Obama administration officials — including Vice President Joseph R. Biden — who had requested the “unmasking” of Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-26--Video showing Michigan deputy punching woman sparks protests

YPSILANTI , Mich. ( AP ) - A Michigan sheriff ’ s deputy is seen on video punching a black woman in the head several times during her arrest early Tuesday , and another deputy tased her husband after the couple allegedly refused an order to leave the scene of a shooting .
Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton said several officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave , including the one seen on the video punching the woman , and an internal investigation is underway .
“ There is absolutely no doubt , and no argument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the video are disturbing , ” Clayton said .
“ It warrants a complete investigation.
” About three dozen demonstrators marched outside the sheriff ’ s department headquarters , chanting such things as “ no justice , no peace ” following the incident in Ypsilanti Township , about 40 miles west of Detroit .
Authorities said the deputies took the action against Sha ’ Teina Grady El and her husband , Dan Grady El , after they ignored an order to leave the scene of a shooting as officers formed a perimeter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooter .
“ We can not continue to allow this , ” said Trische ’ Duckworth , a protest organizer with the nonprofit Survivors Speak .
The protesters later met with Clayton in his office .
The sheriff ’ s department was called to scene on reports 30 people were arguing and shots had been fired .
Upon arrival , the responding deputies found a 34-year-old female gunshot victim who required medical attention and several bystanders observing the scene , prompting a call to other police agencies for assistance .
In his statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of force against the Grady Els and their arrests .
He says the sheriff ’ s department is committed to sharing all the facts in the case with the public as it becomes available .

YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) - A Michigan sheriff’s deputy is seen on video punching a black woman in the head several times during her arrest early Tuesday, and another deputy tased her husband after the couple allegedly refused an order to leave the scene of a shooting.
Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton said several officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, including the one seen on the video punching the woman, and an internal investigation is underway.
“There is absolutely no doubt, and no argument from me, that the images in the video are disturbing,” Clayton said. “It warrants a complete investigation.”
About three dozen demonstrators marched outside the sheriff’s department headquarters, chanting such things as “no justice, no peace” following the incident in Ypsilanti Township, about 40 miles west of Detroit.
Authorities said the deputies took the action against Sha’Teina Grady El and her husband, Dan Grady El, after they ignored an order to leave the scene of a shooting as officers formed a perimeter to keep community members away from a potential shooter.
“We cannot continue to allow this,” said Trische’ Duckworth, a protest organizer with the nonprofit Survivors Speak.
The protesters later met with Clayton in his office.
The sheriff’s department was called to scene on reports 30 people were arguing and shots had been fired. Upon arrival, the responding deputies found a 34-year-old female gunshot victim who required medical attention and several bystanders observing the scene, prompting a call to other police agencies for assistance.
In his statement, Clayton said his office is investigating the use of force against the Grady Els and their arrests. He says the sheriff’s department is committed to sharing all the facts in the case with the public as it becomes available.


washingtontimes--2020-05-26--Joe Biden: Donald Trump 'stoking deaths' by not wearing mask

Joseph R. Biden says President Trump ’ s refusal to sport a mask in response to the coronavirus is “ stoking deaths ” and amounts to fake masculinity .
Mr. Biden , the presumed Democratic presidential nominee , told CNN Tuesday Mr. Trump is a “ fool ” for mocking him for wearing a mask and jeopardizing lives .
“ It ’ s stoking deaths , that ’ s not going to increase the likelihood that people are going to be better off , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ Presidents are supposed to lead , not engage in folly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ It reminds me of the guys that I grew up with playing ball .
They ’ d walk around with a ball in their hand , but they didn ’ t like to hit very much.
” Mr. Biden said more people have died from coronavirus because of Mr. Trump ’ s slow response .
“ If he just started a week earlier would have saved thousands of lives , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ This is a tragedy.
” He also apologized for his recent assertion that African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support Mr. Trump , and turned the attempts to cast him as missing a step back on Mr. Trump .
“ He ’ s missing something man , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ This is a fellow who looks like he ’ s having trouble controlling his own emotions.
” The president said Tuesday he wasn ’ t poking fun at Mr. Biden for wearing a mask .
“ Biden can wear a mask , but he was standing outside with his wife — perfect conditions , perfect weather , ” Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re inside , and they don ’ t wear masks .
And so I thought it was very unusual that he had one on .
But I thought that was fine .
I wasn ’ t criticizing him at all .
Why would I ever do anything like that ?
”

Joseph R. Biden says President Trump’s refusal to sport a mask in response to the coronavirus is “stoking deaths” and amounts to fake masculinity.
Mr. Biden, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, told CNN Tuesday Mr. Trump is a “fool” for mocking him for wearing a mask and jeopardizing lives.
“It’s stoking deaths, that’s not going to increase the likelihood that people are going to be better off,” Mr. Biden said.
“Presidents are supposed to lead, not engage in folly and be falsely masculine,” he said. “It reminds me of the guys that I grew up with playing ball. They’d walk around with a ball in their hand, but they didn’t like to hit very much.”
Mr. Biden said more people have died from coronavirus because of Mr. Trump’s slow response.
“If he just started a week earlier would have saved thousands of lives,” Mr. Biden said. “This is a tragedy.”
He also apologized for his recent assertion that African Americans aren’t black if they support Mr. Trump, and turned the attempts to cast him as missing a step back on Mr. Trump.
“He’s missing something man,” Mr. Biden said. “This is a fellow who looks like he’s having trouble controlling his own emotions.”
The president said Tuesday he wasn’t poking fun at Mr. Biden for wearing a mask.
“Biden can wear a mask, but he was standing outside with his wife — perfect conditions, perfect weather,” Mr. Trump told reporters. “They’re inside, and they don’t wear masks. And so I thought it was very unusual that he had one on. But I thought that was fine. I wasn’t criticizing him at all. Why would I ever do anything like that?”
• Dave Boyer contributed to this report.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-26--Study: King County needs to do more with testing, tracing

SEATTLE ( AP ) - A new study says a comprehensive system of testing , contact tracing and quarantines will be needed to avoid a burst of new COVID-19 infections before King County can ease social-distancing restrictions .
The Seattle Times reports the study from the Bellevue , Washington-based Institute for Disease Modeling says such measures could enable economic and social activity in the region to double from current levels , without a corresponding increase in infections , But if King County can ’ t increase testing capacity , fails in its efforts to notify the close contacts of positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to isolate if they ’ ve been exposed to the virus , new infections could sharply increase , the report says .
“ It took a communitywide effort to get us into the relatively good situation we are in today with respect to limiting transmission , ” said Dr. Jeff Duchin , health officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County .
“ And it ’ s going to take a robust , ongoing communitywide effort to allow us to move forward safely.
” King County remains in phase one of Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen Washington ’ s economy .
The soonest King County could conceivably move to the next phase is Monday , but it is currently nowhere near the low levels of new cases that is one of the criteria for reopening .
The state Department of Health and National Guard have ramped up their abilities to help county health departments with the tedious task of contact tracing - calling each person who tests positive for the virus and then calling all the people they have been in contact with and asking them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 2,100 people for the task .
Contact tracing is a fundamental and decades-old public health tool , but Public Health - Seattle & King County had to stop investigating each case of the virus in early March , as the number of cases became overwhelming .
The state is conducting about half the contact tracing investigations in King County , Duchin said , but he ’ s hopeful the county will be able to handle all new cases by the end of June .

SEATTLE (AP) - A new study says a comprehensive system of testing, contact tracing and quarantines will be needed to avoid a burst of new COVID-19 infections before King County can ease social-distancing restrictions.
The Seattle Times reports the study from the Bellevue, Washington-based Institute for Disease Modeling says such measures could enable economic and social activity in the region to double from current levels, without a corresponding increase in infections,
But if King County can’t increase testing capacity, fails in its efforts to notify the close contacts of positive cases or can’t convince people to isolate if they’ve been exposed to the virus, new infections could sharply increase, the report says.
“It took a communitywide effort to get us into the relatively good situation we are in today with respect to limiting transmission,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. “And it’s going to take a robust, ongoing communitywide effort to allow us to move forward safely.”
King County remains in phase one of Gov. Jay Inslee’s four-phase plan to reopen Washington’s economy. The soonest King County could conceivably move to the next phase is Monday, but it is currently nowhere near the low levels of new cases that is one of the criteria for reopening.
The state Department of Health and National Guard have ramped up their abilities to help county health departments with the tedious task of contact tracing - calling each person who tests positive for the virus and then calling all the people they have been in contact with and asking them to quarantine.
The state has trained more than 2,100 people for the task. Contact tracing is a fundamental and decades-old public health tool, but Public Health - Seattle & King County had to stop investigating each case of the virus in early March, as the number of cases became overwhelming.
The state is conducting about half the contact tracing investigations in King County, Duchin said, but he’s hopeful the county will be able to handle all new cases by the end of June.


washingtontimes--2020-05-26--Heavy rains cause flooded streets in South Florida

MIAMI ( AP ) - South Florida streets flooded Tuesday following several days of heavy rains and thunderstorms .
The @ @ @ @ @ issued flash flood warnings in parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties that were set to @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday morning started off sunny after nearly constant rains over the Memorial Day weekend , @ @ @ @ @ But showers returned Tuesday afternoon causing major streets to flood and slowing traffic throughout the @ @ @ @ @ Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach over the holiday weekend , NWS posted on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ 6.20 inches ( 15.7 centimetres ) of rain , and Fort Lauderdale had 6.13 inches @ @ @ @ @ The three-day rainfall record for Miami wasn ’ t broken , but the area did @ @ @ @ @ centimetres ) , NWS said .

MIAMI (AP) - South Florida streets flooded Tuesday following several days of heavy rains and thunderstorms.
The National Weather Service in Miami issued flash flood warnings in parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties that were set to last into the night.
Tuesday morning started off sunny after nearly constant rains over the Memorial Day weekend, the Miami Herald reported. But showers returned Tuesday afternoon causing major streets to flood and slowing traffic throughout the region.
Record rainfall hit Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach over the holiday weekend, NWS posted on Twitter. West Palm Beach received 6.20 inches (15.7 centimetres) of rain, and Fort Lauderdale had 6.13 inches (15.6 centimetres).
The three-day rainfall record for Miami wasn’t broken, but the area did receive 7.43 inches (18.9 centimetres), NWS said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-26--Kevin McCarthy sues to stop Nancy Pelosi proxy-voting plan

House Republicans said Tuesday they ’ ll ask a federal judge to intervene and block Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s designated-voter plans , which would allow members to give cast votes on legislation on the House floor by proxy during the coronavirus crisis .
Rep. Kevin McCarthy , the top Republican , said proxy-voting — which was expected to be used for the first time ever in votes this week — breaks with 231 years of House history .
Under the new rules , which Mrs. Pelosi pushed through the chamber earlier this month , lawmakers are allowed to designate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during floor action .
As of Tuesday evening 59 Democrats had already submitted their proxies , with one lawmaker named the designated voter by five others .
“ Ultimately , as few as 20 members could control the vote of over 220 members under this rule for the foreseeable future , ” Mr. McCarthy said .
“ That is not only irresponsible leadership , it is patently unconstitutional , as 230 years of Congressional history and Supreme Court precedent make abundantly clear.
” Mrs. Pelosi called the lawsuit a “ sad stunt ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay Democrats from passing coronavirus legislation .
“ As our nation approaches the heartbreaking milestone of 100,000 lives lost to COVID-19 , House Republicans must stop their dangerous obstruction and join Democrats to save lives , defeat the virus and grow the economy , ” the California Democrat said .
Republicans released a summary of the lawsuit they planned to file , which argued that the House has sustained in-person business through the Civil War , the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793 , the influenza of 1918 and the Sept. 11 , 2001 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , say they ’ re confident that the courts won ’ t stop them .
Mrs. Pelosi says judges have long held that Congress has the power to write its own rules without interference from the judiciary .
And she says proxy voting has been used in committees before , with little difficulty .
Indeed , it is still used in Senate committees at this time .
Proxy voting is already becoming an issue in campaigns , with GOP challengers blasting Democrats who they say gave their votes away .
Brian Maryott , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California , said the congressman was betraying voters by turning over his floor voting powers to Rep. Dan Kildee , a Democrat from across the country in Michigan .
“ If Mike is dead-set on allowing someone else to represent our district in Washington , I will volunteer to go in his place , and voters should keep that in mind in November , ” Mr. Maryott said .

House Republicans asked a federal judge Tuesday to intervene and block Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s designated-voter plans, which would allow members to give cast votes on legislation on the House floor by proxy during the coronavirus crisis.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the top Republican, said proxy-voting — which was expected to be used for the first time ever in votes this week — breaks with 231 years of House history.
Under the new rules, which Mrs. Pelosi pushed through the chamber earlier this month, lawmakers are allowed to designate a colleague to vote in their stead during floor action.
As of Tuesday evening 59 Democrats had already submitted their proxies, with one lawmaker named the designated voter by five others.
“Ultimately, as few as 20 members could control the vote of over 220 members under this rule for the foreseeable future,” Mr. McCarthy said. “That is not only irresponsible leadership, it is patently unconstitutional, as 230 years of Congressional history and Supreme Court precedent make abundantly clear.”
Mrs. Pelosi called the lawsuit a “sad stunt” and said it was an attempt to delay Democrats from passing coronavirus legislation.
“As our nation approaches the heartbreaking milestone of 100,000 lives lost to COVID-19, House Republicans must stop their dangerous obstruction and join Democrats to save lives, defeat the virus and grow the economy,” the California Democrat said.
The 38-page complaint, filed in court in Washington, D.C., says proxy voting violates the Constitution’s requirement that lawmakers be, in the words of the lawsuit, “actually present” to constitute a quorum or to be recorded as “Yeas and Nays” on votes.
If lawmakers didn’t actually have to be present, the Constitution wouldn’t have a mechanism to force attendance of absent members, the lawsuit said.
Republicans said the House has sustained in-person business through the Civil War, the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793, the influenza of 1918 and the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Democrats, though, say they’re confident that the courts won’t stop them.
Mrs. Pelosi says judges have long held that Congress has the power to write its own rules without interference from the judiciary.
And she says proxy voting has been used in committees before, with little difficulty. Indeed, it is still used in Senate committees at this time.
Proxy voting is already becoming an issue in campaigns, with GOP challengers blasting Democrats who they say gave their votes away.
Brian Maryott, a Republican running against Rep. Mike Levin in California, said the congressman was betraying voters by turning over his floor voting powers to Rep. Dan Kildee, a Democrat from across the country in Michigan.
“If Mike is dead-set on allowing someone else to represent our district in Washington, I will volunteer to go in his place, and voters should keep that in mind in November,” Mr. Maryott said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-26--MIT Election Lab says mail-in voter fraud 'more frequent' than in-person voting

All-mail elections have been going on for years in some states , and from the liberal bastions of Oregon and Washington to rock-red conservative Utah , the voters who use it love it .
President Trump is not a fan , however , and calls it a recipe for fraud .
He is mounting an all-out assault in person , on Twitter and in the nation ’ s courts to keep states from expanding mail-in voting options during this year ’ s elections .
Mr. Trump said Tuesday that the recent order by California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn the country into “ a joke ” and could help create a “ rigged system.
” “ You can ’ t do the mail-in ballots because you ’ re going to have tremendous fraud , ” Mr. Trump said at the White House .
“ And remember what I said : They ’ ll be grabbing [ ballots ] from mailboxes , they ’ ll even be printing them .
They ’ ll use the same paper , the same machines , and they ’ ll be printing ballots illegally and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hundreds of thousands and nobody ’ s going to know the difference.
” With his name on the ballot , Mr. Trump has a deeply personal stake in the fight .
Academics with less skin in the game say some of his fears about fraud are valid , though overwrought .
They also generally dismiss his suspicion that the more people vote by mail , the worse Republicans do in elections .
Most studies show no clear partisan advantage in states that allow all or mostly mail elections .
Oregon , Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots to every voter , though that doesn ’ t mean all ballots are returned through the mail .
Coloradans can drop off their ballots at designated locations before 7 p.m. on Election Day .
In 2016 , 73 % of Coloradans dropped off their ballots in person , as did 59 % of voters in Oregon and 65 % in Washington , according to the Election Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology .
Voters in the five states are thrilled with the system , according to polling by YouGov in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oregon to 87 % in Hawaii .
Phil Keisling , who was secretary of state when Oregon became the first to adopt all-mail voting in the 1990s , said he was skeptical at first but has been converted .
“ I liked the traditions : The crunch of the autumn leaves , the crisp blue sky , saying hello to my neighbors , so I understand what people are not sure about , ” Mr. Keisling said .
“ Like that piece of great Western literature , Dr. Seuss ’ ‘ Green Eggs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chance to actually try it , they realize they actually like it.
” Mr. Keisling said Oregon has not had major fraud incidents .
Thirty other states allow no-excuse-needed absentee voting , which means any voter can cast a ballot by mail .
The other states require an approved excuse — though , in some , such as Virginia , the governor has said fear of the coronavirus is a valid excuse , effectively turning next month ’ s primaries into no-excuse absentee voting .
The risk , according to the five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rushing into all-mail elections without doing the groundwork .
Election officials in those states have been fielding calls from other states , and their answer is to be aware .
Voter rolls must be kept scrupulously clean so ballots go only to current addresses for valid voters .
Sometimes new equipment is needed to count votes , and signature cards need to be kept up to date .
MIT ’ s Election Lab says that while fraud is rare , it “ seems to be more frequent ” with mailed ballots than in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced criminal fraud charges against a rural mail carrier accused of altering absentee ballots from Democrat to Republican .
No two states ’ all-mail elections are conducted the same , nor have they yielded comparable results clearly favoring any particular party or political philosophy .
Colorado overhauled its elections system in 2013 , but voter behavior did not immediately change as a result .
Two-thirds of voters in the 2014 general election returned their votes in person , according to a Pew Charitable Trusts analysis .
By 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a midterm congressional election was its highest ever and trailed only Minnesota ’ s among the 50 states , according to a report from Nonprofit VOTE and the U.S .
Elections Project .
Hawaii ranked last in turnout in 2018 before it adopted all-mail voting .
The general election this November will be the first major test for the state .
Hawaii ’ s Office of Elections has told voters to expect a ballot packet to arrive in the mail about 18 days before the summer primary and the fall general election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it back or drop it off in person .
Hawaii relies heavily on signatures and barcodes to verify a voter ’ s identity , whereas first-time voters in Colorado may need to provide a copy of their identification alongside their signature to have their vote count .
The bar codes on the envelope contain Hawaiians ’ “ ballot secrecy sleeve ” and the individual ballots , which are used to guard against voter fraud .
Vote-by-mail in that manner provides several disadvantages and advantages .
The National Conference of State Legislatures lists “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family members or others may coerce voters , away from the scrutiny of poll watchers .
States deploying vote-by-mail for the upcoming elections have created websites where voters can track their ballot to ensure it is received and counted .
One advantage is the potential cost savings .
The logistics of vote-by-mail saved Coloradans more than $ 6 per vote by reducing costs 40 % across five election-administration categories , according to a Pew Charitable Trusts analysis .
Sen. Ron Wyden , an Oregon Democrat who is a major proponent of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress to add $ 2 billion for state election assistance in the COVID-19 stimulus package .
In the end , the bill included $ 400 million for election security , which does include expanding vote-by-mail .
“ Look , America could be faced with a choice this fall of either Americans being able to vote , which means vote-by-mail , or not voting at all , ” Mr. Wyden said on a call with reporters in March .
“ And our case to [ Republicans ] is that ’ s not even a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is determined to block as much mail voting as possible .
At one point , he threatened to withhold federal money from Michigan if the state pursued mail-in voting .
He inaccurately said the state had sent all voters ballots , but the secretary of state sent ballot applications , which can be returned to request a ballot .
The Republican National Committee this week announced that it was suing Mr. Newsom to try to block the California governor ’ s executive order expanding mail-in voting for the state in November .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all Mail In Ballots , ” the president said on Twitter over the weekend .
“ It will be the greatest Rigged Election in history .
People grab them from mailboxes , print thousands of forgeries and ‘ force ’ people to sign .
Also , forge names.
” Mr. Trump said “ some absentee OK , when necessary.
” He voted absentee in Florida ’ s primary this year .
But he criticized politicians who he said were “ trying to use ” the COVID-19 pandemic to advance their political goals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Tuesday tweets about voter fraud , directing viewers to “ Get the facts about mail-in ballots ” and redirecting to a Twitter page that says the president made false claims .
Whatever happens this year , Mr. Trump is likely fighting a losing battle in the long run as Americans embrace the mail option .
MIT ’ s Election Lab says that in 1992 , more than 90 % of voters cast ballots on Election Day .
By 2016 , it was just 60 % , with the other 40 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mailed-in ballots .

All-mail elections have been going on for years in some states, and from the liberal bastions of Oregon and Washington to rock-red conservative Utah, the voters who use it love it.
President Trump is not a fan, however, and calls it a recipe for fraud.
He is mounting an all-out assault in person, on Twitter and in the nation’s courts to keep states from expanding mail-in voting options during this year’s elections.
Mr. Trump said Tuesday that the recent order by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, to expand mail-in voting would turn the country into “a joke” and could help create a “rigged system.”
“You can’t do the mail-in ballots because you’re going to have tremendous fraud,” Mr. Trump said at the White House. “And remember what I said: They’ll be grabbing [ballots] from mailboxes, they’ll even be printing them. They’ll use the same paper, the same machines, and they’ll be printing ballots illegally and they’ll be sending them in by the hundreds of thousands and nobody’s going to know the difference.”
With his name on the ballot, Mr. Trump has a deeply personal stake in the fight.
SEE ALSO: Thomas Cooper, postal worker, faces mail-in voting fraud charges
Academics with less skin in the game say some of his fears about fraud are valid, though overwrought. They also generally dismiss his suspicion that the more people vote by mail, the worse Republicans do in elections.
Most studies show no clear partisan advantage in states that allow all or mostly mail elections.
Oregon, Washington, Utah, Colorado and Hawaii send ballots to every voter, though that doesn’t mean all ballots are returned through the mail. Coloradans can drop off their ballots at designated locations before 7 p.m. on Election Day.
In 2016, 73% of Coloradans dropped off their ballots in person, as did 59% of voters in Oregon and 65% in Washington, according to the Election Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Voters in the five states are thrilled with the system, according to polling by YouGov in March. Approval ranges from 77% in Oregon to 87% in Hawaii.
Phil Keisling, who was secretary of state when Oregon became the first to adopt all-mail voting in the 1990s, said he was skeptical at first but has been converted.
SEE ALSO: Donald Trump rails against mail-in voting
“I liked the traditions: The crunch of the autumn leaves, the crisp blue sky, saying hello to my neighbors, so I understand what people are not sure about,” Mr. Keisling said. “Like that piece of great Western literature, Dr. Seuss’ ‘Green Eggs and Ham,’ when voters have the chance to actually try it, they realize they actually like it.”
Mr. Keisling said Oregon has not had major fraud incidents.
Thirty other states allow no-excuse-needed absentee voting, which means any voter can cast a ballot by mail. The other states require an approved excuse — though, in some, such as Virginia, the governor has said fear of the coronavirus is a valid excuse, effectively turning next month’s primaries into no-excuse absentee voting.
The risk, according to the five vote-by-mail states, is that others are rushing into all-mail elections without doing the groundwork. Election officials in those states have been fielding calls from other states, and their answer is to be aware.
Voter rolls must be kept scrupulously clean so ballots go only to current addresses for valid voters. Sometimes new equipment is needed to count votes, and signature cards need to be kept up to date.
MIT’s Election Lab says that while fraud is rare, it “seems to be more frequent” with mailed ballots than in-person voting.
On Tuesday, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced criminal fraud charges against a rural mail carrier accused of altering absentee ballots from Democrat to Republican.
No two states’ all-mail elections are conducted the same, nor have they yielded comparable results clearly favoring any particular party or political philosophy.
Colorado overhauled its elections system in 2013, but voter behavior did not immediately change as a result. Two-thirds of voters in the 2014 general election returned their votes in person, according to a Pew Charitable Trusts analysis.
By 2018, though, the state’s turnout for a midterm congressional election was its highest ever and trailed only Minnesota’s among the 50 states, according to a report from Nonprofit VOTE and the U.S. Elections Project.
Hawaii ranked last in turnout in 2018 before it adopted all-mail voting. The general election this November will be the first major test for the state.
Hawaii’s Office of Elections has told voters to expect a ballot packet to arrive in the mail about 18 days before the summer primary and the fall general election. Like Coloradans, they can mail it back or drop it off in person.
Hawaii relies heavily on signatures and barcodes to verify a voter’s identity, whereas first-time voters in Colorado may need to provide a copy of their identification alongside their signature to have their vote count.
The bar codes on the envelope contain Hawaiians’ “ballot secrecy sleeve” and the individual ballots, which are used to guard against voter fraud.
Vote-by-mail in that manner provides several disadvantages and advantages. The National Conference of State Legislatures lists “security” as a possible disadvantage because family members or others may coerce voters, away from the scrutiny of poll watchers. States deploying vote-by-mail for the upcoming elections have created websites where voters can track their ballot to ensure it is received and counted.
One advantage is the potential cost savings. The logistics of vote-by-mail saved Coloradans more than $6 per vote by reducing costs 40% across five election-administration categories, according to a Pew Charitable Trusts analysis.
Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat who is a major proponent of the state’s system, tried to get Congress to add $2 billion for state election assistance in the COVID-19 stimulus package. In the end, the bill included $400 million for election security, which does include expanding vote-by-mail.
“Look, America could be faced with a choice this fall of either Americans being able to vote, which means vote-by-mail, or not voting at all,” Mr. Wyden said on a call with reporters in March. “And our case to [Republicans] is that’s not even a close call.”
Mr. Trump, though, is determined to block as much mail voting as possible.
At one point, he threatened to withhold federal money from Michigan if the state pursued mail-in voting. He inaccurately said the state had sent all voters ballots, but the secretary of state sent ballot applications, which can be returned to request a ballot.
The Republican National Committee this week announced that it was suing Mr. Newsom to try to block the California governor’s executive order expanding mail-in voting for the state in November.
“The United States cannot have all Mail In Ballots,” the president said on Twitter over the weekend. “It will be the greatest Rigged Election in history. People grab them from mailboxes, print thousands of forgeries and ‘force’ people to sign. Also, forge names.”
Mr. Trump said “some absentee OK, when necessary.” He voted absentee in Florida’s primary this year. But he criticized politicians who he said were “trying to use” the COVID-19 pandemic to advance their political goals.
Twitter attached a label to Mr. Trump’s Tuesday tweets about voter fraud, directing viewers to “Get the facts about mail-in ballots” and redirecting to a Twitter page that says the president made false claims.
Whatever happens this year, Mr. Trump is likely fighting a losing battle in the long run as Americans embrace the mail option.
MIT’s Election Lab says that in 1992, more than 90% of voters cast ballots on Election Day. By 2016, it was just 60%, with the other 40% split about evenly between in-person early voting and mailed-in ballots.
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-26--Missouri agency pledges to end flawed virus data reporting

JEFFERSON CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - Missouri ’ s state health director on Tuesday confirmed that the state has been lumping together different coronavirus test results in a way that can be misleading , despite saying otherwise multiple times last week .
The agency has been combining the results of viral tests , which detect active cases of the virus essentially from the onset of infection , with antibody tests .
Antibody tests check for proteins that develop a week or more after infection and show whether a person has been exposed at some point in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult to understand how the virus is spreading , and Missouri health Director Randall Williams himself has previously said the two tests should not be conflated .
It can give the false impression that the rate of positive test results is declining .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several other states have admitted to combining the results , but Missouri ’ s state health department denied doing so when asked by reporters multiple times last week .
“ It does not include antibody testing , ” Williams said Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About four states have gotten into a lot of trouble because they tried to conflate their numbers , I think to drive up their numbers , and we don ’ t do that in Missouri.
” Viral test results should be reported separately , public health experts say .
That allows for tracking of how many people have confirmed active infections , the percentage of people testing positive and how those numbers change over time - all crucial for guiding public policy .
Missouri state data were updated to separate the different test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stating otherwise , Williams on Tuesday said per the CDC ’ s previous reporting guidance , Missouri ’ s health department had been combining results from the two different types of tests .
He said he had directed staff not to do so and that senior leadership staff was not aware that results were being mixed .
“ Am I frustrated that the directive that I thought was pretty clear did not happen ?
” Williams said .
“ Yes , I am , ” He said most antibody tests were performed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data from previous weeks were mostly accurate .
Williams said the state also will start reporting positive test results per patient , so numbers are not inflated by patients who test positive multiple times .
Also on Tuesday , a part of the Ford production plant in the Kansas City suburb of Claycomo was shut down after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus .
Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker said the transit side of the plant stopped production for about an hour to allow the company to deep clean and disinfect the employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team area and the path the employee had taken at the plant during the day .

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri’s state health director on Tuesday confirmed that the state has been lumping together different coronavirus test results in a way that can be misleading, despite saying otherwise multiple times last week.
The agency has been combining the results of viral tests, which detect active cases of the virus essentially from the onset of infection, with antibody tests. Antibody tests check for proteins that develop a week or more after infection and show whether a person has been exposed at some point in the past.
Mixing the results makes it difficult to understand how the virus is spreading, and Missouri health Director Randall Williams himself has previously said the two tests should not be conflated. It can give the false impression that the rate of positive test results is declining.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several other states have admitted to combining the results, but Missouri’s state health department denied doing so when asked by reporters multiple times last week.
“It does not include antibody testing,” Williams said Thursday, before correcting himself this week. “About four states have gotten into a lot of trouble because they tried to conflate their numbers, I think to drive up their numbers, and we don’t do that in Missouri.”
Viral test results should be reported separately, public health experts say. That allows for tracking of how many people have confirmed active infections, the percentage of people testing positive and how those numbers change over time - all crucial for guiding public policy.
Missouri state data were updated to separate the different test types Saturday.
Despite his previous comments stating otherwise, Williams on Tuesday said per the CDC’s previous reporting guidance, Missouri’s health department had been combining results from the two different types of tests. He said he had directed staff not to do so and that senior leadership staff was not aware that results were being mixed.
“Am I frustrated that the directive that I thought was pretty clear did not happen?” Williams said. “Yes, I am,”
He said most antibody tests were performed in Missouri after May 11, implying that data from previous weeks were mostly accurate.
Williams said the state also will start reporting positive test results per patient, so numbers are not inflated by patients who test positive multiple times.
Also on Tuesday, a part of the Ford production plant in the Kansas City suburb of Claycomo was shut down after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus.
Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker said the transit side of the plant stopped production for about an hour to allow the company to deep clean and disinfect the employee’s work area, equipment, team area and the path the employee had taken at the plant during the day.


washingtontimes--2020-05-26--Montana asks state court to overturn mail ballot ruling

HELENA , Mont .
( AP ) - Montana ’ s attorney general asked the state Supreme Court on Tuesday to overturn a Yellowstone County judge ’ s ruling that would allow absentee ballots to be counted as long as they ’ re postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the following Monday .
District Judge Donald Harris of Billings granted a preliminary injunction Friday preventing the state from enforcing a law that requires absentee ballots to be received by county election offices by 8 p.m. on Election Day .
On Tuesday , Attorney General Tim Fox asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay without waiting for the District Court to rule since the primary election is on June 2 .
Fox previously filed a motion on behalf of Secretary of State Corey Stapleton asking Harris to stay his ruling .
State officials argue the Election Day deadline has been in place for decades , but the Montana Democratic Party and others didn ’ t seek the preliminary injunction until late April .
The state also argues instructions that accompanied the ballots included the Election Day deadline .
The disparity and inconsistency in the length of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot significantly burdens absentee voters because they vote a week before the election , have less time and information to decide how to vote and even if they vote a week early , there ’ s no guarantee their ballot will be delivered by the U.S .
Postal Service in time for it to be counted , Harris wrote Friday .
Harris also found the receipt deadline doesn ’ t treat in-person and absentee voters the same , because people who are in line to vote by 8 p.m. on Election Day are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absentee ballots not returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day will not be counted .
Harris also issued a preliminary injunction preventing the state from enforcing the voter-approved Ballot Interference Prevention Act , saying it , along with the receipt deadline , acts to suppress turnout among voters who are Native American , elderly , disabled , poor , parents working low-wage jobs , college students , first-time voters and those who have relied on ballot collection services .
The law restricts the ability to collect and turn in other voters ’ absentee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Montana Supreme Court to overturn Harris ‘ injunction preventing enforcement of the so-called ballot harvesting rule .

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Montana’s attorney general asked the state Supreme Court on Tuesday to overturn a Yellowstone County judge’s ruling that would allow absentee ballots to be counted as long as they’re postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the following Monday.
District Judge Donald Harris of Billings granted a preliminary injunction Friday preventing the state from enforcing a law that requires absentee ballots to be received by county election offices by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
On Tuesday, Attorney General Tim Fox asked the Montana Supreme Court to issue a stay without waiting for the District Court to rule since the primary election is on June 2. Fox previously filed a motion on behalf of Secretary of State Corey Stapleton asking Harris to stay his ruling.
State officials argue the Election Day deadline has been in place for decades, but the Montana Democratic Party and others didn’t seek the preliminary injunction until late April. The state also argues instructions that accompanied the ballots included the Election Day deadline.
The disparity and inconsistency in the length of time it takes to deliver a mailed ballot significantly burdens absentee voters because they vote a week before the election, have less time and information to decide how to vote and even if they vote a week early, there’s no guarantee their ballot will be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service in time for it to be counted, Harris wrote Friday.
Harris also found the receipt deadline doesn’t treat in-person and absentee voters the same, because people who are in line to vote by 8 p.m. on Election Day are still allowed to vote. However, absentee ballots not returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day will not be counted.
Harris also issued a preliminary injunction preventing the state from enforcing the voter-approved Ballot Interference Prevention Act, saying it, along with the receipt deadline, acts to suppress turnout among voters who are Native American, elderly, disabled, poor, parents working low-wage jobs, college students, first-time voters and those who have relied on ballot collection services.
The law restricts the ability to collect and turn in other voters’ absentee ballots.
The state is not asking the Montana Supreme Court to overturn Harris’ injunction preventing enforcement of the so-called ballot harvesting rule.


washingtontimes--2020-05-26--Rural hot spots reignite COVID fears as summer revelers shun social distancing

Deaths tied to COVID-19 approached the 100,000 mark Tuesday as the U.S. entered a tenuous phase of the outbreak , with lax summertime behavior and rural hot spots sparking new fears even as hard-hit places such as New York and New Jersey reported progress .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy , a Democrat , said metrics from hospitals in his hard-hit state continued to “ move in the right direction , ” and traders were allowed back onto the floor of the New York Stock Exchange for the first time since late March .
Yet scenes of people packing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend raised hackles from health officials in other states .
St. Louis County called for the self-quarantine of travelers who showed “ no efforts to follow social distancing practices ” in Missouri ’ s Ozarks .
In Alabama , hospitals were reporting a surge in COVID-19 cases in Montgomery as Gov .
Kay Ivey , a Republican , tried to strike a balance between the health and economic aspects of dealing with the outbreak .
Smaller hot spots are popping up .
A New York Times page that tracks places with high numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the heartland , including in Tennessee , Nebraska and Indiana .
“ As we move into the next phase of this pandemic , it may not be that major cities will be the hot spots , ” said Amesh Adalja , a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security .
“ Major cities may have put into place augmented diagnostic testing and contact tracing programs as well as expanded hospital capacity .
However , rural areas that may be homes to meatpacking plants as well as large prison populations could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration for lingering problems as the nationwide death toll approached 100,000 , more than twice the officially acknowledged number of any other country .
House lawmakers heard testimony from Christi A. Grimm , a Department of Health and Human Services watchdog who was nudged from her acting position at the top of the inspector general ’ s office after she issued a March report that found shortages of medical equipment in hospitals .
Ms. Grimm said the inspector general ’ s office is looking at more than a dozen topics related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration , in approving , developing and distributing COVID-19 tests .
Early stutter-steps in diagnostics have been blamed for the rapid spread of the disease .
“ It seems to me that ’ s got to be a primary focus on your work , ” said Rep. Gerald E. Connolly , Virginia Democrat .
Mr. Trump defended his response to the coronavirus outbreak .
He tweeted that far more people would have died without his efforts and that he “ made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great , by getting them the Ventilators , unlimited Testing , and supplies , all of which they should have had in their own stockpiles.
” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said 42 states are reporting positivity rates of less than 10 % as they increase testing .
Public health experts say places with rates higher than 10 % might not be detecting enough cases .
She also said the White House is getting a great reception from world leaders who have been asked to consider a trip to Washington in late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of representatives from major industrial nations , despite the pandemic .
Mr. Trump said it would be great to hold the G-7 in person at the White House instead of virtually , as currently planned .
“ We will protect world leaders who come here just like we protect people in the White House , ” Ms. McEnany said .
“ We want to see it happen , we think it will happen and , so far , foreign leaders are very much on board with the idea.
” Yet widely shared images @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri prompted fears that other places weren ’ t being cautious .
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health said employers asked the agency how to open their businesses safely since people from the area showed no effort to distance themselves while partying .
“ This reckless behavior endangers countless people and risks setting us back substantially from the progress we have made in slowing the spread of COVID-19 , ” said Sam Page , the St. Louis County executive .
Ms. McEnany said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen , “ but we do want to do so safely.
” “ There are ways to do this , ” she said , referring to proper physical distancing and hand-washing .
“ The president would underscore to everyone , we should be taking into account these measures.
” New York and New Jersey still lead the nation by far in total COVID-19 cases and deaths , though governors of both states reported slow and continued improvement with downward trends in hospitalizations and deaths as they slowly reopen .
Many towns with high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to settings where infections are rampant , such as prisons and meat-processing plants .
Last month , Mr. Trump signed an executive order requiring an adequate number of meat-processing plants to remain open during the coronavirus crisis to ensure Americans have enough beef , poultry and pork .
Mr. Trump took the action under the Defense Production Act .
He declared the plants part of the critical U.S. infrastructure and gave Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue the authority to order plants to remain open .
The president said plants have procured protective equipment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of workers , though labor unions and Democrats have said workers remain exposed .
“ Did President Trump ’ s executive order forcing these meat-packing facilities to open hurt their workers ?
” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , New York Democrat , tweeted Tuesday alongside an article about sickened plant workers and potential meat shortages .
In Montgomery , Alabama , a surge in the number of COVID-19 patients prompted fears that hospitals would run out of beds in intensive care units and would need to divert patients to other cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing a higher number of COVID-19 patients than they have previously seen , but they are not turning away patients , and to my knowledge , they have not transferred any COVID-19 patients to Birmingham , ” said Gina Maiola , a spokeswoman for the governor .
“ It is a normal practice to transfer patients who need other types of specialty care to Birmingham hospitals , and even still , I understand that space is still available for non-coronavirus patients.
” Ms. Ivey has urged Alabama residents to practice social distancing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tries to reopen its economy while corralling the outbreak .
Her office said increased testing capacity “ naturally could add to our increase in case count.
” “ However , we can not disregard that transmission of this virus can still occur , and at the same time , we must continue to strike a balance between the health and economic aspects , ” Ms. Maiola said .
“ The governor reminds us that you can not have a life without a livelihood .
”

Deaths tied to COVID-19 approached the 100,000 mark Tuesday as the U.S. entered a tenuous phase of the outbreak, with lax summertime behavior and rural hot spots sparking new fears even as hard-hit places such as New York and New Jersey reported progress.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said metrics from hospitals in his hard-hit state continued to “move in the right direction,” and traders were allowed back onto the floor of the New York Stock Exchange for the first time since late March.
Yet scenes of people packing beaches and bars over the Memorial Day weekend raised hackles from health officials in other states. St. Louis County called for the self-quarantine of travelers who showed “no efforts to follow social distancing practices” in Missouri’s Ozarks.
In Alabama, hospitals were reporting a surge in COVID-19 cases in Montgomery as Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, tried to strike a balance between the health and economic aspects of dealing with the outbreak.
Smaller hot spots are popping up. A New York Times page that tracks places with high numbers of cases per capita lists towns across the heartland, including in Tennessee, Nebraska and Indiana.
“As we move into the next phase of this pandemic, it may not be that major cities will be the hot spots,” said Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “Major cities may have put into place augmented diagnostic testing and contact tracing programs as well as expanded hospital capacity. However, rural areas that may be homes to meatpacking plants as well as large prison populations could become hot spots.”
Democrats blamed the Trump administration for lingering problems as the nationwide death toll approached 100,000, more than twice the officially acknowledged number of any other country.
House lawmakers heard testimony from Christi A. Grimm, a Department of Health and Human Services watchdog who was nudged from her acting position at the top of the inspector general’s office after she issued a March report that found shortages of medical equipment in hospitals.
Ms. Grimm said the inspector general’s office is looking at more than a dozen topics related to the coronavirus, including the roles of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, in approving, developing and distributing COVID-19 tests. Early stutter-steps in diagnostics have been blamed for the rapid spread of the disease.
“It seems to me that’s got to be a primary focus on your work,” said Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Virginia Democrat.
Mr. Trump defended his response to the coronavirus outbreak. He tweeted that far more people would have died without his efforts and that he “made most Governors look very good, even great, by getting them the Ventilators, unlimited Testing, and supplies, all of which they should have had in their own stockpiles.”
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said 42 states are reporting positivity rates of less than 10% as they increase testing. Public health experts say places with rates higher than 10% might not be detecting enough cases.
She also said the White House is getting a great reception from world leaders who have been asked to consider a trip to Washington in late June for the Group of Seven summit of representatives from major industrial nations, despite the pandemic.
Mr. Trump said it would be great to hold the G-7 in person at the White House instead of virtually, as currently planned.
“We will protect world leaders who come here just like we protect people in the White House,” Ms. McEnany said. “We want to see it happen, we think it will happen and, so far, foreign leaders are very much on board with the idea.”
Yet widely shared images of people crowded in a pool area near the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri prompted fears that other places weren’t being cautious.
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health said employers asked the agency how to open their businesses safely since people from the area showed no effort to distance themselves while partying.
“This reckless behavior endangers countless people and risks setting us back substantially from the progress we have made in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” said Sam Page, the St. Louis County executive.
Ms. McEnany said the president wants society and the economy to reopen, “but we do want to do so safely.”
“There are ways to do this,” she said, referring to proper physical distancing and hand-washing. “The president would underscore to everyone, we should be taking into account these measures.”
New York and New Jersey still lead the nation by far in total COVID-19 cases and deaths, though governors of both states reported slow and continued improvement with downward trends in hospitalizations and deaths as they slowly reopen.
Many towns with high numbers of cases per capita are home to settings where infections are rampant, such as prisons and meat-processing plants.
Last month, Mr. Trump signed an executive order requiring an adequate number of meat-processing plants to remain open during the coronavirus crisis to ensure Americans have enough beef, poultry and pork.
Mr. Trump took the action under the Defense Production Act. He declared the plants part of the critical U.S. infrastructure and gave Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue the authority to order plants to remain open.
The president said plants have procured protective equipment and taken other steps to ensure the safety of workers, though labor unions and Democrats have said workers remain exposed.
“Did President Trump’s executive order forcing these meat-packing facilities to open hurt their workers?” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, tweeted Tuesday alongside an article about sickened plant workers and potential meat shortages.
In Montgomery, Alabama, a surge in the number of COVID-19 patients prompted fears that hospitals would run out of beds in intensive care units and would need to divert patients to other cities.
“In Montgomery, hospitals are seeing a higher number of COVID-19 patients than they have previously seen, but they are not turning away patients, and to my knowledge, they have not transferred any COVID-19 patients to Birmingham,” said Gina Maiola, a spokeswoman for the governor. “It is a normal practice to transfer patients who need other types of specialty care to Birmingham hospitals, and even still, I understand that space is still available for non-coronavirus patients.”
Ms. Ivey has urged Alabama residents to practice social distancing and take other health precautions as the state tries to reopen its economy while corralling the outbreak. Her office said increased testing capacity “naturally could add to our increase in case count.”
“However, we cannot disregard that transmission of this virus can still occur, and at the same time, we must continue to strike a balance between the health and economic aspects,” Ms. Maiola said. “The governor reminds us that you cannot have a life without a livelihood.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-26--Man accused of trying to kidnap nurse after psych evaluation

HOWELL , N.J. ( AP ) - A New Jersey man who was arrested and sent for a psych evaluation last week tracked down a nurse from the medical center he was at and assaulted her before she was able to fight him off , police said .
An officer and his police dog found Leonardo Larrarte , 37 , after the alleged attack Friday and arrested him .
He is charged with attempted kidnapping and burglary , NJ.com reported Monday .
His arrest came less than a day after Larrarte was arrested by Lakewood police for an altercation he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Andrew Kudrick said .
The Lakewood resident was then sent to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus for a psych evaluation where he had a brief interaction with the nurse he would later go on to track down , Kudrick said .
Upon his release , Kudrick said Larrarte walked 6 miles from his residence to the nurse ’ s home in the Ramtown section of Howell where he proceeded to attack the caregiver ’ s 64-year-old mother before punching and choking the nurse .
Larrarte ran away after the victim fought him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes are our sanctuary .
A place that should always be safe , ” Kudrick said in a statement .
“ No one should have to go through such a traumatic , life-altering incident such as this.
” Officials do not know how Larrarte found the nurse ’ s address .
In addition to attempted kidnapping and burglary , Larrarte was charged with making terroristic threats , simple assault and possession of synthetic marijuana .
The nurse and her mother were treated at a nearby hospital and released shortly after .
It could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Larrarte had an attorney who could comment on his behalf .
He will remain at the Monmouth County jail until his next court hearing .

HOWELL, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey man who was arrested and sent for a psych evaluation last week tracked down a nurse from the medical center he was at and assaulted her before she was able to fight him off, police said.
An officer and his police dog found Leonardo Larrarte, 37, after the alleged attack Friday and arrested him. He is charged with attempted kidnapping and burglary, NJ.com reported Monday.
His arrest came less than a day after Larrarte was arrested by Lakewood police for an altercation he had with his roommate, Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick said.
The Lakewood resident was then sent to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus for a psych evaluation where he had a brief interaction with the nurse he would later go on to track down, Kudrick said.
Upon his release, Kudrick said Larrarte walked 6 miles from his residence to the nurse’s home in the Ramtown section of Howell where he proceeded to attack the caregiver’s 64-year-old mother before punching and choking the nurse.
Larrarte ran away after the victim fought him off, Kudrick said.
“Our homes are our sanctuary. A place that should always be safe,” Kudrick said in a statement. “No one should have to go through such a traumatic, life-altering incident such as this.”
Officials do not know how Larrarte found the nurse’s address.
In addition to attempted kidnapping and burglary, Larrarte was charged with making terroristic threats, simple assault and possession of synthetic marijuana.
The nurse and her mother were treated at a nearby hospital and released shortly after.
It could not be determined as of Tuesday afternoon if Larrarte had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
He will remain at the Monmouth County jail until his next court hearing.