washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Adam Alsahli identified as gunman in 'terrorism-related' Naval Air Station Corpus Christi shooting

A shooting at a Texas naval air station that wounded a sailor and left the gunman dead early Thursday was being investigated as “ terrorism-related , ” the FBI said , but divulged few details as to why .
The suspect was identified as Adam Alsahli of Corpus Christi , according to three officials familiar with the investigation who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity .
At about 6:15 a.m. , the gunman tried to speed through a security gate at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi , opening fire and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base security , U.S. officials told the AP .
But she was able to roll over and hit the switch that raised a barrier , preventing the man from getting onto the base , the officials said .
Other security personnel shot and killed the man .
There was an initial concern that he may have an explosive device , but Navy experts swept the area and the car and found nothing .
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details about an ongoing investigation .
Officials were still working to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day and had recovered some type of electronic media .
The base was on lockdown for about five hours , but it was lifted shortly before noon .
The main gate was reopened , though the gate where the incident occurred was still shut down .
FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Leah Greeves said at a news conference that investigators were working to determine whether a second person of interest was at large but did not elaborate .
She also would not discuss a potential motive or specify what led investigators to believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We have determined that the incident this morning at the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi is terrorism related , ” Greeves said .
“ We are working diligently with our state , local and federal partners on this investigation , which is fluid and evolving.
” The FBI ’ s field office in Houston has taken the lead on the investigation , and neither investigators nor the Navy provided details on the shooter or a possible motive .
Attorney General William Barr has also been briefed , a Justice Department spokeswoman said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hospital where she was treated for minor injuries , according to a statement from the command .
The air station is surrounded by water on three sides and is home to Naval pilot training since 1941 , according to its website .
Marine Corps , Navy , U.S. Coast Guard student pilots train there .
It ’ s also home to the Corpus Christi Army Depot , a depot for the Department of Defense rotary wing aircraft .
The station had a similar lockdown last December .
In another incident at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty to destruction of U.S. government property and possession of a stolen firearm for ramming his truck into a barricade at the Corpus Christi station .
The shooting also comes months after a Saudi Air Force officer who was training at a Navy base in Pensacola , Florida , killed three U.S. sailors and wounded eight other people in a shooting that American officials described as an act of terrorism .
The country ’ s top federal law enforcement officials said this week that the gunman in December ’ s attack , Mohammed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with al-Qaida operatives about planning and tactics in the months before the shooting .
Alshamrani was killed by a sheriff ’ s deputy .
According to U.S. officials , unlike Pensacola , there are no international or foreign national students at the Texas base .
The military put a number of new safety procedures in place after the Pensacola shooting to restrict and better screen international students .
• Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Colleen Long in Washington , Jill Zeman in Little Rock , Arkansas , and Jennifer Farrar in New @ @ @ @ @ @

A shooting at a Texas naval air station that wounded a sailor and left the gunman dead early Thursday was being investigated as “terrorism-related,” the FBI said, but divulged few details as to why.
The suspect was identified as Adam Alsahli of Corpus Christi, according to three officials familiar with the investigation who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
At about 6:15 a.m., the gunman tried to speed through a security gate at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, opening fire and wounding the sailor, a member of base security, U.S. officials told the AP. But she was able to roll over and hit the switch that raised a barrier, preventing the man from getting onto the base, the officials said.
Other security personnel shot and killed the man.
There was an initial concern that he may have an explosive device, but Navy experts swept the area and the car and found nothing. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details about an ongoing investigation. Officials were still working to process the crime scene late into the day and had recovered some type of electronic media.
The base was on lockdown for about five hours, but it was lifted shortly before noon. The main gate was reopened, though the gate where the incident occurred was still shut down.
FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Leah Greeves said at a news conference that investigators were working to determine whether a second person of interest was at large but did not elaborate. She also would not discuss a potential motive or specify what led investigators to believe the shooting was related to terrorism.
“We have determined that the incident this morning at the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi is terrorism related,” Greeves said. “We are working diligently with our state, local and federal partners on this investigation, which is fluid and evolving.”
The FBI’s field office in Houston has taken the lead on the investigation, and neither investigators nor the Navy provided details on the shooter or a possible motive. Attorney General William Barr has also been briefed, a Justice Department spokeswoman said.
The injured sailor was discharged from a hospital where she was treated for minor injuries, according to a statement from the command.
The air station is surrounded by water on three sides and is home to Naval pilot training since 1941, according to its website. Marine Corps, Navy, U.S. Coast Guard student pilots train there. It’s also home to the Corpus Christi Army Depot, a depot for the Department of Defense rotary wing aircraft.
The station had a similar lockdown last December. In another incident at the base last year, a man pleaded guilty to destruction of U.S. government property and possession of a stolen firearm for ramming his truck into a barricade at the Corpus Christi station.
The shooting also comes months after a Saudi Air Force officer who was training at a Navy base in Pensacola, Florida, killed three U.S. sailors and wounded eight other people in a shooting that American officials described as an act of terrorism. The country’s top federal law enforcement officials said this week that the gunman in December’s attack, Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, had been in touch with al-Qaida operatives about planning and tactics in the months before the shooting. Alshamrani was killed by a sheriff’s deputy.
According to U.S. officials, unlike Pensacola, there are no international or foreign national students at the Texas base. The military put a number of new safety procedures in place after the Pensacola shooting to restrict and better screen international students.
• Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Colleen Long in Washington, Jill Zeman in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Hawaii's unemployment rate jumps to 22.3% amid pandemic

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Hawaii ’ s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate jumped to 22.3 % in April , up from just 2.4 % the previous month , as hotels , restaurants and retailers closed amid efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
The state Department of Labor said Thursday 487,550 people were employed in Hawaii during the month out of a labor force of 627,450 .
Grayden Ha ‘ i-Kelly ’ s family on the Big Island ’ s Kona Coast is among those grappling with sudden unemployment .
Both he and his wife work for hotels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ha ‘ i-Kelly has been using up vacation time since the closure and was getting paid through last week .
He ’ s applying for unemployment this week .
His wife filed for unemployment benefits right away but had to wait about five weeks for her first check to come through .
The state has blamed delays in unemployment benefit payments on a surge of applications and outdated computer systems .
“ I got to praise my wife , because she was so patient .
Never , ever got angry or frustrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s glad they both didn ’ t apply for unemployment at the same time .
Not having both incomes “ would have been tough , ” he said .
He said the pandemic has taught his family some life lessons , like slowing down more in life , strengthening the family and taking care of others .
One thing they have been doing is waking up at 5 a.m. three times a week to go to a local eatery to help prepare food for those in need .
“ These are some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to teach my children .
This is how we grew up .
Things weren ’ t always easy , ” he said .
By island , the statistics indicate unemployment is most severe on Maui and Kauai islands .
The jobless rate on Maui was 36.1 % in April on a seasonally unadjusted basis .
On Kauai it was 34.4 % and on the Big Island , it was 24 % Lanai had the lowest unemployment rate at 5.5 % , followed by Molokai at 12 % and Oahu at 20 % .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had learned from his grandfather how to fish - and is grateful that he has friends who do and who will share their catch if he needs .
“ People here in Hawaii , we are people of the land .
Sustainability was a big thing growing up .
And so , if we know how to fish , if we know how to farm , we will be able to survive , ” he said .

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate jumped to 22.3% in April, up from just 2.4% the previous month, as hotels, restaurants and retailers closed amid efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Nationwide, the jobless rate stood at 14.7%
The state Department of Labor said Thursday 487,550 people were employed in Hawaii during the month out of a labor force of 627,450.
Grayden Ha‘i-Kelly’s family on the Big Island’s Kona Coast is among those grappling with sudden unemployment. Both he and his wife work for hotels that temporarily shut down in late March.
Ha‘i-Kelly has been using up vacation time since the closure and was getting paid through last week. He’s applying for unemployment this week.
His wife filed for unemployment benefits right away but had to wait about five weeks for her first check to come through. The state has blamed delays in unemployment benefit payments on a surge of applications and outdated computer systems.
“I got to praise my wife, because she was so patient. Never, ever got angry or frustrated,” he said.
He’s glad they both didn’t apply for unemployment at the same time. Not having both incomes “would have been tough,” he said.
He said the pandemic has taught his family some life lessons, like slowing down more in life, strengthening the family and taking care of others. One thing they have been doing is waking up at 5 a.m. three times a week to go to a local eatery to help prepare food for those in need.
“These are some of the lessons I’ve been trying to teach my children. This is how we grew up. Things weren’t always easy,” he said.
By island, the statistics indicate unemployment is most severe on Maui and Kauai islands. The jobless rate on Maui was 36.1% in April on a seasonally unadjusted basis. On Kauai it was 34.4% and on the Big Island, it was 24%
Lanai had the lowest unemployment rate at 5.5%, followed by Molokai at 12% and Oahu at 20%.
Ha‘i-Kelly said he wishes he had learned from his grandfather how to fish - and is grateful that he has friends who do and who will share their catch if he needs.
“People here in Hawaii, we are people of the land. Sustainability was a big thing growing up. And so, if we know how to fish, if we know how to farm, we will be able to survive,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Virus death toll in Los Angeles County tops 2,000 people

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Los Angeles County ’ s death toll from the coronavirus passed 2,000 on Thursday even as other figures pointed to progress in slowing the spread of the disease .
The largest county in California recorded 46 more COVID-19-related deaths for a total of 2,016 .
That represents about 60 % of all virus-related deaths in California .
“ This is a very sad milestone for us , ” Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said at a daily news briefing .
However , Ferrer said the average recent rates of hospitalizations and deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggests the rate of COVID-19 prevalence didn ’ t rise between March and April .
The county has seen more than 42,000 cases .
Authorities have indicated that unlike most counties , L.A. won ’ t be able to meet the state requirements to accelerate the reopening of its economy by allowing currently prohibited activities , such as dining inside restaurants .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom has been relaxing some of the strict stay-at-home requirements he instituted in March that have shuttered most businesses and thrown the economy into a tailspin .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been a growing push by counties to move more quickly towards reopening even as polls show general support by the public in general for stay-at-home orders .
Newsom this week announced relaxed standards for measuring a county ’ s success against the virus .
Meeting the marks allows a county to request approval from the state to reopen more businesses and recreational activities .
Large counties had complained that a provision of the original standards that required no deaths from the virus for two weeks meant only smaller counties would be approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large counties are now among those that have been cleared to move farther ahead into the second of four stages for full reopening .
Fresno and San Joaquin were among the latest counties approved Thursday , bringing the total to at least 43 of the state ’ s 58 counties .
San Diego County , the state ’ s second most populous county , won approval Wednesday .
Another large Southern California county - Orange - submitted its reopening plan to the state Thursday , said Michelle Steel , chair of the county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move came as the county reported 14 deaths , its highest number in a single day .
Ten were residents of skilled nursing facilities , Steel said .
In the Orange County city of San Clemente , eight people were arrested at a demonstration against Newsom ’ s stay-at-home orders .
The Sheriff ’ s Department said the arrests occurred during a protest near the pier that drew 200 people .
Those arrested are being investigated for activities including vandalism and trespassing , the department said .
In Northern California , Sacramento County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beilenson reversed his approval from earlier in the week allowing fitness centers to reopen and for groups of up to 10 to gather , the Sacramento Bee reported .
Beilenson said state officials told him it ’ s too early for those higher-risk elements of reopening .
Sacramento County will go ahead with plans to begin allowing restaurant dining on Friday .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles County’s death toll from the coronavirus passed 2,000 on Thursday even as other figures pointed to progress in slowing the spread of the disease.
The largest county in California recorded 46 more COVID-19-related deaths for a total of 2,016. That represents about 60% of all virus-related deaths in California.
“This is a very sad milestone for us,” Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said at a daily news briefing.
However, Ferrer said the average recent rates of hospitalizations and deaths in the county are decreasing and one study suggests the rate of COVID-19 prevalence didn’t rise between March and April. The county has seen more than 42,000 cases.
Authorities have indicated that unlike most counties, L.A. won’t be able to meet the state requirements to accelerate the reopening of its economy by allowing currently prohibited activities, such as dining inside restaurants.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has been relaxing some of the strict stay-at-home requirements he instituted in March that have shuttered most businesses and thrown the economy into a tailspin. With millions filing for unemployment benefits, there has been a growing push by counties to move more quickly towards reopening even as polls show general support by the public in general for stay-at-home orders.
Newsom this week announced relaxed standards for measuring a county’s success against the virus. Meeting the marks allows a county to request approval from the state to reopen more businesses and recreational activities.
Large counties had complained that a provision of the original standards that required no deaths from the virus for two weeks meant only smaller counties would be approved. That requirement was removed and many large counties are now among those that have been cleared to move farther ahead into the second of four stages for full reopening.
Fresno and San Joaquin were among the latest counties approved Thursday, bringing the total to at least 43 of the state’s 58 counties. San Diego County, the state’s second most populous county, won approval Wednesday.
Another large Southern California county - Orange - submitted its reopening plan to the state Thursday, said Michelle Steel, chair of the county’s board of supervisors. The move came as the county reported 14 deaths, its highest number in a single day. Ten were residents of skilled nursing facilities, Steel said.
In the Orange County city of San Clemente, eight people were arrested at a demonstration against Newsom’s stay-at-home orders. The Sheriff’s Department said the arrests occurred during a protest near the pier that drew 200 people.
Those arrested are being investigated for activities including vandalism and trespassing, the department said.
In Northern California, Sacramento County’s top health official. Peter Beilenson reversed his approval from earlier in the week allowing fitness centers to reopen and for groups of up to 10 to gather, the Sacramento Bee reported. Beilenson said state officials told him it’s too early for those higher-risk elements of reopening.
Sacramento County will go ahead with plans to begin allowing restaurant dining on Friday.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Supreme Court won't put transgender inmate surgery on hold

BOISE , Idaho ( AP ) - The U.S. Supreme Court won ’ t put an Idaho transgender inmate ’ s gender confirmation surgery on hold while a lawsuit over the procedure moves forward .
The order on Thursday means Adree Edmo can continue getting pre-surgical treatments and potentially even gender confirmation surgery this year while Idaho officials wait to hear if the high court will consider their appeal .
Edmo has been housed in a men ’ s prison facility since she first began serving time on a charge of sexually abusing a child younger than 16 in 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July of 2021 .
She sued the state three years ago , contending that prison officials ’ refusal to provide her with gender confirmation surgery causes her severe distress because she has gender dysphoria .
One of her attorneys , Lori Rifkin , has said Edmo experienced such suffering from the lack of treatment that she twice tried to cut off her testicles in her prison cell .
Attorneys for the Idaho Department of Correction and private prison healthcare company Corizon have agreed that Edmo ’ s condition has caused her distress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have determined the surgery isn ’ t medically necessary and would do more harm than good because it could exacerbate her other mental health conditions .
Idaho Gov .
Brad Little has also said Edmo shouldn ’ t have access to taxpayer-funded surgical procedures that other Idahoans can ’ t get covered through their own insurance .
But Edmo ’ s attorneys say prisons don ’ t get to pick and choose which people to treat , and they ’ re required to provide medically necessary care to incarcerated people .
They have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edmo by denying the surgery vastly outweighs any harm that providing it would pose to the state or Corizon .
Edmo has so far prevailed at both the federal district and appellate courts .
The state ’ s attorneys asked the Supreme Court to consider the case earlier this month , and the high court hasn ’ t yet decided if it will do so .
The order denying the stay was given by Justice Elena Kagan without explanation , but it noted that Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito would have granted @ @ @ @ @ @

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - The U.S. Supreme Court won’t put an Idaho transgender inmate’s gender confirmation surgery on hold while a lawsuit over the procedure moves forward.
The order on Thursday means Adree Edmo can continue getting pre-surgical treatments and potentially even gender confirmation surgery this year while Idaho officials wait to hear if the high court will consider their appeal.
Edmo has been housed in a men’s prison facility since she first began serving time on a charge of sexually abusing a child younger than 16 in 2012. She’s scheduled for release in July of 2021.
She sued the state three years ago, contending that prison officials’ refusal to provide her with gender confirmation surgery causes her severe distress because she has gender dysphoria. One of her attorneys, Lori Rifkin, has said Edmo experienced such suffering from the lack of treatment that she twice tried to cut off her testicles in her prison cell.
Attorneys for the Idaho Department of Correction and private prison healthcare company Corizon have agreed that Edmo’s condition has caused her distress. But they contend her prison doctors have determined the surgery isn’t medically necessary and would do more harm than good because it could exacerbate her other mental health conditions.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little has also said Edmo shouldn’t have access to taxpayer-funded surgical procedures that other Idahoans can’t get covered through their own insurance.
But Edmo’s attorneys say prisons don’t get to pick and choose which people to treat, and they’re required to provide medically necessary care to incarcerated people. They have also contended that the harm done to Edmo by denying the surgery vastly outweighs any harm that providing it would pose to the state or Corizon.
Edmo has so far prevailed at both the federal district and appellate courts.
The state’s attorneys asked the Supreme Court to consider the case earlier this month, and the high court hasn’t yet decided if it will do so. The order denying the stay was given by Justice Elena Kagan without explanation, but it noted that Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito would have granted the state’s request.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Wildfire leads to 150 homes evacuated in small Arizona town

BAGDAD , Ariz. ( AP ) - A wildfire in the small town of Bagdad forced the evacuations of 150 @ @ @ @ @ crews were trying to contain the 55-acre fire by sunset .
Yavapai County Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ began Thursday afternoon and its cause isn ’ t immediately known .
Arizona Department of @ @ @ @ @ said tanker drops have helped douse some of the flames and 75 personnel on the @ @ @ @ @ hand .
They say the fire should lay down after sunset .
Sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ being set up at Bagdad High School for evacuees .
The copper mining town has @ @ @ @ @ .
Bagdad is about 60 miles ( 96 kilometers ) west of Prescott and 100 @ @ @ @ @ northwest of Phoenix .

BAGDAD, Ariz. (AP) - A wildfire in the small town of Bagdad forced the evacuations of 150 homes Thursday and authorities said crews were trying to contain the 55-acre fire by sunset.
Yavapai County Sheriff’s officials said the fire began Thursday afternoon and its cause isn’t immediately known.
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management officials said tanker drops have helped douse some of the flames and 75 personnel on the ground were gaining the upper hand.
They say the fire should lay down after sunset.
Sheriff’s officials said a shelter was being set up at Bagdad High School for evacuees.
The copper mining town has a population of about 2,000.
Bagdad is about 60 miles (96 kilometers) west of Prescott and 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Phoenix.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Cook County releases COVID patients addresses to first responders

The Board of Commissioners in Cook County , Illinois , narrowly approved a resolution Thursday that lets suburban Chicago first responders get the addresses of individuals who have tested positive for the coronavirus .
The Washington Times last month reported on efforts of police , fire , and emergency workers in Cook County to obtain the addresses of coronavirus patients , saying the information was necessary to protect first responders .
In a 9-7 vote , seven Democrats and two Republicans voted to approve the measure , while the panel ’ s remaining seven Democrats voted against it .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus patients ’ addresses to first responders , but not their names or any identifying information .
The measure only applies to suburban Cook County and not the city of Chicago .
An emergency-dispatch service company filed a lawsuit to compel the County Board of Health to release the addresses , but a county judge denied their claims .
Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel told The Washington Times he was “ profoundly grateful ” to the commissioners who supported the resolution .
“ This was always a first responder public safety issue and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to address only , no other information was requested , ” he said .

The Board of Commissioners in Cook County, Illinois, narrowly approved a resolution Thursday that lets suburban Chicago first responders get the addresses of individuals who have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Washington Times last month reported on efforts of police, fire, and emergency workers in Cook County to obtain the addresses of coronavirus patients, saying the information was necessary to protect first responders.
In a 9-7 vote, seven Democrats and two Republicans voted to approve the measure, while the panel’s remaining seven Democrats voted against it.
The resolution will allow for the disclosure of coronavirus patients’ addresses to first responders, but not their names or any identifying information.
The measure only applies to suburban Cook County and not the city of Chicago.
An emergency-dispatch service company filed a lawsuit to compel the County Board of Health to release the addresses, but a county judge denied their claims.
First responders praised the resolution’s passage.
Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel told The Washington Times he was “profoundly grateful” to the commissioners who supported the resolution.
“This was always a first responder public safety issue and the scope of the request was limited to address only, no other information was requested,” he said.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Correction: Farm Loans-Delinquencies story

BELLE PLAINE , Kan. ( AP ) - In a story May 20 , 2020 , about farm loan delinquencies @ @ @ @ @ reported that the USDA ’ s Farm Service Agency has lent beginning farmers and smaller @ @ @ @ @ .
The correct amount is $ 12.7 billion .

FILE - In this April 20, 2020, file photo, a farmer is silhouetted by the setting sun as a field is planted near Walford, Iowa. U.S. farmers across the nation leaned more heavily upon the federal government last year to …
FILE - In this April 20, …


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--University of California to drop SAT, ACT test requirements

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) - The University of California will drop the SAT and ACT tests as admission requirements through 2024 and eliminate them for California residents after that , a landmark decision by the prestigious university system .
The UC ’ s governing body , the Board of Regents , voted 23-0 Thursday to approve a proposal by UC President Janet Napolitano that phases the tests out over five years , at which point the UC aims to have developed its own test .
The regents met in a teleconference that lasted several hours Thursday , with expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national conversation about whether the tests discriminate against disadvantaged students or help admissions offices find the most qualified applicants .
“ I think this is an incredible step in the right direction , ” Regents Chairman John Perez said .
Critics of the tests have long argued they put minority and low-income students at a disadvantage because the test questions often contain inherent bias that more privileged children are better equipped to answer .
Wealthier students also tend to take expensive prep courses that help boost their scores , which many students can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With California high school campuses closed because of the coronavirus pandemic , the UC had already made the tests optional for students who want to attend the fall 2021 sessions .
Under the plan approved Thursday , SAT and ACT tests will be optional for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years for all applicants .
Starting in 2023 and continuing the following year , the admissions process will be “ test blind ” for California residents , meaning SAT and ACT scores won ’ t be used in admissions decisions but could still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placement and scholarships .
Napolitano asked the school ’ s academic senate to work with the administration on a plan for out-of-state and international students applying as of fall 2023 .
In 2025 , the 290,000-student UC system will either replace the SAT and ACT with its own admissions test , or if it ’ s unable to create its own exam , will eliminate its standardized testing requirement altogether .
Napolitano ’ s office said in a statement that assessing nonresident students “ presents challenges in terms of fairness and practicality , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new tests for California students to out-of-state applicants or using some other standardized tests .
The decision by the massive UC system could be influential as other colleges nationwide eye similar decisions .
UC officials said they would begin working on the new test this summer .

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The University of California will drop the SAT and ACT tests as admission requirements through 2024 and eliminate them for California residents after that, a landmark decision by the prestigious university system.
The UC’s governing body, the Board of Regents, voted 23-0 Thursday to approve a proposal by UC President Janet Napolitano that phases the tests out over five years, at which point the UC aims to have developed its own test.
The regents met in a teleconference that lasted several hours Thursday, with expert presentations and lengthy debates that echoed a national conversation about whether the tests discriminate against disadvantaged students or help admissions offices find the most qualified applicants.
“I think this is an incredible step in the right direction,” Regents Chairman John Perez said.
Critics of the tests have long argued they put minority and low-income students at a disadvantage because the test questions often contain inherent bias that more privileged children are better equipped to answer. Wealthier students also tend to take expensive prep courses that help boost their scores, which many students can’t afford, critics say.
With California high school campuses closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, the UC had already made the tests optional for students who want to attend the fall 2021 sessions.
Under the plan approved Thursday, SAT and ACT tests will be optional for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years for all applicants.
Starting in 2023 and continuing the following year, the admissions process will be “test blind” for California residents, meaning SAT and ACT scores won’t be used in admissions decisions but could still be considered for purposes such as course placement and scholarships. Napolitano asked the school’s academic senate to work with the administration on a plan for out-of-state and international students applying as of fall 2023.
In 2025, the 290,000-student UC system will either replace the SAT and ACT with its own admissions test, or if it’s unable to create its own exam, will eliminate its standardized testing requirement altogether.
Napolitano’s office said in a statement that assessing nonresident students “presents challenges in terms of fairness and practicality,” but the options include extending the new tests for California students to out-of-state applicants or using some other standardized tests.
The decision by the massive UC system could be influential as other colleges nationwide eye similar decisions. UC officials said they would begin working on the new test this summer.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--AP Week in Pictures, Asia

AP Week in Pictures, Asia

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and @ @ @ @ @ curated by AP photo editor Masayo Yoshida in Tokyo .

MAY 15-21, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and Pacific.
The gallery was curated by AP photo editor Masayo Yoshida in Tokyo.
Follow AP visual journalism:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews
AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Donald Trump faces deadline to punish China aggression toward Hong Kong

If President Trump is looking for an early opportunity to strike back at China amid the coronavirus crisis , one is about to land on his doorstep .
Under a deadline set by Congress last year , the administration is supposed to certify by Monday whether China is respecting the autonomy of Hong Kong , and whether China is abusing special trade privileges the U.S. still allotts to the territory , but not to China itself .
If the administration can ’ t certify China ’ s compliance , it ’ s supposed to trigger a series of sanctions — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visa travel privileges .
Mr. Trump ’ s decision took on added heft Thursday after reports that China ’ s legislature was preparing to impose new national security rules on Hong Kong in the wake of protests that embarrassed the Beijing-backed government .
At the White House , the president said he ’ s waiting to see what China actually does .
“ If it happens , we ’ ll address that issue very strongly , ” he told reporters .
Sen. Marco Rubio , Florida Republican and author of the 2019 law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear response to China ’ s latest moves .
“ Congress provided the U.S. government with powerful tools when it passed my bipartisan Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act , and the administration should use this law to hold Beijing accountable , ” he said .
“ It is in the interest of the United States to respond swiftly to Beijing ’ s repeated attacks on Hong Kongers , their autonomy , and their basic rights.
” The HRDA , as the 2019 law is known , passed in the wake of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near-unanimous Congress trying to prod China .
Now amid coronavirus , it ’ s taken on added significance as a potential flash point amid already escalating tensions .
“ With all eyes firmly fixed on COVID-19 , Chinese President Xi Jinping is exploiting the pandemic his own government enabled to escalate the persecution and oppression of the great people of Hong Kong , ” said Rep. Chris Smith , who wrote the House version of the HRDA .
Britain , the longtime colonial master in Hong Kong , turned the territory over to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bound Beijing ’ s Communist rulers to respect Hong Kong ’ s autonomy as a special administrative region and to leave its liberal economy and government for 50 years under the formulation “ one country , two systems.
” “ In plain sight , China is breaking its word to uphold human rights , rule of law and high degree of autonomy embedded in the Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration , ” the New Jersey Republican told The Washington Times .
“ I am confident the Commerce Department will faithfully report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalties and actions commensurate with Xi Jinping ’ s anti-democracy crackdown.
” Gordon G. Chang , who studies China and the Far East , said that if the administration follows the law , there ’ s no question it should deem China to have violated the terms of Hong Kong ’ s autonomy .
“ I think the facts are clear that it is not possible to certify that Hong Kong should be entitled to the exemptions , because Beijing has made it clear it intends to take away all the vestiges of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. has sanctions on some dealings with China , such as licensing technology .
But under the theory that Hong Kong has autonomy , it has granted exemptions to the territory .
The point of the HRDA was to make clear that if China is violating that autonomy , the reasons for the exemptions disappear .
That was supposed to be a carrot enticing China to respect its promises toward Hong Kong , but if the U.S. follows through on the sanctions , it could end up hurting Hong Kong by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trade mecca .
“ What we ’ re talking about is , is Hong Kong run autonomously , ” he said .
“ We have seen , especially since the latter part of last year and especially this year , Beijing has taken full control of the government .
So I don ’ t see what the justification for the exemptions is.
” Mr. Trump is facing intense pressure from both parties on Capitol Hill to be more assertive toward China .
Sen. Ben Cardin , Maryland Democrat , joined Mr. Rubio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flex the HRDA to support Hong Kong .
The bipartisan pressure goes well beyond the immediate threats to Hong Kong .
A number of lawmakers have announced proposals to allow Americans to sue the Chinese government in U.S. courts to recover costs from fighting the coronavirus .
One senator is planning legislation to crack down on China ’ s attempts to steal American research , while another proposed a ban on Chinese-made drones being allowed into the U.S. , calling it a security risk .
Earlier this week the Senate passed legislation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets if they are deemed to be controlled by Beijing , or otherwise lacking in transparency .
The bill passed without objection .
The HRDA , which cleared Congress in November , was also overwhelmingly popular .
Only a single lawmaker in either chamber , Rep. Thomas Massie , Kentucky Republican , voted against it .
Mr. Trump at the time said he was pondering a veto , saying the legislation could sour his attempts to strike a trade deal with China .
But such a veto would likely have been futile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capitol Hill , virtually guaranteeing Congress could have overridden him .
Instead , the president signed the law — with a caveat .
He issued a signing statement complaining that “ certain provisions ” would interfere with his conduct of foreign policy , and he would treat those provisions “ consistently with the President ’ s constitutional authorities with respect to foreign relations.
” Mr. Rubio told The Times he expects Mr. Trump to abide by the terms of the legislation — including the deadlines .
“ Congress was clear when it passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act , and I fully expect the State Department to comply with the law , ” the senator said .
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment about the deadline , but made its displeasure with the law readily known last year .
Xinhua , the state news agency , refers to the law as a “ so-called act ” and gleefully quotes top Communist Party officials indignantly denouncing the law as a “ plot ” to undermine China ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hong Kong is an internal affair .
“ Hong Kong is part of China and Hong Kong affairs are China ’ s internal affairs and no foreign government or force shall interfere , ” Xinhua quoted the government as saying in November .
Xinhua refers to the 1997 handover as Hong Kong ’ s “ return to the motherland ” and says China is committed to “ one country , two systems .
”

If President Trump is looking for an early opportunity to strike back at China amid the coronavirus crisis, one is about to land on his doorstep.
Under a deadline set by Congress last year, the administration is supposed to certify by Monday whether China is respecting the autonomy of Hong Kong, and whether China is abusing special trade privileges the U.S. still allotts to the territory, but not to China itself.
If the administration can’t certify China’s compliance, it’s supposed to trigger a series of sanctions — including possible punitive tariffs and loss of visa travel privileges.
Mr. Trump’s decision took on added heft Thursday after reports that China’s legislature was preparing to impose new national security rules on Hong Kong in the wake of protests that embarrassed the Beijing-backed government.
At the White House, the president said he’s waiting to see what China actually does.
“If it happens, we’ll address that issue very strongly,” he told reporters.
Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Republican and author of the 2019 law, said it gives Mr. Trump a clear response to China’s latest moves.
“Congress provided the U.S. government with powerful tools when it passed my bipartisan Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, and the administration should use this law to hold Beijing accountable,” he said. “It is in the interest of the United States to respond swiftly to Beijing’s repeated attacks on Hong Kongers, their autonomy, and their basic rights.”
The HRDA, as the 2019 law is known, passed in the wake of the Hong Kong protests, with a near-unanimous Congress trying to prod China. Now amid coronavirus, it’s taken on added significance as a potential flash point amid already escalating tensions.
“With all eyes firmly fixed on COVID-19, Chinese President Xi Jinping is exploiting the pandemic his own government enabled to escalate the persecution and oppression of the great people of Hong Kong,” said Rep. Chris Smith, who wrote the House version of the HRDA.
Britain, the longtime colonial master in Hong Kong, turned the territory over to China in 1997 under a treaty that bound Beijing’s Communist rulers to respect Hong Kong’s autonomy as a special administrative region and to leave its liberal economy and government for 50 years under the formulation “one country, two systems.”
“In plain sight, China is breaking its word to uphold human rights, rule of law and high degree of autonomy embedded in the Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration,” the New Jersey Republican told The Washington Times. “I am confident the Commerce Department will faithfully report the facts to Congress along with such penalties and actions commensurate with Xi Jinping’s anti-democracy crackdown.”
Gordon G. Chang, who studies China and the Far East, said that if the administration follows the law, there’s no question it should deem China to have violated the terms of Hong Kong’s autonomy.
“I think the facts are clear that it is not possible to certify that Hong Kong should be entitled to the exemptions, because Beijing has made it clear it intends to take away all the vestiges of Hong Kong quickly,” he said.
The U.S. has sanctions on some dealings with China, such as licensing technology. But under the theory that Hong Kong has autonomy, it has granted exemptions to the territory.
The point of the HRDA was to make clear that if China is violating that autonomy, the reasons for the exemptions disappear.
That was supposed to be a carrot enticing China to respect its promises toward Hong Kong, but if the U.S. follows through on the sanctions, it could end up hurting Hong Kong by reducing its importance as a global financial and trade mecca.
Mr. Chang says Beijing is forcing America’s hand.
“What we’re talking about is, is Hong Kong run autonomously,” he said. “We have seen, especially since the latter part of last year and especially this year, Beijing has taken full control of the government. So I don’t see what the justification for the exemptions is.”
Mr. Trump is facing intense pressure from both parties on Capitol Hill to be more assertive toward China.
Sen. Ben Cardin, Maryland Democrat, joined Mr. Rubio Thursday in calling on the president to flex the HRDA to support Hong Kong.
The bipartisan pressure goes well beyond the immediate threats to Hong Kong.
A number of lawmakers have announced proposals to allow Americans to sue the Chinese government in U.S. courts to recover costs from fighting the coronavirus.
One senator is planning legislation to crack down on China’s attempts to steal American research, while another proposed a ban on Chinese-made drones being allowed into the U.S., calling it a security risk.
Earlier this week the Senate passed legislation that would delist Chinese companies from U.S. stock markets if they are deemed to be controlled by Beijing, or otherwise lacking in transparency. The bill passed without objection.
The HRDA, which cleared Congress in November, was also overwhelmingly popular. Only a single lawmaker in either chamber, Rep. Thomas Massie, Kentucky Republican, voted against it.
Mr. Trump at the time said he was pondering a veto, saying the legislation could sour his attempts to strike a trade deal with China. But such a veto would likely have been futile, given the near-unanimous level of support on Capitol Hill, virtually guaranteeing Congress could have overridden him.
Instead, the president signed the law — with a caveat.
He issued a signing statement complaining that “certain provisions” would interfere with his conduct of foreign policy, and he would treat those provisions “consistently with the President’s constitutional authorities with respect to foreign relations.”
Mr. Rubio told The Times he expects Mr. Trump to abide by the terms of the legislation — including the deadlines.
“Congress was clear when it passed, in a nearly unanimous fashion, my Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, and I fully expect the State Department to comply with the law,” the senator said.
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment about the deadline, but made its displeasure with the law readily known last year.
Xinhua, the state news agency, refers to the law as a “so-called act” and gleefully quotes top Communist Party officials indignantly denouncing the law as a “plot” to undermine China’s sovereignty, saying that what happens in Hong Kong is an internal affair.
“Hong Kong is part of China and Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs and no foreign government or force shall interfere,” Xinhua quoted the government as saying in November.
Xinhua refers to the 1997 handover as Hong Kong’s “return to the motherland” and says China is committed to “one country, two systems.”
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Mental wellness calls spike in Utah County during outbreak

PROVO , Utah ( AP ) - Utah County emergency officials reported a 34 % increase in the number of calls for mental health and wellness checks since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The increase in calls to law enforcement authorities and first responders could be attributed to anxiety related to the coronavirus , The Daily Herald reported Wednesday .
Other factors could include stress related to potential unemployment or home isolation , Utah County Sheriff ’ s Office Sgt .
Spencer Cannon said .
Utah County law enforcement responded to 62 suicide-related calls from Feb. 1 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period in 2019 , there were 46 similar calls .
“ We expect to have some variation from month-to-month or year-to-year , but that seems like that would be a little unusual to have a 34 % increase , ” Cannon said .
The three most common categories of mental wellness calls that law enforcement officers receive are suicide attempts , suicide threats and deaths by suicide , Cannon said .
“ Without being able to do a scientific study on why there is an increase , it ’ s not unlikely that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year to this year may be due to the ongoing pandemic , ” Cannon said .
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 .

PROVO, Utah (AP) - Utah County emergency officials reported a 34% increase in the number of calls for mental health and wellness checks since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The increase in calls to law enforcement authorities and first responders could be attributed to anxiety related to the coronavirus, The Daily Herald reported Wednesday.
Other factors could include stress related to potential unemployment or home isolation, Utah County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Spencer Cannon said.
Utah County law enforcement responded to 62 suicide-related calls from Feb. 1 to May 20. During the same time period in 2019, there were 46 similar calls.
“We expect to have some variation from month-to-month or year-to-year, but that seems like that would be a little unusual to have a 34% increase,” Cannon said.
The three most common categories of mental wellness calls that law enforcement officers receive are suicide attempts, suicide threats and deaths by suicide, Cannon said.
“Without being able to do a scientific study on why there is an increase, it’s not unlikely that at least part of that increase from last year to this year may be due to the ongoing pandemic,” Cannon said.
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--FDA says cows may have caused E. coli lettuce contamination

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Outbreaks of E. coli illness that sickened 188 people who ate romaine lettuce grown in California probably came from cattle grazing near the farms , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a report released Thursday .
Feces from the cows , which contain the bacteria , is considered “ the most likely contributing factor ” to three outbreaks of food-borne illness traced to fields in the Salinas Valley , the report said .
The outbreaks occurred last November and December and affected people in at least 16 states and Canada .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the illness was centered on ranches and fields owned by the same grower and that were located downslope from public land where cattle grazed .
E. coli infection usually causes sickness two to eight days later , according to health authorities .
Most people get diarrhea and abdominal cramps .
However , some cases can be life-threatening , causing kidney failure and seizures .
E. coli bacteria can get into water and soil through multiple routes , including waste from domesticated animals or wild animals , fertilizer and other agricultural products .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ route of contamination for the three 2019 outbreaks .
But the agency said the possibilities included water runoff from the grazing area , wind-blown material , or animals or vehicles tracking it to the fields .
“ Agricultural water sources used to grow the romaine ” also were possible routes , the report ’ s executive summary said .
Another E. coli outbreak in spring 2018 that sickened more than 200 people and killed five was traced to tainted irrigation water near a cattle lot .
Between 2009 and 2018 , federal authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. “ with a confirmed or suspected link to leafy greens , ” the FDA said .
Industry groups tightened safety measures following the 2018 outbreak , including expanding buffer zones between growing fields and livestock .
The FDA this March issued a plan with a number of voluntary recommendations for reducing the risk of contaminating fields .
They include increasing buffer zones between grazing lands and growing fields and adding barriers such as ditches and berms .
The investigation was performed by FDA with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Canadian health and food inspection agencies .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Outbreaks of E. coli illness that sickened 188 people who ate romaine lettuce grown in California probably came from cattle grazing near the farms, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a report released Thursday.
Feces from the cows, which contain the bacteria, is considered “the most likely contributing factor” to three outbreaks of food-borne illness traced to fields in the Salinas Valley, the report said.
The outbreaks occurred last November and December and affected people in at least 16 states and Canada. No deaths were reported.
Investigators concluded that the illness was centered on ranches and fields owned by the same grower and that were located downslope from public land where cattle grazed.
E. coli infection usually causes sickness two to eight days later, according to health authorities. Most people get diarrhea and abdominal cramps. However, some cases can be life-threatening, causing kidney failure and seizures.
E. coli bacteria can get into water and soil through multiple routes, including waste from domesticated animals or wild animals, fertilizer and other agricultural products.
The FDA couldn’t definitely identify a route of contamination for the three 2019 outbreaks. But the agency said the possibilities included water runoff from the grazing area, wind-blown material, or animals or vehicles tracking it to the fields.
“Agricultural water sources used to grow the romaine” also were possible routes, the report’s executive summary said.
Another E. coli outbreak in spring 2018 that sickened more than 200 people and killed five was traced to tainted irrigation water near a cattle lot.
Between 2009 and 2018, federal authorities identified 40 food-borne outbreaks of E. coli in the U.S. “with a confirmed or suspected link to leafy greens,” the FDA said.
Industry groups tightened safety measures following the 2018 outbreak, including expanding buffer zones between growing fields and livestock. The FDA this March issued a plan with a number of voluntary recommendations for reducing the risk of contaminating fields. They include increasing buffer zones between grazing lands and growing fields and adding barriers such as ditches and berms.
The investigation was performed by FDA with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, agencies in several states and Canadian health and food inspection agencies.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Oregon unemployment claims spike again during virus crisis

The number of new jobless claims in Oregon climbed last week for the first time since March as more people @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak .
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the state received nearly 16,000 new jobless claims .
@ @ @ @ @ of benefits applications during the coronavirus outbreak to nearly 412,000 – more than 20 % @ @ @ @ @ , the Oregon Employment Department said Thursday it is now ready to begin processing extended @ @ @ @ @ March .
Workers who had exhausted the standard 26 weeks of benefits can now apply @ @ @ @ @ retroactive to March 29 .
Oregon ’ s unemployment rate rose to 14.2 % in @ @ @ @ @ on record .
It had been at a historic low of just 3.5 % in @ @ @ @ @ outbreak hit Oregon .
Forecasters expect the unemployment rate will top 20 % within the @ @ @ @ @ rebound .

The number of new jobless claims in Oregon climbed last week for the first time since March as more people filed for benefits during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the state received nearly 16,000 new jobless claims. That brings the total number of benefits applications during the coronavirus outbreak to nearly 412,000 – more than 20% of Oregon workers.
Additionally, the Oregon Employment Department said Thursday it is now ready to begin processing extended benefits authorized by Congress in March. Workers who had exhausted the standard 26 weeks of benefits can now apply for a 13-week extension – retroactive to March 29.
Oregon’s unemployment rate rose to 14.2% in April, the highest point on record. It had been at a historic low of just 3.5% in March, before the coronavirus outbreak hit Oregon. Forecasters expect the unemployment rate will top 20% within the next few months and then rebound.


washingtontimes--2020-05-21--Little Richard statue to be erected outside childhood home

MACON , Ga. ( AP ) - A statue of the late rock ‘ n ’ roll legend Little Richard is expected to be installed outside his childhood home in Macon , Georgia .
The Little Richard House Resource Center Facebook page announced the tribute Wednesday during a live Zoom meeting , news outlets reported .
Little Richard , also known as Richard Wayne Penniman , died May 9 in Nashville at the age of 87 .
He was laid to rest Wednesday at his alma mater Oakwood University in Huntsville , Alabama .
A fund established by Friends of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation of Central Georgia will be used to pay for the statue and a replica of Little Richard ’ s Hollywood Walk of Fame .
Rep. James Beverly , D-Macon , said the fund will also be used to support organizations that provide music education to low to moderate-income students across Bibb County and Middle Georgia .
The goal is to have the statue erected by Dec. 5 , which would have been Little Richard ’ s 88th birthday .
During the meeting , a board member read a proclamation from Macon Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Little Richard Penniman Day ” “ Little Richard ’ s contribution to music as a whole , to all the genres of music , was monumental and very instrumental in a lot of people ’ s careers , ” said Friends of the Little Richard House board member Antonio Williams .

MACON, Ga. (AP) - A statue of the late rock ‘n’ roll legend Little Richard is expected to be installed outside his childhood home in Macon, Georgia.
The Little Richard House Resource Center Facebook page announced the tribute Wednesday during a live Zoom meeting, news outlets reported.
Little Richard, also known as Richard Wayne Penniman, died May 9 in Nashville at the age of 87. He was laid to rest Wednesday at his alma mater Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama.
A fund established by Friends of the Little Richard House and the Community Foundation of Central Georgia will be used to pay for the statue and a replica of Little Richard’s Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Rep. James Beverly, D-Macon, said the fund will also be used to support organizations that provide music education to low to moderate-income students across Bibb County and Middle Georgia.
The goal is to have the statue erected by Dec. 5, which would have been Little Richard’s 88th birthday.
During the meeting, a board member read a proclamation from Macon Mayor Robert Reichert stating Dec. 5 will be “Little Richard Penniman Day”
“Little Richard’s contribution to music as a whole, to all the genres of music, was monumental and very instrumental in a lot of people’s careers,” said Friends of the Little Richard House board member Antonio Williams.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Woman who died may have been assaulted in Bloomington

BLOMINGTON , Minn. ( AP ) - Police in a Twin Cities suburb are investigating the death of a woman @ @ @ @ @ .
Investigators said the woman may have been assaulted .
She was found unconscious Thursday @ @ @ @ @ .
The woman was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis where she later @ @ @ @ @ reported .
Deputy Chief Mike Hartley said the woman had suffered injuries consistent with an @ @ @

BLOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) - Police in a Twin Cities suburb are investigating the death of a woman found lying in the street.
Investigators said the woman may have been assaulted. She was found unconscious Thursday just before midnight in Bloomington.
The woman was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis where she later died, the Star Tribune reported.
Deputy Chief Mike Hartley said the woman had suffered injuries consistent with an aggravated assault.
Bloomington police investigators remained at the scene Friday morning.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Fire roars through apartment building; no injuries reported

LOWER BURRELL , Pa. ( AP ) - A fast-moving fire destroyed the third floor of an apartment building in @ @ @ @ @ injuries but displacing more than 25 people .
Fire officials said the blaze at the @ @ @ @ @ Burrell started in the building ’ s attic and burned for a while before becoming @ @ @ @ @ third floor on Thursday afternoon .
The building ’ s first two floors had smoke @ @ @ @ @ said .
The cause of the fire remains under investigation but is not considered suspicious @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t clear how many residents were home when the fire broke out .
@ @ @ @ @ the smoke , while others said neighbors alerted them to the blaze .
The displaced @ @ @ @ @ the American Red Cross .

LOWER BURRELL, Pa. (AP) - A fast-moving fire destroyed the third floor of an apartment building in western Pennsylvania, causing no injuries but displacing more than 25 people.
Fire officials said the blaze at the Cedar Crest Apartments in Lower Burrell started in the building’s attic and burned for a while before becoming more intense and gutting the third floor on Thursday afternoon. The building’s first two floors had smoke and water damage, authorities said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation but is not considered suspicious, authorities said.
It wasn’t clear how many residents were home when the fire broke out. Some fled when they smelled the smoke, while others said neighbors alerted them to the blaze. The displaced residents were receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Recording Academy records John Prine song for charity

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - The Recording Academy has released a new recording of John Prine ’ s @ @ @ @ @ with proceeds going to support the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund .
Prine died in April @ @ @ @ @ associated with the coronavirus .
A two-time Grammy winner , the Recording Academy announced in @ @ @ @ @ honored with a 2020 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award .
The new recording features artists @ @ @ @ @ also are elected leaders in the Recording Academy , including singer-songwriter Christine Albert , Brandon @ @ @ @ @ Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band and Jeff Powell , an acclaimed Memphis engineer/producer .
@ @ @ @ @ of the Recording Academy and one of the contributors on the recording , said in @ @ @ @ @ known for his giving spirit and the new “ Angel From Montgomery ” recording is @ @ @ @ @ spirit .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Recording Academy has released a new recording of John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery” with proceeds going to support the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Prine died in April at age 73 from complications associated with the coronavirus. A two-time Grammy winner, the Recording Academy announced in December that Prine would be honored with a 2020 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award.
The new recording features artists, musicians and engineers who also are elected leaders in the Recording Academy, including singer-songwriter Christine Albert, Brandon Bush of Sugarland, John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band and Jeff Powell, an acclaimed Memphis engineer/producer.
Tammy Hurt, vice chair of the Recording Academy and one of the contributors on the recording, said in a statement that Prine was known for his giving spirit and the new “Angel From Montgomery” recording is a tribute to honor that spirit.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Court preserves damage award for 2 inmates assaulted in jail

BALSAM LAKE , Wis. ( AP ) - The full U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a decision @ @ @ @ @ last year that said Polk County was not responsible for the repeated sexual assault of @ @ @ @ @ a guard .
The decision preserves a $ 4 million damage award for the two @ @ @ @ @ found the jury had sufficient evidence that the county chose to “ stand by idly @ @ @ @ @ exposed to “ an unmistakable risk ” of being sexually assaulted .
The Journal Sentinel @ @ @ @ @ Darryl Christensen , is serving a 30-year prison sentence for the assaults .
Christensen assaulted @ @ @ @ @ times between 2011 and 2014 and convinced them not to report the crimes .
He @ @ @ @ @ former inmate revealed to an investigator in another county that she had been assaulted by @ @ @ @ @ then launched an investigation .

BALSAM LAKE, Wis. (AP) - The full U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a decision by three of its judges last year that said Polk County was not responsible for the repeated sexual assault of two female jail inmates by a guard.
The decision preserves a $4 million damage award for the two women.
The full court found the jury had sufficient evidence that the county chose to “stand by idly”while the women were exposed to “an unmistakable risk” of being sexually assaulted.
The Journal Sentinel says the former guard, Darryl Christensen, is serving a 30-year prison sentence for the assaults. Christensen assaulted the two women dozens of times between 2011 and 2014 and convinced them not to report the crimes.
He was only caught when a former inmate revealed to an investigator in another county that she had been assaulted by Christensen. Polk County officials then launched an investigation.