washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Indiana farm touts genetically modified, fast-growing salmon

ALBANY , Ind .
( AP ) - A fish farming pioneer in Albany , Indiana , says it expects to harvest genetically modified salmon at its indoor facility in the fourth quarter of this year .
AquaBounty Technologies developed the AquAdvantage salmon to grow faster than conventional Atlantic salmon .
Wulf said she expects the farm to produce as much as 100 metric tons ( 220,000 pounds ) of salmon per month .
The company has a processing plant under construction at the farm in Albany and its salmon are meanwhile processed in Chicago .
The Massachusetts-based company is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Indiana that would produce up to 1,667 metric tons ( 3.5 million pounds ) per month , or 20,000 tons ( 44 million pounds ) per year .
Wulf added that the company narrowed down its potential farm options to five locations , including some in Indiana .
“ The challenge is enough water , ” she said .
“ There is limited access to that kind of water.
” Phil Shambach , president of the Indiana Aquaculture Association , said that additional farm would be the largest land-based fish farm in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s second largest farm is Ozark Fisheries in Martinsville , which produces ornamental breeds such as goldfish and koi .
Shambach , a tilapia farmer in Tippecanoe County , said the state produces other fish including Asian sea bass , trout , salmon , Pacific white shrimp , fresh water prawn , hybrid stripped bass , and largemouth bass .
AquaBounty will sell its fish fresh , with options to be purchased head-on , gutted or in other customized trim variations .
Several customers of AquaBounty who do their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchasing whole fish until the company opens its Albany processing facility .
The U.S. imports 97 % of the salmon on the market today , which is about 400,000 metric tons per year .

ALBANY, Ind. (AP) - A fish farming pioneer in Albany, Indiana, says it expects to harvest genetically modified salmon at its indoor facility in the fourth quarter of this year.
AquaBounty Technologies developed the AquAdvantage salmon to grow faster than conventional Atlantic salmon.
“We’re very excited,” AquaBounty CEO Sylvia Wulf told the Star Press. “We’re finally commercialized.”
Wulf said she expects the farm to produce as much as 100 metric tons (220,000 pounds) of salmon per month.
The company has a processing plant under construction at the farm in Albany and its salmon are meanwhile processed in Chicago.
The Massachusetts-based company is also planning to build another fish farm in Indiana that would produce up to 1,667 metric tons (3.5 million pounds) per month, or 20,000 tons (44 million pounds) per year.
Wulf added that the company narrowed down its potential farm options to five locations, including some in Indiana.
“The challenge is enough water,” she said. “There is limited access to that kind of water.”
Phil Shambach, president of the Indiana Aquaculture Association, said that additional farm would be the largest land-based fish farm in the United States.
Shambach added that the state’s second largest farm is Ozark Fisheries in Martinsville, which produces ornamental breeds such as goldfish and koi.
Shambach, a tilapia farmer in Tippecanoe County, said the state produces other fish including Asian sea bass, trout, salmon, Pacific white shrimp, fresh water prawn, hybrid stripped bass, and largemouth bass.
AquaBounty will sell its fish fresh, with options to be purchased head-on, gutted or in other customized trim variations.
Several customers of AquaBounty who do their own processing for their direct customers will be purchasing whole fish until the company opens its Albany processing facility.
The U.S. imports 97% of the salmon on the market today, which is about 400,000 metric tons per year.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--U of Illinois researchers to study animals with MRI scanner

URBANA , Ill. ( AP ) - Researchers at the University of Illinois will be able to closely study mice , rats , pigs and songbirds with the arrival of the campus ’ first MRI scanner dedicated to animal research .
The Bruker 9.4-Tesla MRI has been installed at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology , The News-Gazette reported .
The $ 6 million scanner should be up and running in about three weeks .
Brad Sutton , technical director of Beckman ’ s Biomedical Imaging Center , said the institute has wanted the scanner for a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been using ( the human MRIs ) for the pigs , ” Sutton said .
“ We tried to image birds , but just aren ’ t able to do that .
We ’ re not able to get sufficiently high resolution to see into the brains of birds and mice.
” The Roy J .
Carver Charitable Trust donated about $ 831,000 for the machine , and almost 20 different units contributed to the project .
Sutton noted that the trust ’ s donation will go towards studying sleep .
“ When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was only recently discovered that there ’ s a system that flows water through the brain to clear out some of the chemicals that accumulate during the day , ” he said .
Some scientists have hypothesized that some neurodegenerative diseases , such as Alzheimer ’ s , could result from a disruption to this process , Sutton added .
Professor Martha Gillette plans to study mice and rats under different sleeping scenarios .
Other projects will include : studying how birds develop their songs and how different diets impact pigs ’ @ @ @

URBANA, Ill. (AP) - Researchers at the University of Illinois will be able to closely study mice, rats, pigs and songbirds with the arrival of the campus’ first MRI scanner dedicated to animal research.
The Bruker 9.4-Tesla MRI has been installed at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, The News-Gazette reported. The $6 million scanner should be up and running in about three weeks.
Brad Sutton, technical director of Beckman’s Biomedical Imaging Center, said the institute has wanted the scanner for a few years now.
“We’ve been using (the human MRIs) for the pigs,” Sutton said. “We tried to image birds, but just aren’t able to do that. We’re not able to get sufficiently high resolution to see into the brains of birds and mice.”
The Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust donated about $831,000 for the machine, and almost 20 different units contributed to the project.
Sutton noted that the trust’s donation will go towards studying sleep.
“When you’re asleep at night, it was only recently discovered that there’s a system that flows water through the brain to clear out some of the chemicals that accumulate during the day,” he said.
Some scientists have hypothesized that some neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, could result from a disruption to this process, Sutton added.
Professor Martha Gillette plans to study mice and rats under different sleeping scenarios.
Other projects will include: studying how birds develop their songs and how different diets impact pigs’ brain development.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Illinois opening more centers to support small businesses

CHICAGO ( AP ) - Seven new state-run centers will open this summer to support Illinois small businesses .
The @ @ @ @ @ to launch in July or already opened are in Chicago , Elgin and Joliet .
@ @ @ @ @ and Economic Development said the $ 11.5 million effort brings the total of centers statewide @ @ @ @ @ many Illinois businesses currently facing unprecedented burdens as a result of COVID-19 and recent civil @ @ @ @ @ partners can be a lifeline for businesses working to reopen safely , ” said Michael @ @ @ @ @ the department .
Business owners can get one-on-one confidential advice and assistance at the centers @ @ @ @ @ , training and business planning .
The centers also have helped small businesses seek financial @ @ @ @ @ , which forced many to close or dramatically change day-to-day operations .

CHICAGO (AP) - Seven new state-run centers will open this summer to support Illinois small businesses.
The Small Business Development Centers set to launch in July or already opened are in Chicago, Elgin and Joliet. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development said the $11.5 million effort brings the total of centers statewide to 42.
“With many Illinois businesses currently facing unprecedented burdens as a result of COVID-19 and recent civil unrest, our SBDC community partners can be a lifeline for businesses working to reopen safely,” said Michael Negron, acting director of the department.
Business owners can get one-on-one confidential advice and assistance at the centers on many topics including education, training and business planning.
The centers also have helped small businesses seek financial assistance during the coronavirus pandemic, which forced many to close or dramatically change day-to-day operations.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Illinois regulators warn casinos to take virus precautions

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - Casinos that fail to follow guidelines aimed at limiting the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ including loss of their license , Illinois regulators warned this week .
Illinois allowed video @ @ @ @ @ begin reopening on Wednesday .
Marcus Fruchter , administrator of the Illinois Gaming Board , @ @ @ @ @ released Thursday that they must follow state protocols for operating during the pandemic .
Requirements @ @ @ @ @ establishments and casinos and social distancing along with regular hand washing , Fruchter said .
@ @ @ @ @ in discipline , including revoked licenses , he said .
“ More importantly , disregard @ @ @ @ @ requirements could contribute to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Illinois and another potential suspension @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ That is a result nobody wants .
We urge you not @ @ @ @ @ ”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Casinos that fail to follow guidelines aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus could be disciplined, including loss of their license, Illinois regulators warned this week.
Illinois allowed video gaming businesses and casinos to begin reopening on Wednesday. Marcus Fruchter, administrator of the Illinois Gaming Board, reminded operators in a message released Thursday that they must follow state protocols for operating during the pandemic.
Requirements include face coverings in gaming establishments and casinos and social distancing along with regular hand washing, Fruchter said.
Failing to comply could result in discipline, including revoked licenses, he said.
“More importantly, disregard of such preventative measures and requirements could contribute to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Illinois and another potential suspension of gaming operations,” he said. “That is a result nobody wants. We urge you not to let it happen.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--AMERICAN DIARY: July 4 hurts, until I remember my WWII uncle

RIO RANCHO , N.M , ( AP ) - The July Fourth holiday hurts me every year .
Waving flags seems out of place , and wearing anything stars and stripes makes me feel like Apollo Creed in “ Rocky.
” Lee Greenwood ’ s song “ Proud To Be An American ” doesn ’ t invoke patriotism inside of me , and I never take advantage of those exclusive , one-day mattress sales .
Yes , I relax , maybe throw some meat on the grill and take my family to a New Mexico desert mesa to watch fireworks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pageantry doesn ’ t make me feel American , though ; thanks to birth and chance , I have no other place to go .
I ’ m angry that my elders had to go to segregated , dilapidated Mexican American schools and most died barely literate .
I ’ m angry that my adopted mother endured racist taunts as a child and suffered broken ribs after a white boy tossed her from a merry-go-round .
I ’ m angry my father still avoids the sun , so he doesn ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned as a kid .
I ’ m angry I went to juvenile detention when I was 16 and was repeatedly asked by police what my gang affiliation was .
I ’ m angry that Grandmother Ruth died at 56 , believing deep down the things said about her - that maybe she deserved to be separated , perhaps she was subhuman , perhaps she was … incapable of love .
Marine Pfc .
Ciprian Contreras took part in the Battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945 during World War II .
Before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leg at the Northern Mariana Islands .
On Feb. 21 , 1945 , he suffered a concussion blast and was left for dead .
Eventually , his body was evacuated .
He was still alive .
Recovering somewhere on a ship , Ciprian tried to regain strength .
Then he heard a voice on the intercom .
The Marines needed whoever they could to go back to the battle .
If you can stand up , they said , we need you to fight .
I ’ ve tried over and over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place at that moment .
Back in Houston , his Mexican-born father and Texas-born mother couldn ’ t vote or go to certain restaurants because of Jim Crow ( who wore a sombrero in Texas ) .
The Ku Klux Klan and the Texas Rangers had terrorized family members , and being in the wrong town after dark could result in a lynching .
I would have said : I ’ ve done my part .
You are not worth all of this .
I ’ m finished .
He may have thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held the same rage .
But after he heard that call , he took off his bandages and got up .
“ I ’ m fine , ” he said .
“ I ’ ll go back in.
” Days later , he suffered another concussion .
Despite the discrimination and racism , he saw something in the United States .
He saw something redeemable , something transcendent , something to risk his life on .
What did he see ?
His brother , Carlos , my grandfather , also saw something .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign a permission form to join the U.S. Army at 17 and he took part in the invasion of Nazi Germany .
He sent a photo back to his mother with fellow soldiers .
“ In this good old army they do everything possible for their boys … Keep praying for us , ” Cpl .
Contreras wrote .
Carlos found kinship and also saw something .
But what did he see ?
Ciprian and Carlos came back .
Both earned mechanical engineering degrees , thanks to the G.I .
Bill .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often called “ chief ” because they “ looked ” like Native Americans .
Specific neighborhoods refused to sell them homes .
They still had to pay a poll tax to vote .
By the time I was mature enough to ask Ciprian and Carlos important questions , they were gone .
Ciprian died in 1997 .
Carlos developed Alzheimer ’ s disease around the same time .
I tried to find out more from my grandfather once , but he started shaking at my questions .
His caretaker told me to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Carlos greeted me as if we hadn ’ t seen each other in years .
Months later , two planes flew into the World Trade Center in New York , where I was attending grad school .
Carlos saw the images on television and picked up his frail body .
He punched the air and declared he was ready to fight again .
“ What ’ s he doing ?
” my brother Adam , then 8 , asked my mother .
“ He ’ s in his own world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was that ?
Ciprian ’ s grandson and my cousin , Cruz Contreras , pondered these questions .
The frontman of the Tennessee-based Appalachian rock band The Black Lillies , Cruz wrote the song “ Broken Shore ” in honor of Ciprian in 2015 when then-presidential candidate Donald Trump was calling Mexican immigrants rapists and drug traffickers .
“ I have to remind people my grandfather ’ s last name was Contreras .
That my family sacrificed a long time ago for this country , ” my cousin told the Rochester Democrat and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go back into battle still left him in awe .
“ What , ” he asked , “ would drive somebody to do that ?
” “ Please , Lord , don ’ t leave me here in the valley of the gun , ” the song goes .
“ Which way is heaven and which way is hell ?
It ’ s so hard to tell.
” These days , my family celebrates America ’ s Independence Day , not with flags and esoteric concepts of liberty , but with stories about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found the April 16 , 1945 , Houston Chronicle story about Ciprian ’ s actions and posted it on Facebook .
We also use the day to share - in person and online - stories about other heroes we find .
We ’ ve learned about Ralph Lazo , a Mexican American teenager who volunteered to go to a Japanese American Internment camp in solidarity with an injustice he saw .
We ’ ve learned about William Ellis , the former Black Texas slave , who became a Mexican millionaire .
We share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthem at Game 5 of the 1968 World Series and 7-year-old Jacqueline Jaquez singing it in Game 7 in 1991 .
We discuss that time I took a photo of United Farm Worker co-founder and longtime activist Dolores Huerta standing for the Pledge of Allegiance on my birthday in the New Mexico Statehouse .
( “ Why wouldn ’ t I stand ?
” she asked me with a wink . )
There ’ s a different United States , and we are in it .
It ’ s not revolutionary .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s just us .
It ’ s not only about the Declaration of Independence , which calls Indigenous descendants of the Americas like my family “ merciless Indian Savages.
” It ’ s about another July Fourth .
It ’ s about ours .
My family has expanded beyond our Mexico roots .
That makes me proud and worried .
An officer occasionally needs to stand out the Houston school that my Jewish nieces attend because of anti-Semitic threats .
My Black Mexican American cousins are followed around in stores .
A Chicana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care bills .
An uncle , whom I ’ ve never met , is serving a life sentence for murder .
The fireworks go off , and I remain wounded .
I ’ m angry , and I wonder if this is all worth it .
I don ’ t want to pass this rage onto my daughters Ava and Elena , 6 and 3 .
Temptation pulls me to dreams of other lands and tells me never to look back .
Which way is heaven and which way is hell ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles to go before we stop .
As a journalist , I am called to do my part .
My Uncle Ernest Eguia , himself a WWII veteran and a liberator of the Nordhausen Concentration Camp in Germany , told me just before he died : “ Always remember , whatever you do in life , it ’ s not about you.
” He said nothing else .
The fireworks go off , and I remain wounded .
I look up and try to see something .
It ’ s blurry .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voice inside urges me to act .
“ I ’ m fine , ” I whisper .
“ I ’ ll go back in.
” Associated Press writer Russell Contreras is a member of the AP ’ s Race and Ethnicity team .
Follow him on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/russcontreras

RIO RANCHO, N.M, (AP) - The July Fourth holiday hurts me every year. Waving flags seems out of place, and wearing anything stars and stripes makes me feel like Apollo Creed in “Rocky.” Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless The U.S.A.” doesn’t invoke patriotism inside of me, and I never take advantage of those exclusive, one-day mattress sales.
Yes, I relax, maybe throw some meat on the grill and take my family to a New Mexico desert mesa to watch fireworks among coyotes and rabbits. Independence Day pageantry doesn’t make me feel American, though; thanks to birth and chance, I have no other place to go.
There’s a rage inside of me.
I’m angry that my elders had to go to segregated, dilapidated Mexican American schools and most died barely literate. I’m angry that my adopted mother endured racist taunts as a child and suffered broken ribs after a white boy tossed her from a merry-go-round. I’m angry my father still avoids the sun, so he doesn’t get “too dark” like he was warned as a kid. I’m angry I went to juvenile detention when I was 16 and was repeatedly asked by police what my gang affiliation was. I’m angry that Grandmother Ruth died at 56, believing deep down the things said about her - that maybe she deserved to be separated, perhaps she was subhuman, perhaps she was … incapable of love.
I’m angry about today.
Then, every July Fourth, I remember Uncle Ciprian.
___
Marine Pfc. Ciprian Contreras took part in the Battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945 during World War II. Before that invasion, he was injured in the leg at the Northern Mariana Islands. On Feb. 21, 1945, he suffered a concussion blast and was left for dead. Eventually, his body was evacuated.
He was still alive.
Recovering somewhere on a ship, Ciprian tried to regain strength. Then he heard a voice on the intercom. The Marines needed whoever they could to go back to the battle. If you can stand up, they said, we need you to fight.
I’ve tried over and over to put myself in Ciprian’s place at that moment. Back in Houston, his Mexican-born father and Texas-born mother couldn’t vote or go to certain restaurants because of Jim Crow (who wore a sombrero in Texas). The Ku Klux Klan and the Texas Rangers had terrorized family members, and being in the wrong town after dark could result in a lynching.
I would have said: I’ve done my part. You are not worth all of this. I’m finished.
He may have thought all of this. He may have held the same rage. But after he heard that call, he took off his bandages and got up. “I’m fine,” he said. “I’ll go back in.”
Days later, he suffered another concussion.
Despite the discrimination and racism, he saw something in the United States. He saw something redeemable, something transcendent, something to risk his life on. What did he see?
His brother, Carlos, my grandfather, also saw something. He begged his mother and father to sign a permission form to join the U.S. Army at 17 and he took part in the invasion of Nazi Germany. He sent a photo back to his mother with fellow soldiers. “In this good old army they do everything possible for their boys … Keep praying for us,” Cpl. Contreras wrote.
Carlos found kinship and also saw something. But what did he see?
Ciprian and Carlos came back. Both earned mechanical engineering degrees, thanks to the G.I. Bill. They continued to encounter racist slurs and were often called “chief” because they “looked” like Native Americans. Specific neighborhoods refused to sell them homes. They still had to pay a poll tax to vote.
By the time I was mature enough to ask Ciprian and Carlos important questions, they were gone.
Ciprian died in 1997. Carlos developed Alzheimer’s disease around the same time. I tried to find out more from my grandfather once, but he started shaking at my questions. His caretaker told me to leave. I came back five minutes later, and Carlos greeted me as if we hadn’t seen each other in years.
Months later, two planes flew into the World Trade Center in New York, where I was attending grad school. Carlos saw the images on television and picked up his frail body. He punched the air and declared he was ready to fight again.
“What’s he doing?” my brother Adam, then 8, asked my mother.
“He’s in his own world,” she said.
But what world was that?
Carlos died in 2002.
Ciprian’s grandson and my cousin, Cruz Contreras, pondered these questions. The frontman of the Tennessee-based Appalachian rock band The Black Lillies, Cruz wrote the song “Broken Shore” in honor of Ciprian in 2015 when then-presidential candidate Donald Trump was calling Mexican immigrants rapists and drug traffickers.
“I have to remind people my grandfather’s last name was Contreras. That my family sacrificed a long time ago for this country,” my cousin told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Ciprian’s decision to go back into battle still left him in awe. “What,” he asked, “would drive somebody to do that?”
“Please, Lord, don’t leave me here in the valley of the gun,” the song goes. “Which way is heaven and which way is hell? It’s so hard to tell.”
___
These days, my family celebrates America’s Independence Day, not with flags and esoteric concepts of liberty, but with stories about Ciprian and Carlos. My father recently found the April 16, 1945, Houston Chronicle story about Ciprian’s actions and posted it on Facebook.
We also use the day to share - in person and online - stories about other heroes we find.
We’ve learned about Ralph Lazo, a Mexican American teenager who volunteered to go to a Japanese American Internment camp in solidarity with an injustice he saw. We’ve learned about William Ellis, the former Black Texas slave, who became a Mexican millionaire. We share clips of Jose Feliciano singing the National Anthem at Game 5 of the 1968 World Series and 7-year-old Jacqueline Jaquez singing it in Game 7 in 1991. We discuss that time I took a photo of United Farm Worker co-founder and longtime activist Dolores Huerta standing for the Pledge of Allegiance on my birthday in the New Mexico Statehouse. ( “Why wouldn’t I stand?” she asked me with a wink.)
There’s a different United States, and we are in it. It’s not revolutionary. It’s not revisionist. It’s just us. It’s not only about the Declaration of Independence, which calls Indigenous descendants of the Americas like my family “merciless Indian Savages.” It’s about another July Fourth. It’s about ours.
My family has expanded beyond our Mexico roots. That makes me proud and worried. An officer occasionally needs to stand outside the Houston school that my Jewish nieces attend because of anti-Semitic threats. My Black Mexican American cousins are followed around in stores. A Chicana Hawaiian cousin struggles with seizures and rising health care bills. An uncle, whom I’ve never met, is serving a life sentence for murder.
The fireworks go off, and I remain wounded. I’m angry, and I wonder if this is all worth it. I don’t want to pass this rage onto my daughters Ava and Elena, 6 and 3. Temptation pulls me to dreams of other lands and tells me never to look back. Which way is heaven and which way is hell?
But there are stories to share and miles to go before we stop. As a journalist, I am called to do my part.
My Uncle Ernest Eguia, himself a WWII veteran and a liberator of the Nordhausen Concentration Camp in Germany, told me just before he died: “Always remember, whatever you do in life, it’s not about you.” He said nothing else.
The fireworks go off, and I remain wounded. I look up and try to see something. It’s blurry. But it’s there. Then a voice inside urges me to act. “I’m fine,” I whisper. “I’ll go back in.”
___
Associated Press writer Russell Contreras is a member of the AP’s Race and Ethnicity team. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/russcontreras
___
This story has been edited to correct a song name, “God Bless The U.S.A.” not “Proud to Be an American.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Caution urged after rip current rescues in New England

Lifeguards are urging beach-goers to use caution this holiday weekend following a spate of rip current rescues in New England @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Hampton Beach said they made 83 rescues on Thursday .
At Maine ’ @ @ @ @ @ , lifeguards rescued eight children from rip currents that same day .
Rip currents seem @ @ @ @ @ summer , “ and they ’ re very strong , ” said Dave Currier , @ @ @ @ @ State Park .
The National Weather Service had warned of rip currents on Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ .
Pat Murphy , chief of the New Hampshire State Beach Patrol , reminds people @ @ @ @ @ to panic and not to try to swim against a rip current .
Instead , @ @ @ @ @ parallel to the shore to escape the rip current .

Lifeguards are urging beach-goers to use caution this holiday weekend following a spate of rip current rescues in New England.
Lifeguards at New Hampshire’s Hampton Beach said they made 83 rescues on Thursday. At Maine’s Scarborough Beach State Park, lifeguards rescued eight children from rip currents that same day.
Rip currents seem to be coming earlier this summer, “and they’re very strong,” said Dave Currier, head lifeguard at Scarborough Beach State Park.
The National Weather Service had warned of rip currents on Thursday, but they can happen anytime.
Pat Murphy, chief of the New Hampshire State Beach Patrol, reminds people that the key is not to panic and not to try to swim against a rip current. Instead, people are encouraged to swim parallel to the shore to escape the rip current.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Health officials fear virus surge after July 4  celebrations

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - After a surge in coronavirus cases following Memorial Day , doctors and public health experts fear Alabama will see another spike after this weekend ’ s July Fourth holiday celebrations .
“ Fourth of July is very worrisome , ” State Health Officer Scott Harris said .
“ It is really important for people to do all the things that we ’ ve been trying to get them to do.
” “ It ’ s hard to prove Memorial Day gatherings were the cause of what we just went through in June , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainly makes sense as far as the timetable , ” Harris said .
Barbecues , parades and any large gathering have the potential to spread the virus .
In the hopes of avoiding another surge , health officials pleaded with people to use caution by avoiding large crowds and wearing masks over their mouths and noses while in public spaces .
Alabama this week reached new records for the highest number of infections reported in a day with more than 1,700 cases .
Alabama has reported more than 41,000 cases of the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 25 % of infections being reported in the last two weeks , according to the Alabama Department of Public Health .
So far , at least 983 Alabamians have died after contracting the virus .
Alabama this week hit a new high for the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and a new low for the number of available intensive care unit beds .
Dr. Don Williamson , a former state health officer who now heads the Alabama Hospital Association , said that as of Thursday , the state had 840 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the state ’ s ICU beds were full , the highest number since the pandemic began .
“ I ’ m really , really worried about the Fourth of July .
I think that will likely determine the trend for Alabama for the rest of the summer , ” Williamson said .
Williamson said hospitals are managing but that the trends are concerning .
Dr. Michael Saag , an infectious diseases physician at the University of Alabama at Birmingham who also had COVID-19 , said large gatherings are “ havens ” for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are seeing such numbers coming at us that it ’ s hard to deny the truth that it ’ s here and it ’ s getting worse , ” Saag said “ My hope is people are waking up to the fact that this is not a fun and games exercise and that this is serious business .
”

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - After a surge in coronavirus cases following Memorial Day, doctors and public health experts fear Alabama will see another spike after this weekend’s July Fourth holiday celebrations.
“Fourth of July is very worrisome,” State Health Officer Scott Harris said. “It is really important for people to do all the things that we’ve been trying to get them to do.”
“It’s hard to prove Memorial Day gatherings were the cause of what we just went through in June, but I believe they were. It certainly makes sense as far as the timetable,” Harris said.
Barbecues, parades and any large gathering have the potential to spread the virus. In the hopes of avoiding another surge, health officials pleaded with people to use caution by avoiding large crowds and wearing masks over their mouths and noses while in public spaces.
Alabama this week reached new records for the highest number of infections reported in a day with more than 1,700 cases.
Alabama has reported more than 42,000 cases of the new coronavirus since the pandemic began with more than 25% of infections being reported in the last two weeks, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. So far, at least 983 Alabamians have died after contracting the virus.
Alabama this week hit a new high for the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and a new low for the number of available intensive care unit beds.
Dr. Don Williamson, a former state health officer who now heads the Alabama Hospital Association, said that as of Thursday, the state had 840 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and that 84% of the state’s ICU beds were full, the highest number since the pandemic began.
“I’m really, really worried about the Fourth of July. I think that will likely determine the trend for Alabama for the rest of the summer,” Williamson said.
Williamson said hospitals are managing but that the trends are concerning.
Dr. Michael Saag, an infectious diseases physician at the University of Alabama at Birmingham who also had COVID-19, said large gatherings are “havens” for the virus to spread.
“We are seeing such numbers coming at us that it’s hard to deny the truth that it’s here and it’s getting worse,” Saag said
“My hope is people are waking up to the fact that this is not a fun and games exercise and that this is serious business.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Columbus statue toppled by Baltimore protesters

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - Baltimore protesters pulled down a statue of Christopher Columbus and threw it into the city @ @ @ @ @ Saturday night .
Demonstrators used ropes to topple the monument in the Little Italy neighborhood @ @ @ @ @ Protesters mobilized by the death of George Floyd at the hands of police have called @ @ @ @ @ of Columbus , among others .
They say the Italian explorer is responsible for the @ @ @ @ @ peoples in the Americas .
According to The Baltimore Sun , the statue was dedicated @ @ @ @ @ the city .
Statues of Columbus have also been toppled or vandalized in cities such @ @ @ @ @ Virginia ; St. Paul , Minnesota ; and Boston , where one was decapitated .

BALTIMORE (AP) — Baltimore protesters pulled down a statue of Christopher Columbus and threw it into the city’s Inner Harbor on Saturday night.
Demonstrators used ropes to topple the monument in the Little Italy neighborhood, news outlets reported.
Protesters mobilized by the death of George Floyd at the hands of police have called for the removal of statues of Columbus, among others. They say the Italian explorer is responsible for the genocide and exploitation of native peoples in the Americas.
According to The Baltimore Sun, the statue was dedicated in 1984 and owned by the city.
Statues of Columbus have also been toppled or vandalized in cities such as Miami; Richmond, Virginia; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Boston, where one was decapitated.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Armed protesters march through Georgia's Stone Mountain Park

A large group of armed protesters on Saturday marched through Georgia ’ s Stone Mountain Park , calling for the @ @ @ @ @ carving to be removed .
The predominantly Black demonstrators spoke out against the huge sculpture @ @ @ @ @ , Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Gen. Thomas J .
“ Stonewall ” Jackson , @ @ @ @ @ a granite mountain , the bas-relief sculpture is the largest Confederate monument ever crafted .
@ @ @ @ @ John Bankhead said there were between 100 and 200 protesters .
He said the protesters @ @ @ @ @ large rifles , were peaceful .
Although the park has historically been a gathering spot @ @ @ @ @ city of Stone Mountain nowadays has a majority-Black population .
The park usually holds a @ @ @ @ @ and fireworks display with the carving as a backdrop , but this year ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic .

A large group of armed protesters on Saturday marched through Georgia’s Stone Mountain Park, calling for the park’s massive Confederate carving to be removed.
The predominantly Black demonstrators spoke out against the huge sculpture depicting Gen. Robert E. Lee, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, WXIA-TV reported. Carved into a granite mountain, the bas-relief sculpture is the largest Confederate monument ever crafted.
Stone Mountain Memorial Association spokesman John Bankhead said there were between 100 and 200 protesters. He said the protesters, many of whom carried large rifles, were peaceful.
Although the park has historically been a gathering spot for white supremacists, the city of Stone Mountain nowadays has a majority-Black population.
The park usually holds a Fourth of July laser show and fireworks display with the carving as a backdrop, but this year’s presentation was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Police: 75-year-old man attempted to drown victim in pond

TAGHKANIC , N.Y. ( AP ) - A 75-year-old man was arrested Friday after police say he attempted to drown @ @ @ @ @ pond on his upstate New York property .
Joseph Macri , of Taghkanic , was @ @ @ @ @ a video arraignment on an attempted murder charge .
A court hearing is scheduled for @ @ @ @ @ lawyer who could comment on Macri ’ s behalf was not immediately available .
State @ @ @ @ @ drown the victim as they responded to a report of a possible domestic incident , @ @ @ @ @ news release .
Macri complied with the troopers ’ commands and was arrested without incident @ @ @ @ @ The victim was hospitalized in stable condition .
Taghkanic , a town of about 1,300 @ @ @ @ @ is located about 35 miles ( 57 kilometers ) south of Albany .

TAGHKANIC, N.Y. (AP) - A 75-year-old man was arrested Friday after police say he attempted to drown an unidentified victim in a pond on his upstate New York property.
Joseph Macri, of Taghkanic, was ordered jailed without bail after a video arraignment on an attempted murder charge. A court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
Information on a lawyer who could comment on Macri’s behalf was not immediately available.
State troopers found Macri attempting to drown the victim as they responded to a report of a possible domestic incident, state police said in a news release.
Macri complied with the troopers’ commands and was arrested without incident, state police said. The victim was hospitalized in stable condition.
Taghkanic, a town of about 1,300 people in Columbia County, is located about 35 miles (57 kilometers) south of Albany.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--GOP-ers possibly exposed to virus by Trump Jr. girlfriend

BOZEMAN , Mont .
( AP ) - The wife and running mate of Republican governor candidate Greg Gianforte , as well as several other top GOP officials , were possibly exposed to the coronavirus after attending an event with the girlfriend of President Donald Trump ’ s oldest son , the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported .
Gianforte ’ s wife , Susan , lieutenant governor candidate Kristen Juras , as well as Republican congressional candidate and state auditor Matt Rosendale and state auditor candidate Troy Downing , were at a Trump fundraising event July 1 in Gallatin County with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump Jr. , the newspaper reported .
Guilfoyle was diagnosed with the coronavirus on July 3 , the New York Times reported .
Greg Gianforte , Montana ’ s representative in the U.S. House , did not attend the event because Congress was in session , the Daily Chronicle reported .
On July 1 , Juras posted a photo on her campaign Facebook page posing less than 6 feet away and without masks with Susan Gianforte , Donald Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle .
In the photo ’ s caption , Juras wrote that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on June 30 , the newspaper reported .
“ Since learning of their potential exposure , Greg , Susan , and Kristen have adhered to recommended guidelines .
Out of an abundance of caution and for the health and safety of others , they will self-quarantine , be tested for COVID-19 , and suspend in-person campaign events pending test results , ” a Gianforte campaign spokesperson said .
Downing ’ s campaign manager Sam Loveridge confirmed Downing attended the event .
Loveridge said in an email that neither Downing nor his staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Guilfoyle .
“ Out of an abundance of caution , Troy Downing will be tested as soon as possible and will avoid personal contact and all public functions until a negative test result can be confirmed , ” Loveridge told the newspaper in an email .

BOZEMAN,Mont. (AP) - The wife and the running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte, as well as several other top GOP officials, were possibly exposed to the coronavirus after attending an event with the girlfriend of President Donald Trump’s oldest son, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported.
Gianforte’s wife, Susan, lieutenant governor candidate Kristen Juras, as well as Republican congressional candidate and state auditor Matt Rosendale and state auditor candidate Troy Downing, were at a Trump fundraising event July 1 in Gallatin County with Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr., the newspaper reported.
Guilfoyle was diagnosed with the coronavirus on July 3.
Greg Gianforte, Montana’s representative in the U.S. House, did not attend the event because Congress was in session, the Daily Chronicle reported.
On July 1, Juras posted a photo on her campaign Facebook page posing less than 6 feet away and without masks with Susan Gianforte, Donald Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle. In the photo’s caption, Juras wrote that the photo was taken the night before, on June 30, the newspaper reported.
“Since learning of their potential exposure, Greg, Susan, and Kristen have adhered to recommended guidelines. Out of an abundance of caution and for the health and safety of others, they will self-quarantine, be tested for COVID-19, and suspend in-person campaign events pending test results,” a Gianforte campaign spokesperson said.
Downing’s campaign manager Sam Loveridge confirmed Downing attended the event. Loveridge said in an email that neither Downing nor his staff were ever in “close proximity” with Guilfoyle.
“Out of an abundance of caution, Troy Downing will be tested as soon as possible and will avoid personal contact and all public functions until a negative test result can be confirmed,” Loveridge told the newspaper in an email.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Tokyo governor favored to win reelection for handling virus

TOKYO ( AP ) - Tokyo Gov .
Yuriko Koike is poised to be reelected in Sunday ’ s polls , buoyed by public support for her coronavirus handling despite a recent rise in infections that has raised concerns of a resurgence of the disease .
The first woman to head the Japanese capital , Koike .
67 , is also viewed as a potential candidate to succeed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when his term ends in September 2021 .
For now , she says she ’ s focused on protecting the lives of the 14 million people in Tokyo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trillion economy .
“ Fighting against the coronavirus for the residents of Tokyo is my first and foremost responsibility , ” she said on the eve of the election .
In her campaign message online , Koike pledged to balance disease prevention and the economy under Tokyo ’ s “ new normal.
” Tokyo ’ s infections started to rebound in late June to reach 131 confirmed cases on Saturday , topping 100 for a third straight day and hitting a two-month high since early May .
New daily cases have also spiked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 977 deaths .
Koike ’ s challengers include popular actor-turned-politician Taro Yamamoto and veteran lawyer Kenji Utsunomiya .
Yamamoto wants to cancel the Tokyo Olympics and use the funds to help people hurt by the coronavirus crisis , while Utsunomiya , known as the Bernie Sanders of Japan , is calling for better welfare support for a more inclusive and diverse society .
Results are expected soon after polls close Sunday night .
A recent poll by the Mainichi newspaper has Koike leading her challengers by a wide margin .
Among other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its own version of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
She also tried to gain public understanding for a simpler version of the Tokyo Olympics after the Games were postponed to next year due to the pandemic .
Though Koike has not fully delivered on promises to Tokyo residents to relieve congestion on commuter trains , ensure adequate availability of child and elder care facilities and end overwork , even her critics have lauded her handling of the pandemic .
That ’ s in sharp contrast to Abe , who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too late .
As the pandemic deepened in the spring , Koike often upstaged fellow conservative Abe , whose support ratings have plunged due to his handling of the crisis and its severe impact on the economy , on top of a slew of scandals .
A former TV newscaster , Koike is stylish and media savvy .
She earned the nickname “ migratory bird ” for hopping between parties and forming new alliances — at least seven times — a rarity among Japanese politicians famous for their loyalty to party factions .

TOKYO (AP) - Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has won a second term to head the Japanese capital, propelled to an election victory Sunday by public support for her handling of the coronavirus crisis despite a recent rise in infections that has raised concerns of a resurgence of the disease.
In her victory speech, Koike, the first woman to lead Tokyo, pledged to continue to take measures to protect the city’s 14 million people amid the pandemic, calling it her “most pressing task.”
“Now is a very important time to prepare for a possible second wave, and I will continue to firmly take steps,” she said.
Japanese public broadcaster NHK said its exit polls showed that 74% of respondents supported Koike, with 63% saying they approved of her handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Koike, 67, is a veteran conservative who has served in key Cabinet and ruling party posts, and is viewed as a potential candidate to succeed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when his term ends in September 2021. For now, she says she’s focused on protecting the lives of the people of Tokyo, a megacity with a $1 trillion economy.
“The next four years is a crucial time for Japan’s capital, with the Olympics and Paralympics coming up, and coronavirus measures are needed,” she said. “I’m fully committed to my duty as governor.”
Tokyo’s infections started to rebound in late June, with the city reporting 111 new cases on Sunday, topping 100 for a fourth straight day. New daily cases have spiked throughout Japan in recent weeks, with the country approaching 20,000 cases and 1,000 deaths.
Koike said, however, that another state of emergency nationwide or in Tokyo would be difficult because the economy had already been battered by seven weeks of restrictions in April and May. She instead pledged to balance disease prevention and the economy, while suggesting “pinpoint” measures in specific areas.
One area would be Tokyo’s night entertainment districts linked to younger people, who have accounted for the majority of recent new cases.
A record 22 candidates ran in Sunday’s election.
Koike’s challengers included popular actor-turned-politician Taro Yamamoto and veteran lawyer Kenji Utsunomiya. Yamamoto wanted to cancel the Tokyo Olympics - which were postponed from this summer to next summer due to the pandemic - and use the funds to help people hurt by the coronavirus crisis. Utsunomiya, known as the Bernie Sanders of Japan, called for better welfare support for a more inclusive and diverse society.
Koike’s victory was widely expected, with a recent poll by the Mainichi newspaper having her leading her opponents by a wide margin.
Outside a polling station in downtown Tokyo, retiree Hidekazu Tamura said he voted for Koike because of her effort to secure the Olympics. “I say no to anyone who is against the Olympics,” he said.
Another voter, Yojiro Tsuchiya, said he didn’t think Koike had addressed growing concerns about the latest jump in coronavirus infections. “I don’t think they have a clear grasp of the current situation,” he said, adding that he voted for Utsunomiya, who is pushing for more testing.
Koike also pledged to set up Tokyo’s own version of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, she said Japan lacked an efficient crisis management system to deal with the pandemic.
Despite a growing call for a cancellation of the Olympic, Koike said she hoped to achieve the event “as proof of our victory against the coronavirus.” She has tried to gain public support for a simpler version of the Tokyo Olympics since the games were postponed.
Though Koike has not fully delivered on promises to Tokyo residents to relieve congestion on commuter trains, ensure adequate availability of child and elder care facilities, and end overwork, even her critics have generally lauded her handling of the pandemic. That’s in sharp contrast to Prime Minister Abe, who has been criticized for doing too little, too late.
As the pandemic deepened in the spring, Koike often upstaged fellow conservative Abe, whose approval ratings have plunged due to his handling of the crisis and its severe impact on the economy, on top of a slew of scandals.
A former TV newscaster, Koike is stylish and media savvy. She earned the nickname “Migratory Bird” for hopping between parties and forming new alliances - doing it at least seven times - a rarity among Japanese politicians, who are known for their loyalty to party factions.
___
Associated Press videojournalist Emily Wang contributed to this report.
___
Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchi


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Agent: Cambage expected out; severe risk if she gets virus

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Las Vegas Aces All-Star center Liz Cambage is expected to miss the upcoming WNBA season for health reasons , according to her agent .
“ In the evaluation of Liz Cambage ’ s health and pre-existing risk factors with her team doctor , we believe her to be at high-risk for severe illness if she contracts COVID-19 in participating this WNBA season , ” Cambage ’ s agent , Allison Galer , told The Associated Press on Saturday night .
“ We are awaiting the league ’ s determination based on an independent physician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pre-exisiting conditions were , citing Cambage ’ s privacy .
The 6-foot-8 Australian ’ s case is one of a handful that is before the league ’ s independent panel of doctors people familiar with the situation told the AP .
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the players nor the league have publicly identified them , with the exception of Cambage .
The panel of physicians decide whether a player would be medically excused and receive full salary for the upcoming season , which is scheduled to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida at IMG Academy .
Players can still opt out and skip the season if the panel does not grant them a medical waiver .
They will not get paid .
Teams are expected to head to Florida on Monday to start quarantining before training camp opens .
“ We planned for 2020 to be a big year for Liz and she was excited to play with the Las Vegas Aces and compete for a championship , ” Galer said .
So far , about a dozen WNBA players have decided to opt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a variety of reasons , including health and social advocacy .
Cambage averaged 15.9 points and 8.2 rebounds last season for the Aces - her first with the team .
The 28-year-old star has played four years in the league after getting drafted second in 2011 by the Tulsa Shock .
She was traded from Dallas to Las Vegas before last season .
She had re-signed with the Aces in April .
“ Liz is a generational talent and we are going to miss her this season on the court and in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dan Padover said .
“ She has been incredibly active this offseason in the community raising money to support first responders who battled the brush fires in Australia , continuing to shine a light on mental health awareness , and standing at the forefront of the peaceful protests in her country battling social and racial inequality , and I have no doubt that she will continue to do so this summer.
” She would be the second Las Vegas starter who will miss the upcoming season .
Guard Kelsey Plum tore her left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed veteran center Avery Warley-Talbert on Saturday .
She played for Aces coach Bill Laimbeer when he was in charge of the New York Liberty a few years ago .

NEW YORK (AP) - Las Vegas Aces All-Star center Liz Cambage is expected to miss the upcoming WNBA season for health reasons, according to her agent.
“In the evaluation of Liz Cambage’s health and pre-existing risk factors with her team doctor, we believe her to be at high-risk for severe illness if she contracts COVID-19 in participating this WNBA season,” Cambage’s agent, Allison Galer, told The Associated Press on Saturday night. “We are awaiting the league’s determination based on an independent physician panel.”
Galer declined to elaborate what the pre-exisiting conditions were, citing Cambage’s privacy.
The 6-foot-8 Australian’s case is one of a handful that is before the league’s independent panel of doctors people familiar with the situation told the AP. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the players nor the league have publicly identified them, with the exception of Cambage.
The panel of physicians decide whether a player would be medically excused and receive full salary for the upcoming season, which is scheduled to start at the end of the month in Florida at IMG Academy. Players can still opt out and skip the season if the panel does not grant them a medical waiver. They will not get paid.
Teams are expected to head to Florida on Monday to start quarantining before training camp opens.
“We planned for 2020 to be a big year for Liz and she was excited to play with the Las Vegas Aces and compete for a championship,” Galer said.
So far, about a dozen WNBA players have decided to opt out of playing this year due to a variety of reasons, including health and social advocacy.
Cambage averaged 15.9 points and 8.2 rebounds last season for the Aces - her first with the team. The 28-year-old star has played four years in the league after getting drafted second in 2011 by the Tulsa Shock. She was traded from Dallas to Las Vegas before last season. She had re-signed with the Aces in April.
“Liz is a generational talent and we are going to miss her this season on the court and in the locker room,” Aces general manager Dan Padover said. “She has been incredibly active this offseason in the community raising money to support first responders who battled the brush fires in Australia, continuing to shine a light on mental health awareness, and standing at the forefront of the peaceful protests in her country battling social and racial inequality, and I have no doubt that she will continue to do so this summer.
“Although Liz won’t be with us in Florida, she has our full support, and will continue to be a part of the Aces family and the city of Las Vegas for many years to come.”
She would be the second Las Vegas starter who will miss the upcoming season. Guard Kelsey Plum tore her left Achilles tendon last month.
The Aces signed veteran center Avery Warley-Talbert on Saturday. She played for Aces coach Bill Laimbeer when he was in charge of the New York Liberty a few years ago.
___
Follow Doug Feinberg on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dougfeinberg


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--California firm's rocket fails in launch from New Zealand

LONG BEACH , Calif. ( AP ) - Rocket Lab , which specializes in putting small satellites into orbit , @ @ @ @ @ of seven satellites during its 13th launch , the Long Beach , California , company @ @ @ @ @ occurred during the second-stage burn approximately four minutes after the Electron rocket lifted off from @ @ @ @ @ site in Mahia , New Zealand .
The liftoff and first-stage burn and separation were @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
The company said it was investigating the cause of the failure @ @ @ @ @ successful orbital launches by its Electron rockets .
The main satellite aboard the rocket was @ @ @ @ @ Inc. ’ s Earth-imaging technology .
Before the failure , Rocket Lab said it was @ @ @ @ @ remainder of the year and into 2021 .
Those missions include launches for the U.S. @ @ @ @ @

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Rocket Lab, which specializes in putting small satellites into orbit, failed to deploy a payload of seven satellites during its 13th launch, the Long Beach, California, company said Saturday.
The failure occurred during the second-stage burn approximately four minutes after the Electron rocket lifted off from the company’s launch site in Mahia, New Zealand.
The liftoff and first-stage burn and separation were successful, Rocket Lab said in a statement.
The company said it was investigating the cause of the failure, which followed 11 consecutive successful orbital launches by its Electron rockets.
The main satellite aboard the rocket was intended to demonstrate Canon Electronics Inc.’s Earth-imaging technology.
Before the failure, Rocket Lab said it was planning monthly launches for the remainder of the year and into 2021. Those missions include launches for the U.S. Space Force and NASA.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Australian Finance Minister Cormann to resign at end of year

CANBERRA , Australia ( AP ) - Australian Finance Minister Mathias Cormann , one of Prime Minister Scott Morrison ’ s most senior Cabinet members , says he is retiring from politics at the end of the year .
Belgium-born Cormann , who has been finance minister since 2013 , entered federal politics in 2007 and became the leader of the government in the Senate , the upper house of Parliament , in 2017 .
His decision to remove his support for former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and instead support Peter Dutton was seen as a major reason for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s leader .
“ Having decided not to re-contest the next election , I can confirm that I have advised the prime minister that the end of this year would be an appropriate time for an orderly transition in my portfolio , ” Cormann said in a statement Sunday .
Cormann said he would spend the next six months working with Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on finalizing the July economic statement , the budget in October and the half-yearly budget update in December .
The budget is usually delivered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until October because of the coronavirus .
Cormann , 49 , decided to migrate to Australia permanently from Belgium after visiting Perth , Western Australia , in 1994 .

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Australian Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, one of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s most senior Cabinet members, says he is retiring from politics at the end of the year.
Belgium-born Cormann, who has been finance minister since 2013, entered federal politics in 2007 and became the leader of the government in the Senate, the upper house of Parliament, in 2017.
His decision to remove his support for former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and instead support Peter Dutton was seen as a major reason for the 2018 change that led to Morrison becoming the country’s leader.
“Having decided not to re-contest the next election, I can confirm that I have advised the prime minister that the end of this year would be an appropriate time for an orderly transition in my portfolio,” Cormann said in a statement Sunday.
Cormann said he would spend the next six months working with Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on finalizing the July economic statement, the budget in October and the half-yearly budget update in December.
The budget is usually delivered in May, but has been delayed until October because of the coronavirus.
Cormann, 49, decided to migrate to Australia permanently from Belgium after visiting Perth, Western Australia, in 1994.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Trump on July 4: Those who built America 'are not villains, they are heroes'

President Trump on Saturday proposed a statue garden for America ’ s heroes , from George Washington to Amelia Earhart , scolded those who question the country ’ s forefathers and claimed 99 % of coronavirus cases are “ totally harmless ” in a July 4 speech to a packed White House lawn — even as many Americans hunkered in their homes or forfeited holiday revelry .
In wide-ranging remarks , Mr. Trump used the second edition of his “ Salute to America ” to defend everyone from Christopher Columbus to law enforcement officers who ’ ve faced assaults from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over racial injustice that have ranged from peaceful to fiery and violent .
“ American heroes defeated the Nazis , dethroned the fascists , toppled the Communists , saved American values , upheld American principles and chased down the terrorists to the very ends of the earth , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ We are now in the process of defeating the radical left , the Marxists , the anarchists , the agitators , the looters , and people who in many instances have absolutely no clue what they are doing.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order late Friday night to create a national park stocked with monuments to a variety of American icons , said the U.S. will teach children “ to cherish and adore their country.
” The park as designed will feature a long list of national heroes , including Alexander Hamilton , Jackie Robinson and many others— drawing a contrast with protesters who are pulling down existing statues .
“ The patriots who built our country are not villains , they are heroes , ” Mr. Trump said .
About 1,700 service members are involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 244th birthday .
Military flyovers also were proceeding in New York , Boston , Philadelphia and Baltimore .
Mr. Trump said when people deride America ’ s forefathers and history , they tear down everyone from the president himself to the men who raise the American flag at Iwo Jima during World War II .
Mr. Trump moved this year ’ s July 4 salute onto White House grounds instead of the National Mall , which was sparsely populated Saturday because of the virus .
The event featured a parachute show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an extensive air show over the heart of the nation ’ s capital featuring aircraft from conflicts throughout the 20th century .
Congressional Democrats in the D.C. area had objected to Mr. Trump holding a gathering this year in light of the coronavirus pandemic .
The president ’ s detractors also say he is injecting political interests into festivities and fireworks that have long been a hallmark of July 4 in Washington .
Polls show Mr. Trump losing to former Vice President Joseph R. Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee for president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November ’ s election .
The campaign season has been overshadowed by the country ’ s struggles to corral a coronavirus that ’ s killed nearly 130,000 .
Saturday ’ s event featured tables packed together on the White House lawn — some attendees wore masks , though many didn ’ t — even as the administration and governors in hard-hit states urge Americans to avoid crowds and use face coverings to reduce transmission .
White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said guests were not tested for COVID-19 .
Mr. Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the end of the year , and reiterated his belief that America ’ s unflattering caseload is due to widespread diagnostics .
“ No other country is testing as we have , ” Mr. Trump said .
Swaths of the Northeast are seeing improvement after Mr. Trump asked Americans to work and learn at home from mid-March to the end of April , though states such as Florida , Texas , Arizona and California are seeing a surge in cases as they reopen , leading to record single-day highs for cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive is increasing , too , leading experts to warn of dire days ahead .
“ We ’ ve made a lot of progress , our strategy is moving along well , ” Mr. Trump said of the pandemic .
“ We ’ ve learned how to put out the flame .
”

Dave Boyer, Tom Howell Jr. and Tom Howell Jr., Dave Boyer

President Trump on Saturday proposed a statue garden for America’s heroes, from George Washington to Amelia Earhart, scolded those who question the country’s forefathers and claimed 99% of coronavirus cases are “totally harmless” in a July 4 speech to a packed White House lawn — even as many Americans hunkered in their homes or forfeited holiday revelry.
In wide-ranging remarks, Mr. Trump used the second edition of his “Salute to America” to defend everyone from Christopher Columbus to law enforcement officers who’ve faced assaults from “very bad people” amid protests over racial injustice that have ranged from peaceful to fiery and violent.
“American heroes defeated the Nazis, dethroned the fascists, toppled the Communists, saved American values, upheld American principles and chased down the terrorists to the very ends of the earth,” Mr. Trump said. “We are now in the process of defeating the radical left, the Marxists, the anarchists, the agitators, the looters, and people who in many instances have absolutely no clue what they are doing.”
Mr. Trump, who signed an executive order late Friday night to create a national park stocked with monuments to a variety of American icons, said the U.S. will teach children “to cherish and adore their country.”
The park as designed will feature a long list of national heroes, including Alexander Hamilton, Jackie Robinson and many others— drawing a contrast with protesters who are pulling down existing statues.
“The patriots who built our country are not villains, they are heroes,” Mr. Trump said.
About 1,700 service members are involved in the national celebration of the country’s 244th birthday. Military flyovers also were proceeding in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
Mr. Trump said when people deride America’s forefathers and history, they tear down everyone from the president himself to the men who raise the American flag at Iwo Jima during World War II.
“You slander them,” the president said.
Mr. Trump moved this year’s July 4 salute onto White House grounds instead of the National Mall, which was sparsely populated Saturday because of the virus.
The event featured a parachute show from the Army’s Golden Knights and an extensive air show over the heart of the nation’s capital featuring aircraft from conflicts throughout the 20th century.
Congressional Democrats in the D.C. area had objected to Mr. Trump holding a gathering this year in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The president’s detractors also say he is injecting political interests into festivities and fireworks that have long been a hallmark of July 4 in Washington.
Polls show Mr. Trump losing to former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, in key battleground states ahead of November’s election. The campaign season has been overshadowed by the country’s struggles to corral a coronavirus that’s killed nearly 130,000.
Saturday’s event featured tables packed together on the White House lawn — some attendees wore masks, though many didn’t — even as the administration and governors in hard-hit states urge Americans to avoid crowds and use face coverings to reduce transmission.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said guests were not tested for COVID-19.
Mr. Trump said Americans can expect a vaccine for COVID-19 before the end of the year, and reiterated his belief that America’s unflattering caseload is due to widespread diagnostics.
“No other country is testing as we have,” Mr. Trump said.
Swaths of the Northeast are seeing improvement after Mr. Trump asked Americans to work and learn at home from mid-March to the end of April, though states such as Florida, Texas, Arizona and California are seeing a surge in cases as they reopen, leading to record single-day highs for cases. Hospitalizations and the rate of people testing positive is increasing, too, leading experts to warn of dire days ahead.
“We’ve made a lot of progress, our strategy is moving along well,” Mr. Trump said of the pandemic. “We’ve learned how to put out the flame.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com. • Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Earl Cameron, pioneering British film actor, dies at 102

Earl Cameron , who was one of the first Black actors to perform in mainstream British films and played supporting roles to enduring entertainment icons such as James Bond and the title character in “ Doctor Who ” before appearing in the U.N. thriller “ The Interpreter ” in his 80s , has died .
He was 102 .
Cameron died Friday , according to The Royal Gazette , a newspaper in his native Bermuda .
The British newspaper The Guardian , quoting the actor ’ s agent , said he died at home in Warwickshire , England .
Cameron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earn money during World War II and kept at it with repertory theater roles and training from the granddaughter of Ira Aldridge , an American who became a renowned Shakespearean actor in England , according to Cameron ’ s British Film Institute biography .
His break into movies also broke barriers for British cinema .
Cameron was cast in one of the starring roles in “ Pool of London , ” a 1951 crime noir movie that was the first British film to feature an interracial relationship .
His character , Johnny Lambert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a white woman while on shore leave .
Cameron worked steadily making movies throughout the 1950s , sometimes in stereotyped roles such as a witch doctor and a murderous rebel leader in British Kenya , and sometimes in roles designed to confound stereotypes , such as his portrayal of a doctor in “ Simba , ” a 1955 film that also dealt with the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya .
He earned his 007 stripes in the fourth James Bond film , “ Thunderball , ” in 1965 , playing an intelligence operative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During the 1950s and 1960s , he supplemented his film work with frequent British TV roles , including two episodes of “ Doctor Who ” in 1966 .
“ Unless it was specified that this was a part for a Black actor , they would never consider a black actor for the part .
And they would never consider changing a white part to a Black part , ” Cameron told the Guardian in a 2017 interview .
“ So that was my problem .
I got mostly small parts , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me but for other Black actors .
We had a very hard time getting worthwhile roles.
” In 1972 , Cameron got to work alongside another Bahama-born actor who broke barriers for Black film actors .
Sidney Poitier cast Cameron to play the ambassador of an African country in “ A Warm December , ” in which Poitier starred and directed .
Born in Bermuda in 1917 as the youngest of six children , Cameron arrived in England in 1939 after joining the British merchant marine .
After Britain entered World War II @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost impossible for a Black person to get any kind of job , ” and he didn ’ t have any qualifications , Cameron would recall .
“ Coming from Bermuda in 1939 , which was a very racist island , the degree of racism in England didn ’ t surprise me .
I had grown up with it , ” he told The Royal Gazette in a 2018 interview .
Cameron appeared in a number of major Hollywood and British films late in his life , including “ The Interpreter ” with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) ; “ The Queen ” with Hellen Mirren ( 2006 ) and “ Inception ” ( 2010 ) .
Queen Elizabeth II named him a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2009 for his contributions to British entertainment .
“ At a time when the whole world is examining the history of people of color , Earl Cameron ’ s life and legacy makes us pause and remember how he broke barriers and refused to be confined to what his humble beginnings may have dictated as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premier of Bermuda , told The Royal Gazette late Friday .
Cameron is survived by his wife , Barbara , and his children .

Earl Cameron, who was one of the first Black actors to perform in mainstream British films and played supporting roles to enduring entertainment icons such as James Bond and the title character in “Doctor Who” before appearing in the U.N. thriller “The Interpreter” in his 80s, has died. He was 102.
Cameron died Friday, according to The Royal Gazette, a newspaper in his native Bermuda. The British newspaper The Guardian, quoting the actor’s agent, said he died at home in Warwickshire, England.
Cameron stumbled into acting as a way to earn money during World War II and kept at it with repertory theater roles and training from the granddaughter of Ira Aldridge, an American who became a renowned Shakespearean actor in England, according to Cameron’s British Film Institute biography.
His break into movies also broke barriers for British cinema. Cameron was cast in one of the starring roles in “Pool of London,” a 1951 crime noir movie that was the first British film to feature an interracial relationship. His character, Johnny Lambert, is a merchant seaman who meets a white woman while on shore leave.
Cameron worked steadily making movies throughout the 1950s, sometimes in stereotyped roles such as a witch doctor and a murderous rebel leader in British Kenya, and sometimes in roles designed to confound stereotypes, such as his portrayal of a doctor in “Simba,” a 1955 film that also dealt with the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya.
He earned his 007 stripes in the fourth James Bond film, “Thunderball,” in 1965, playing an intelligence operative in the Bahamas opposite Sean Connery. During the 1950s and 1960s, he supplemented his film work with frequent British TV roles, including two episodes of “Doctor Who” in 1966.
“Unless it was specified that this was a part for a Black actor, they would never consider a black actor for the part. And they would never consider changing a white part to a Black part,” Cameron told the Guardian in a 2017 interview.
“So that was my problem. I got mostly small parts, and that was extremely frustrating - not just for me but for other Black actors. We had a very hard time getting worthwhile roles.”
In 1972, Cameron got to work alongside another Bahama-born actor who broke barriers for Black film actors. Sidney Poitier cast Cameron to play the ambassador of an African country in “A Warm December,” in which Poitier starred and directed.
Born in Bermuda in 1917 as the youngest of six children, Cameron arrived in England in 1939 after joining the British merchant marine. After Britain entered World War II that same year, “it was almost impossible for a Black person to get any kind of job,” and he didn’t have any qualifications, Cameron would recall.
“Coming from Bermuda in 1939, which was a very racist island, the degree of racism in England didn’t surprise me. I had grown up with it,” he told The Royal Gazette in a 2018 interview.
Cameron appeared in a number of major Hollywood and British films late in his life, including “The Interpreter” with Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn (2005); “The Queen” with Hellen Mirren (2006) and “Inception” (2010).
Queen Elizabeth II named him a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2009 for his contributions to British entertainment.
“At a time when the whole world is examining the history of people of color, Earl Cameron’s life and legacy makes us pause and remember how he broke barriers and refused to be confined to what his humble beginnings may have dictated as his path,” David Burt, the premier of Bermuda, told The Royal Gazette late Friday.
Cameron is survived by his wife, Barbara, and his children.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--NYC man killed while skydiving may have lost his parachute

GARDINER , N.Y. ( AP ) - A New York City man killed in an apparent skydiving accident may have @ @ @ @ @ police said .
William McCartin , 40 , was found dead last weekend in a @ @ @ @ @ upstate Gardiner , about 75 miles north of Manhattan , state police said .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ parachute that a fellow skydiver said McCartin was wearing when he left the plane on @ @ @ @ @ said .
McCartin , an experienced skydiver with more than 220 prior jumps , left @ @ @ @ @ skydiver - described by state police as a skydiving coach - at an altitude of @ @ @ @ @ state police spokesperson told the Poughkeepsie Journal it remained unclear if McCartin took the parachute @ @ @ @ @ came off as he was falling .

GARDINER, N.Y. (AP) - A New York City man killed in an apparent skydiving accident may have lost his parachute mid-jump, police said.
William McCartin, 40, was found dead last weekend in a fire station parking lot in upstate Gardiner, about 75 miles north of Manhattan, state police said.
Investigators have yet to locate the parachute that a fellow skydiver said McCartin was wearing when he left the plane on June 28, state police said.
McCartin, an experienced skydiver with more than 220 prior jumps, left the plane with the other skydiver - described by state police as a skydiving coach - at an altitude of about 14,000 feet.
A state police spokesperson told the Poughkeepsie Journal it remained unclear if McCartin took the parachute off himself or if it came off as he was falling.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Mask opponents protest at Wichita mayor's home

WICHITA , Kan. ( AP ) - Protesters who oppose a city ordinance requiring that masks be worn in public to prevent the spread of the coronavirus gathered outside Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple ’ s home Saturday .
The Wichita City Council voted 4-3 Friday in a special meeting called by Whipple to require masks in public .
The Sedgwick County Commission had voted Thursday to opt out of a statewide mask mandate from Gov .
Laura Kelly , which the law allows them to do .
The Wichita Eagle reports the ordinance requires people to wear masks in public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible .
The roughly eight protesters didn ’ t wear masks and didn ’ t meet the 6-feet social distancing guideline , which means they could have been fined $ 25 .
Three Wichita officers stood near the protesters .
“ … At this time we are choosing education over enforcement .
Especially because it is a new ordinance , ” Sgt .
Brian Mock said .
Others around Wichita on Saturday weren ’ t wearing masks , either .
At a Kwik Shop near Whipple ’ s home , two of 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees wore a mask .
The one who did said she couldn ’ t force customers to wear masks and the employee not wearing a mask was her boss .

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Protesters who oppose a city ordinance requiring that masks be worn in public to prevent the spread of the coronavirus gathered outside Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple’s home Saturday.
The Wichita City Council voted 4-3 Friday in a special meeting called by Whipple to require masks in public. The Sedgwick County Commission had voted Thursday to opt out of a statewide mask mandate from Gov. Laura Kelly, which the law allows them to do.
The Wichita Eagle reports the ordinance requires people to wear masks in public places where 6-foot social distancing is not possible.
The roughly eight protesters didn’t wear masks and didn’t meet the 6-feet social distancing guideline, which means they could have been fined $25.
Three Wichita officers stood near the protesters.
“… At this time we are choosing education over enforcement. Especially because it is a new ordinance,” Sgt. Brian Mock said.
Others around Wichita on Saturday weren’t wearing masks, either.
At a Kwik Shop near Whipple’s home, two of 12 people wore masks. One of two employees wore a mask. The one who did said she couldn’t force customers to wear masks and the employee not wearing a mask was her boss.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Nebraska reports 198 new COVID-19 cases, making total 19,660

LINCOLN , Neb .
( AP ) - Nebraska has reported another 198 novel coronavirus cases , increasing the total for the pandemic to 19,660 .
The state Department of Health and Human Services dashboard showed Saturday that the number of cases had increased 1 % in the previous day .
The state reported 284 COVID-19-related deaths , up two .
The health department said 14,200 people , or about 72 % of those infected , have recovered .
It said 1,365 people have been hospitalized , but only 111 of those hospitalizations still are active .
Nearly 63 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalized were 55 or older , and the same group accounts for 90 % of the state ’ s reported COVID-19-related deaths .
the department said .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks .
But for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause severe illness or death .
The health department said 42 % of the state ’ s hospital beds , 50 % of its intensive care unit beds and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are available .
About 55 % of the state ’ s total reported cases were in Douglas , Lancaster and Dakota counties .

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska has reported another 198 novel coronavirus cases, increasing the total for the pandemic to 19,660.
The state Department of Health and Human Services dashboard showed Saturday that the number of cases had increased 1% in the previous day. The state reported 284 COVID-19-related deaths, up two.
The health department said 14,200 people, or about 72% of those infected, have recovered. It said 1,365 people have been hospitalized, but only 111 of those hospitalizations still are active.
Nearly 63% of the people who’ve been hospitalized were 55 or older, and the same group accounts for 90% of the state’s reported COVID-19-related deaths. the department said.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause severe illness or death.
The health department said 42% of the state’s hospital beds, 50% of its intensive care unit beds and 80% of its ventilator beds still are available.
About 55% of the state’s total reported cases were in Douglas, Lancaster and Dakota counties.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Noose found at Johns Hopkins University construction site

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - Johns Hopkins University is investigating the discovery of a rope tied into a noose at a construction site in a building it owns off its Baltimore campus .
Johns Hopkins officials also notified federal authorities about what the university calls a potential hate crime , the Baltimore Sun reports .
“ Johns Hopkins University condemns this act of hate , ” President Ronald J. Daniels said in a message emailed to the university community Friday .
“ We find such racist imagery horrifying and repugnant and a direct threat to the Black community at Johns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stark opposition to the values of equity , justice , and humanity to which we are firmly committed.
” Representatives of general contractor Plano-Coudon told university officials Thursday that a noose had been found at a site in Baltimore where the firm is renovating a laboratory that is part of the university ’ s Whiting School of Engineering .
The university ’ s Office of Institutional Equity is investigating in coordination with the general contractor , Johns Hopkins spokeswoman Karen Lancaster said .
Lancaster said the company “ has offered its full cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ university ’ s senior vice president for administration and finance , said the school has shut down the construction site .
“ We take this matter extremely seriously , ” he said .
“ Acts like this have no place in our society .
”

BALTIMORE (AP) - Johns Hopkins University is investigating the discovery of a rope tied into a noose at a construction site in a building it owns off its Baltimore campus.
Johns Hopkins officials also notified federal authorities about what the university calls a potential hate crime, the Baltimore Sun reports.
“Johns Hopkins University condemns this act of hate,” President Ronald J. Daniels said in a message emailed to the university community Friday. “We find such racist imagery horrifying and repugnant and a direct threat to the Black community at Johns Hopkins and in Baltimore, standing in stark opposition to the values of equity, justice, and humanity to which we are firmly committed.”
Representatives of general contractor Plano-Coudon told university officials Thursday that a noose had been found at a site in Baltimore where the firm is renovating a laboratory that is part of the university’s Whiting School of Engineering.
The university’s Office of Institutional Equity is investigating in coordination with the general contractor, Johns Hopkins spokeswoman Karen Lancaster said. Lancaster said the company “has offered its full cooperation and support.”
Daniel Ennis, the university’s senior vice president for administration and finance, said the school has shut down the construction site.
“We take this matter extremely seriously,” he said. “Acts like this have no place in our society.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Kansas City police: Officer remains in critical condition

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - A Kansas City police officer who was shot in the head @ @ @ @ @ that left a suspect dead was in critical condition Saturday and the family is optimistic @ @ @ @ @ Spokeswoman Officer Doaa El-Ashkar said in an email that critical care doctors say the officer @ @ @ @ @ on his condition and he remains in the intensive care unit .
Police are not @ @ @ @ @ his family is asking for privacy .
Highway patrol officials said police were called shortly @ @ @ @ @ a McDonald ’ s restaurant where the suspect in the shooting , 31-year-old Ky Johnson @ @ @ @ @ a gun , then fled on foot .
The officers chased him , and he @ @ @ @ @ them , striking one .
A second officer fired back , highway patrol officials said @

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Kansas City police officer who was shot in the head during an exchange of gunfire that left a suspect dead was in critical condition Saturday and the family is optimistic, police said.
Police Spokeswoman Officer Doaa El-Ashkar said in an email that critical care doctors say the officer is progressing as expected based on his condition and he remains in the intensive care unit.
Police are not identifying the officer and say his family is asking for privacy.
Highway patrol officials said police were called shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday to a McDonald’s restaurant where the suspect in the shooting, 31-year-old Ky Johnson of Grandview, was waving a gun, then fled on foot. The officers chased him, and he turned and opened fire on them, striking one. A second officer fired back, highway patrol officials said.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Family of Somali American man killed by police files lawsuit

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - The family of a Somali-American man police shot to death during a standoff in Eagan last summer has filed a federal lawsuit alleging the shooting wasn ’ t justified and the man was targeted because of his race .
Isak Aden was 23 when he died on July 2 , 2019 , during a standoff with police from multiple agencies in Eagan .
According to the Dakota County Attorney ’ s Office , Aden had a gun and officers tried to negotiate with him for hours .
Finally police threw flash-bang devices at him and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went for his gun , picked it up in his right hand and fired .
Officers opened fire , hitting him five times .
Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom cleared the five officers who fired of any criminal wrongdoing in November , saying they believed they were in danger .
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports Aden ’ s family filed the lawsuit Thursday .
The lawsuit names the cities of Bloomington , Burnsville , Eagan and Edina , which supplied police for the operation , multiple officers and Eagan Chief Roger New as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
The family ’ s attorney , Matthew Lawlyes , told the newspaper that police video shows Aden picked up his gun after nonlethal rounds were fired , but put it on the ground and raised his left hand in an act of surrender .
He fired the gun accidentally after officers shot him , Lawlyes said .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The family of a Somali-American man police shot to death during a standoff in Eagan last summer has filed a federal lawsuit alleging the shooting wasn’t justified and the man was targeted because of his race.
Isak Aden was 23 when he died on July 2, 2019, during a standoff with police from multiple agencies in Eagan.
According to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, Aden had a gun and officers tried to negotiate with him for hours. Finally police threw flash-bang devices at him and fired nonlethal rounds at him. Aden went for his gun, picked it up in his right hand and fired. Officers opened fire, hitting him five times.
Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom cleared the five officers who fired of any criminal wrongdoing in November, saying they believed they were in danger.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports Aden’s family filed the lawsuit Thursday. The lawsuit names the cities of Bloomington, Burnsville, Eagan and Edina, which supplied police for the operation, multiple officers and Eagan Chief Roger New as defendants and seeks more than $20 million.
The family’s attorney, Matthew Lawlyes, told the newspaper that police video shows Aden picked up his gun after nonlethal rounds were fired, but put it on the ground and raised his left hand in an act of surrender. He fired the gun accidentally after officers shot him, Lawlyes said.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--6 men sentenced for poaching 19 animals in east Idaho

PRESTON , Idaho ( AP ) - A judge has sentenced six men in eastern Idaho after they pleaded guilty to poaching 16 elk and three mule deer , authorities said .
Jay Reeder , Brandon Porter , Rick Earl , Jesse Earl , Dustin Hollingsworth and Brian Miller reached plea agreements for killing the 19 animals near Preston in the fall of 2018 , including several trophy class animals .
All of the men are from Preston , except Miller who is from Pennsylvania , KBOI-TV reported .
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game launched an investigation after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on “ Reeder Ranch ” and surrounding property without regard for season , weapon restrictions and tagging requirements .
“ Most of the animals were simply shot and left with no attempt to salvage the meat ; some with rifles during muzzleloader seasons and others when the seasons were completely closed , ” said Cody Allen , regional investigator .
Members of the group also unlawfully killed pheasants , magpies , and wild turkeys baited onto the property , department officials said .
Reeder and Porter each pleaded guilty to four felonies for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 16 elk .
They each received lifetime revocations of their hunting privileges , a two year suspended prison sentence and each spent 30 days in jail .
Rick Earl pleaded guilty to one felony and one misdemeanor for killing two elk and illegally possessing three other poached elk and deer .
He received a two year suspended prison sentence , five years of felony-supervised probation and a five-year hunting license revocation .
He served 10 days in jail .
Reeder , Porter and Rick Earl were also order to 50 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 72,000 and forfeit their guns and animals .
The other three men involved – Jesse Earl , Miller and Hollingsworth pleaded guilty to misdemeanors for their role in attempting to legitimize the poached elk by taking tags of others to cover the unlawfully taken elk .
They each received one-year hunting license revocations and combined fines , civil reimbursement and court costs totaling more than $ 3,700 .

PRESTON, Idaho (AP) - A judge has sentenced six men in eastern Idaho after they pleaded guilty to poaching 16 elk and three mule deer, authorities said.
Jay Reeder, Brandon Porter, Rick Earl, Jesse Earl, Dustin Hollingsworth and Brian Miller reached plea agreements for killing the 19 animals near Preston in the fall of 2018, including several trophy class animals.
All of the men are from Preston, except Miller who is from Pennsylvania, KBOI-TV reported.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game launched an investigation after multiple animals were poached over several months on “Reeder Ranch” and surrounding property without regard for season, weapon restrictions and tagging requirements.
“Most of the animals were simply shot and left with no attempt to salvage the meat; some with rifles during muzzleloader seasons and others when the seasons were completely closed,” said Cody Allen, regional investigator.
Members of the group also unlawfully killed pheasants, magpies, and wild turkeys baited onto the property, department officials said.
Reeder and Porter each pleaded guilty to four felonies for killing three mule deer bucks and 13 of the 16 elk. They each received lifetime revocations of their hunting privileges, a two year suspended prison sentence and each spent 30 days in jail.
Rick Earl pleaded guilty to one felony and one misdemeanor for killing two elk and illegally possessing three other poached elk and deer. He received a two year suspended prison sentence, five years of felony-supervised probation and a five-year hunting license revocation. He served 10 days in jail.
Reeder, Porter and Rick Earl were also order to 50 hours of community service, pay a combined $72,000 and forfeit their guns and animals.
The other three men involved – Jesse Earl, Miller and Hollingsworth pleaded guilty to misdemeanors for their role in attempting to legitimize the poached elk by taking tags of others to cover the unlawfully taken elk. They each received one-year hunting license revocations and combined fines, civil reimbursement and court costs totaling more than $3,700.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--Rock slide closes Highway 95 in Idaho

Rock slide closes Highway 95 in Idaho

RIGGINS , Idaho ( AP ) - Highway 95 is temporarily closed after a large rock slide blocked the road @ @ @ @ @ milepost 161 to milepost 188 , New Meadows to five miles south of the Riggins @ @ @ @ @ State Police says an one alternate route from southwest Idaho to Central or North Idaho @ @ @ @ @ to Highway 12 or I-90 east at Tri-Cities .
The Idaho County Sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ estimated time as to when it will be cleaned up .
The Forest Service advises @ @ @ @ @ a recommended , nor an official detour for Highway 95 .

RIGGINS, Idaho (AP) - Highway 95 is temporarily closed after a large rock slide blocked the road. The closure starts at milepost 161 to milepost 188, New Meadows to five miles south of the Riggins area.
KIVI reports Idaho State Police says an one alternate route from southwest Idaho to Central or North Idaho would be I-84 west connecting to Highway 12 or I-90 east at Tri-Cities. The Idaho County Sheriff’s Office does not have an estimated time as to when it will be cleaned up.
The Forest Service advises French Creek Road is not a recommended, nor an official detour for Highway 95.


washingtontimes--2020-07-04--4 new virus deaths, confirmed cases in Oregon near 10,000

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - Authorities confirmed four new COVID-19 deaths in Oregon and 303 new confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ ’ s total number of confirmed cases at 9,930 .
The four new casualties bring @ @ @ @ @ toll to 213 .
KOIN reports three of the four latest people to die from @ @ @ @ @ conditions .
It was not confirmed if underlying medical conditions played a role in the @ @ @ @ @ woman from Lincoln County , according to the Oregon Health Authority .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Authorities confirmed four new COVID-19 deaths in Oregon and 303 new confirmed cases Saturday, putting the state’s total number of confirmed cases at 9,930.
The four new casualties bring Oregon’s COVID-19 death toll to 213. KOIN reports three of the four latest people to die from the virus had underlying medical conditions. It was not confirmed if underlying medical conditions played a role in the other death - an 86-year-old woman from Lincoln County, according to the Oregon Health Authority.