washingtontimes--2020-09-14--Nevada city fines Trump rally venue $3,000 in COVID-19 flap

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - The Nevada city where President Donald Trump held an indoor campaign rally said Monday the venue owner is being fined $ 3,000 for violating coronavirus prevention mandates imposed by the state ’ s Democratic governor .
Henderson officials told Xtreme Manufacturing owner Donald Ahern that the event that drew thousands of people to a warehouse in suburban Las Vegas violated Gov .
Steve Sisolak ’ s coronavirus emergency directives .
State rules prohibit gatherings larger than 50 people , require “ social distancing ” of 6 feet ( 1.8 meters ) , and mandate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Ahern ’ s attorney , Michael Van , acknowledged receiving a notice from the city and said Ahern will decide whether to challenge it .
He has 30 days .
“ It ’ s interesting that if it ’ s a demonstration , it ’ s OK .
If it ’ s a rally , it ’ s not OK , ” Van said , casting the dispute as a First Amendment fight .
“ There ’ s just inconsistent application of that declaration.
” Ahern , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel owner has a separate lawsuit pending against Sisolak after being fined more than $ 10,000 for hosting an “ Evangelicals for Trump ” rally and a separate beauty pageant last month at his renovated casino-turned-convention hall .
In an interview with CNN ’ s Erin Burnett , Sisolak accused Trump of knowingly violating coronavirus directives and endangering Nevada residents .
“ He knew what the rules were .
He chose to show callous disregard in a reckless , selfish , irresponsible way .
There ’ s no other way to put it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that it was “ absurd for him to think that the rules didn ’ t apply to him.
” Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh on Monday called the rally crowd , “ great Americans who supported their fellow citizens in wanting to hear from the president of the United States.
” Henderson city spokeswoman Kathleen Richards said that Ahern was warned verbally and in writing before the event .
A business compliance officer observed six violations amounting to fines worth $ 500 each among the mostly maskless crowd .
During the rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has clashed in the past , as “ a political hack , ” and urged Nevada residents to “ tell your governor to open up your state.
” Trump ’ s campaign is suing Nevada ’ s Republican secretary of state in federal court to try to block a new state law and prevent mail-in ballots from going to all active Nevada voters amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Nevada wants the court to throw out the lawsuit , arguing that vote-by-mail does not lead to election fraud and the virus could make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his supporters the governor was “ playing around ” with ballots .
He blamed Sisolak for forcing the Trump campaign to abandon plans to hold two outdoor rallies last weekend at a private air facility at McCarran International Airport and at an airport hangar at Reno-Tahoe International Airport .
The northern Nevada event was moved to an outdoor airport venue in Minden , more than a one-hour drive from Reno , where Nevada GOP party Chairman Michael McDonald made a point of calling the event a protest .
Trump told the crowd that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us from having this event.
” “ They can have riots and they can all sorts of things and that ’ s OK. You can burn up the house , that ’ s OK , ” Trump said .
“ If you call it a protest , you ’ re allowed to have it .
So , if anybody asks you outside , this is called a ` friendly protest.
’ ” Douglas County , where Trump held that rally , could also face punishment .
Nevada agreed to allocate the county $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the condition that safety directives be enforced .
Nevada COVID-19 response chief Caleb Cage told reporters Monday he didn ’ t know whether the state would withhold or claw back relief given to Douglas County .
Associated Press writers Sam Metz in Carson City , Nevada , and Scott Sonner in Reno contributed to this report .
Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Nevada city where President Donald Trump held an indoor campaign rally said Monday the venue owner is being fined $3,000 for violating coronavirus prevention mandates imposed by the state’s Democratic governor.
Henderson officials told Xtreme Manufacturing owner Donald Ahern that the event that drew thousands of people to a warehouse in suburban Las Vegas violated Gov. Steve Sisolak’s coronavirus emergency directives.
State rules prohibit gatherings larger than 50 people, require “social distancing” of 6 feet (1.8 meters), and mandate masks or face coverings in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Ahern’s attorney, Michael Van, acknowledged receiving a notice from the city and said Ahern will decide whether to challenge it. He has 30 days.
“It’s interesting that if it’s a demonstration, it’s OK. If it’s a rally, it’s not OK,” Van said, casting the dispute as a First Amendment fight. “There’s just inconsistent application of that declaration.”
Ahern, a local heavy equipment rental mogul and hotel owner has a separate lawsuit pending against Sisolak after being fined more than $10,000 for hosting an “Evangelicals for Trump” rally and a separate beauty pageant last month at his renovated casino-turned-convention hall.
In an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, Sisolak accused Trump of knowingly violating coronavirus directives and endangering Nevada residents.
“He knew what the rules were. He chose to show callous disregard in a reckless, selfish, irresponsible way. There’s no other way to put it,” the governor said. He added that it was “absurd for him to think that the rules didn’t apply to him.”
Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh on Monday called the rally crowd, “great Americans who supported their fellow citizens in wanting to hear from the president of the United States.”
Henderson city spokeswoman Kathleen Richards said that Ahern was warned verbally and in writing before the event. A business compliance officer observed six violations amounting to fines worth $500 each among the mostly maskless crowd.
During the rally, Trump derided Sisolak, with whom he has clashed in the past, as “a political hack,” and urged Nevada residents to “tell your governor to open up your state.”
Trump’s campaign is suing Nevada’s Republican secretary of state in federal court to try to block a new state law and prevent mail-in ballots from going to all active Nevada voters amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Nevada wants the court to throw out the lawsuit, arguing that vote-by-mail does not lead to election fraud and the virus could make voting in person dangerous.
Trump told his supporters the governor was “playing around” with ballots. He blamed Sisolak for forcing the Trump campaign to abandon plans to hold two outdoor rallies last weekend at a private air facility at McCarran International Airport and at an airport hangar at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
The northern Nevada event was moved to an outdoor airport venue in Minden, more than a one-hour drive from Reno, where Nevada GOP party Chairman Michael McDonald made a point of calling the event a protest. Trump told the crowd that Sisolak “tried very hard to stop us from having this event.”
“They can have riots and they can all sorts of things and that’s OK. You can burn up the house, that’s OK,” Trump said. “If you call it a protest, you’re allowed to have it. So, if anybody asks you outside, this is called a `friendly protest.’”
Douglas County, where Trump held that rally, could also face punishment.
Nevada agreed to allocate the county $8.9 million in federal relief dollars on the condition that safety directives be enforced. Nevada COVID-19 response chief Caleb Cage told reporters Monday he didn’t know whether the state would withhold or claw back relief given to Douglas County.
-
Associated Press writers Sam Metz in Carson City, Nevada, and Scott Sonner in Reno contributed to this report.
Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-09-14--Trump coronavirus optimism rebuffed by health experts fears

President Trump says America is turning the corner on the coronavirus and will defeat it “ very easily ” with a vaccine but public health experts are worried about a cold-weather spike in the meantime , posing a key test of whether Americans can buckle down for a few more months .
Public health experts are concerned the coronavirus could surge after Election Day due to the cooler weather conditions , along with the higher risks associated with school openings and people gathering indoors to avoid the chill outside .
Making matters worse , any spike would coincide with flu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency rooms that need to distinguish between the diseases .
Officials are pleading with the public to get their flu shots and maintain COVID-19 precautions to avoid the type of chaos that dominated last spring .
Predicting how the new coronavirus will behave has been notoriously difficult , to the point tha experts say people should be prepared for any scenario .
“ One has to simply say , ‘ We really don ’ t know , ’ ” said Barry Bloom , a research professor of public health and former dean of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health .
“ Our epidemiological people are anticipating that there will be a flare in cases in the fall as temperatures go down , as people can ’ t dine outside and as we spend more time in groups indoors — and that will be contemporaneous with flu season.
” Part of the challenge in preventing flare-ups is that it ’ s hard for the public to envision the exponential growth of cases at the start of a surge , the professor said .
Deaths from case surges don ’ t occur until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Getting an intuition of what ’ s going to happen — without seeing dreadful things happen — is what makes this epidemic so challenging , ” Mr. Bloom said .
Pennsylvania officials say they are tracking the percentage of tests that come back positive to make sure they ’ re on the right track .
They ’ re shooting for a positivity rate below 5 % in each county .
While the state ’ s rate is 4.2 % this week , they do have “ a number of counties with concerning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nate Wardle said .
“ If we do not take actions to prevent the spread of the virus , we will see large outbreaks in our schools , our colleges , and then as we move into flu season , that could be concerning for our health system , ” Mr. Bloom said .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning about the potential difficulties of combatting influenza and COVID-19 at the same time .
Director Robert Redfield said it ’ s “ more important than ever ” to get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity occurring at the same time could place a tremendous burden on the health care system and result in many illnesses , hospitalizations , and deaths , ” Dr. Redfield said .
“ However , we could also have an extremely mild flu season .
We have seen evidence that mitigation steps for COVID-19 — like face masks , social distancing , and handwashing — have likely helped to prevent the spread of flu in some other countries .
I am confident that Americans will continue to take mitigation steps for COVID-19 seriously.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this year , recently told hospitals to devise plans for potential surges and demand for personal protective equipment as they prepare for the fall .
“ We urge New Yorkers of all ages to remain vigilant and do their part to prevent the spread of this virus , while also getting a flu shot to protect themselves against the flu and protect the health care system from getting overwhelmed , ” state Department of Health spokeswoman Jill Montag said .
“ The Department of Health has also championed emergency regulations related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical needs in healthcare facilities , now and in anticipation of a second wave.
” Cooler weather might be a factor in any COVID-19 spike .
Respiratory diseases tend to circulate more during colder , drier months because infectious droplets linger in the air for longer .
The summer months didn ’ t slash transmission as hoped , though scientists say that ’ s likely because so many people were susceptible to the virus , which was first discovered in humans in China in December .
Spikes may occur around by mid-October in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year and is still lurking , according to Peter Hotez , dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine .
“ It will likely rise again due to sporting events , for example [ the Florida State University ] football game in Tallahassee this weekend , one of the most endemic areas of the country , ” he said , referring to a limited-capacity game in which students were photographed crowding together without masks .
He pointed to school and college openings , generally , as risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission .
President Trump over the weekend held his first indoor campaign rally since late June .
Campaign officials said each attendee in Nevada received a temperature check , a mask they were encouraged to wear and access to hand sanitizer , though Democrats scolded the president for not heeding scientists who say gathering indoors is more dangerous than being outdoors , where the fresh air allows for the unlimited dilution of virus particles .
Mr. Trump used the rally to highlight U.S. progress in fighting the coronavirus , which has killed over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven-day rolling average of new cases is at about 35,000 per day , down from a peak of about 66,000 in mid-July but higher than the 22,000 recorded in early June , according to a New York Times tracker .
Mr. Trump has cited the drop and the declining share of Americans who are dying from the disease , as efforts to shield the vulnerable and improvements in treatment pay off .
He says a vaccine , which could be approved by the end of the year , will finish the job .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the year and we will very easily defeat the China virus .
That ’ s what ’ s happening and we ’ re already making that turn , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ We ’ re making that round beautiful last turn , but it should have never happened .
China should have never let that happen.
” Capitol Hill Democrats on Monday said they ’ re worried the administration is so attuned to Mr. Trump ’ s electoral prospects it is revising scientific reports to fit his narrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Coronavirus launched a probe after news reports said senior health officials tried to tweak the CDC ’ s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports ( MMWRs ) on the virus .
The lawmakers want to know if the reported activity is still going on “ and the steps that Congress may need to take to stop it before more Americans die needlessly.
” The Department of Health and Human Services said it will respond to Congress , while one of its top spokesmen , Michael Caputo , said the interactions between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a regular scientific review by scientific adviser Paul Alexander .
“ Dr .
Paul Alexander is an Oxford-educated epidemiologist and a methodologist specializing in analyzing the work of other scientists .
Dr. Alexander advises me on pandemic policy and he has been encouraged to share his opinions with other scientists .
Like all scientists , his advice is heard and taken or rejected by his peers , ” Mr. Caputo said .
“ Our intention is to make sure that evidence , science-based data drives policy through this pandemic — not ulterior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC.
” House Republicans , meanwhile , asked the administration to brief them on preparations for dealing with the coronavirus and flu in the coming months .
“ We share your concerns about the unprecedented convergence of two highly contagious respiratory viruses that can cause life-threatening illness and death .
Experts have noted that , in the upcoming influenza season , there could potentially be 100 million cases of influenza-like symptoms that could overwhelm current testing capacity , ” Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon and other top members of the Energy and Commerce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Health experts also note ‘ the stress on hospitals will be greatest if the COVID-19 and influenza epidemics overlap and peak around the same time.
’ ” The lawmakers asked Dr. Redfield to brief them on efforts to protect people from the flu — especially those who usually get the seasonal shot at the office but are working at home — and the status of testing technology that can check for the coronavirus and flu at the same time .

President Trump says America is turning the corner on the coronavirus and will defeat it “very easily” with a vaccine but public health experts are worried about a cold-weather spike in the meantime, posing a key test of whether Americans can buckle down for a few more months.
Public health experts are concerned the coronavirus could surge after Election Day due to the cooler weather conditions, along with the higher risks associated with school openings and people gathering indoors to avoid the chill outside.
Making matters worse, any spike would coincide with flu season, potentially creating confusion in the emergency rooms that need to distinguish between the diseases. Officials are pleading with the public to get their flu shots and maintain COVID-19 precautions to avoid the type of chaos that dominated last spring.
Predicting how the new coronavirus will behave has been notoriously difficult, to the point tha experts say people should be prepared for any scenario.
“One has to simply say, ‘We really don’t know,’” said Barry Bloom, a research professor of public health and former dean of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Our epidemiological people are anticipating that there will be a flare in cases in the fall as temperatures go down, as people can’t dine outside and as we spend more time in groups indoors — and that will be contemporaneous with flu season.”
Part of the challenge in preventing flare-ups is that it’s hard for the public to envision the exponential growth of cases at the start of a surge, the professor said. Deaths from case surges don’t occur until a few weeks down the road.
“Getting an intuition of what’s going to happen — without seeing dreadful things happen — is what makes this epidemic so challenging,” Mr. Bloom said.
Pennsylvania officials say they are tracking the percentage of tests that come back positive to make sure they’re on the right track. They’re shooting for a positivity rate below 5% in each county.
While the state’s rate is 4.2% this week, they do have “a number of counties with concerning numbers,” state health department spokesman Nate Wardle said.
“If we do not take actions to prevent the spread of the virus, we will see large outbreaks in our schools, our colleges, and then as we move into flu season, that could be concerning for our health system,” Mr. Bloom said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning about the potential difficulties of combatting influenza and COVID-19 at the same time. Director Robert Redfield said it’s “more important than ever” to get a flu shot.
“COVID-19 and flu activity occurring at the same time could place a tremendous burden on the health care system and result in many illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths,” Dr. Redfield said. “However, we could also have an extremely mild flu season. We have seen evidence that mitigation steps for COVID-19 — like face masks, social distancing, and handwashing — have likely helped to prevent the spread of flu in some other countries. I am confident that Americans will continue to take mitigation steps for COVID-19 seriously.”
New York, the hardest-hit state earlier this year, recently told hospitals to devise plans for potential surges and demand for personal protective equipment as they prepare for the fall.
“We urge New Yorkers of all ages to remain vigilant and do their part to prevent the spread of this virus, while also getting a flu shot to protect themselves against the flu and protect the health care system from getting overwhelmed,” state Department of Health spokeswoman Jill Montag said. “The Department of Health has also championed emergency regulations related to surge and flex and PPE to address critical needs in healthcare facilities, now and in anticipation of a second wave.”
Cooler weather might be a factor in any COVID-19 spike. Respiratory diseases tend to circulate more during colder, drier months because infectious droplets linger in the air for longer. The summer months didn’t slash transmission as hoped, though scientists say that’s likely because so many people were susceptible to the virus, which was first discovered in humans in China in December.
Spikes may occur around by mid-October in places where the virus spread widely this year and is still lurking, according to Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine.
“It will likely rise again due to sporting events, for example [the Florida State University] football game in Tallahassee this weekend, one of the most endemic areas of the country,” he said, referring to a limited-capacity game in which students were photographed crowding together without masks.
He pointed to school and college openings, generally, as risk factors and said indoor events will drive transmission.
President Trump over the weekend held his first indoor campaign rally since late June.
Campaign officials said each attendee in Nevada received a temperature check, a mask they were encouraged to wear and access to hand sanitizer, though Democrats scolded the president for not heeding scientists who say gathering indoors is more dangerous than being outdoors, where the fresh air allows for the unlimited dilution of virus particles.
Mr. Trump used the rally to highlight U.S. progress in fighting the coronavirus, which has killed over 194,000 people across the country.
The seven-day rolling average of new cases is at about 35,000 per day, down from a peak of about 66,000 in mid-July but higher than the 22,000 recorded in early June, according to a New York Times tracker.
Mr. Trump has cited the drop and the declining share of Americans who are dying from the disease, as efforts to shield the vulnerable and improvements in treatment pay off. He says a vaccine, which could be approved by the end of the year, will finish the job.
“We’ll be ready before the end of the year and we will very easily defeat the China virus. That’s what’s happening and we’re already making that turn,” Mr. Trump said. “We’re making that round beautiful last turn, but it should have never happened. China should have never let that happen.”
Capitol Hill Democrats on Monday said they’re worried the administration is so attuned to Mr. Trump’s electoral prospects it is revising scientific reports to fit his narrative.
Democrats on the House Select Committee on the Coronavirus launched a probe after news reports said senior health officials tried to tweak the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWRs) on the virus.
The lawmakers want to know if the reported activity is still going on “and the steps that Congress may need to take to stop it before more Americans die needlessly.”
The Department of Health and Human Services said it will respond to Congress, while one of its top spokesmen, Michael Caputo, said the interactions between the public affairs office and CDC were part of a regular scientific review by scientific adviser Paul Alexander.
“Dr. Paul Alexander is an Oxford-educated epidemiologist and a methodologist specializing in analyzing the work of other scientists. Dr. Alexander advises me on pandemic policy and he has been encouraged to share his opinions with other scientists. Like all scientists, his advice is heard and taken or rejected by his peers,” Mr. Caputo said. “Our intention is to make sure that evidence, science-based data drives policy through this pandemic — not ulterior deep state motives in the bowels of CDC.”
House Republicans, meanwhile, asked the administration to brief them on preparations for dealing with the coronavirus and flu in the coming months.
“We share your concerns about the unprecedented convergence of two highly contagious respiratory viruses that can cause life-threatening illness and death. Experts have noted that, in the upcoming influenza season, there could potentially be 100 million cases of influenza-like symptoms that could overwhelm current testing capacity,” Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon and other top members of the Energy and Commerce Committee wrote to CDC Director Redfield. “Health experts also note ‘the stress on hospitals will be greatest if the COVID-19 and influenza epidemics overlap and peak around the same time.’”
The lawmakers asked Dr. Redfield to brief them on efforts to protect people from the flu — especially those who usually get the seasonal shot at the office but are working at home — and the status of testing technology that can check for the coronavirus and flu at the same time.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-14--Man who twice sold Trump-Maples ring pleads in diamond scam

DETROIT ( AP ) - A suburban Detroit jewelry buyer , auctioneer and appraiser who twice auctioned an engagement ring presented by Donald Trump to second wife Marla Maples has pleaded guilty to wire fraud in a multi-million dollar diamond-buying scheme .
Joseph DuMouchelle , 58 , entered the plea Monday in federal court , according to the U.S. Attorney ’ s office in Detroit .
The owner of Birmingham , Michigan-based DuMouchelle Fine & Estate Jewelers , faces sentencing in January .
Authorities said that in 2018 DuMouchelle proposed to a client that a diamond known as the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 12 million as an investment opportunity and later sold for more .
The client was given wire transfer instructions to DuMouchelle ’ s account instead of a seller ’ s account .
Once in DuMouchelle ’ s account , the funds were quickly withdrawn and used to pay debts and expenses .
As part of the plea agreement , DuMouchelle has acknowledged that there are other victims of the scheme “ to obtain money by means of false and fraudulent material pretenses and representation , ” the government said .
Their losses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s sentencing guidelines and by the court in ordering restitution .
“ White collar criminals may use sophisticated methods and apparently legitimate businesses , but their crimes amount to nothing more than stealing other people ’ s money , ” U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said in a release .
“ DuMouchelle lured his victims into believing his false promises because he held himself out to be an expert with valuable connections that would earn the victims substantial profits , but it was all a lie , ” Schneider said .
DuMouchelle ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press Monday evening that this part of the case is “ really just the beginning.
” “ The rest of the story has not been told , ” he said .
“ A lot more needs to be brought forth to the court and we intend to do that.
” Epstein said that will be done when he presents a sentencing memorandum .
In 2016 , DuMouchelle sold at auction a large diamond engagement ring that Trump gave to Maples .
Maples previously sold the 7.45-carat emerald-cut , Harry Winston-designed ring after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DuMouchelle was the auctioneer for that sale .
The couple who purchased it later asked DuMouchelle to sell it for them .

DETROIT (AP) - A suburban Detroit jewelry buyer, auctioneer and appraiser who twice auctioned an engagement ring presented by Donald Trump to second wife Marla Maples has pleaded guilty to wire fraud in a multi-million dollar diamond-buying scheme.
Joseph DuMouchelle, 58, entered the plea Monday in federal court, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Detroit.
The owner of Birmingham, Michigan-based DuMouchelle Fine & Estate Jewelers, faces sentencing in January.
Authorities said that in 2018 DuMouchelle proposed to a client that a diamond known as the “Yellow Rose” could be purchased for $12 million as an investment opportunity and later sold for more.
The client was given wire transfer instructions to DuMouchelle’s account instead of a seller’s account. Once in DuMouchelle’s account, the funds were quickly withdrawn and used to pay debts and expenses.
As part of the plea agreement, DuMouchelle has acknowledged that there are other victims of the scheme “to obtain money by means of false and fraudulent material pretenses and representation,” the government said.
Their losses will be included in calculating DuMouchelle’s sentencing guidelines and by the court in ordering restitution.
“White collar criminals may use sophisticated methods and apparently legitimate businesses, but their crimes amount to nothing more than stealing other people’s money,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said in a release.
“DuMouchelle lured his victims into believing his false promises because he held himself out to be an expert with valuable connections that would earn the victims substantial profits, but it was all a lie,” Schneider said.
DuMouchelle’s attorney, Jonathan Epstein, told The Associated Press Monday evening that this part of the case is “really just the beginning.”
“The rest of the story has not been told,” he said. “A lot more needs to be brought forth to the court and we intend to do that.”
Epstein said that will be done when he presents a sentencing memorandum.
In 2016, DuMouchelle sold at auction a large diamond engagement ring that Trump gave to Maples.
Maples previously sold the 7.45-carat emerald-cut, Harry Winston-designed ring after she and Trump divorced in 1999. DuMouchelle was the auctioneer for that sale.
The couple who purchased it later asked DuMouchelle to sell it for them.


washingtontimes--2020-09-14--Police seek help in North Carolina man's disappearance

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - Police in North Carolina are asking for the public ’ s help in the mysterious disappearance of a 39-year-old Raleigh man who went missing Saturday .
A 911 caller told police that William Anderson Banks was supposed to meet someone to sell his Range Rover Saturday afternoon in the parking lot of the former K & W ; Cafeteria at Cameron Village .
He has a friend who lives near Cameron Village , so he parked there and went to sell his Range Rover but he never went back to retrieve his car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News & Observer reports that Raleigh police found Banks ’ silver Range Rover in Danville , Virginia , just over the North Carolina border .
Friends describe Banks , known as Andy , as a happy-go-lucky downtown Raleigh fixture .
“ I would describe him as extremely easygoing , who ’ s always grinning , just a born extrovert , ” said Cliff Cash , a friend since age 5 .
“ Almost a Ferris Bueller character .
Definitely not somebody to go off the radar.
” A native of the Gastonia area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He worked part-time for the census , but mainly cobbled together a living through a variety of ways , including by buying old cars , fixing them up and reselling them .
Raleigh police said Banks was last seen in the Woodburn Road area Saturday afternoon .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Police in North Carolina are asking for the public’s help in the mysterious disappearance of a 39-year-old Raleigh man who went missing Saturday.
A 911 caller told police that William Anderson Banks was supposed to meet someone to sell his Range Rover Saturday afternoon in the parking lot of the former K&W Cafeteria at Cameron Village. He has a friend who lives near Cameron Village, so he parked there and went to sell his Range Rover but he never went back to retrieve his car, the 911 caller said.
The News & Observer reports that Raleigh police found Banks’ silver Range Rover in Danville, Virginia, just over the North Carolina border.
Friends describe Banks, known as Andy, as a happy-go-lucky downtown Raleigh fixture.
“I would describe him as extremely easygoing, who’s always grinning, just a born extrovert,” said Cliff Cash, a friend since age 5. “Almost a Ferris Bueller character. Definitely not somebody to go off the radar.”
A native of the Gastonia area, Banks attended N.C. State University. He worked part-time for the census, but mainly cobbled together a living through a variety of ways, including by buying old cars, fixing them up and reselling them.
Raleigh police said Banks was last seen in the Woodburn Road area Saturday afternoon.


washingtontimes--2020-09-14--California governor gently confronts Trump on climate

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California Gov .
Gavin Newsom had President Donald Trump one-on-one on live TV Monday , a perfect opportunity to spar with Democrats ’ public enemy No .
1 just 50 days before the election .
But Newsom dropped the fiery tone he has employed in recent weeks about climate change and its role in five of the largest fires California has ever seen .
Instead , he engaged the president in a respectful conversation that included both men hailing their good relationship .
Just last week , Newsom declared he had “ no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people must “ disabuse ourselves of all the BS that ’ s being spewed by a very small group of people.
” On Monday , Newsom told Trump they “ can agree to disagree ” on climate change and asked him to “ please respect … the difference of opinion out here.
” “ We ’ ve known each other too long and , as you suggest , the working relationship I value , ” Newsom told Trump during a meeting at McClellan Park , a former Air Force base near Sacramento .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ humbly , where we submit the science is in and observed evidence is self-evident that climate change is real.
” Trump and Newsom have butted heads repeatedly during both men ’ s first terms in office .
Last year , Newsom was fond of saying that he was proud California is “ the most un-Trump state in America.
” And in February , during Trump ’ s previous visit to the state , the president told a group of California farmers he would pressure Newsom to give them more water or else “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new governor.
” But Newsom has been noticeably reluctant to criticize Trump publicly since the start of the coronavirus pandemic , as California has relied heavily on aid from the federal government to respond to the crisis and balance its budget .
That has continued during wildfire season , when the state has applied for and received federal grants to fight massive fires that have so far burned more than 3.2 million acres .
Newsom even thanks Trump during his weekly news conferences - comments that have ended up in some of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually have a very good relationship .
Good man , ” Trump said of Newsom on Monday .
Newsom said after the meeting with Trump that he was trying to make his point “ in a way that wasn ’ t trying to take a cheap shot , wasn ’ t trying to score political points.
” “ That was an opportunity to remind him of a point he ’ s very familiar with , but to do so in an honest and forthright way , ” Newsom said while visiting Camelot Equestrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cautious approach is part of managing the state ’ s necessary relationship with a temperamental commander-in-chief , says Kathryn Phillips , director of the Sierra Club of California .
“ What essentially is happening is that Newsom is having to be , in a way , a sacrificial lamb , ” Phillips said .
“ He ’ s the one who has to be very gentle with the president , even though I have no doubt that he disagrees with him on just about everything.
” That gentleness in approach does not necessarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Monday , Newsom praised the Trump administration for partnering with California to reduce wildfire risks on 500,000 acres of forest land per year .
Wade Crowfoot - Newsom ’ s natural resources secretary - implored Trump and his administration to not “ put our head in the sand and think it ’ s all about vegetation management , ” referencing the state ’ s rising temperatures that are making wildfires more destructive .
“ It ’ ll start getting cooler , you just watch , ” Trump responded .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually , ” Trump said , before moving on to talk to someone else .
Phillips said she believes Crowfoot ’ s comments reflect what the Newsom administration really thinks .
“ It ’ s easier for somebody who is not the governor to say that , ” Phillips said .
While wildfires have burned across the West Coast for weeks now - killing at least 35 people - they ’ ve received little attention in the race for president .
That ’ s changing this week .
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a briefing on the wildfires and presidential nominee Joe Biden also has begun focusing on climate change .
During Trump ’ s visit Monday , he awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross to some National Guard soldiers who rescued people from wildfires last week .
Asked by a reporter why it took him nearly three weeks to publicly acknowledge the fires , Trump called it a “ nasty question.
” “ I declared it an emergency .
I gave an emergency declaration , ” Trump said .
“ Don ’ t tell @ @ @ @ @ @

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom had President Donald Trump one-on-one on live TV Monday, a perfect opportunity to spar with Democrats’ public enemy No. 1 just 50 days before the election.
But Newsom dropped the fiery tone he has employed in recent weeks about climate change and its role in five of the largest fires California has ever seen. Instead, he engaged the president in a respectful conversation that included both men hailing their good relationship.
Just last week, Newsom declared he had “no patience for climate-change deniers,” saying people must “disabuse ourselves of all the BS that’s being spewed by a very small group of people.” On Monday, Newsom told Trump they “can agree to disagree” on climate change and asked him to “please respect … the difference of opinion out here.”
“We’ve known each other too long and, as you suggest, the working relationship I value,” Newsom told Trump during a meeting at McClellan Park, a former Air Force base near Sacramento. “We come from a perspective, humbly, where we submit the science is in and observed evidence is self-evident that climate change is real.”
Trump and Newsom have butted heads repeatedly during both men’s first terms in office. Last year, Newsom was fond of saying that he was proud California is “the most un-Trump state in America.” And in February, during Trump’s previous visit to the state, the president told a group of California farmers he would pressure Newsom to give them more water or else “you’re going to get a new governor.”
But Newsom has been noticeably reluctant to criticize Trump publicly since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, as California has relied heavily on aid from the federal government to respond to the crisis and balance its budget. That has continued during wildfire season, when the state has applied for and received federal grants to fight massive fires that have so far burned more than 3.2 million acres.
Newsom even thanks Trump during his weekly news conferences - comments that have ended up in some of Trump’s political ads.
“We actually have a very good relationship. Good man,” Trump said of Newsom on Monday.
Newsom said after the meeting with Trump that he was trying to make his point “in a way that wasn’t trying to take a cheap shot, wasn’t trying to score political points.”
“That was an opportunity to remind him of a point he’s very familiar with, but to do so in an honest and forthright way,” Newsom said while visiting Camelot Equestrian Park in Oroville.
Newsom’s cautious approach is part of managing the state’s necessary relationship with a temperamental commander-in-chief, says Kathryn Phillips, director of the Sierra Club of California.
“What essentially is happening is that Newsom is having to be, in a way, a sacrificial lamb,” Phillips said. “He’s the one who has to be very gentle with the president, even though I have no doubt that he disagrees with him on just about everything.”
That gentleness in approach does not necessarily extend to others in the Newsom administration. On Monday, Newsom praised the Trump administration for partnering with California to reduce wildfire risks on 500,000 acres of forest land per year.
Wade Crowfoot - Newsom’s natural resources secretary - implored Trump and his administration to not “put our head in the sand and think it’s all about vegetation management,” referencing the state’s rising temperatures that are making wildfires more destructive.
“It’ll start getting cooler, you just watch,” Trump responded.
“I wish science agreed with you,” Crowfoot answered back.
“I don’t think science knows, actually,” Trump said, before moving on to talk to someone else.
Phillips said she believes Crowfoot’s comments reflect what the Newsom administration really thinks.
“It’s easier for somebody who is not the governor to say that,” Phillips said.
While wildfires have burned across the West Coast for weeks now - killing at least 35 people - they’ve received little attention in the race for president. That’s changing this week. Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris is traveling to California on Tuesday to get a briefing on the wildfires and presidential nominee Joe Biden also has begun focusing on climate change.
During Trump’s visit Monday, he awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross to some National Guard soldiers who rescued people from wildfires last week. Asked by a reporter why it took him nearly three weeks to publicly acknowledge the fires, Trump called it a “nasty question.”
“I declared it an emergency. I gave an emergency declaration,” Trump said. “Don’t tell me about not doing.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-14--Lawmakers, Whitmer reach budget framework with no K-12 cuts

LANSING , Mich. ( AP ) - Republican lawmakers and Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer agreed to a budget framework Monday , saying there will be no cuts to K-12 schools or municipalities despite the coronavirus pandemic ’ s effect on tax revenues .
The deal came 17 days before the start of the fiscal year .
Few specifics were released , including whether spending will be reduced in some areas .
The chairs of legislative budget subcommittee will now take their spending “ target ” levels , which were not made public , and work to iron out bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
The agreement was announced three weeks after the state received a better-than-expected revenue forecast .
Billions of dollars from a federal bailout that were used to address a projected deficit in the current budget , combined with stronger tax collections than projected in May , will effectively help in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 .
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Stamas , a Midland Repubican , said working together was “ absolutely essential ” given it “ has been a year unlike any other.
” House Appropriations Committee Chairman Shane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the budget will be “ sound and sustainable so we are ready for what lies ahead.
” State budget director Chris Kolb said that under the framework , there will be funding for “ key priorities such as education , health care and skills training.
” Legislators and others have urged caution due to uncertainty over whether Congress and President Donald Trump will do another round of stimulus checks and keep in place supplemental unemployment benefits - which , along with federally funded forgivable loans to businesses , are credited with lessening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Relative to the last budget year , combined revenue in Michigan ’ s school and general funds is estimated to drop by $ 657 million , or 2.7 % , this fiscal year , according to the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency .
It is forecast to fall by $ 973 million next budget year , or 4.1 % , and $ 1.4 billion in the ‘ 20-21 fiscal year , or 6.1 % .
The declines are roughly equivalent to $ 3 billion in federal rescue funds sent to the state , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the downturn , inflationary spending pressures and higher costs due to COVID-19 .

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Republican lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer agreed to a budget framework Monday, saying there will be no cuts to K-12 schools or municipalities despite the coronavirus pandemic’s effect on tax revenues.
The deal came 17 days before the start of the fiscal year. Few specifics were released, including whether spending will be reduced in some areas. The chairs of legislative budget subcommittee will now take their spending “target” levels, which were not made public, and work to iron out bills.
Legislators will take final votes next week. The agreement was announced three weeks after the state received a better-than-expected revenue forecast. Billions of dollars from a federal bailout that were used to address a projected deficit in the current budget, combined with stronger tax collections than projected in May, will effectively help in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Stamas, a Midland Repubican, said working together was “absolutely essential” given it “has been a year unlike any other.” House Appropriations Committee Chairman Shane Hernandez, a Port Huron Republican, said the budget will be “sound and sustainable so we are ready for what lies ahead.”
State budget director Chris Kolb said that under the framework, there will be funding for “key priorities such as education, health care and skills training.”
Legislators and others have urged caution due to uncertainty over whether Congress and President Donald Trump will do another round of stimulus checks and keep in place supplemental unemployment benefits - which, along with federally funded forgivable loans to businesses, are credited with lessening the economic pain from virus-related shutdowns.
Relative to the last budget year, combined revenue in Michigan’s school and general funds is estimated to drop by $657 million, or 2.7%, this fiscal year, according to the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency. It is forecast to fall by $973 million next budget year, or 4.1%, and $1.4 billion in the ‘20-21 fiscal year, or 6.1%. The declines are roughly equivalent to $3 billion in federal rescue funds sent to the state, but it is facing higher social service caseloads during the downturn, inflationary spending pressures and higher costs due to COVID-19.
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Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00


washingtontimes--2020-09-14--Inmate at state prison in Tucson dies in an apparent suicide

TUCSON , Ariz. ( AP ) - An Arizona prison inmate has died in an apparent suicide , authorities said @ @ @ @ @ Corrections officials said staff at the state prison in Tucson found 25-year-old Eric Haag unresponsive @ @ @ @ @ evening and paramedics pronounced him dead .
They said Haag apparently died by hanging .
@ @ @ @ @ are investigated in consultation with the county medical examiner ’ s office .
Corrections officials @ @ @ @ @ of Yavapai County fin 2016 for aggravated assault , theft by means of transportation , @ @ @ @ @ trafficking in stolen property .

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - An Arizona prison inmate has died in an apparent suicide, authorities said Monday.
Arizona Department of Corrections officials said staff at the state prison in Tucson found 25-year-old Eric Haag unresponsive in a shower area Sunday evening and paramedics pronounced him dead.
They said Haag apparently died by hanging.
However, all inmate deaths are investigated in consultation with the county medical examiner’s office.
Corrections officials said Haag was sentenced out of Yavapai County fin 2016 for aggravated assault, theft by means of transportation, unlawful use of transportation and trafficking in stolen property.


washingtontimes--2020-09-15--VIRUS DIARY: Alone, craving change, but above all grateful

PHOENIX ( AP ) - For what feels like the first time in my life I ’ m craving change , longing for something different .
But the start of each month aches like I ’ m repeatedly waking up and reliving the same nightmares from the previous month .
The headlines read another business shut down , another family member gone too soon , another Black person taken , another celebrity lost .
All the while another day goes by and it still feels like we are in March - for the seventh time .
Who could have predicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still seemingly be just as far away as before ?
It is especially hard on those who immerse themselves endlessly in today ’ s events .
But it is not without purpose and definitely not without reflection .
I see the calendar changing , but it is hard to see time passing .
And despite it all , I ’ m grateful .
We made it through half a year in a pandemic .
Can you believe it ?
Some of you may have picked up a new hobby , read books , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with friends and family .
Me ?
All of the above .
I live alone in a studio no more than 700 square feet ( 65 square meters ) in downtown Phoenix .
It has given me nothing but time to myself .
I ’ m grateful for the opportunity to wake up every day , grateful I have a routine to adhere to - and , most importantly , grateful for time .
Today I stopped and smelled the roses .
And by roses , I mean what I thought would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was instead greeted with an uncomfortable whoosh of hot wind and a warm kiss from the sun .
It ’ s almost fall .
Every year I decorate for the seasons .
This year was especially important to remind myself that time is passing .
I ’ m bringing out the haystacks and the scarecrows .
It ’ s a little early for pumpkins - but why not ?
I open up my planner , light my leaf-scented candle and pour a mug of hot chocolate .
This is the season when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what six years in higher education conditions do to you .
But this time , instead of planning , which has made my work-from-home life a little less spontaneous , I ’ ve decided to just embrace time .
It is exhausting thinking about what could have been this year .
Multiple vacations , concerts and weddings are all crossed out of my planner .
Instead , I ’ m thinking about what this year has taught me so far , about myself and who I want to be .
I decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have worked for The Associated Press for more than a year now .
I ’ ve written about 2,000 stories .
I ’ m a working woman at 25 years old , and I ’ m nothing but grateful .
I know people who were laid off from their jobs , threatened with payments they weren ’ t sure how to make , sick with COVID-19 , grieving the loss of a friend or family member and harassed because of the color of their skin .
This year has been tough on everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just blessed to be able to wake up .
It ’ s not a luxury that everyone has been given this year .
This moment seems endless .
But as I look at my fall decorations , I ’ m reminded that time continues and we should be grateful , knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel .
Virus Diary , an occasional feature , showcases the coronavirus pandemic through the eyes of Associated Press journalists around the world .
Follow Phoenix-based AP West Desk news associate Cheyanne Mumphrey on @ @ @ @ @

PHOENIX (AP) - For what feels like the first time in my life I’m craving change, longing for something different. But the start of each month aches like I’m repeatedly waking up and reliving the same nightmares from the previous month.
The headlines read another business shut down, another family member gone too soon, another Black person taken, another celebrity lost. All the while another day goes by and it still feels like we are in March - for the seventh time.
Who could have predicted that “after the pandemic” would still seemingly be just as far away as before?
It is especially hard on those who immerse themselves endlessly in today’s events. But it is not without purpose and definitely not without reflection. I see the calendar changing, but it is hard to see time passing. And despite it all, I’m grateful.
We made it through half a year in a pandemic. Can you believe it? Some of you may have picked up a new hobby, read books, finally finished that home project, reconnected with friends and family.
Me? All of the above.
I live alone in a studio no more than 700 square feet (65 square meters) in downtown Phoenix. It has given me nothing but time to myself.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to wake up every day, grateful I have a routine to adhere to - and, most importantly, grateful for time.
Today I stopped and smelled the roses. And by roses, I mean what I thought would be fresh air from my balcony. I was instead greeted with an uncomfortable whoosh of hot wind and a warm kiss from the sun. It’s almost fall.
Every year I decorate for the seasons. This year was especially important to remind myself that time is passing. I’m bringing out the haystacks and the scarecrows. It’s a little early for pumpkins - but why not?
I open up my planner, light my leaf-scented candle and pour a mug of hot chocolate. This is the season when I map out my yearly plans; that is what six years in higher education conditions do to you.
But this time, instead of planning, which has made my work-from-home life a little less spontaneous, I’ve decided to just embrace time. It is exhausting thinking about what could have been this year. Multiple vacations, concerts and weddings are all crossed out of my planner.
Instead, I’m thinking about what this year has taught me so far, about myself and who I want to be. I decided to leave my planner blank.
I have worked for The Associated Press for more than a year now. I’ve written about 2,000 stories. I’m a working woman at 25 years old, and I’m nothing but grateful.
I know people who were laid off from their jobs, threatened with payments they weren’t sure how to make, sick with COVID-19, grieving the loss of a friend or family member and harassed because of the color of their skin. This year has been tough on everyone, and right now I’m just blessed to be able to wake up. It’s not a luxury that everyone has been given this year.
This moment seems endless. But as I look at my fall decorations, I’m reminded that time continues and we should be grateful, knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel.
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Virus Diary, an occasional feature, showcases the coronavirus pandemic through the eyes of Associated Press journalists around the world. Follow Phoenix-based AP West Desk news associate Cheyanne Mumphrey on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cheymumph


washingtontimes--2020-09-15--Mailed ballots can't be discarded over signature, state says

HARRISBURG , Pa. ( AP ) - With concerns rising in Pennsylvania that tens of thousands of mail-in ballots will be discarded in the presidential election over technicalities , state officials told counties that they can not reject a ballot solely because an election official believes a signature doesn ’ t match the signature in the voter ’ s file .
The new guidance from Pennsylvania ’ s Department of State prompted the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh to drop a lawsuit in federal court Monday .
The groups had sought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fix ballots that are either missing signatures or flagged for a perceived signature mismatch .
A 2019 state law greatly expanded access to mail-in balloting in Pennsylvania and , fueled by concerns over the pandemic , more than 3 million voters are expected to cast ballots by mail in the Nov. 3 presidential election .
That ’ s roughly 10 times the number who voted by mail in the battleground state in 2016 ’ s election when President Donald Trump ’ s 44,000-vote victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania helped propel him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s June 2 primary election alone , when 1.5 million voted by mail , more than 26,000 of ballots were rejected , including for “ signature-related errors or matters of penmanship , ” the lawsuit said .

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - With concerns rising in Pennsylvania that tens of thousands of mail-in ballots will be discarded in the presidential election over technicalities, officials in the presidential battleground told counties they aren’t allowed to reject a ballot solely because an election official believes a signature doesn’t match the one in the voter’s file.
The new guidance from Pennsylvania’s Department of State - that state law does not allow counties to set aside mail-in ballots based on their signature analysis - prompted the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh to drop a lawsuit in federal court Monday.
The groups had cited the lack of guidance on the subject and sought to ensure that voters have the chance to fix ballots that are flagged for a perceived signature mismatch.
“As a result of this case, Pennsylvania voters can cast their vote without fear that their ballot could be rejected solely because an election official - who isn’t trained in handwriting analysis - thinks their signatures don’t match,” said Mark Gaber, a Campaign Legal Center lawyer who represented the groups in court.
In Pennsylvania’s June 2 primary election alone, when 1.5 million voted by mail, more than 26,000 ballots were rejected, including for “signature-related errors or matters of penmanship,” the lawsuit had said.
One county election director, L. Edward Allison Jr. of Lawrence County, said that the state’s guidance is in line with his county’s practices and that he doubts it will be controversial with counties. One way of fixing it is to contact voters to come in to verify their signature, he said.
“We recognize the fact that, as people age, their signature changes, I know mine has,” Allison said in an interview. “Different medical conditions, strokes, all that kind of stuff enters into it.”
Meanwhile, with seven weeks until the Nov. 3 election, a partisan stalemate in Pennsylvania’s Capitol is holding up legislation to fix glitches and gray areas in the state’s mail-in voting law.
To a great extent, Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, and the Legislature’s Republican majorities are clashing over how to prevent vast numbers of ballots from being discarded because of technicalities and how to head off the specter of a presidential election result hanging in limbo on a drawn-out vote count and legal fight in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court may rule in lawsuits on some of the outstanding issues, but Wolf, at a news conference on Tuesday in York, pressed lawmakers anew to act on changes he is seeking.
Republicans have said any changes must ensure the election is secure. Democrats accuse Republicans of pursuing voter suppression tactics, including trying to outlaw drop boxes and satellite election offices that Democrat-heavy counties in southeastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, are planning to use.
To help count mail-in ballots quickly after polls close, Wolf wants to give counties up to three weeks before Election Day to start processing them, instead of the three days favored by Republicans.
To ensure fewer mail-in ballots are discarded, Wolf wants to require counties to count mail-in ballots that arrive up to three days after Election Day, provided they are postmarked before polls close. Republicans oppose that and would rather move the deadline by which voters can request a mail-in ballot, from a week before the election to 15 days before, to leave more time for voters to return it.
Without an agreement on legislation, “we really do risk becoming Florida in 2000,” state Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-Philadelphia, said.
A 2019 state law greatly expanded access to mail-in balloting in Pennsylvania and, fueled by concerns over the pandemic, more than 3 million voters are expected to cast ballots by mail in the Nov. 3 election.
That’s more than 10 times the number who voted by mail in Pennsylvania in 2016’s election when President Donald Trump’s 44,000-vote victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania helped propel him to the White House.
So far, nearly 1.9 million people have applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot, Wolf’s top elections official, Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, said Tuesday.
For now, counties are still awaiting one court decision before they can get ballots printed and send them to voters who applied for a mail-in ballot.
In that case before the state Supreme Court, Democrats are trying to keep the Green Party’s presidential candidate off the Nov. 3 ballot.
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Follow Marc Levy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/timelywriter.
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AP’s Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early, by mail or absentee from each state: https://interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020/


washingtontimes--2020-09-15--Libya east-based force: 7 militants, foreign fighters killed

CAIRO ( AP ) - Libya ’ s east-based army claimed on Tuesday that its troops killed at least seven Islamic State militants , including foreign fighters , in a raid on their hideout in the country ’ s south .
The statement from the self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces said a six-hour firefight overnight with the militants took place in a neighborhood of the city of Sabha , 650 kilometers ( 400 miles ) south of the capital , Tripoli .
The force , led by commander Khalifa Hifter , said the dead include three militants from Saudi Arabia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Libyans .
Hifter ’ s troops shared graphic photos of the dead , along with their alleged passports to show their identities .
The troops also detained two women , a Libyan and an Egyptian , in the raid .
A pro-Hifter news website , al-Marsad , reported that three of Hifter ’ s forces were also killed .
Libya is divided between two rival administrations , based in the country ’ s east and west , with an array of fighters and militias , backed by various foreign powers allied with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Moammar Gadhafi , IS and other extremists had managed to gain a foothold in the country , benefiting from Libya ’ s remote stretches near the borders with Egypt , Sudan , Chad , Algeria , Niger and Tunisia .
Hifter , who was instrumental in pushing back IS and who is aligned with the east-based administration , attempted a power grab last year , with a military offensive launched in April 2019 aimed at capturing Tripoli .
But the west-based Libyan forces and militias allied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that offensive with Turkey ’ s military help and Hifter ’ s campaign collapsed in June .
Fighting has died down in recent weeks amid intensive international efforts , including from the United States , to establish a lasting cease-fire and avert a showdown between the rival sides over the strategic city of Sirte , the gateway for vital oil facilities .

CAIRO (AP) - Libya’s east-based army claimed on Tuesday that its troops killed at least seven Islamic State militants, including foreign fighters, in a raid on their hideout in the country’s south.
The statement from the self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces said a six-hour firefight overnight with the militants took place in a neighborhood of the city of Sabha, 650 kilometers (400 miles) south of the capital, Tripoli.
The force, led by commander Khalifa Hifter, said the dead include three militants from Saudi Arabia, an Australian, an Egyptian and two Libyans. Hifter’s troops shared graphic photos of the dead, along with their alleged passports to show their identities.
The troops also detained two women, a Libyan and an Egyptian, in the raid. A pro-Hifter news website, al-Marsad, reported that three of Hifter’s forces were also killed.
Libya is divided between two rival administrations, based in the country’s east and west, with an array of fighters and militias, backed by various foreign powers allied with each side.
In the years after the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Moammar Gadhafi, IS and other extremists had managed to gain a foothold in the country, benefiting from Libya’s remote stretches near the borders with Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Algeria, Niger and Tunisia.
Hifter, who was instrumental in pushing back IS and who is aligned with the east-based administration, attempted a power grab last year, with a military offensive launched in April 2019 aimed at capturing Tripoli.
But the west-based Libyan forces and militias allied with the U.N.-supported government in Tripoli defeated that offensive with Turkey’s military help and Hifter’s campaign collapsed in June.
Fighting has died down in recent weeks amid intensive international efforts, including from the United States, to establish a lasting cease-fire and avert a showdown between the rival sides over the strategic city of Sirte, the gateway for vital oil facilities.


washingtontimes--2020-09-15--School: Teens from big party must admit it or risk expulsion

CUYAHOGA FALLS , Ohio ( AP ) - A private Ohio high school has warned its students who recently attended a large house party that they have two choices : acknowledge they were there and quarantine for two weeks , or risk expulsion .
The president of Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls said the party involving at least 100 students jeopardized the whole school community ’ s health and safety because of the risks of spreading the coronavirus .
Photos and videos showed students not wearing masks and not social distancing , President Karl Ertle said .
Adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacted the school in advance to understand existing restrictions for student gatherings , but the event apparently got out of hand , Ertle said .
The start of a new school year has heightened concerns about risks of the virus spreading among students of all ages .
College campuses around Ohio have reported more than 5,000 positive cases over the past several weeks .
The vast majority of those involve students .
Ohio State University has had more than 2,200 cases .
Miami University and the University of Dayton reported more than 1,200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reported by other campuses around the state , spread across more than a dozen public and private schools .

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio will be able to hire a health director despite concerns about criticism a candidate might face, Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday, addressing last week’s turn of events during which his new director withdrew her name just five hours after it was announced.
DeWine said he respected the decision by former South Carolina Health Director Dr. Joan Duwve to reject the job on Sept. 10. She cited unspecified personal reasons, then issued a statement the next day saying she learned the previous health director’s family had been harassed by the public.
“Sometimes you don’t fully grasp things - this happens to me - until you kind of get into something and you see it more,” DeWine said.
Dr. Amy Acton abruptly resigned as health director in June following a torrent of conservative criticism over her public health orders to slow the spread of the pandemic. That included armed protesters outside her suburban Columbus house and protests outside the Ohio Statehouse with signs bearing anti-Semitic messages. Acton is Jewish.
“While I have dedicated my life to improving public health, my first commitment is to my family. I am a public figure. My family is off limits,” Duwve said in her statement last week. “I withdrew my name from consideration to protect my family from similar treatment.”
DeWine said Tuesday that Duwve had been told of the protests Acton faced during the interview process.
The Republican governor said he doesn’t believe criticism about his administration’s handling of the coronavirus, which has also included multiple efforts by fellow House and Senate Republicans to curtail his public health order powers, will dissuade someone from taking the job.
“We’re Midwesterners, we’re Ohioans, we’re tough, we’re strong, we’re resilient,” DeWine said. “And with that go people who have strong opinions.”
The Republican governor said that in the meantime, he receives daily help from top medical officials around the state. He said Tuesday that the state’s approach to the pandemic, which includes mandatory social distancing and mask orders, will continue until a vaccine is found and it’s widely adhered to.
Nationally, dozens of state and local public health leaders have resigned or have been fired amid the coronavirus outbreak due to criticism, threats of violence and burnout.
Ohio reported 1,001 new cases Tuesday, below the 21-day average of about 1,100. The state has reported almost 140,000 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, along with 4,506 deaths.
Also this week, a private Ohio high school warned students who recently attended a large house party that they have two choices: acknowledge they were there and quarantine for two weeks, or risk expulsion.
The president of Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls said the party involving at least 100 students jeopardized the whole school community’s health and safety because of the risks of spreading the coronavirus. Photos and videos showed students not wearing masks and not social distancing, President Karl Ertle said.
Adults were there, and the parents had contacted the school in advance to understand existing restrictions for student gatherings, but the event apparently got out of hand, Ertle said.
The start of a new school year has heightened concerns about risks of the virus spreading among students of all ages.
College campuses around Ohio have reported more than 5,000 positive cases over the past several weeks. The vast majority of those involve students.
Ohio State University has had more than 2,200 cases. Miami University and the University of Dayton reported more than 1,200 cases each. Another 600-plus cases have been reported by other campuses around the state, spread across more than a dozen public and private schools.
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Associated Press writer Kantele Franko in Columbus contributed to this report.


Recent Missouri editorials

In the wee hours of the morning Sept. 3 , the Missouri Senate shut off debate in order to pass a measure to allow the Missouri attorney general to intervene in local prosecutions ; the House should reject the bill .
We thought this proposal dead , and this editorial board earlier commended the Legislature on its sound judgment in rebuking the governor when he proposed adding the measure to an omnibus bill containing his favored public safety measures .
That bill looked certain to pass , but lawmakers walked away from the special session , effectively killing the omnibus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last-minute addition .
As we said then , empowering the state attorney general to intervene to undercut a local prosecutor is a bad idea .
It has the huge potential for political abuse and is antithetical to local control , a principle Republican lawmakers should stand firmly behind .
In our state , the attorney general primarily acts to defend state law and represent state agencies in court .
The office has limited authority to prosecute , given most crimes are charged and prosecuted locally , though local authorities can request help from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys has written to strongly object to the proposal .
Though Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Gov .
Mike Parson have said the goal of the bill is to help fight a surge in violent crime in Missouri ’ s larger cities , it is pretty clear the bill ’ s primary goals are political , intended to slap down St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner , a Democrat who is the city ’ s first Black prosecutor .
She is loathed by conservatives for investigating former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigations and statements , and for her actions in office .
The measure would expire in 2023 , a year before Gardner and Schmitt are up for reelection .
The expiration date was probably added to bring votes from those afraid the other side might take advantage of the measure if it won the office ; we see the deadline as providing strong evidence the effort is chiefly political .
Intervention in prosecutions should never be a political tool , nor should the prosecutions themselves .
Too much legislation has become political theater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst .
Keep control local .
Keep prosecutions local .
Reject this bill .
A bulletin board at Bingham Middle School in Independence was set to welcome students with messages of inclusion , declaring , “ You matter !
” The letters “ BLM ” and the words “ Bear Pride !
” with a rainbow of colors were also featured along with the word “ love.
” But before students arrived for in-person classes Aug. 24 , administrators removed the poster .
Apparently , telling students that they matter - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Independence School District .
A social media post celebrating the return to school that included a photo of the poster was also pulled down .
School principal Brett Playter said the poster and the tweet were taken down because they violated district policy .
The Independence school board prohibits teachers and staff from expressing views considered political , religious or controversial .
“ This would apply to instruction regarding religion , politics , Trump , Biden , Black Lives Matter , Blue Lives Matter , All Lives Matter , MAGA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email .
“ I reminded our staff about our board policy at the beginning of the school year as we are moving into election season.
” But saying that “ Black Lives Matter ” is not political - and it shouldn ’ t be controversial .
Eradicating racism is a human rights issue , and should be an objective that we can all agree on .
Don ’ t we want every student to hear that message ?
Addressing discrimination faced by students who identify as LGBTQ is equally important .
If supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District officials should rethink their policies What does it tell those students when a message of inclusion is removed ?
Playter didn ’ t reply to that question .
Independence Superintendent Dale Herl , school board President Denise Fears , board Treasurer Matt Mallison and board member Blake Roberson all failed to respond to messages seeking comment .
Understandably , teachers and staff at Binghman were reluctant to speak out .
“ Educators have long been at the forefront of the civil rights movement , ” Mark Jones , spokesperson for the Missouri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ The NEA has a long history of supporting LGBTQIA students.
” Expressing support for Black Americans ’ right to equality isn ’ t partisan .
Telling marginalized students that their well-being matters should be standard operating procedure .
The fact that Independence School District officials aren ’ t willing to say that is troubling .
Hiding behind board policies is a cop-out .
All students deserve to know that they are respected and loved .
And teachers and staff shouldn ’ t be muzzled when they let young students of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Given her history , it ’ s unsurprising that U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos tried to use the pandemic to coddle wealthy private schools at the expense of public school children by unilaterally altering the standard school funding formula in disbursing pandemic relief funds .
Thankfully , a federal judge this month stopped her .
But the episode highlights , once again , the question of why this determined enemy of public education continues to serve in America ’ s top education post .
DeVos is a wealthy Republican donor whose lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue since her contentious Senate confirmation in early 2017 .
What DeVos has mainly brought to the table is her affinity for private schools and colleges - including scam-prone , for-profit operations and fringe institutions - often at the expense of the public school and university kids who her department is primarily supposed to look out for .
She has made it harder for students to get debt relief even if they were taken advantage of by unscrupulous schools , and easier for religious schools to discriminate against gay , lesbian and transgender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the side of the monied and powerful and against vulnerable kids and families .
That pattern persisted this year regarding extra money appropriated for schools and colleges to address fallout from the pandemic .
In the rush to approve the funds , Congress didn ’ t build in strict guidelines on how it was to be used .
Given that lack of specificity , the clearly proper approach would have been to distribute it based on the rules already in place for divvying such funding between public and private school students .
Such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on the number of low-income students enrolled in them .
But DeVos took it upon herself to change that standard to favor - who else ?
- the rich .
Her self-created new rule steered tax funds to private schools based not on low-income enrollment but on total enrollment , irrespective of how many of those kids were from wealthy families .
U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich , an appointee of President Donald Trump , ruled on Sept. 4 that DeVos had no authority to take it upon herself to thwart the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools at the expense of public ones .
That ruling applies nationally and should be the final word on the subject ( assuming the administration doesn ’ t just ignore the ruling , as it has in other instances lately ) .
DeVos has repeatedly demonstrated that she ’ ll find any avenue she can to divert public money from public schools to private ones , going around Congress to do it .
This shouldn ’ t be a partisan issue .
If congressional Republicans still claim to be the party of fiscal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rogue education secretary at least as strongly as Democrats are .

The Joplin Globe, Sept. 13
In the wee hours of the morning Sept. 3, the Missouri Senate shut off debate in order to pass a measure to allow the Missouri attorney general to intervene in local prosecutions; the House should reject the bill.
We thought this proposal dead, and this editorial board earlier commended the Legislature on its sound judgment in rebuking the governor when he proposed adding the measure to an omnibus bill containing his favored public safety measures. That bill looked certain to pass, but lawmakers walked away from the special session, effectively killing the omnibus bill because of the governor’s last-minute addition.
As we said then, empowering the state attorney general to intervene to undercut a local prosecutor is a bad idea. It has the huge potential for political abuse and is antithetical to local control, a principle Republican lawmakers should stand firmly behind.
In our state, the attorney general primarily acts to defend state law and represent state agencies in court. The office has limited authority to prosecute, given most crimes are charged and prosecuted locally, though local authorities can request help from the attorney general if needed. The Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys has written to strongly object to the proposal.
Though Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Gov. Mike Parson have said the goal of the bill is to help fight a surge in violent crime in Missouri’s larger cities, it is pretty clear the bill’s primary goals are political, intended to slap down St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner, a Democrat who is the city’s first Black prosecutor. She is loathed by conservatives for investigating former Gov. Eric Greitens, for other investigations and statements, and for her actions in office. The measure would expire in 2023, a year before Gardner and Schmitt are up for reelection. The expiration date was probably added to bring votes from those afraid the other side might take advantage of the measure if it won the office; we see the deadline as providing strong evidence the effort is chiefly political.
Intervention in prosecutions should never be a political tool, nor should the prosecutions themselves. Too much legislation has become political theater, and this bill is one of the worst.
Keep control local. Keep prosecutions local. Reject this bill.
_____
Kansas City Star, Sept. 14
A bulletin board at Bingham Middle School in Independence was set to welcome students with messages of inclusion, declaring, “You matter!” The letters “BLM” and the words “Bear Pride!” with a rainbow of colors were also featured along with the word “love.”
But before students arrived for in-person classes Aug. 24, administrators removed the poster. Apparently, telling students that they matter - and that Black Lives Matter - is verboten in the Independence School District.
A social media post celebrating the return to school that included a photo of the poster was also pulled down.
School principal Brett Playter said the poster and the tweet were taken down because they violated district policy. The Independence school board prohibits teachers and staff from expressing views considered political, religious or controversial.
“This would apply to instruction regarding religion, politics, Trump, Biden, Black Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter, All Lives Matter, MAGA, etc.,” Playter wrote in an email. “I reminded our staff about our board policy at the beginning of the school year as we are moving into election season.”
But saying that “Black Lives Matter” is not political - and it shouldn’t be controversial. Eradicating racism is a human rights issue, and should be an objective that we can all agree on.
Don’t we want every student to hear that message?
Addressing discrimination faced by students who identify as LGBTQ is equally important.
If supporting marginalized students is off-limits, Independence School District officials should rethink their policies
What does it tell those students when a message of inclusion is removed? Playter didn’t reply to that question.
Independence Superintendent Dale Herl, school board President Denise Fears, board Treasurer Matt Mallison and board member Blake Roberson all failed to respond to messages seeking comment.
Understandably, teachers and staff at Binghman were reluctant to speak out.
“Educators have long been at the forefront of the civil rights movement,” Mark Jones, spokesperson for the Missouri chapter of the National Educators Association, said. “The NEA has a long history of supporting LGBTQIA students.”
Expressing support for Black Americans’ right to equality isn’t partisan. Telling marginalized students that their well-being matters should be standard operating procedure.
The fact that Independence School District officials aren’t willing to say that is troubling. Hiding behind board policies is a cop-out.
All students deserve to know that they are respected and loved. And teachers and staff shouldn’t be muzzled when they let young students of color know that their lives matter.
______
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Sept. 13
Given her history, it’s unsurprising that U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos tried to use the pandemic to coddle wealthy private schools at the expense of public school children by unilaterally altering the standard school funding formula in disbursing pandemic relief funds. Thankfully, a federal judge this month stopped her. But the episode highlights, once again, the question of why this determined enemy of public education continues to serve in America’s top education post.
DeVos is a wealthy Republican donor whose lack of experience in public education has been an issue since her contentious Senate confirmation in early 2017. What DeVos has mainly brought to the table is her affinity for private schools and colleges - including scam-prone, for-profit operations and fringe institutions - often at the expense of the public school and university kids who her department is primarily supposed to look out for.
She has made it harder for students to get debt relief even if they were taken advantage of by unscrupulous schools, and easier for religious schools to discriminate against gay, lesbian and transgender students. She typically comes down on the side of the monied and powerful and against vulnerable kids and families.
That pattern persisted this year regarding extra money appropriated for schools and colleges to address fallout from the pandemic. In the rush to approve the funds, Congress didn’t build in strict guidelines on how it was to be used. Given that lack of specificity, the clearly proper approach would have been to distribute it based on the rules already in place for divvying such funding between public and private school students. Such funds are typically shared with private schools based on the number of low-income students enrolled in them. But DeVos took it upon herself to change that standard to favor - who else? - the rich. Her self-created new rule steered tax funds to private schools based not on low-income enrollment but on total enrollment, irrespective of how many of those kids were from wealthy families.
U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, an appointee of President Donald Trump, ruled on Sept. 4 that DeVos had no authority to take it upon herself to thwart the will of Congress, effectively coddling private schools at the expense of public ones. That ruling applies nationally and should be the final word on the subject (assuming the administration doesn’t just ignore the ruling, as it has in other instances lately).
DeVos has repeatedly demonstrated that she’ll find any avenue she can to divert public money from public schools to private ones, going around Congress to do it. This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. If congressional Republicans still claim to be the party of fiscal responsibility, they should be confronting this rogue education secretary at least as strongly as Democrats are.