washingtontimes--2020-07-29--Northern Minnesota man arrested in 1986 cold case homicide

VIRGINIA , Minn. ( AP ) - Police on Wednesday arrested a northern Minnesota man in the cold-case killing of a woman 34 years ago .
Agents from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Chisholm police arrested the 52-year-old Chisholm man after a BCA lab earlier Wednesday confirmed that his DNA matched DNA from the crime scene .
He was booked into jail on probable cause second-degree murder .
Nancy Daugherty of Chisholm was last seen alive early on July 16 , 1986 .
That afternoon , police conducting a welfare check found her dead inside her home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and witnesses reported hearing a woman screaming early that morning .
DNA at the scene did not match any persons in the criminal DNA database .
Investigators over the years interviewed and collected DNA from more than 100 people but were unable to find a solid lead .
Early this year , Chisholm police approached the BCA about providing a sample of the DNA evidence to a company that analyzes public genealogy databases .
This month the company identified the man as a potential suspect .
Police began surveillance of the man last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which matched DNA at the scene .
On Wednesday , investigators obtained a DNA sample directly from the man with his consent , and that sample matched , the BCA said .

VIRGINIA, Minn. (AP) - Police on Wednesday arrested a northern Minnesota man in the cold-case killing of a woman 34 years ago.
Agents from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Chisholm police arrested the 52-year-old Chisholm man after a BCA lab earlier Wednesday confirmed that his DNA matched DNA from the crime scene. He was booked into jail on probable cause second-degree murder.
Nancy Daugherty of Chisholm was last seen alive early on July 16, 1986. That afternoon, police conducting a welfare check found her dead inside her home. There was evidence of a struggle, and witnesses reported hearing a woman screaming early that morning.
DNA at the scene did not match any persons in the criminal DNA database. Investigators over the years interviewed and collected DNA from more than 100 people but were unable to find a solid lead.
Early this year, Chisholm police approached the BCA about providing a sample of the DNA evidence to a company that analyzes public genealogy databases. This month the company identified the man as a potential suspect.
Police began surveillance of the man last week and surreptitiously obtained DNA evidence, which matched DNA at the scene. On Wednesday, investigators obtained a DNA sample directly from the man with his consent, and that sample matched, the BCA said.


washingtontimes--2020-07-29--Press groups condemn threats against Nicaragua journalists

MANAGUA , Nicaragua ( AP ) - International press organizations and the United States government have condemned intimidation and threats against Nicaraguan journalists .
Gerall Chávez , an independent Nicaraguan journalist living in exile in Costa Rica since 2018 , said last weekend that he and his family in Nicaragua had received graphic threats .
He was threatened again Wednesday and has begun receiving phone calls , he said .
Chávez has been threatened before , but said he believes this intensification is the result of his recent reporting on several hundred Nicaraguans stuck at the border with Costa Rica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let them return without paying for COVID-19 tests , which the migrants say they can ’ t afford .
“ The Nicaraguan government does not like you saying the truth , but I only do my job , ” Chávez said .
Meanwhile , Aníbal Toruño , director of Radio Darío in the western Nicaragua city of León , said his station suffered hours of intimidation by paramilitaries and police .
He said their station was surrounded Saturday by police wearing masks and that vehicles belonging to station employees were towed .
Intimidation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests began in April 2018 .
What began as demonstrations against changes to the social security system expanded into a general movement against President Daniel Ortega ’ s government .
Michael Kozak , the U.S. State Department ’ s acting assistant secretary of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs , said via Twitter Wednesday , “ We condemn the Ortega regime ’ s latest efforts to intimidate Nicaraguan independent media in Leon and elsewhere .
Nicaragua ’ s brave journalists have shown that they will continue to tell the ugly truths that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chávez said an anonymous letter and thumb drive containing an animated video that depicted his decapitation were delivered to his family ’ s home in El Rosario , south of Managua .
Nicaragua police had not commented on the threats .
PEN International ’ s Nicaragua branch , as well as the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the threats .
“ It is unacceptable that , even after being forced into exile , journalist Gerall Chávez continues to be threatened for his work , and that now his family in Nicaragua @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said CPJ Central and South America Program Coordinator Natalie Southwick .
Edison Lanza , special rapporteur for freedom of expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights , said via Twitter , “ the state clearly knows the risk that the journalist and his family face .
They have an international obligation to investigate and protect .
”

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) - International press organizations and the United States government have condemned intimidation and threats against Nicaraguan journalists.
Gerall Chávez, an independent Nicaraguan journalist living in exile in Costa Rica since 2018, said last weekend that he and his family in Nicaragua had received graphic threats. He was threatened again Wednesday and has begun receiving phone calls, he said.
Chávez has been threatened before, but said he believes this intensification is the result of his recent reporting on several hundred Nicaraguans stuck at the border with Costa Rica. The Nicaraguan government has refused to let them return without paying for COVID-19 tests, which the migrants say they can’t afford.
“The Nicaraguan government does not like you saying the truth, but I only do my job,” Chávez said.
Meanwhile, Aníbal Toruño, director of Radio Darío in the western Nicaragua city of León, said his station suffered hours of intimidation by paramilitaries and police. He said their station was surrounded Saturday by police wearing masks and that vehicles belonging to station employees were towed.
Intimidation of the press has increased since anti-government protests began in April 2018. What began as demonstrations against changes to the social security system expanded into a general movement against President Daniel Ortega’s government.
Michael Kozak, the U.S. State Department’s acting assistant secretary of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, said via Twitter Wednesday, “We condemn the Ortega regime’s latest efforts to intimidate Nicaraguan independent media in Leon and elsewhere. Nicaragua’s brave journalists have shown that they will continue to tell the ugly truths that the regime so desperately wants to hide.”
Chávez said an anonymous letter and thumb drive containing an animated video that depicted his decapitation were delivered to his family’s home in El Rosario, south of Managua.
Chávez reports for the online outlet Nicaragua Actual.
Nicaragua police had not commented on the threats.
PEN International’s Nicaragua branch, as well as the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the threats.
“It is unacceptable that, even after being forced into exile, journalist Gerall Chávez continues to be threatened for his work, and that now his family in Nicaragua is being targeted as well,” said CPJ Central and South America Program Coordinator Natalie Southwick.
Edison Lanza, special rapporteur for freedom of expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, said via Twitter, “the state clearly knows the risk that the journalist and his family face. They have an international obligation to investigate and protect.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-29--Divers pull Paralympic hopeful's prosthetic from ocean floor

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - When DeWalt Mix lost his prosthetic leg while paddle-boarding off the coast of Long Beach , the local Fire Department dove right in to try to retrieve it for him .
When rescue divers couldn ’ t find it on Sunday , Mix all but gave up hope of ever seeing it again .
He figured it was ensconced on the bottom of the ocean , having taken with it any hope he had of competing in the javelin throw at the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo .
They still couldn ’ t find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with new information on precisely where Mix was when his leg slipped off , they went out for a third day on Tuesday .
Soon after , one of the divers sent a message to the Hollywood writer-director-producer ’ s cellphone .
“ He texted us a photo of the divers coming out of the water with a triumphant fist in the air , ” Mix recalled Wednesday , letting loose a joyful laugh .
And in one of the divers ’ other hands was Mix ’ s missing carbon fiber and titanium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was seemingly no worse for being submerged in saltwater for three days .
The great-nephew of early Western movie star Tom Mix lost most of his left leg in a near-fatal crash with a drunk driver who collided with his motorcycle on LA ’ s Sunset Boulevard in 2007 .
A state champion in the javelin at California ’ s Pomona College , he ’ d largely given up the sport after school , but took it back up following the accident .
After sitting out the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relentlessly for this one , figuring at age 41 it may be his last chance .
“ I had been biking every day for the past two weeks , but after I lost the leg I had to stop , ” he said .
“ So the last couple of days I ’ ve been pretty bummed.
” He made do those days with crutches as he contemplated ordering a new prosthetic , which could take up to seven months to deliver and cost as much as $ 20,000 , which he wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , finding the leg was no easy task .
“ That area happens to be pretty challenging because it goes from about 30 feet to about 65 feet ( 9 to 19 meters ) in about zero visibility , ” said Capt .
Omar Naranjo of the Fire Department ’ s Marine unit .
He gave a lot of credit to Mix for being able to recall precisely where he was when the leg slipped off as he was climbing back into a friend ’ s boat in the Long Beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s only part of the story .
“ The biggest part of this whole story is the fact that none of these rescue operators gave up , ” he said .
“ I ’ m just amazed at how professional and dedicated they all are .
”

LOS ANGELES (AP) - When DeWalt Mix lost his prosthetic leg while paddle-boarding off the coast of Long Beach, the local Fire Department dove right in to try to retrieve it for him.
When rescue divers couldn’t find it on Sunday, Mix all but gave up hope of ever seeing it again. He figured it was ensconced on the bottom of the ocean, having taken with it any hope he had of competing in the javelin throw at the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
They still couldn’t find it on Monday. But, armed with new information on precisely where Mix was when his leg slipped off, they went out for a third day on Tuesday. Soon after, one of the divers sent a message to the Hollywood writer-director-producer’s cellphone.
“He texted us a photo of the divers coming out of the water with a triumphant fist in the air,” Mix recalled Wednesday, letting loose a joyful laugh.
And in one of the divers’ other hands was Mix’s missing carbon fiber and titanium leg. What’s more, it was seemingly no worse for being submerged in saltwater for three days.
The great-nephew of early Western movie star Tom Mix lost most of his left leg in a near-fatal crash with a drunk driver who collided with his motorcycle on LA’s Sunset Boulevard in 2007.
A state champion in the javelin at California’s Pomona College, he’d largely given up the sport after school, but took it back up following the accident.
After sitting out the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games with injuries, he had been training relentlessly for this one, figuring at age 41 it may be his last chance.
“I had been biking every day for the past two weeks, but after I lost the leg I had to stop,” he said. “So the last couple of days I’ve been pretty bummed.”
He made do those days with crutches as he contemplated ordering a new prosthetic, which could take up to seven months to deliver and cost as much as $20,000, which he wasn’t sure his insurance would cover.
Meanwhile, finding the leg was no easy task.
“That area happens to be pretty challenging because it goes from about 30 feet to about 65 feet (9 to 19 meters) in about zero visibility,” said Capt. Omar Naranjo of the Fire Department’s Marine unit.
He gave a lot of credit to Mix for being able to recall precisely where he was when the leg slipped off as he was climbing back into a friend’s boat in the Long Beach marina.
But Mix says that’s only part of the story.
“The biggest part of this whole story is the fact that none of these rescue operators gave up,” he said. “I’m just amazed at how professional and dedicated they all are.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--Asia Today: Chinese city tightens rules, Victoria might, too

BEIJING ( AP ) - China is tightening travel restrictions in the Xinjiang capital amid a COVID-19 outbreak in the northwestern city .
People arriving in Urumqi from regions considered to have high infection risk must undergo a two-week quarantine .
Others arriving from less risky areas most show proof of good health .
Locals “ in principle ” must stay in the city or show proof of health to be allowed to leave .
Almost all regions in China have been downgraded to low and medium risk , except for the northeastern port city of Dalian , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smaller outbreak .
Since mid-July , the Xinjiang outbreak centered in Urumqi has seen more than 600 cases of illness , including 112 new ones reported on Friday .
Another 11 cases new were reported Friday in Liaoning , bringing the northeastern province ’ s total to around 75 since June 22 , when a seafood worker in Dalian tested positive .
As with Urumqi , widespread testing has been conducted in Dalian , with more than 4 million samples taken by midweek .
No new deaths have been reported , leaving China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
A total of 684 people are in treatment and 248 being monitored for having shown signs of COVID-19 or for testing positive but showing no symptoms .
Hong Kong continued see a third wave of infections , with almost 150 new cases reported Friday to bring the semi-autonomous Chinese city ’ s total to 3,151 with 25 deaths .
Authorities on Thursday reversed a ban on indoor dining , along restaurants to operate under limited hours and with limited capacity .
Businesses such as bars , karaoke bars and amusement parks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are restricted to two people .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : - Victoria state ’ s leader warned that tougher pandemic restrictions could be looming after Australia ’ s coronavirus hot spot reported its second-highest daily COVID-19 count .
State capital Melbourne and a neighboring semi-rural district are over halfway through a six-week lockdown .
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said the lockdown was being analyzed to determine the next steps .
“ I have no announcements to make about next steps , but it is important that all of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too high , ” Andrews said .
Victoria on Friday reported 627 new COVID-19 infections and eight deaths after a record 723 new cases were reported on Thursday .
- South Korea ’ s 36 newest cases were mostly tied to international arrivals .
The figures announced by South Korea ’ s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday brought the national caseload to 14,305 , including 301 deaths .
The KCDC said 22 of the new cases were linked to people arriving from abroad .
The country in recent weeks reported dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airlifted from virus-ravaged Iraq and crew members of Russia-flagged cargo ships docked in South Korean ports .

NEW DELHI (AP) - India added another record surge in virus cases Friday as the government decided to lift a nighttime curfew that was in force since March.
The 55,079 new cases in the past 24 hours took India’s total to 1,638,871. The Health Ministry on Friday also reported 779 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking fatalities to 35,747.
The actual numbers, like elsewhere in the world, are thought to be far higher due to a number of reasons including limited testing.
The nighttime curfew will be lifted from Saturday and yoga institutes and gyms can reopen Wednesday, according to the Home Ministry. The government also removed interstate restrictions on movement of people or goods.
The government also decided to reopen hotels in the Indian capital which had been used as quarantine facilities. After peaking at nearly 3,500 new cases per day earlier this month, New Delhi’s numbers have dropped to around 1,000 cases a day.
After the nationwide lockdown was largely lifted, lockdowns now remain only in areas that are hot spots of infection and are decided by state and territory governments.
Metro service, cinemas, swimming pools, entertainment parks, bars, theaters, auditoriums and other social gathering places will remain closed until Aug. 31, the ministry said.
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:
- Indonesia’s resort island of Bali reopened to domestic tourists Friday after an almost four-month lockdown. Visitors will face stringent rules in hotels, restaurants and on beaches. New foreign arrivals will be allowed on the island beginning Sept. 11. Tourism is the main source of income for the island, and the pandemic has caused a dive in the number of visitors.
- Vietnam’s health ministry says it has confirmed more than 100 cases linked to a Da Nang hospital after an initial case surfaced last week. The outbreak centered in the popular beach destination is Vietnam’s first in more than three months. The city was put under lockdown on Tuesday and testing and business restrictions increased in other areas. Da Nang was setting up a makeshift hospital in a sports auditorium, and doctors have been mobilized from other cities to help.
- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte further relaxed quarantine restrictions and will shift the virus response to localized lockdowns where infections surge. Central Cebu city had been the last major area under a lockdown. The Department of Health reported a record daily tally of new and old COVID-19 cases on Friday at 4,063, bringing total infections to more than 93,300, including more than 2,000 deaths. Despite such spikes, the government has been under pressure to open the economy more widely.
- Nepal is opening its Himalayan peaks, hoping to bring back Western climbers unable to come during the spring mountaineering season. Both the government and expedition workers and businesses are hoping foreign climbers who bring some $300 million annually to Nepal will return during the autumn climbing season that begins in September. Nepal is opening to commercial flights from August. Rudra Singh Tamang, director general of Nepal’s tourism department, said mandatory test reports and quarantines when needed are among the measures being used to ensure tourism returns safely.
- Victoria state’s leader warned that tougher pandemic restrictions could be looming after Australia’s coronavirus hot spot reported its second-highest daily COVID-19 count. State capital Melbourne and a neighboring semi-rural district are over halfway through a six-week lockdown. Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said the lockdown was being analyzed to determine the next steps “but it is important that all of us acknowledge that these numbers are still far too high.” Victoria on Friday reported 627 new infections and eight deaths.
- China is tightening travel restrictions in the capital of Xinjiang, where 112 new cases were reported Friday. People arriving in Urumqi from high-risk places must undergo a two-week quarantine. Others most show proof of good health. Locals should stay in the city or show proof of health to be allowed to leave. Almost all regions in China are designated low and medium risk except for the northeastern port city of Dalian, which is high risk due to an ongoing but smaller outbreak.
- Beijing will send personnel to Hong Kong to help with coronavirus testing and the building of treatment centers, as the semi-autonomous city faces its worst outbreak of the virus, China’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said Friday. Hong Kong reported a total of 3,273 cases as of Friday, including 27 deaths. The city had gone weeks without any known locally transmitted cases until the beginning of July, when an outbreak began. The total number of infections has more than doubled since July 1. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said Tuesday that the city is on the verge of large-scale community outbreak which could lead to a collapse of its hospital system. The city has tightened social distancing measures, banning dine-in eating at restaurants after 6 p.m. and restricting public gatherings to two people. Lam on Friday also announced the postponing of legislative elections for one year because of the outbreak.
- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed alarm Friday about a jump in coronavirus cases as the nation struggles to balance economic growth and disease prevention. “We are very carefully watching the surge in infections. First, we need to step up testing,” he said. New infections in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya have risen to new highs. Abe’s government has faced criticism for going ahead with a tourism promotion program aimed at supporting the badly hit tourism industry. Meanwhile, the governor of the southern Japanese island of Okinawa, Denny Tamaki, issued its own “emergency declaration,” citing an “explosive growth” in cases after a record 71 new infections were confirmed Friday. The national government has stopped short of declaring a new emergency after an earlier one was lifted in May.-


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--Mets add Dozier at 2B, put Núñez on IL, confirm Maxwell deal

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Not long ago , Brian Dozier wasn ’ t even sure he wanted to play this season .
Once he made up his mind and joined the New York Mets , it didn ’ t take long to crack the starting lineup .
The veteran second baseman was summoned to Citi Field from the team ’ s alternate training site in Brooklyn as the Mets made a flurry of roster moves before Thursday night ’ s series finale against Boston .
New York placed reserve infielder Eduardo Núñez on the injured list with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was signed to a minor league contract last week .
The Mets recalled left-handed reliever Daniel Zamora from their alternate site , while right-hander Hunter Strickland was designated for assignment .
The team also confirmed it signed catcher Bruce Maxwell to a minor league deal the sides agreed to Tuesday , pending a physical and intake screening for the coronavirus .
Before this season , Maxwell was the only major league player to kneel during the national anthem to protest racial injustice .
The 29-year-old Maxwell , who is Black and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the alternate site in Brooklyn .
The right-handed-hitting Dozier batted seventh Thursday night as regular second baseman Robinson Canó was rested against Red Sox lefty Martín Pérez .
Dozier was called out on strikes in his first plate appearance with the Mets .
Dozier ’ s wife is around 18 weeks pregnant with their second child , and he said he was “ kind of back-and-forth ” and leaning toward not playing this season until his wife helped convince him otherwise during a month of quarantine together .
She and their 11-month-old daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in about two weeks .
“ She kicked me out of the house and said you need to start playing , ” Dozier said , calling it a good decision .
“ So we ’ re here.
” The 33-year-old Dozier said he also spoke to good buddy Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals , who opted out of playing this year due to the pandemic .
“ We kind of bounced a lot of things off each other , ” Dozier said .
“ It was a tough decision .
It really was.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota Twins in 2015 .
He had 42 home runs and 99 RBIs for them the following season , and 34 homers with 93 RBIs in 2017 when he won a Gold Glove .
Dozier won a World Series ring with the Washington Nationals last year , batting .238 with 20 homers , 50 RBIs and a .771 OPS in 135 games .
“ He ’ s got pedigree , ” Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said .
“ This guy ’ s always been able to hit - particularly against left-handed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract with San Diego in February that would have paid him $ 2.2 million in the majors .
He called his unpleasant experience with the Padres a “ debacle ” and said it took a while to get out of the deal .
“ I ’ m a big ( transparency ) guy .
I love people to be honest with me and let ’ s just say , I ’ ll leave it at that , that that wasn ’ t the case over there by any means , ” Dozier said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get outta there .
And I ’ ll leave it at that.
” Dozier was released this month and said he received interest from four or five teams while working out back home in Mississippi .
He chose the Mets - partly because of how they ’ re handling the coronavirus pandemic , and safety measures they have in place .
“ Whatever the team needs to try to win , I ’ m here , ” Dozier said .
Maxwell began kneeling for “ The Star-Spangled Banner ” late in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 , about a year after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sparked the protest movement in the NFL .
Numerous big leaguers have taken up the protest this season amid nationwide discourse over social justice .
Maxwell was arrested in October 2017 and pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct charge after police said he pointed a handgun at a woman who delivered food to his home in Scottsdale , Arizona .
He was sentenced to two years of probation in July 2018 .
Oakland designated Maxwell for assignment in 2018 after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and released him after the season .
He hasn ’ t appeared in an affiliated major or minor league game since .
He spent last year in the Mexican League , batting .325 with 24 home runs and 112 RBIs in 109 games .
Van Wagenen said the club is always seeking major league-caliber depth pieces and indicated Maxwell was appealing behind the plate because of his left-handed pop and big league experience .
Van Wagenen said a trusted scout recently went to watch Maxwell work out and was impressed with his defensive @ @ @ @

NEW YORK (AP) - Not long ago, Brian Dozier wasn’t even sure he wanted to play this season.
Once he made up his mind and joined the New York Mets, it didn’t take long to crack the starting lineup.
The veteran second baseman was summoned to Citi Field from the team’s alternate training site in Brooklyn as the Mets made a flurry of roster moves before Thursday night’s series finale against Boston. New York placed reserve infielder Eduardo Núñez on the injured list with a bruised left knee and selected Dozier, who was signed to a minor league contract last week.
“I think it’s a good spot,” Dozier said.
The Mets recalled left-handed reliever Daniel Zamora from their alternate site, while right-hander Hunter Strickland was designated for assignment. The team also confirmed it signed catcher Bruce Maxwell to a minor league deal the sides agreed to Tuesday, pending a physical and intake screening for the coronavirus.
Before this season, Maxwell was the only major league player to kneel during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. The 29-year-old Maxwell, who is Black and was born in Germany, will report to the alternate site in Brooklyn.
The right-handed-hitting Dozier batted seventh Thursday night as regular second baseman Robinson Canó was rested against Red Sox lefty Martín Pérez. Dozier was called out on strikes in his first plate appearance with the Mets.
Dozier’s wife is around 18 weeks pregnant with their second child, and he said he was “kind of back-and-forth” and leaning toward not playing this season until his wife helped convince him otherwise during a month of quarantine together. She and their 11-month-old daughter plan to join him in New York in about two weeks.
“She kicked me out of the house and said you need to start playing,” Dozier said, calling it a good decision. “So we’re here.”
The 33-year-old Dozier said he also spoke to good buddy Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals, who opted out of playing this year due to the pandemic.
“We kind of bounced a lot of things off each other,” Dozier said. “It was a tough decision. It really was.”
Dozier was an All-Star with the Minnesota Twins in 2015. He had 42 home runs and 99 RBIs for them the following season, and 34 homers with 93 RBIs in 2017 when he won a Gold Glove. Dozier won a World Series ring with the Washington Nationals last year, batting .238 with 20 homers, 50 RBIs and a .771 OPS in 135 games.
“He’s got pedigree,” Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said. “This guy’s always been able to hit - particularly against left-handed pitching.”
Dozier signed a minor league contract with San Diego in February that would have paid him $2.2 million in the majors. He called his unpleasant experience with the Padres a “debacle” and said it took a while to get out of the deal.
“I’m a big (transparency) guy. I love people to be honest with me and let’s just say, I’ll leave it at that, that that wasn’t the case over there by any means,” Dozier said. “And so, I had to get outta there. And I’ll leave it at that.”
Dozier was released this month and said he received interest from four or five teams while working out back home in Mississippi. He chose the Mets - partly because of how they’re handling the coronavirus pandemic, and safety measures they have in place.
“Whatever the team needs to try to win, I’m here,” Dozier said.
Maxwell began kneeling for “The Star-Spangled Banner” late in his rookie season with the Oakland Athletics in 2017, about a year after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sparked the protest movement in the NFL.
Numerous big leaguers have taken up the protest this season amid nationwide discourse over social justice.
Maxwell was arrested in October 2017 and pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct charge after police said he pointed a handgun at a woman who delivered food to his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was sentenced to two years of probation in July 2018.
Oakland designated Maxwell for assignment in 2018 after he batted .182 in 18 major league games and released him after the season. He hasn’t appeared in an affiliated major or minor league game since. He spent last year in the Mexican League, batting .325 with 24 home runs and 112 RBIs in 109 games.
Van Wagenen said the club is always seeking major league-caliber depth pieces and indicated Maxwell was appealing behind the plate because of his left-handed pop and big league experience. Van Wagenen said a trusted scout recently went to watch Maxwell work out and was impressed with his defensive agility as well.
___
AP Sports Writer Jake Seiner contributed to this report.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--John Boampong accused of shooting at Boston police during protests faces federal charges

A Boston man accused of firing a gun at 21 police officers during the city ’ s George Floyd protests last month was slapped with federal charges Thursday .
John Boampong , 37 , was charged with assaulting a federal officer , interfering with a law enforcement officer during the commission of civil disorder and being a person prohibited under felony indictment in possession of a firearm and ammunition .
If convicted on all charges , Mr. Boampong could face a maximum of 30 years in prison .
“ The charges in this case – which involve someone legally barred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rounds at a crowd of officers and civilians – are a good reminder of a simple rule : Protests , even disruptive ones , are legal .
Destroying property and endangering lives is not .
We will enforce that rule , ” said U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling .
Mr. Boampong is currently being held on multiple state charges , including 21 counts of armed assault with attempt to murder stemming from the same incident .
Mr. Boampong is also barred from possessing a firearm because he has active state charges against him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officer and resisting arrest .
Prosecutors say around 3 a.m. on Monday , June 1 , Mr. Boampong was driving his car in downtown Boston in front of a store that had been looted that evening .
Police officers instructed Mr. Boampong to leave the area , but the occupants of the car became verbally abusive towards the officers and refused to leave , according to the criminal complaint .
When Mr. Boampong reversed the car , officers told him to stop , as officers and another vehicle were in the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until one officer knocked with his baton on Boampong ’ s car to get his attention , according to court records .
Federal prosecutors said Mr. Boampong drove away , but later returned the area and fired a gun 11 times towards officers , including a deputized federal officer .
Officers took cover by ducking behind cards and other objects as bullets broke windows of two apartments above ground level in the building behind the officer , court documents said .
Prosecutors say that officers saw a 9 mm firearm lying on of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car .
The gun was recovered and revealed to have Mr. Boampong ’ s fingerprint on it , according to court documents .
Officers also discovered in the car a red bathing suit with a price tag still attached , two liquor battles that appeared to be unopened and a pair of glasses with the price tag from a nearby store still attached , according to court records .
“ At least one of the occupants of Boampong ’ s car later told law enforcement that these items had been received after having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” prosecutors wrote .

A Boston man accused of firing a gun at 21 police officers during the city’s George Floyd protests last month was slapped with federal charges Thursday.
John Boampong, 37, was charged with assaulting a federal officer, interfering with a law enforcement officer during the commission of civil disorder and being a person prohibited under felony indictment in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
If convicted on all charges, Mr. Boampong could face a maximum of 30 years in prison.
“The charges in this case – which involve someone legally barred from having a gun indiscriminately firing 11 rounds at a crowd of officers and civilians – are a good reminder of a simple rule: Protests, even disruptive ones, are legal. Destroying property and endangering lives is not. We will enforce that rule,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling.
Mr. Boampong is currently being held on multiple state charges, including 21 counts of armed assault with attempt to murder stemming from the same incident.
Mr. Boampong is also barred from possessing a firearm because he has active state charges against him, including assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.
Prosecutors say around 3 a.m. on Monday, June 1, Mr. Boampong was driving his car in downtown Boston in front of a store that had been looted that evening.
Police officers instructed Mr. Boampong to leave the area, but the occupants of the car became verbally abusive towards the officers and refused to leave, according to the criminal complaint.
When Mr. Boampong reversed the car, officers told him to stop, as officers and another vehicle were in the way. Mr. Boampong kept driving in reverse until one officer knocked with his baton on Boampong’s car to get his attention, according to court records.
Federal prosecutors said Mr. Boampong drove away, but later returned the area and fired a gun 11 times towards officers, including a deputized federal officer.
Officers took cover by ducking behind cards and other objects as bullets broke windows of two apartments above ground level in the building behind the officer, court documents said.
Prosecutors say that officers saw a 9 mm firearm lying on of the floor of Mr. Boampong’s car. The gun was recovered and revealed to have Mr. Boampong’s fingerprint on it, according to court documents.
Officers also discovered in the car a red bathing suit with a price tag still attached, two liquor battles that appeared to be unopened and a pair of glasses with the price tag from a nearby store still attached, according to court records.
“At least one of the occupants of Boampong’s car later told law enforcement that these items had been received after having been stolen during the looting that evening/morning,” prosecutors wrote.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--UN leaders to meet virtually; Trump might attend in person

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - The annual meeting of world leaders at the United Nations is going virtual this year for the first time in its 75-year history because of the COVID-19 pandemic - except for the likely personal appearance by President Donald Trump .
“ We ’ re hoping that President Trump will actually be speaking in person in the General Assembly , ” Kelly Craft , the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations , said Thursday , adding that he will be “ the only ” leader to speak in the assembly chamber .
In past years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York for the annual meeting of world leaders at the General Assembly , known as the General Debate .
During the weeklong gathering , presidents , prime ministers , monarchs and foreign ministers from the 193 U.N. member nations deliver a formal address , but much of the real action takes place at the hundreds of side events and private meetings , lunches and dinners .
Because of COVID-19 , General Assembly members agreed this month to have each country ’ s leader deliver a prerecorded speech that will be broadcast in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York-based diplomats allowed to be present .
Just a few side events will be permitted .
The speeches will start as scheduled on Sept. 22 , but will be preceded by an event on Sept. 21 marking the U.N. ’ s 75th anniversary .
The theme : “ The Future We Want , the U.N. We Need : Reaffirming our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism.
” At that event , assembly members will formally adopt a declaration to commemorate the 75th anniversary that diplomats agreed on in early July .
It recalls the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vows to build a post-pandemic world that is more equal , works together and protects the planet .
Craft said that this year ’ s meeting is “ even more special ” because of the anniversary and that it ’ s important for the occasion to be amplified by all U.N. member nations .
For the United States , she said , “ we ’ re going to be focused on human rights issues , on transparency and on accountability .
”

WASHINGTON (AP) - The annual meeting of world leaders at the United Nations is going virtual this year for the first time in its 75-year history because of the COVID-19 pandemic - except for the likely personal appearance by President Donald Trump.
“We’re hoping that President Trump will actually be speaking in person in the General Assembly,” Kelly Craft, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Thursday, adding that he will be “the only” leader to speak in the assembly chamber.
In past years, thousands of people have flocked to New York for the annual meeting of world leaders at the General Assembly, known as the General Debate. During the weeklong gathering, presidents, prime ministers, monarchs and foreign ministers from the 193 U.N. member nations deliver a formal address, but much of the real action takes place at the hundreds of side events and private meetings, lunches and dinners.
Because of COVID-19, General Assembly members agreed this month to have each country’s leader deliver a prerecorded speech that will be broadcast in the assembly chamber with a small number of New York-based diplomats allowed to be present. Just a few side events will be permitted.
The speeches will start as scheduled on Sept. 22, but will be preceded by an event on Sept. 21 marking the U.N.’s 75th anniversary. The theme: “The Future We Want, the U.N. We Need: Reaffirming our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism.”
At that event, assembly members will formally adopt a declaration to commemorate the 75th anniversary that diplomats agreed on in early July. It recalls the U.N.’s successes and failures and vows to build a post-pandemic world that is more equal, works together and protects the planet.
Craft said that this year’s meeting is “even more special” because of the anniversary and that it’s important for the occasion to be amplified by all U.N. member nations.
For the United States, she said, “we’re going to be focused on human rights issues, on transparency and on accountability.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--AP PHOTOS: AP Week in Pictures, Asia

AP PHOTOS: AP Week in Pictures, Asia

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

July 24-30, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and Pacific.
The gallery was curated by AP photo editor Masayo Yoshida in Tokyo.
Follow AP visual journalism:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews
AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--Evan McCullers, Steve Bullock aide, fired over racist, sexist tweets

HELENA , Mont .
— An aide to Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock ’ s senate campaign was fired Thursday after a history of racist , sexist and homophobic tweets surfaced .
Evan McCullers , who joined the Bullock campaign in June as deputy press secretary , sent a series of offensive tweets between 2012 and 2014 , when he was in high school and college .
“ The tweets are inappropriate and do not reflect Montana values .
When we learned about them , he was let go , ” said Olivia Bercow , the campaign ’ s communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one tweet , he called women “ manure , ” and he used flippant language about rape in a different one .
In another tweet , he said he was scared by the statue of a Black boy in a neighbor ’ s yard .
According to his LinkedIn account , McCullers completed high school in 2013 , making him a teenager at the time the tweets were written .
In a statement released by the campaign , McCullers apologized for his tweets , calling them “ vile , inappropriate and unacceptable.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the women and members of the LGBTQ+ community that these posts have rightly offended , and to my family and others who will receive undeserved negative attention because of my actions , ” McCullers said in a statement .
“ More importantly , I will continue to listen to those with different life experiences than mine and learn from my mistakes that cause others pain I could never understand , just as I have in the years since those hurtful words.
” The tweets were first reported by the Washington Free Beacon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ included references to Bullock ’ s campaign , was changed to a private setting on Thursday .
Prior to working on Bullock ’ s campaign , McCullers served as an executive assistant for U.S. Sen. Jon Tester , a Montana Democrat , according to McCullers ’ LinkedIn profile .
The campaign of Republican Sen. Steve Daines , Bullock ’ s opponent in the senate race , declined to comment on the tweets .
The Montana Republican Party also declined to comment .
Iris Samuels is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

HELENA, Mont. — An aide to Montana Gov. Steve Bullock’s Senate campaign was fired Thursday after a history of racist, sexist and homophobic tweets surfaced.
Evan McCullers, who joined the Bullock campaign in June as deputy press secretary, sent a series of offensive tweets between 2012 and 2014, when he was in high school and college.
“The tweets are inappropriate and do not reflect Montana values. When we learned about them, he was let go,” said Olivia Bercow, the campaign’s communications director, in a statement.
The tweets included derogatory language about Black people, women, homosexuality.
In one tweet, he called women “manure,” and he used flippant language about rape in a different one. In another tweet, he said he was scared by the statue of a Black boy in a neighbor’s yard.
According to his LinkedIn account, McCullers completed high school in 2013, making him a teenager at the time the tweets were written.
In a statement released by the campaign, McCullers apologized for his tweets, calling them “vile, inappropriate and unacceptable.”
“I especially owe an apology to the women and members of the LGBTQ+ community that these posts have rightly offended, and to my family and others who will receive undeserved negative attention because of my actions,” McCullers said in a statement. “More importantly, I will continue to listen to those with different life experiences than mine and learn from my mistakes that cause others pain I could never understand, just as I have in the years since those hurtful words.”
The tweets were first reported by the Washington Free Beacon.
McCullers’ Twitter account, which recently included references to Bullock’s campaign, was changed to a private setting on Thursday.
Prior to working on Bullock’s campaign, McCullers served as an executive assistant for U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, according to McCullers’ LinkedIn profile.
The campaign of Republican Sen. Steve Daines, Bullock’s opponent in the senate race, declined to comment on the tweets. The Montana Republican Party also declined to comment.
Iris Samuels 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--2020-07-30--Australia to make Google and Facebook pay for news content

CANBERRA , Australia ( AP ) - The Australian government said on Friday it plans to give Google and Facebook three months to negotiate with Australian media businesses fair pay for news content .
The government has released a draft mandatory code of conduct that aims to succeed where other countries have failed in making the global digital giants pay for news siphoned from commercial media companies .
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Google and Facebook would be the first digital platforms targeted by the proposed legislation but others could follow .
“ It ’ s about a fair go for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s about ensuring that we have increased competition , increased consumer protection and a sustainable media landscape , ” Frydenberg said .
“ Nothing less than the future of the Australian media landscape is at stake with these changes , ” he added .
If the U.S.-based platforms could not agree with the Australian media businesses on pricing after three months , arbitrators would be appointed to make a binding decision , the draft said .
The draft will be open to consultation until Aug. 28 , with the legislation to be introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As well as payment , the code covers issues including access to user data and transparency of algorithms used to rank and present media content .
Breaches of the code could attract penalties of up to 10 % of the platform ’ s annual turnover or a 10 million Australian dollar ( $ 7.2 milllion ) fine .
Frydenberg said the motive was not to protect Australian businesses from competition or disruption but to ensure they are paid fairly for original content .
The conservative government is pushing ahead with the changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis for many Australian media companies .
Facebook and Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment .

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - The Australian government said on Friday it plans to give Google and Facebook three months to negotiate with Australian media businesses fair pay for news content.
In releasing a draft of a mandatory code of conduct, the government aims to succeed where other countries have failed in making the global digital giants pay for news siphoned from commercial media companies.
Google said Australia’s draft code was a heavy-handed step that could impede the digital economy.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Google and Facebook would be the first digital platforms targeted by the proposed legislation but others could follow.
“It’s about a fair go for Australian news media businesses, it’s about ensuring that we have increased competition, increased consumer protection and a sustainable media landscape,” Frydenberg said.
“Nothing less than the future of the Australian media landscape is at stake with these changes,” he added.
If the U.S.-based platforms could not agree with the Australian media businesses on pricing after three months, arbitrators would be appointed to make a binding decision, the draft said.
The draft will be open to consultation until Aug. 28, with the legislation to be introduced to Parliament soon after, Frydenberg said.
As well as payment, the code covers issues including access to user data and transparency of algorithms used to rank and present media content.
Breaches of the code could attract penalties of up to 10% of the platform’s annual turnover or a 10 million Australian dollar ($7.2 milllion) fine.
Google Australia and New Zealand managing director Mel Silva said the code discounts the significant value Google provided in free clicks on publishers’ content.
“Our hope was that the code would be forward thinking and the process would create incentives for both publishers and digital platforms to negotiate and innovate for a better future, so we are deeply disappointed and concerned the draft code does not achieve this,” Silva said in a statement.
“Instead, the government’s heavy-handed intervention threatens to impede Australia’s digital economy and impacts the services we can deliver to Australians,” Silva added.
Facebook Australia and New Zealand managing director Will Easton said in a statement his company was reviewing the code to “understand the impact it will have on the industry, our services and our investment in the news ecosystem in Australia.”
Frydenberg said the motive was not to protect Australian businesses from competition or disruption but to ensure they are paid fairly for original content.
The conservative government is pushing ahead with the changes after the pandemic created an advertising revenue crisis for many Australian media companies.


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--Milwaukee teen dies after crashing during police chase

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - A teenage driver has died after crashing during a police chase in Milwaukee early Thursday @ @ @ @ @ a.m. they were trying to stop a stolen vehicle that was involved in an armed @ @ @ @ @ lights and sirens , but the 17-year-old driver refused to pull over and led police @ @ @ @ @ Milwaukee boy who was driving crashed into a pole and suffered serious injuries .
He @ @ @ @ @ where he later died , police said .
A 16-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl @ @ @ @ @ were taken into custody and treated at a hospital for minor injuries .
Police said @ @ @ @ @ charges will be referred to prosecutors in coming days .

MILWAUKEE (AP) - A teenage driver has died after crashing during a police chase in Milwaukee early Thursday.
Police said around 2 a.m. they were trying to stop a stolen vehicle that was involved in an armed robbery. Officers activated their lights and sirens, but the 17-year-old driver refused to pull over and led police on a chase.
The Milwaukee boy who was driving crashed into a pole and suffered serious injuries. He was taken to a hospital where he later died, police said. A 16-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl who were in the car were taken into custody and treated at a hospital for minor injuries.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and charges will be referred to prosecutors in coming days.


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--"Into the Wild" bus likely lands a home at Fairbanks museum

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - An infamous bus appears headed to a new home at a museum in Fairbanks after being removed from Alaska ’ s backcountry to deter people from making dangerous , sometimes deadly treks to visit the site where a young man documented his demise in 1992 .
The state Department of Natural Resources said Thursday that it intends to negotiate with the University of Alaska ’ s Museum of the North to display the bus , which was popularized by the book “ Into the Wild ” and a movie of the same name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Park and Preserve last month .
“ Of the many expressions of interest in the bus , the proposal from the UA Museum of the North best met the conditions we at DNR had established to ensure this historical and cultural object will be preserved in a safe location where the public could experience it fully , yet safely and respectfully , and without the specter of profiteering , ” Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feige said in a statement .
The bus became a beacon for those wishing to retrace the steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bus in 1992 .
The 24-year-old Virginia man died from starvation when he couldn ’ t hike back out because of the swollen Teklanika River .
He kept a journal of his ordeal , which was discovered when his body was found .
McCandless ’ story became famous with author Jon Krakauer ’ s 1996 book “ Into the Wild , ” followed nine years later by director Sean Penn ’ s movie of the same name .
Over the years , people from around the world have traveled to the bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kilometers ) from the town of Healy , to pay homage to McCandless .
Two women have drowned in the Teklanika River on such visits to the bus , one from Switzerland in 2010 and the other from Belarus nine years later .
There have been 15 other search-and-rescue missions since 2009 , state officials said , including five Italian tourists who needed rescue last winter .
One had severe frostbite .
The draw of the bus became too much for state officials , who arranged for the Alaska Army National Guard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month as part of a training mission .
The former Fairbanks city bus is sometimes called Bus 142 or the Magic Bus .
It was later used to house construction workers building a road in the area .
It was abandoned in 1961 , and became a shelter for those using the backcountry to recreate or hunt .
The department received dozens of suggestions for use of the bus that came from individuals , museums and institutions nationwide , with varying plans to preserve , exhibit , monetize or memorialize it , Feige @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the university ’ s proposal , which had several advantages .
It ’ s just one of three official state repositories , and the only one in the Fairbanks area able to accept and curate state-owned historical items .
The museum also has the staff to restore , curate and display the bus .
This proposal also allows the Department of Natural Resources to retain ownership of the bus , and decide future uses , including whether to lend it out for display and where .
“ I believe that giving Bus 142 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UA Museum of the North can help preserve and tell the stories of all these people , ” Feige said .
“ It can honor all of the lives and dreams , as well as the deaths and sorrows associated with the bus , and do so with respect and dignity.
” The department anticipates signing final paperwork within the next few months .

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - An infamous bus appears headed to a new home at a museum in Fairbanks after being removed from Alaska’s backcountry to deter people from making dangerous, sometimes deadly treks to visit the site where a young man documented his demise in 1992.
The state Department of Natural Resources said Thursday that it intends to negotiate with the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North to display the bus, which was popularized by the book “Into the Wild” and a movie of the same name and flown from its location near Denali National Park and Preserve last month.
“Of the many expressions of interest in the bus, the proposal from the UA Museum of the North best met the conditions we at DNR had established to ensure this historical and cultural object will be preserved in a safe location where the public could experience it fully, yet safely and respectfully, and without the specter of profiteering,” Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feige said in a statement.
The bus became a beacon for those wishing to retrace the steps of Christopher McCandless, who hiked to the bus in 1992. The 24-year-old Virginia man died from starvation when he couldn’t hike back out because of the swollen Teklanika River. He kept a journal of his ordeal, which was discovered when his body was found.
McCandless’ story became famous with author Jon Krakauer’s 1996 book “Into the Wild,” followed nine years later by director Sean Penn’s movie of the same name.
Over the years, people from around the world have traveled to the bus, located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the town of Healy, to pay homage to McCandless.
Two women have drowned in the Teklanika River on such visits to the bus, one from Switzerland in 2010 and the other from Belarus nine years later. There have been 15 other search-and-rescue missions since 2009, state officials said, including five Italian tourists who needed rescue last winter. One had severe frostbite.
The draw of the bus became too much for state officials, who arranged for the Alaska Army National Guard to remove the bus with a helicopter last month as part of a training mission.
The former Fairbanks city bus is sometimes called Bus 142 or the Magic Bus. It was later used to house construction workers building a road in the area. It was abandoned in 1961, and became a shelter for those using the backcountry to recreate or hunt.
The department received dozens of suggestions for use of the bus that came from individuals, museums and institutions nationwide, with varying plans to preserve, exhibit, monetize or memorialize it, Feige said.
The department decided to consider the university’s proposal, which had several advantages. It’s just one of three official state repositories, and the only one in the Fairbanks area able to accept and curate state-owned historical items. The museum also has the staff to restore, curate and display the bus.
This proposal also allows the Department of Natural Resources to retain ownership of the bus, and decide future uses, including whether to lend it out for display and where.
“I believe that giving Bus 142 a long-term home in Fairbanks at the UA Museum of the North can help preserve and tell the stories of all these people,” Feige said. “It can honor all of the lives and dreams, as well as the deaths and sorrows associated with the bus, and do so with respect and dignity.”
The department anticipates signing final paperwork within the next few months.


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--Indiana students begin in-person returns to schools

INDIANAPOLIS ( AP ) - For many Indiana students who returned to classrooms this week for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak forced schools to transition to remote learning last March , the school day offered a mixed bag of emotions , anxiety and plenty of new health-related protocols .
Avon Community Schools , which was the first district in Indiana to close after a student tested positive for the coronavirus in March , became one of the first to restart in-person fall classes Wednesday .
Spokesperson Stacey Forcey-Moore said the district just west of Indianapolis saw 85 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person learning .
“ The first day of school was great , ” Forcey-Moore said in an email to The Associated Press .
“ Students exceeded our expectations and were amazing at wearing masks and learning new procedures.
” Destiny Brewer , whose children are fourth and ninth graders in the district , said she sent her kids back to school “ without much hesitation ” and that the first day back “ went even better than expected.
” The Avon mother who works full-time said finding childcare can be costly and e-learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her kids at the end of the spring term .
“ From the start of the day , the high school bus was entirely masked up , and it sounds like the elementary bus only had a few kids who needed to be reminded to keep them on , ” Brewer said .
Brewer said at the elementary level much of the first day was spent teaching safety precautions and during recess , all masks stayed on .
She said both of her children said their classrooms included spaced-out desks , assigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was required .
“ The first day back was just fine , in my opinion .
I ’ ll be asking them for updates every day after school , ” Brewer said .
“ But unless that changes , they ’ re staying in … ” In southern Indiana , Greater Clark County Schools ’ 10,000-student district also reopened school buildings Wednesday .
Masks , social distancing , contact tracing and regular cleanings of classrooms and hallways were all part of the return .
Superintendent Mark Laughner said 68 % of parents who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted their children to attend regular , in-person classes .
Laughner said the district is still waiting to see final numbers for in-person student returns but expects that around two-thirds of the students in the district will physically come in to school as long as they ’ re able .
Laughner estimated bus ridership was down by 50 % compared to other school years , a result of more parents driving their children to school .
Students who ride buses are required to wear face masks and have their temperatures taken before getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return back is all going very smoothly , ” Laughner said .
“ Kids - even the elementary-aged ones - have handled the masks and social distancing really well .
Yeah , there was a lot of anxiety the first day back , but I think as the day went on , people were feeling a lot better about things.
” A majority of students attending Brownsburg Community Schools , west of Indianapolis in Hendricks County , filed off school buses Thursday morning and started their fall classes in-person .
Superintendent Jim Snapp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 9,400 students were physically present at school on the first day back , with the rest opting for at-home and online learning .
“ Those students showed up for school ready to follow the new rules of school , ” Snapp said .
“ They were excited to see each other and their teachers and eager to learn.
” But despite high in-person student returns , Renee Sui , of Brownsburg , said her fifth-grade son “ absolutely isn ’ t going back into school yet.
” On her son ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was connecting with his teacher and school aides over Zoom , and that digital educational activities were already available on his school-issued laptop .
“ He was doing this already before , and I don ’ t know why he can ’ t keep doing it now , ” Sui said .
“ He still interacts with teachers and other students .
He still has homework and writes essays and reads and takes tests .
The difference is he ’ s at home and safer.
” Sui said she would willing to reconsider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person in a few months , but “ only after ( the school district ) proves they ’ re doing right ” and that “ all students are shown to be healthy and safe.
” With coronavirus cases across parts of the state on the rise again , the online option is the only one being offered in a growing number of Indiana school districts .
Indianapolis Public Schools , Washington , Pike and Portage townships , Anderson Community Schools and Hamilton Southeastern Schools have all announced a virtual-only return for all or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beech Grove , a city-suburb of Indianapolis , students also started their online-only return Thursday morning .
Paul Kasier , Beech Grove City School district superintendent said staff started the first day of virtual learning from their classrooms while students follow along at home .
The district gave all students iPads or Chromebooks to ensure they ’ re able to work remotely .
On Aug. 10 , the district plans to allow students to return to school buildings in-person , too .
For those students who elect to do so , their temperature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Desks in classrooms will be spaced 6 feet apart , teachers ’ desks will be lined with plastic shields and fogging machines are expected to be used to clean buses and classrooms .
Middle school and high school students who opt for brick-and-mortar learning will only be allowed to enter schools two days a week .
The remainder of the week ’ s classes must be taken online , per the district ’ s hybrid back-to-school model .
Casey Smith is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .
”

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - For many Indiana students who returned to classrooms this week for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak forced schools to transition to remote learning last March, the school day offered a mixed bag of emotions, anxiety and plenty of new health-related protocols.
Avon Community Schools, which was the first district in Indiana to close after a student tested positive for the coronavirus in March, became one of the first to restart in-person fall classes Wednesday. Spokesperson Stacey Forcey-Moore said the district just west of Indianapolis saw 85% of its nearly 10,000 students return for in-person learning.
“The first day of school was great,” Forcey-Moore said in an email to The Associated Press. “Students exceeded our expectations and were amazing at wearing masks and learning new procedures.”
Destiny Brewer, whose children are fourth and ninth graders in the district, said she sent her kids back to school “without much hesitation” and that the first day back “went even better than expected.” The Avon mother who works full-time said finding childcare can be costly and e-learning “wasn’t substantial enough” for her kids at the end of the spring term.
“From the start of the day, the high school bus was entirely masked up, and it sounds like the elementary bus only had a few kids who needed to be reminded to keep them on,” Brewer said.
Brewer said at the elementary level much of the first day was spent teaching safety precautions and during recess, all masks stayed on. She said both of her children said their classrooms included spaced-out desks, assigned seating and hand sanitizer use between classes was required.
“The first day back was just fine, in my opinion. I’ll be asking them for updates every day after school,” Brewer said. “But unless that changes, they’re staying in …”
In southern Indiana, Greater Clark County Schools’ 10,000-student district also reopened school buildings Wednesday. Masks, social distancing, contact tracing and regular cleanings of classrooms and hallways were all part of the return.
Superintendent Mark Laughner said 68% of parents who responded to a district survey indicated they wanted their children to attend regular, in-person classes. Laughner said the district is still waiting to see final numbers for in-person student returns but expects that around two-thirds of the students in the district will physically come in to school as long as they’re able.
Laughner estimated bus ridership was down by 50% compared to other school years, a result of more parents driving their children to school. Students who ride buses are required to wear face masks and have their temperatures taken before getting on, he said.
“The return back is all going very smoothly,” Laughner said. “Kids - even the elementary-aged ones - have handled the masks and social distancing really well. Yeah, there was a lot of anxiety the first day back, but I think as the day went on, people were feeling a lot better about things.”
A majority of students attending Brownsburg Community Schools, west of Indianapolis in Hendricks County, filed off school buses Thursday morning and started their fall classes in-person. Superintendent Jim Snapp said 87% of the district’s 9,400 students were physically present at school on the first day back, with the rest opting for at-home and online learning.
“Those students showed up for school ready to follow the new rules of school,” Snapp said. “They were excited to see each other and their teachers and eager to learn.”
But despite high in-person student returns, Renee Sui, of Brownsburg, said her fifth-grade son “absolutely isn’t going back into school yet.” On her son’s first day back, Sui said he was connecting with his teacher and school aides over Zoom, and that digital educational activities were already available on his school-issued laptop.
“He was doing this already before, and I don’t know why he can’t keep doing it now,” Sui said. “He still interacts with teachers and other students. He still has homework and writes essays and reads and takes tests. The difference is he’s at home and safer.”
Sui said she would willing to reconsider letting her son go back to school in-person in a few months, but “only after (the school district) proves they’re doing right” and that “all students are shown to be healthy and safe.”
With coronavirus cases across parts of the state on the rise again, the online option is the only one being offered in a growing number of Indiana school districts. Indianapolis Public Schools, Washington, Pike and Portage townships, Anderson Community Schools and Hamilton Southeastern Schools have all announced a virtual-only return for all or part of the fall semester.
In Beech Grove, a city-suburb of Indianapolis, students also started their online-only return Thursday morning.
Paul Kasier, Beech Grove City School district superintendent said staff started the first day of virtual learning from their classrooms while students follow along at home. The district gave all students iPads or Chromebooks to ensure they’re able to work remotely.
On Aug. 10, the district plans to allow students to return to school buildings in-person, too. For those students who elect to do so, their temperature will be checked upon arrival to school. Desks in classrooms will be spaced 6 feet apart, teachers’ desks will be lined with plastic shields and fogging machines are expected to be used to clean buses and classrooms.
Middle school and high school students who opt for brick-and-mortar learning will only be allowed to enter schools two days a week. The remainder of the week’s classes must be taken online, per the district’s hybrid back-to-school model.
___
Casey Smith 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--2020-07-30--Bullock staffer fired after offensive tweets surface

HELENA , Mont .
( AP ) - An aide to Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock ’ s senate campaign was fired Thursday after a history of racist , sexist and homophobic tweets surfaced .
Evan McCullers , who joined the Bullock campaign in June as deputy press secretary , sent a series of offensive tweets between 2012 and 2014 , when he was in high school and college .
“ The tweets are inappropriate and do not reflect Montana values .
When we learned about them , he was let go , ” said Olivia Bercow , the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
In one tweet , he called women “ manure , ” and he used flippant language about rape in a different one .
In another tweet , he said he was scared by the statue of a Black boy in a neighbor ’ s yard .
According to his LinkedIn account , McCullers completed high school in 2013 , making him a teenager at the time the tweets were written .
In a statement released by the campaign , McCullers apologized for his tweets , calling them “ vile , inappropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an apology to the women and members of the LGBTQ+ community that these posts have rightly offended , and to my family and others who will receive undeserved negative attention because of my actions , ” McCullers said in a statement .
“ More importantly , I will continue to listen to those with different life experiences than mine and learn from my mistakes that cause others pain I could never understand , just as I have in the years since those hurtful words.
” The tweets were first reported by the Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which recently included references to Bullock ’ s campaign , was changed to a private setting on Thursday .
Prior to working on Bullock ’ s campaign , McCullers served as an executive assistant for U.S. Sen. Jon Tester , a Montana Democrat , according to McCullers ’ LinkedIn profile .
The campaign of Republican Sen. Steve Daines , Bullock ’ s opponent in the senate race , declined to comment on the tweets .
The Montana Republican Party also declined to comment .
Iris Samuels is a corps member for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - An aide to Montana Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock’s senate campaign was fired Thursday after a history of racist, sexist and homophobic tweets surfaced.
Evan McCullers, who joined the Bullock campaign in June as deputy press secretary, sent a series of offensive tweets between 2012 and 2014, when he was in high school and college.
“The tweets are inappropriate and do not reflect Montana values. When we learned about them, he was let go,” said Olivia Bercow, the campaign’s communications director, in a statement.
The tweets included derogatory language about Black people, women, homosexuality.
In one tweet, he called women “manure,” and he used flippant language about rape in a different one. In another tweet, he said he was scared by the statue of a Black boy in a neighbor’s yard.
According to his LinkedIn account, McCullers completed high school in 2013, making him a teenager at the time the tweets were written.
In a statement released by the campaign, McCullers apologized for his tweets, calling them “vile, inappropriate and unacceptable.”
I especially owe an apology to the women, people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community that these posts have rightly offended, and to my family and others who will receive undeserved negative attention because of my actions,” McCullers said in a statement. “More importantly, I will continue to listen to those with different life experiences than mine and learn from my mistakes that cause others pain I could never understand, just as I have in the years since those hurtful words.”
The tweets were first reported by the Washington Free Beacon.
McCullers’ Twitter account, which recently included references to Bullock’s campaign, was changed to a private setting on Thursday.
Prior to working on Bullock’s campaign, McCullers served as an executive assistant for U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, according to McCullers’ LinkedIn profile.
The campaign of Republican Sen. Steve Daines, Bullock’s opponent in the senate race, declined to comment on the tweets. The Montana Republican Party also declined to comment.
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Iris Samuels 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--2020-07-30--Madigan: 'No plans to resign' as Dem women seek his ouster

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - State Sen. Iris Martinez , a respected and influential state and national Democratic Party leader , on Thursday joined a burgeoning group of Democratic lawmakers - all women - calling for Michael Madigan to relinquish his decades-long grip on Illinois politics by resigning as party leader , House speaker , or both after he was implicated in a federal bribery investigation .
Two others making similar demands Thursday bring to seven the number of Democratic women in the General Assembly wanting Madigan to surrender his virtual control of the Capitol after federal prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the July 17 deferred prosecution agreement , ComEd acknowledged it used bribes in Springfield to get legislation favorable to the utility giant and the document says it involved the speaker of the House , without naming the 78-year-old Madigan .
“ It ’ s very clear in what you ’ re reading in the ComEd document , ” said Martinez , the DNC ’ s Hispanic Caucus chairwoman and a state party committeewoman for 26 years .
“ You know nothing happens in Springfield without the speaker signing off .
You don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines to see what is going on.
” Madigan , who has been at the House helm for 35 of the past 37 years - the longest tenure of any legislative leader in U.S. history - has not been charged with wrongdoing .
In a statement released late Thursday , he repeated his assertion of inculpability and “ will continue to lead the effort to defeat Donald Trump ” and add Democrats to Capitol Hill and the Statehouse .
“ I understand that the last couple of weeks have been difficult for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had many candid conversations with members of the Democratic caucus on this matter , ” Madigan said .
“ The feedback is positive and demonstrates continued support for me and my leadership roles .
I have no plans to resign.
” The others joining Martinez , who wants Madigan out as party chairman to prevent a “ distraction ” at the presidential nominating convention next month , on Thursday were Reps. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego and Kelly Cassidy of Chicago .
Earlier , Sen. Melinda Bush of Grayslake , a leader on sexual-harassment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Senate budget negotiator , came out for Madigan ’ s resignation of one or both posts .
Rep. Terra Costa Howard of Glen Ellyn has joined the call .
After Bush , the earliest to step up , not surprisingly , was first-term Rep. Anne Stava-Murray of Naperville , who pledged in her 2018 campaign not to back Madigan and was the only House member to vote against him for an 18th term as speaker last year .
Women have put the most intense pressure on Madigan in the past three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of incidents involving charges of sexual harassment , intimidation and more by his staff and House members and the revelation last winter by WBEZ of an email by Madigan confidante Michael McClain seeking leniency from the governor for a state worker who had , among other things , kept quiet about an alleged rape .
Martinez urged him to resign after the email ’ s disclosure .
“ Women have been bullied over there for a long time , ” Martinez said .
“ As women , we have to fight harder while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In speaking up , the Democrats risk , in some cases , their political lifeline .
Madigan currently sits on three campaign chests totaling $ 20 million and with that largesse and his party leadership , can make or break politicans in the Capitol and beyond .
But most , like Martinez , have at least a recent history of criticizing the speaker and his alleged missteps .
“ We ’ re not part of the boys ’ club , that ’ s for sure , ” Stava-Murray said .
Nonetheless , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a campaign-cash gravy train and worse , upend the Democratic party and disrupt the legislative agenda .
“ I spent a lot of sleepless nights , a lot of general reflection , kept re-reading the ComEd document , ” Kifowit said .
“ But it ’ s almost beyond words , the feeling you get , staring at that document , reading it in black and white .
It ’ s , it ’ s just a betrayal of the public trust.
” But it ’ s Illinois , and politics always takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defeating Donald Trump is a priority matter for all Democrats , ” Martinez said .
“ Every day that Madigan remains chairman of ( the party ) is another day we are focused on Madigan ’ s controversies instead of our critical electoral contests .
Follow O ’ Connor at https : //twitter.com/apoconnor and Burnett at https : //twitter.com/saraburnett

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - State Sen. Iris Martinez, a respected and influential state and national Democratic Party leader, on Thursday joined a burgeoning group of Democratic lawmakers - all women - calling for Michael Madigan to relinquish his decades-long grip on Illinois politics by resigning as party leader, House speaker, or both after he was implicated in a federal bribery investigation.
Two others making similar demands Thursday bring to seven the number of Democratic women in the General Assembly wanting Madigan to surrender his virtual control of the Capitol after federal prosecutors named him in a criminal investigation. In the July 17 deferred prosecution agreement, ComEd acknowledged it used bribes in Springfield to get legislation favorable to the utility giant and the document says it involved the speaker of the House, without naming the 78-year-old Madigan.
“It’s very clear in what you’re reading in the ComEd document,” said Martinez, the DNC’s Hispanic Caucus chairwoman and a state party committeewoman for 26 years. “You know nothing happens in Springfield without the speaker signing off. You don’t have to read between the lines to see what is going on.”
Madigan, who has been at the House helm for 35 of the past 37 years - the longest tenure of any legislative leader in U.S. history - has not been charged with wrongdoing. In a statement released late Thursday, he repeated his assertion of inculpability and “will continue to lead the effort to defeat Donald Trump” and add Democrats to Capitol Hill and the Statehouse.
“I understand that the last couple of weeks have been difficult for our caucus and party, and I have had many candid conversations with members of the Democratic caucus on this matter,” Madigan said. “The feedback is positive and demonstrates continued support for me and my leadership roles. I have no plans to resign.”
The others joining Martinez, who wants Madigan out as party chairman to prevent a “distraction” at the presidential nominating convention next month, on Thursday were Reps. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego and Kelly Cassidy of Chicago. Earlier, Sen. Melinda Bush of Grayslake, a leader on sexual-harassment prevention, and Heather Steans of Chicago, a Senate budget negotiator, came out for Madigan’s resignation of one or both posts.
Rep. Terra Costa Howard of Glen Ellyn has joined the call. After Bush, the earliest to step up, not surprisingly, was first-term Rep. Anne Stava-Murray of Naperville, who pledged in her 2018 campaign not to back Madigan and was the only House member to vote against him for an 18th term as speaker last year.
Women have put the most intense pressure on Madigan in the past three years as he has faced a series of incidents involving charges of sexual harassment, intimidation and more by his staff and House members and the revelation last winter by WBEZ of an email by Madigan confidante Michael McClain seeking leniency from the governor for a state worker who had, among other things, kept quiet about an alleged rape. Martinez urged him to resign after the email’s disclosure.
“Women have been bullied over there for a long time,” Martinez said. “As women, we have to fight harder while the men take care of the men.”
In speaking up, the Democrats risk, in some cases, their political lifeline. Madigan currently sits on three campaign chests totaling $20 million and with that largesse and his party leadership, can make or break politicans in the Capitol and beyond. But most, like Martinez, have at least a recent history of criticizing the speaker and his alleged missteps.
“We’re not part of the boys’ club, that’s for sure,” Stava-Murray said.
Nonetheless, what the dissenters are seeking could end a campaign-cash gravy train and worse, upend the Democratic party and disrupt the legislative agenda.
“I spent a lot of sleepless nights, a lot of general reflection, kept re-reading the ComEd document,” Kifowit said. “But it’s almost beyond words, the feeling you get, staring at that document, reading it in black and white. It’s, it’s just a betrayal of the public trust.”
But it’s Illinois, and politics always takes a seat near the front.
“Defeating Donald Trump is a priority matter for all Democrats,” Martinez said. “Every day that Madigan remains chairman of (the party) is another day we are focused on Madigan’s controversies instead of our critical electoral contests.
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Burnett reported from Chicago.
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Follow O’Connor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor and Burnett at https://twitter.com/saraburnett


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--Charges added in Vegas police officer protest wounding case

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - Prosecutors in Las Vegas have filed four more felony charges Thursday against a 20-year-old man accused of attempted murder in a shooting during a Las Vegas Strip protest that left a police officer wounded and paralyzed .
Edgar Samaniego ’ s newly hired attorney , John Turco , didn ’ t immediately respond to messages after a preliminary hearing of evidence was postponed to Aug. 27 .
Prosecutor Giancarlo Pesci said additional assault with a weapon and discharge of a firearm charges were added after investigators found evidence that Samaniego fired three shots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Circus Circus resort .
The protest was one of hundreds nationally following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
A judge who reviewed evidence at an earlier court hearing said police video showed Samaniego “ walking by , taking out a gun and firing.
” Samaniego remains jailed on $ 1 million bail .
He pleaded guilty June 22 in a separate misdemeanor drug case and was sentenced to 45 days in jail .
The police officer , Shay Mikalonis , 29 , was wounded in the head .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rehabilitation center .
In a statement released by police , Mikalonis ’ family said he remained paralyzed from the neck down , on a ventilator and unable to speak .

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Prosecutors in Las Vegas have filed four more felony charges Thursday against a 20-year-old man accused of attempted murder in a shooting during a Las Vegas Strip protest that left a police officer wounded and paralyzed.
Edgar Samaniego’s newly hired attorney, John Turco, didn’t immediately respond to messages after a preliminary hearing of evidence was postponed to Aug. 27.
Prosecutor Giancarlo Pesci said additional assault with a weapon and discharge of a firearm charges were added after investigators found evidence that Samaniego fired three shots, not two, late June 1 near the Circus Circus resort.
The protest was one of hundreds nationally following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
A judge who reviewed evidence at an earlier court hearing said police video showed Samaniego “walking by, taking out a gun and firing.”
Samaniego remains jailed on $1 million bail. He pleaded guilty June 22 in a separate misdemeanor drug case and was sentenced to 45 days in jail.
The police officer, Shay Mikalonis, 29, was wounded in the head. He has been transferred to an out-of-state spinal injury rehabilitation center.
In a statement released by police, Mikalonis’ family said he remained paralyzed from the neck down, on a ventilator and unable to speak.


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--City of Tulsa will remove Black Lives Matter street sign

TULSA , Okla. ( AP ) - The city of Tulsa has decided to remove a massive “ Black Lives Matter ” sign painted on a city street following a request from a group of local Republicans seeking permission to paint a “ Back the Blue ” sign .
Tulsa councilors decided to get rid of the sign during a Wednesday council meeting in which they discussed whether paintings on city streets are legal without permits .
The discussion kicked off last week after Bob Jack , chairman of the Tulsa Republican Party , asked his councilor about the procedure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement officers .
Jack said it was a rhetorical question because he already knows the city does not have a process for street paintings .
Jack said he is not against the signs , but he doesn ’ t think it should be on a city street .
Tulsa City attorney David O ’ Meilia said paintings on city streets are only allowed for safety reasons , like crosswalks or yield signs .
Councilor Connie Dodson said she is not against what the “ Black Lives Matter ” sign represents .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown , it is kind of a slippery slope when it gets into that kind of activity , ” Dodson said .
Dodson asked the City Attorney ’ s Office to draft an ordinance “ that would prohibit this type of free speech on our sidewalks and streets so that it is clear and then we don ’ t have the ambiguity anymore.
” Without the city ’ s approval , a group of activists and volunteers painted the sign just before the arrival of President Donald Trump for a campaign rally and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emancipation of Black slaves in America .
Briana Shea , who helped make the 250 foot ( 76.20 meters ) long sign , said she thought it healed the community the days surrounding Trump ’ s visit .
“ I am kind of disappointed that it was left up to a city vote , not a community vote , because it was all based around community and community ( donated ) dollars , not city dollars , ” Shea said .
The Mayor ’ s Office said Wednesday that there is not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Black Lives Matter ” sign .
City Traffic Engineer Kurt Kraft said he was told not to remove the street sign until the City Council could meet with the Mayor ’ s Office to discuss next steps .

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The city of Tulsa has decided to remove a massive “Black Lives Matter” sign painted on a city street following a request from a group of local Republicans seeking permission to paint a “Back the Blue” sign.
Tulsa councilors decided to get rid of the sign during a Wednesday council meeting in which they discussed whether paintings on city streets are legal without permits.
The discussion kicked off last week after Bob Jack, chairman of the Tulsa Republican Party, asked his councilor about the procedure for painting a mural in support of law enforcement officers. Jack said it was a rhetorical question because he already knows the city does not have a process for street paintings.
Jack said he is not against the signs, but he doesn’t think it should be on a city street.
Tulsa City attorney David O’Meilia said paintings on city streets are only allowed for safety reasons, like crosswalks or yield signs.
Councilor Connie Dodson said she is not against what the “Black Lives Matter” sign represents.
“But (as) this discussion has shown, it is kind of a slippery slope when it gets into that kind of activity,” Dodson said.
Dodson asked the City Attorney’s Office to draft an ordinance “that would prohibit this type of free speech on our sidewalks and streets so that it is clear and then we don’t have the ambiguity anymore.”
Without the city’s approval, a group of activists and volunteers painted the sign just before the arrival of President Donald Trump for a campaign rally and Juneteenth, a state holiday commemorating the emancipation of Black slaves in America.
Briana Shea, who helped make the 250 foot (76.20 meters) long sign, said she thought it healed the community the days surrounding Trump’s visit.
“I am kind of disappointed that it was left up to a city vote, not a community vote, because it was all based around community and community (donated) dollars, not city dollars,” Shea said.
The Mayor’s Office said Wednesday that there is not a scheduled day or time to remove the “Black Lives Matter” sign.
City Traffic Engineer Kurt Kraft said he was told not to remove the street sign until the City Council could meet with the Mayor’s Office to discuss next steps.


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--Austin Police Look to the Public For Help in Austin Shooting

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - Homicide detectives at the Austin Police Department are asking for the public ’ s help investigating a Saturday night shooting at an Austin protest that left one man dead , according to a statement Thursday .
“ This incident is of immense importance to our community and has generated questions that deserve answers , ” Austin police said in a statement .
Austin officials are encouraging anyone with relevant information , including original video footage or images , to come forward .
Officials said detectives have contacted nearby businesses with visible cameras and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and images provided by witnesses .
Austin police said a suspect has not been identified in the ongoing investigation .
Garrett Foster died after being shot at a Black Lives Matter protest on Saturday .
Police said that according to witnesses , a disturbance began when a vehicle started honking at protesters .
The vehicle stopped as protesters crossed the roadway and Foster , who was holding an AK-47 type assault rifle , approached the driver ’ s side window .
He was shot from inside the vehicle .
A subject called 911 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shooting and driven away from the scene .
The caller stated they had shot someone who had approached their driver ’ s window with a rifle .
Officers located and brought the caller to the homicide office to be interviewed .

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Homicide detectives at the Austin Police Department are asking for the public’s help investigating a Saturday night shooting at an Austin protest that left one man dead, according to a statement Thursday.
“This incident is of immense importance to our community and has generated questions that deserve answers,” Austin police said in a statement.
Austin officials are encouraging anyone with relevant information, including original video footage or images, to come forward. Officials said detectives have contacted nearby businesses with visible cameras and reviewed their footage, along with video and images provided by witnesses.
Austin police said a suspect has not been identified in the ongoing investigation.
Garrett Foster died after being shot at a Black Lives Matter protest on Saturday. Police said that according to witnesses, a disturbance began when a vehicle started honking at protesters. The vehicle stopped as protesters crossed the roadway and Foster, who was holding an AK-47 type assault rifle, approached the driver’s side window. He was shot from inside the vehicle.
A subject called 911 and stated they had been involved in a shooting and driven away from the scene. The caller stated they had shot someone who had approached their driver’s window with a rifle. Officers located and brought the caller to the homicide office to be interviewed.