washingtontimes--2020-10-02--TV's 'Warrior' latest proof that Bruce Lee still holds sway

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Even nearly 50 years after his death , Bruce Lee can still make ripples .
From this summer ’ s ESPN documentary , “ Be Water , ” to Quentin Tarantino ’ s heavily criticized depiction of him in “ Once Upon a Time … In Hollywood , ” the martial arts legend continues to captivate audiences .
That continues with “ Warrior , ” a Cinemax historical drama inspired by his original idea and premiering its second season Friday .
A screen icon who struggled with racism , Lee is now influencing the careers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces a national reckoning on race and representation .
“ I ’ m more proud of something like ‘ Warrior ’ than if I was putting on a superhero costume and being the token Asian , ” said leading man Andrew Koji , who credits the show with helping him land the role of Storm Shadow opposite Henry Golding in the upcoming “ G.I .
Joe ” movie “ Snake Eyes.
” “ It has helped me open doors , literally , but also in terms of confidence in my ability.
” Koji @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese immigrant Ah Sahm who arrives in 1870s San Francisco .
“ Game of Thrones ” level carnage ensues .
Instead of warring houses , there are warring Chinatown gangs known as tongs .
The crime drama doesn ’ t shy away from showing anti-Chinese racism - painfully relatable 150 years later in the COVID-19 era .
“ They wrote this a year and a half ago , ” Koji said .
“ It ’ s just scary how relevant it is because we haven ’ t learned.
” The production came from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Warner Bros. in 1971 .
But the studio “ wouldn ’ t sign off on having a Chinese man star in an American TV series , ” according to daughter , Shannon Lee .
The treatment and Lee ’ s accompanying handwritten notes sat in his family ’ s garage until 2015 , when “ The Fast and the Furious ” franchise director Justin Lin asked Shannon Lee about it .
Lin helped get the concept on the development track and became an executive producer .
Jonathan Tropper , co-creator of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fan-boy , boarded as showrunner .
Koji , who is of Japanese and British descent , studied martial arts growing up but knew little about Lee .
He ’ s since consumed Lee ’ s movies , writings and philosophies .
In the beginning , Koji was worried that he was essentially playing Lee and that people would compare them .
But Shannon Lee assured him that they wanted the best actor , not martial artist .
“ She said ’ No , just keep doing your thing .
Don ’ t worry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ ” Koji said .
It remains unclear whether “ Warrior ” will get a third season .
Cinemax decided earlier this year to stop producing original programming .
Canceling it would especially hurt in a TV landscape with few Asian-led vehicles .
Shannon Lee isn ’ t giving up on finding a new home for “ Warrior , ” which will eventually be available on HBO Max .
It ’ s helped reveal another side of her father , she said .
“ I think he ’ s really getting his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows how to story-tell , ” Shannon Lee said .
“ We ’ re finally getting to see he wasn ’ t just a flash in the pan.
” Any fan of Lee - who died in 1973 at age 32 after an allergic reaction to pain medication - will recognize his DNA in the brutal , blood-spilling fights .
Dustin Nguyen , a star on the original “ 21 Jump Street ” series in the ’ 80s , plays a menacing tong leader and directed an episode this season .
A huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old training partner , Nguyen helped sprinkle in nods to his idol .
“ It ’ s just little things that the writers put in there to pay homage to Bruce Lee without being a caricature , which I think is the danger zone whenever you get to the subject of Bruce Lee , ” Nguyen said .
“ There ’ s lots of bad caricatures and portrayals of who he is and what people think he is.
” One of those , in Shannon Lee ’ s view , was her father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ’ s “ Once Upon a Time … In Hollywood ” movie .
She was incensed watching a boastful Bruce challenge Brad Pitt ’ s stuntman to a fight .
It was especially “ irresponsible ” as Tarantino never consulted her but spoke with families of other real-life characters .
“ He was not a bully and he was not arrogant , ” she said .
“ Quite frankly , my father was treated in that film like he was by white Hollywood when he was alive.
” It was sheer coincidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” aired on ESPN in June .
Almost like a tonic to Tarantino ’ s film , director Bao Nguyen fleshed out the difficult path Lee had to stardom through archival footage and interviews , including with Shannon Lee .
The title comes from Lee ’ s belief that fighters need to be “ formless ” and adapt like water .
If Lee were alive , his daughter believes he would be part of the current national conversation about Hollywood white privilege and support Black Lives Matter .
“ He believed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not holding it against them , ” Shannon Lee said .
“ He was interested in people showing up as themselves and being authentic.
” Tang reported from Phoenix and is a member of The Associated Press ’ Race and Ethnicity team .
Follow her on Twitter at https : //twitter.com/ttangAP

Even nearly 50 years after his death, Bruce Lee can still make ripples.
From this summer’s ESPN documentary, “Be Water,” to Quentin Tarantino’s heavily criticized depiction of him in “Once Upon a Time … In Hollywood,” the martial arts legend continues to captivate audiences.
That continues with “Warrior,” a Cinemax historical drama inspired by his original idea and premiering its second season Friday. A screen icon who struggled with racism, Lee is now influencing the careers of the mostly Asian cast as Hollywood faces a national reckoning on race and representation.
“I’m more proud of something like ‘Warrior’ than if I was putting on a superhero costume and being the token Asian,” said leading man Andrew Koji, who credits the show with helping him land the role of Storm Shadow opposite Henry Golding in the upcoming “G.I. Joe” movie “Snake Eyes.”
“It has helped me open doors, literally, but also in terms of confidence in my ability.”
Koji plays the series’ titular warrior, Chinese immigrant Ah Sahm who arrives in 1870s San Francisco. “Game of Thrones” level carnage ensues. Instead of warring houses, there are warring Chinatown gangs known as tongs. The crime drama doesn’t shy away from showing anti-Chinese racism - painfully relatable 150 years later in the COVID-19 era.
“They wrote this a year and a half ago,” Koji said. “It’s just scary how relevant it is because we haven’t learned.”
The production came from an eight-page, typed treatment Lee offered to Warner Bros. in 1971. But the studio “wouldn’t sign off on having a Chinese man star in an American TV series,” according to daughter, Shannon Lee.
The treatment and Lee’s accompanying handwritten notes sat in his family’s garage until 2015, when “The Fast and the Furious” franchise director Justin Lin asked Shannon Lee about it. Lin helped get the concept on the development track and became an executive producer. Jonathan Tropper, co-creator of the show “Banshee” and a Lee fan-boy, boarded as showrunner.
Koji, who is of Japanese and British descent, studied martial arts growing up but knew little about Lee. He’s since consumed Lee’s movies, writings and philosophies. In the beginning, Koji was worried that he was essentially playing Lee and that people would compare them. But Shannon Lee assured him that they wanted the best actor, not martial artist.
“She said ’No, just keep doing your thing. Don’t worry about finding out who Bruce Lee is,’” Koji said.
It remains unclear whether “Warrior” will get a third season. Cinemax decided earlier this year to stop producing original programming. Canceling it would especially hurt in a TV landscape with few Asian-led vehicles.
Shannon Lee isn’t giving up on finding a new home for “Warrior,” which will eventually be available on HBO Max. It’s helped reveal another side of her father, she said.
“I think he’s really getting his due as a creative - someone who knows how to story-tell,” Shannon Lee said. “We’re finally getting to see he wasn’t just a flash in the pan.”
Any fan of Lee - who died in 1973 at age 32 after an allergic reaction to pain medication - will recognize his DNA in the brutal, blood-spilling fights.
Dustin Nguyen, a star on the original “21 Jump Street” series in the ’80s, plays a menacing tong leader and directed an episode this season. A huge fan who studied under Lee’s old training partner, Nguyen helped sprinkle in nods to his idol.
“It’s just little things that the writers put in there to pay homage to Bruce Lee without being a caricature, which I think is the danger zone whenever you get to the subject of Bruce Lee,” Nguyen said. “There’s lots of bad caricatures and portrayals of who he is and what people think he is.”
One of those, in Shannon Lee’s view, was her father’s “cameo” in last year’s “Once Upon a Time … In Hollywood” movie. She was incensed watching a boastful Bruce challenge Brad Pitt’s stuntman to a fight. It was especially “irresponsible” as Tarantino never consulted her but spoke with families of other real-life characters.
“He was not a bully and he was not arrogant,” she said. “Quite frankly, my father was treated in that film like he was by white Hollywood when he was alive.”
It was sheer coincidence that the documentary, “Be Water,” aired on ESPN in June. Almost like a tonic to Tarantino’s film, director Bao Nguyen fleshed out the difficult path Lee had to stardom through archival footage and interviews, including with Shannon Lee. The title comes from Lee’s belief that fighters need to be “formless” and adapt like water.
If Lee were alive, his daughter believes he would be part of the current national conversation about Hollywood white privilege and support Black Lives Matter.
“He believed in celebrating people’s cultures and backgrounds and not holding it against them,” Shannon Lee said. “He was interested in people showing up as themselves and being authentic.”
___
Tang reported from Phoenix and is a member of The Associated Press’ Race and Ethnicity team. Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ttangAP


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools see 3.2% drop in enrollment

CHARLOTTE , N.C. ( AP ) - The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have experienced a 3.2 % drop in student enrollment .
@ @ @ @ @ students .
The Charlotte Observer reported Friday that there were 142,177 students enrolled .
Last @ @ @ @ @ was 146,888 .
The enrollment drop falls in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ steep decline would affect state funding is directly tied to student enrollment .
But legislation @ @ @ @ @ s General Assembly holds school districts harmless for enrollment drops because of he pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ school districts based on enrollment projections .
Money has been typically taken back when enrollment @ @ @ @ @ two months of the school year .
CMS began the year with virtual-only instruction .
@ @ @ @ @ a plan to gradually bring students back .

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have experienced a 3.2% drop in student enrollment. That amounts to nearly 5,000 students.
The Charlotte Observer reported Friday that there were 142,177 students enrolled. Last year’s head count was 146,888.
The enrollment drop falls in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. In previous years, a steep decline would affect state funding is directly tied to student enrollment. But legislation passed by the state’s General Assembly holds school districts harmless for enrollment drops because of he pandemic.
The state allocates money to school districts based on enrollment projections. Money has been typically taken back when enrollment falls short during the first two months of the school year.
CMS began the year with virtual-only instruction. School board members recently approved a plan to gradually bring students back.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Police: 5 officers resign after Black man's death in custody

CHARLOTTE , N.C. ( AP ) - Five North Carolina police officers have resigned amid accusations they failed to seek immediate medical attention for a Black man who died after fatally ingesting drugs before being taken into custody , officials announced .
The four Charlotte Mecklenburg police officers and one sergeant left their roles after Chief Johnny Jennings recommended them for dismissal , the official said at a news conference Thursday in which the department also released video of the January encounter .
Jennings had recommended their termination for not following department policy of seeking medical assistance for Harold Easter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cocaine at the scene of a drug investigation .
The policy required that anyone suspected of ingesting drugs must be evaluated before being taken to jail , The Charlotte Observer reported .
“ If they had followed policy , we would have at the minimum given Harold Easter a chance , ” Jennings said Thursday .
Authorities have said that during a low-speed car chase , Easter ate a large amount of crack cocaine and he continued to eat , or try to eat , cocaine as he struggled during his arrest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mouth , according to video of the arrest .
He suffered a medical emergency in a police interview room , where he had been left unattended for more than 40 minutes .
At the time of his arrest , officers were required to visually check on people in custody every 15 minutes , The Observer said .
“ He was clearly in need of medical attention , ” Jennings has said .
District Attorney Spencer Merriweather III said in a September report to the State Bureau of Investigation that prosecutors could not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they would not be able to prove that Easter would have lived even if he had received immediate medical attention .

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Five North Carolina police officers have resigned amid accusations they failed to seek immediate medical attention for a Black man who died after fatally ingesting drugs before being taken into custody, officials announced.
The four Charlotte Mecklenburg police officers and one sergeant left their roles after Chief Johnny Jennings recommended them for dismissal, the official said at a news conference Thursday in which the department also released video of the January encounter.
Jennings had recommended their termination for not following department policy of seeking medical assistance for Harold Easter, a 41-year-old suspect who ingested crack cocaine at the scene of a drug investigation. The policy required that anyone suspected of ingesting drugs must be evaluated before being taken to jail, The Charlotte Observer reported.
“If they had followed policy, we would have at the minimum given Harold Easter a chance,” Jennings said Thursday.
Authorities have said that during a low-speed car chase, Easter ate a large amount of crack cocaine and he continued to eat, or try to eat, cocaine as he struggled during his arrest. Officers were aware Easter put drugs in his mouth, according to video of the arrest.
He suffered a medical emergency in a police interview room, where he had been left unattended for more than 40 minutes. At the time of his arrest, officers were required to visually check on people in custody every 15 minutes, The Observer said.
“He was clearly in need of medical attention,” Jennings has said.
District Attorney Spencer Merriweather III said in a September report to the State Bureau of Investigation that prosecutors could not file involuntary manslaughter charges against the officers because they would not be able to prove that Easter would have lived even if he had received immediate medical attention.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--SC woman sentenced to prison in abuse death of toddler

YORK , S.C. ( AP ) - A South Carolina woman was sentenced to 18 years in prison for failing to protect her toddler from deadly child abuse .
The State reported that Circuit Judge Dan Hall imposed the term on Lakeisha Jackson , 27 , during a hearing Thursday .
She pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse and two counts of child neglect and abuse .
Jackson has been in jail since April 2018 when her son , Miguel Williams , was found dead in a home in Rock Hill .
Jackson and the child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , initially claimed the boy drowned in a motel bathtub , a prosecutor said .
But police found that the child had been beaten and suffered injuries that included broken ribs and organ damage .
The parents drank alcohol and took drugs for hours and then claimed the child drowned at a motel in a bathtub , prosecutor Erin Joyner said .
The two then blamed each other for the child ’ s injuries , Joyner said .
Williams was sentenced to 23 years in prison a year ago after pleading guilty to @ @ @ @ @

YORK, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina woman was sentenced to 18 years in prison for failing to protect her toddler from deadly child abuse.
The State reported that Circuit Judge Dan Hall imposed the term on Lakeisha Jackson, 27, during a hearing Thursday. She pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse and two counts of child neglect and abuse.
Jackson has been in jail since April 2018 when her son, Miguel Williams, was found dead in a home in Rock Hill.
Jackson and the child’s father, Bruce Leroy Williams, initially claimed the boy drowned in a motel bathtub, a prosecutor said. But police found that the child had been beaten and suffered injuries that included broken ribs and organ damage.
The parents drank alcohol and took drugs for hours and then claimed the child drowned at a motel in a bathtub, prosecutor Erin Joyner said. The two then blamed each other for the child’s injuries, Joyner said.
Williams was sentenced to 23 years in prison a year ago after pleading guilty to homicide by child abuse.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Steven Mnuchin, Treasury secretary, tests negative for COVID-19

“ As part of regular protocols , Secretary ( Mnuchin ) has been tested daily for COVID-19 .
He tested @ @ @ @ @ and will continue to be tested daily , ” Treasury Department spokesperson Monica Crowley tweeted @ @ @ @ @ Mnuchin visited House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell separately on Capitol @ @ @ @ @ for a coronavirus relief package .

Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin on Friday tested negative for COVID-19.
“As part of regular protocols, Secretary (Mnuchin) has been tested daily for COVID-19. He tested negative for COVID-19 this morning and will continue to be tested daily,” Treasury Department spokesperson Monica Crowley tweeted on Friday morning.
Mr. Mnuchin visited House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell separately on Capitol Hill this week during negotiations for a coronavirus relief package.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Atheist advocacy group sues state over religious voter oath

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - An atheist advocacy group has filed a lawsuit against Alabama ’ s secretary of state , claiming a mandatory religious oath on voter registration forms is unconstitutional .
A Wednesday news release from The Freedom From Religion Foundation said Alabama is the only state that requires voters to swear “ so help me God ” when signing the registration form .
The Wisconsin-based group is filing the lawsuit against Secretary of State John H. Merrill on behalf of four Alabamians , who said their constitutional rights have been obstructed because “ they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The secretary of state ’ s official policy is to hinder the registration of voters who are unable to swear ‘ so help me God , ’ ” the news release said .
“ This policy violates the rights of the plaintiffs and others under the First and 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution.
” The release said the lead plaintiff is atheist Randal Cragun , who has been trying to register to vote since November 2019 .
The foundation said Cragun contacted Merrill ’ s office requesting any type of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swear a religious oath but the office replied that there was no other way to register without signing that form .
Merrill ’ s office said the registration forms are “ prescribed by statute ” and “ that any changes would require legislative action.
” The foundation dismissed that claim , pointing out that the secretary of state has the authority to create and amend voter registration forms .
The plaintiffs and the foundation are seeking a “ permanent injunction ” stopping the state from requiring the religious oath and offering another registration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The secretary of state has willfully excluded nontheist citizens from registering to vote , ” said the foundation ’ s Senior Litigation Counsel Patrick Elliott , “ and is coercing a statement of belief in a monotheistic god by requiring nontheists to swear a religious oath .
”

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - An atheist advocacy group has filed a lawsuit against Alabama’s secretary of state, claiming a mandatory religious oath on voter registration forms is unconstitutional.
A Wednesday news release from The Freedom From Religion Foundation said Alabama is the only state that requires voters to swear “so help me God” when signing the registration form.
The Wisconsin-based group is filing the lawsuit against Secretary of State John H. Merrill on behalf of four Alabamians, who said their constitutional rights have been obstructed because “they are unable to swear a religious oath.”
“The secretary of state’s official policy is to hinder the registration of voters who are unable to swear ‘so help me God,’” the news release said. “This policy violates the rights of the plaintiffs and others under the First and 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution.”
The release said the lead plaintiff is atheist Randal Cragun, who has been trying to register to vote since November 2019.
The foundation said Cragun contacted Merrill’s office requesting any type of form that does not require him to swear a religious oath but the office replied that there was no other way to register without signing that form.
Merrill’s office said the registration forms are “prescribed by statute” and “that any changes would require legislative action.”
The foundation dismissed that claim, pointing out that the secretary of state has the authority to create and amend voter registration forms.
The plaintiffs and the foundation are seeking a “permanent injunction” stopping the state from requiring the religious oath and offering another registration form that excludes the oath.
“The secretary of state has willfully excluded nontheist citizens from registering to vote,” said the foundation’s Senior Litigation Counsel Patrick Elliott, “and is coercing a statement of belief in a monotheistic god by requiring nontheists to swear a religious oath.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Madrid officials reluctantly ready city for partial lockdown

MADRID ( AP ) - Madrid ’ s regional government has appealed against a national order that requires a partial lockdown of the Spanish capital just hours before a Friday night deadline for enacting the restrictions in the European coronavirus hot spot .
The appeal asks National Court judges to outlaw restrictions on movement , social gatherings and commerce by arguing that the order by central authorities violates regional self-rule laws and that it provokes “ totally unjustified ” economic damage .
Madrid is leading the resurgence of the virus in Spain , which has Europe ’ s highest cumulative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
The capital had a two-week infection rate of 695 cases per 100,000 residents Thursday , more than twice the national average of 274 cases and seven times the European average , which stood at 94 per 100,000 residents last week , according to the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention .
Under the new national order , Madrid ’ s regional authorities must announce before the end of Friday a set of new measures that will ban all non-essential trips in and out of the capital and nine of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of around 4.8 million .
The national order sets a minimum of restrictions , including the need for commuters to justify that they are going or returning to work , see a doctor or conduct essential administrative or legal errands in order to leave Madrid or the town where they live .
Restaurants will need to close at 11 p.m. and shops at 10 p.m. , with a restriction of 50 % capacity .
Similar measures already apply to more than 1 million residents , and the region has limited social gatherings to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t immediately clear how the new measures could affect the few incoming tourists arriving in Madrid , but regional authorities can ’ t ban foreign visitors unless Spain closes down its borders .
The soft lockdown order comes after weeks of political bickering , with the center-right regional government resisting a full Madrid lockdown and accusing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ’ s left-wing coalition of going after the region for political reasons .

MADRID (AP) - Madrid was set to go into partial lockdown on Friday night, complying with an order from the Spanish government but determined to fight it in the courts.
Measures that ban all nonessential trips in and out of the capital and nine of its suburbs - covering around 4.8 million people - were set to be enacted at 10 p.m. (2000 GMT).
Spain’s Socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said there was a “critical” need to take the new steps in the European coronavirus hot spot.
But officials in Madrid, whose regional government is managed by the conservative Popular Party, balked at the order, saying it would bring chaos and further the sap the economy’s health. It filed an appeal at the National Court against the new measures.
Under the national order, travelers will need to prove that they are going to or from work, to see a doctor or to conduct essential administrative or legal errands in order to leave Madrid or the town where they live.
Restaurants must close at 11 p.m. and shops at 10 p.m., with a restriction of 50% capacity.
Similar measures already apply to more than 1 million residents, and the region has limited social gatherings to a maximum of six people.
Madrid’s legal challenge argues that restrictions violate regional self-rule laws.
Madrid is leading the resurgence of the virus in Spain, which has Europe’s highest cumulative caseload - 770,000 since the onset of the pandemic.
The capital had a two-week infection rate of 695 cases per 100,000 residents Thursday, more than twice the national average of 274 cases and seven times the European average, which stood at 94 per 100,000 residents last week, according to the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
But Madrid regional health chief Enrique Ruiz Escudero said the situation is improving, with the infection rate falling to 607 per 100,000 Friday and four consecutive days of fewer people being admitted to hospitals.
“The numbers give us reason for hope,” he told a news conference.
Madrid continued to report the highest number of new daily cases Friday, with 814 in the previous 24 hours, according to Health Ministry statistics. The second-highest was the Basque region, with 393. Nationally, Spain added 11,325 new cases, more than 3,700 of them over the previous 24 hours.
Madrid legal chief Enrique López said authorities will comply with the national government’s order, deploying more police, even though they believe it will “create chaos.” He estimated the order will cost the Madrid economy 8 billion euros ($9.4 billion). He did not provide details of how the amount was calculated.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has refused to budge, saying Friday that Madrid faces “a moment of extraordinary seriousness.”
“The situation in Madrid is critical because (the region) has 33% of (COVID-19) deaths,” he said in Brussels, where he was attending a European Union summit.
Some passengers at Madrid’s main train station, Atocha, welcomed the new steps.
“I think they need to take strong measures to control the epidemic here in Madrid,” said Vicente Mira, a 62-year-old retired teacher.
Communication manager Pablo Torres, 36, wanted officials to get tough, saying the current measures are “nonsense and a sticking plaster on something that is a lot bigger problem.”
It wasn’t immediately clear how the new measures might affect the few tourists arriving in Madrid, but regional authorities can’t ban foreign visitors unless Spain closes its borders.
___
Barry Hatton reported from Lisbon, Portugal. Alicia Leon and Iain Sullivan in Madrid contributed to this story.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Missouri gubernatorial forum will be Oct. 9

COLUMBIA , Mo .
( AP ) - A forum featuring Republican Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson and his Democratic @ @ @ @ @ Galloway , is back on .
The Missouri Press Association said that the forum has @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 9 at the Missouri Theatre in Columbia .
The forum also will feature Libertarian @ @ @ @ @ Party nominee Jerome Bauer .
The forum is not open to the public .
The @ @ @ @ @ Sept. 25 but was postponed after Parson tested positive for the coronavirus .
He has @ @ @ @ @ symptoms .

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - A forum featuring Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and his Democratic opponent, state Auditor Nicole Galloway, is back on.
The Missouri Press Association said that the forum has been rescheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Missouri Theatre in Columbia. The forum also will feature Libertarian candidate Rik Combs and Green Party nominee Jerome Bauer.
The forum is not open to the public.
The forum had been scheduled for Sept. 25 but was postponed after Parson tested positive for the coronavirus. He has said he did not develop symptoms.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Unemployment drops to 7.9% but US job growth slowed to 661,000 in September under pressure from pand

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Unemployment drops to 7.9 % but US job growth slowed to 661,000 in September under @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON (AP) - Unemployment drops to 7.9% but US job growth slowed to 661,000 in September under pressure from pandemic.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Delaware State president asks students to "be accountable"

DOVER , Del .
( AP ) - The president of Delaware State University is asking students to “ be accountable ” in the wake of a the shooting death of a student at a large party in Dover .
The News Journal reported Thursday that school president Tony Allen called Devin Wright ’ s slaying a “ senseless loss ” and a “ heinous crime.
” Allen also reminded students to “ not only be careful , but to also be accountable.
” “ In addition to our COVID-19 policy , which prohibits large gatherings on campus , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectively make such gatherings illegal and subject to criminal penalty , ” Allen wrote in a statement .
“ It is important that you remember that our actions have consequences.
” A party was attended by “ mostly ” Delaware State University students , police said .
It began jovially and ended in tragedy when a shootout between several people killed Wright and injured another man .
University spokesman Carlos Holmes said the school is investigating the actual number of people who attended the party .
Dover police said they stand by their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the majority were Delaware State University students .

DOVER, Del. (AP) - The president of Delaware State University is asking students to “be accountable” in the wake of a the shooting death of a student at a large party in Dover.
The News Journal reported Thursday that school president Tony Allen called Devin Wright’s slaying a “senseless loss” and a “heinous crime.”
Allen also reminded students to “not only be careful, but to also be accountable.”
“In addition to our COVID-19 policy, which prohibits large gatherings on campus, the Governor has issued several emergency declarations that effectively make such gatherings illegal and subject to criminal penalty,” Allen wrote in a statement.
“It is important that you remember that our actions have consequences.”
A party was attended by “mostly” Delaware State University students, police said. It began jovially and ended in tragedy when a shootout between several people killed Wright and injured another man.
University spokesman Carlos Holmes said the school is investigating the actual number of people who attended the party. Dover police said they stand by their assessment of 300 to 500 attendees and that the majority were Delaware State University students.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Mike Pence and his wife test negative for COVID-19

Vice President Mike Pence has tested negative for COVID-19 , his office said Friday .
“ As has been routine @ @ @ @ @ Pence is tested for COVID-19 every day .
This morning , Vice President Pence and @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 .
Vice President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well @ @ @ @ @ said spokesman Devin O ’ Malley .
Copyright © 2020 The Washington Times , LLC @ @ @ @ @ permission .

Vice President Mike Pence has tested negative for COVID-19, his office said Friday.
“As has been routine for months, Vice President Pence is tested for COVID-19 every day. This morning, Vice President Pence and the Second Lady tested negative for COVID-19. Vice President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery,” said spokesman Devin O’Malley.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--1-year-old escapes injury when shots fired into car

OMAHA , Neb .
( AP ) - Omaha police continue to search for the gunman who fired shots into @ @ @ @ @ a 1-year-old child .
The shooting happened Wednesday night .
Police say several shots were @ @ @ @ @ Huggins in the arm .
His injuries are not considered life-threatening .
Huggins told police @ @ @ @ @ car in front of his home when an SUV pulled up and a man began @ @ @ @ @ daughter was in the back seat but was not struck .

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Omaha police continue to search for the gunman who fired shots into a car, narrowly missing a 1-year-old child.
The shooting happened Wednesday night. Police say several shots were fired, injuring 34-year-old Brian Huggins in the arm. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Huggins told police he was sitting in his car in front of his home when an SUV pulled up and a man began shooting. Huggins’ infant daughter was in the back seat but was not struck.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Police shoot, wound man in eastern South Dakota

MADISON , S.D .
( AP ) - Police in eastern South Dakota shot and wounded a man during a @ @ @ @ @ The standoff happened at a gas station in Madison Wednesday where a man had barricaded @ @ @ @ @ Employees and customers at the Class Corner were evacuated during the standoff .
The South @ @ @ @ @ Office said at one point during the standoff the man was shot and wounded by @ @ @ @ @ Tim Bormann and the Madison Police Department did not say what caused police to shoot @ @ @ @ @ is expected to survive , the Argus Leader reported .
The South Dakota Department of @ @ @ @ @ case .

MADISON, S.D. (AP) - Police in eastern South Dakota shot and wounded a man during a standoff, authorities said.
The standoff happened at a gas station in Madison Wednesday where a man had barricaded himself inside a vehicle. Employees and customers at the Class Corner were evacuated during the standoff.
The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office said at one point during the standoff the man was shot and wounded by police. Attorney General spokesman Tim Bormann and the Madison Police Department did not say what caused police to shoot.
Bormann says the man is expected to survive, the Argus Leader reported.
The South Dakota Department of Criminal Investigation is reviewing the case.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Months later, still no charges after car drove into protest

LAWRENCE , Kan. ( AP ) - The Douglas County district attorney ’ s office is still deciding whether to @ @ @ @ @ earlier this year where vehicles drove into protests in Lawrence .
The Lawrence Journal-World reports @ @ @ @ @ three defendants have been charged for similar allegations that weren ’ t protest-related .
On @ @ @ @ @ a woman accelerating an SUV into protesters during a march against police brutality .
On @ @ @ @ @ drove an SUV through protesters ’ makeshift barricades and into a crowd .
No serious @ @ @ @ @ Kliem , trial assistant for the Douglas County DA ’ s office , said there @ @ @ @ @ involving the protests and the other cases .
She said the cases involving the protests @ @ @ @ @ decisions are likely to be made soon .

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - The Douglas County district attorney’s office is still deciding whether to file charges for two incidents earlier this year where vehicles drove into protests in Lawrence.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports that meanwhile, at least three defendants have been charged for similar allegations that weren’t protest-related.
On May 31, video showed a woman accelerating an SUV into protesters during a march against police brutality. On June 29, another woman drove an SUV through protesters’ makeshift barricades and into a crowd. No serious injuries were reported.
Dorothy Kliem, trial assistant for the Douglas County DA’s office, said there were differences between the cases involving the protests and the other cases. She said the cases involving the protests remain under review and charging decisions are likely to be made soon.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Tesla sales surge as global demand picks up speed

Tesla ’ s third-quarter sales rose 44 % from a year ago as global demand for its electric vehicles proved stronger than most other automakers .
The company said it delivered 139,000 SUVs and sedans from July through September compared with 97,000 deliveries during the same period a year ago .
The sales outpaced Wall Street estimates .
Analysts polled by data provider FactSet expected the company to sell 137,000 vehicles during the quarter .
Tesla could post its fifth straight profitable quarter when it releases third-quarter earnings later this month .
Tesla has weathered the coronavirus pandemic better than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sales rose 2.5 % over the first quarter despite virus precautions forcing the shutdown of its only U.S. assembly plant .
But they were still down 4.8 % from the second quarter of 2019 Tesla posted a surprising $ 104 million net profit from April through June , boosted by the sale of electric vehicle credits to other automakers .
In the second quarter , Tesla said it delivered 90,650 vehicles as it rolled out the new Model Y SUV in the U.S. and China .
Coronavirus restrictions adopted in the San Francisco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only U.S. assembly plant in Fremont , California , for almost two months starting March 23 .
It didn ’ t reopen until May 11 .

Tesla’s third-quarter sales jumped 44% as global demand for its electric vehicles outpaced that of most other automakers.
The company reported Friday that it had delivered 139,000 SUVs and sedans from July through September, compared with 97,000 deliveries during the same period a year ago.
The sales topped even some of the most optimistic projections coming from Wall Street. Analysts polled by data provider FactSet expected the company to sell closer to 137,000.
Telsa has been rewriting the script throughout the year amidst a pandemic that has closed factories and scrambled supply lines.
“This puts Musk & Co. in prime position to hit the area code of 500k units for the year which six months ago was not even on the map for the bulls,’” Daniel Ives of Wedbush wrote Friday.
China was likely a major source of strength in the quarter, Ives said.
Tesla could post its fifth consecutive quarter of profits later this month.
Tesla has weathered the coronavirus pandemic better than most car companies. Second-quarter global sales rose 2.5% over the first quarter despite virus precautions forcing the shutdown of its only U.S. assembly plant. Still, sales fell 4.8% from the second quarter of 2019
Tesla posted a surprising $104 million net profit from April through June, boosted by the sale of electric vehicle credits to other automakers.
In the second quarter, Tesla delivered 90,650 vehicles as it rolled out the new Model Y SUV in the U.S. and China.
Coronavirus restrictions adopted in the San Francisco Bay Area forced Tesla to close its only U.S. assembly plant in Fremont, California, for almost two months this spring, opening again on May 11.
The big sales number did not provide a bump for the company’s shares, which fell 5% at the opening bell. Telsa may be caught up in a broader sell-off in U.S. markets on news that President Donald Trump had tested positive for the coronavirus.
However, shares of Tesla Inc. are up well over 400% this year, hitting an all-time high last month, and most Wall Street analysts expect that trend to continue.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Man finds ring, then finds owner who lost it 20 years ago

LEE ’ S SUMMIT , Mo .
( AP ) - Two decades after a Lee ’ s Summit High School graduate lost his class ring , he has it back thanks to the eagle eyes of Les Postlewait .
KCTV-TV reports that Postlewait likes to look for stuff .
He walks trails or at a skate park with an eye to the ground - not looking for anything particular , just whatever he finds .
“ Every once in a while , you get lucky , ” Postlewait said .
He admits he hadn ’ t found a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the inscription “ JR ” on its side .
He contacted Lee ’ s Summit High School in the Kansas City suburb , where the name J.R. Forasteros showed up in the class of 1999 .
It turned out that Forasteros and some friends were playing sand volleyball three months after he got his ring , and he lost it .
He figured it was gone for good .
When contacted by Postlewait , Forasteros initially thought it was a scam .
“ To get something back that you never thought you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the thing itself is kind of a trinket , is a beautiful thing because it brings back all of those emotions and experiences , ” Forasteros said .
It turns out that Forasteros isn ’ t great with rings .
He lost his wedding ring in the Pacific Ocean .
“ I got a tattoo , ” he said .
“ It ’ s pretty permanent .
If I lose this , it means I lost a whole finger .
”

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. (AP) - Two decades after a Lee’s Summit High School graduate lost his class ring, he has it back thanks to the eagle eyes of Les Postlewait.
KCTV-TV reports that Postlewait likes to look for stuff. He walks trails or at a skate park with an eye to the ground - not looking for anything particular, just whatever he finds.
“Every once in a while, you get lucky,” Postlewait said.
He admits he hadn’t found a lot until he recently discovered a class ring with the inscription “JR” on its side.
He contacted Lee’s Summit High School in the Kansas City suburb, where the name J.R. Forasteros showed up in the class of 1999.
It turned out that Forasteros and some friends were playing sand volleyball three months after he got his ring, and he lost it. He figured it was gone for good.
When contacted by Postlewait, Forasteros initially thought it was a scam.
“To get something back that you never thought you’d see again, even though the thing itself is kind of a trinket, is a beautiful thing because it brings back all of those emotions and experiences,” Forasteros said.
It turns out that Forasteros isn’t great with rings. He lost his wedding ring in the Pacific Ocean.
“I got a tattoo,” he said. “It’s pretty permanent. If I lose this, it means I lost a whole finger.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Tuscaloosa enforcing bar crowd limits as football returns

TUSCALOOSA , Ala. ( AP ) - Officials in Tuscaloosa say they will enforce strict limits on bar capacities as University of Alabama football returns to town Saturday for the first time during the coronavirus pandemic .
Police and fire officials will monitor how many people are inside establishments , Mayor Walt Maddox said , and places with too many people inside will get tickets and orders to shut down , The Tuscaloosa News reported .
Maddox said businesses that violate rules aimed at slowing the spread of the new virus , which causes COVID-19 , could risk having their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We want to demonstrate our seriousness to this , ” Maddox said .
“ None of us want to have to use law enforcement in this matter .
Our law enforcement needs to be focused on other things .
But we have an obligation to protect the health , safety and welfare … and this is a pandemic.
” The crowd inside Bryant-Denny Stadium will be limited to 20 % of normal capacity , or about 20,000 , as No .
2 Alabama plays 13th-ranked Texas A & M ; University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be required , and the school has banned tailgating and large crowds on campus .
The city has previously seen increases in COVID-19 cases after large numbers of people gathered in nightspots .
The state this week rescinded a rule that made bars close early , a move that provides more time for people to gather .
Photos posted on social media have repeatedly shown young people inside college bars in Tuscaloosa and Auburn without face masks or evidence of social distancing despite state rules mandating both .
Tuscaloosa County had the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of COVID-19 over the last week , according to bamatracker.com .
More than 2,500 people have died of COVID-19 in Alabama , according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University .
The state ’ s death count is the 21st highest per capita in the nation at 52.1 deaths per 100,000 people .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Officials in Tuscaloosa say they will enforce strict limits on bar capacities as University of Alabama football returns to town Saturday for the first time during the coronavirus pandemic.
Police and fire officials will monitor how many people are inside establishments, Mayor Walt Maddox said, and places with too many people inside will get tickets and orders to shut down, The Tuscaloosa News reported.
Maddox said businesses that violate rules aimed at slowing the spread of the new virus, which causes COVID-19, could risk having their business license revoked for a second offense.
“We want to demonstrate our seriousness to this,” Maddox said. “None of us want to have to use law enforcement in this matter. Our law enforcement needs to be focused on other things. But we have an obligation to protect the health, safety and welfare … and this is a pandemic.”
The crowd inside Bryant-Denny Stadium will be limited to 20% of normal capacity, or about 20,000, as No. 2 Alabama plays 13th-ranked Texas A&M University on Saturday afternoon. Face masks will be required, and the school has banned tailgating and large crowds on campus.
The city has previously seen increases in COVID-19 cases after large numbers of people gathered in nightspots. The state this week rescinded a rule that made bars close early, a move that provides more time for people to gather.
Photos posted on social media have repeatedly shown young people inside college bars in Tuscaloosa and Auburn without face masks or evidence of social distancing despite state rules mandating both.
Tuscaloosa County had the state’s second-highest average number of new cases of COVID-19 over the last week, according to bamatracker.com.
More than 2,500 people have died of COVID-19 in Alabama, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University. The state’s death count is the 21st highest per capita in the nation at 52.1 deaths per 100,000 people.
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Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Report: Baltimore mural removal wasn't 'racially motivated'

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - The Baltimore Office of the Inspector General has found that allegations a park ranger removed Black Lives Matter murals from a city space for “ racially motivated ” reasons were unsubstantiated .
The office launched an investigation after a complaint was filed in July alleging a ranger in Baltimore ’ s Patterson Park took down wooden panels with paintings showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement , even after the artists had secured permits and design approval , The Baltimore Sun reported .
The report , released Thursday , said the ranger - a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his actions were not found to be “ racially motivated.
” The report did find the employee twice “ engaged in actions while on-duty that were outside the scope ” of his authority .
Those actions were not detailed .
The report found the murals were not initially placed on an authorized artwork permit list given to rangers and were added later to an updated list which the ranger had not received , the report stated .
The office also received complaints that the same ranger made homophobic and racist comments to coworkers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .
Investigators wrote that they could not confirm whether that had happened due to a lack of corroborating statements and documentation .
The report did not name the ranger , but Anthony Ratajczak told The Baltimore Sun that he was the employee who was fired .
Ratajczak said the inspector general ’ s report proved the claims against him were “ false.
” “ I am not this person that everybody is portraying on social media , ” the newspaper previously quoted him as saying .
The Recreation and Parks Department still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the incident , officials said .
The department did not say what steps would be taken .

BALTIMORE (AP) - The Baltimore Office of the Inspector General has found that allegations a park ranger removed Black Lives Matter murals from a city space for “racially motivated” reasons were unsubstantiated.
The office launched an investigation after a complaint was filed in July alleging a ranger in Baltimore’s Patterson Park took down wooden panels with paintings showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement, even after the artists had secured permits and design approval, The Baltimore Sun reported.
The report, released Thursday, said the ranger - a seasonal employee - was fired, though his actions were not found to be “racially motivated.” The report did find the employee twice “engaged in actions while on-duty that were outside the scope” of his authority. Those actions were not detailed.
The report found the murals were not initially placed on an authorized artwork permit list given to rangers and were added later to an updated list which the ranger had not received, the report stated.
The office also received complaints that the same ranger made homophobic and racist comments to coworkers on the job, according to the report. Investigators wrote that they could not confirm whether that had happened due to a lack of corroborating statements and documentation.
The report did not name the ranger, but Anthony Ratajczak told The Baltimore Sun that he was the employee who was fired.
Ratajczak said the inspector general’s report proved the claims against him were “false.”
“I am not this person that everybody is portraying on social media,” the newspaper previously quoted him as saying.
The Recreation and Parks Department still planned to restructure its park ranger program following the incident, officials said. The department did not say what steps would be taken.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Police: Funeral home shooting that hurt 7 stemmed from feud

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - A drive-by shooting that left seven people wounded outside a Milwaukee funeral home was not a random attack , but the result of an ongoing feud between two separate parties , according to police .
Officials did not elaborate in a news release Thursday on the dispute or whether it was connected to the homicide victim that had brought mourners to Serenity Funeral Home on Wednesday afternoon .
Shots were fired from a passing vehicle into a crowd that had gathered for the funeral of Braxton Taylor , a 26-year-old whose slaying remains unsolved .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women ranging in age from 20 to 48 years old , were hospitalized in stable condition , according to acting Milwaukee Police Chief Michael Brunson .
Police said they were working with other law enforcement agencies to arrest the person or people who fired the shots .
The FBI has offered a $ 10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect or suspects .
The funeral home shooting came on a violent day in Milwaukee in which at least nine others were shot in seven separate shootings , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MILWAUKEE (AP) - A drive-by shooting that left seven people wounded outside a Milwaukee funeral home was not a random attack, but the result of an ongoing feud between two separate parties, according to police.
Officials did not elaborate in a news release Thursday on the dispute or whether it was connected to the homicide victim that had brought mourners to Serenity Funeral Home on Wednesday afternoon.
Shots were fired from a passing vehicle into a crowd that had gathered for the funeral of Braxton Taylor, a 26-year-old whose slaying remains unsolved.
All of the injured, including men and women ranging in age from 20 to 48 years old, were hospitalized in stable condition, according to acting Milwaukee Police Chief Michael Brunson.
Police said they were working with other law enforcement agencies to arrest the person or people who fired the shots. The FBI has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect or suspects.
The funeral home shooting came on a violent day in Milwaukee in which at least nine others were shot in seven separate shootings, including two who died, police said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Historic hotel in Kansas closing after 125 years

ABILENE , Kan. ( AP ) - An iconic Kansas hotel with a long history is closing , a casualty @ @ @ @ @ Brookville Hotel in Abilene announced its closure in a Facebook post on Thursday .
The @ @ @ @ @ hotel for 125 years .
The Facebook post cited the COVID-19 pandemic , “ and @ @ @ @ @ resulting from the virus .
“ We hung on as long as we could , @ @ @ @ @ the wall , ” the post said .
The hotel moved from Brookville to Abilene @ @ @ @ @

ABILENE, Kan. (AP) - An iconic Kansas restaurant with a long history is closing, a casualty of the coronavirus.
The Brookville Hotel in Abilene announced its closure in a Facebook post on Thursday. The Martin family has operated the business for 125 years.
The Facebook post cited the COVID-19 pandemic, “and the lack of traffic” resulting from the virus.
“We hung on as long as we could, but the writing was on the wall,” the post said.
The Brookville Hotel moved from Brookville to Abilene about 20 years ago.
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This story was first published on Oct. 2, 2020. It was updated on Oct. 5, 2020, to correct that the Brookville Hotel is a restaurant, not a hotel.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Autopsy finds LA deputies shot Black man 16 times

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - A Black man shot and killed by Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies was wounded 16 times in the front and back , according to an autopsy that doesn ’ t shed any light on whether he was on the ground when he was shot .
Dijon Kizzee , 29 , had four “ rapidly life-threatening wounds ” to the heart , lungs , liver and left kidney , according to the autopsy report that was supplied to The Associated Press on Friday .
The autopsy was conducted on Sept. 2 .
Three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one to the upper center of his back , according to the report , which listed the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death as homicide by law enforcement .
Kizzee also had scrapes to his face , shoulders and other areas , the report said .
The report didn ’ t indicate the order in which the wounds occurred and noted that the autopsy doesn ’ t necessarily indicate the position of Kizzee ’ s body when he was shot .
Attorneys for the family have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being fired as he lay on the ground .
Kizzee was killed Aug. 31 in South Los Angeles after sheriff ’ s deputies tried to stop him for riding a bicycle in the wrong direction .
They said they were unaware he had a weapon wrapped in a piece of clothing he was carrying at the time .
Two deputies told investigators they fatally shot Kizzee after he picked up the handgun he had dropped during a struggle with one of them .
A video showed him stooping down , but a wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be seen in the video , although authorities found a gun at the scene .
However , attorneys for the family say Kizzee wasn ’ t holding the gun when he was shot .
Kizzee “ posed no threat ” to deputies when they fired a total of 19 shots at him , civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump said at a news conference last month .
Carl Douglas , another civil rights attorney who is representing Kizzee ’ s family , said witnesses said the deputies fired three or four shots at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then a second volley while he was on the ground .
Although the official autopsy cited four rapidly life-threatening wounds , Douglas last month said an independent autopsy commissioned by relatives showed that Kizzee did not die instantly and instead writhed on the ground in pain .
The official autopsy found that Kizzee was wounded a total of 16 times .
In addition to chest and back wounds , he had other wounds to his hands , arm , chin , shoulder , hip and the back of his head .
Toxicology tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THC and phencyclidine , sometimes known as PCP , in his blood while some traces of other drugs were found in his urine .
Kizzee ’ s shooting sparked peaceful protests and followed nationwide protests over police confrontations that killed or injured Black men .
George Floyd was killed in May when a Minneapolis officer knelt on his neck , and Jacob Blake was shot in the back and left paralyzed on Aug. 23 in Kenosha , Wisconsin .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Black man shot and killed by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies was wounded 16 times in the front and back, according to an autopsy that doesn’t shed any light on whether he was on the ground when he was shot.
Dijon Kizzee, 29, had four “rapidly life-threatening wounds” to the heart, lungs, liver and left kidney, according to the autopsy report that was supplied to The Associated Press on Friday. The autopsy was conducted on Sept. 2.
Three of the shots were to his chest and one to the upper center of his back, according to the report, which listed the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death as homicide by law enforcement.
Kizzee also had scrapes to his face, shoulders and other areas, the report said.
The report didn’t indicate the order in which the wounds occurred and noted that the autopsy doesn’t necessarily indicate the position of Kizzee’s body when he was shot.
Attorneys for the family have said witnesses described a volley of shots being fired as he lay on the ground.
Kizzee was killed Aug. 31 in South Los Angeles after sheriff’s deputies tried to stop him for riding a bicycle in the wrong direction. They said they were unaware he had a weapon wrapped in a piece of clothing he was carrying at the time.
Two deputies told investigators they fatally shot Kizzee after he picked up the handgun he had dropped during a struggle with one of them. A video showed him stooping down, but a wall blocked a full view. No weapon could be seen in the video, although authorities found a gun at the scene.
However, attorneys for the family say Kizzee wasn’t holding the gun when he was shot.
Kizzee “posed no threat” to deputies when they fired a total of 19 shots at him, civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump said at a news conference last month.
A message to his office Friday wasn’t immediately returned.
Carl Douglas, another civil rights attorney who is representing Kizzee’s family, said witnesses said the deputies fired three or four shots at Kizzee, followed by a pause and then a second volley while he was on the ground.
Although the official autopsy cited four rapidly life-threatening wounds, Douglas last month said an independent autopsy commissioned by relatives showed that Kizzee did not die instantly and instead writhed on the ground in pain.
The official autopsy found that Kizzee was wounded a total of 16 times. In addition to chest and back wounds, he had other wounds to his hands, arm, chin, shoulder, hip and the back of his head.
Toxicology tests determined that Kizzee had the marijuana compound THC and phencyclidine, sometimes known as PCP, in his blood while some traces of other drugs were found in his urine.
Kizzee’s shooting sparked peaceful protests and followed nationwide protests over police confrontations that killed or injured Black men. George Floyd was killed in May when a Minneapolis officer knelt on his neck, and Jacob Blake was shot in the back and left paralyzed on Aug. 23 in Kenosha, Wisconsin.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Radish seeds, meats and cheeses launched to space station

CAPE CANAVERAL , Fla. ( AP ) - A space station cargo ship rocketed into orbit Friday carrying a 360-degree camera for spacewalking , radish seeds for growing and a smorgasbord of fancy meats and cheeses for feasting .
Northrop Grumman launched its capsule to the International Space Station from the Virginia coast , providing a nighttime treat for observers from the Carolinas to New England , at least where skies were clear .
“ It was a spectacular launch , ” said NASA ’ s deputy space station program manager Kenny Todd .
“ Creating the artificial dawn for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s just gorgeous.
” The 8,000-pound ( 3,600-kilogram ) shipment should reach the space station Monday .
Stashed aboard the Cygnus capsule : pressurized air tanks to help offset a vexing leak at the space station , a new $ 23 million titanium toilet custom fit for women , and a virtual reality camera to provide cinematic views of spacewalks and other outdoor shots .
Plus there ’ s more fresh food than usual , given that the space station population will be expanding from six to seven with SpaceX ’ s second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the delicacies requested by the astronauts : proscuitto , Genoa salami , smoked Gouda and provolone , brie , cherry tomatoes , oranges , pecans and chocolate-covered cranberries in plenty of time for Thanksgiving .
The astronauts also will get a chance to enjoy their own harvest .
Researchers are hoping for 40 radishes from the seeds going up , within a month .
While growing radishes in orbit may sound trivial , “ it is actually a transition from basic plant biology in space to a production system ” that could benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hasenstein , a biology professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette who is leading the experiment .
Larger plants like peppers and tomatoes should follow in a few years , adding to astronauts ’ diet .
NASA ’ s new toilet , meanwhile , will be tested at the orbiting outpost before accompanying astronauts to the moon in a few years .
It will join two larger , old-style , Russian-built commodes already up there .
The new one is designed to better accommodate women , who are expected to have an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular capsule , in fact , the SS Kalpana Chawla , is named after the first India-born woman in space .
Chawla was among the seven astronauts killed in the 2003 shuttle Columbia accident .
The delivery is running a little late .
Bad weather at Wallops Island led to a two-day delay earlier in the week , then software issues forced a last-minute launch abort of Northrop Grumman ’ s Antares rocket on Thursday .
Barely a half hour later Friday night , NASA ’ s other shipper , SpaceX , tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canaveral , Florida , for the new U.S. Space Force .
But the countdown was halted around the two-second mark .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - A space station cargo ship rocketed into orbit Friday carrying a 360-degree camera for spacewalking, radish seeds for growing and a smorgasbord of fancy meats and cheeses for feasting.
Northrop Grumman launched its capsule to the International Space Station from the Virginia coast, providing a nighttime treat for observers from the Carolinas to New England, at least where skies were clear.
“It was a spectacular launch,” said NASA’s deputy space station program manager Kenny Todd. “Creating the artificial dawn for a few minutes there, it’s just gorgeous.”
The 8,000-pound (3,600-kilogram) shipment should reach the space station Monday.
Stashed aboard the Cygnus capsule: pressurized air tanks to help offset a vexing leak at the space station, a new $23 million titanium toilet custom fit for women, and a virtual reality camera to provide cinematic views of spacewalks and other outdoor shots.
Plus there’s more fresh food than usual, given that the space station population will be expanding from six to seven with SpaceX’s second astronaut launch on Oct. 31.
Among the delicacies requested by the astronauts: proscuitto, Genoa salami, smoked Gouda and provolone, brie, cherry tomatoes, oranges, pecans and chocolate-covered cranberries in plenty of time for Thanksgiving.
The astronauts also will get a chance to enjoy their own harvest. Researchers are hoping for 40 radishes from the seeds going up, within a month.
While growing radishes in orbit may sound trivial, “it is actually a transition from basic plant biology in space to a production system” that could benefit moon and Mars explorers, said Karl Hasenstein, a biology professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette who is leading the experiment.
Larger plants like peppers and tomatoes should follow in a few years, adding to astronauts’ diet.
NASA’s new toilet, meanwhile, will be tested at the orbiting outpost before accompanying astronauts to the moon in a few years. It will join two larger, old-style, Russian-built commodes already up there. The new one is designed to better accommodate women, who are expected to have an increasing presence in space exploration.
This particular capsule, in fact, the SS Kalpana Chawla, is named after the first India-born woman in space. Chawla was among the seven astronauts killed in the 2003 shuttle Columbia accident.
The delivery is running a little late. Bad weather at Wallops Island led to a two-day delay earlier in the week, then software issues forced a last-minute launch abort of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket on Thursday.
Barely a half hour later Friday night, NASA’s other shipper, SpaceX, tried to launch a GPS satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida, for the new U.S. Space Force. But the countdown was halted around the two-second mark.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Stewart lifts Storm to Game 1 WNBA Finals win over Aces

BRADENTON , Fla. ( AP ) - The Seattle Storm ’ s lead down to two with a quarter left , Breanna Stewart took over .
The big-game player scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter and finished with 37 to help the Storm beat the Las Vegas Aces 93-80 on Friday night in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals .
“ I ’ m excited for the big moment and the big stage .
I expect to be here , ” Stewart said .
“ Been here whether its college , WNBA or USA continuing to embrace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is why I play basketball .
This is why I play to have big games to help my team in big moments.
” Jewell Loyd added 28 points and Sue Bird had a WNBA playoff-record 16 assists .
Bird had 10 assists in the first half to also break that playoff record .
Game 2 of the best-of-five series is Sunday .
Stewart added 15 rebounds and four blocks .
She was a point short of the WNBA Finals record set by Angel McCoughtry .
With Seattle holding a two-point lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge Las Vegas rally , Stewart took over .
She scored the first 11 points of the period to restore a double-digit advantage and finished with 15 in the quarter .
The 2018 MVP , who missed last season with a torn Achilles ’ tendon , hit three 3-pointers in the game-changing burst .
“ She got that look in her eyes that she ’ ll take over , ” Seattle coach Gary Kloppenburg said .
“ Hit some 3s , got inside got to the line .
it was fabulous down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our focus in the third quarter .
got into a halfcourt game .
picked their defense up .
we didn ’ t respond in that third quarter and let them all the way back in .
proud of the way we refocused and regrouped and solid in that fourth quarter and got a run going to stretch it out for the win .
McCoughtry scored 20 points to lead Las Vegas , which was playing in the WNBA Finals for the first time since the franchise moved to the Nevada city three years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finals in 2008 when it was located in San Antonio .
A ’ ja Wilson , the league ’ s MVP , added 19 points .
The Aces also lost the first game of their semifinal series to Connecticut before winning in five games .
“ We just got to buckle down and lock in from the start , ’ Wilson said .
” There ’ s no guarantee this series is the exact same .
Now we see the looks we were getting and got to knock those down.
” Seattle is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win four titles , joining Houston and Minnesota .
The Storm were champions in 2004 , 2010 and 2018 .
The Storm trailed 34-31 with 6:26 left in the second quarter before going on a 26-6 run to close the half .
Stewart and Loyd combined for 17 points during that spurt as Seattle scored the first 14 points in the burst .
Seattle increased the lead to 19 to start the third quarter , but the Aces rallied with a huge run of their own to tie it at 67 just before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We came out flat , worked so hard to come back into the game it took to a lot out of us , ” Aces coach Bill Laimbeer said .
HELPING HAND : Bird broke the playoff assists record of 14 she held with Courtney Vandersloot of Chicago .
Eight players had reached 11 assists in a finals game before Bird ’ s record performance .
She also set her own career-best for assists regular season and the playoffs .
“ I think Stewie and Jewell were pretty much on fire , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team plays and the offense was constructed dates back to when Jenny Boucek was our coach .
We move it in a way to create opportunity as a point guard trying to find the open player .
Assists is a two-person thing and those two played amazing.
” BEST SELLER : Bird had the top-selling jersey in the WNBA this season , the league announced earlier Friday .
It ’ s the first time in her career that the Storm guard led the list .
“ It ’ s pretty cool , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have some new WNBA fans , ” Bird said .
“ I ’ ve been here so long , you got that jersey 10-11-12 years ago .
Maybe it ’ s a sign new people are interested in the league and they are coping those jerseys and it ’ s pretty cool.
” Wilson was sixth on the list and Stewart seventh .
The Storm were the overall leader as far as popularity in merchandise .
The Aces were fourth on the list MISSING : Both teams will be without key reserves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year , injured her knee in the semifinals against Connecticut and is not expected to play in the championship series .
Seattle sharpshooter Sami Whitcomb left the bubble to be with her wife as she gives birth to the couple ’ s first child .

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - The Seattle Storm’s lead down to two with a quarter left, Breanna Stewart took over.
The big-game player scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter and finished with 37 to help the Storm beat the Las Vegas Aces 93-80 on Friday night in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.
“I’m excited for the big moment and the big stage. I expect to be here,” Stewart said. “Been here whether its college, WNBA or USA continuing to embrace that moment and take advantage of it. This is why I play basketball. This is why I play to have big games to help my team in big moments.”
Jewell Loyd added 28 points and Sue Bird had a WNBA playoff-record 16 assists. Bird had 10 assists in the first half to also break that playoff record. Game 2 of the best-of-five series is Sunday.
Stewart added 15 rebounds and four blocks. She was a point short of the WNBA Finals record set by Angel McCoughtry.
With Seattle holding a two-point lead heading into the fourth quarter after a huge Las Vegas rally, Stewart took over.
She scored the first 11 points of the period to restore a double-digit advantage and finished with 15 in the quarter. The 2018 MVP, who missed last season with a torn Achilles’ tendon, hit three 3-pointers in the game-changing burst.
“She got that look in her eyes that she’ll take over,” Seattle coach Gary Kloppenburg said. “Hit some 3s, got inside got to the line. it was fabulous down the stretch.
“We kind of lost our focus in the third quarter. got into a halfcourt game. picked their defense up. we didn’t respond in that third quarter and let them all the way back in. proud of the way we refocused and regrouped and solid in that fourth quarter and got a run going to stretch it out for the win.
McCoughtry scored 20 points to lead Las Vegas, which was playing in the WNBA Finals for the first time since the franchise moved to the Nevada city three years ago. The team was in the finals in 2008 when it was located in San Antonio. A’ja Wilson, the league’s MVP, added 19 points.
The Aces also lost the first game of their semifinal series to Connecticut before winning in five games.
“We just got to buckle down and lock in from the start,’ Wilson said. ”There’s no guarantee this series is the exact same. Now we see the looks we were getting and got to knock those down.”
Seattle is trying to become the third team to win four titles, joining Houston and Minnesota. The Storm were champions in 2004, 2010 and 2018.
The Storm trailed 34-31 with 6:26 left in the second quarter before going on a 26-6 run to close the half. Stewart and Loyd combined for 17 points during that spurt as Seattle scored the first 14 points in the burst.
Seattle increased the lead to 19 to start the third quarter, but the Aces rallied with a huge run of their own to tie it at 67 just before the end of the quarter.
“We came out flat, worked so hard to come back into the game it took to a lot out of us,” Aces coach Bill Laimbeer said.
HELPING HAND: Bird broke the playoff assists record of 14 she held with Courtney Vandersloot of Chicago. Eight players had reached 11 assists in a finals game before Bird’s record performance. She also set her own career-best for assists regular season and the playoffs.
“I think Stewie and Jewell were pretty much on fire,” Bird said. “The way our team plays and the offense was constructed dates back to when Jenny Boucek was our coach. We move it in a way to create opportunity as a point guard trying to find the open player. Assists is a two-person thing and those two played amazing.”
BEST SELLER: Bird had the top-selling jersey in the WNBA this season, the league announced earlier Friday. It’s the first time in her career that the Storm guard led the list.
“It’s pretty cool, not going to lie. Dawned on me we have some new WNBA fans,” Bird said. “I’ve been here so long, you got that jersey 10-11-12 years ago. Maybe it’s a sign new people are interested in the league and they are coping those jerseys and it’s pretty cool.”
Wilson was sixth on the list and Stewart seventh. The Storm were the overall leader as far as popularity in merchandise. The Aces were fourth on the list
MISSING: Both teams will be without key reserves in the finals. Dearica Hamby, the WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, injured her knee in the semifinals against Connecticut and is not expected to play in the championship series. Seattle sharpshooter Sami Whitcomb left the bubble to be with her wife as she gives birth to the couple’s first child.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Police shoot man to death in southwestern Washington

LONGVIEW , Wash. ( AP ) - Police have shot and killed a 33-year-old man they were trying to arrest on a warrant in southwestern Washington , according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff ’ s Office .
The Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team is investigating the shooting , which happened around 1:30 p.m. Friday in Longview , the Cowlitz County Sheriff ’ s Office said in a news release .
The man was armed and ran from Longview detectives , the sheriff ’ s office said .
Police failed to to capture him using less-than-lethal means , the sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer fired at the man during a chase on foot , the sheriff ’ s office said .
The man died late at a hospital .
The sheriff ’ s office did not give any further details , including whether the man pointed or fired a gun at police , the Daily News reported .
The involved officers name or names , the man ’ s name and why a warrant had been issued for his arrest have not been relelased .
No officers were injured , the sheriff ’ s office said @

LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) - Police have shot and killed a 33-year-old man they were trying to arrest on a warrant in southwestern Washington, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.
The Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team is investigating the shooting, which happened around 1:30 p.m. Friday in Longview, the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
The man was armed and ran from Longview detectives, the sheriff’s office said. Police failed to to capture him using less-than-lethal means, the sheriff’s office said.
At least one officer fired at the man during a chase on foot, the sheriff’s office said.
The man died late at a hospital. The sheriff’s office did not give any further details, including whether the man pointed or fired a gun at police, the Daily News reported. The involved officers name or names, the man’s name and why a warrant had been issued for his arrest have not been relelased.
No officers were injured, the sheriff’s office said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Tillis tests positive for COVID-19; says he's asymptomatic

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced Friday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 , but says he has no symptoms .
The Republican ’ s office issued a statement saying that a rapid antigen test Friday came back positive .
Tillis said he undergoes testing regularly and had tested negative as recently as last Saturday .
Tillis is the latest person to be diagnosed with the virus after attending the Supreme Court nomination ceremony in the White House Rose Garden for Amy Coney Barrett .
Tillis was wearing a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second member of the Senate Judiciary Committee to test positive .
Just a few hours earlier , Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah announced that he , too , is infected .
A spokesman for Tillis didn ’ t immediately respond to an email Friday night asking if the senator had recently been in close proximity to President Donald Trump , who was hospitalized after testing positive for the virus .
Tillis said in the statement that he ’ s going to isolate for 10 days and is reaching out to those he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Thankfully , I have no symptoms and I feel well .
As we all know , COVID-19 is a very contagious and deadly virus , especially because many carriers are asymptomatic , ” he said .
He urged North Carolina residents to wear masks , socially distance and wash their hands .
In a close race for re-election , Tillis is suspending in-person campaign events and temporarily closing his Charlotte campaign office , the campaign said in a news release .
Campaign staff who have come into contact with Tillis will quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported mask-wearing .
He was among the small minority of attendees at a Trump rally in Winston-Salem seen wearing a mask on Sept. 8 .
He ’ s also routinely seen on Capitol Hill wearing a mask .
Tillis ’ opponent in the Senate race , Democrat Cal Cunningham , said on Twitter that he would get tested himself after the two men shared a stage Thursday for their third Senate debate .
They were photographed greeting each other by bumping elbows at the outset of the event .
“ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his positive COVID-19 test , and am thinking of him and his family , ” Cunningham said in a tweet .
North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper , a Democrat , also tweeted that he is praying for a quick recovery for Tillis .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced Friday that he has tested positive for COVID-19, but says he has no symptoms.
The Republican’s office issued a statement saying that a rapid antigen test Friday came back positive. Tillis said he undergoes testing regularly and had tested negative as recently as last Saturday.
Tillis is the latest person to be diagnosed with the virus after attending the Supreme Court nomination ceremony in the White House Rose Garden for Amy Coney Barrett. Tillis was wearing a mask at the ceremony.
He is the second member of the Senate Judiciary Committee to test positive. Just a few hours earlier, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah announced that he, too, is infected.
A spokesman for Tillis didn’t immediately respond to an email Friday night asking if the senator had recently been in close proximity to President Donald Trump, who was hospitalized after testing positive for the virus.
Tillis said in the statement that he’s going to isolate for 10 days and is reaching out to those he’s been in contact with.
“Thankfully, I have no symptoms and I feel well. As we all know, COVID-19 is a very contagious and deadly virus, especially because many carriers are asymptomatic,” he said.
He urged North Carolina residents to wear masks, socially distance and wash their hands.
In a close race for re-election, Tillis is suspending in-person campaign events and temporarily closing his Charlotte campaign office, the campaign said in a news release. Campaign staff who have come into contact with Tillis will quarantine and receive virus tests.
Tillis has supported mask-wearing. He was among the small minority of attendees at a Trump rally in Winston-Salem seen wearing a mask on Sept. 8. He’s also routinely seen on Capitol Hill wearing a mask.
Tillis’ opponent in the Senate race, Democrat Cal Cunningham, said on Twitter that he would get tested himself after the two men shared a stage Thursday for their third Senate debate. They were photographed greeting each other by bumping elbows at the outset of the event.
“I’m wishing @SenThomTillis a quick recovery following his positive COVID-19 test, and am thinking of him and his family,” Cunningham said in a tweet.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, also tweeted that he is praying for a quick recovery for Tillis.
___ Follow Drew at www.twitter.com/JonathanLDrew


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--COVID-19 claims 47 more lives, Illinois toll now at 8,743

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - Illinois public health officials say at least 8,743 people have died in the @ @ @ @ @ including 47 confirmed deaths reported Friday .
The latest daily death toll is the highest @ @ @ @ @ .
The Illinois Department of Public Health reports 2,206 more people were confirmed to carry @ @ @ @ @ were tested , bringing the state ’ s seven-day positivity rate to 3.4 % .
@ @ @ @ @ , almost 5.8 million COVID-19 tests have been administered in Illinois , and 297,646 people @ @ @ @ @ of Thursday night , 1,678 Illinois coronavirus patients were hospitalized , with 373 receiving intensive @ @ @ @ @ .
Health officials say nearly a third of the state ’ s 102 counties are @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus warning level .

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois public health officials say at least 8,743 people have died in the state due to COVID-19, including 47 confirmed deaths reported Friday.
The latest daily death toll is the highest for Illinois in three months. The Illinois Department of Public Health reports 2,206 more people were confirmed to carry the virus, after 72,691 were tested, bringing the state’s seven-day positivity rate to 3.4%.
Over the last six months, almost 5.8 million COVID-19 tests have been administered in Illinois, and 297,646 people have tested positive.
As of Thursday night, 1,678 Illinois coronavirus patients were hospitalized, with 373 receiving intensive care and 162 on ventilators.
Health officials say nearly a third of the state’s 102 counties are considered to be at a coronavirus warning level.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Sue Bird sets WNBA assist record in finals game

BRADENTON , Fla. ( AP ) - Sue Bird set a WNBA Finals assist record in Game 1 of the @ @ @ @ @ Vegas on Friday night .
Bird had her record-breaking 12th assist in the third quarter @ @ @ @ @ Stewart with 7:19 left in the period .
She passed the mark set by Nikki @ @ @ @ @ 2002 and accomplished seven other times - last by Alyssa Thomas last season .
The @ @ @ @ @ , who turns 40 in two weeks , had 10 assists in the first half @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier in the day .
the league announced that Bird , who is the @ @ @ @ @ leader , had the top-selling jersey this year .
It was the first time in @ @ @ @ @ topped that list .

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - Sue Bird set a standard for assists in the WNBA Finals.
Bird shattered the previous single-game mark for assists in the finals getting 16 in the Seattle Storm’s 93-80 win over the Las Vegas Aces on Friday night in the opening game of the best-of-five series.
“I think the way that our team plays and the way that our offense is kind of constructed, which actually dates back to even when Jenny Boucek was our coach, it was always about just finding the open player and moving it in a way where it would create opportunities,” Bird said. “For me as a point guard, I’m just out there trying to find the open player. But like I said, and I’ve always said this, assists is a two-person thing, and tonight (Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd) played amazing.”
The previous record was 11, accomplished eight players before, most recently by Alyssa Thomas last season.
“She really did a good job finding the open person, and we shot the ball really well,” Storm coach Gary Kloppenburg said. “Just a tremendous floor game for Sue.”
Bird also broke the playoff assists record of 14 she held with Courtney Vandersloot of Chicago. The Storm guard had 10 assists in the first half - also a WNBA Finals most - set her own career-best for assists regular season and the playoffs.
Most of her assists came to either Breanna Stewart or Jewell Loyd, who had 37 points and 28 respectively. The record-breaking 12th assist in the third quarter on a pass to Stewart with 7:19 left in the period.
Bird is the WNBA career assists leader with 2,888 in the regular season. She moved into third place on the Finals assist list with 68, trailing only Lindsay Whalen (120) and Maya Moore (70). Bird is playing in her fourth WNBA Finals, and appeared in her 51st playoff game dating back to 2002.
She only played in half of the regular-season games this year as she dealt with a bone bruise in her knee, averaging 5.2 assists. She missed both of Seattle’s games against Las Vegas this season.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Thom Tillis tests positive for coronavirus

At least six people who attended the White House ceremony last weekend for President Trump ’ s Supreme Court pick announced Friday they have tested positive for COVID-19 , fueling speculation that the Rose Garden gathering is becoming a “ superspreader ” event .
Former White House advisor Kellyanne Conway said on Twitter that she tested positive , just hours after Sen. Thom Tillis said he did .
They follow announcements by President Trump , first lady Melania Trump , Sen. Mike Lee and Notre Dame University President John Jenkins .
All were at the White House when Mr. Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Coney Barrett to fill the vacant Supreme Court seat .
Both Mr. Lee and Mr. Tillis sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee , which is slated to begin processing Judge Barrett ’ s nomination , with hearings to begin Oct. 12 .
Mr. Lee , in his statement announcing his positive test , said he ’ ll be back in time to take part .
The 10-day isolation period for a positive test would end just as the confirmation hearings begin .
Media reports have speculated that the White House ceremony , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been a “ superspreader event , ” with few attendees wearing masks and lots of handshakes and hugs being exchanged .
Photos of the event showed those who announced their positive tests all grouped near the front .
Ms. Conway ’ s daughter , Claudia , broke the news of her mother ’ s condition on social media platform TikTok , saying Ms. Conway had been coughing and showing symptoms at their house during the day .
Ms. Conway , who left her White House job over the summer but returned for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed the diagnosis on Twitter , saying her symptoms were “ mild ( light cough ) and I ’ m feeling fine.
” Father Jenkins , who was in attendance because Judge Barrett has taught at the school , also announced Friday he tested positive .
He had put himself in quarantine earlier in the week after apologizing for shaking hands and not wearing a mask .
Judge Barrett already contracted and recovered from the virus over the summer .
Mr. Tillis , North Carolina Republican , is in the middle of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he has no symptoms , but will be isolating at home for 10 days .
In his statement he said he is “ routinely ” tested and had a negative test last Saturday , but his latest rapid test Friday came back positive .
“ Thankfully , I have no symptoms and I feel well , ” he said .
He urged people to wear masks , wash hands and practice social distancing .
Mr. Tillis took part in a debate with his Democratic opponent on Thursday night .
The Tillis campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were in contact with the senator over the last week , it has shuttered its campaign headquarters and it ’ s halting in-person campaign events .
It will also notify anyone it determines came in contact with Mr. Tillis on the campaign trail this week .

At least six people who attended the White House ceremony last weekend for President Trump’s Supreme Court pick announced Friday they have tested positive for COVID-19, fueling speculation that the Rose Garden gathering is becoming a “superspreader” event.
Former White House advisor Kellyanne Conway said on Twitter that she tested positive, just hours after Sen. Thom Tillis said he did.
Tonight I tested positive for COVID-19. My symptoms are mild (light cough) and I’m feeling fine. I have begun a quarantine process in consultation with physicians.
As always, my heart is with everyone affected by this global pandemic. ❤ — Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) October 3, 2020
They follow announcements by President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Sen. Mike Lee and Notre Dame University President John Jenkins.
All were at the White House when Mr. Trump announced Saturday that he was nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett to fill the vacant Supreme Court seat.
Both Mr. Lee and Mr. Tillis sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is slated to begin processing Judge Barrett’s nomination, with hearings to begin Oct. 12.
Mr. Lee, in his statement announcing his positive test, said he’ll be back in time to take part.
The 10-day isolation period for a positive test would end just as the confirmation hearings begin.
Media reports have speculated that the White House ceremony, held in the Rose Garden, may have been a “superspreader event,” with few attendees wearing masks and lots of handshakes and hugs being exchanged.
Photos of the event showed those who announced their positive tests all grouped near the front.
Ms. Conway’s daughter, Claudia, broke the news of her mother’s condition on social media platform TikTok, saying Ms. Conway had been coughing and showing symptoms at their house during the day.
Kellyanne Conway’s daughter Claudia Conway says her mother is “coughing all around the house after Trump tested positive for Covid” on TikTok. pic.twitter.com/TZNWwpOGW4 — Megha Mohan (@meghamohan) October 3, 2020
Ms. Conway, who left her White House job over the summer but returned for last weekend’s ceremony, then confirmed the diagnosis on Twitter, saying her symptoms were “mild (light cough) and I’m feeling fine.”
Father Jenkins, who was in attendance because Judge Barrett has taught at the school, also announced Friday he tested positive. He had put himself in quarantine earlier in the week after apologizing for shaking hands and not wearing a mask.
Judge Barrett already contracted and recovered from the virus over the summer.
Mr. Tillis, North Carolina Republican, is in the middle of a campaign battle to save his seat, said he has no symptoms, but will be isolating at home for 10 days.
In his statement he said he is “routinely” tested and had a negative test last Saturday, but his latest rapid test Friday came back positive.
“Thankfully, I have no symptoms and I feel well,” he said.
He urged people to wear masks, wash hands and practice social distancing.
Mr. Tillis took part in a debate with his Democratic opponent on Thursday night.
The Tillis campaign said Friday it is testing all staffers who were in contact with the senator over the last week, it has shuttered its campaign headquarters and it’s halting in-person campaign events.
It will also notify anyone it determines came in contact with Mr. Tillis on the campaign trail this week.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-02--Kim Jong-un sends well wishes to Donald Trump, Melania

SEOUL , South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday sent a message of sympathy to President Donald Trump and his wife Melania , wishing they would recover from the COVID-19 illness , state media reported .
“ He sincerely hoped that they would recover as soon as possible .
He hoped they will surely overcome it , ” the Korean Central News Agency reported .
“ He sent warm greetings to them.
” Trump said Friday he and his wife had tested positive for the coronavirus , and leaders across the world have sent messages of goodwill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once exchanged threats of total destruction and crude insults after North Korea in 2017 carried out a series of high-profile weapons tests aimed at acquiring an ability to launch nuclear strikes on the U.S. mainland .
Trump had said he would rain “ fire and fury ” on North Korea and derided Kim as “ little rocket man ” on a suicide mission , while Kim responded he would “ tame the mentally deranged U.S. dotard with fire.
” But they stopped such rhetoric and instead developed personal relationships after Kim abruptly reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the fate of his advancing nuclear arsenal .
They met three times , starting with a summit in Singapore in June 2018 that made Trump the first sitting U.S. president to meet a North Korea leader since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War .
But their meetings made little headway since their second summit in Vietnam ended without any deal following disputes over U.S.-led sanctions on North Korea .
Before their nuclear talks entered a stalemate , Trump said that he and Kim “ fell in love .
”

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday sent a message of sympathy to President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, wishing they would recover from the COVID-19 illness, state media reported.
“He sincerely hoped that they would recover as soon as possible. He hoped they will surely overcome it,” the Korean Central News Agency reported. “He sent warm greetings to them.”
Trump said Friday he and his wife had tested positive for the coronavirus, and leaders across the world have sent messages of goodwill to the couple.
Kim and Trump once exchanged threats of total destruction and crude insults after North Korea in 2017 carried out a series of high-profile weapons tests aimed at acquiring an ability to launch nuclear strikes on the U.S. mainland. Trump had said he would rain “fire and fury” on North Korea and derided Kim as “little rocket man” on a suicide mission, while Kim responded he would “tame the mentally deranged U.S. dotard with fire.”
But they stopped such rhetoric and instead developed personal relationships after Kim abruptly reached out to Trump in 2018 for talks on the fate of his advancing nuclear arsenal.
They met three times, starting with a summit in Singapore in June 2018 that made Trump the first sitting U.S. president to meet a North Korea leader since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. But their meetings made little headway since their second summit in Vietnam ended without any deal following disputes over U.S.-led sanctions on North Korea.
Before their nuclear talks entered a stalemate, Trump said that he and Kim “fell in love.”