washingtontimes--2020-09-03--21-year-old young adult author gets 7-figure book deal

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A 21-year-old author has agreed to a seven-figure deal for a pair of young @ @ @ @ @ Friends , an imprint of Macmillan Children ’ s Publishing Group , announced Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ ’ s highly anticipated debut , the thriller “ Ace of Spades , ” in @ @ @ @ @ also plans a second novel , currently untitled .
Feiwel and Friends is calling “ @ @ @ @ @ combination of “ Gossip Girl ” and “ Get Out , ” the story of @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmingly white private school and how they get caught up in a “ disturbing and @ @ @ @ @ hope readers in the U.S. see that Black people belong in stories like ‘ Gossip @ @ @ @ @ Little Liars , ’ and that above everything else we deserve happy endings , ” @ @ @ @ @ currently attending college in Scotland , said in a statement .
Feiwel acquired North American @ @ @ @ @ .
Usborne will release Àbíké-Íyímídé ’ s work in the United Kingdom .

NEW YORK (AP) - A 21-year-old author has agreed to a seven-figure deal for a pair of young adult novels.
Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, announced Thursday that it would publish Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé’s highly anticipated debut, the thriller “Ace of Spades,” in June 2021. The author also plans a second novel, currently untitled.
Feiwel and Friends is calling “Ace of Spades” a combination of “Gossip Girl” and “Get Out,” the story of two Black students at an overwhelmingly white private school and how they get caught up in a “disturbing and deadly game.”
“I hope readers in the U.S. see that Black people belong in stories like ‘Gossip Girl’ and ‘Pretty Little Liars,’ and that above everything else we deserve happy endings,” Àbíké-Íyímídé, a London resident currently attending college in Scotland, said in a statement.
Feiwel acquired North American rights to the two books. Usborne will release Àbíké-Íyímídé’s work in the United Kingdom.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Washington AG sues Juul, saying it targets minors

SEATTLE ( AP ) - Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a consumer protection lawsuit against vaping giant Juul Labs , saying the country ’ s largest e-cigarette company targets underage consumers .
Juul intentionally used young models , bright colors and candy-flavored vaping juice to lure in young users , Ferguson alleges in the suit filed Wednesday in King County Superior Court .
The company deceived consumers in general about the addictiveness of its vape products , failing for years to disclose the presence of nicotine , according to the lawsuit .
“ JUUL ’ s conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they must be held accountable , ” Ferguson said at a news briefing on Zoom .
The percentage of vaping teens in Washington rose from 13 % in 2016 to more than 20 % by 2018 , according to Ferguson ’ s office .
Juul stopped selling fruit and dessert flavors in October 2019 , The Seattle Times reported .
Ferguson said a 2018 study of Juul ’ s Twitter audience showed that 80 % of its followers were between 13 and 20 years old and that the company knew but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to reset the vapor category in the U.S. and seek to earn the trust of society by working cooperatively with attorneys general , legislators , regulators , public health officials , and other stakeholders to combat underage use and transition adult smokers from combustible cigarettes , Juul spokesperson Austin Finan said in an email .
“ We will respond to the allegations in the complaint through the appropriate legal channels.
” Ferguson ’ s lawsuit is the latest legal trouble for the company , and for the vaping industry more generally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vapors for selling its products without strong age verification and because that company never received a license from the state to deliver vapor products into Washington .
Vaping in general has come under scrutiny in the past couple of years as a spate of lung illnesses and deaths seem to be connected to inhalation of e-cigarette ingredients .

SEATTLE (AP) - Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a consumer protection lawsuit against vaping giant Juul Labs, saying the country’s largest e-cigarette company targets underage consumers.
Juul intentionally used young models, bright colors and candy-flavored vaping juice to lure in young users, Ferguson alleges in the suit filed Wednesday in King County Superior Court. The company deceived consumers in general about the addictiveness of its vape products, failing for years to disclose the presence of nicotine, according to the lawsuit.
“JUUL’s conduct reversed decades of progress fighting nicotine addiction, and they must be held accountable,” Ferguson said at a news briefing on Zoom.
The percentage of vaping teens in Washington rose from 13% in 2016 to more than 20% by 2018, according to Ferguson’s office.
Juul stopped selling fruit and dessert flavors in October 2019, The Seattle Times reported.
Ferguson said a 2018 study of Juul’s Twitter audience showed that 80% of its followers were between 13 and 20 years old and that the company knew but did not address it.
“We will continue to reset the vapor category in the U.S. and seek to earn the trust of society by working cooperatively with attorneys general, legislators, regulators, public health officials, and other stakeholders to combat underage use and transition adult smokers from combustible cigarettes, Juul spokesperson Austin Finan said in an email. “We will respond to the allegations in the complaint through the appropriate legal channels.”
Ferguson’s lawsuit is the latest legal trouble for the company, and for the vaping industry more generally.
Last month, Ferguson sued E-Juice Vapors for selling its products without strong age verification and because that company never received a license from the state to deliver vapor products into Washington.
Vaping in general has come under scrutiny in the past couple of years as a spate of lung illnesses and deaths seem to be connected to inhalation of e-cigarette ingredients.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Audit: Political mail delayed in Baltimore before primary

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - About 68,000 pieces of political mail were delayed for five days upon arriving at a Baltimore mail processing facility ahead of Maryland ’ s June primary , according to a U.S .
Postal Service audit .
The mail , described as campaign materials from a candidate , was sent May 12 and “ sat unprocessed ” for nearly a week before management discovered it , the audit ’ s findings , published Monday , show .
Brooklyn , New York ; Charleston , W.Va. ; Indianapolis ; Oklahoma City ; Portland , Ore. ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included in the Postal Service inspector general ’ s national audit .
The audit specified political mail as “ any mailpiece created by a registered political candidate , a campaign committee or a committee of a political party for political campaign purposes.
” Auditors found that no ballots were among the delayed mail in Baltimore , though 200 ballots were found untouched in Oklahoma City and several facilities did not properly verify that all political mail had been processed in the weeks before the primaries .
The audit was intended to evaluate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the November general election , the inspector general said in a statement Monday .
Postal Service leaders have faced criticism over delays and cutbacks just as millions of Americans prepare to vote by mail to avoid polling places during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Postal Service has warned states , including Maryland , that it could not guarantee all ballots cast by mail would arrive in time to be counted , even if mailed by deadlines .
Freda Sauter , a regional spokeswoman for the Postal Service , said in an email to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to delivering election mail in a timely manner this fall .

BALTIMORE (AP) - About 68,000 pieces of political mail were delayed for five days upon arriving at a Baltimore mail processing facility ahead of Maryland’s June primary, according to a U.S. Postal Service audit.
The mail, described as campaign materials from a candidate, was sent May 12 and “sat unprocessed” for nearly a week before management discovered it, the audit’s findings, published Monday, show.
Brooklyn, New York; Charleston, W.Va.; Indianapolis; Oklahoma City; Portland, Ore.; and Santa Clarita, Calif., were also included in the Postal Service inspector general’s national audit. The audit specified political mail as “any mailpiece created by a registered political candidate, a campaign committee or a committee of a political party for political campaign purposes.”
Auditors found that no ballots were among the delayed mail in Baltimore, though 200 ballots were found untouched in Oklahoma City and several facilities did not properly verify that all political mail had been processed in the weeks before the primaries.
The audit was intended to evaluate the Postal Service’s readiness ahead of the November general election, the inspector general said in a statement Monday.
Postal Service leaders have faced criticism over delays and cutbacks just as millions of Americans prepare to vote by mail to avoid polling places during the coronavirus pandemic. The Postal Service has warned states, including Maryland, that it could not guarantee all ballots cast by mail would arrive in time to be counted, even if mailed by deadlines.
Freda Sauter, a regional spokeswoman for the Postal Service, said in an email to The Baltimore Sun that the agency was committed to delivering election mail in a timely manner this fall.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Sioux Falls police investigate shooting of 17-year-old girl

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
( AP ) - Police in Sioux Falls are investigating whether the shooting of a @ @ @ @ @ or intentional .
The girl was shot in the head by an 18-year-old man handling @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , according to police spokesman Sam Clemens .
“ He was handling the gun @ @ @ @ @ what we know , ” Clemens said .
Clemens says the girl is hospitalized in @ @ @ @ @ is in custody on possible charges of aggravated assault and reckless discharge of a weapon @

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Police in Sioux Falls are investigating whether the shooting of a 17-year-old girl was an accident or intentional.
The girl was shot in the head by an 18-year-old man handling a gun at a residence Tuesday, according to police spokesman Sam Clemens.
“He was handling the gun when it went off is what we know,” Clemens said.
Clemens says the girl is hospitalized in critical condition. The man is in custody on possible charges of aggravated assault and reckless discharge of a weapon.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--EU share of electric cars grew during virus lockdown months

FRANKFURT , Germany ( AP ) - The market share of electric cars in Europe increased during and immediately after the worst of the pandemic lockdowns , industry figures showed Thursday , even as overall sales of vehicles of all types plunged during the second quarter .
The new figures come as automakers ramp up electric car production under pressure to meet tough new emissions limits next year .
The share of chargeable cars rose to 7.2 % percent in the April-June quarter from 6.8 % in the first quarter , according to figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and plug-in hybrids , which combine a battery that can be charged from a wall plug with an internal combustion engine , to extend range .
Chargeable vehicles sales fell , to 129,000 from 167,000 , but the overall car market shrank even more , by more than 50 percent for both diesel and gasoline-engine cars .
The April-June quarter included the worst of the lockdowns that limited movements and gatherings .
Market share is important because carmakers will be judged by their fleet average under tough new limits on carbon dioxide emissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The new limits , aimed at combating global warming , mean that carmakers must make and sell more low-emission cars .
Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas blamed by scientists for global warming .
The second half of the year will see Europe ’ s largest carmaker , Volkswagen , launch sales of its battery-only ID.3 , intended as a mass-market electric option starting at less than 30,000 euros ( $ 35,500 ) .
Uptake of electric cars had been slow until this year due to concerns about range , places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prices have been falling , however , and a carmaker consortium is building a network of highway fast-charging stations .
Governments have also increased subsidies for electric vehicle sales as part of economic stimulus programs aimed at cushioning the pandemic recession .
The share of sales that went to diesel cars fell to 29.4 % from 31.3 % in the same period a year ago .
Diesel sales have plummeted in the wake of Volkswagen ’ s 2015 scandal over diesel cars manipulated to cheat on emissions standards in the U.S. Lucien Mathieu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Environment , said that “ despite the pandemic , electric car sales are growing at an unprecedented rate ” and that electric vehicles and hybrids are taking market share from diesel and gasoline models , which emit greenhouse gases and pollutants that harm people ’ s health .
“ 2020 is the year of the electric car in Europe , ” he said .
The U.S. , with cheap gasoline and a federal government that wants to roll back fuel economy requirements , is moving more slowly in adopting electric vehicles .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to a slowdown in electric sales late last year , but the government is moving ahead with requirements for more low-emission vehicles over the long term .

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - The market share of electric cars in Europe increased during and immediately after the worst of the pandemic lockdowns, industry figures showed Thursday, even as overall sales of vehicles of all types plunged during the second quarter. The new figures come as automakers ramp up electric car production under pressure to meet tough new emissions limits next year.
The share of chargeable cars rose to 7.2% percent in the April-June quarter from 6.8% in the first quarter, according to figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. The figures include both battery-only vehicles and plug-in hybrids, which combine a battery that can be charged from a wall plug with an internal combustion engine, to extend range.
Chargeable vehicles sales fell, to 129,000 from 167,000, but the overall car market shrank even more, by more than 50 percent for both diesel and gasoline-engine cars. The April-June quarter included the worst of the lockdowns that limited movements and gatherings.
Market share is important because carmakers will be judged by their fleet average under tough new limits on carbon dioxide emissions that come fully into force next year. The new limits, aimed at combating global warming, mean that carmakers must make and sell more low-emission cars. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas blamed by scientists for global warming.
The second half of the year will see Europe’s largest carmaker, Volkswagen, launch sales of its battery-only ID.3, intended as a mass-market electric option starting at less than 30,000 euros ($35,500). Uptake of electric cars had been slow until this year due to concerns about range, places to charge and higher prices. Battery prices have been falling, however, and a carmaker consortium is building a network of highway fast-charging stations. Governments have also increased subsidies for electric vehicle sales as part of economic stimulus programs aimed at cushioning the pandemic recession.
Uptake of electrics has been heavily tilted toward the 27-country EU’s wealthier western members. For instance, there were 8,137 chargeable vehicles registered in the Netherlands in the second quarter compared to 328 in Romania.
The share of sales that went to diesel cars fell to 29.4% from 31.3% in the same period a year ago. Diesel sales have plummeted in the wake of Volkswagen’s 2015 scandal over diesel cars manipulated to cheat on emissions standards in the United States.
Lucien Mathieu, e-mobility analyst with environmental lobby Transport & Environment, said that “despite the pandemic, electric car sales are growing at an unprecedented rate” and that electric vehicles and hybrids are taking market share from diesel and gasoline models, which emit greenhouse gases and pollutants that harm people’s health. “2020 is the year of the electric car in Europe,” he said.
The U.S., with cheap gasoline and a federal government that wants to roll back fuel economy requirements, is moving more slowly in adopting electric vehicles. In China, a reduction in subsidies led to a slowdown in electric sales late last year, but the government is moving ahead with requirements for more low-emission vehicles over the long term.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Nepal protesters defy virus lockdown, clash with riot police

KATHMANDU , Nepal ( AP ) - Thousands of protesters defying a government coronavirus lockdown to take part in an religious festival clashed with riot police in Nepal on Thursday , leaving several people injured .
The protesters had gathered in the city of Lalitpur where a 5-story-high chariot holding a statue of the deity Rato Machindranath was built but parked for months because of government orders not hold the annual festival due to fear over the spread of the coronavirus .
The statue is normally pulled around the city for a month .
Police officers in riot gear blocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dousing them with water cannons .
Police fired tear gar to disperse the protesters , who in return threw stones at the police .
The clash continued for hours and spread to the small cobble stone alleys in the city , which is south of the capital , Kathmandu .
Nepalese authorities have banned outdoor festivals and religious gatherings since March to stop the spread of coronavirus .
Kathmandu and surrounding districts have been on a lockdown since last month that prohibits people from leaving their homes .
A nationwide lockdown was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the disease , but that was finally lifted in July .
However , the number of virus cases kept climbing , prompting the government to impose prohibition orders in districts with the most cases .
Travel is still restricted and the airport is allowing only a limited number of international flights since this week .
Borders are officially closed and tourists are not allowed to enter Nepal .
Nepal has had 42,877 confirmed cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began and 257 deaths .
The festival is a month-long event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deity whose statue is made from clay and covered in red paint with eyes wide open - is pulled around the city for a month in the belief that it will to please gods so they can provide for a generous rainfall , a good harvest and prosperity .
It is believed this festival has been held for more than 1,350 years .

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) - Thousands of protesters defying a government coronavirus lockdown to take part in an religious festival clashed with riot police in Nepal on Thursday, leaving several people injured.
The protesters had gathered in the city of Lalitpur where a 5-story-high chariot holding a statue of the deity Rato Machindranath was built but parked for months because of government orders not hold the annual festival due to fear over the spread of the coronavirus. The statue is normally pulled around the city for a month.
Police officers in riot gear blocked the protesters when they moved the chariot, dousing them with water cannons. Police fired tear gar to disperse the protesters, who in return threw stones at the police.
The clash continued for hours and spread to the small cobble stone alleys in the city, which is south of the capital, Kathmandu.
Nepalese authorities have banned outdoor festivals and religious gatherings since March to stop the spread of coronavirus. Kathmandu and surrounding districts have been on a lockdown since last month that prohibits people from leaving their homes.
A nationwide lockdown was first imposed in March to stop the spread of the disease, but that was finally lifted in July.
However, the number of virus cases kept climbing, prompting the government to impose prohibition orders in districts with the most cases.
Travel is still restricted and the airport is allowing only a limited number of international flights since this week. Borders are officially closed and tourists are not allowed to enter Nepal.
Nepal has had 42,877 confirmed cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began and 257 deaths.
The festival is a month-long event where the chariot with Rato Machindranath - a deity whose statue is made from clay and covered in red paint with eyes wide open - is pulled around the city for a month in the belief that it will to please gods so they can provide for a generous rainfall, a good harvest and prosperity.
It is believed this festival has been held for more than 1,350 years.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Cyberattacks, outages hit Florida's largest school district

MIAMI ( AP ) - As Florida ’ s largest school district continues to be plagued by network outages and cyberattacks during the first week of school , officials revealed that a $ 15.3 million contract with the online platform at the center of the crisis was never signed .
Ron Steiger , the Miami-Dade County school district ’ s chief financial officer , made the announcement Wednesday during a school board meeting to discuss the failures of K12 ’ s online platform , My School Online , the Miami Herald reported .
He said the contract was missing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic caused officials to delay the start of classes from mid-August to Aug. 31 , when students started the school year in a virtual format .
But scores of students and teachers have not been able to access the online system .
The Herald reported the school district hasn ’ t made the contract public under Florida ’ s public records law .
School board members have been asking to see the contract , but the district has cited an exemption that allows districts to purchase curriculum without board approval .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from parents following three days of outages and failures .
Some saw a way out of the K12 contract , the newspaper reported .
“ How did we get here and how do we fix this and how do we get kids learning ASAP ?
” asked board member Marta Perez .
She wanted to hear directly from K12 , but the vote failed in committee .
The school district ’ s Chief Academic Officer Marie Izquierdo said officials are working on a solution .
“ We do have a long weekend ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that the alternative would be to revert to the plan that worked when the pandemic started in the spring , when every teacher used whatever platform they felt most comfortable using .
Parents complained then that it was too confusing to navigate multiple platforms .
And the district could only measure one-time log-ins , not sustained participation , which is a feature offered by My School Online .
Izquierdo said the district doesn ’ t have a uniform learning management system like other school districts use .
Broward County , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Wednesday night , an email was sent to all secondary teachers asking them to use Microsoft Teams and Zoom until Sept. 11 .
The district will then assess if grades six through 12 will use K12 beginning Sept. 14 or stick with Microsoft Teams and Zoom .
Izquierdo said the K12 platform was not “ operating effectively ” on a national level for secondary education .
The company said in an emailed statement to the Herald that network outages affected the online platform , adding that the company understood the district ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Online for grades six through 12 .
Wednesday saw some improvement for teachers and students attempting to log onto the system , despite 12 cyberattacks that occurred during the morning hours , district officials said .
More attacks continued throughout the day , the Herald reported .
District officials have determined the cyberattackers have demanded no ransom , and some of the attacks came from outside the U.S. Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has requested a briefing with the Department of Homeland Security on cybersecurity as it relates to school districts .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including foreign cybercriminals , are now targeting online classrooms in order to further disrupt the lives of Americans , ” he said in an emailed statement .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

A 16-year-old student has been arrested for orchestrating a series of network outages and cyberattacks during the first week of school in Florida’s largest district, authorities said Thursday.
District police said they also believe others were involved in the cyberattacks, which have plagued the Miami-Dade schools since they reopened Monday and students began receiving online instruction amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“We will not rest until every one of them is caught and brought to justice,” schools police chief Edwin Lopez said.
Superintendent of Schools Alberto Carvalho said it was “disheartening that one of our own students has admitted to intentionally causing this kind of disruption.”
According to Lopez, the student at South Miami Senior High School told police he had conducted eight attacks on the school computer system “designed to overwhelm district networks.” He has been charged with computer use in an attempt to defraud, which is a felony; and misdemeanor interference with an educational institution.
The student’s name has not been released because he is a juvenile. It was not immediately clear if he has a lawyer to represent him.
Earlier, officials revealed that Carvalho had never signed a $15.3 million contract with the online platform at the center of the crisis. Ron Steiger, the Miami-Dade County school district’s chief financial officer, made the announcement Wednesday during a school board meeting to discuss the failures of K12’s online platform, My School Online, the Miami Herald reported.
The coronavirus pandemic caused officials to delay the start of classes from mid-August to Aug. 31. But scores of students and teachers have not been able to access the online system and the school board has been overwhelmed with complaints.
The school district’s chief academic officer, Marie Izquierdo, said the problem with the K12 platform was happening nationwide, and that officials are working on a solution. The company said in an emailed statement to the Herald that network outages had affected the platform.
Izquierdo said one option in the meantime would be to revert to the plan that worked when the pandemic started in the spring, when every teacher used whatever online platform they felt most comfortable with.
Parents complained then that it was too confusing to navigate multiple platforms. And the district could only measure one-time log-ins, not sustained participation, which is a feature offered by My School Online.
Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has requested a briefing with the Department of Homeland Security on cybersecurity as it relates to school districts.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Binoche, other French environmentalists get pope's backing

VATICAN CITY ( AP ) - Actress Juliette Binoche and fellow French environmentalists received encouragement from Pope Francis at a private Vatican meeting Thursday where he told them people shouldn ’ t lose hope even when the condition of the planet can appear “ catastrophic.
” The urgency for such commitment was made plain by the COVID-19 pandemic , Francis said .
“ We understand to what point we are tied one to the other , inserted in a world whose future we share , and that maltreating it can ’ t help but bring grave consequences , not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ’ the pontiff told his guests .
Binoche and the other activists work with the French Conference of Bishops on environmental themes , which were highlighted by Francis in a 2015 encyclical which exhorted all persons of good will to protect the Earth .
In 2018 , Binoche was an author of a letter calling on politicians to act decisively and swiftly in tackling climate change .
Francis said he was heartened that consciences were being raised about the situation ’ s urgency , and he pledged that the Roman Catholic Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for humanity ’ s “ common home.
” The Catholic Church “ wants to act concretely where it ’ s possible , and wants above all to shape consciences with the aim of favoring a deep and lasting ecological conversion ” to respond to challenges facing the planet , Francis said .
He encouraged the activists in their work to protect the environment .
“ While the conditions of the planet can appear catastrophic , and certain situations appear even irreversible , we Christians can not lose hope , ’ ’ Francis said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help but respect the work that the Father entrusted him with , like a garden to cultivate , ” the pope said .
He added that if people “ have the right to use nature for their own ends , they can ’ t in any way consider themselves its owner or despot.
” Francis has made championing the cause of the environment a major plank of his papacy , especially noting how people living on life ’ s margins are often most adversely impacted by pollution or exploitation of natural resources .

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Actress Juliette Binoche and fellow French environmentalists received encouragement from Pope Francis at a private Vatican meeting Thursday, where the pontiff confessed he did not understand more than a decade ago his fellow churchmens’ worries about the Amazon.
While he was still archbishop of Buenos Aires, “I didn’t understand anything” about ecology problems, he told the activists in improvised remarks.
“(Then) I followed a path of conversion, of understanding the ecological problem” of the Amazon’s exploitation, Francis said.
Francis’ understanding grew and formed the basis of his 2015 encyclical that called for urgent action to protect the Earth’s environment. He said he consulted with scientists and theologians, who helped with a first draft of the landmark document.
“We must work so that everyone goes down the path of ecological conversion,” Francis told his guests.
Francis now has made championing the cause of the environment a major plank of his papacy, especially noting how people living on life’s margins are often most adversely impacted by pollution or exploitation of natural resources.
Recalling his 2018 pilgrimage in Peru, which took him to the Amazon, Francis spoke about how he dined with 14 indigenous leaders and then came away impressed with their wisdom and how they “live in harmony with Creation.”
In his prepared speech, Francis said the urgency to committing oneself to the cause of healing the environment was made plain by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We understand to what point we are tied one to the other, inserted in a world whose future we share, and that maltreating it can’t help but bring grave consequences, not only environmental, but social and human.”
Binoche and the other activists work with the French Conference of Bishops on environmental themes. In 2018, Binoche was an author of a letter calling on all politicians to act decisively in tackling climate change.
Francis said he was heartened that consciences were being raised.
“While the conditions of the planet can appear catastrophic, and certain situations appear even irreversible, we Christians cannot lose hope,’’ Francis said.
___
Follow all AP stories about climate change issues at https://apnews.com/Climate.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Black man killed by Rochester police is remembered as loving

The man who suffocated after police in New York ’ s third-largest city put a “ spit hood ” over his head was the loving father of five adult children , had some mental health issues but was harmless , and had just arrived in Rochester for a visit with his brother , his aunt said .
Daniel Prude , 41 , known to his big Chicago-based family by the nickname “ Rell , ” died March 30 after he was taken off life support , seven days after the encounter with police in Rochester .
Prude , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been taken into custody for a mental health evaluation about eight hours before the encounter that led to his death .
His death received no public attention until Wednesday , when his family held a news conference and released police body camera video and written reports they obtained through a public records request .
Prude had been traumatized by the deaths of his mother and a brother in recent years , having lost another brother before that , his aunt Letoria Moore said in an interview .
In his final months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forth between his Chicago home and his brother ’ s place in Rochester because he wanted to be close to him , she said .
She knew her nephew had some psychological issues , she said .
Still , when he called two days before his death , “ he was the normal Rell that I knew , ” Moore said .
“ I didn ’ t know what was the situation , why he was going through what he was going through that night , but I know he didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
Prude ran naked through the streets of Rochester and died of asphyxiation after a group of police officers put the hood over his head and pressed his face into the pavement for two minutes , according to video and records .
One officer wrote that they put the white spit hood on Prude because he was spitting continuously in the direction of officers and they were concerned about coronavirus .
The hoods are intended to protect officers from a detainee ’ s saliva and have been scrutinized as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisoners in the U.S. and other countries in recent years .
The city halted its investigation into Prude ’ s death when state Attorney General Letitia James ’ office began its own investigation in April .
Under New York law , deaths of unarmed people in police custody are often turned over to the attorney general ’ s office , rather than handled by local officials .
The state investigation continues .
“ I want everyone to understand that at no point in time did we feel that this was something that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Lovely Warren said at a news briefing .
“ We are precluded from getting involved in it until that agency has completed their investigation.
” Protesters gathered Wednesday evening outside the police headquarters building in Rochester , a city of 210,000 on Lake Ontario that is best known for being the longtime home of the photography company Kodak .
Free the People ROC said several of its organizers were briefly taken into custody after they entered the building while Warren spoke .
They were released on appearance tickets , said Iman Abid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was among those taken into custody .
Demonstrators gathered at the spot where Prude died , chanting , dancing and praying .
They stayed late into the night .
Activists are demanding that the officers involved be prosecuted on murder charges and that they be removed from the department while the investigation proceeds .
“ The police have shown us over and over again that they are not equipped to handle individuals with mental health concerns .
These officers are trained to kill , and not to deescalate .
These officers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Daniel Prude , ” Ashley Gantt of Free the People ROC said at the news conference with Prude ’ s family .
Calls to the union representing Rochester police officers , and to the organization ’ s attorney , rang unanswered Wednesday .
The videos show Prude , who had taken off his clothes , complying when police ask him to get on the ground and put his hands behind his back .
Prude is agitated and shouting as he sits on the pavement in handcuffs for a few moments as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your gun , I need it , ” he shouts .
Then , they put the hood over his head , and Prude demands they remove it .
Then the officers slam Prude ’ s head into the street .
One officer , who is white , holds his head down against the pavement with both hands , saying “ calm down ” and “ stop spitting.
” Another officer places a knee on his back .
“ Trying to kill me !
” Prude says , his voice becoming muffled and anguished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop .
I need it .
I need it , ” the prone man begs before his shouts turn to whimpers and grunts .
The officers appear to become concerned after he stops moving , falls silent and they notice water coming out of Prude ’ s mouth .
“ My man .
You puking ?
” one says .
One officer notes that he ’ s been out , naked , in the street for some time .
Another remarks , “ He feels pretty cold.
” His head had been held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two minutes , the video shows .
The officers then remove the hood and his handcuffs and medics can then be seen performing CPR before he is loaded into an ambulance .
A medical examiner concluded that Prude ’ s death was a homicide caused by “ complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint.
” The report lists excited delirium and acute intoxication by phencyclidine , or PCP , as contributing factors .
Rochester police officers took Prude into custody for a mental health evaluation around 7 p.m. on March 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the encounter that led to his death .
But his brother Joe Prude said he was only at the hospital for a few hours , according to the reports .
Police responded again after Joe Prude called 911 at about 3 a.m. to report that his brother had left his house .
“ I placed a phone call for my brother to get help .
Not for my brother to get lynched , ” Joe Prude said at the news conference .
“ How did you see him and not directly say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buck naked on the ground .
He ’ s cuffed up already .
Come on.
’ How many more brothers got ta die for society to understand that this needs to stop ?
” The fatal encounter happened two months before the death of George Floyd in Minnesota prompted nationwide demonstrations .
Floyd died when an officer put his knee on his neck for several minutes during an arrest .
Associated Press writers Mary Esch , Michael R. Sisak and Dave Collins contributed to this report .

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) - Seven police officers involved in the suffocation death of Daniel Prude in Rochester, New York, were suspended Thursday by the city’s mayor, who said she was misled for months about the circumstances of the fatal encounter.
Prude, 41, who was Black, died when he was taken off life support March 30. That was seven days after officers who encountered him running naked through the street put a hood over his head to stop him from spitting, then held him down for about two minutes until he stopped breathing.
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren announced the suspensions at a news conference amid outrage that city officials had previously kept quiet about Prude’s death.
While denying a cover-up, Warren acknowledged that Prude “was failed by the police department, our mental health care system, our society, and he was failed by me.”
Hours after the announcement, a crowd of protesters unswayed by the suspensions demonstrated late into the night outside Rochester’s police headquarters. Officers doused some protesters with a chemical spray and repeatedly fired an irritant into the crowd to drive activists away from metal barricades ringing the building. Protesters protected themselves with umbrellas, dashed for cover, then returned to be fired on again.
Journalists were among those hit by pellets during the confrontation, which came on the second day of peaceful demonstrations over Prude’s death.
The mayor said she only became aware that Prude’s death involved the use of force on Aug. 4. Initially, she said, Police Chief La’Ron Singletary portrayed it as a drug overdose, which is “entirely different” than what Warren said she witnessed in body camera video. The mayor said she told the chief she was “deeply, personally and professionally disappointed” in his failure to accurately inform her what happened to Prude.
Warren said the seven officers would still be paid because of contract rules and that she was taking the action against the advice of attorneys.
“I understand that the union may sue the city for this. They shall feel free to do so,” she said.
Approached at a community event, Singletary declined to comment but said he would speak later.
Messages left with the union representing Rochester police officers were not returned.
Prude’s death happened just as the coronavirus was raging out of control in New York and received no public attention at the time.
His family held a news conference Wednesday and released police body camera video obtained through a public records request that captured his fatal interaction with the officers.
The videos and other records detailed how police had gone looking for Prude after he bolted from his brother’s home early on March 23, hours after receiving a mental health evaluation at a hospital.
When officers found Prude he was completely naked, on the street in a light snow. He lay on the ground as they handcuffed him, then grew agitated, shouting and writhing and demanding that the officers give him a gun.
Officers put a hood over his head because he had been spitting and then pressed his face into the pavement for two minutes, police video shows.
The hoods are intended to protect officers from a detainee’s saliva and have been scrutinized as a factor in the deaths of several prisoners in recent years.
The videos show Prude, his voice muffled by the hood, begging the white officer pushing his head down to let him go. As the officer, Mark Vaughn, says, “Calm down” and “Stop spitting,” Prude’s shouts became anguished whimpers and grunts.
“OK, stop. I need it. I need it,” Prude says.
The officer lets Prude go after about two minutes when he stops moving and falls silent. Officers then notice water coming out of Prude’s mouth and call over waiting medics, who start CPR.
A medical examiner concluded that Prude’s death was a homicide caused by “complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint.” The report lists excited delirium and acute intoxication by phencyclidine, or PCP, as contributing factors.
“My father should have been met with a mental health specialist. He should not have been killed in the street,” his 18-year-old daughter, Tashyra Prude, said in an interview with The Associated Press. “He did not deserve that. He was treated like an animal. And I want this to be a step toward justice for not only my father, but justice for people like Breonna Taylor, who were killed by the police.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office took over the investigation of the death in April. It is still not complete.
“The Prude family and the greater Rochester community deserve answers, and we will continue to work around the clock to provide them,” James said in a statement Thursday.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement that he watched video of Prude’s fatal encounter with police Wednesday night.
“What I saw was deeply disturbing and I demand answers,” he said, adding that he was confident James’ investigation would be thorough. “For the sake of Mr. Prude’s family and the greater Rochester community I am calling for this case to be concluded as expeditiously as possible.”
Demonstrators came out on Thursday evening for a second straight night, about 200 of them gathering near the street corner where Prude was restrained by police. Some activists felt suspending the officers was not enough.
“This is a cover up and honestly our mayor, our police chief, they should be bought up on criminal charges,” said Justin Morris.
Earlier Thursday, Prude’s brother, Joe Prude, said all his younger brother wanted that morning was “somebody to grab him up and help him.”
“No matter how you look at the situation, the man was absolutely in his birthday suit, handcuffed behind his back, on the ground already, in freezing weather,” Joe Prude said. “How could you sit here and label that man a threat to you when he’s already cuffed up? How could you throw a bag over his head?”
___
Hill reported from Albany. Associated Press writers Michael R. Sisak, Ted Shaffrey and Jennifer Peltz in New York and Don Babwin in Chicago contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Officials: Fatal shooting of UPS hostage-taker was justified

LOGAN TOWNSHIP , N..J ( AP ) - Seven police officers were justified in the fatal shooting of an armed man who held two women hostage for several hours at a UPS processing center in southern New Jersey last year , according to the state attorney general ’ s office .
William Owens , 39 , of Sicklerville , was killed as he left the building with the women in January 2019 .
He was shot by members of a Gloucester County SWAT when he chased one of the women and shot her at least once .
authorities said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the episode in Logan Township , about 20 miles ( 30 kilometers ) south of Philadelphia .
The officers believed “ their actions were immediately necessary to protect the hostage and others from death or serious bodily harm , ” the attorney general ’ s office said in a written statement Wednesday .
Officials said that because the “ undisputed facts ” indicated the use of force was justified , the shooting did not need to be reviewed by a grand jury .
Authorities have said Owens previously had a relationship with one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he entered the business .
He followed her inside , grabbed her , fired a 9mm handgun into the air , pistol-whipped a male security guard and told the woman he was going to kill her .
Other employees fled when he fired twice more .
Owens then pointed his gun at others , took a second woman hostage and said “ he would kill everybody there , ” authorities said .

LOGAN TOWNSHIP, N..J (AP) - Seven police officers were justified in the fatal shooting of an armed man who held two women hostage for several hours at a UPS processing center in southern New Jersey last year, according to the state attorney general’s office.
William Owens, 39, of Sicklerville, was killed as he left the building with the women in January 2019. He was shot by members of a Gloucester County SWAT when he chased one of the women and shot her at least once. authorities said.
The women were not seriously injured in the episode in Logan Township, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) south of Philadelphia.
The officers believed “their actions were immediately necessary to protect the hostage and others from death or serious bodily harm,” the attorney general’s office said in a written statement Wednesday. Officials said that because the “undisputed facts” indicated the use of force was justified, the shooting did not need to be reviewed by a grand jury.
Authorities have said Owens previously had a relationship with one of the women and confronted her when he entered the business. He followed her inside, grabbed her, fired a 9mm handgun into the air, pistol-whipped a male security guard and told the woman he was going to kill her.
Other employees fled when he fired twice more. Owens then pointed his gun at others, took a second woman hostage and said “he would kill everybody there,” authorities said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--More ailing children from Greek camps flown to Germany

BERLIN ( AP ) - Germany has taken in another group of sick children who have been living in migrant @ @ @ @ @ with their close relatives .
A flight carrying 31 children and their relatives , a @ @ @ @ @ landed Thursday in Hannover , the interior ministry said .
It did not give any @ @ @ @ @ s nationalities .
The transfer was part of a wider European effort to get hundreds @ @ @ @ @ camps on the Greek islands .
Three previous transfers of ailing children to Germany took @ @ @ @ @ .
The government aims to complete them “ in the coming weeks.
” Germany has @ @ @ @ @ total of 243 children from Greece who need medical treatment , as well their closest @ @ @ @ @ all .
So far , 99 of the children have arrived .
It also has @ @ @ @ @ evacuated from the overcrowded Greek camps .
Children also have been transferred to Luxembourg , @ @ @ @ @ , Belgium and France , according to the German interior ministry .

BERLIN (AP) - Germany has taken in another group of sick children who have been living in migrant camps in Greece, along with their close relatives.
A flight carrying 31 children and their relatives, a total of 118 people, landed Thursday in Hannover, the interior ministry said. It did not give any details of the children’s nationalities.
The transfer was part of a wider European effort to get hundreds of vulnerable children out of camps on the Greek islands. Three previous transfers of ailing children to Germany took place in July and August. The government aims to complete them “in the coming weeks.”
Germany has agreed to take in a total of 243 children from Greece who need medical treatment, as well their closest relatives, 928 people in all. So far, 99 of the children have arrived.
It also has taken in 53 unaccompanied children evacuated from the overcrowded Greek camps. Children also have been transferred to Luxembourg, Ireland, Portugal, Finland, Belgium and France, according to the German interior ministry.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Facebook to ban new political ads ahead of election, remove 'misinformation' about voting

Facebook on Thursday said it won ’ t accept new political ads the week before the November election and will clearly label content that seeks to “ delegitimize ” the election ’ s outcome .
CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company will extend its work with election officials to remove “ misinformation about voting.
” “ We will remove posts with claims that people will get COVID-19 if they take part in voting , ” he said .
“ Given the unique circumstances of this election , it ’ s especially important that people have accurate information about the many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 isn ’ t used to scare people into not exercising their right to vote.
” Analysts have predicted that President Trump and the Republicans could build a lead immediately after polls close on Election Day but that Democrats could make up ground in the days and weeks after Nov. 3 because of the party ’ s emphasis on voting by mail during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ There could be a period of intense claims and counter-claims as the final results are counted , ” Mr. Zuckerberg said .
The company said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to declare victory before the final results are in , they ’ ll add a label to their posts directing people to official results from Reuters and the National Election Pool .
Mr. Zuckerberg said Facebook will use its Voting Information Center “ to prepare people for the possibility that it may take a while to get official results ” and said the information will help people understand that “ there is nothing illegitimate about not having a result on election night.
” He said Facebook has strengthened its enforcement against “ militias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other groups that could be used to organize violence or civil unrest in the period after the elections.
” Mr. Zuckerberg said they took down a network of 12 accounts and two pages last week trying to “ mislead Americans and amplify divisions.
” “ We ’ ve removed more than 100 networks worldwide engaging in coordinated inauthentic behavior over the past couple of years , including ahead of major democratic elections , ” he said .
“ However , we ’ re increasingly seeing attempts to undermine the legitimacy of our elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Facebook on Thursday said it won’t accept new political ads the week before the November election and will clearly label content that it says is seeking to “delegitimize” the election’s outcome.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company will extend its work with election officials to remove “misinformation about voting.”
“We will remove posts with claims that people will get COVID-19 if they take part in voting,” he said. “Given the unique circumstances of this election, it’s especially important that people have accurate information about the many ways to vote safely, and that COVID-19 isn’t used to scare people into not exercising their right to vote.”
Analysts have predicted that President Trump and the Republicans could build a lead immediately after polls close on Election Day but that Democrats could make up ground in the days and weeks after Nov. 3 because of the party’s emphasis on voting by mail during the coronavirus pandemic.
“There could be a period of intense claims and counter-claims as the final results are counted,” Mr. Zuckerberg said.
The company said that if any candidate or campaign tries to declare victory before the final results are in, they’ll add a label to their posts directing people to official results from Reuters and the National Election Pool.
Mr. Zuckerberg said Facebook will use its Voting Information Center “to prepare people for the possibility that it may take a while to get official results” and said the information will help people understand that “there is nothing illegitimate about not having a result on election night.”
He said Facebook has strengthened its enforcement against “militias, conspiracy networks like QAnon, and other groups that could be used to organize violence or civil unrest in the period after the elections.”
Mr. Zuckerberg said they took down a network of 12 accounts and two pages last week trying to “mislead Americans and amplify divisions.”
“We’ve removed more than 100 networks worldwide engaging in coordinated inauthentic behavior over the past couple of years, including ahead of major democratic elections,” he said. “However, we’re increasingly seeing attempts to undermine the legitimacy of our elections from within our own borders.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Monitor: Strikes on east Syria kill 16 Iran-backed fighters

BEIRUT ( AP ) - A Syrian opposition war monitor said airstrikes on eastern Syria believed to have been carried out by Israeli warplanes early Thursday killed 16 Iranian-backed fighters .
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes hit positions of Iranian-backed fighters near the towns of Mayadeen and Boukamal close to the Iraqi border .
There was no official comment from Syrian state media , which reported an airstrike late Wednesday on the T4 air base in the central province of Homs .
There were also Israeli strikes Monday night that , according to Syrian state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capital Damascus killing two Syrian soldiers and wounding seven others .
Israel rarely comments on such reports , but is believed to have carried out dozens of raids targeting Iran ’ s military presence in Syria .
The Observatory said the airstrike near Boukamal killed nine fighters while the strike near Mayadeen killed seven .
It added that other fighters were also wounded in the strikes .
Since June , Syria has accused Israel of conducting at least nine air raids on its territory .
Iran , a key ally of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a regional and security threat .
Israel has vowed to prevent any permanent Iranian military buildup in Syria , particularly near the frontier .

BEIRUT (AP) - A Syrian opposition war monitor said airstrikes on eastern Syria believed to have been carried out by Israeli warplanes early Thursday killed 16 Iranian-backed fighters.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes hit positions of Iranian-backed fighters near the towns of Mayadeen and Boukamal close to the Iraqi border.
There was no official comment from Syrian state media, which reported an airstrike late Wednesday on the T4 air base in the central province of Homs.
There were also Israeli strikes Monday night that, according to Syrian state media, hit military posts south of the capital Damascus killing two Syrian soldiers and wounding seven others.
Israel rarely comments on such reports, but is believed to have carried out dozens of raids targeting Iran’s military presence in Syria.
The Observatory said the airstrike near Boukamal killed nine fighters while the strike near Mayadeen killed seven. It added that other fighters were also wounded in the strikes.
Since June, Syria has accused Israel of conducting at least nine air raids on its territory.
Iran, a key ally of the Syrian government, is considered by Israel a regional and security threat. Israel has vowed to prevent any permanent Iranian military buildup in Syria, particularly near the frontier.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Greece suffers huge output loss but sticks to 2020 forecast

ATHENS , Greece ( AP ) - Greece has suffered a huge drop in output in the second quarter of the year , plummeting 15.2 % on an annual basis , but the government insisted the figures did not worsen the country ’ s annual outlook .
The Greek Statistical Authorities reported the drop in gross domestic product on Thursday , adding that the loss from the previous quarter was 14 % , based on available seasonally adjusted data .
Heavily dependent on tourism , the Greek economy is expected to shrink by 9 % this year due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the current European Commission forecast .
Greece says it expects the contraction to be slightly milder .
Government spokesman Stelios Petsas on Thursday said the latest figures reflected the effects of the lockdown and had not changed Greece ’ s annual expectations .
The pandemic , however , is likely to hamper Greece ’ s efforts to overcome many long-term problems , including high levels of public debt , a large volume of distressed private sector loans , and high unemployment , caused by a major financial crisis that forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of the previous decade in recession .
The EU economy as a whole is set to contract by 8.3 % with Italy , Spain and Croatia expected to suffer the worst financial consequences with a 2020 downturn of around 11 % , according to the Commission .

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Tourism-dependent Greece suffered a huge drop in economic output in the second quarter of the year, plummeting 15.2% on an annual basis, but the government insisted Thursday that the figures did not worsen the country’s annual outlook.
The Greek Statistical Authorities reported the drop in gross domestic product on Thursday, adding that the loss from the previous quarter was 14%, based on available seasonally adjusted data.
The Greek economy is expected to shrink 9% this year due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown measures that have severely affected international travel, according to the current European Commission forecast.
Greece says it expects the contraction to be slightly milder. Government spokesman Stelios Petsas on Thursday said the latest figures reflected the effects of the lockdown and had not changed Greece’s annual expectations, which are of a 7.9% decline in GDP this year.
The pandemic, however, is likely to hamper Greece’s efforts to overcome many long-term problems, including high levels of public debt, a large volume of distressed private sector loans and high unemployment. Those problems were caused by a major financial crisis that forced Greece to seek international bailouts and spend most of the previous decade in recession. The European Union’s economy as a whole is set to contract 8.3% with Italy, Spain and Croatia expected to suffer the worst financial consequences with a 2020 downturn of around 11%, according to the commission.
___
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--14-year-old arrested in fatal St. Paul shooting

ST. PAUL , Minn. ( AP ) - Police in St. Paul have arrested a 14-year-old boy suspected of fatally @ @ @ @ @ Jorge Batres , of Coon Rapids , was found with a gunshot wound to the @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday evening .
He was pronounced dead at the scene , authorities said .
@ @ @ @ @ someone running from the scene after shots were fired .
Officers arrested the boy nearby @ @ @ @ @ held in the Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center , police said .
The circumstances of @ @ @ @ @ and the Ramsey County attorney ’ s office is reviewing the case .
The homicide @ @ @ @ @ Paul this year which is a 46 % increase over the same time last year @

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Police in St. Paul have arrested a 14-year-old boy suspected of fatally shooting another teenager.
Seventeen-year-old Jorge Batres, of Coon Rapids, was found with a gunshot wound to the head in a pickup truck on Tuesday evening. He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Witnesses told police they saw someone running from the scene after shots were fired. Officers arrested the boy nearby.
He’s being held in the Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center, police said.
The circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation and the Ramsey County attorney’s office is reviewing the case.
The homicide is the 22nd in St. Paul this year which is a 46% increase over the same time last year.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--White House refutes report that Trump called U.S. war dead in France 'losers'

President Trump and White House officials pushed back furiously Thursday night against a published report that President Trump skipped a visit to an American military cemetery in France in 2018 after calling the dead “ losers ” for getting killed in battle .
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said the president is “ more than offended ” by the allegations in The Atlantic .
“ He denied them in very emphatic terms , ” Mr. Meadows told reporters aboard Air Force One as the president returned to Washington from a campaign rally in Pennsylvania .
White House press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Atlantic “ garbage.
” “ I see President @ realDonaldTrump consistently express his heartfelt gratitude and absolute admiration for our brave men and women in uniform , ” she tweeted .
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg , national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , said the story is “ absolutely false.
” “ I ’ ve been by the President ’ s side , ” he said on Twitter .
“ He has always shown the highest respect to our active duty troops and veterans with utmost respect paid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and those wounded in battle.
” The Atlantic story quoted four unidentified people “ with firsthand knowledge ” of the episode in November 2018 .
The article claims that Mr. Trump canceled a scheduled visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris by falsely blaming rain and a helicopter that couldn ’ t fly .
“ Why should I go to that cemetery ?
It ’ s filled with losers , ” the president allegedly told aides .
The article also states that the president referred to the more than 1,800 Marines who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World War I as “ suckers ” for getting killed .
Mr. Meadows said the president and his team in France could not fly because of the weather , and tried for two hours to arrange a motorcade .
White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said on Twitter , “ Not a soul brave enough to put their name on any of these accusations .
That ’ s because they are false .
Just another anonymously sourced story meant to tear down a Commander-in-Chief who loves our military and has delivered on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What a disgrace !
” Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden said if the report is true , it is “ yet another marker of how deeply President Trump and I disagree about the role of the president of the United States.
” “ If I have the honor of serving as the next commander in chief , I will ensure that our American heroes know that I will have their back and honor their sacrifice — always , ” Mr. Biden said .

President Trump and White House officials pushed back furiously Thursday night against a published report that President Trump skipped a visit to an American military cemetery in France in 2018 after calling the dead “losers” for getting killed in battle.
Mr. Trump called the report in The Atlantic “a disgrace” and said the article is based on sources whom he called “animals.” He called The Atlantic “a total never-Trumper magazine.”
“I would be willing to swear on anything” about the falsity of the report, he told reporters, citing aides and Secret Service agents who can defend him.
On Twitter, the president said he would swear “that I never called our great fallen soldiers anything other than HEROES.”
“This is more made up Fake News given by disgusting & jealous failures in a disgraceful attempt to influence the 2020 Election!” the president said.
He also refuted a passage in the article claiming that he called the late Sen. John McCain a “loser” and balked at giving him government honors for his funeral in September 2018. The president agreed that he and Mr. McCain didn’t get along, but he felt that the former Vietnam War veteran deserved a “first-class” funeral.
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said the president is “more than offended” by the allegations in The Atlantic.
“He denied them in very emphatic terms,” Mr. Meadows told reporters aboard Air Force One as the president returned to Washington from a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany called the report in The Atlantic “garbage.”
“I see President @realDonaldTrump consistently express his heartfelt gratitude and absolute admiration for our brave men and women in uniform,” she tweeted.
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, said the story is “absolutely false.”
“I’ve been by the President’s side,” he said on Twitter. “He has always shown the highest respect to our active duty troops and veterans with utmost respect paid to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and those wounded in battle.”
The Atlantic story quoted four unidentified people “with firsthand knowledge” of the episode in November 2018. The article claims that Mr. Trump canceled a scheduled visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris by falsely blaming rain and a helicopter that couldn’t fly.
“Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers,” the president allegedly told aides. The article also states that the president referred to the more than 1,800 Marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood in World War I as “suckers” for getting killed.
The president said he wanted to go to the cemetery but could not because of heavy rain in Paris, and the Secret Service would not allow him to take a motorcade to the ceremony.
Mr. Meadows said the president and his team in France could not fly because of the weather, and tried for two hours to arrange a motorcade.
White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said on Twitter, “Not a soul brave enough to put their name on any of these accusations. That’s because they are false. Just another anonymously sourced story meant to tear down a Commander-in-Chief who loves our military and has delivered on the promises he’s made. What a disgrace!”
Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden said if the report is true, it is “yet another marker of how deeply President Trump and I disagree about the role of the president of the United States.”
“If I have the honor of serving as the next commander in chief, I will ensure that our American heroes know that I will have their back and honor their sacrifice — always,” Mr. Biden said.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Inside the Beltway: Beware of the 'media chaperone'

A handy new term has just emerged in the journalism world , courtesy of Rich Noyes , research director for the Media Research Center .
That would be “ media chaperone.
” Mr. Noyes introduced the phrase after realizing that ABC , CBS , NBC , MSNBC and CNN managed to compromise coverage of the recent Republican National Convention by “ heckling ” during the four-day event with negative commentary and remarks during the broadcasts .
“ Liberal journalists apparently don ’ t trust viewers to watch a Republican convention without a media chaperone on hand to prevent any pro-Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s hardly a fair standard , ” says Mr. Noyes , who has some astonishing comparisons about what went on during the coverage of Democratic National Convention .
The media chaperones at MSNBC and CNN , were very busy during the GOP event , and very silent during the Democratic production .
“ The interruptions on MSNBC , in fact , were 600 TIMES greater during the Republican convention ( 201 minutes ) than during the Democratic convention ( 21 seconds ) .
On CNN , their analysts and advertising stepped on 78.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 12.5 minutes during the Democrats ’ show , ” Mr. Noyes writes in a lengthy analysis of the sneaky phenomenon — which is unfair to both the Republican Party and voters themselves .
But this is now part of the media marketplace .
Look for more of the same as the election approaches , particularly on the presidential debates — which begin Sept. 29 .
Those who want to view these pivotal events without a “ media chaperone ” should do so by tuning in comment-free C-SPAN , or watching online via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found at Donaldjtrump.com/media .
The world hears many things about North Korea .
Pay attention , Harry J. Kazianis — senior director of Korean studies for the Center for the National Interest — tells Inside the Beltway .
“ The biggest danger coming from North Korea isn ’ t the crazy rumors about North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un always on some sort of death watch , or that he had a stroke or that his sister took over , but the overall state of the country — that North Korea itself is on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Kazianis says .
“ Now , to be clear , I don ’ t see the Democratic People ’ s Republic of Korea falling apart like the old USSR or Communist bloc in some grand fashion .
However , North Korea is under more strain than at any time since the 1990s — that means agricultural shortages leading to food insecurity issues , nonstop international sanctions , flooding , typhoons and of course COVID-19 — all coming together to create challenges the Kim regime is ill-equipped to deal with .
North Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy is something like the size of Vermont ’ s , ” Mr. Kazianis continues .
“ My worry is that sometime after the November elections and Trump wins , Kim will quickly try to see what sort of deal he can make to relieve these stresses , and if that fails , go back to missile and nuclear testing that could spark a crisis .
If Joe Biden should win , there is the concern that the administration won ’ t have any sort of North Korea policy until April at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is standard .
And the North will go back to provocations .
Either way , North Korea isn ’ t going away — and its weapons of mass destruction will get even deadlier with each passing second , ” Mr. Kazianis concludes .
The fallout from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s recent controversial visit to a hair salon has taken a positive turn .
A GoFundMe effort for salon owner Erica Kious took in over $ 85,000 in its first hours of existence , according to organizer Amy Tarkanian , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wife of Danny Tarkanian , who has run for public office multiple times in the state .
The effort is well on its way to a $ 300,000 goal .
“ Erica Kious , a single mother of two and owner of eSalon , where House Speaker Pelosi got her hair done on Monday , is now being forced to shut down and relocate her business and family due to outrage and threats she is receiving , ” Mrs. Tarkanian advised in her fundraising outreach .
Security footage of Mrs. Pelosi ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News and the White House in the aftermath , prompting extensive media coverage — followed by criticism of Ms. Kious .
“ I have been friends with Erica and her family for roughly 20 years and wanted to help .
Thank you for taking the time to do the same .
She is overwhelmed by the flood of support and is grateful for those who are willing to speak out and stand up along her side , ” Mrs. Tarkanian said , noting that all donations would go to Ms. Kious to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway predicts that the many millions of President Trump ’ s fans are prudently biding their time , waiting for Election Day — and that there are more committed to Mr. Trump now than in 2016 “ As the person who coined the term , ‘ hidden , undercover Trump voters ’ in 2016 , there are even more of them , and they ’ re even more committed now .
And they ’ re going to surprise you as to who they are this time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview with Showtime that aired Thursday .
She acknowledged that those Trump voters often shy away from publicly revealing their support of the president .
But in the big picture , it doesn ’ t much matter .
Trump voters act on their beliefs in a different way .
“ They express themselves at the ballot box , ” Mrs. Conway noted .
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Expansive porches , patio , garage .
Former bed and breakfast .
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• 80 % of U.S. businesses created new safety policies for the workplace during the coronavirus pandemic .
• 78 % have deep cleaned or sanitized their workplace .
• 60 % surveyed their workers about “ levels of readiness ” to return to the workplace .
• 46 % have enacted plans to reduce workers ’ contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not know when their business will reopen on a normal basis .

NEWS AND OPINION:
A handy new term has just emerged in the journalism world, courtesy of Rich Noyes, research director for the Media Research Center. That would be “media chaperone.”
Mr. Noyes introduced the phrase after realizing that ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC and CNN managed to compromise coverage of the recent Republican National Convention by “heckling” during the four-day event with negative commentary and remarks during the broadcasts.
“Liberal journalists apparently don’t trust viewers to watch a Republican convention without a media chaperone on hand to prevent any pro-Trump opinions from breaking out. That’s hardly a fair standard,” says Mr. Noyes, who has some astonishing comparisons about what went on during the coverage of Democratic National Convention.
The media chaperones at MSNBC and CNN, were very busy during the GOP event, and very silent during the Democratic production.
“The interruptions on MSNBC, in fact, were 600 TIMES greater during the Republican convention (201 minutes) than during the Democratic convention (21 seconds). On CNN, their analysts and advertising stepped on 78.5 minutes of the GOP convention, vs. just 12.5 minutes during the Democrats’ show,” Mr. Noyes writes in a lengthy analysis of the sneaky phenomenon — which is unfair to both the Republican Party and voters themselves.
They deserve better.
But this is now part of the media marketplace. Look for more of the same as the election approaches, particularly on the presidential debates — which begin Sept. 29. Those who want to view these pivotal events without a “media chaperone” should do so by tuning in comment-free C-SPAN, or watching online via President Trump’s campaign site — found at Donaldjtrump.com/media.
A WARNING ON NORTH KOREA
The world hears many things about North Korea. Pay attention, Harry J. Kazianis — senior director of Korean studies for the Center for the National Interest — tells Inside the Beltway.
“The biggest danger coming from North Korea isn’t the crazy rumors about North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un always on some sort of death watch, or that he had a stroke or that his sister took over, but the overall state of the country — that North Korea itself is on a type of death watch,” Mr. Kazianis says.
“Now, to be clear, I don’t see the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea falling apart like the old USSR or Communist bloc in some grand fashion. However, North Korea is under more strain than at any time since the 1990s — that means agricultural shortages leading to food insecurity issues, nonstop international sanctions, flooding, typhoons and of course COVID-19 — all coming together to create challenges the Kim regime is ill-equipped to deal with. North Korea might have nuclear weapons, but its economy is something like the size of Vermont’s,” Mr. Kazianis continues.
“My worry is that sometime after the November elections and Trump wins, Kim will quickly try to see what sort of deal he can make to relieve these stresses, and if that fails, go back to missile and nuclear testing that could spark a crisis. If Joe Biden should win, there is the concern that the administration won’t have any sort of North Korea policy until April at the earliest, thanks to a policy review, which is standard. And the North will go back to provocations. Either way, North Korea isn’t going away — and its weapons of mass destruction will get even deadlier with each passing second,” Mr. Kazianis concludes.
POST-SALON ACTIVITIES
The fallout from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s recent controversial visit to a hair salon has taken a positive turn.
A GoFundMe effort for salon owner Erica Kious took in over $100,000 in its first hours of existence, according to organizer Amy Tarkanian, former chairman of the Nevada Republican Party and wife of Danny Tarkanian, who has run for public office multiple times in the state. The effort is well on its way to a $300,000 goal.
“Erica Kious, a single mother of two and owner of eSalon, where House Speaker Pelosi got her hair done on Monday, is now being forced to shut down and relocate her business and family due to outrage and threats she is receiving,” Mrs. Tarkanian advised in her fundraising outreach.
Security footage of Mrs. Pelosi’s visit was publicized by both Fox News and the White House in the aftermath, prompting extensive media coverage — followed by criticism of Ms. Kious.
“I have been friends with Erica and her family for roughly 20 years and wanted to help. Thank you for taking the time to do the same. She is overwhelmed by the flood of support and is grateful for those who are willing to speak out and stand up along her side,” Mrs. Tarkanian said, noting that all donations would go to Ms. Kious to pay debts due to the shutdown and relocation.
TRUMP VOTERS GEARING UP
Former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway predicts that the many millions of President Trump‘s fans are prudently biding their time, waiting for Election Day — and that there are more committed to Mr. Trump now than in 2016
“As the person who coined the term, ‘hidden, undercover Trump voters’ in 2016, there are even more of them, and they’re even more committed now. And they’re going to surprise you as to who they are this time,” Mrs. Conway said in a new interview with Showtime that aired Thursday. She acknowledged that those Trump voters often shy away from publicly revealing their support of the president. But in the big picture, it doesn’t much matter. Trump voters act on their beliefs in a different way.
“They express themselves at the ballot box,” Mrs. Conway noted.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
For sale: The Ivy House, built in 1908 in Grants Pass, Oregon. Six bedrooms, four baths, original fireplace, woodworking, doors, pine floors and built-ins; library, music room, gourmet kitchen; 4,014 square feet. Expansive porches, patio, garage. Former bed and breakfast. Priced at $497,000 through ColdwellBankerBain.com. Find the home here.
POLL DU JOUR
• 80% of U.S. businesses created new safety policies for the workplace during the coronavirus pandemic.
• 78% have deep cleaned or sanitized their workplace.
• 60% surveyed their workers about “levels of readiness” to return to the workplace.
• 46% have enacted plans to reduce workers’ contact with one another.
• 35% do not know when their business will reopen on a normal basis.
Source: A Conference Board survey of 1,100 business executives and senior managers conducted Aug. 19-26.
• Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Trump: Coronavirus vaccine deadline not politically motivated

President Trump said Thursday night that he ’ s pushing for a vaccine for COVID-19 by Nov. 1 , not @ @ @ @ @ , but because he wants to “ save people.
” “ It will be delivered @ @ @ @ @ before the end of the year , ” Mr. Trump said at a campaign rally @ @ @ @ @ “ But it really might even be delivered before the end of October .
How @ @ @ @ @ Wouldn ’ t that be nice ?
” Then , addressing criticism that the timetable @ @ @ @ @ president went on , “ Not because of the election .
It ’ d be @ @ @ @ @ save people .
That ’ s the important thing.
” The Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ to every state to prepare for coronavirus vaccine distribution as early as Nov. 1 for @ @ @

President Trump said Thursday night that he’s pushing for a vaccine for COVID-19 by Nov. 1, not so he can win reelection, but because he wants to “save people.”
“It will be delivered, in my opinion, before the end of the year,” Mr. Trump said at a campaign rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. “But it really might even be delivered before the end of October. How would you like that? Wouldn’t that be nice?”
Election Day is Nov. 3.
Then, addressing criticism that the timetable is politically motivated, the president went on, “Not because of the election. It’d be nice because we want to save people. That’s the important thing.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has sent guidance to every state to prepare for coronavirus vaccine distribution as early as Nov. 1 for high-priority groups.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Baby found dead after interstate crash in South Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. ( AP ) - A baby was found dead Thursday night , hours after being ejected @ @ @ @ @ crashed on a South Florida interstate stretch known as Alligator Alley , authorities said .
@ @ @ @ @ on a portion of Interstate 75 that runs through the Everglades and connects South Florida @ @ @ @ @ Sun Sentinel reported .
Six other people were injured when a tire blew and caused @ @ @ @ @ into a ditch and flip over between the roadway and a canal , the Florida @ @ @ @ @ infant was thrown from the vehicle , and dozens of police and rescue workers , @ @ @ @ @ spent hours searching for the child .
Officials didn ’ t immediately identify the baby @ @ @ @ @ were injured in the crash .
Investigators didn ’ t say whether the baby was @ @ @ @ @ Eastbound traffic remained stopped for hours after the crash .

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - A baby was found dead Thursday night, hours after being ejected from a pickup truck that crashed on a South Florida interstate stretch known as Alligator Alley, authorities said.
The crash occurred Thursday afternoon on a portion of Interstate 75 that runs through the Everglades and connects South Florida and southwest Florida, the Sun Sentinel reported.
Six other people were injured when a tire blew and caused the eastbound truck to veer into a ditch and flip over between the roadway and a canal, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The infant was thrown from the vehicle, and dozens of police and rescue workers, including a dive team, spent hours searching for the child.
Officials didn’t immediately identify the baby or the other people who were injured in the crash. Investigators didn’t say whether the baby was in a car seat.
Eastbound traffic remained stopped for hours after the crash.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Nevada judge rules state pot licensing process can go ahead

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - A Nevada judge ruled Thursday the state ’ s marijuana licensing process can resume , with some new retail marijuana stores allowed to open , some applications for licenses reviewed again by state officials and some companies still denied the licenses they didn ’ t get in December 2018 .
The 30-page ruling in what Gov .
Steve Sisolak characterized as “ a very difficult , complex case ” is almost certain not to have settled the contentious two-year legal fight involving dozens of parties over who can open pot shops in the lucrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several times during the litigation - including more than a month of recent hearings conducted with attorneys widely spaced in an expansive Las Vegas Convention Center meeting hall to avoid spreading the coronavirus - that she expected her decision will be appealed to the state Supreme Court .
But state Attorney General Aaron Ford interpreted her ruling as a victory because it didn ’ t order a do-over of the licensing process begun when 462 applicants sought 64 new licenses in September 2018 .
State taxation officials awarded 61 licenses , subject to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of recreational marijuana dispensaries allowed statewide .
No applications were sought in three rural counties .
“ This decision upholds the results of that competition , ” Ford said .
“ It will enable retail marijuana stores to open and generate much-needed tax revenue and employment for Nevadans in this unprecedented time.
” Attorneys for several plaintiffs , defendants and involved parties did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
Officials with the new state Cannabis Compliance Board acknowledged the ruling with a statement saying the panel would review it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen will remain on hold pending background checks of officers , under Gonzalez ’ s ruling .
The judge did not say laws were broken , despite allegations by attorneys for some companies , and she did not specify who should now get a license or not .
Gonzalez did fault Jorge Pupo , former Department of Taxation deputy director and the official who headed marijuana licensing at the time , for deleting text messages and being unable to provide his cellphone for examination for evidence at trial .
Other evidence showed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an industry lobbyist , and that some applicants were notified of changes , but not others .
“ The degree of direct personal contact … provided unequal , advantageous and supplemental information to some applicants and is evidence of a lack of a fair process , ” Gonzalez concluded .
However , her order did not put anyone on the hook to pay damages to anyone , “ given the speculative nature of the potential loss of market share.
” The judge ’ s order echoed her preliminary findings a year ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a handful of new marijuana dispensaries from opening .
She declared the state Department of Taxation acted “ arbitrarily and capriciously ” and went “ beyond its scope of authority ” to change evaluation rules by lifting a requirement that every prospective dispensary owner , officer and board member undergo a background check .
The initiative that Nevada voters passed in November 2016 to legalize recreational marijuana sales to adults 21 and older explicitly required such a screening .
Medical marijuana use had been legalized by ballot initiative in 2000 .
Tax data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently operating statewide reported nearly $ 685 million in taxable sales and Nevada reaped more than $ 105 million in marijuana taxes in the fiscal year ending June 30 .
The appointed Cannabis Compliance Board began work July 1 overseeing , regulating and administering the state ’ s booming pot sales market .
It is headed by former Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Douglas .
Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in Las Vegas contributed to this report .

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A Nevada judge ruled Thursday the state’s marijuana licensing process can resume, with some new retail marijuana stores allowed to open, some applications for licenses reviewed again by state officials and some companies still denied the licenses they didn’t get in December 2018.
The 30-page ruling in what Gov. Steve Sisolak characterized as “a very difficult, complex case” is almost certain not to have settled the contentious two-year legal fight involving dozens of parties over who can open pot shops in the lucrative Nevada market.
Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez acknowledged several times during the litigation - including more than a month of recent hearings conducted with attorneys widely spaced in an expansive Las Vegas Convention Center meeting hall to avoid spreading the coronavirus - that she expected her decision will be appealed to the state Supreme Court.
But state Attorney General Aaron Ford interpreted her ruling as a victory because it didn’t order a do-over of the licensing process begun when 462 applicants sought 64 new licenses in September 2018.
State taxation officials awarded 61 licenses, subject to local zoning conditions, bringing to 125 the number of recreational marijuana dispensaries allowed statewide. No applications were sought in three rural counties.
“This decision upholds the results of that competition,” Ford said. “It will enable retail marijuana stores to open and generate much-needed tax revenue and employment for Nevadans in this unprecedented time.”
Attorneys for several plaintiffs, defendants and involved parties did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Officials with the new state Cannabis Compliance Board acknowledged the ruling with a statement saying the panel would review it.
Some winning applicants with plans to reopen will remain on hold pending background checks of officers, under Gonzalez’s ruling.
The judge did not say laws were broken, despite allegations by attorneys for some companies, and she did not specify who should now get a license or not.
Gonzalez did fault Jorge Pupo, former Department of Taxation deputy director and the official who headed marijuana licensing at the time, for deleting text messages and being unable to provide his cellphone for examination for evidence at trial.
Other evidence showed that evaluation rules were changed after Pupo met with an industry lobbyist, and that some applicants were notified of changes, but not others.
“The degree of direct personal contact … provided unequal, advantageous and supplemental information to some applicants and is evidence of a lack of a fair process,” Gonzalez concluded.
However, her order did not put anyone on the hook to pay damages to anyone, “given the speculative nature of the potential loss of market share.”
The judge’s order echoed her preliminary findings a year ago in a ruling that prevented all but a handful of new marijuana dispensaries from opening.
She declared the state Department of Taxation acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” and went “beyond its scope of authority” to change evaluation rules by lifting a requirement that every prospective dispensary owner, officer and board member undergo a background check.
The initiative that Nevada voters passed in November 2016 to legalize recreational marijuana sales to adults 21 and older explicitly required such a screening.
Medical marijuana use had been legalized by ballot initiative in 2000.
Tax data show the 71 medical and recreational dispensaries currently operating statewide reported nearly $685 million in taxable sales and Nevada reaped more than $105 million in marijuana taxes in the fiscal year ending June 30.
The appointed Cannabis Compliance Board began work July 1 overseeing, regulating and administering the state’s booming pot sales market. It is headed by former Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Douglas.
____
Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in Las Vegas contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-09-03--Lawsuit filed over rectal exams for California prison guards

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - Nearly 200 current and former California correctional officers have filed a lawsuit alleging that they were forced to take unnecessary rectal exams that amounted to sexual assault .
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Sacramento County Superior Court against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation , the Sacramento Bee reported Thursday .
Several men and women told the Bee that they had been selected to become prison officers , but medical workers at a group of Sacramento clinics told them that they needed to have rectal examinations before they could start training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fingers into their rectums , three plaintiffs to the Bee on condition of anonymity .
One woman told the paper that she was 22 when she had an invasive exam in 2014 .
A physician ’ s assistant told her it was a prostate exam , she said .
“ It was very uncomfortable , and I was really confused , ” said the woman .
“ I just wanted to get out of there.
” Some women also were given exams involving vaginal penetration , said Jamie Wright , one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred from 2006 to 2016 , Wright estimated .
Only officers from Northern California had to undergo the exams , according to the lawsuit .
A corrections department hiring bulletin said the agency only requires rectal examinations for recruits who are 50 or older , the paper said .
However , even for people over 50 , rectal exams aren ’ t routine anymore , Dr. Michael Wilkes , a professor of medicine at the University of California , Davis , told the Bee .
The lawsuit also names Dr. Gilbert Simon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinics .
Simon told the paper by telephone that the physician ’ s assistants he employed in the clinics followed the corrections department ’ s orders .
“ If it were done , the reason was it was required , ” he said of the rectal exams .
“ Or at least perceived to be required .
Nobody does it happily .
”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Nearly 200 current and former California correctional officers have filed a lawsuit alleging that they were forced to take unnecessary rectal exams that amounted to sexual assault.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Sacramento County Superior Court against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Sacramento Bee reported Thursday.
Several men and women told the Bee that they had been selected to become prison officers, but medical workers at a group of Sacramento clinics told them that they needed to have rectal examinations before they could start training.
The exam involved the insertion of fingers into their rectums, three plaintiffs to the Bee on condition of anonymity.
One woman told the paper that she was 22 when she had an invasive exam in 2014. A physician’s assistant told her it was a prostate exam, she said.
Women don’t have prostates.
“It was very uncomfortable, and I was really confused,” said the woman. “I just wanted to get out of there.”
Some women also were given exams involving vaginal penetration, said Jamie Wright, one of the attorneys representing the officers.
The examinations occurred from 2006 to 2016, Wright estimated.
Only officers from Northern California had to undergo the exams, according to the lawsuit.
A corrections department hiring bulletin said the agency only requires rectal examinations for recruits who are 50 or older, the paper said.
However, even for people over 50, rectal exams aren’t routine anymore, Dr. Michael Wilkes, a professor of medicine at the University of California, Davis, told the Bee.
A message to a departmental spokesperson seeking comment wasn’t immediately returned.
The lawsuit also names Dr. Gilbert Simon, who until 2016 owned Sacramento Family Medical Clinics.
Simon told the paper by telephone that the physician’s assistants he employed in the clinics followed the corrections department’s orders.
“If it were done, the reason was it was required,” he said of the rectal exams. “Or at least perceived to be required. Nobody does it happily.”