washingtontimes--2020-07-30--Vote rigging and hanging chads: A brief history of contested elections

President Trump set a pretty high bar Thursday when he said expanding mail-in voting during coronavirus pandemic would lead to the most inaccurate and fraudulent election in history .
There have been 58 presidential elections held so far and for the most part they ’ ve been remarkably free of fraud complaints at a level that could have shifted the outcome .
But that doesn ’ t mean there haven ’ t been some doozies along the way .
When election fraud is raised , this is the contest that most often raises its hand .
John F. Kennedy won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Richard Nixon , then the sitting vice president , saw signs of vote-rigging in Democratic-dominated Cook County , home of Chicago .
Analysts have debated the matter over the ensuing 20 years without reaching a consensus on whether the rigging , if it did occur , was the margin of victory .
The results in Texas , home of Kennedy ’ s running mate , Lyndon B. Johnson , were also questioned , with elections regularly being swung by political operatives able to deliver votes .
If Nixon carried both states he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That was probably the most disputed election in American history when it comes to the voting , ” said Marc Schulman , editor of HistoryCentral.com and author of the History of American Presidential Elections .
Some of Nixon ’ s backers wanted him to pursue a recount , but he accepted the results .
Mr. Trump complains that mail-in voting will lead to an “ inaccurate ” election .
It ’ ll be tough to top the George W. Bush vs. Al Gore battle that kicked off this century .
Much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football games and the other watching as elections officials in Florida , with magnifying glass in hand , studying ballots for divots , hanging chads and other markings , trying to devise what voters really intended .
Because of the way ballots were printed in Palm Beach County , thousands of people who intended to cast ballots for Mr. Gore may have actually cast them for Reform Party nominee Patrick J. Buchanan .
A legal battle went to the Supreme Court , which halted the recount , effectively giving the state — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bush .
Larry J. Sabato , director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia , later bought one of the voting machines responsible for the possible mismarked ballots .
He said that one machine alone accounted for enough ballots to make up the difference between Mr. Bush and Mr. Gore , which was 537 votes in a state that saw 6 million ballots cast .
“ It ’ s seen as a corrupt election even though it really came down to one of the most poorly designed ballots , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most contested presidential elections are often not about fraud , but about the role of the Electoral College .
Five times the popular vote winner has failed to win the Electoral College , including that 2000 election and Mr. Trump ’ s 2016 victory .
But the most striking instance was 1876 , when Samuel Tilden , the Democrat , won the popular vote and appeared to be leading in the Electoral College , though 20 electoral votes from four states , including Florida , were contested .
Congress created a commission to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite evidence suggesting Tilden won Florida , delivered that state ’ s votes to Republican Rutherford B. Hayes .
The three other states were also awarded to Hayes .
Democrats in Congress protested but ultimately accepted the outcome as part of an understood deal that Hayes would remove remaining federal troops from the recently defeated Confederacy , effectively ending Reconstruction .
“ The Southern states decided they would much rather have troops withdrawn from their states than have Tilden as president , ” said Mr. Sabato .
Some Tilden supporters urged him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and seize the government , but he reaffirmed the importance of abiding by the system .
It wasn ’ t a presidential contest , but the most notorious fraud in a national election is likely a Democratic Senate primary race in Texas between then-Rep. Lyndon B. Johnson and former Gov .
Coke Stevenson .
As recounted by super-biographer Robert A. Caro , Johnson appeared to be losing as the votes came in , and only one region of the state was still outstanding — an area where , in a previous head-to-head , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , Johnson cleaned up .
In one county , he outdistanced Stevenson 4,195 to 38 .
Another county went 2,908 to 166 in favor of Johnson .
Johnson was still down as election night ended , but the next day officials in one of those counties discovered another 427 votes they said they missed the previous day .
Johnson won all but two of those votes .
Johnson would win the primary by fewer than 90 votes out of nearly 1 million cast .
The race earned him the nickname “ Landslide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of fraud claims in presidential elections speaks to the endurance of the system .
“ History has shown that we ’ ve had a remarkable history of elections that have taken place on time , without any large degree of fraud , ” he said .
“ That has been America ’ s great strength over the years — almost all of the politicians over the centuries have believed in the system.
” He said in the modern world there are dangers to elections that arise from dependence on electronic voting systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t really a danger .
“ The amount of fraud we would need to change the outcome of an election , and assume it ’ s not going to be caught , it ’ s almost science fiction , ” Mr. Schulman said .

President Trump set a pretty high bar Thursday when he said expanding mail-in voting during coronavirus pandemic would lead to the most inaccurate and fraudulent election in history.
There have been 58 presidential elections held so far and for the most part they’ve been remarkably free of fraud complaints at a level that could have shifted the outcome. But that doesn’t mean there haven’t been some doozies along the way.
1960
When election fraud is raised, this is the contest that most often raises its hand.
John F. Kennedy won Illinois by 8,858 votes, but backers of Richard Nixon, then the sitting vice president, saw signs of vote-rigging in Democratic-dominated Cook County, home of Chicago. Analysts have debated the matter over the ensuing 20 years without reaching a consensus on whether the rigging, if it did occur, was the margin of victory.
The results in Texas, home of Kennedy’s running mate, Lyndon B. Johnson, were also questioned, with elections regularly being swung by political operatives able to deliver votes.
If Nixon carried both states he would have won the Electoral College.
“That was probably the most disputed election in American history when it comes to the voting,” said Marc Schulman, editor of HistoryCentral.com and author of the History of American Presidential Elections.
Some of Nixon’s backers wanted him to pursue a recount, but he accepted the results.
2000
Mr. Trump complains that mail-in voting will lead to an “inaccurate” election. It’ll be tough to top the George W. Bush vs. Al Gore battle that kicked off this century.
Much of America spent Thanksgiving with one eye on football games and the other watching as elections officials in Florida, with magnifying glass in hand, studying ballots for divots, hanging chads and other markings, trying to devise what voters really intended.
Because of the way ballots were printed in Palm Beach County, thousands of people who intended to cast ballots for Mr. Gore may have actually cast them for Reform Party nominee Patrick J. Buchanan.
A legal battle went to the Supreme Court, which halted the recount, effectively giving the state — and a national electoral majority — to Mr. Bush.
Larry J. Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, later bought one of the voting machines responsible for the possible mismarked ballots.
He said that one machine alone accounted for enough ballots to make up the difference between Mr. Bush and Mr. Gore, which was 537 votes in a state that saw 6 million ballots cast.
“It’s seen as a corrupt election even though it really came down to one of the most poorly designed ballots,” Mr. Sabato said.
1876
America’s most contested presidential elections are often not about fraud, but about the role of the Electoral College. Five times the popular vote winner has failed to win the Electoral College, including that 2000 election and Mr. Trump’s 2016 victory.
But the most striking instance was 1876, when Samuel Tilden, the Democrat, won the popular vote and appeared to be leading in the Electoral College, though 20 electoral votes from four states, including Florida, were contested.
Congress created a commission to hear the dispute and the panel, despite evidence suggesting Tilden won Florida, delivered that state’s votes to Republican Rutherford B. Hayes. The three other states were also awarded to Hayes.
Democrats in Congress protested but ultimately accepted the outcome as part of an understood deal that Hayes would remove remaining federal troops from the recently defeated Confederacy, effectively ending Reconstruction.
“The Southern states decided they would much rather have troops withdrawn from their states than have Tilden as president,” said Mr. Sabato.
Some Tilden supporters urged him to mount an army, march on Washington and seize the government, but he reaffirmed the importance of abiding by the system.
“It’s a good precedent,” Mr. Sabato said.
1948
It wasn’t a presidential contest, but the most notorious fraud in a national election is likely a Democratic Senate primary race in Texas between then-Rep. Lyndon B. Johnson and former Gov. Coke Stevenson.
As recounted by super-biographer Robert A. Caro, Johnson appeared to be losing as the votes came in, and only one region of the state was still outstanding — an area where, in a previous head-to-head, Stevenson had swamped Johnson.
Yet this time, Johnson cleaned up. In one county, he outdistanced Stevenson 4,195 to 38. Another county went 2,908 to 166 in favor of Johnson.
Johnson was still down as election night ended, but the next day officials in one of those counties discovered another 427 votes they said they missed the previous day. Johnson won all but two of those votes.
Johnson would win the primary by fewer than 90 votes out of nearly 1 million cast. The race earned him the nickname “Landslide Lyndon.”
‘America’s greatest strength’
Mr. Schulman said the relative lack of fraud claims in presidential elections speaks to the endurance of the system.
“History has shown that we’ve had a remarkable history of elections that have taken place on time, without any large degree of fraud,” he said. “That has been America’s great strength over the years — almost all of the politicians over the centuries have believed in the system.”
He said in the modern world there are dangers to elections that arise from dependence on electronic voting systems. But he said ballot fraud isn’t really a danger.
“The amount of fraud we would need to change the outcome of an election, and assume it’s not going to be caught, it’s almost science fiction,” Mr. Schulman said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--DeGeneres apologizes to show's staff amid workplace inquiry

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Ellen DeGeneres apologized to the staff of her daytime TV talk show amid an internal company investigation of complaints of a difficult and unfair workplace .
“ On day one of our show , I told everyone in our first meeting that ‘ The Ellen DeGeneres Show ’ would be a place of happiness - no one would ever raise their voice , and everyone would be treated with respect , ” DeGeneres wrote .
Something changed , she said , “ and for that , I am sorry.
” In a separate statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation ’ s “ primary findings ” revealed what it called some flaws in the show ’ s daily management .
DeGeneres ’ memo and the probe by the studio ’ s parent company followed a BuzzFeed News report in which one current and 10 former show employees complained about issues including being fired after taking medical or bereavement leave .
One worker said she left because of comments about her race .
Most of the complaints were tied to executive producers and senior managers , BuzzFeed News said , but one ex-employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the work environment .
The people making the allegations were not identified .
The complaints contrast sharply with the show ’ s upbeat tenor and DeGeneres ’ own public demeanor and exhortations for people to be kind and caring .
In its statement , Warner Bros. said it and DeGeneres take the allegations about the show ’ s “ workplace culture very seriously ” and that its parent company is seeking to determine the validity of the publicly reported allegations and understand the show ’ s daily workings .
“ As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and former employees about the environment at ‘ The Ellen DeGeneres Show ’ … .
And though not all of the allegations were corroborated , we are disappointed that the primary findings of the investigation indicated some deficiencies related to the show ’ s day-to-day management.
” Steps are being taken to make several staffing changes and implement other steps , the studio said , without citing specifics .
The internal investigation was first reported by Variety .
DeGeneres wrote that she has “ deep compassion ” for people who are treated unfairly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has been judged for “ who I am , ” said DeGeneres , who has detailed the price she paid for being openly gay .
“ As we ’ ve grown exponentially , I ’ ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I ’ d want them done .
Clearly some didn ’ t .
That will now change and I ’ m committed to ensuring this does not happen again , ” she said in the memo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too long , but we ’ re finally having conversations about fairness and justice , ” DeGeneres said , adding that she would push herself and others to “ learn and grow.
” She said the COVID-19 pandemic kept her from delivering her comments in person to staffers .
She signed the message , “ Stay safe and healthy ” and “ Love , Ellen .
”

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Ellen DeGeneres apologized to the staff of her daytime TV talk show amid an internal company investigation of complaints of a difficult and unfair workplace.
“On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ would be a place of happiness - no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect,” DeGeneres wrote. Something changed, she said, “and for that, I am sorry.”
In a separate statement, the Warner Bros. studio said the investigation’s “primary findings” revealed what it called some flaws in the show’s daily management.
DeGeneres’ memo and the probe by the studio’s parent company followed a BuzzFeed News report in which one current and 10 former show employees complained about issues including being fired after taking medical or bereavement leave. One worker said she left because of comments about her race.
Most of the complaints were tied to executive producers and senior managers, BuzzFeed News said, but one ex-employee said DeGeneres need to take more responsibility for the work environment. The people making the allegations were not identified.
The complaints contrast sharply with the show’s upbeat tenor and DeGeneres’ own public demeanor and exhortations for people to be kind and caring.
In its statement, Warner Bros. said it and DeGeneres take the allegations about the show’s “workplace culture very seriously” and that its parent company is seeking to determine the validity of the publicly reported allegations and understand the show’s daily workings.
“As a result, WarnerMedia interviewed dozens of current and former employees about the environment at ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ … . And though not all of the allegations were corroborated, we are disappointed that the primary findings of the investigation indicated some deficiencies related to the show’s day-to-day management.”
Steps are being taken to make several staffing changes and implement other steps, the studio said, without citing specifics. The internal investigation was first reported by Variety.
DeGeneres wrote that she has “deep compassion” for people who are treated unfairly or disregarded. That comes from someone who has been judged for “who I am,” said DeGeneres, who has detailed the price she paid for being openly gay.
“As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again,” she said in the memo.
“It’s been way too long, but we’re finally having conversations about fairness and justice,” DeGeneres said, adding that she would push herself and others to “learn and grow.”
She said the COVID-19 pandemic kept her from delivering her comments in person to staffers. She signed the message, “Stay safe and healthy” and “Love, Ellen.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--Chinese scientist arrested after seeking medical care

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) - A Chinese scientist charged with visa fraud after U.S. authorities said she concealed her military ties was arrested after she left the Chinese consulate in San Francisco to seek medical care for her asthma , court documents showed .
Juan Tang , who has a doctorate in cellular biology , entered the United States on Dec. 27 , 2019 , to work at the University of California , Davis as a visiting researcher in the Department of Radiation Oncology , Alexandra Negin , an assistant federal public defender , said in the filing Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bail .
A hearing on whether Tang , 37 , should be released on bail is scheduled Friday .
She is being held at a Sacramento County jail on behalf of federal authorities after her arrest last week .
Tang and three other scientists living in the U.S. , face charges of lying about their status as members of China ’ s People ’ s Liberation Army .
All were charged with visa fraud , the Justice Department said .
Tang was the last of the four to be arrested after the Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco of harboring a known fugitive .
Negin said Tang went to the consulate to seek help and remained there after FBI agents questioned her at her Davis apartment on June 20 and executed a search warrant , seizing her passport and visa .
A criminal complaint was filed under seal on June 26 but Tang did not learn she had been charged with a crime until her July 23 arrest , Negin wrote .
When U.S. agents went to the Chinese consulate to inform her there was a warrant for her arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to surrender but was “ in hysterics ” and consulate employees believed she needed to see a doctor .
the filing states .
Negin said she believes federal officers were surveilling the consulate and after seeing her leave in a vehicle with consular staff , followed them to a medical office where “ Ms .
Tang was seen , medically cleared and then arrested.
” Negin wrote Tang is not a danger to the community and could have remained in the consulate to avoid arrest .
“ Instead she agreed to leave consulate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arrest her , ” she said .
Tang is married and has an 8-year-old daughter who is in China with Tang ’ s husband .
Tang left the family home at 18 to attend college and is a cancer researcher who had never traveled outside China before coming to the United States to do cancer research as part of a one-year program , Negin said .
Negin said Tang left her job in June as a visiting researcher at UC , Davis ’ Department of Radiation Oncology because her lab was closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned to return to China .
Agents found photographs of Tang in a uniform of the civilian cadre of China ’ s PLA and also reviewed articles from China that identified her military affiliation .
But Negin argued the evidence against Tang is based on old photographs from when she was a student at a medical school run by the military and documents that were translated on apps .
“ That does not mean that she was ‘ in the military , “ Negin wrote .
“ She has every incentive to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to China after the case is resolved , ” Negin added .

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A Chinese scientist charged with visa fraud after U.S. authorities said she concealed her military ties was arrested after she left the Chinese consulate in San Francisco to seek medical care for her asthma, court documents showed.
Juan Tang, who has a doctorate in cellular biology, entered the United States on Dec. 27, 2019, to work at the University of California, Davis as a visiting researcher in the Department of Radiation Oncology, Alexandra Negin, an assistant federal public defender, said in the filing Wednesday asking the court for her release on bail.
A hearing on whether Tang, 37, should be released on bail is scheduled Friday. She is being held at a Sacramento County jail on behalf of federal authorities after her arrest last week.
Tang and three other scientists living in the U.S., face charges of lying about their status as members of China’s People’s Liberation Army. All were charged with visa fraud, the Justice Department said.
Tang was the last of the four to be arrested after the Justice Department accused the Chinese consulate in San Francisco of harboring a known fugitive.
Negin said Tang went to the consulate to seek help and remained there after FBI agents questioned her at her Davis apartment on June 20 and executed a search warrant, seizing her passport and visa.
A criminal complaint was filed under seal on June 26 but Tang did not learn she had been charged with a crime until her July 23 arrest, Negin wrote.
When U.S. agents went to the Chinese consulate to inform her there was a warrant for her arrest Tang, who has asthma, wanted to surrender but was “in hysterics” and consulate employees believed she needed to see a doctor. the filing states.
Negin said she believes federal officers were surveilling the consulate and after seeing her leave in a vehicle with consular staff, followed them to a medical office where “Ms. Tang was seen, medically cleared and then arrested.”
Negin wrote Tang is not a danger to the community and could have remained in the consulate to avoid arrest.
“Instead she agreed to leave consulate property knowing this would allow law enforcement to arrest her,” she said.
Tang is married and has an 8-year-old daughter who is in China with Tang’s husband.
Tang left the family home at 18 to attend college and is a cancer researcher who had never traveled outside China before coming to the United States to do cancer research as part of a one-year program, Negin said.
Negin said Tang left her job in June as a visiting researcher at UC, Davis’ Department of Radiation Oncology because her lab was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. She planned to return to China.
Agents found photographs of Tang in a uniform of the civilian cadre of China’s PLA and also reviewed articles from China that identified her military affiliation.
But Negin argued the evidence against Tang is based on old photographs from when she was a student at a medical school run by the military and documents that were translated on apps.
“That does not mean that she was ‘in the military,“ Negin wrote.
“She has every incentive to see this case through to its conclusion and return to China after the case is resolved,” Negin added.


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--California governor asks Warren Buffet to back dam removal

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Gov .
Gavin Newsom has appealed directly to investor Warren Buffet to support demolishing four hydroelectric dams on a river along the Oregon-California border to save salmon populations that have dwindled to almost nothing .
Newsom on Wednesday sent a letter to Buffet urging him to back the Klamath River project , which would be the largest dam removal in U.S. history .
The dams are owned by PacificCorp , an Oregon-based utility that is part of Buffet ’ s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. conglomerate .
The $ 450 million project would reshape California ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It could also revive plummeting salmon populations by reopening hundreds of miles of potential habitat that has been blocked for more than a century .
That could bring relief to a half-dozen Native American tribes that rely on salmon fishing and are spread across hundreds of miles in southern Oregon and northern California .
“ The river is sick , and the Klamath Basin tribes are suffering , ” Newsom wrote , calling the removal project “ a shining example of what we can accomplish when we act according to our values.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Berkshire Hathaway ’ s chairman and PacifiCorp ’ s president .
Efforts to remove the dams and restore the basin have been in the works for a dozen years .
Newsom supports a 2016 agreement under which PacifiCorp would transfer its federal hydroelectric licenses for the dams to a nonprofit coalition , the Klamath River Renewal Corp. , that was formed to oversee the demolition .
PacifiCorp ratepayers in Oregon and California are contributing $ 200 million for the project but the plan allows the utility to avoid liability for additional costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a 2014 voter-approved California water bond .
But two weeks ago , the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission made a decision that could threaten the deal .
The agency approved the license transfer on condition that PacifiCorp remain a co-licensee with the Klamath River Renewal Corp .
The agency said it believes the nonprofit is capable of carrying out the project , and it is concerned that the corporation “ has limited finances and no experience with hydropower dam operation or dam removal.
” “ Costs could escalate beyond the level anticipated and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Renewal Corp. to be the sole licensee , it might ultimately be faced with matters that it is not equipped to handle , ” the agency said .
The decision creates “ significant ” challenges but the corporation is confident it can work with stakeholders in the project to “ once again craft a balanced solution , ” said a letter to Newsom Thursday signed by Stefan A. Bird , president and chief executive officer of Pacific Power , which is owned by PacifiCorp .
“ We share your concerns about social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solving these deeply rooted cultural and community impacts , ” the letter said .
Several tribes as well as fishing and conservation groups issued a joint statement urging Buffet ’ s support .
“ Walking away from the agreement will put PacifiCorp ratepayers on the hook for all the risks and liabilities associated with fish kills , toxic algae blooms , lawsuits , and violations of tribal rights , ” the statement said .
“ We urge Warren Buffett and PacifiCorp to end the delays and move the dam removal process forward immediately.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ six built in southern Oregon and California ’ s far north beginning in 1918 to provide electrical power .
They are also part of an irrigation system serving vast farming areas .
The four dams to be demolished lack concrete chutes called fish ladders through which fish can pass to reach upstream spawning areas .
Renewing the licenses would require hundreds of millions of dollars in federally mandated modifications , including adding fish ladders .
Coho salmon from the Klamath River are listed as threatened under federal and California law , and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 52 % to 95 % .
Spring chinook , once the Klamath Basin ’ s largest run , has dwindled by 98 % .
Fall chinook , the last to persist in any significant numbers , have been so meager in the past few years that the Yurok canceled fishing for the first time in the tribe ’ s memory .
More than 1,700 aging dams have been dismantled around the U.S. since 2012 , according to the nonprofit group American Rivers .
The Klamath River project would be the largest by @ @ @ @ @

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Gov. Gavin Newsom has appealed directly to investor Warren Buffett to support demolishing four hydroelectric dams on a river along the Oregon-California border to save salmon populations that have dwindled to almost nothing.
Newsom on Wednesday sent a letter to Buffett urging him to back the Klamath River project, which would be the largest dam removal in U.S. history.
The dams are owned by PacificCorp, an Oregon-based utility that is part of Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. conglomerate.
The $450 million project would reshape California’s second-largest river and empty giant reservoirs. It could also revive plummeting salmon populations by reopening hundreds of miles of potential habitat that has been blocked for more than a century.
That could bring relief to a half-dozen Native American tribes that rely on salmon fishing and are spread across hundreds of miles in southern Oregon and northern California.
“The river is sick, and the Klamath Basin tribes are suffering,” Newsom wrote, calling the removal project “a shining example of what we can accomplish when we act according to our values.”
The letter was sent to Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway’s chairman and PacifiCorp’s president.
Efforts to remove the dams and restore the basin have been in the works for a dozen years. Newsom supports a 2016 agreement under which PacifiCorp would transfer its federal hydroelectric licenses for the dams to a nonprofit coalition, the Klamath River Renewal Corp., that was formed to oversee the demolition.
PacifiCorp ratepayers in Oregon and California are contributing $200 million for the project but the plan allows the utility to avoid liability for additional costs. Another $250 million would come from a 2014 voter-approved California water bond.
But two weeks ago, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission made a decision that could threaten the deal. The agency approved the license transfer on condition that PacifiCorp remain a co-licensee with the Klamath River Renewal Corp.
The agency said it believes the nonprofit is capable of carrying out the project, and it is concerned that the corporation “has limited finances and no experience with hydropower dam operation or dam removal.”
“Costs could escalate beyond the level anticipated and unexpected technical issues could arise. Were the Renewal Corp. to be the sole licensee, it might ultimately be faced with matters that it is not equipped to handle,” the agency said.
The decision creates “significant” challenges but the corporation is confident it can work with stakeholders in the project to “once again craft a balanced solution,” said a letter to Newsom Thursday signed by Stefan A. Bird, president and chief executive officer of Pacific Power, which is owned by PacifiCorp.
“We share your concerns about social and environmental progress and remain committed to solving these deeply rooted cultural and community impacts,” the letter said.
Several tribes as well as fishing and conservation groups issued a joint statement urging Buffett’s support.
“Walking away from the agreement will put PacifiCorp ratepayers on the hook for all the risks and liabilities associated with fish kills, toxic algae blooms, lawsuits, and violations of tribal rights,” the statement said. “We urge Warren Buffett and PacifiCorp to end the delays and move the dam removal process forward immediately.”
The dams are the southernmost of six built in southern Oregon and California’s far north beginning in 1918 to provide electrical power. They are also part of an irrigation system serving vast farming areas.
The four dams to be demolished lack concrete chutes called fish ladders through which fish can pass to reach upstream spawning areas. Renewing the licenses would require hundreds of millions of dollars in federally mandated modifications, including adding fish ladders.
Coho salmon from the Klamath River are listed as threatened under federal and California law, and their population in the river has fallen anywhere from 52% to 95%. Spring chinook, once the Klamath Basin’s largest run, has dwindled by 98%.
Fall chinook, the last to persist in any significant numbers, have been so meager in the past few years that the Yurok canceled fishing for the first time in the tribe’s memory.
More than 1,700 aging dams have been dismantled around the U.S. since 2012, according to the nonprofit group American Rivers. The Klamath River project would be the largest by far if it proceeds.
___
This story has been corrected to accurately spell the name Buffett.


washingtontimes--2020-07-30--American Museum of Natural History outlines reopening plans

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Visitors to the American Museum of Natural History would need to make advance online reservations for specific times , and capacity would be sharply limited under a plan announced Thursday for a September reopening pending city and state approval .
The museum said if it got the necessary approvals , it would open to the public on Sept. 9 , and to members a week earlier on Sept. 2 .
Cultural institutions like the museum had been initially scheduled to reopen in the second half of July , but that was put off by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over concerns that opening indoor spaces like those would lead to a surge in coronavirus cases .
If allowed to open , the museum said it would be open five days , from Wednesday to Sunday , instead of the seven it had been before the pandemic forced a shut down in mid-March .
The plan calls for capacity to be capped at 25 % .
There would be a fixed ticket price for people coming outside of the tri-state area , and a pay-what-you-wish system for residents of New York , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require all visitors over the age of 2 to wear masks , and maintain social distancing .
The theaters and certain exhibit halls would be closed , as would amenities like food service and coat check .
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has also announced tentative reopening plans for August 29 if officials allow .

NEW YORK (AP) - Visitors to the American Museum of Natural History would need to make advance online reservations for specific times, and capacity would be sharply limited under a plan announced Thursday for a September reopening pending city and state approval.
The museum said if it got the necessary approvals, it would open to the public on Sept. 9, and to members a week earlier on Sept. 2.
Cultural institutions like the museum had been initially scheduled to reopen in the second half of July, but that was put off by the state with no new date set over concerns that opening indoor spaces like those would lead to a surge in coronavirus cases.
If allowed to open, the museum said it would be open five days, from Wednesday to Sunday, instead of the seven it had been before the pandemic forced a shut down in mid-March.
The plan calls for capacity to be capped at 25%. There would be a fixed ticket price for people coming outside of the tri-state area, and a pay-what-you-wish system for residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
The museum would require all visitors over the age of 2 to wear masks, and maintain social distancing. The theaters and certain exhibit halls would be closed, as would amenities like food service and coat check.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has also announced tentative reopening plans for August 29 if officials allow.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Hard-hit Massachusetts worries COVID-19 respite is fleeting

A backyard barbecue in the picturesque Cape Cod town of Chatham , Massachusetts , has led to more than a dozen new coronavirus infections .
About an hour away , in the coastal community of Falmouth , an in-person high school graduation ceremony was scrubbed after school officials say some seniors were exposed to the virus .
And on the western side of the state , the Baystate Medical Center in Springfield is dealing with an outbreak of at least 40 cases traced to a hospital staffer who recently returned from an out-of-state vacation .
Less than a month after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ museums and other public venues to reopen , there ’ s an increasing sense of dread that the hard-hit state ’ s summertime respite from the pandemic is waning just as families are looking ahead to the start of school .
“ Pay attention # Massachusetts - # COVID19 is on the rise .
The numbers show it .
The anecdotes show it , ” Dr. David Rosman , president of the Massachusetts Medical Society , said in a series of widely shared tweets Sunday .
Rosman , who is also the associate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Boston , said in a followup interview Wednesday that the recent uptick should be a clarion call to redouble virus prevention efforts in Massachusetts .
The state already has the third-highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S. , at more than 8,300 .
He and others have also urged Republican Gov .
Charlie Baker to consider rolling back his decision that moved the state into the third phase of his reopening plan on July 6 if case numbers don ’ t improve .
In the Boston suburb of Somerville , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Curtatone has voiced similar concerns for weeks .
Rather than enacting Phase 3 of Baker ’ s plan , the Democratic mayor has opted to hold fast to the state ’ s previous , stricter guidelines within his densely packed city of roughly 80,000 residents .
The state ’ s new reopening measures now won ’ t take effect at least until Aug. 3 in Somerville .
“ We know small numbers can flash into big ones on a dime , ” he said , citing a slight uptick in virus cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve certainly seen the stories in Florida , Texas , Arizona and other states .
California should be a warning sign for us.
” Worries about a summertime resurgence extend into neighboring Rhode Island , which mobilized National Guard troops in the earlier days of the pandemic to go door to door tracking down visitors from New York - then the pandemic ’ s epicenter - to ensure quarantines .
The tiny state has been relatively spared from the pandemic , but saw a spike of more than 100 newly confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single-day total in months .
In response , Democratic Gov .
Gina Raimondo on Wednesday delayed the next phase in the state ’ s reopening plan by another month .
She also cut back the maximum size of house parties and other social gatherings from 25 to 15 people , citing infections linked to parties , particularly among young adults .
“ We ’ re partying too much , ” Raimondo said .
“ It ’ s clear we ’ re not ready to move forward.
” She also imposed stricter limits at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beaches in recent weeks , and has threatened to impose tougher measures on bars and restaurants after some owners continue to flout the state ’ s virus regulations .
Baker , for his part , hasn ’ t publicly entertained the idea of rolling back the economic reopening in Massachusetts , which had the highest unemployment rate in the nation in June , at more than 17 % .
He argues that much of the state ’ s recent uptick can be attributed to individuals “ letting down their guard ” and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the outbreaks on Cape Cod and in western Massachusetts .
At the same time , he ’ s announced stricter travel restrictions on people coming into the state starting Aug. 1 , in recognition of soaring caseloads in other states .
But Baker and other state officials have stressed Massachusetts ’ key virus measures remain far below those in other states , not to mention compared with where Massachusetts stood when he began the phased reopening in mid-May .
The state ’ s seven-day positive test rate was 9.6 % back then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
Rosman and other leading physicians counter that Massachusetts has averaged roughly 300 daily cases in recent days , a 30 % increase from prior weeks .
They also point to anecdotal evidence that the public has grown weary of the virus fight .
In Falmouth , the seaside town that abruptly canceled graduation , town officials disclosed earlier this week that at least eight local lifeguards have tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a party for beach staff .
And in Boston , Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh publicly berated a harbor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemingly packed vessel went viral last weekend .
“ We think we ’ re winding down on COVID-19 , but we ’ re not , ” he said during his daily virus briefing .
“ If we ’ re in a sporting event , we ’ re probably at halftime right now.
” Rosman , the medical society president , said a return to virus safety fundamentals is even more crucial as local communities prepare to reopen schools and tens of thousands of college students arrive on campuses in the coming weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to school , we have to do the actions needed to get there , ” he said .
“ It ’ s like trying to lose 20 pounds .
You don ’ t get there by eating McDonald ’ s .
You do it by exercising and eating right .
”

A house party attended by restaurant workers in a picturesque beach town in Massachusetts has led to more than a dozen new coronavirus infections.
On the western side of the state, a Springfield hospital is dealing with an outbreak of at least 40 cases traced to a hospital staffer who recently returned from an out-of-state vacation.
Less than a month after Massachusetts allowed gyms, movie theaters, museums and other public venues to reopen on July 6, there’s an increasing sense of dread that the hard-hit state’s summertime respite from the pandemic is waning just as families are looking ahead to the start of school.
“Pay attention #Massachusetts - #COVID19 is on the rise. The numbers show it. The anecdotes show it,” Dr. David Rosman, president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, said in a series of widely shared tweets Sunday.
Rosman, who is also the associate chair of radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, said in a followup interview Wednesday that the recent uptick should be a clarion call to redouble virus prevention efforts in Massachusetts. The state has more than 8,300 deaths from COVID-19, among the highest in the nation.
He and others have also urged Republican Gov. Charlie Baker to consider rolling back his decision to move the state into the third phase of his reopening plan if case numbers don’t improve.
In the Boston suburb of Somerville, home to Tufts University, Mayor Joseph Curtatone has voiced similar concerns for weeks.
The Democratic mayor, who this month opted to hold fast to the state’s previous, stricter coronavirus guidelines, said Friday his city will hold off on enacting Phase 3 of the governor’s reopening plan for another two weeks.
“Pressing pause on this next phase is painful, but necessary,” Curtatone said in a written statement. “We are watching as the virus rages and businesses are shut back down in states that ignored clear warnings that they were opening too quickly. We are also watching state and local data head in the wrong direction.”
Worries about a summertime resurgence extend into neighboring Rhode Island, which mobilized National Guard troops in the earlier days of the pandemic to go door to door tracking down visitors from New York - then the pandemic’s epicenter - to ensure quarantines.
The tiny state has been relatively spared from the pandemic, but saw a spike of more than 100 newly confirmed cases Tuesday - Rhode Island’s highest single-day total in months.
In response, Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo on Wednesday delayed the next phase in the state’s reopening plan by another month. She also cut back the maximum size of house parties and other social gatherings from 25 to 15 people, citing infections linked to parties, particularly among young adults.
“We’re partying too much,” Raimondo said. “It’s clear we’re not ready to move forward.”
She also imposed stricter limits at the Ocean State’s increasingly crowded beaches in recent weeks, and has threatened to impose tougher measures on bars and restaurants after some owners continue to flout the state’s virus regulations.
Baker on Friday similarly threatened to cut the number of people allowed at private gatherings, but hasn’t publicly entertained the idea of rolling back other parts of the economic reopening in Massachusetts, which had the highest unemployment rate in the nation in June, at more than 17%.
He maintains that much of the state’s recent uptick can be attributed to individuals “letting down their guard” and not practicing proper virus safety etiquette - rather than to reopening the state economy too soon or too widely.
At the same time, Baker has announced stricter travel restrictions on people coming into the state starting Aug. 1, in recognition of soaring caseloads elsewhere.
Baker and other state officials stress Massachusetts’ key virus measures remain far below those in other states, and below where Massachusetts stood when he began the phased reopening in mid-May. The state’s seven-day positive test rate was nearly 10% back then; it’s now around 2%.
Rosman and other leading physicians counter that Massachusetts has averaged roughly 300 daily cases in recent days, a roughly 30% increase from prior weeks. They also point to anecdotal evidence that the public has grown too lax in the virus fight.
Besides the outbreaks tied to the Chatham house party and the Baystate Medical Center, state officials are investigating COVID-19 clusters from a lifeguard party in Falmouth, a high school graduation party in Chelmsford and an unauthorized football camp in Weymouth, among other large gatherings, Baker said Friday.
“We think we’re winding down on COVID-19, but we’re not,” Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said earlier this week after an image of a seemingly packed harbor cruise ship went viral last weekend. “If we’re in a sporting event, we’re probably at halftime right now.”
Rosman, the medical society president, said a return to virus safety fundamentals is even more crucial as local communities prepare to reopen schools and tens of thousands of college students arrive on campuses in the coming weeks.
“If the goal is to get back to school, we have to do the actions needed to get there,” he said. “It’s like trying to lose 20 pounds. You don’t get there by eating McDonald’s. You do it by exercising and eating right.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Delaware county bans kneeholds, partially bans chokeholds

WILMINGTON , Del .
( AP ) - A county council in Delaware has enacted a measure that bans county police officers from using kneeholds , and bars the use of chokeholds except for situations where deadly force is warranted .
The proposal was passed unanimously by the New Castle County Council on Tuesday after weeks of negotiations between the head of the county ’ s police department and a councilman who sponsored the measure , The News Journal of Delaware reported .
Numerous localities across the nation have been reexamining police policies after the May 25 death of George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that spread around the world over police brutality and racism .
Floyd , who was Black , was killed when a white officer held his knee to Floyd ’ s neck for nearly eight minutes as he was handcuffed and restrained .
Col. Vaughn Bond , head of the county ’ s police department , voiced some concerns about the ordinance during the council ’ s meeting Tuesday , asking why the proposal allows the use of chokeholds in certain situations but fully bans kneeholds .
He also criticized why officers have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ techniques if they are banned from using them .
“ If we are making exceptions in legislation and we don ’ t train for it in some way , it is a concern , ” said Councilman David Carter , who sponsored the measure .
Carter added that the exception for chokeholds was made after looking at research that shows they could be administered safely in some settings while kneeholds remain largely unsafe .
Other council members , including Coby Owens , have opposed the exception .
“ It should be banned flat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council also passed a measure to set up a duty-to-intervene policy in the police department .

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - A county council in Delaware has enacted a measure that bans county police officers from using kneeholds, and bars the use of chokeholds except for situations where deadly force is warranted.
The proposal was passed unanimously by the New Castle County Council on Tuesday after weeks of negotiations between the head of the county’s police department and a councilman who sponsored the measure, The News Journal of Delaware reported.
Numerous localities across the nation have been reexamining police policies after the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the ensuing unrest that spread around the world over police brutality and racism. Floyd, who was Black, was killed when a white officer held his knee to Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes as he was handcuffed and restrained.
Col. Vaughn Bond, head of the county’s police department, voiced some concerns about the ordinance during the council’s meeting Tuesday, asking why the proposal allows the use of chokeholds in certain situations but fully bans kneeholds. He also criticized why officers have to be trained in the use of the techniques if they are banned from using them.
“If we are making exceptions in legislation and we don’t train for it in some way, it is a concern,” said Councilman David Carter, who sponsored the measure. Carter added that the exception for chokeholds was made after looking at research that shows they could be administered safely in some settings while kneeholds remain largely unsafe.
Other council members, including Coby Owens, have opposed the exception. “It should be banned flat out,” Owens said.
The council also passed a measure to set up a duty-to-intervene policy in the police department.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Cyprus makes mask-wearing compulsory in large indoor spaces

NICOSIA , Cyprus ( AP ) - Cyprus on Friday made mask-wearing compulsory in all indoor areas where people gather in large numbers , like malls and supermarkets , and is significantly ramping up random coronavirus testing at its two main airports .
An upsurge of new confirmed cases in the last week has alarmed authorities .
Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said that a rollback of COVID-19 restrictions combined with a low infection rate led to “ excessive complacency ” by some people , whom he blamed for “ choosing to recklessly violate health protocols ” and “ put public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest spike is “ exceedingly worrying ” because people infected with the virus who don ’ t show any symptoms are spreading the disease in a way that is making containment efforts difficult .
Ioannou said it ’ s a “ utopia ” to believe COVID-19 can be completely eradicated and that the best outcome is to keep infections at a low , controllable level until a vaccine is developed .
Starting midnight Friday , anyone not wearing a mask in busy places like hospitals , banks and churches faces a fine of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Random testing at airports will increase from 600 to 1,000 a day , with emphasis on Cypriots returning from vacation .
The maximum number of passengers on public transport is again being cut to half of the vehicle ’ s capacity and police will enact a “ zero tolerance ” policy on businesses that don ’ t conform to hygiene and social distancing rules .
Ioannou announced additional measures affecting the coastal town of Limassol , where most of the new infections have been registered .
The measures , to last for three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10-person limit at all social functions and a 75-person limit for indoor seating at bars and restaurants .
That limit is double for outdoor seating .
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades warned in a written statement that flouting these new restrictions would lead to even stricter measures that would have grave economic repercussions .
Divided Cyprus , with a population of around 870,000 people in the southern , internationally recognized part has registered 1,084 COVID-19 infections and 26 deaths .

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) - Cyprus on Friday made mask-wearing compulsory in all indoor areas where people gather in large numbers, like malls and supermarkets, and is significantly ramping up random coronavirus testing at its two main airports. An upsurge of new confirmed cases in the last week has alarmed authorities.
Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said that a rollback of COVID-19 restrictions combined with a low infection rate led to “excessive complacency” by some people, whom he blamed for “choosing to recklessly violate health protocols” and “put public health at risk.”
He said the latest spike is “exceedingly worrying” because people infected with the virus who don’t show any symptoms are spreading the disease in a way that is making containment efforts difficult.
Ioannou said it’s a “utopia” to believe COVID-19 can be completely eradicated and that the best outcome is to keep infections at a low, controllable level until a vaccine is developed.
Starting midnight Friday, anyone not wearing a mask in busy places like hospitals, banks and churches faces a fine of 300 euros ($366). Random testing at airports will increase from 600 to 1,000 a day, with emphasis on Cypriots returning from vacation.
The maximum number of passengers on public transport is again being cut to half of the vehicle’s capacity and police will enact a “zero tolerance” policy on businesses that don’t conform to hygiene and social distancing rules.
Ioannou announced additional measures affecting the coastal town of Limassol, where most of the new infections have been registered. The measures, to last for three weeks, include the return of a 10-person limit at all social functions and a 75-person limit for indoor seating at bars and restaurants. That limit is double for outdoor seating.
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades warned in a written statement that flouting these new restrictions would lead to even stricter measures that would have grave economic repercussions.
Divided Cyprus, with a population of around 870,000 people in the southern, internationally recognized part has registered 1,084 COVID-19 infections and 26 deaths.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei dismisses nuclear talks with U.S.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday rejected U.S. pressure to participate in nuclear negotiations .
Tensions between the @ @ @ @ @ built over the last several years following the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement @ @ @ @ @ administration has since launched a so-called maximum pressure campaign aimed at squeezing its government and @ @ @ @ @ economic and political sanctions on the country and its leadership .
“ America ’ s @ @ @ @ @ aimed at collapsing our economy , ” Mr. Khamenei said in a televised address .
@ @ @ @ @ limit our influence in the region and to halt our missile and nuclear capabilities.
” @ @ @ @ @ “ relying on national capabilities and cutting our dependence on oil exports will help us @ @ @ @ @ pressure .
”

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday rejected U.S. pressure to participate in nuclear negotiations.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have steadily built over the last several years following the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement in 2018.
The Trump administration has since launched a so-called maximum pressure campaign aimed at squeezing its government and nuclear abilities and has placed economic and political sanctions on the country and its leadership.
“America’s brutal sanctions on Iran are aimed at collapsing our economy,” Mr. Khamenei said in a televised address. “Their aim is to limit our influence in the region and to halt our missile and nuclear capabilities.”
He told his listeners that “relying on national capabilities and cutting our dependence on oil exports will help us to resist America’s pressure.”
• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Police identify 2 killed in shooting outside Omaha motel

OMAHA , Neb .
( AP ) - Police have identified two people shot to death outside an Omaha motel @ @ @ @ @ , and Michael Harbou , 35 , were killed in the shooting that happened around @ @ @ @ @ Best Western motel in southwestern Omaha , police said .
Officers called to the motel @ @ @ @ @ gunshot wounds outside the building .
Both were declared dead at the scene .
News @ @ @ @ @ one of the victims had been a guest at the motel at the time of @ @ @ @ @ not announced any arrests in the killings by Friday morning .

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Police have identified two people shot to death outside an Omaha motel.
Nicole Hatten, 36, and Michael Harbou, 35, were killed in the shooting that happened around 7:30 a.m. Thursday outside a Best Western motel in southwestern Omaha, police said.
Officers called to the motel found Hatten and Harbour with gunshot wounds outside the building. Both were declared dead at the scene. News outlets reported that at least one of the victims had been a guest at the motel at the time of the shooting.
Police had not announced any arrests in the killings by Friday morning.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Rhode Island boy digs up massive 2 1/2-pound mollusk

NARRAGANSETT , R.I. ( AP ) - An 11-year-old Rhode Island boy clamming with his grandfather found a giant quahog that is thought to be one of the largest ever harvested in state waters .
Cooper Monaco , of Wakefield , found the massive mollusk Monday in the Weekapaug section of Westerly , and donated it to the University of Rhode Island ’ s Marine Science Research Facility in Narragansett , the university said in a statement Thursday .
The clam is 5.75 inches ( 14.5 centimeters ) across and weighs nearly 2 1/2 pounds ( 1.3 kilograms ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not keep quahog records , but a typical quahog grows to about 4 inches ( 10 centimeters ) across , the university said .
“ I was down on my hands and knees in the water looking for clams , and I touched this huge rock thing , ” Cooper said in the statement .
“ I always pull out rocks and throw them to the side and look under them .
And then I felt the edge of it and I thought , ‘ holy moly , this is a clam.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was amazing.
” He knew it was unsually large , so told his mother not to cook it .
Ed Baker , the manager of the URI Marine Science Research Facility , plans to put the quahog on display .

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (AP) - An 11-year-old Rhode Island boy clamming with his grandfather found a giant quahog that is thought to be one of the largest ever harvested in state waters.
Cooper Monaco, of Wakefield, found the massive mollusk Monday in the Weekapaug section of Westerly, and donated it to the University of Rhode Island’s Marine Science Research Facility in Narragansett, the university said in a statement Thursday.
The clam is 5.75 inches (14.5 centimeters) across and weighs nearly 2 1/2 pounds (1.3 kilograms). The state Department of Environmental Management does not keep quahog records, but a typical quahog grows to about 4 inches (10 centimeters) across, the university said.
“I was down on my hands and knees in the water looking for clams, and I touched this huge rock thing,” Cooper said in the statement. “I always pull out rocks and throw them to the side and look under them. And then I felt the edge of it and I thought, ‘holy moly, this is a clam.’ So I pulled it out. It was amazing.”
He knew it was unsually large, so told his mother not to cook it.
Ed Baker, the manager of the URI Marine Science Research Facility, plans to put the quahog on display.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Wages and benefits grow at slowest pace in 3 years

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Wages and benefits for U.S. workers rose at the slowest pace in three years in @ @ @ @ @ sign that businesses are holding back on pay as well as cutting jobs in the @ @ @ @ @ benefits increased 0.5 % in the second quarter , down from 0.8 % in the @ @ @ @ @ year .
Wages and salaries rose just 0.4 % , while benefits jumped 0.8 % @ @ @ @ @ jobs in March and April before rehiring about one-third of those workers in May and @ @ @ @ @ the unemployment rate at 11.1 % , one of the highest rates since the Depression @ @ @ @ @ so high , workers who still have jobs have less ability to resist pay cuts @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON (AP) - Wages and benefits for U.S. workers rose at the slowest pace in three years in the April-June quarter, a sign that businesses are holding back on pay as well as cutting jobs in the coronavirus recession.
Pay and benefits increased 0.5% in the second quarter, according to the government’s Employment Cost Index, released Friday. That is down from 0.8% in the first three months of the year. Wages and salaries rose just 0.4%, while benefits jumped 0.8%.
Employers shed 22 million jobs in March and April before rehiring about one-third of those workers in May and June. That has left the unemployment rate at 11.1%, one of the highest rates since the Depression. With the unemployment rate so high, workers who still have jobs have less ability to resist pay cuts or demand raises.
The ECI tracks pay and benefits for existing jobs, so it isn’t affected by layoffs or shifts in the types of jobs that exist in the economy.
Also Friday, a separate measure of personal income compiled by the Commerce Department found that overall U.S. income fell by 1.1% in June, following a steeper drop of 4.4% in May. Those figures reflect the massive job losses of recent months.
Pay and benefits increased 2.7% in the year ending in June, the same as in June 2019. That suggests that the impact of the coronavirus has not yet lasted long enough to impact the annual figures.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Charges dismissed against NAACP leaders who were at monument

PORTSMOUTH , Va. ( AP ) - A judge in Virginia has dismissed misdemeanor trespassing charges that were filed against two NAACP leaders who were protesting a Confederate monument .
The Virginian-Pilot reports that the charges were dropped Thursday against James Boyd and Louie Gibbs .
They are the president and vice president respectively of the Portsmouth chapter of the NAACP .
They were handcuffed and arrested June 10 at monument in the city ’ s downtown .
Prosecutor Shea Coleman told the Pilot that she had moved to drop the charges because evidence “ showed that the elements of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney Don Scott had also asked the judge to drop the charges .
Boyd told the Pilot that the charges were a “ waste of judicial resources ” and a “ power play to make some type of statement.
” Boyd and Gibbs said they were placing coverings on the monument when they were arrested .
Boyd said the police chief and city attorney were OK with that as long as they didn ’ t deface the monument .
Demonstrators later beheaded four statues on the monument and pulled one down .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statue fell on him .

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (AP) - A judge in Virginia has dismissed misdemeanor trespassing charges that were filed against two NAACP leaders who were protesting a Confederate monument.
The Virginian-Pilot reports that the charges were dropped Thursday against James Boyd and Louie Gibbs. They are the president and vice president respectively of the Portsmouth chapter of the NAACP.
They were handcuffed and arrested June 10 at monument in the city’s downtown.
Prosecutor Shea Coleman told the Pilot that she had moved to drop the charges because evidence “showed that the elements of the charges were not met.”
Defense attorney Don Scott had also asked the judge to drop the charges.
Boyd told the Pilot that the charges were a “waste of judicial resources” and a “power play to make some type of statement.”
Boyd and Gibbs said they were placing coverings on the monument when they were arrested. Boyd said the police chief and city attorney were OK with that as long as they didn’t deface the monument.
Demonstrators later beheaded four statues on the monument and pulled one down. A protester also was seriously injured when the statue fell on him.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Worker helping clear debris from Omaha road hit, killed

OMAHA , Neb .
( AP ) - A roadside volunteer who was helping clear debris from a south Omaha @ @ @ @ @ fatally hit by a car , police said .
The crash happened Thursday on the @ @ @ @ @ police said , killing John Holcomb , 70 , of Omaha .
Investigators said Holcomb @ @ @ @ @ an earlier crash out of the road when he was hit be a southbound car @ @ @ @ @ embankment .
Medics pronounced Holcomb dead at the scene .
The Nebraska State Patrol said @ @ @ @ @ assist volunteer when he was hit .
Holcomb had served in the Metro Area Motorist @ @ @ @ @ since 2014 , the patrol said .
Holcomb ’ s volunteer work made the state @ @ @ @ @ said Tim Weander , a supervisor with the Nebraska Department of Transportation .
“ John @ @ @ @ @ help you , ” Weander said .
The 38-year-old woman driving the car that hit @ @ @ @ @ police said .
Police continue to investigate the crash .

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A roadside volunteer who was helping clear debris from a south Omaha road following a crash was fatally hit by a car, police said.
The crash happened Thursday on the John F. Kennedy Freeway, police said, killing John Holcomb, 70, of Omaha. Investigators said Holcomb had been clearing debris from an earlier crash out of the road when he was hit be a southbound car and thrown into a grass embankment. Medics pronounced Holcomb dead at the scene.
The Nebraska State Patrol said Holcomb was working as motor assist volunteer when he was hit. Holcomb had served in the Metro Area Motorist Assist Program as a volunteer since 2014, the patrol said.
Holcomb’s volunteer work made the state’s highways safer, said Tim Weander, a supervisor with the Nebraska Department of Transportation.
“John was out there helping us help you,” Weander said.
The 38-year-old woman driving the car that hit Holcomb was not injured, police said. Police continue to investigate the crash.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--US consumer spending up 5.6%, but virus could stall gains

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - American consumers increased their spending in June by a solid 5.6 % , helping regain some of record plunge that occurred after the coronavirus struck hard in March and paralyzed the economy .
But the virus ’ resurgence in much of the country could impede further gains .
Last month ’ s rise in consumer spending followed a seasonally adjusted 8.5 % surge in May after spending had plunged the previous two months when the pandemic shuttered businesses , caused tens of millions of layoffs and sent the economy into a recession .
Now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of states , many businesses have had to pause their re-openings or close a second time and cut jobs , thereby putting consumers under renewed pressure .
The number of laid-off Americans who have applied for unemployment benefits has topped 1 million for 19 straight weeks .
All told , roughly 30 million people are out of work , the government says .
Friday ’ s Commerce Department report showed that the June increase in consumer spending coincided with a 1.1 % drop in personal incomes , which followed an even bigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those sharp declines followed a 12.1 % surge in incomes in April as a flood of government aid began to be distributed , notably $ 1,200 checks for many individuals and a $ 600 a week in federal unemployment benefits .
The $ 1,200 checks have been largely spent , though , and the $ 600 in unemployment benefits is expiring .
A standoff in Congress has prevented lawmakers from agreeing on an extension of the benefits , thereby threatening to squeeze millions of the unemployed .
Doing so would weaken spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy .
What ’ s more , recent patterns suggest that consumers have reduced their spending in the past couple of weeks .
JPMorgan Chase , which tracks total spending by its 30 million debit and credit card holders , notes that as of July 20 , their spending had dropped to a five-week low .
Spending levels remain about 12 % below pre-pandemic levels , though up from a 40 % plunge in early April .
“ While consumers felt more at ease spending in June , real-time data point to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gregory Daco , chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics , wrote in a research note .
“ With the health situation deteriorating , fiscal aid running dry , employment cooling and confidence ebbing , the risks are skewed to the downside.
” The income and spending report came against the backdrop of a devastating economic collapse in the spring .
The government estimated Thursday that the economy shrank at a dizzying 32.9 % annual rate in the April-June quarter - by far the worst quarterly plunge on records going back to 1947 - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , threw tens of millions out of work and sent unemployment surging to 14.7 % .
The economic contraction was driven by a deep pullback in consumer spending , which fell at a record pace as travel froze up and shutdown orders forced many restaurants , bars , entertainment venues and other retailers to close .
So steep was the fall last quarter that most analysts expect a sharp economic rebound for the current July-September period .
But the pain will likely continue and potentially worsen in the months ahead as the damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past week , the average number of COVID-19 deaths per day in the United States has climbed more than 25 % .
And the number of confirmed infections has topped 4.4 million , which could be even higher because of limits on testing and because some people are infected without feeling sick .
A result is that any tentative economic recovery could stall out as state and county governments roll back their reopening efforts and anxious consumers decide to stay at home rather than pursue normal economic activities like shopping , traveling and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned that the viral epidemic was endangering any modest rebound - a key reason why the Fed plans to keep interest rates pinned near zero well into the future .
Powell noted that as new confirmed cases have soared , measures of spending and hiring have slipped or plateaued at low levels .
Unemployed Americans have been receiving both state unemployment aid and $ 600 a week in additional benefits from the federal government .
The federal aid has pumped nearly $ 20 billion a week into the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay afloat .
But the $ 600 a week is expiring , and Senate Republicans have favored extending that benefit only at a much-reduced level .
Now , though , the White House and some of its Republican allies in the Senate are signaling they want to extend , at least temporarily , the $ 600-a-week unemployment benefit .
Still , any final agreement with the Democratic-led House , which has passed a much more far-reaching rescue package , may be far off .

WASHINGTON (AP) - American consumers increased their spending in June by a solid 5.6%, helping regain some of record plunge that occurred after the coronavirus struck hard in March and paralyzed the economy. But the virus’ resurgence in much of the country could impede further gains.
Last month’s rise in consumer spending followed a seasonally adjusted 8.5% surge in May after spending had plunged the previous two months when the pandemic shuttered businesses, caused tens of millions of layoffs and sent the economy into a recession.
Now, with confirmed viral infections rising in a majority of states, many businesses have had to pause their re-openings or close a second time and cut jobs, thereby putting consumers under renewed pressure. The number of laid-off Americans who have applied for unemployment benefits has topped 1 million for 19 straight weeks. All told, roughly 30 million people are out of work, the government says.
Friday’s Commerce Department report showed that the June increase in consumer spending coincided with a 1.1% drop in personal incomes, which followed an even bigger 4.4% fall in incomes in May. Those sharp declines followed a 12.1% surge in incomes in April as a flood of government aid began to be distributed, notably $1,200 checks for many individuals and a $600 a week in federal unemployment benefits.
The $1,200 checks have been largely spent, though, and the $600 in unemployment benefits is expiring. A standoff in Congress has prevented lawmakers from agreeing on an extension of the benefits, thereby threatening to squeeze millions of the unemployed. Doing so would weaken spending by consumers, the primary driver of the economy.
What’s more, recent patterns suggest that consumers have reduced their spending in the past couple of weeks. JPMorgan Chase, which tracks total spending by its 30 million debit and credit card holders, notes that as of July 20, their spending had dropped to a five-week low. Spending levels remain about 12% below pre-pandemic levels, though up from a 40% plunge in early April.
“While consumers felt more at ease spending in June, real-time data point to plateauing demand since early July,” Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, wrote in a research note. “With the health situation deteriorating, fiscal aid running dry, employment cooling and confidence ebbing, the risks are skewed to the downside.”
The income and spending report came against the backdrop of a devastating economic collapse in the spring. The government estimated Thursday that the economy shrank at a dizzying 32.9% annual rate in the April-June quarter - by far the worst quarterly plunge on records going back to 1947 - as the viral outbreak shut down businesses, threw tens of millions out of work and sent unemployment surging to 14.7%.
The economic contraction was driven by a deep pullback in consumer spending, which fell at a record pace as travel froze up and shutdown orders forced many restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and other retailers to close.
So steep was the fall last quarter that most analysts expect a sharp economic rebound for the current July-September period. But the pain will likely continue and potentially worsen in the months ahead as the damage from the virus deepens. Over the past week, the average number of COVID-19 deaths per day in the United States has climbed more than 25%. And the number of confirmed infections has topped 4.4 million, which could be even higher because of limits on testing and because some people are infected without feeling sick.
A result is that any tentative economic recovery could stall out as state and county governments roll back their reopening efforts and anxious consumers decide to stay at home rather than pursue normal economic activities like shopping, traveling and eating out.
On Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned that the viral epidemic was endangering any modest rebound - a key reason why the Fed plans to keep interest rates pinned near zero well into the future. Powell noted that as new confirmed cases have soared, measures of spending and hiring have slipped or plateaued at low levels.
Unemployed Americans have been receiving both state unemployment aid and $600 a week in additional benefits from the federal government. The federal aid has pumped nearly $20 billion a week into the economy and enabled many of the unemployed to stay afloat. But the $600 a week is expiring, and Senate Republicans have favored extending that benefit only at a much-reduced level.
Now, though, the White House and some of its Republican allies in the Senate are signaling they want to extend, at least temporarily, the $600-a-week unemployment benefit. Still, any final agreement with the Democratic-led House, which has passed a much more far-reaching rescue package, may be far off.
___
AP Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Air Guard to be deployed this fall; Army Guard next year

COLCHESTER , Vt. ( AP ) - Nearly 1,000 Vermont Army National Guard members will be deployed starting early next @ @ @ @ @ Air National Guard members will be deployed this fall , officials announced Thursday .
The @ @ @ @ @ a press conference on Friday to discuss the actions .
It said more than 70 @ @ @ @ @ wing will leave starting in October but did not say where they will be serving @ @ @ @ @ the Mountain Battalion and the 172nd Law Enforcement Detachment will be deployed in the first @ @ @ @ @ details about the deployment were not released .
The Army deployment is “ part of @ @ @ @ @ in over 10 years , ” the Vermont National Guard said .

COLCHESTER, Vt. (AP) - Nearly 1,000 Vermont Army National Guard members will be deployed starting early next year and more than 70 Air National Guard members will be deployed this fall, officials announced Thursday.
The Vermont National Guard was holding a press conference on Friday to discuss the actions. It said more than 70 airmen from the 158th fighter wing will leave starting in October but did not say where they will be serving. Nearly 400 soldiers from the Mountain Battalion and the 172nd Law Enforcement Detachment will be deployed in the first few months of 2021 but details about the deployment were not released.
The Army deployment is “part of the largest Army mission set in over 10 years,” the Vermont National Guard said.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Matthew Albence to retire as head of ICE

Matthew Albence , who ’ s led U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement over the last 15 months , overseeing an agency at the center of the national immigration debate — and increasingly under attack by Democrats — will retire at the end of August .
The career law enforcement man , who started as a special agent with the old Immigration and Naturalization Service then moved to ICE when it was created in 2003 , told The Washington Times he ’ s been working in government for nearly 26 years and “ I ’ d like to try working for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaving on his own terms and wasn ’ t pushed out by internal or external forces .
“ There were no straws .
I ’ ve had a great run .
I ’ m leaving with nothing but happiness and pride , ” he said .
In an interview with The Times , Mr. Albence repeatedly redirected questions about himself and his tenure back to the ICE agents , officers , lawyers and other employees he said he was privileged to oversee .
“ The vast majority of the greatest people I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked with this agency , ” he said .
“ I ’ m celebrating the fact that I ’ ve been able to have such a good run.
” Mr. Albence did , though , bristle at the poisonous attitude that some have taken toward his agency and its employees , who have been compared to Nazis “ stormtroopers ” and the Ku Klux Klan — and that ’ s just by members of Congress .
“ What other agency arrests 50,000 , 60,000 criminals a year and gets criticized for doing so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that the criticism from members of Congress was particularly striking because his employees are carrying out the laws written by Capitol Hill .
“ Go after the laws , don ’ t go after the people that are just doing their jobs , ” he said .
“ If Congress doesn ’ t like the laws that exist , they certainly have the ability to change them.
” He said a third of ICE ’ s workforce has a military background , meaning “ these individuals were heroes long before they strapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouldn ’ t be subjected to name calling , ” Mr. Albence said .
He pointed out that ICE has gotten budget increases nearly every year this decade , which he took as a sign of support amid all the harsh words .
Mr. Albence ’ s current formal title is ICE ’ s deputy director performing the duties of the director .
ICE has been without a confirmed director since the end of the Obama administration .
President Trump ’ s first pick , Tom Homan , served as acting director through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ronald D. Vitiello , a former Border Patrol chief , became acting ICE director and was nominated , but Mr. Trump canceled the nomination in April 2019 , amid the growing border surge , saying he wanted “ a tougher direction.
” Mark Morgan , another former Border Patrol chief , became acting director for about a month , then was moved over to lead Customs and Border Protection , and Mr. Albence became the fourth acting director during Mr. Trump ’ s tenure .
It will be up to the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to name a replacement .
In an official statement from ICE , Mr. Albence said he “ will work alongside DHS and ICE leadership to ensure a smooth transition.
” Mr. Albence was viewed as a critical voice for ICE within an administration that has taken a keen interest in all aspects of immigration policy .
Earlier this year Politico reported that he was battling the White House over attempts to install more political appointees inside the agency .
Mr. Albence said he pondered retiring when he crossed the 25-year mark , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency get a handle on coronavirus .
ICE ’ s immigration operations have had to deal with the disease in detention facilities .
Other divisions , which get less attention , have also had prominent roles .
Homeland Security Investigations launched Operation Stolen Promise to block fraudulent cures and equipment amid the pandemic , and HSI has taken thousands of internet domains offline .
HSI also plays a major role in targeting criminal gangs , and tracking down child pornographers .
Last year , Mr. Albence cut the ribbon on ICE ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for notifying foreign countries when a registered sex offender is traveling overseas .

Matthew Albence, who’s led U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement over the last 15 months, overseeing an agency at the center of the national immigration debate — and increasingly under attack by Democrats — will retire at the end of August.
The career law enforcement man, who started as a special agent with the old Immigration and Naturalization Service then moved to ICE when it was created in 2003, told The Washington Times he’s been working in government for nearly 26 years and “I’d like to try working for myself.”
Mr. Albence said he was leaving on his own terms and wasn’t pushed out by internal or external forces.
“There were no straws. I’ve had a great run. I’m leaving with nothing but happiness and pride,” he said.
In an interview with The Times, Mr. Albence repeatedly redirected questions about himself and his tenure back to the ICE agents, officers, lawyers and other employees he said he was privileged to oversee.
“The vast majority of the greatest people I’ve worked with in my life have worked with this agency,” he said. “I’m celebrating the fact that I’ve been able to have such a good run.”
Mr. Albence did, though, bristle at the poisonous attitude that some have taken toward his agency and its employees, who have been compared to Nazis “stormtroopers” and the Ku Klux Klan — and that’s just by members of Congress.
“What other agency arrests 50,000, 60,000 criminals a year and gets criticized for doing so?” he said.
Mr. Albence said that the criticism from members of Congress was particularly striking because his employees are carrying out the laws written by Capitol Hill.
“Go after the laws, don’t go after the people that are just doing their jobs,” he said. “If Congress doesn’t like the laws that exist, they certainly have the ability to change them.”
He said a third of ICE’s workforce has a military background, meaning “these individuals were heroes long before they strapped on a badge.”
“They certainly shouldn’t be subjected to name calling,” Mr. Albence said.
He pointed out that ICE has gotten budget increases nearly every year this decade, which he took as a sign of support amid all the harsh words.
Mr. Albence’s current formal title is ICE’s deputy director performing the duties of the director.
ICE has been without a confirmed director since the end of the Obama administration. President Trump’s first pick, Tom Homan, served as acting director through June 2018 but never won confirmation. Ronald D. Vitiello, a former Border Patrol chief, became acting ICE director and was nominated, but Mr. Trump canceled the nomination in April 2019, amid the growing border surge, saying he wanted “a tougher direction.”
Mark Morgan, another former Border Patrol chief, became acting director for about a month, then was moved over to lead Customs and Border Protection, and Mr. Albence became the fourth acting director during Mr. Trump’s tenure.
It will be up to the White House and acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf to name a replacement.
In an official statement from ICE, Mr. Albence said he “will work alongside DHS and ICE leadership to ensure a smooth transition.”
Mr. Albence was viewed as a critical voice for ICE within an administration that has taken a keen interest in all aspects of immigration policy. Earlier this year Politico reported that he was battling the White House over attempts to install more political appointees inside the agency.
Mr. Albence said he pondered retiring when he crossed the 25-year mark, but stayed on in part to help the agency get a handle on coronavirus.
ICE’s immigration operations have had to deal with the disease in detention facilities.
Other divisions, which get less attention, have also had prominent roles. Homeland Security Investigations launched Operation Stolen Promise to block fraudulent cures and equipment amid the pandemic, and HSI has taken thousands of internet domains offline.
HSI also plays a major role in targeting criminal gangs, and tracking down child pornographers.
Last year, Mr. Albence cut the ribbon on ICE’s new Angel Watch Center, which is responsible for notifying foreign countries when a registered sex offender is traveling overseas.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Federally indicted Atlanta Councilman says he won't resign

ATLANTA ( AP ) - An Atlanta councilman indicted on multiple federal fraud charges says he will not step down from his council seat .
Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Brown , 35 , was indicted Wednesday on charges of wire fraud , mail fraud , bank fraud and making false statements on a bank loan application .
He told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday that he planned to fight the charges and did not intend to resign .
The councilman was accused of taking out loans and making credit card purchases , including purchasing a Range Rover and Mercedes Benz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the victim of identity theft and was not responsible for the charges or repaying the loans , the U.S. attorney ’ s office said .
The charges related to conduct that allegedly happened before Brown was elected to the council , U.S. Attorney Byung J. Pak said in a statement .
Brown won a special runoff election in 2019 for the seat , becoming the first Black , openly LGBTQ member of the council , news outlets reported at the time .
“ The people that have walked alongside me know my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passion to fight for the least of these , ” Brown wrote in the tweet Thursday .
“ God has been preparing me for such a time as this , I ’ ve overcome greater , my spirit is strong & I place my faith in God ’ s plan .
”

ATLANTA (AP) - An Atlanta councilman indicted on multiple federal fraud charges says he will not step down from his council seat.
Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Brown, 35, was indicted Wednesday on charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud and making false statements on a bank loan application. He told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday that he planned to fight the charges and did not intend to resign.
The councilman was accused of taking out loans and making credit card purchases, including purchasing a Range Rover and Mercedes Benz C300. He then falsely claimed he was the victim of identity theft and was not responsible for the charges or repaying the loans, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
The charges related to conduct that allegedly happened before Brown was elected to the council, U.S. Attorney Byung J. Pak said in a statement.
Brown won a special runoff election in 2019 for the seat, becoming the first Black, openly LGBTQ member of the council, news outlets reported at the time.
“The people that have walked alongside me know my heart, sense of integrity & relentless passion to fight for the least of these,” Brown wrote in the tweet Thursday. “God has been preparing me for such a time as this, I’ve overcome greater, my spirit is strong & I place my faith in God’s plan.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--US consumer spending rose a solid 5.6% in June, but resurgence of virus threatens to stall further g

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - US consumer spending rose a solid 5.6 % in June , but resurgence of virus @ @ @ @ @ .

WASHINGTON (AP) - US consumer spending rose a solid 5.6% in June, but resurgence of virus threatens to stall further gains.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Family of Black man killed by Mississippi police files suit

GULFPORT , Miss .
( AP ) - The family of a Black man who was shot and killed while running away from police in Mississippi has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the department , the city and the officer cleared in the shooting .
The federal suit related to the death of Toussaint Diamon Sims , 27 , was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Gulfport on behalf of Sims ‘ mother and his two children , The Biloxi Sun Herald reported .
It alleges Sims died as a result of “ excessive , unnecessary and unlawful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arrest Sims in August 2019 on multiple felony charges , including repeatedly fleeing police in other chases , aggravated assault , domestic violence and child endangerment , authorities said at the time .
Sims led police on a chase from Pascagoula into Moss Point before he ditched the vehicle and ran , Moss Point Police Chief Brandon Ashley said .
During the foot pursuit , Sims was accused of displaying a firearm “ in a threatening manner , ” according to the chief .
Ashley has said officer Lancen Shipman ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to follow orders to stop or drop the weapon .
In October , a Jackson County grand jury cleared Shipman of criminal wrongdoing in the shooting , though he still faced internal discipline for failing to turn on his body camera ’ s audio during the encounter .
The family ’ s lawsuit alleged Shipman had inadequate training in use-of-force techniques and unnecessarily shot and killed Sims .
It also contended he failed to follow protocol by not calling for backup before chasing Sims and firing his weapon while Sims was still at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The lawsuit also said police failed to give Sims immediate medical aid .
Moss Point officials have not responded to the allegations in the lawsuit , the Sun Herald said .

GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) - The family of a Black man who was shot and killed while running away from police in Mississippi has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the department, the city and the officer cleared in the shooting.
The federal suit related to the death of Toussaint Diamon Sims, 27, was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Gulfport on behalf of Sims’ mother and his two children, The Biloxi Sun Herald reported. It alleges Sims died as a result of “excessive, unnecessary and unlawful“ force by police.
Police tried to arrest Sims in August 2019 on multiple felony charges, including repeatedly fleeing police in other chases, aggravated assault, domestic violence and child endangerment, authorities said at the time.
Sims led police on a chase from Pascagoula into Moss Point before he ditched the vehicle and ran, Moss Point Police Chief Brandon Ashley said. During the foot pursuit, Sims was accused of displaying a firearm “in a threatening manner,” according to the chief.
Ashley has said officer Lancen Shipman’s deadly force was justified because Sims refused to follow orders to stop or drop the weapon.
In October, a Jackson County grand jury cleared Shipman of criminal wrongdoing in the shooting, though he still faced internal discipline for failing to turn on his body camera’s audio during the encounter.
The family’s lawsuit alleged Shipman had inadequate training in use-of-force techniques and unnecessarily shot and killed Sims. It also contended he failed to follow protocol by not calling for backup before chasing Sims and firing his weapon while Sims was still at a distance, among other issues.
The lawsuit also said police failed to give Sims immediate medical aid.
Moss Point officials have not responded to the allegations in the lawsuit, the Sun Herald said.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Steny Hoyer: White House suggested four-month extension of $600 boost in unemployment benefits

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer on Friday said the White House a day earlier had offered Democrats a straight four-month extension of the existing $ 600-per-week boost in unemployment benefits — an offer that was apparently rebuffed .
“ Mark Meadows yesterday said maybe we can do a four-month extension on the $ 600 , ” Mr. Hoyer , Maryland Democrat , said on MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe.
” Mr. Meadows is the White House chief of staff .
“ Why did he say that ?
Because his economic advisers are saying have you seen what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we don ’ t help prop it up , people are going to be in deep , deep distress , and so many people are now , ” Mr. Hoyer said .
The Senate adjourned for the week on Thursday without a deal on a comprehensive coronavirus relief package , although Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did tee things up so the chamber could act quickly next week if there is a breakthrough .
The offer from Mr. Meadows means Republicans are essentially negotiating among themselves at this point in the proceedings .
House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider a piecemeal or stopgap approach .
Mrs. Pelosi , California Democrat , is pushing a $ 3 trillion-plus package the House passed in May that extended the juiced-up unemployment benefits through January and included billions of additional dollars for direct payments to Americans and state and local governments .
Senate Republicans introduced a $ 1 trillion package earlier in the week that would lower the extra benefits to $ 200 per week until states can pay people 70 % of lost wages .
GOP Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine , Martha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Utah also rolled out a slightly different offer on Thursday .
Ms. McSally on Thursday tried to pass a one-week extension of the current benefits via unanimous consent but was blocked by Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , New York Democrat , who called her effort a stunt .
Democrats want the full $ 600-per-week additional benefits extended at least through the end of the year .
The current benefits expire at the end of this week .
Mr. Hoyer said Mr. Meadows , a former chairman of the conservative House Freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence in the ongoing negotiations .
He described Mr. Meadows as a “ pleasant fella ” but said “ he was head of the tea party.
” “ I think Mark Meadows is not particularly helpful in this , ” he said .
Mr. Hoyer said he thinks Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin has tried to be helpful but that Republican senators don ’ t trust Mr. Mnuchin .
“ And so you have no synergy between the Republican president and the Republican Senate , and they are locked into indecision , ” @ @ @

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer on Friday said the White House a day earlier had offered Democrats a straight four-month extension of the existing $600-per-week boost in unemployment benefits — an offer that was apparently rebuffed.
“Mark Meadows yesterday said maybe we can do a four-month extension on the $600,” Mr. Hoyer, Maryland Democrat, said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
Mr. Meadows is the White House chief of staff.
“Why did he say that? Because his economic advisers are saying have you seen what’s happened to the economy? If we don’t help prop it up, people are going to be in deep, deep distress, and so many people are now,” Mr. Hoyer said.
The Senate adjourned for the week on Thursday without a deal on a comprehensive coronavirus relief package, although Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did tee things up so the chamber could act quickly next week if there is a breakthrough.
The offer from Mr. Meadows means Republicans are essentially negotiating among themselves at this point in the proceedings.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly refused to consider a piecemeal or stopgap approach.
Mrs. Pelosi, California Democrat, is pushing a $3 trillion-plus package the House passed in May that extended the juiced-up unemployment benefits through January and included billions of additional dollars for direct payments to Americans and state and local governments.
Senate Republicans introduced a $1 trillion package earlier in the week that would lower the extra benefits to $200 per week until states can pay people 70% of lost wages.
GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Martha McSally of Arizona and Mitt Romney of Utah also rolled out a slightly different offer on Thursday.
Ms. McSally on Thursday tried to pass a one-week extension of the current benefits via unanimous consent but was blocked by Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, who called her effort a stunt.
Democrats want the full $600-per-week additional benefits extended at least through the end of the year.
The current benefits expire at the end of this week.
Mr. Hoyer said Mr. Meadows, a former chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has not been a helpful presence in the ongoing negotiations.
He described Mr. Meadows as a “pleasant fella” but said “he was head of the tea party.”
“I think Mark Meadows is not particularly helpful in this,” he said.
Mr. Hoyer said he thinks Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin has tried to be helpful but that Republican senators don’t trust Mr. Mnuchin.
“And so you have no synergy between the Republican president and the Republican Senate, and they are locked into indecision,” he said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-31--Authorities unsure about what caused missing woman's death

XENIA , Ohio ( AP ) - Authorities can not determine what caused the death of a woman whose skeletal @ @ @ @ @ year in southwestern Ohio , but the investigation will remain ongoing .
Cheryl Coker , @ @ @ @ @ had been missing for about 18 months when her remains were found in April .
@ @ @ @ @ s office has said a man found them in a wooded area of Caesarcreek Township @ @ @ @ @ was “ not a common area for a person to go.
” Riverside police called @ @ @ @ @ and soon opened a homicide investigation .
However , no charges have been filed in @ @ @ @ @ no arrests have been made .
The county coroner ’ s office announced Thursday it @ @ @ @ @ manner or cause of Coker ’ s death .
But due to the circumstances surrounding @ @ @ @ @ asked that law enforcement agencies continue their investigations .

XENIA, Ohio (AP) - Authorities cannot determine what caused the death of a woman whose skeletal remains were found earlier this year in southwestern Ohio, but the investigation will remain ongoing.
Cheryl Coker, 46, of Riverside, had been missing for about 18 months when her remains were found in April. The Greene County sheriff’s office has said a man found them in a wooded area of Caesarcreek Township, on private property that was “not a common area for a person to go.”
Riverside police called Coker’s disappearance suspicious and soon opened a homicide investigation. However, no charges have been filed in the case so far and no arrests have been made.
The county coroner’s office announced Thursday it was unable to determine the manner or cause of Coker’s death. But due to the circumstances surrounding her death, they have asked that law enforcement agencies continue their investigations.