washingtontimes--2020-05-05--UFO enthusiasts call on Trump to reveal secrets after video release

Top UFO researchers were banking on a Hillary Clinton presidential victory four years ago in the hopes that her administration would lift the dark veil of secrecy over military and federal government research into unidentified craft and otherworldly technology .
Instead , UFO activists find themselves over the moon with President Trump , whose unexpected decision last week to release stunning footage showing U.S. military close encounters with unexplained objects in the sky has created an unprecedented wave of momentum that could finally break an information dam that has held for decades .
The White House has been tight-lipped on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s declaration of the Navy release to be a “ hell of a video , ” but the Pentagon has shifted the national debate by putting forward military UFO videos through official government channels .
That decision , specialists say , should end once and for all any debate about the existence of unidentified objects in the sky and instead should fuel deeper questions about exactly what the government knows and what other UFO interactions may be buried deep within classified Pentagon and intelligence agency files .
The unorthodox Mr. Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take such an opportunity and run with it — but only if he is willing to dig deeper and commit the full weight of the federal government to finding answers .
“ Do I want the president or a national leader to look at videos of something unknown in our own airspace and say , ‘ That ’ s pretty interesting ?
’ No .
I want the president to say , ‘ This is a problem .
This is something that should be investigated , ’ ” said Mark Rodeghier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Studies , a leading research group .
“ Not because it ’ s aliens — though it might be — but because of what happened .
Our pilots can ’ t run it down.
” Indeed , the three Navy videos officially released last week show military pilots tracking objects in the sky moving at incredibly fast speeds and , in at least one instance , flipping end over end while moving against the wind .
The startling footage presumably has been the subject of intensive military investigations , but Defense Department officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen in the videos remain “ unidentified.
” For researchers and enthusiasts , the public acknowledgement and disclosure of such footage may have seemed much less likely under a Trump presidency .
Many in the community were optimistic in 2016 that Mrs. Clinton , if elected , would be the commander in chief who finally opens the government ’ s vault of UFO secrets .
There was ample reason for such optimism .
For starters , Mrs. Clinton ’ s husband , former President Bill Clinton , had an interest in UFOs during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he would release troves of information to the public fizzled out .
The Clintons also share a deep connection with political consultant John Podesta , a noted UFO enthusiast who for decades has urged the government to be more forthcoming on the issue .
Mr. Podesta served as Mr. Clinton ’ s chief of staff and chairman of Mrs. Clinton ’ s ill-fated 2016 campaign .
During her race against Mr. Trump , Mrs. Clinton vowed to “ open the files as much as we can ” and give the public more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the information shows , ” she said in a 2016 radio interview .
“ There ’ s enough stories out there that I don ’ t think everybody is just sitting in their kitchen making them up.
” Other presidents also have had a keen interest in the topic .
Former President Jimmy Carter said he saw a UFO in 1969 while serving as governor of Georgia .
His official report on the incident said that “ the object hovered about 30 degrees above the horizon and moved in toward the Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Like Mrs. Clinton , Mr. Carter during his 1976 presidential campaign pledged to release additional information about UFOs to the public , though he ultimately did not follow through in the way researchers had hoped .
President Obama publicly showed little interest in the subject .
In a 2015 interview with TV host Jimmy Kimmel , he mocked the notion of using his power as commander in chief to dig into information about UFOs and the infamous Area 51 government research facility .
“ The aliens won ’ t let it happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You ’ d reveal all their secrets .
They exercise strict control over us.
” Researchers say the time is ripe for a radical shift in the government ’ s approach , and they are calling on the president to lead the charge .
“ It is time to open the discussion as to who these beings are , where they are from and why they are here .
Perhaps in doing so we will find out who we are , where we are from and why we are here , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mutual UFO Network , a research and investigative group .
While past presidents have either not followed through on their plans to pry loose information or simply lost interest in the topic , there is hope that Mr. Trump could prove to be the exception .
For starters , the president has shown an unprecedented willingness to buck the U.S. intelligence community and , given his combative style and common refrain that the “ deep state ” is harming the American public , would seem uniquely capable of going to the mat on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr. Trump has demonstrated some desire to reveal long-held government secrets .
In 2017 , the president boasted that he would finally release classified information about the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy .
“ Subject to the receipt of further information , ” he tweeted in October 2017 , “ I will be allowing , as president , the long blocked and classified JFK FILES to be opened.
” Ultimately , however , Mr. Trump kept some of that information hidden .
The president said he concluded that some documents represented a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. national security that any public disclosure benefit was outweighed .
Mr. Trump could encounter similar problems if he decides to delve deeper into government UFO data , analysts say .
It would take direct presidential orders they say , for the Pentagon or any other arm of the federal government to even brief the president on every piece of UFO-related data hidden in classified files .
“ If you ’ re Trump , on any topic , while in theory you can say , ‘ I want to see the report , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president says that , ” Mr. Rodeghier said .
“ There are all of those layers that go on.
” The White House did not respond to a request for comment on whether the president intends to push for more public disclosure on the issue .
Mr. Trump made his only public comments on UFOs last week in an interview with Reuters when he was asked about the Navy footage .
“ I just wonder if it ’ s real , ” he said .
“ That ’ s a hell of a @ @ @

Top UFO researchers were banking on a Hillary Clinton presidential victory four years ago in the hopes that her administration would lift the dark veil of secrecy over military and federal government research into unidentified craft and otherworldly technology.
Instead, UFO activists find themselves over the moon with President Trump, whose unexpected decision last week to release stunning footage showing U.S. military close encounters with unexplained objects in the sky has created an unprecedented wave of momentum that could finally break an information dam that has held for decades.
The White House has been tight-lipped on the subject, other than Mr. Trump’s declaration of the Navy release to be a “hell of a video,” but the Pentagon has shifted the national debate by putting forward military UFO videos through official government channels. That decision, specialists say, should end once and for all any debate about the existence of unidentified objects in the sky and instead should fuel deeper questions about exactly what the government knows and what other UFO interactions may be buried deep within classified Pentagon and intelligence agency files.
The unorthodox Mr. Trump, they argue, could be perfectly positioned to take such an opportunity and run with it — but only if he is willing to dig deeper and commit the full weight of the federal government to finding answers.
“Do I want the president or a national leader to look at videos of something unknown in our own airspace and say, ‘That’s pretty interesting?’ No. I want the president to say, ‘This is a problem. This is something that should be investigated,’” said Mark Rodeghier, scientific director at the Center for UFO Studies, a leading research group. “Not because it’s aliens — though it might be — but because of what happened. Our pilots can’t run it down.”
Indeed, the three Navy videos officially released last week show military pilots tracking objects in the sky moving at incredibly fast speeds and, in at least one instance, flipping end over end while moving against the wind.
The startling footage presumably has been the subject of intensive military investigations, but Defense Department officials said last week only that the craft seen in the videos remain “unidentified.”
Presidents and UFOs
For researchers and enthusiasts, the public acknowledgement and disclosure of such footage may have seemed much less likely under a Trump presidency. Many in the community were optimistic in 2016 that Mrs. Clinton, if elected, would be the commander in chief who finally opens the government’s vault of UFO secrets.
There was ample reason for such optimism. For starters, Mrs. Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, had an interest in UFOs during his time in office, though hopes that he would release troves of information to the public fizzled out.
The Clintons also share a deep connection with political consultant John Podesta, a noted UFO enthusiast who for decades has urged the government to be more forthcoming on the issue. Mr. Podesta served as Mr. Clinton’s chief of staff and chairman of Mrs. Clinton’s ill-fated 2016 campaign.
During her race against Mr. Trump, Mrs. Clinton vowed to “open the files as much as we can” and give the public more information.
“I want to see what the information shows,” she said in a 2016 radio interview. “There’s enough stories out there that I don’t think everybody is just sitting in their kitchen making them up.”
Other presidents also have had a keen interest in the topic. Former President Jimmy Carter said he saw a UFO in 1969 while serving as governor of Georgia.
His official report on the incident said that “the object hovered about 30 degrees above the horizon and moved in toward the Earth and away before disappearing into the distance.”
Like Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Carter during his 1976 presidential campaign pledged to release additional information about UFOs to the public, though he ultimately did not follow through in the way researchers had hoped.
President Obama publicly showed little interest in the subject. In a 2015 interview with TV host Jimmy Kimmel, he mocked the notion of using his power as commander in chief to dig into information about UFOs and the infamous Area 51 government research facility.
“The aliens won’t let it happen,” Mr. Obama joked. “You’d reveal all their secrets. They exercise strict control over us.”
Trump’s opportunity?
Researchers say the time is ripe for a radical shift in the government’s approach, and they are calling on the president to lead the charge.
“It is time to open the discussion as to who these beings are, where they are from and why they are here. Perhaps in doing so we will find out who we are, where we are from and why we are here,” said Jan Harzan, executive director of the Mutual UFO Network, a research and investigative group.
While past presidents have either not followed through on their plans to pry loose information or simply lost interest in the topic, there is hope that Mr. Trump could prove to be the exception. For starters, the president has shown an unprecedented willingness to buck the U.S. intelligence community and, given his combative style and common refrain that the “deep state” is harming the American public, would seem uniquely capable of going to the mat on the issue.
On other sensitive matters, Mr. Trump has demonstrated some desire to reveal long-held government secrets.
In 2017, the president boasted that he would finally release classified information about the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy.
“Subject to the receipt of further information,” he tweeted in October 2017, “I will be allowing, as president, the long blocked and classified JFK FILES to be opened.”
Ultimately, however, Mr. Trump kept some of that information hidden. The president said he concluded that some documents represented a threat “of such gravity” to U.S. national security that any public disclosure benefit was outweighed.
Mr. Trump could encounter similar problems if he decides to delve deeper into government UFO data, analysts say. It would take direct presidential orders they say, for the Pentagon or any other arm of the federal government to even brief the president on every piece of UFO-related data hidden in classified files.
“If you’re Trump, on any topic, while in theory you can say, ‘I want to see the report,’ you know what happens when a president says that,” Mr. Rodeghier said. “There are all of those layers that go on.”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment on whether the president intends to push for more public disclosure on the issue.
Mr. Trump made his only public comments on UFOs last week in an interview with Reuters when he was asked about the Navy footage.
“I just wonder if it’s real,” he said. “That’s a hell of a video.”
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-05--Judge restores NY Democratic presidential primary on June 23

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The New York Democratic presidential primary must take place June 23 because canceling it would be unconstitutional , a judge ruled Tuesday .
U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres in Manhattan ruled after hearing arguments a day earlier as lawyers for withdrawn presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Andrew Yang argued that it was wrong to cancel the primary .
The judge said there was enough time before the primary occurs to figure out how to carry it out safely .
“ If all but one of the presidential candidates are removed from the ballot and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plaintiffs will be deprived of the opportunity to compete for delegate slots and shape the course of events at the Convention , and voters will lose the chance to express their support for delegates who share their views , the judge wrote .
“ The loss of these First Amendment rights is a heavy hardship.
” She added : “ There is also a strong public interest in permitting the presidential primary to proceed with the full roster of qualified candidates.
” The Democratic members of the State ’ s Board of Elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York was still planning to hold its congressional and state-level primaries June 23 .
They cited the danger to voters from the coronavirus as a reason to cancel the election since former Vice President Joe Biden has been endorsed by the major candidates he had faced .
New York state Democratic party chair Jay Jacobs said : “ We are reviewing it.
” Jacobs had called holding the primary “ unnecessary ” with the suspension of Sanders ’ campaign and said reduced turnout could reduce the need for as many poll workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday did not immediately return calls seeking comment .

LARRY NEUMEISTER, MARINA VILLENEUVE and BILL BARROW

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Democratic presidential primary must take place June 23 because canceling it would be unconstitutional and deprive withdrawn presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Andrew Yang of proper representation at the Democratic convention, a judge ruled Tuesday.
U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres in Manhattan ruled after lawyers for Sanders and Yang argued Monday that they otherwise would be harmed irreparably.
The judge said there was enough time before the primary to plan how to carry it out safely. She acknowledged that the reason it was canceled - to prevent the spread of COVID-19 - was an important state interest but said she was unconvinced it justified infringing rights, especially since every voter can use an absentee ballot. She noted that no other state had canceled its primary.
Torres wrote that removing presidential contenders from the primary ballot deprived them of votes for the Democratic Party’s nomination. She said it also diminished the delegates’ influence on the party’s platform and their ability to react to unexpected convention developments.
It also “deprived Democratic voters of the opportunity to elect delegates who could push their point of view in that forum,” she said. “The loss of these First Amendment rights is a heavy hardship.”
The Democratic members of the State’s Board of Elections voted last week to cancel the presidential primary even though New York still planned to hold its congressional and state-level primaries June 23.
They cited fears the coronavirus could spread among an extra 1.5 million voters who would show up for an election in which former Vice President Joe Biden already has been endorsed by the major candidates he had faced.
The fact that the primary was going to occur on June 23 anyway because of other contested races, including a number of congressional primaries, led Torres to question on Monday why the primary wasn’t canceled entirely if safety was such a concern.
Asked for reaction, New York state Democratic party chair Jay Jacobs said: “We are reviewing it.”
Jacobs had called holding the primary “unnecessary” with the suspension of Sanders’ campaign and said reduced turnout could reduce the need for many poll workers.
State board of elections spokesman John Conklin said: “No comment at this time. Our lawyers are reviewing the decision.”
Biden’s campaign declined to comment. The campaign has kept its distance from the situation, not wanting to become embroiled in a new fight over nearly 300 delegates to the summer convention and saying the campaign didn’t ask for the primary to be scrapped.
Biden became the presumptive nominee when Bernie Sanders suspended his campaign last month, but Sanders had made clear that he wanted to continue collecting delegates from remaining primaries, including in New York, to maximize his influence over the party platform and other decisions at the Democratic convention this summer.
Biden’s campaign did not want to be seen as stepping on Sanders’ efforts to do that in a state like New York, where the Vermont senator maintains a significant following.
Sanders’ allies celebrated the ruling.
“Credit to Andrew Yang and all the grassroots groups that have been carrying on the fight for democracy in New York,” said Larry Cohen, who chairs Our Revolution, the grassroots organization spun out of Sanders’ 2016 White House bid. “Vote by mail is the answer to the pandemic,” Cohen continued, “not canceling the presidential primary when more than 80% of democrats have other elections the same day.”
Sanders’ representatives, in a statement forwarded by attorney Arthur Schwartz, who argued before Torres, called the decision “an extraordinary victory for the democratic process here in New York, a state much in need of something to cheer about.”
Attorney Jeff Kurzon, representing Yang and Congressional candidate Jonathan Herzog, said he was thankful that the judge upheld the laws and protected the right to vote.
“We are fired up and up and ready to go vote on June 23!,” he wrote in an email.
___
Associated Press Writer Bill Barrow reported from Atlanta and Marina Villeneuve reported from Albany.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--A 20-year Treasury bond; part of  $2.99 trillion borrowing

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - The Treasury Department is detailing how it plans to borrow a record-breaking $ 2.99 trillion @ @ @ @ @ will include issuing for the first time since 1986 a 20-year bond .
The Treasury @ @ @ @ @ credit because of the trillions of dollars the government is spending to deal with the @ @ @ @ @ , which has resulted in the loss of millions of jobs .
And the nation @ @ @ @ @ deep recession .
Treasury officials said Wednesday that the 20-year bond will first be auctioned @ @ @ @ @ goal of raising $ 20 billion .
That will be followed by $ 17 billion @ @ @ @ @ .
Senior officials believe the Treasury market will be able to handle the big increase @ @ @ @ @ borrowing needs .
Officials said they have already raised $ 1.5 trillion of the $ @ @ @ @ @ in April .

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Treasury Department is detailing how it plans to borrow a record-breaking $2.99 trillion in debt this quarter which will include issuing for the first time since 1986 a 20-year bond.
The Treasury faces an unprecedented need for credit because of the trillions of dollars the government is spending to deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in the loss of millions of jobs.
And the nation is likely headed for a deep recession.
Treasury officials said Wednesday that the 20-year bond will be auctioned on May 20 with the goal of raising $20 billion. That will be followed by $17 billion auctions in June and July.
Senior officials believe the Treasury market will be able to handle the big increase in the government’s borrowing needs.
Brian Smith, deputy assistant Treasury secretary for federal finance, told reporters that the Treasury in April has already raised $1.46 trillion of the $2.99 trillion in increased borrowing expected for this quarter without any disruption to the functioning of the Treasury market.
“The Treasury market remains the deepest and most liquid market in the world,” Smith said. “I remain very confident in the depth and liquidity of the Treasury market.”
The Treasury announced Monday that it planned to borrow $2.99 trillion in the April-June quarter, more than five times the previous quarterly borrowing record of $569 billion set at the height of the financial crisis a decade ago.
In addition to the 20-year bond auctioned on May 20, Treasury said it would hold a series of auctions next week, starting on Monday, to raise $96 billion by selling three-year and 10-year notes and a 30-year bond.
The $2.99 trillion in borrowing for just this quarter exceeds the $1.28 trillion the government borrowed in the bond market all of last year.
The huge sum is needed to pay for nearly $3 trillion in rescue aid that the government has unleashed in programs to support tens of millions of people now jobless, as well as shuttered businesses, with direct payments and loans.
In addition, the government needs to borrow to cover the shortfall in revenue that will occur because the Trump administration has delayed the deadline for tax payments this year from April to June.
The Congressional Budget Office is forecasting that the government will run a record deficit of $3.7 trillion this year, far above the $1 trillion-plus annual deficits recorded from 2009 through 2012 when the government was fighting the 2008 financial crisis and a deep downturn that followed.
The deficits would be even higher but the Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark short-term interest rate to a record low near zero and is buying trillions of dollars in government bonds and mortgage-backed securities to push long-term interest rates, which were already at record lows, even lower.
Private economists believe that the government has little choice but to spend the money now to prevent an even worse economic downturn.
Under Treasury’s plans, the government will borrow $4.48 trillion this budget year, including a projected $677 billion in borrowing in the July-September quarter. The budget year ends on Sept. 30.
The CBO is projecting the U.S. economy will shrink by a record 40% at an annual rate in the current April-June quarter but the Trump administration is expecting a V-shaped downturn with the big decline followed by a sizable rebound in the second half of this year.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--More than 20 million jobs vanish in April

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - U.S. businesses cut an unprecedented 20.2 million jobs in April , an epic collapse as @ @ @ @ @ offices , factories , schools , construction sites and stores that propel the U.S. economy @ @ @ @ @ payroll company ADP showed the tragic depth and scale of job losses that left no @ @ @ @ @ s largest economy unscathed .
The leisure and hospitality sector shed 8.6 million workers last @ @ @ @ @ and utilities let 3.4 million people go .
Construction firms cut nearly 2.5 million jobs @ @ @ @ @ of roughly 1.7 million employees .
This private industry report comes two days ahead of @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Labor Department .
Economists expect that report will show 21 million job losses @ @ @ @ @ data firm FactSet .

BALTIMORE (AP) - U.S. businesses cut an unprecedented 20.2 million jobs in April, an epic collapse with coronavirus outbreak closing the offices, factories, schools, construction sites and stores that propel the U.S. economy.
The Wednesday report from payroll company ADP showed the tragic depth and scale of job losses that left no part of the world’s largest economy unscathed. The losses will likely continue through May, with a recovery in hiring likely to begin in the months that follow, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics.
“This is one for the record books,” Zandi said. ”The good news is that we’re at the apex of the job loss.”
Even though Zandi expects hiring to resume in June as states ease lockdowns, he cautioned that it will be a “slog” over several years to recover all the jobs lost in April.
The private industry report comes two days ahead of the official monthly job figures from the U.S. Labor Department. Economists believe the Friday report will reveal unemployment in the U.S. stands at a shocking 16%, up from 4.4% in March.
According to ADP, the leisure and hospitality sector shed 8.6 million workers last month. Trade, transportation and utilities let 3.4 million people go. Construction firms cut nearly 2.5 million jobs, while manufacturers let go of roughly 1.7 million people. The health care sector cut 1 million jobs, but education services eked out a gain of 28,000 as colleges and universities do not appear to have forced significant layoffs that could come later this year.
More than half of April’s job losses came from smaller companies with 500 workers or fewer. But larger employers cut 8.9 million jobs. Polling by The Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that nearly eight in 10 households that suffered job losses expect to return to their previous employer.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--Suburban Kansas City officer fatally shoots suspect

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - An officer from a Kansas City suburb shot and killed a @ @ @ @ @ Kansas City , police there said .
Kansas City police said in a news release @ @ @ @ @ after 10 p.m. Tuesday , when an Independence police officer chased a suspect ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
The suspect stopped his car near the Central High School campus and got out @ @ @ @ @ a short foot chase ensued before the Independence officer fired his gun , hitting the @ @ @ @ @ at the scene .
Police have not released his man or identified the officer .
@ @ @ @ @ the scene of the shooting , police said , but investigators have not said whether @ @ @ @ @ suspect ’ s possession before he was shot .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - An officer from a Kansas City suburb shot and killed a burglary suspect he chased into Kansas City, police there said.
Kansas City police said in a news release that the shooting happened shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday, when an Independence police officer chased a suspect’s car into eastern Kansas City. The suspect stopped his car near the Central High School campus and got out, police said, and a short foot chase ensued before the Independence officer fired his gun, hitting the suspect.
The man died at the scene. Police have not released his man or identified the officer. A gun was found at the scene of the shooting, police said, but investigators have not said whether it had been in the suspect’s possession before he was shot.
Kansas City police are investigating the shooting.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--Corrections officer admits having sexual contact with inmate

FREEHOLD , N.J. ( AP ) - A corrections officer has admitted he engaged in sexual activities with an inmate @ @ @ @ @ central New Jersey .
Thomas Mauro , 42 , of Beachwood , pleaded guilty Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor ’ s Office .
The agency will recommend that @ @ @ @ @ six-month jail term when he ’ s sentenced July 17 .
Mauro was seen meeting @ @ @ @ @ in a bathroom at the Monmouth County jail in Freehold Township in April 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ say the pair then engaged in sexual activity .
Investigators later learned Mauro and the @ @ @ @ @ involved in a relationship in 2013 , when the woman wasn ’ t an inmate @ @ @ @ @ later that year .

FREEHOLD, N.J. (AP) - A corrections officer has admitted he engaged in sexual activities with an inmate at a county jail in central New Jersey.
Thomas Mauro, 42, of Beachwood, pleaded guilty Tuesday to criminal sexual contact, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. The agency will recommend that Mauro receive probation and a six-month jail term when he’s sentenced July 17.
Mauro was seen meeting up with the female inmate in a bathroom at the Monmouth County jail in Freehold Township in April 2019, prosecutors have said. They say the pair then engaged in sexual activity.
Investigators later learned Mauro and the 31-year-old Neptune City woman were involved in a relationship in 2013, when the woman wasn’t an inmate, but the relationship ended later that year.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--Indian trains carry thousands of stranded workers home

PRAYAGRAJ , India ( AP ) - Thousands of jobless Indian migrant workers arrived by train in their home state on Wednesday after the government eased a lockdown imposed on March 25 to fight the coronavirus pandemic .
Two trains arrived in the northern town of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh state from Surat , a diamond manufacturing hub in western Gujarat state .
Two more trains were to follow later in the day .
“ I am very happy today that I have been able to come back home .
My mother is here and she is very sick , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a teacher .
Shalu Upadhyay , an embroiderer , said the special train service was a huge relief for the stranded workers .
The stranded workers lost their jobs under the lockdown and were living in shelters and relief camps organized by the state government and charities .
After more than 50 days , the government began running special trains after workers clashed with police in Mumbai , India ’ s financial capital , and Surat over the past two weeks .
India ’ s Labor Ministry said it still doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country , although it ordered a count early last month , the Press Trust of India news agency reported .
The data was sought by an activist from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative who said a large number of migrant workers were affected by the lockdown , causing immense economic hardship .

PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) - Thousands of jobless Indian migrant workers arrived by train in their home state on Wednesday after the government eased a lockdown imposed on March 25 to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Two trains arrived in the northern town of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh state from Surat, a diamond manufacturing hub in western Gujarat state. Two more trains were to follow later in the day.
“I am very happy today that I have been able to come back home. My mother is here and she is very sick,’’ said Sunil Kumar Tripathi, a teacher.
Shalu Upadhyay, an embroiderer, said the special train service was a huge relief for the stranded workers.
The stranded workers lost their jobs under the lockdown and were living in shelters and relief camps organized by the state government and charities. After more than 50 days, the government began running special trains after workers clashed with police in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, and Surat over the past two weeks.
India’s Labor Ministry said it still doesn’t know the total number of workers stranded across the country, although it ordered a count early last month, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.
The data was sought by an activist from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative who said a large number of migrant workers were affected by the lockdown, causing immense economic hardship.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--People holding coronavirus parties in southeast Washington

WALLA WALLA , Wash. ( AP ) - Some people are intentionally flouting health recommendations by exposing themselves and others to COVID-19 in Walla Walla County , officials said .
Meghan DeBolt , director of the county ’ s Department of Community Health , told the Union-Bulletin this week that contact tracing has revealed that some are attending parties with the idea that it is better to get sick with the virus and get it over with .
New positive test results in the county have resulted from such gatherings , she said .
“ We ask about contacts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ We were at a COVID party , ’ ” DeBolt said .
She called the parties irresponsible and unacceptable .
“ We ’ re not going to overreact , ” he said .
“ But we ’ re going to contact people who tested positive and follow up with a phone call , making them aware of the potential gross misdemeanor offense of disobeying the governor ’ s orders .
If we find intentional violations , we will refer them to the city attorney.
” As of Monday , Walla Walla County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fresh Meats employees , who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 .
One person has died of the disease , according to health officials .

WALLA WALLA, Wash. (AP) - Some people are intentionally flouting health recommendations by exposing themselves and others to COVID-19 in Walla Walla County, officials said.
Meghan DeBolt, director of the county’s Department of Community Health, told the Union-Bulletin this week that contact tracing has revealed that some are attending parties with the idea that it is better to get sick with the virus and get it over with.
New positive test results in the county have resulted from such gatherings, she said.
“We ask about contacts, and there are 25 people because: ‘We were at a COVID party,’” DeBolt said.
She called the parties irresponsible and unacceptable.
Walla Walla Police Chief Scott Bieber noted that disobeying Gov. Jay Inslee’s March 23 “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order is illegal.
“We’re not going to overreact,” he said. “But we’re going to contact people who tested positive and follow up with a phone call, making them aware of the potential gross misdemeanor offense of disobeying the governor’s orders. If we find intentional violations, we will refer them to the city attorney.”
As of Wednesday, Walla Walla County has 94 residents, including some Tyson Fresh Meats employees, who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. One person has died of the disease, according to health officials.
Washington State Department of Health officials on Wednesday released a statement saying gathering in groups in the midst of this pandemic can be incredibly dangerous and puts people at increased risk for hospitalization and even death.
“Furthermore, it is unknown if people who recover from COVID-19 have long-term protection, John Wiesman, Washington State Secretary of Health said. “This kind of unnecessary behavior may create a preventable uptick in cases which further slows our state’s ability to gradually reopen.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--No time like the present: End-of-life plans and the pandemic

Coronavirus has more people addressing their end-of-life planning .
And for those who haven ’ t , it ’ s a great time to take it on .
People are traditionally rather hesitant to take the steps that experts suggest - creating an advance directive , writing a will and more - in part because they don ’ t want to ponder their own mortality .
But the coronavirus pandemic has sharpened awareness and focused concern on this front .
Several estate attorneys , online legal service providers and life insurers say they ’ ve seen an uptick in interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice of Jenni Neahring , a kidney specialist and palliative care doctor at St. Charles Hospital in Bend , Oregon who works daily with patients with chronic and serious illnesses .
She says it ’ s better to make these decisions before an emergency to avoid putting extra stress and urgency on loved ones if something should happen .
If a patient is unconscious , health care professionals must spend critical time hunting down relatives or friends to help determine their preferred next steps .
Things have gotten harder with COVID-19 , Neahring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the hospitals with these patients and those on ventilators can not speak for themselves .
“ It has brought into sharp relief how necessary these conversations are and how much worse it is to have to do them at the end , ” she said .
Here are a few things you can do now to help you and your loved ones later : Start with picking your point people : who will make medical decisions for you if you can not speak for yourself ?
This person is known as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named in a legal document known as the durable power of attorney for health care .
Then choose someone who can oversee your financial affairs , such as paying your mortgage or other bills , if you are incapacitated .
This person would be given financial power of attorney .
It doesn ’ t have to be the same person as your health care proxy .
Choose someone you know well and trust for these roles .
Pick a backup as well , in case your first choice is unavailable .
After you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial representatives , consider writing a living will , or “ advanced directive.
” An advanced directive says exactly what medical care you do and do not want .
Each state has its own advanced directive form ; they can be found at the Medicare website .
If you are having trouble getting started , check out online resources such as The Conversation Project , Prepare for your Care or AARP ’ s website .
Consider writing a will to let people know what to do with your assets after you die and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any children .
Without a will , it won ’ t be up to you who raises your kids and your estate could end up in probate , potentially causing more headaches and costs for those you leave behind .
“ The takeaway is while this is a current need , it ’ s always a need , ” said Chas Rampenthal , general counsel at LegalZoom .
Many people look at end of life planning , including wills , estates and trusts , as an issue for the wealthy , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s not about how much you have , it ’ s about making your wishes known , ” he said .
And while life insurance isn ’ t always considered part of end of life planning , it can be an important step to protect your family financially .
Term life insurance , a policy in place for a certain period of time , works best for most families , versus whole life , which is much more expensive and complex .
“ This is just prompting people to eat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be doing anyway , ” said Peter Colis , cofounder and CEO of Ethos , an online life insurance company .
It ’ s not a great time to meet with people in person .
But estate attorney Matthew D ’ Emilio said that most lawyers are able to arrange phone , video or other consultations during the pandemic .
Many states have provided alternatives for witnessing and signing documents to cope with the social distancing rules .
If the idea or cost of seeing an attorney is too daunting , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of which provide direct consultation .
Let your friends and family know what you want , who is in charge and what documents you have .
Provide a copy of critical paperwork to your loved ones .
Share an advanced directive with your physician as well .
Neahring suggests keeping the name and number of your medical decision maker in your wallet for emergencies .
And while most details will be addressed in the legal documents , some experts suggest writing a short letter reiterating your preferences and reasoning to help provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later on .

Coronavirus has more people addressing their end-of-life planning. And for those who haven’t, it’s a great time to take it on.
People are traditionally rather hesitant to take the steps that experts suggest - creating an advance directive, writing a will and more - in part because they don’t want to ponder their own mortality. But the coronavirus pandemic has sharpened awareness and focused concern on this front. Several estate attorneys, online legal service providers and life insurers say they’ve seen an uptick in interest since the coronavirus hit.
Consider the advice of Jenni Neahring, a kidney specialist and palliative care doctor at St. Charles Hospital in Bend, Oregon who works daily with patients with chronic and serious illnesses. She says it’s better to make these decisions before an emergency to avoid putting extra stress and urgency on loved ones if something should happen.
If a patient is unconscious, health care professionals must spend critical time hunting down relatives or friends to help determine their preferred next steps.
Things have gotten harder with COVID-19, Neahring said, as no one is allowed in the hospitals with these patients and those on ventilators cannot speak for themselves.
“It has brought into sharp relief how necessary these conversations are and how much worse it is to have to do them at the end,” she said.
Here are a few things you can do now to help you and your loved ones later:
POINT PEOPLE
Start with picking your point people: who will make medical decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself? This person is known as the health care proxy. They will be named in a legal document known as the durable power of attorney for health care.
Then choose someone who can oversee your financial affairs, such as paying your mortgage or other bills, if you are incapacitated. This person would be given financial power of attorney. It doesn’t have to be the same person as your health care proxy.
Choose someone you know well and trust for these roles. Pick a backup as well, in case your first choice is unavailable.
WRITE IT DOWN
After you’ve addressed the health care and financial representatives, consider writing a living will, or “advanced directive.” An advanced directive says exactly what medical care you do and do not want. Each state has its own advanced directive form; they can be found at the Medicare website.
If you are having trouble getting started, check out online resources such as The Conversation Project, Prepare for your Care or AARP’s website.
Consider writing a will to let people know what to do with your assets after you die and who you choose to be guardian of any children. Without a will, it won’t be up to you who raises your kids and your estate could end up in probate, potentially causing more headaches and costs for those you leave behind.
“The takeaway is while this is a current need, it’s always a need,” said Chas Rampenthal, general counsel at LegalZoom.
Many people look at end of life planning, including wills, estates and trusts, as an issue for the wealthy, but that’s untrue, Rampenthal said.
“It’s not about how much you have, it’s about making your wishes known,” he said.
And while life insurance isn’t always considered part of end of life planning, it can be an important step to protect your family financially. Term life insurance, a policy in place for a certain period of time, works best for most families, versus whole life, which is much more expensive and complex.
“This is just prompting people to eat their vitamins and do something they should be doing anyway,” said Peter Colis, cofounder and CEO of Ethos, an online life insurance company.
GETTING HELP
It’s not a great time to meet with people in person. But estate attorney Matthew D’Emilio said that most lawyers are able to arrange phone, video or other consultations during the pandemic. Many states have provided alternatives for witnessing and signing documents to cope with the social distancing rules.
If the idea or cost of seeing an attorney is too daunting, there are many online options for legal documents, some of which provide direct consultation.
SHARE YOUR WISHES
Let your friends and family know what you want, who is in charge and what documents you have. Provide a copy of critical paperwork to your loved ones. Share an advanced directive with your physician as well.
Neahring suggests keeping the name and number of your medical decision maker in your wallet for emergencies.
And while most details will be addressed in the legal documents, some experts suggest writing a short letter reiterating your preferences and reasoning to help provide clarity and comfort to your loved ones later on.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--Vermont proposes emergency plan to provide broadband to all

The Vermont Department of Public Service is proposing a plan to provide broadband internet service to everyone in the state .
Currently about 23 % of the state , or 70,000 homes and businesses , do not have access to high-speed internet services .
That ’ s defined as download speeds of 25 megabits per second download and 3 megabits per second upload .
“ The internet is necessary infrastructure that is essential for Vermonters to stay safe when they shelter at home during a crisis , such as the COVID-19 emergency , ” June Tierney , the commissioner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement announcing the plan .
The cost estimate is approximately $ 300 million and assumes that Vermont will receive an additional infusion of federal aid to support recovery from the COVID-19 virus .
The estimated amount of public funding ranges from $ 122 million to $ 293 million , depending on the method used to disburse the funding .
On Tuesday , the Vermont Department of Health reported five new positive cases of the virus that causes COVID-19 , bringing the total to just under 910 .
The number of deaths @ @ @ @ @

Vermonters will be able to enjoy more outdoor activities and small get-togethers as part of the state’s gradual reopening, but the state of emergency imposed in March to confront the COVID-19 pandemic will be extended, Gov. Phil Scott said Wednesday.
While the stay home order will remain in effect, it is being modified so small gatherings of 10 or less among trusted friends or families will be allowed, Scott said. He also urged people who have preexisting conditions such as diabetes or heart disease that makes them more vulnerable to complications from COVID-19 to stay home.
“There is no specific set of guidelines or enforcement measures we can put into place, so we need Vermonters to use some common sense during these visits,” Scott said during his regular virus briefing.
During the briefing, Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore provided details of some of the outdoor activities that are now allowed.
Businesses and other organizations that support low- or no- direct contact activities may resume operations. She cited skate parks, ball fields, trail networks, golf courses and tennis courts.
Organized events such as recreation leagues and spectator events are not yet allowed. Campgrounds, marinas and beaches are not yet open.
Moore urged Vermonters who want to get outside to go to less-crowded areas to minimize the risk of spreading the virus.
“We need to redefine our routine in light of the new normal,” Moore said. “I challenge you to find new parts of Vermont and all that our state has to offer.”
Details for businesses can be found on the website of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and other outdoor suggestions can be found on the website of the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Despite the easing of the restrictions, Scott said the state of emergency in place since March will be extended beyond May 15 even as some additional restrictions are eased.
___
BROADBAND ACCESS
The Vermont Department of Public Service is proposing a plan to provide broadband internet service to everyone in the state.
About 23% of the state, or 70,000 homes and businesses, doesn’t have access to high-speed internet services. That’s defined as speeds of 25 megabits per second for download and 3 megabits per second for upload.
The cost estimate is approximately $300 million. The plan assumes that Vermont will receive an additional infusion of federal aid to support recovery from the pandemic.
The estimated amount of public funding ranges from $122 million to $293 million, depending on the method used to disburse the funding.
Tim Wilkerson, of the New England Cable and Telecommunications Association, said broadband service providers would work with Vermont policymakers to help construct critical internet infrastructure through public-private partnerships. But he said programs “to connect unserved areas must be inclusive of proven providers, technology neutral and include a fair process that maximizes consumer benefits and taxpayer money.”
In other developments:
____
INMATE DENIED RELEASE
A 73-year-old man accused of killing his wife in South Royalton will stay behind bars after a judge rejected arguments that he should be released from prison because his age puts him at a higher risk of serious illness from the coronavirus.
Attorneys from the Prisoners’ Rights Office of the Vermont Defender General argued that Frank Sanville should be released because the prison system is “ill-prepared to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus or treat inmates infected with it,” the Brattleboro Reformer reported.
Sanville is accused of shooting Wanda Sanville in March 2018. He pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and is being held at the state prison in Springfield awaiting trial.
In a decision released Tuesday, Judge John Treadwell wrote that denying Sanville bail amid the pandemic “is not excessive in light of the regulatory goals - protection of the public, protection of witnesses and ensuring Defendant’s appearance at trial.” Treadwell also said in his decision that the Corrections Department has tried to protect inmates from the virus.
“While the Department cannot guarantee social distancing for all inmates, it has taken substantial steps to mitigate the risks associated with contact with potentially infected persons,” Treadwell wrote.
____
THE NUMBERS
On Wednesday, the Vermont Department of Health reported two new positive cases of the virus that causes COVID-19, bringing the total to just under 910. The number of deaths remained at 52.
___
AP reporter Lisa Rathke contributed to this report from Marshfield, Vt.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--Virus could set back tuberculosis fight by several years

JOHANNESBURG ( AP ) - The fight against tuberculosis could be set back by more than five years due to the coronavirus pandemic , risking an additional 1.4 million TB deaths and 6.3 million infections by 2025 , a new report says .
The Stop TB Partnership is a Geneva-based international body leading the global fight against the respiratory illness that infects more than 10 million people annually .
Data from three countries with high TB prevalence , Kenya , India and Ukraine , was used for the new report .
Kenya is among the countries with the highest TB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 558 people in every 100,000 infected .
The study says coronavirus lockdowns affecting poor people who can not practice social distancing in their homes mean higher risk of TB transmission while restricted movements disrupt treatment .
The repurposing of TB hospitals and services for coronavirus testing and treatment also is taking a toll .
In extreme cases where lockdowns last up to three months , the study estimates that it might take up to 10 months for restore TB services to normal levels .
Addressing the disease will take far longer .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the elevated TB burden to come back to pre-lockdown levels .
The more severe the lockdown , the more severe the long-term impact , ” Nimalan Arinaminpathy , an associate professor in mathematical epidemiology at Imperial College London , told reporters .
Other unintended effects of the COVID-19 outbreak include the stigma that TB patients might face , said Cheri Vincent , chief of the TB division at USAID .
“ Here you have people who have similar symptoms to those of the coronavirus , and some would be even afraid of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stigma of being identified as having COVID-19 , ” she said .
She also expressed concern that COVID-19 could have a devastating effect on TB patients as both diseases attack the respiratory system .
Researchers behind the study also lamented the sudden capacity given to research and development for a COVID-19 vaccine compared to that for TB over the years .
“ We are looking with amazement at how COVID-19 has been around some 128 days but already has about 100 candidate vaccines , ” said Stop TB executive director Lucica Ditiu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and treatment for COVID-19 .
Nobody is talking about vaccines for HIV , malaria or TB .
”

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - The fight against tuberculosis could be set back by more than five years due to the coronavirus pandemic, risking an additional 1.4 million TB deaths and 6.3 million infections by 2025, a new report says.
The Stop TB Partnership is a Geneva-based international body leading the global fight against the respiratory illness that infects more than 10 million people annually.
Data from three countries with high TB prevalence, Kenya, India and Ukraine, was used for the new report. Kenya is among the countries with the highest TB burden in the world with an estimated 558 people in every 100,000 infected.
The study says coronavirus lockdowns affecting poor people who cannot practice social distancing in their homes mean higher risk of TB transmission while restricted movements disrupt treatment. The repurposing of TB hospitals and services for coronavirus testing and treatment also is taking a toll.
In extreme cases where lockdowns last up to three months, the study estimates that it might take up to 10 months for restore TB services to normal levels.
Addressing the disease will take far longer.
“In fact, it takes several years for the elevated TB burden to come back to pre-lockdown levels. The more severe the lockdown, the more severe the long-term impact,” Nimalan Arinaminpathy, an associate professor in mathematical epidemiology at Imperial College London, told reporters.
Other unintended effects of the COVID-19 outbreak include the stigma that TB patients might face, said Cheri Vincent, chief of the TB division at USAID.
“Here you have people who have similar symptoms to those of the coronavirus, and some would be even afraid of approaching health facilities because they would face the stigma of being identified as having COVID-19,” she said.
She also expressed concern that COVID-19 could have a devastating effect on TB patients as both diseases attack the respiratory system.
Researchers behind the study also lamented the sudden capacity given to research and development for a COVID-19 vaccine compared to that for TB over the years.
“We are looking with amazement at how COVID-19 has been around some 128 days but already has about 100 candidate vaccines,” said Stop TB executive director Lucica Ditiu. “The new agenda is vaccines and treatment for COVID-19. Nobody is talking about vaccines for HIV, malaria or TB.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--Mike Pence: Couldn't be more proud of DOJ for standing with Virginia church

Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday said he “ couldn ’ t be more proud ” that the Justice Department stood up for a Virginia church that had been sanctioned for violating social distancing rules when it held a Palm Sunday service last month .
“ I couldn ’ t be more proud of the Justice Department for standing up with that Virginia church that ’ s challenging Governor [ Ralph ] Northam ’ s ban on in-person religious services , ” Mr. Pence said .
“ The liberties enshrined in the Constitution still apply to every American , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the vice president told radio host Hugh Hewitt .
“ And President Trump and our entire administration have championed religious liberty of every American of every faith.
” The Justice Department this week filed a statement of interest in a legal case brought by a Virginia church that says it was cited for holding a 16-person Palm Sunday church service in a facility that seats about 250 people .
Attorney General William P. Barr last week had directed federal prosecutors to be on the lookout for coronavirus-related state restrictions that encroach @ @ @ @

Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday said he “couldn’t be more proud” that the Justice Department stood up for a Virginia church that had been sanctioned for violating social distancing rules when it held a Palm Sunday service last month.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the Justice Department for standing up with that Virginia church that’s challenging Governor [Ralph] Northam’s ban on in-person religious services,” Mr. Pence said.
“The liberties enshrined in the Constitution still apply to every American, even in the middle of a national emergency,” the vice president told radio host Hugh Hewitt. “And President Trump and our entire administration have championed religious liberty of every American of every faith.”
The Justice Department this week filed a statement of interest in a legal case brought by a Virginia church that says it was cited for holding a 16-person Palm Sunday church service in a facility that seats about 250 people.
Attorney General William P. Barr last week had directed federal prosecutors to be on the lookout for coronavirus-related state restrictions that encroach on constitutional rights.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--With factories dark, GM profit slumps 88%; 2Q likely worse

DETROIT ( AP ) - General Motors ‘ first-quarter net income fell 88 % , but it still managed to make $ 247 million despite the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic .
U.S. automakers suspended production in much of the world in late March .
That cut revenue for the quarter by 6 % to $ 32.7 billion , which was better than expected .
During the past two months GM has canceled its quarterly dividend for the first time in six years , suspended share buybacks and drew $ 16 billion from credit lines to prepare for the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance for the year .
The second quarter almost certainly will be worse than the first .
GM has had little cash coming in ever since because automakers count revenue when vehicles are shipped from factories .
The Detroit automaker made 17 cents per share even though its factories in North American have been closed since March .
Excluding one-time items , the automaker made 62 cents per share , much better than the per-share earnings of 40 cents that Wall Street had expected , according to a survey by FactSet GM expects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. and Canada on May 18 .
The company says it will take extensive safety measure to protect employees from the virus .
Its crosstown rivals , Ford and Fiat Chrysler , are likely to reopen their plants on the same day .

DETROIT (AP) - General Motors’ first-quarter net income fell 88%, but it still managed to make $247 million despite the arrival of the global coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. automakers suspended production in much of the world in late March. For GM, that clipped revenue for the quarter by 6%, to $32.7 billion, but that’s not as bad as industry analysts had been expecting.
Shares jumped 6% Wednesday.
The company essentially has been without revenue since early March, meaning that the second quarter almost certainly will be worse.
However, GM plans to reopen most of its U.S. and Canadian factories starting May 18, and Chief Financial Officer Dhivya Suryadevara said there are signs that demand for cars and trucks exists despite the pandemic.
On a conference call with reporters Wednesday, Suryadevara said demand has been stronger in some pockets of the U.S. where truck sales are high and cases of the coronavirus are relatively low. North America is by far GM’s most profitable market.
“There are bright spots within the industry,” Suryadevara said. “Obviously trucks are our strong suit, and that’s something we’re going to capitalize on.”
GM reported that recent sales declines have been far smaller in southern, southwest and western U.S. states than in areas such as New York and Michigan, which have been hit harder by the virus.
But Edward Jones analyst Jeff Windau said the southern and western states have been hit hard by slowdowns in the oil and construction businesses that have brought job furloughs. Both businesses typically are big pickup truck customers.
“We’re a little more cautious, I think, on the near term,” Windau said. “That’s part of the challenge. What does the recovery look like and how long does it take?”
GM didn’t give a date to reopen plants in Mexico, but Suryadevara said a lot of work is being done to get the factories back up.
The automaker has suspended its full-year financial guidance, and Suryadevara conceded the second quarter will be tough. She said she can’t predict consumer demand for certain, but believes that customers are moving to online sales. GM’s sales website has had a 40% increase in traffic since the pandemic began, she said. Many states have forced auto dealers to close showrooms.
About 85% of U.S. dealers are selling vehicles online with about 3,500 participating, she said. About 90% of them are offering home delivery of new vehicles.
During the past two months GM canceled its quarterly dividend for the first time in six years, suspended share buybacks and drew $16 billion from credit lines to prepare for the pandemic.
Suryadevara said GM entered the crisis from a strong position as it shed unprofitable businesses and restructured to cut costs. The company burned through $900 million in cash from January through March, reflecting the normal seasonal spending plus $600 million in costs due to the virus, she said.
GM, she said, made $1.2 billion before taxes, but that was cut by $1.4 billion due to the pandemic. In North America, GM made $2.2 billion before taxes, which was $300 million higher than a year ago.
With the increased borrowing, GM had $33 billion available at the end of March, she said, adding that reopening factories will help with cash flow and liquidity.
CEO Mary Barra said GM and other automakers are in talks with government officials about measures to stimulate auto sales to help restart the economy. She favors simple measures like the 2009 “Cash for Clunkers” program that gave customers cash to trade in older, less-efficient vehicles. “I think that’s going to be helpful to get people back into the market,” she said.
On a net basis, the Detroit automaker made 17 cents per share in the first quarter.
GM’s crosstown rivals, Ford and Fiat Chrysler, also are likely to reopen their plants on May 18 as well.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--Complaint filed against state in 2015 crash that killed boys

MOORHEAD , Minn. ( AP ) - The parents of two brothers who died in a 2015 crash during a school trip have filed a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety alleging misconduct on the part of the state trooper who investigated the accident .
Ray and Kathie Kvalvog claim Sgt .
Rod Eischens failed to disclose his close ties and friendships with administrators at their sons ’ school , Park Christian in Moorhead , KFGO reported .
Zach and Connor Kvalvog of Moorhead were on their way to a basketball camp in Wisconsin when their pickup crashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say Eischens ’ final report on the accident has many errors and should be changed to reflect that coach Josh Lee initially made false statements about the crash .
The coach was in another vehicle in a caravan on its way to the camp at the time .
The official accident report determined that a semi likely forced the boys ’ vehicle off the interstate , but despite a nationwide search , the semi was never found .
Last year a Clay County jury found the school and Lee were not liable in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minn. Dept .
of Public Safety spokesman Bruce Gordon confirms that Kvalvog ’ s complaint has been received and is under review .

MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) - The parents of two brothers who died in a 2015 crash during a school trip have filed a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety alleging misconduct on the part of the state trooper who investigated the accident.
Ray and Kathie Kvalvog claim Sgt. Rod Eischens failed to disclose his close ties and friendships with administrators at their sons’ school, Park Christian in Moorhead, KFGO reported.
Zach and Connor Kvalvog of Moorhead were on their way to a basketball camp in Wisconsin when their pickup crashed on I-94 near Dalton.
The Kvalvogs say Eischens’ final report on the accident has many errors and should be changed to reflect that coach Josh Lee initially made false statements about the crash. The coach was in another vehicle in a caravan on its way to the camp at the time.
The official accident report determined that a semi likely forced the boys’ vehicle off the interstate, but despite a nationwide search, the semi was never found.
Last year a Clay County jury found the school and Lee were not liable in a crash that killed the boys.
Minn. Dept. of Public Safety spokesman Bruce Gordon confirms that Kvalvog’s complaint has been received and is under review.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--Mobile home under repair destroyed in fire

NORTHFIELD , N.H. ( AP ) - Firefighters are investigating the cause of a mobile home fire in New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ .
WMUR-TV reports Northfield crews responded to the fire at about 4 a.m. Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ the 60-year-old mobile home at the time and it was under repair .

NORTHFIELD, N.H. (AP) - Firefighters are investigating the cause of a mobile home fire in New Hampshire.
No one was hurt. WMUR-TV reports Northfield crews responded to the fire at about 4 a.m. Wednesday. No one was living inside the 60-year-old mobile home at the time and it was under repair.
The mobile home is considered a total loss.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--Restaurant relief group Power of 10 hopes serves a win-win

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Chefs need to be good at math to keep their menus balanced .
But Chef Erik Bruner-Yang is applying his math skills to help something larger - the decimated restaurant industry .
The Washington , D.C-based Bruner-Yang has established The Power of 10 , a non-profit initiative that seeks donations to re-employ laid-off independent restaurant workers , keep the eateries open and provide their meals to neighborhood workers on the front line of the pandemic .
The initiative aims to raise $ 10,000 in donations per week to support 10 full-time jobs at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an hourly wage of $ 14.50 - then provide 1,000 meals to hospital workers , homeless shelters and others in need .
Donations start as little as $ 10 for one meal .
“ You ’ re buying a meal for us to cook for someone else , and all the restaurants share in the pot , ” Bruner-Yang said .
“ The math works everywhere .
The Power of 10 is just an easy way for people to understand how their donation works.
” The program got a huge shot in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would sink hundreds of thousands of dollars into the effort .
Thanks to the donation , The Power of 10 will now have over $ 750,000 in funding , giving it an ability to serve over 70,000 meals in the next four weeks .
Begun in Washington in late March with three restaurants , The Power of 10 now helps 30 restaurants , in that city ; Los Angeles ; New York City ; Charlotte , North Carolina ; Chicago ; Dallas ; Baltimore ; and the Virginia communities of Richmond and Fairfax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sign on include Mi Tocaya Antojeria in Chicago , Guelaguetza in Los Angeles , and the two New York hot spots Field Trip and La Newyorkina .
Bruner-Yang , whose restaurants include the Italian-Asian pasta shop ABC Pony and the Cambodian-Taiwanese cafe Maketto , said the helping concept came relatively easily .
“ The math kind of happened on its own , really .
I was trying to figure out what I needed to do to save my own business .
How many meals did I need to serve per week ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep employed ?
And how much money I would need to generate to do that.
” He worries that restaurants around the country are imperiled , and a community of vendors and chefs may collapse .
“ I have a platform .
I have resources .
I have access .
I have to make sure I keep my neighborhood intact , ” he said .
Bruner-Yang says his organization works in coordination with Jose Andres ’ s World Central Kitchen as well as working with other groups with logistics .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No one should feel bad doing one thing or the other .
I think everyone needs to make the choice that ’ s best for them .
For me , all I know is hospitality and working .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - Chefs need to be good at math to keep their menus balanced. But Chef Erik Bruner-Yang is applying his math skills to help something larger - the decimated restaurant industry.
The Washington, D.C-based Bruner-Yang has established The Power of 10, a non-profit initiative that seeks donations to re-employ laid-off independent restaurant workers, keep the eateries open and provide their meals to neighborhood workers on the front line of the pandemic.
The initiative aims to raise $10,000 in donations per week to support 10 full-time jobs at a local restaurant. Those workers - earning an hourly wage of $14.50 - then provide 1,000 meals to hospital workers, homeless shelters and others in need. Donations start as little as $10 for one meal.
“You’re buying a meal for us to cook for someone else, and all the restaurants share in the pot,” Bruner-Yang said. “The math works everywhere. The Power of 10 is just an easy way for people to understand how their donation works.”
The program got a huge shot in the arm Wednesday when Capital One announced it would sink hundreds of thousands of dollars into the effort. Thanks to the donation, The Power of 10 will now have over $750,000 in funding, giving it an ability to serve over 70,000 meals in the next four weeks.
Begun in Washington in late March with three restaurants, The Power of 10 now helps 30 restaurants, in that city; Los Angeles; New York City; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago; Dallas; Baltimore; and the Virginia communities of Richmond and Fairfax City.
Some of the latest restaurants to sign on include Mi Tocaya Antojeria in Chicago, Guelaguetza in Los Angeles, and the two New York hot spots Field Trip and La Newyorkina.
Bruner-Yang, whose restaurants include the Italian-Asian pasta shop ABC Pony and the Cambodian-Taiwanese cafe Maketto, said the helping concept came relatively easily.
“The math kind of happened on its own, really. I was trying to figure out what I needed to do to save my own business. How many meals did I need to serve per week? How many people would that allow me to keep employed? And how much money I would need to generate to do that.”
He worries that restaurants around the country are imperiled, and a community of vendors and chefs may collapse. “I have a platform. I have resources. I have access. I have to make sure I keep my neighborhood intact,” he said.
Bruner-Yang says his organization works in coordination with Jose Andres’s World Central Kitchen as well as working with other groups with logistics.
“I think everybody is playing a role. No one should feel bad doing one thing or the other. I think everyone needs to make the choice that’s best for them. For me, all I know is hospitality and working.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--St. Louis-area shootout leaves officer injured, suspect dead

WEBSTER GROVES , Mo .
( AP ) - A shootout along the side of an interstate in suburban St. Louis has left a police officer injured and the suspect in his shooting dead , authorities investigating the incident said .
The shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday when a Webster Groves police officer stopped to help what he thought was a stranded motorist along Interstate 44 , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported .
As soon as the officer got out of his patrol car , a man who had been in a car parked along the interstate opened fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrol spokesman Dallas Thompson said .
The officer returned fire , and both the officer and suspect were shot several times .
The injured officer used a tourniquet on himself to stop the bleeding and called for help , St. Louis County Police spokesman Benjamin Granda said .
Another officer who arrived to help took the officer to a hospital .
The suspect died at the scene .
Police have not named the suspect or the officer , but Granda said the officer is 36 and has been on the job nearly eight @ @

WEBSTER GROVES, Mo. (AP) - A shootout along the side of an interstate in suburban St. Louis has left a police officer injured and the suspect in his shooting dead, authorities investigating the incident said.
The shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday when a Webster Groves police officer stopped to help what he thought was a stranded motorist along Interstate 44, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
As soon as the officer got out of his patrol car, a man who had been in a car parked along the interstate opened fire on the officer, Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesman Dallas Thompson said . The officer returned fire, and both the officer and suspect were shot several times.
The injured officer used a tourniquet on himself to stop the bleeding and called for help, St. Louis County Police spokesman Benjamin Granda said. Another officer who arrived to help took the officer to a hospital. The officer was released from the hospital Wednesday.
The suspect died at the scene. Granda identified him Wednesday as 23-year-old Qavon Webb, of St. Louis.
The officer’s name has not been released but Granda said he is 36 and has been on the job nearly eight years.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--AP Courtside: Higher stakes in Supreme Court phone arguments

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - The Supreme Court is back for Day Three of arguments by telephone with the audio available live to audiences around the world .
You can listen live here starting at 10 a.m. Eastern .
The stakes are higher Wednesday .
There are two arguments scheduled , and there ’ s a more high-profile case .
This is the last day for arguments this week .
The justices have three more days and six cases remaining next week .
Here are some observations , trivia and analysis from our Supreme Court reporters ( all times local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the phone arguments the Supreme Court is set to hear Wednesday .
The high court will hear two arguments in one day over the phone because of the coronavirus pandemic , with audio provided live .
The session is expected to last approximately two hours .
The higher-profile case is about a dispute over Trump administration rules that would allow more employers who cite a religious or moral objection to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women .
It stems from former President Barack Obama ’ s Affordable Care Act .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ case involving a 1991 law aimed at protecting consumers from unwanted telemarketing calls .
On Monday the court heard a case about Booking.com ’ s ability to trademark its name .
On Tuesday the case was about federal money to fight AIDS around the world .
The Supreme Court ’ s foray into modern technology has gone smoothly .
On Monday and Tuesday there were few glitches as the justices heard arguments over the telephone with audio available live for the first time in the court ’ s history because of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
There are two arguments in one day , and they ’ re more high profile .
One case involves the Affordable Care Act , often called “ Obamacare.
” The other relates to unwanted telemarketing calls .
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has an infection caused by a gallstone and plans to participate from a Maryland hospital .
The court heard one case per day on Monday and on Tuesday .
Among the biggest surprises during arguments came from Justice Clarence Thomas , who once went 10 years between questions .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , asking questions both days .
Justice Sonia Sotomayor forgot to unmute herself both days , but it was only for a moment .
On Tuesday , she told Chief Justice John Roberts , “ I ’ m sorry , chief .
Did it again.
” Follow AP ’ s Supreme Court Twitter feed at https : //twitter.com/AP_Courtside .
And Supreme Court reporters Mark Sherman at https : //twitter.com/shermancourt and Jessica Gresko at https : //twitter.com/jessicagresko .

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court held Day Three of arguments by telephone with the audio available live to audiences around the world.
The higher profile case of the two heard by the justices on Wednesday dealt with Trump administration rules that would allow more employers who cite a religious or moral objection to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women as required by the Affordable Care Act.
It was the last day for arguments this week. The justices have three more days and six cases remaining next week.
Some observations, trivia and analysis from our Supreme Court reporters (all times local):
4:50 p.m.
Was it the flush heard round the world? Or just some weird electronic noise that sounded suspiciously like a flushing toilet?
Lawyer Roman Martinez was responding to a question from Justice Elena Kagan, late in his argument for striking down a federal law barring robocalls to cellphones, when live audio picked up the familiar sound.
There was no word from the court on what exactly happened or, if it was a toilet, who may have flushed. The justices were on the line for nearly three hours Wednesday, but they did take a short break between cases.
Ajit Pai, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, offered a humorous take on Twitter: “To be clear, the @FCC does not construe the flushing of a toilet immediately after counsel said ‘what the FCC has said’ to reflect a substantive judgment of the Supreme Court, or of any Justice thereof, regarding an agency determination.”
___
1:20 p.m.
The Supreme Court has wrapped up its first week of arguments by telephone, with live audio available also for the first time.
The three days of hearings were remarkably smooth, even as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg participated from her hospital room and Justice Stephen Breyer was briefly kicked off the line on Wednesday. The 87-year-old Ginsburg is being treated at a Baltimore hospital for an infection caused by a gallstone.
Breyer’s brief absence from the arguments came in a case about robocalls. When Breyer rejoined the call, he said he was cut off when someone had tried calling him.
The court Wednesday also heard arguments over Trump administration rules that would make it easier for employers to cite moral or religious objections in refusing to provide cost-free contraceptives to women, as required by the Affordable Care Act.
The justices will return to the phones next week for six cases over three days. Those include President Donald Trump’s efforts to shield his tax and other financial records and whether presidential electors must cast their Electoral College votes for the candidate who wins the popular vote in their state.
Wednesday’s session was scheduled for two hours but lasted nearly three hours. One-hour sessions Monday and Tuesday ran a few minutes over.
___
12:55 p.m.
In Supreme Court phone arguments about robocalls, Justice Stephen Breyer says he got cut off when someone tried calling him.
Breyer said after he rejoined the court’s arguments Wednesday: “The telephone started to ring, and it cut me off the call and I don’t think it was a robocall.”
The court was hearing its second argument of the day by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic. It was a free speech case involving a law aimed at protecting consumers from unwanted telemarketing calls.
Earlier in the day, the justices heard a case that involves the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that most insurers cover contraceptives for women.
___
11:55 a.m.
The Supreme Court has finished its first phone argument for the day and quickly moved on to the second.
The court on Wednesday spent an extra 40 minutes beyond the allotted one hour for the first argument. It heard about Trump administration plans to make it easier for employers to get out from the requirement in the Obama-era health care law to provide women covered by their health insurance plans with cost-free contraceptives.
The justices took a break of only a couple of minutes before beginning the second set of phone arguments, about whether a 1991 law protecting consumers from unwanted telemarketers violates the First Amendment.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been participating from a Maryland hospital where she’s being treated for an infection caused by a gallstone.
___
10:25 a.m.
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is participating in telephone arguments from a Maryland hospital where she’s being treated for an infection caused by a gallstone.
The court said Tuesday evening that the 87-year-old justice had undergone non-surgical treatment for a benign gallbladder condition. The court said she planned to participate in arguments from the hospital Wednesday.
Ginsburg’s first question was a lengthy one, essentially saying the Trump administration tossed “to the wind” the requirement in the Affordable Care Act that women have seamless access to no-cost contraceptives.
Because of Ginsburg’s seniority on the court she has been third to ask a question during this week’s telephone arguments, following Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Clarence Thomas. But Thomas apparently was having some technical difficulties when Roberts first called on him. Instead, Thomas followed Ginsburg with questions.
The court says Ginsburg is expected to be in the hospital for a day or two. It has said some justices are participating in arguments from home while others are at the court.
___
10 a.m.
The Supreme Court has started Day Three of arguments it’s hearing by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The court again urged lawyers to use a landline, not a cellphone. There are two arguments Wednesday, and they’re more high-profile than the ones the court heard Monday and Tuesday. They’re scheduled to each last an hour, with a short break in between. The arguments Monday and Tuesday ran a few minutes long.
If you’ve been following along, then you know the drill: The justices will ask questions in order of seniority, after Chief Justice John Roberts goes first.
The court announced late Tuesday that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is being treated for an infection caused by a gallstone and plans to participate from a Maryland hospital.
Before the justices is a case that involves the Affordable Care Act’s requirement most insurers cover contraceptives for women. The second argument is a free speech case involving a law aimed at protecting consumers from unwanted telemarketing calls.
___
8:15 a.m.
The stakes are higher in the phone arguments the Supreme Court is set to hear Wednesday.
The high court will hear two arguments in one day over the phone because of the coronavirus pandemic, with audio provided live. The session is expected to last approximately two hours.
The higher-profile case is about a dispute over Trump administration rules that would allow more employers who cite a religious or moral objection to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women. It stems from former President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act.
The second argument is a free speech case involving a 1991 law aimed at protecting consumers from unwanted telemarketing calls.
On Monday the court heard a case about Booking.com’s ability to trademark its name. On Tuesday the case was about federal money to fight AIDS around the world.
___
8 a.m.
The Supreme Court’s foray into modern technology has gone smoothly. On Monday and Tuesday there were few glitches as the justices heard arguments over the telephone with audio available live for the first time in the court’s history because of the coronavirus pandemic.
But the stakes are higher Wednesday. There are two arguments in one day, and they’re more high profile. One case involves the Affordable Care Act, often called “Obamacare.” The other relates to unwanted telemarketing calls.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has an infection caused by a gallstone and plans to participate from a Maryland hospital.
The court heard one case per day on Monday and on Tuesday. Among the biggest surprises during arguments came from Justice Clarence Thomas, who once went 10 years between questions. In this format, Thomas has been speaking up, asking questions both days.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor forgot to unmute herself both days, but it was only for a moment. On Tuesday, she told Chief Justice John Roberts, “I’m sorry, chief. Did it again.”
___
Follow AP’s Supreme Court Twitter feed at https://twitter.com/AP_Courtside. And Supreme Court reporters Mark Sherman at https://twitter.com/shermancourt and Jessica Gresko at https://twitter.com/jessicagresko.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--Vanderbilt University gets $20M grant for drug research

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - Vanderbilt University announced it received a $ 20 million gift to support the @ @ @ @ @ treatments for brain disorders .
The grant was given by the William K. Warren Foundation @ @ @ @ @ Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery , the university said Tuesday in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ this research at Vanderbilt University , an institution that has made a significant impact on @ @ @ @ @ , including my family , ” said John-Kelly Warren , CEO of the Warren Foundation @ @ @ @ @ has about 100 scientists , focuses on transforming academic research into treatments for brain disorders @ @ @ @ @ schizophrenia and Parkinson ’ s disease .
The university said one of its recent discoveries @ @ @ @ @ help slow memory loss , is undergoing clinical trials .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Vanderbilt University announced it received a $20 million gift to support the school’s research into treatments for brain disorders.
The grant was given by the William K. Warren Foundation to the school’s Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, the university said Tuesday in a statement.
“It is gratifying to support this research at Vanderbilt University, an institution that has made a significant impact on the lives of so many, including my family,” said John-Kelly Warren, CEO of the Warren Foundation.
The center, which has about 100 scientists, focuses on transforming academic research into treatments for brain disorders including Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease. The university said one of its recent discoveries, a drug that could help slow memory loss, is undergoing clinical trials.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--Chief: Officers fatally shoot man suspected of stabbing girl

ST .
CLOUD , Fla. ( AP ) - Two Florida officers fatally shot a man suspected of stabbing a @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Police responded to a neighborhood in St .
Cloud after neighbors @ @ @ @ @ running erratically through their backyards .
They said he was covered in blood and had @ @ @ @ @ Gauntlett said during a news conference .
Following a confrontation , two officers fatally shot @ @ @ @ @ .
They ’ ve been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Florida @ @ @ @ @ The child was driven to a hospital by family members , he said .
She @ @ @ @ @ hospital in Orlando , where she was reported to be in stable condition with stab @ @ @ @ @ neck .
The chief didn ’ t release the man ’ s name .
He @ @ @ @ @ child and the man was not clear .
“ We have yet to confirm all @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ This is raw information .
”

ST. CLOUD, Fla. (AP) - Two Florida officers fatally shot a man suspected of stabbing a 9-year-old girl on Tuesday afternoon, police said.
Police responded to a neighborhood in St. Cloud after neighbors called 911 about a man running erratically through their backyards. They said he was covered in blood and had visible wounds, Chief Pete Gauntlett said during a news conference.
Following a confrontation, two officers fatally shot the man, Gauntlett said. They’ve been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The child was driven to a hospital by family members, he said. She was later transferred to a hospital in Orlando, where she was reported to be in stable condition with stab wounds to the face and neck.
The chief didn’t release the man’s name. He said the relationship between the child and the man was not clear.
“We have yet to confirm all the details,” Gauntlett said. “This is raw information.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--Police: Man with 2 toddlers in car leads officers on chase

ELYRIA , Ohio ( AP ) - A man who led police on a chase with two toddlers in his @ @ @ @ @ he drove into Cleveland and then tried to flee the area on foot , authorities @ @ @ @ @ in Elyria shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday , after police received reports of shots fired @ @ @ @ @ driven away in a car .
Officers soon spotted the vehicle , but authorities said @ @ @ @ @ , 19 , of Garfield Heights - refused to stop .
After eventually driving into @ @ @ @ @ of the vehicle and tried to run off on foot , authorities said , but @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s facing several charges , including felonious assault , child endangerment and @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t known Wednesday if he ’ s retained an attorney .
The toddlers @ @ @ @ @ , were not injured in the incident and were turned over to child welfare officials @ @ @ @ @ was in the car was not hurt but was charged with child endangerment .

ELYRIA, Ohio (AP) - A man who led police on a chase with two toddlers in his car was captured shortly after he drove into Cleveland and then tried to flee the area on foot, authorities said.
The chase began in Elyria shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday, after police received reports of shots fired by a man who had driven away in a car. Officers soon spotted the vehicle, but authorities said the driver - Dvon Clark, 19, of Garfield Heights - refused to stop.
After eventually driving into Cleveland, Clark got out of the vehicle and tried to run off on foot, authorities said, but was soon captured by officers. He’s facing several charges, including felonious assault, child endangerment and weapons offenses, and it wasn’t known Wednesday if he’s retained an attorney.
The toddlers, ages 1 and 2, were not injured in the incident and were turned over to child welfare officials. A woman who also was in the car was not hurt but was charged with child endangerment.


washingtontimes--2020-05-06--Mike Pence: Risk of serious coronavirus-related illness for young people remains 'fairly low'

Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday said the risk of serious coronavirus-related illness remains “ fairly low ” for young , healthy people amid new reports from New York City on hospitalized children showing signs of a rare but serious condition that could be tied to COVID-19 .
“ We ’ re watching it very closely , particularly with regard to potential impacts on children , ” Mr. Pence told radio host Hugh Hewitt .
“ But at this point , what the scientists continue to tell us is that what we thought in the beginning continues to be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risk of serious illness remains fairly low even for people that contract the coronavirus , ” he said .
Mr. Pence said the administration is closely eyeing seniors , long-term care facilities and other vulnerable communities around the country as the U.S. starts to reopen .
“ For seniors with serious underlying health conditions or with those within any immunodeficiencies , the threat of serious catastrophic consequences are very real , ” he said .
New York City health officials reported this week that 15 children between the ages of 2 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks had symptoms mirroring those in a serious inflammatory condition known as Kawasaki disease .
No fatalities were reported , but 10 of the 15 patients tested positive for the coronavirus or had antibodies suggesting they might have had it at some point .
Doctors in the United Kingdom have warned that COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus , could be tied to Kawasaki disease , an exceedingly rare condition in children .

Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday said the risk of serious coronavirus-related illness remains “fairly low” for young, healthy people amid new reports from New York City on hospitalized children showing signs of a rare but serious condition that could be tied to COVID-19.
“We’re watching it very closely, particularly with regard to potential impacts on children,” Mr. Pence told radio host Hugh Hewitt.
“But at this point, what the scientists continue to tell us is that what we thought in the beginning continues to be the case that for younger healthy Americans, the risk of serious illness remains fairly low even for people that contract the coronavirus,” he said.
Mr. Pence said the administration is closely eyeing seniors, long-term care facilities and other vulnerable communities around the country as the U.S. starts to reopen.
“For seniors with serious underlying health conditions or with those within any immunodeficiencies, the threat of serious catastrophic consequences are very real,” he said.
New York City health officials reported this week that 15 children between the ages of 2 and 15 who had been hospitalized in recent weeks had symptoms mirroring those in a serious inflammatory condition known as Kawasaki disease.
No fatalities were reported, but 10 of the 15 patients tested positive for the coronavirus or had antibodies suggesting they might have had it at some point.
Doctors in the United Kingdom have warned that COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, could be tied to Kawasaki disease, an exceedingly rare condition in children.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.