washingtontimes--2020-09-23--Another mountain lion found dead on California freeway

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Another mountain lion was found dead Wednesday on a Southern California freeway , prompting autthorities to say it was likely the latest of nearly two dozen cougars who have been struck while trying to cross roads that ring their territory .
The mountain lion was found dead on Interstate 101 in Calabasas , the California Highway Patrol tweeted .
The area is northwest of Los Angeles in the Santa Monica Mountains , home to a number of mountain lions that are considered endangered because the region is hemmed in by roads and urban development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island , ” said Ana Cholo , a spokeswoman for the National Park Service , which is helping studying the local cougar population .
Some animals have been tagged with GPS collars and researchers have marked some kittens .
The carcass will be examined and genetically tested to determine whether the animal was among those under study .
It didn ’ t appear to have a collar but may have lost it , Cholo said .
At least 21 other mountain lions have been killed by vehicles since 2002 , when scientists with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began studying the population , Cholo said .
“ It clearly shows what the mountain lions are facing , living out here , ” she said .
“ They have a tough time trying to carve out an existence for themselves.
” The area can only support around a dozen adult mountain lions , she said .
Males are highly territorial and each needs 150 to 200 square miles of habitat .
That means they have a tough time finding mates .
At least three mountain lions roaming Southern California have deformities linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the findings provide stark evidence of extremely low genetic diversity within the isolated population .
Recent studies suggest there ’ s an almost 1-in-4 chance that Southern California mountain lions could become extinct in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountain ranges within 50 years .
In April , the state Fish and Game Commission placed Southern California and Central Coast mountain lions on temporary status as endangered for a year while it reviews whether to formally protect them .
The area where the mountain lion carcass was found is only a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an overpass that would allow cougars , coyotes , deer , lizards , snakes and other creatures a safe crossing over Interstate 101 .
The $ 87 million crossing , supported mostly by private funding , has entered its final design phase and could break ground this year , with completion expected by 2023 .
Officials say it will be the first of its kind near a major metropolis and the largest in the world , stretching 200 feet ( 61 meters ) above 10 lanes of busy highway and a feeder road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northwest of downtown LA .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Another mountain lion was found dead Wednesday on a Southern California freeway, prompting autthorities to say it was likely the latest of nearly two dozen cougars who have been struck while trying to cross roads that ring their territory.
The mountain lion was found dead on Interstate 101 in Calabasas, the California Highway Patrol tweeted.
The area is northwest of Los Angeles in the Santa Monica Mountains, home to a number of mountain lions that are considered endangered because the region is hemmed in by roads and urban development.
The area “is basically an island,” said Ana Cholo, a spokeswoman for the National Park Service, which is helping studying the local cougar population. Some animals have been tagged with GPS collars and researchers have marked some kittens.
The carcass will be examined and genetically tested to determine whether the animal was among those under study. It didn’t appear to have a collar but may have lost it, Cholo said.
At least 21 other mountain lions have been killed by vehicles since 2002, when scientists with the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area began studying the population, Cholo said.
“It clearly shows what the mountain lions are facing, living out here,” she said. “They have a tough time trying to carve out an existence for themselves.”
The area can only support around a dozen adult mountain lions, she said. Males are highly territorial and each needs 150 to 200 square miles of habitat. That means they have a tough time finding mates.
At least three mountain lions roaming Southern California have deformities linked to inbreeding, according to biologists who say the findings provide stark evidence of extremely low genetic diversity within the isolated population.
Recent studies suggest there’s an almost 1-in-4 chance that Southern California mountain lions could become extinct in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountain ranges within 50 years.
In April, the state Fish and Game Commission placed Southern California and Central Coast mountain lions on temporary status as endangered for a year while it reviews whether to formally protect them.
The area where the mountain lion carcass was found is only a few miles from the proposed site of an overpass that would allow cougars, coyotes, deer, lizards, snakes and other creatures a safe crossing over Interstate 101. The $87 million crossing, supported mostly by private funding, has entered its final design phase and could break ground this year, with completion expected by 2023.
Officials say it will be the first of its kind near a major metropolis and the largest in the world, stretching 200 feet (61 meters) above 10 lanes of busy highway and a feeder road just 35 miles (56 kilometers) northwest of downtown LA.


washingtontimes--2020-09-23--Australian bank agrees to $919M fine for money laundering

CANBERRA , Australia ( AP ) - Westpac , Australia ’ s second-largest bank , agreed to pay a 1.3 billion Australian dollar ( $ 919 million ) fine for breaches of anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing laws , the largest ever civil penalty in Australia , a financial crime regulator said on Thursday .
The regulator , AUSTRAC , said it had agreed with Westpac to the penalty after the bank admitted failing to report 19.5 million international money transfers worth more than $ 7 billion between November 2013 and September 2018 .
If the Federal Court rules the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia ’ s biggest civil penalty .
It will eclipse an AU $ 700 million ( $ 495 million ) settlement paid by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia , the nation ’ s biggest bank , in 2018 for similar but less extensive reporting failures .
AUSTRAC chief executive Nicole Rose said the settlement sent a strong message to industry that the regulator would take action to ensure Australia ’ s financial system remained strong so it could not be exploited by criminals .
“ Our role is to harden the financial system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this penalty reflects the serious and systemic nature of Westpac ’ s non-compliance , ” Rose said in a statement .
Westpac chief executive Peter King , who was appointed in April after the allegations were made public , said the bank was committed to ensuring the mistakes were not repeated .
“ I would like to apologize sincerely for the bank ’ s failings , ” King said in a statement .
Attorney-General Christian Porter said the size of the proposed fine should serve as a wake-up call for the banking industry @

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Westpac, Australia’s second-largest bank, agreed to pay a 1.3 billion Australian dollar ($919 million) fine for breaches of anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing laws, the largest ever civil penalty in Australia, a financial crime regulator said on Thursday.
The regulator, AUSTRAC, said it had agreed with Westpac to the penalty after the bank admitted failing to report 19.5 million international money transfers worth more than $7 billion between November 2013 and September 2018.
If the Federal Court rules the penalty is appropriate, it will become Australia’s biggest civil penalty.
It will eclipse an AU$700 million ($495 million) settlement paid by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the nation’s biggest bank, in 2018 for similar but less extensive reporting failures.
AUSTRAC chief executive Nicole Rose said the settlement sent a strong message to industry that the regulator would take action to ensure Australia’s financial system remained strong so it could not be exploited by criminals.
“Our role is to harden the financial system against serious crime and terrorism financing and this penalty reflects the serious and systemic nature of Westpac’s non-compliance,” Rose said in a statement.
Westpac chief executive Peter King, who was appointed in April after the allegations were made public, said the bank was committed to ensuring the mistakes were not repeated.
“I would like to apologize sincerely for the bank’s failings,” King said in a statement.
Attorney-General Christian Porter said the size of the proposed fine should serve as a wake-up call for the banking industry.


washingtontimes--2020-09-23--Louisville police officer shot amid Breonna Taylor protests

At least two police officers have been shot in disturbances in Louisville , Kentucky , in the wake of Wednesday ’ s indictments in the Breonna Taylor death .
The Louisville Courier-Journal , citing “ a source with knowledge of the situation , ” reported Wednesday evening that two officers were wounded in the downtown area around South Brook Street and Broadway Avenue .
The officers ’ conditions weren ’ t known , the newspaper reported .
The Louisville Metro Police Department issued a statement announcing the first shooting , although it was scant on details .
“ We currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lamont Washington , a department spokesman , said in a statement cited by CNN .
“ We ’ ll update when we can.
” The shooting came hours after a grand jury announced charges against just one of the three officers involved in Taylor ’ s death , which , along with the George Floyd death , sparked months of demonstrations and riots accusing the police of racism .
The charges against former detective Brett Hankison also angered Black Lives Matter and allied demonstrators — who were already threatening to burn the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not for any form of homicide ( first-degree wanton endangerment ) .
Taylor was killed in March when Louisville police officers fired into her apartment in a drug raid .
The grand jury found that Taylor ’ s boyfriend had fired on the cops and thus they were “ justified in their use of force .
”

Two police officers have been shot in disturbances in Louisville, Kentucky, in the wake of Wednesday’s indictments in the Breonna Taylor death.
Interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder said at a Wednesday night news conference that the two officers went to investigate reports of gunfire but came under fire when they arrived at the scene.
A suspect is in custody, he said. The chief did not name either the suspect or the two wounded officers.
Chief Schroeder said both officers are in stable condition at the University of Louisville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One officer is alert and the other in surgery.
“I am very concerned about the safety of our officers,” Chief Schroeder said.
The Louisville Courier-Journal, citing “a source with knowledge of the situation,” reported that the officer in surgery was shot in the lower abdomen in an area not protected by his bulletproof vest, and the other officer was shot in the thigh.
The Trump administration reacted by reiterating its tough line against violent protests.
“Praying for the two police officers that were shot tonight in Louisville, Kentucky. The Federal Government stands behind you and is ready to help. Spoke to @GovAndyBeshear and we are prepared to work together, immediately upon request!” President Trump wrote on Twitter.
Chad Wolf, his acting Homeland Security secretary, posted similarly and added that “violence against law enforcement is NEVER acceptable in a civil society.”
According to videos posted on social media, rioters defying a 9 p.m. curfew were throwing bricks and other missiles at police lines.
The cop shooting came hours after a grand jury announced charges against just one of the three officers involved in Taylor’s death, which, along with the George Floyd death, sparked months of demonstrations and riots accusing the police of racism.
The charges against former detective Brett Hankison also angered Black Lives Matter and allied demonstrators — who were already threatening to burn the city down Wednesday afternoon — because they were not for any form of homicide (first-degree wanton endangerment).
Taylor was killed in March when Louisville police officers fired into her apartment in a drug raid. The grand jury found in its report released Wednesday that Taylor’s boyfriend had fired on the cops when they knocked on the door, which they did despite having a “no-knock warrant.” The officers were thus “justified in their use of force,” the panel said.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-23--Louisville police say officer has been shot as protests grow over lack of charges for officers in Br

LOUISVILLE , Ky. ( AP ) - Louisville police say officer has been shot as protests grow over lack of @ @ @ @ @ Taylor ’ s death .

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Louisville police say officer has been shot as protests grow over lack of charges for officers in Breonna Taylor’s death.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-09-23--Up to 20 years in prison for DUI meth fatal at Lake Tahoe

ZEPHYR COVE , Nev. ( AP ) - A 41-year-old California man convicted of causing a fatal accident while under @ @ @ @ @ Lake Tahoe last summer has been sentenced to six to 20 years in prison .
@ @ @ @ @ driving under the influence when he crossed the centerline on U.S. Highway 50 near Zephyr @ @ @ @ @ another vehicle on June 13 , 2019 and killed Hugo Parra Soliz , a Carson @ @ @ @ @ The ( Gardnerville ) Record-Courier reports Dominguez apologized to Soliz ’ widow during Tuesday ’ @ @ @ @ @ was ordered to pay a $ 2,000 fine and reimburse authorities for his extradition from @ @ @ @ @ Fuentes Jr. admitted that the fatal collision was not his client ’ s first offense @ @ @ @ @ his offenses were out of California and most involved driving under the influence .

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. (AP) - A 41-year-old California man convicted of causing a fatal accident while under the influence of methamphetamine at Lake Tahoe last summer has been sentenced to six to 20 years in prison.
Jarrad Dominguez admitted he was driving under the influence when he crossed the centerline on U.S. Highway 50 near Zephyr Cove and collided head-on with another vehicle on June 13, 2019 and killed Hugo Parra Soliz, a Carson City father of three.
The (Gardnerville) Record-Courier reports Dominguez apologized to Soliz’ widow during Tuesday’s sentencing. He also was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and reimburse authorities for his extradition from California.
Defense attorney Roberto Fuentes Jr. admitted that the fatal collision was not his client’s first offense, saying the bulk of his offenses were out of California and most involved driving under the influence.
Dominguez recently lived in Winton and Gold River.


washingtontimes--2020-09-23--Breonna Taylor grand jury decision spurs NYC protests

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Demonstrators packed a New York City plaza Wednesday night to protest a Kentucky grand @ @ @ @ @ to indict any police officers for the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor .
Chanting “ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor , ” the crowd then started marching in the street in downtown Brooklyn , @ @ @ @ @ .
They were accompanied by musicians , setting a steady drum beat .
The grand @ @ @ @ @ in connection to the March 13 killing , but for shooting into a home next @ @ @ @ @ had people in it .
No charges were brought against the two officers who fired @ @ @ @ @ in her home .
Prosecutors said they were justified in using force to protect themselves @ @ @ @ @ .
Taylor , an emergency medical worker , was shot multiple times by white officers @ @ @ @ @ a no-knock warrant during a narcotics investigation .
The warrant used to search her home @ @ @ @ @ who did not live there , and no drugs were found inside .

NEW YORK (AP) - Demonstrators packed a New York City plaza Wednesday night to protest a Kentucky grand jury’s decision not to indict any police officers for the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor.
Chanting “Say her name, Breonna Taylor,” the crowd then started marching in the street in downtown Brooklyn, past onlookers and honking cars. They were accompanied by musicians, setting a steady drum beat.
The grand jury indicted one Louisville officer in connection to the March 13 killing, but for shooting into a home next to Taylor’s that had people in it. No charges were brought against the two officers who fired their weapon at Taylor, in her home. Prosecutors said they were justified in using force to protect themselves after they were shot at.
Taylor, an emergency medical worker, was shot multiple times by white officers who entered her home on a no-knock warrant during a narcotics investigation. The warrant used to search her home was connected to a suspect who did not live there, and no drugs were found inside.


washingtontimes--2020-09-23--Daniel Gade attacks Mark Warner in first debate as flip-flopper

RICHMOND , Va. - Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia and his Republican opponent Daniel Gade sparred over the dangers of the conoravirus , when to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court other topics Wednesday during their first debate in a little-noticed Senate race .
Warner , a Democrat and former governor , is a the heavy favorite to win re-election for a third Senate term despite the fact that he almost lost six years ago .
Virginia has tilted heavily Democratic since then , thanks to the large population growth in urban and suburban areas and President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The race has been overshadowed by the presidential contest and more competitive races in other states that will determine partisan control of the Senate .
At Wednesday ’ s debate , held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic , Gade tried to gain ground by attacking Warner as a career politician who flip-flops on key issues .
“ The same old stale ideas aren ’ t working for Virginians , ” Gale said .
Warner pitched himself as a business and tech-savvy moderate who is well-known to Virginians .
He dismissed Gade ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has been shown by the Washington Post to have committed over 20,000 lies in his tenure .
It appears my opponent is actually trying to catch up with him today , ” Warner said .
Gade is a professor and a retired Army officer who was seriously injured in Iraq in 2005 , losing a leg after his Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb .
He advised President George W. Bush on military and disability issues and was Trump ’ s appointee to serve on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay in the Senate over his confirmation .
Gade grew particularly animated when discussing the Affordable Care Act , saying the Warner campaign had wrongly accused Gade of not supporting a requirement that health insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions .
“ I have a pre-existing condition myself because I got my leg blown off in Iraq … that ’ s not who I am , it ’ s a lie , ” Gade said .
The pair sparred over whether the Senate should fill a Supreme Court vacancy after the death of Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the spot should not be filled until after the election , noting that early voting as already started in Virginia .
Gade said the Senate should move ahead and said the court needs nine members in the “ unlikely but dangerous ” event of a contested election .
Warner criticized Gade for not wearing masks at some campaign events and downplaying the virus ’ seriousness .
Gade said he wears masks where appropriate , but noted that Virginians will be dealing with the virus for a long time .
“ What we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear , ” Gade said .
Wednesday ’ s debate was the first of three planned before Election Day in November .
It was sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce , George Mason University ’ s Schar School of Policy and Government and NBC Washington .

RICHMOND, Va. — Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia and his Republican opponent Daniel Gade sparred over the dangers of the conoravirus, when to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court other topics Wednesday during their first debate in a little-noticed Senate race.
Warner, a Democrat and former governor, is a the heavy favorite to win reelection for a third Senate term despite the fact that he almost lost six years ago. Virginia has tilted heavily Democratic since then, thanks to the large population growth in urban and suburban areas and President Donald Trump’s unpopularity in the state.
The race has been overshadowed by the presidential contest and more competitive races in other states that will determine partisan control of the Senate.
At Wednesday’s debate, held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gade tried to gain ground by attacking Warner as a career politician who flip-flops on key issues.
“The same old stale ideas aren’t working for Virginians,” Gale said.
Warner pitched himself as a business and tech-savvy moderate who is well-known to Virginians. He dismissed Gade’s attacks as theatre.
“President Trump has been shown by the Washington Post to have committed over 20,000 lies in his tenure. It appears my opponent is actually trying to catch up with him today,” Warner said.
Gade is a professor and a retired Army officer who was seriously injured in Iraq in 2005, losing a leg after his Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb. He advised President George W. Bush on military and disability issues and was Trump’s appointee to serve on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, but withdrew his nomination after a lengthy delay in the Senate over his confirmation.
Gade grew particularly animated when discussing the Affordable Care Act, saying the Warner campaign had wrongly accused Gade of not supporting a requirement that health insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions.
“I have a pre-existing condition myself because I got my leg blown off in Iraq … that’s not who I am, it’s a lie,” Gade said.
The pair sparred over whether the Senate should fill a Supreme Court vacancy after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last week. Warner said the spot should not be filled until after the election, noting that early voting as already started in Virginia.
Gade said the Senate should move ahead and said the court needs nine members in the “unlikely but dangerous” event of a contested election.
Warner criticized Gade for not wearing masks at some campaign events and downplaying the virus’ seriousness. Gade said he wears masks where appropriate, but noted that Virginians will be dealing with the virus for a long time.
“What we can’t do is give into fear,” Gade said.
Wednesday’s debate was the first of three planned before Election Day in November. It was sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government and NBC Washington.


washingtontimes--2020-09-23--Virginia: Warner, Gade meet in first debate of Senate race

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - U.S. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia and his Republican opponent Daniel Gade sparred over the dangers of the conoravirus , when to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court other topics Wednesday during their first debate in a little-noticed Senate race .
Warner , a Democrat and former governor , is a the heavy favorite to win re-election for a third Senate term despite the fact that he almost lost six years ago .
Virginia has tilted heavily Democratic since then , thanks to the large population growth in urban and suburban areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state .
The race has been overshadowed by the presidential contest and more competitive races in other states that will determine partisan control of the Senate .
At Wednesday ’ s debate , held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic , Gade tried to gain ground by attacking Warner as a career politician who flip-flops on key issues .
“ The same old stale ideas aren ’ t working for Virginians , ” Gale said .
Warner pitched himself as a business and tech-savvy moderate who is well-known to Virginians .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ theatre .
“ President Trump has been shown by the Washington Post to have committed over 20,000 lies in his tenure .
It appears my opponent is actually trying to catch up with him today , ” Warner said .
Gade is a professor and a retired Army officer who was seriously injured in Iraq in 2005 , losing a leg after his Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb .
He advised President George W. Bush on military and disability issues and was Trump ’ s appointee to serve on the Equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination after a lengthy delay in the Senate over his confirmation .
Gade grew particularly animated when discussing the Affordable Care Act , saying the Warner campaign had wrongly accused Gade of not supporting a requirement that health insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions .
“ I have a pre-existing condition myself because I got my leg blown off in Iraq … that ’ s not who I am , it ’ s a lie , ” Gade said .
The pair sparred over whether the Senate should fill a Supreme Court vacancy after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week .
Warner said the spot should not be filled until after the election , noting that early voting as already started in Virginia .
Gade said the Senate should move ahead and said the court needs nine members in the “ unlikely but dangerous ” event of a contested election .
Warner criticized Gade for not wearing masks at some campaign events and downplaying the virus ’ seriousness .
Gade said he wears masks where appropriate , but noted that Virginians will be dealing with the virus for a long time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do is give into fear , ” Gade said .
Wednesday ’ s debate was the first of three planned before Election Day in November .
It was sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce , George Mason University ’ s Schar School of Policy and Government and NBC Washington .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia and his Republican opponent Daniel Gade sparred over the dangers of the coronavirus, when to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court and other topics Wednesday during their first debate in a little-noticed Senate race.
Warner, a Democrat and former governor, is the heavy favorite to win re-election for a third Senate term despite the fact that he almost lost six years ago. Virginia has tilted heavily Democratic since then, thanks to the large population growth in urban and suburban areas and President Donald Trump’s unpopularity in the state.
The race has been overshadowed by the presidential contest and more competitive races in other states that will determine partisan control of the Senate.
At Wednesday’s debate, held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gade tried to gain ground by attacking Warner as a career politician who flip-flops on key issues.
“The same old stale ideas aren’t working for Virginians,” Gale said.
Warner pitched himself as a business and tech-savvy moderate who is well-known to Virginians. He dismissed Gade’s attacks as theater.
“President Trump has been shown by the Washington Post to have committed over 20,000 lies in his tenure. It appears my opponent is actually trying to catch up with him today,” Warner said.
Gade is a professor and a retired Army officer who was seriously injured in Iraq in 2005, losing a leg after his Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb. He advised President George W. Bush on military and disability issues and was Trump’s appointee to serve on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, but withdrew his nomination after a lengthy delay in the Senate over his confirmation.
Gade grew particularly animated when discussing the Affordable Care Act, saying the Warner campaign had wrongly accused Gade of not supporting a requirement that health insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions.
“I have a pre-existing condition myself because I got my leg blown off in Iraq … that’s not who I am, it’s a lie,” Gade said.
The pair sparred over whether the Senate should fill a Supreme Court vacancy after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last week. Warner said the spot should not be filled until after the election, noting that early voting has already started in Virginia.
Gade said the Senate should move ahead and said the court needs nine members in the “unlikely but dangerous” event of a contested election.
Warner criticized Gade for not wearing masks at some campaign events and downplaying the virus’ seriousness. Gade said he wears masks where appropriate, but noted that Virginians will be dealing with the virus for a long time.
“What we can’t do is give into fear,” Gade said.
Wednesday’s debate was the first of three planned before Election Day in November. It was sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government and NBC Washington.


washingtontimes--2020-09-23--Female inmate at Arizona prison dies in an apparent suicide

GOODYEAR , Ariz. ( AP ) - A female inmate at the state prison in Goodyear has died in an @ @ @ @ @ of Corrections officials said Wednesday .
Officials said 47-year-old Tracie Otero died from an apparent @ @ @ @ @ .
Staff at the Perryville prison discovered her unresponsive in her assigned housing location Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ Otero to a hospital , where she was later pronounced dead .
Corrections officials said @ @ @ @ @ Maricopa County for kidnapping in 2016 .
They said all inmate deaths are investigated in @ @ @ @ @ Examiner ’ s Office .

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) - A female inmate at the state prison in Goodyear has died in an apparent suicide, Arizona Department of Corrections officials said Wednesday.
Officials said 47-year-old Tracie Otero died from an apparent act of self-harm by hanging.
Staff at the Perryville prison discovered her unresponsive in her assigned housing location Tuesday morning.
Responding paramedics transported Otero to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Corrections officials said Otero was sentenced out of Maricopa County for kidnapping in 2016.
They said all inmate deaths are investigated in consultation with the county Medical Examiner’s Office.


washingtontimes--2020-09-23--Q&A: What were the results of Breonna Taylor investigation?

LOUISVILLE , Ky. ( AP ) - Six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in her Kentucky apartment , a grand jury delivered a long-awaited answer about whether the officers would be punished .
The jury on Wednesday did charge one of the officers , Brett Hankison , with three counts of wanton endangerment for firing shots that went into another home with people inside .
But jurors didn ’ t indict any of the officers on charges directly related to Taylor ’ s death .
The jury relied on evidence presented to it by Kentucky Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other two officers were justified in firing their weapons because Taylor ’ s boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , had fired one shot at them .
Along with the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota , Taylor ’ s case became a major touchstone for the nationwide protests that have gripped the nation since May , drawing attention to entrenched racism and demanding police reform .
Some questions and answers about Cameron ’ s findings in the Breonna Taylor case : Taylor was a 26-year-old emergency medical technician who lived with her sister in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , had settled in to watch a movie in her bedroom on the night of March 13 when police came to her door with a narcotics warrant that was one of five issued that night in a wide-ranging sting .
Minutes later , Taylor was fatally shot .
Her death sparked months of protests in Louisville , and celebrities including LeBron James , Beyonce and Oprah Winfrey have called on authorities to criminally charge the police officers who were involved in the raid .
HOW MANY TIMES WAS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor was shot six times on the night of her death , but only one of the gunshots was fatal .
Sgt .
John Mattingly had entered the home after the door was broken down , and he was shot once in the leg by Walker , Taylor ’ s boyfriend .
Walker has said he didn ’ t know the police were at the door , and he fired a “ warning shot , ” thinking it was an intruder .
After Walker fired , Mattingly , Hankison and a third officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a total of 32 gunshots fired by police .
WHY WAS NO ONE CHARGED WITH SHOOTING BREONNA TAYLOR ?
Cameron said the fatal bullet was fired by Cosgrove , but added that Cosgrove and Mattingly were justified in the use of force because they were shot at first .
Cameron said state law “ bars us from seeking charges in Breonna Taylor ’ s death.
” Cameron also said there was no conclusive evidence that any of Hankison ’ s 10 gunshots hit Taylor inside her home .
But Hankison was charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firing shots that went into another home with people inside .
WHY WAS OFFICER BRETT HANKISON GIVEN A $ 15,000 BOND ?
Hankison , who was fired from the Louisville department in June , was the only officer charged by the grand jury .
The first-degree wanton endangerment charges are Class D , the lowest level felonies in Kentucky , which have a sentencing range of one to five years in prison upon conviction .
When Hankison was fired , interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder said that Hankison showed “ extreme indifference to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he fired “ blindly ” into Taylor ’ s home .
WILL THERE BE ANY OTHER CHARGES ?
Cameron said it is unlikely there will be any further criminal charges coming from his investigation from the night of the shooting .
Lawyers for Taylor ’ s family had called for a minimum of manslaughter charges .
Cameron said his team “ walked the grand jury through every homicide offense and then the grand jury was the one that made the ultimate decision.
” Federal officials are continuing to investigate whether the officers committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probe is also investigating a fourth officer , Joshua Jaynes , who sought the warrant for Taylor ’ s home .
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer also said Louisville police are conducting a professional standards investigation to look into if any officers involved in the raid that night need further training or discipline .

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in her Kentucky apartment, a grand jury delivered a long-awaited answer about whether the officers would be punished. The jury on Wednesday did charge one of the officers, Brett Hankison, with three counts of wanton endangerment for firing shots that went into another home with people inside. But jurors didn’t indict any of the officers on charges directly related to Taylor’s death. The jury relied on evidence presented to it by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
Cameron said the other two officers were justified in firing their weapons because Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, had fired one shot at them.
Along with the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, Taylor’s case became a major touchstone for the nationwide protests that have gripped the nation since May, drawing attention to entrenched racism and demanding police reform.
Some questions and answers about Cameron’s findings in the Breonna Taylor case:
WHO WAS BREONNA TAYLOR?
Taylor was a 26-year-old emergency medical technician who lived with her sister in an apartment in Louisville. She and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, had settled in to watch a movie in her bedroom on the night of March 13 when police came to her door with a narcotics warrant that was one of five issued that night in a wide-ranging sting. Minutes later, Taylor was fatally shot. Her death sparked months of protests in Louisville, and celebrities including LeBron James, Beyonce and Oprah Winfrey have called on authorities to criminally charge the police officers who were involved in the raid.
HOW MANY TIMES WAS BREONNA TAYLOR SHOT?
Cameron said that Taylor was shot six times on the night of her death, but only one of the gunshots was fatal. Sgt. John Mattingly had entered the home after the door was broken down, and he was shot once in the leg by Walker, Taylor’s boyfriend. Walker has said he didn’t know the police were at the door, and he fired a “warning shot,” thinking it was an intruder. After Walker fired, Mattingly, Hankison and a third officer, Myles Cosgrove, returned fire, for a total of 32 gunshots fired by police.
WHY WAS NO ONE CHARGED WITH SHOOTING BREONNA TAYLOR?
Cameron said the fatal bullet was fired by Cosgrove, but added that Cosgrove and Mattingly were justified in the use of force because they were shot at first. Cameron said state law “bars us from seeking charges in Breonna Taylor’s death.” Cameron also said there was no conclusive evidence that any of Hankison’s 10 gunshots hit Taylor inside her home. But Hankison was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment for firing shots that went into another home with people inside.
WHY WAS OFFICER BRETT HANKISON GIVEN A $15,000 BOND?
Hankison, who was fired from the Louisville department in June, was the only officer charged by the grand jury. The first-degree wanton endangerment charges are Class D, the lowest level felonies in Kentucky, which have a sentencing range of one to five years in prison upon conviction. When Hankison was fired, interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder said that Hankison showed “extreme indifference to the value of human life” when he fired “blindly” into Taylor’s home.
WILL THERE BE ANY OTHER CHARGES?
Cameron said it is unlikely there will be any further criminal charges coming from his investigation from the night of the shooting. Lawyers for Taylor’s family had called for a minimum of manslaughter charges. Cameron said his team “walked the grand jury through every homicide offense and then the grand jury was the one that made the ultimate decision.”
Federal officials are continuing to investigate whether the officers committed any civil rights violations, and that probe is also investigating a fourth officer, Joshua Jaynes, who sought the warrant for Taylor’s home. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer also said Louisville police are conducting a professional standards investigation to look into if any officers involved in the raid that night need further training or discipline.


washingtontimes--2020-09-23--Portland denies Proud Boys rally permit, cites COVID

PORTLAND , Ore. — Portland , Oregon , has denied a permit for a Saturday rally planned by the right-wing group Proud Boys .
The city found the group ’ s estimated crowd size of 10,000 people was too big under coronavirus safety measures , according to a statement released Wednesday by the Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau .
The bureau said it had consulted with Mayor Ted Wheeler , who is also the police commissioner , and decided that those attending would not be able to comply with social distancing rules because of the large numbers of people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight the spread of COVID-19 in our community and keep ourselves and each other safe .
Events like this are not welcome and are not allowed , ” Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz , who oversees the city ’ s parks department , said in the statement .
The Proud Boys have been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center .
Members of the group have rallied in Portland several times in recent years and draw large numbers of people who show up to oppose their presence in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday was moved from downtown Portland to Delta Park in north Portland to accommodate what the Proud Boys called a “ battalion of patriots ” exercising their right to assemble freely .
Left-wing groups plan at least two events to oppose the Proud Boys , including one in Delta Park .
Wheeler called those who planned the attend the rally “ agitators ” on Twitter .
“ On September 26th , agitators plan on coming to Portland to spread messages of hate and racism - values we don ’ t welcome here in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you intend to come to our city , our home , to spread hate and provoke violence , don ’ t. ” Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio said in a statement last week that the rally would be peaceful and urged those planning violence to stay away .
Tarrio has said the rally is aimed at the city ’ s political leadership , including Wheeler , and he has criticized the mayor for not doing more to stop protests that have occurred in the city for nearly four months following the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also last week banned the use of tear gas by the Portland Police Bureau .
The location selected by the Proud Boys has angered some in Portland because of the history of the park .
The site of the park once held a World War II-era working class community called Vanport , which was home to about 6,000 Black Portlanders when it was destroyed in a flood in 1948 .
Vanport was originally built to house workers who flocked to Portland ’ s shipyards during World War II .
After the war , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Black people could own a home because of racist zoning and real estate laws .
Black families that were displaced by the flood were forced into a small area of north Portland by the same discriminatory housing policies .

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland, Oregon, has denied a permit for a Saturday rally planned by the right-wing group Proud Boys.
The city found the group’s estimated crowd size of 10,000 people was too big under coronavirus safety measures, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau.
The bureau said it had consulted with Mayor Ted Wheeler, who is also the police commissioner, and decided that those attending would not be able to comply with social distancing rules because of the large numbers of people.
“We must all do our part to fight the spread of COVID-19 in our community and keep ourselves and each other safe. Events like this are not welcome and are not allowed,” Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, who oversees the city’s parks department, said in the statement.
The Proud Boys have been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Members of the group have rallied in Portland several times in recent years and draw large numbers of people who show up to oppose their presence in the liberal city.
The rally planned for Saturday was moved from downtown Portland to Delta Park in north Portland to accommodate what the Proud Boys called a “battalion of patriots” exercising their right to assemble freely.
Left-wing groups plan at least two events to oppose the Proud Boys, including one in Delta Park.
Wheeler called those who planned the attend the rally “agitators” on Twitter.
“On September 26th, agitators plan on coming to Portland to spread messages of hate and racism - values we don’t welcome here in Portland,” he wrote. “If you intend to come to our city, our home, to spread hate and provoke violence, don’t.”
Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio said in a statement last week that the rally would be peaceful and urged those planning violence to stay away. Tarrio has said the rally is aimed at the city’s political leadership, including Wheeler, and he has criticized the mayor for not doing more to stop protests that have occurred in the city for nearly four months following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Wheeler also last week banned the use of tear gas by the Portland Police Bureau.
The location selected by the Proud Boys has angered some in Portland because of the history of the park. The site of the park once held a World War II-era working class community called Vanport, which was home to about 6,000 Black Portlanders when it was destroyed in a flood in 1948.
Vanport was originally built to house workers who flocked to Portland’s shipyards during World War II. After the war, it was one of the few places where Black people could own a home because of racist zoning and real estate laws.
Black families that were displaced by the flood were forced into a small area of north Portland by the same discriminatory housing policies.


washingtontimes--2020-09-23--Lawyer: Case of Black inmate set to die reveals racial bias

TERRE HAUTE , Ind .
( AP ) - The lawyer for the first Black inmate scheduled to die this year as part of the Trump administration ’ s resumption of federal executions says race played a central role in landing her client on death row for slaying a young white Iowa couple and burning them in the trunk of their car .
One Black juror and 11 white jurors heard the 2000 federal case in Texas against Christopher Vialva , who is now 40 but was 19 at the time of the killings .
Prosecutors portrayed Vialva as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged he killed the deeply religious husband and wife , Todd and Stacie Bagley , to boost his status within the gang , attorney Susan Otto said .
But Otto contends there was no evidence Vialva , scheduled to be put to death Thursday , was even a full-fledged member - let alone a leader - of the 212 PIRU Bloods gang in his Killeen , Texas hometown .
She said the false claim only served to conjure up menacing stereotypes to prejudice the nearly all-white jury .
“ It played right into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black thug who killed these lovely white people .
And they were lovely , ” Otto said in a recent phone interview .
She added : “ Race was a very strong component of this case.
” Questions about racial bias in the criminal justice system have been front and center since protests erupted across the country following the death of George Floyd after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on the handcuffed Black man ’ s neck for several minutes .
The Trump administration restarted federal executions this year after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since July at the federal prison in Terre Haute , Indiana - the most recent on Tuesday .
Five of the first six were white , a move critics argue was a political calculation to avoid uproar .
The sixth was Navajo .
A report this month by the Washington , D.C.-based Death Penalty Information Center said Blacks remain overrepresented on death rows and that Blacks who kill whites are far more likely to be sentenced to death than whites who kill Blacks .
The focus of the report was on state death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s director , Robert Dunham , said Wednesday there was ample proof the same problems exist at the federal level .
“ The racial issues are the same as they are in state courts , ” he said .
“ The federal system is not the gold standard for fair processes.
” Of the 56 inmates currently on federal death row , 26 - or nearly 50 % - are Black , according to center data updated Wednesday ; 22 , or nearly 40 % , are white and seven , around 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asian on federal death row .
Blacks make up only about 13 % of the population .
Dunham says poor record keeping on federal and state death penalty cases makes it difficult to fully assess how much of role race plays .
Higher numbers of homicides in some minority areas , he said , also complicates analyses of death row disparities .
But he said studies have consistently demonstrated that race is a factor - to the determinant of Black defendants .
Vialva ’ s lawyers neither dispute the brutality of the crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to court filings , the Bagleys were on their way home from a Sunday worship service during a visit to Texas when Vialva and his teenage accomplices asked them for a lift after they stopped at a convenience store - planning all along to rob the couple .
After the Bagleys agreed and began driving away , Vialva pulled out a gun and told the couple : “ Plans have changed.
” After stealing their money , jewelry and ATM card , the teens locked the Bagley ’ s in the trunk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours trying to withdraw money from ATMs and seeking to pawn Stacie Bagley ’ s wedding ring .
The Bagleys pleaded for their lives from the trunk .
The teens eventually pulled to the side of the road and poured lighter fluid inside the car .
As they did , the Bagleys sang “ Jesus loves us ” in the trunk .
Vialva , the oldest of the group , donned a ski-mask , opened the trunk and shot the Bagleys in the head .
Stacie Bagley , prosecutors said at trial , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car .
Vialva ’ s lawyers say the jury ’ s racial composition and prosecutors ’ stress on alleged gang ties meant jurors were likely less open to mitigating factors , including Vialva ’ s difficult upbringing as a biracial child who faced racism in his own family .
They say those factors should have led jurors to recommend a life sentence rather than death .
The overrepresentation of whites throughout the federal justice system , from judges to prosecutors , can also result in less empathy for Black defendants , Dunham said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black jurors .
Jury pools in federal death-penalty cases involving Black defendants from inner cities are drawn from entire judicial districts , which span multiple counties that are often predominantly white .
That , Dunham said , makes it less likely that the racial makeup of a jury will reflect a Black defendant ’ s community .
The U.S. Supreme Court as recently as 2017 sharply criticized any bids to hint that someone ’ s race or cultural background might mean that are prone to violence .
Vialva ’ s lawyers say prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed gang membership .
“ The law punishes people for what they do , not who they are , ” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority in ordering a new trial for Duane Buck , who had been sentence to death in a Texas double slaying after an expert called by his own lawyer said he was more likely to be dangerous because he was Black .
Roberts added that stereotyping Blacks as more prone to violence is a “ particularly noxious strain of racial prejudice.
” Otto said Vialva ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentencing phase and in an initial appeal didn ’ t appear to raise objections about the racial composition of the jury or the characterization of Vialva as a Black gang leader .
That effectively barred subsequent lawyers from raising the issue of racial bias in higher court appeals .
His current legal team has instead stressed Vialva ’ s level of mental development at the time of the killings .
Otto said that Vialva was , developmentally , three or four years younger than his 19 years at the time of the killings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ juvenile at the time .
Otto says U.S. law doesn ’ t allow for judges to deem someone facing a possible death sentence to be technically a juvenile and therefore ineligible for the death penalty , something she says should change .

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) - A man who killed a religious couple visiting Texas from Iowa was executed Thursday, the first Black inmate put to death as part of the Trump administration’s resumption of federal executions after a nearly 20-year pause.
Christopher Vialva, 40, was pronounced dead shortly before 7 p.m. EDT after receiving a lethal injection at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana.
In a last statement, Vialva asked God to comfort the families of the couple he had killed in 1999, saying, “Father … heal their hearts with grace and love.”
After robbing and locking Todd and Stacie Bagley in the trunk of their car, the then-19-year-old Vialva shot them in the head and burned their bodies in the car.
Vialva’s final words were: “I’m ready, Father.”
Vialva turned toward his mother behind a glass window in a witness room as the lethal injections began.
“He was looking at me when he died,” his mother, Lisa Brown, told The Associated Press in a text message, confirming she attended the execution.
The execution comes during demonstrations, disappointment, violence and sadness in Louisville, Kentucky, after a grand jury did not charge the officers who shot Breonna Taylor with her death, rather filing lower level felonies for shooting into neighboring homes.
Questions about racial bias in the criminal justice system have been front and center since May - following the death of George Floyd after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on the handcuffed Black man’s neck for several minutes.
A report this month by the Washington, D.C.-based Death Penalty Information Center said Black people remain overrepresented on death rows and that Black people who kill white people are far more likely to be sentenced to death than white people who kill Black people.
Of the 56 inmates currently on federal death row, 26 - or nearly 50% - are Black, according to center data updated Wednesday; 22, or nearly 40%, are white and seven, around 12% were Latino. There is one Asian on federal death row. Black people make up only about 13% of the population.
Wearing black glasses with especially thick lenses, Vialva opened his eyes wide as officials started administering the fatal dose of pentobarbital. He scanned the ceiling lights in the pale green room, furrowed his brows, yawned and then turned his head toward a witness room where his mother was. Within minutes, he no longer moved at all, his head fixed in a tilt toward the witness room, his mouth agape.
White blotches emerged on Vialva’s hands, as his arms, lips and nose turned a purple hue then whitened. After 20 minutes, an official walked into the chamber, listened to Vialva’s chest with a stethoscope and walked out. Seconds later, a voice over an intercom declared Vialva dead at “6:42 p.m.” Later, officials corrected the time to 6:46 p.m. No explanation was given.
Vialva’s lawyer, Susan Otto, has said race played a role in landing her client on death row for killing the white couple.
Vialva was the seventh federal execution since July and the second this week. Five of the first six were white, a move critics argue was a political calculation to avoid uproar. The sixth was Navajo.
Seconds before Vialva shot the Bagleys, Stacie Bagley said to him: “Jesus loves you,” according to court filings.
“I believe when someone deliberately takes the life of another, they suffer the consequences for their actions,” Todd Bagley’s mother, Georgia, wrote in a statement released after the execution.
“Christopher’s mother had the opportunity to visit him for the past 21 years,” she wrote. “We have had to wait for 21 years for justice and closure. We cannot be with our children for visits or to see them on holidays,” Bagley’s mother wrote.
In a video statement released by his lawyers earlier, Vialva expressed regret for what he’d done.
“I committed a grave wrong when I was a lost kid and took two precious lives from this world,” he said. “Every day, I wish I could right this wrong.”
Vialva’s mother also spoke at an anti-death penalty rally Thursday morning across from the prison where her son was later put to death.
“This is the first venue I’ve had in which I could say to Todd and Stacie’s family, ‘I am so sorry for your loss,’” she said.
She also said her son converted to what she described as Messianic Judaism while behind bars. His spiritual adviser was inside the death chamber during the execution.
Federal authorities executed just three prisoners in the previous 56 years. Death penalty foes accuse President Donald Trump of restarting them to help stake a claim as the law-and-order candidate.
Otto said one Black juror and 11 white jurors recommended the death sentence in 2000 after prosecutors told them Vialva led a Black gang faction in Killeen, Texas, and killed to boost his gang status. That claim, Otto said, was false and only served to conjure up menacing stereotypes.
“It played right into the narrative that he was a dangerous Black thug who killed these lovely white people. And they were lovely,” Otto said in a recent phone interview.
According to court filings, the Bagleys were on their way home from a Sunday worship service during a visit to Texas when Vialva and his teenage accomplices asked them for a lift after they stopped at a convenience store - planning all along to rob the couple. After the Bagleys agreed and began driving away, Vialva pulled out a gun and told the couple: “Plans have changed.”
After stealing their money, jewelry and ATM card, the teens locked the Bagleys in the trunk of their car as they drove around for hours trying to withdraw money from ATMs and seeking to pawn Stacie Bagley’s wedding ring. The Bagleys, who worked as youth ministers, pleaded for their lives from the trunk and urged their kidnappers to accept Jesus.
The teens eventually pulled to the side of the road and poured lighter fluid inside the car. As they did, the Bagleys sang “Jesus loves us” in the trunk. Vialva, the oldest of the group, donned a ski mask, opened the trunk and shot the Bagleys in the head. Stacie Bagley, prosecutors said at trial, was still alive as flames engulfed the car.
Otto said Vialva’s lawyers during the trial, the sentencing phase and in an initial appeal didn’t appear to raise objections about the racial composition of the jury or the characterization of Vialva as a Black gang leader. That effectively barred subsequent lawyers from raising the issue of racial bias in higher court appeals.
____
Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mtarm


washingtontimes--2020-09-24--Trump-appointed judges under an election-year political lens

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson , a Trump administration appointee who bucked the president ’ s conservative base by blocking a Tennessee law that restricts mail-in voting , had an announcement to make before wrapping up his decision : it had nothing to do with politics .
The declaration dropped as lower-court judges , like Richardson , face greater scrutiny over their perceived ideological purity .
Richardson even took the step of addressing potential critics in his opinion .
Richardson ruled in favor of expanding the ability of first-time voters in this reliably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
But first , the lifetime-appointed judge said , he had to “ address head-on the proverbial elephant in the room , ” declaring his own impartiality in the case .
In his Sept. 9 ruling , Richardson wrote that he was “ not concerned about how his decisions could aid one side or the other on the political front.
” The judge from Tennessee ’ s Middle District also said his personal opinions on election laws have “ simply no bearing ” on the constitutional claims brought before his bench .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ without proof that there could be widespread voter fraud in November , even as officials in states that have relied on mail-in ballots cited little evidence of such .
Nominated in 2017 , Richardson wrote he could forgive someone with a “ cynical view ” that voting-rights lawsuits amount to “ really just politics by other means ” - particularly in a presidential election year .
Even before the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg refocused public attention on the judiciary , Richardson ’ s pointed message highlighted a charged atmosphere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrutiny for their every action - through the lens of politics .
It ’ s a spotlight even Trump has encouraged by stating he expects his selection of “ conservative judges ” to result in rulings supported by his base .
“ I think it ’ s very unusual to make it so explicit that this decision had nothing to do with the judge ’ s predispositions , ” said Brian Fitzpatrick , a Vanderbilt University law professor .
“ That is something that normally should go without saying.
” Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with some of his supporters .
Some cite it as justification for backing the president , even if they dislike his tone or other policies .
But as Fitzpatrick noted , those who sift and weigh a judge ’ s decisions often overlook the fact that judges must act within the tight confines of law and jurisprudence and “ don ’ t have unfettered discretion like politicians think they do.
” Yet when those jurists , who are sworn to impartial justice , make decisions that don ’ t align with party politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - even from others in the co-equal branches of government including Trump himself .
U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts has previously warned that political polarization is skewing how people view the judicial branch , adding that the justices are “ not just another part of the political process.
” Roberts , who was picked by President George W. Bush , has endured GOP anger over decisions - including recent decisions on immigration to pandemic restrictions on church gatherings .
And one of Richardson ’ s colleagues in Nashville , another Trump appointee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an abortion ruling in July .
U.S. District Judge William “ Chip ” Campbell blocked an effort by Tennessee Republicans to bar abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy .
The backlash became the stuff of campaign fodder in Tennessee .
GOP primary opponents in an open U.S. Senate race weighed in .
Bill Hagerty , now the Republican nominee , said he ’ d vote for more “ constitutionalist judges who protect the unborn , ” and opponent Manny Sethi said , “ An activist judge barely waited until the ink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view.
” David Levi , a former federal district judge and director of the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School , said it can be useful for judges to acknowledge a ruling may be controversial and explain it to the public .
“ Judges have to reason out in their opinion and really explain why they reached the result that they reached , ” Levi said , adding it could be helpful “ for a judge to say , ‘ I want to address what I know is on some people ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain opinions by some Trump-appointed judges have drawn high praise from conservatives .
Earlier this year , U.S. District Judge Justin Walker sided with a church in ruling that Kentucky ’ s largest city could not halt a drive-in Easter time service amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Walker ’ s harsh 20-page rebuke of the officials drew national attention - and praise from Republican leaders .
Meanwhile , U.S. Judge James Ho in Texas has gained attention since being appointed by Trump to a federal appeals court after writing a dissent claiming the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bear arms as “ a ‘ second-class ’ right.
” He also condemned the “ moral tragedy of abortion ” in a separate opinion .
So far , Richardson has been spared a conservative outcry over his recent vote-by-mail ruling , which blocked a requirement that first-time voters cast ballots in person or show ID at their election office if they wish to vote by mail .
He had already ruled against changing two other Tennessee restrictions on voting by mail .
“ I realize the president maybe lost this one but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the law professor Levi said , noting Trump ’ s resistance to expanding mail-in voting .
“ He appointed someone who followed the law .
We should all be proud we have people like that on the bench.
” Associated Press writer Mark Sherman in Washington contributed to this report .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson, a Trump administration appointee who bucked the president’s conservative base by blocking a Tennessee law that restricts mail-in voting, had an announcement to make before wrapping up his decision: it had nothing to do with politics.
The declaration dropped as lower-court judges, like Richardson, face greater scrutiny over their perceived ideological purity. Richardson even took the step of addressing potential critics in his opinion.
Richardson ruled in favor of expanding the ability of first-time voters in this reliably Republican-leaning state to cast mail-in ballots this election. But first, the lifetime-appointed judge said, he had to “address head-on the proverbial elephant in the room,” declaring his own impartiality in the case.
In his Sept. 9 ruling, Richardson wrote that he was “not concerned about how his decisions could aid one side or the other on the political front.” The judge from Tennessee’s Middle District also said his personal opinions on election laws have “simply no bearing” on the constitutional claims brought before his bench.
For months, President Donald Trump claimed without proof that there could be widespread voter fraud in November, even as officials in states that have relied on mail-in ballots cited little evidence of such.
Nominated in 2017, Richardson wrote he could forgive someone with a “cynical view” that voting-rights lawsuits amount to “really just politics by other means” - particularly in a presidential election year.
Even before the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg refocused public attention on the judiciary, Richardson’s pointed message highlighted a charged atmosphere nationwide: Judges are coming under intense scrutiny for their every action - through the lens of politics. It’s a spotlight even Trump has encouraged by stating he expects his selection of “conservative judges” to result in rulings supported by his base.
“I think it’s very unusual to make it so explicit that this decision had nothing to do with the judge’s predispositions,” said Brian Fitzpatrick, a Vanderbilt University law professor. “That is something that normally should go without saying.”
Trump’s assurances about his judicial picks have resonated with some of his supporters. Some cite it as justification for backing the president, even if they dislike his tone or other policies.
But as Fitzpatrick noted, those who sift and weigh a judge’s decisions often overlook the fact that judges must act within the tight confines of law and jurisprudence and “don’t have unfettered discretion like politicians think they do.”
Yet when those jurists, who are sworn to impartial justice, make decisions that don’t align with party politics, criticism has flowed freely at times - even from others in the co-equal branches of government including Trump himself.
U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts has previously warned that political polarization is skewing how people view the judicial branch, adding that the justices are “not just another part of the political process.” Roberts, who was picked by President George W. Bush, has endured GOP anger over decisions - including recent decisions on immigration and pandemic restrictions on church gatherings.
And one of Richardson’s colleagues in Nashville, another Trump appointee, took a political pounding from conservatives over an abortion ruling in July. U.S. District Judge William “Chip” Campbell blocked an effort by Tennessee Republicans to bar abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy.
The backlash became the stuff of campaign fodder in Tennessee.
GOP primary opponents in an open U.S. Senate race weighed in. Bill Hagerty, now the Republican nominee, said he’d vote for more “constitutionalist judges who protect the unborn,” and opponent Manny Sethi said, “An activist judge barely waited until the ink was dry to promote his own pro-choice view.”
David Levi, a former federal district judge and director of the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School, said it can be useful for judges to acknowledge a ruling may be controversial and explain it to the public.
“Judges have to reason out in their opinion and really explain why they reached the result that they reached,” Levi said, adding it could be helpful “for a judge to say, ‘I want to address what I know is on some people’s minds.’”
In contrast, certain opinions by some Trump-appointed judges have drawn high praise from conservatives.
Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Justin Walker sided with a church in ruling that Kentucky’s largest city could not halt a drive-in Easter time service amid the coronavirus pandemic. Walker’s harsh 20-page rebuke of the officials drew national attention - and praise from Republican leaders.
Meanwhile, U.S. Judge James Ho in Texas has gained attention since being appointed by Trump to a federal appeals court after writing a dissent claiming the courts have treated the Second Amendment right to bear arms as “a ‘second-class’ right.” He also condemned the “moral tragedy of abortion” in a separate opinion.
So far, Richardson has been spared a conservative outcry over his recent vote-by-mail ruling, which blocked a requirement that first-time voters cast ballots in person or show ID at their election office if they wish to vote by mail. He had already ruled against changing two other Tennessee restrictions on voting by mail.
“I realize the president maybe lost this one but in another sense he didn’t,” the law professor Levi said, noting Trump’s resistance to expanding mail-in voting. “He appointed someone who followed the law. We should all be proud we have people like that on the bench.”
___
Associated Press writer Mark Sherman in Washington contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-09-24--Restaurant association calls for looser restrictions

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - The Restaurant Association of Maryland says the governor ’ s recent order to expand indoor dining capacity to 75 % doesn ’ t do enough .
The Baltimore Sun reported Wednesday that struggling restaurants are still unable to pack their dining rooms because of distancing regulations .
Marshall Weston , the association ’ s president , wants the Maryland Department of Health to allow restaurants to install physical barriers between tables and booths .
The barriers would allow restaurants to skirt the mandate requiring six-feet of distance between parties , Weston said .
Currently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used .
The state health department currently allows for plexiglass or other barriers in outdoor booth seating , but not indoors .
Fall is also approaching .
“ With these current table restrictions , many restaurants have found that they can ’ t even meet a 50 % capacity of what they ’ re allowed to hold , ” Weston said .
The association also is pushing for the state to boost the current maximum of six people per table to 10 .
Maryland Department of Health spokesperson Charlie Gischlar said it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he said that the department “ will evaluate whether additional operational changes are warranted as we move forward and the state ’ s health metrics continue to improve .
”

BALTIMORE (AP) - The Restaurant Association of Maryland says the governor’s recent order to expand indoor dining capacity to 75% doesn’t do enough.
The Baltimore Sun reported Wednesday that struggling restaurants are still unable to pack their dining rooms because of distancing regulations.
Marshall Weston, the association’s president, wants the Maryland Department of Health to allow restaurants to install physical barriers between tables and booths. The barriers would allow restaurants to skirt the mandate requiring six-feet of distance between parties, Weston said.
Currently, every other indoor booth cannot be used. The state health department currently allows for plexiglass or other barriers in outdoor booth seating, but not indoors. Fall is also approaching.
“With these current table restrictions, many restaurants have found that they can’t even meet a 50% capacity of what they’re allowed to hold,” Weston said.
The association also is pushing for the state to boost the current maximum of six people per table to 10.
Maryland Department of Health spokesperson Charlie Gischlar said it has no plans to increase the table maximum. But he said that the department “will evaluate whether additional operational changes are warranted as we move forward and the state’s health metrics continue to improve.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-24--Cambridge Analytica ex-boss banned from running companies

LONDON ( AP ) - The former boss of Cambridge Analytica , the political consulting firm brought down by a scandal over how it obtained Facebook users ’ private data , has been banned from holding company directorships for seven years .
Britain ’ s Insolvency Service said Thursday that Alexander Nix is banned from running companies after he permitted Cambridge Analytica ’ s parent firm , SCL Elections Ltd. , and connected firms to “ market themselves as offering potentially unethical services to prospective clients.
” U.K.-based Cambridge Analytica was accused of playing a key role in the 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal data .
The company denied it used the data for Trump ’ s 2016 election campaign , but some former employees have disputed that .
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said that it was “ entirely possible ” the social media data ended up being used in Russian propaganda efforts .
Cambridge Analytica and other connected firms under Nix ’ s leadership filed for bankruptcy in 2018 .
A statement from the Insolvency Service said Thursday that investigators ’ enquiries confirmed that “ SCL Elections had repeatedly offered shady political services to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ The unethical services offered by the companies included bribery or honey trap stings , voter disengagement campaigns , obtaining information to discredit political opponents and spreading information anonymously in political campaigns , ” the statement said .
“ Alexander Nix ’ s actions did not meet the appropriate standard for a company director and his disqualification from managing limited companies for a significant amount of time is justified in the public interest , ” said chief investigator Mark Bruce .

LONDON (AP) - The former boss of Cambridge Analytica, the political consulting firm brought down by a scandal over how it obtained Facebook users’ private data, has been banned from holding company directorships for seven years.
Britain’s Insolvency Service said Thursday that Alexander Nix is banned from running companies after he permitted Cambridge Analytica’s parent firm, SCL Elections Ltd., and connected firms to “market themselves as offering potentially unethical services to prospective clients.”
U.K.-based Cambridge Analytica was accused of playing a key role in the 2014 breach of 87 million Facebook users’ personal data. The company denied it used the data for Trump’s 2016 election campaign, but some former employees have disputed that. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said that it was “entirely possible” the social media data ended up being used in Russian propaganda efforts.
Cambridge Analytica and other connected firms under Nix’s leadership filed for bankruptcy in 2018.
A statement from the Insolvency Service said Thursday that investigators’ enquiries confirmed that “SCL Elections had repeatedly offered shady political services to potential clients over a number of years.”
“The unethical services offered by the companies included bribery or honey trap stings, voter disengagement campaigns, obtaining information to discredit political opponents and spreading information anonymously in political campaigns,” the statement said.
“Alexander Nix’s actions did not meet the appropriate standard for a company director and his disqualification from managing limited companies for a significant amount of time is justified in the public interest,” said chief investigator Mark Bruce.


washingtontimes--2020-09-24--Police arrest 1 in shooting death on Wichita's west side

WICHITA , Kan. ( AP ) - A man already on parole for theft and burglary convictions has been arrested @ @ @ @ @ a man earlier this week on Wichita ’ s east side , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ 3:30 a.m. Tuesday , television station KAKE reported .
Arriving officers found 42-year-old Jeremy Hutchens @ @ @ @ @ gunshot wound , and he died at the scene , police said .
Detectives said @ @ @ @ @ had met another man , 22-year-old Christian Wohlford , for a property transaction when an @ @ @ @ @ shot Hutchens .
A woman in the car was not injured .
Wohlford was arrested @ @ @ @ @ during a traffic stop .
He was being held on suspicion of second-degree murder , @ @ @ @ @ of a firearm and a parole violation .
State prison records show that at the @ @ @ @ @ Wohlford was on parole for convictions in 2017 of theft and burglary .
He was @ @ @ @ @ ago .

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - A man already on parole for theft and burglary convictions has been arrested in the shooting death of a man earlier this week on Wichita’s east side, police said.
The shooting happened just before 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, television station KAKE reported. Arriving officers found 42-year-old Jeremy Hutchens in a car with a gunshot wound, and he died at the scene, police said.
Detectives said an investigation revealed that Hutchens had met another man, 22-year-old Christian Wohlford, for a property transaction when an argument ensued, and Wohlford shot Hutchens. A woman in the car was not injured.
Wohlford was arrested several hours after the shooting during a traffic stop. He was being held on suspicion of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, criminal possession of a firearm and a parole violation.
State prison records show that at the time of his arrest, Wohlford was on parole for convictions in 2017 of theft and burglary. He was released from prison three months ago.


washingtontimes--2020-09-24--Parents charged with homicide in infant's overdose death

BALDWIN , Pa. ( AP ) - The parents of a year-old child who authorities say died of a drug overdose have been charged with homicide .
Tracy Humphreys and Thomas Snelsire , both 45 , of Baldwin , also face numerous drug counts in the death of Thomas Humphreys , whose body was found Sept. 13 in the family ’ s home .
Investigators noted that the boy had likely been dead “ for a long period of time ” before authorities were alerted .
It wasn ’ t clear Thursday if either parent was in custody or had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they found drug paraphernalia in the basement that was within reach of the child ’ s play pen , while a cut green plastic straw containing “ an unknown white powder ” was found under a blanket in the play pen .
Other drug paraphernalia and heroin was found in the home , The infant ’ s body was found about a month after a county child welfare caseworker had inspected the home and reported that she did not see “ illegal drugs or inappropriate conditions.
” A county spokeswoman said officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any particular family .

BALDWIN, Pa. (AP) - The parents of 1-year-old child who authorities say died of a drug overdose have been charged with homicide.
Tracy Humphreys and Thomas Snelsire, both 45, of Baldwin, also face numerous drug counts in the death of Thomas Humphreys, whose body was found Sept. 13 in the family’s home. Investigators noted that the boy had likely been dead “for a long period of time” before authorities were alerted.
It wasn’t clear Thursday if either parent was in custody or had retained an attorney.
Allegheny County police said they found drug paraphernalia in the basement that was within reach of the child’s play pen, while a cut green plastic straw containing “an unknown white powder” was found under a blanket in the play pen .
Other drug paraphernalia and heroin was found in the home, police said.
The infant’s body was found about a month after a county child welfare caseworker had inspected the home following two reports from a police sergeant to a network for suspected abuse and neglect. The caseworker reported that she did not see “illegal drugs or inappropriate conditions.”
A county spokeswoman said officials cannot comment on their involvement with any particular family.


washingtontimes--2020-09-24--Vietnamese police to investigate condom recycling factory

HANOI , Vietnam ( AP ) - Vietnamese police said they will investigate a factory that was found recycling about @ @ @ @ @ , local media reported Thursday .
Following a tip from a local resident , Binh @ @ @ @ @ the weekend raided a factory near Ho Chi Minh City where they found used condoms @ @ @ @ @ the market , the state-owned Tuoi Tre newspaper reported .
A market inspector said the @ @ @ @ @ a 34-year-old woman , confessed that they bought the used condoms from a man in @ @ @ @ @ were washed , reshaped and packed into plastic packages , the newspaper said .
It @ @ @ @ @ investigate and track down others involved in the operation .
A call to police for @ @ @ @ @ .
The newspaper quoted a health official as saying the recycled condoms posed an extreme @ @ @ @ @

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - Vietnamese police said they will investigate a factory that was found recycling about 320,000 used condoms for resale, local media reported Thursday.
Following a tip from a local resident, Binh Duong provincial market inspectors over the weekend raided a factory near Ho Chi Minh City where they found used condoms being repacked for sale at the market, the state-owned Tuoi Tre newspaper reported.
A market inspector said the owner of the factory, a 34-year-old woman, confessed that they bought the used condoms from a man in the province. The condoms were washed, reshaped and packed into plastic packages, the newspaper said.
It said police announced they will investigate and track down others involved in the operation. A call to police for comment was not answered Thursday.
The newspaper quoted a health official as saying the recycled condoms posed an extreme health risk to users.


washingtontimes--2020-09-24--Turkey hikes rates to support currency, fight inflation

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) - Turkey ’ s Central Bank raised its benchmark interest rate by 2 percentage points on Thursday , its first hike in two years to fight inflation and support its falling currency .
In a surprise move that helped boost the Turkish currency , the Monetary Policy Committee said it had decided to increase the policy rate from 8.25 % to 10.25 % “ to restore the disinflation process and support price stability.
” The Turkish lira has been plummeting to record lows , dipping to 7.7 against the dollar this week , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy .
The lira has lost some 20 % of its value this year .
The Central Bank had long resisted pressure to raise the key interest rate due to pressure from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to keep rates low .
Lower interest rates tend to weaken a currency but boost economic growth and inflation .
The Central Bank had gradually reduced the benchmark rate to 8.25 % from as high 24 % and had since kept the rates unchanged .
On Thursday , the lira was about 1 % higher , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey’s Central Bank raised its benchmark interest rate by 2 percentage points on Thursday, its first hike in two years to fight inflation and support its falling currency.
In a surprise move that helped boost the Turkish currency, the Monetary Policy Committee said it had decided to increase the policy rate from 8.25% to 10.25% “to restore the disinflation process and support price stability.”
The Turkish lira has been plummeting to record lows, dipping to 7.7 against the dollar this week, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to batter the economy. The lira has lost some 20% of its value this year.
The Central Bank had long resisted pressure to raise the key interest rate due to pressure from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to keep rates low. Lower interest rates tend to weaken a currency but boost economic growth and inflation.
The Central Bank had gradually reduced the benchmark rate to 8.25% from as high 24% and had since kept the rates unchanged.
On Thursday, the lira was about 1 % higher, trading at 7.6 against the dollar.


washingtontimes--2020-09-24--3 slayings in Rapid City tied to one suspect

RAPID CITY , S.D .
( AP ) - Police in Rapid City have tied the slayings of three people in recent weeks to one suspect and say the case may be drug-related .
The latest victim was found Tuesday in near Sheridan Lake , about 25 miles from where two people were found fatally shot in a Rapid City park .
Twenty-two-year-old Dakota Zaiser , of Rapid City , had been missing since the two were found dead in Thomson Park Aug. 24 .
Detectives believe Zaiser was hanging out with the suspect and may have been in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to police spokesman Brendyn Medina .
Detectives wanted to talk to Zaiser to see if he had information about the shooting , he said .
Charles Red Willow , 26 , of Rapid City , and Ashley Nagy , 29 , from Greeley , Colorado , were found fatally shot inside a car at the park .
“ It ’ s a very unique series of homicides for Rapid City , technically this guy is involved in a triple homicide , ” Medina said of the suspect , a 37-year-old man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and awaiting extradition to South Dakota .
Information gathered during the investigation into Zaiser ’ s disappearance led law enforcement to search a forested area north of Sheridan Lake where they found his body , which had been covered up , the Rapid City Journal reported .
Medina said he can ’ t comment on how Zaiser died because of the ongoing investigation .
Based on decomposition , police believe Zaiser was killed hours or days after the double homicide , Medina added .
All three killings may be related to drugs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t comment on what specific evidence leads police to believe that .

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - Police in Rapid City have tied the slayings of three people in recent weeks to one suspect and say the case may be drug-related.
The latest victim was found Tuesday in near Sheridan Lake, about 25 miles from where two people were found fatally shot in a Rapid City park. Twenty-two-year-old Dakota Zaiser, of Rapid City, had been missing since the two were found dead in Thomson Park Aug. 24.
Detectives believe Zaiser was hanging out with the suspect and may have been in the area during the shooting at the park, according to police spokesman Brendyn Medina. Detectives wanted to talk to Zaiser to see if he had information about the shooting, he said.
Charles Red Willow, 26, of Rapid City, and Ashley Nagy, 29, from Greeley, Colorado, were found fatally shot inside a car at the park.
“It’s a very unique series of homicides for Rapid City, technically this guy is involved in a triple homicide,” Medina said of the suspect, a 37-year-old man who is in custody in New York and awaiting extradition to South Dakota.
Information gathered during the investigation into Zaiser’s disappearance led law enforcement to search a forested area north of Sheridan Lake where they found his body, which had been covered up, the Rapid City Journal reported.
Medina said he can’t comment on how Zaiser died because of the ongoing investigation. Based on decomposition, police believe Zaiser was killed hours or days after the double homicide, Medina added.
All three killings may be related to drugs, police said. Medina said he couldn’t comment on what specific evidence leads police to believe that.


washingtontimes--2020-09-24--GOP elections board members resign over absentee settlement

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - The two Republican members of North Carolina ’ s state elections board have resigned after signing off on a settlement to help voters fix absentee ballot problems that has been criticized by state GOP leaders .
Ken Raymond and David Black announced their resignations late Wednesday from the North Carolina State Board of Elections over the tentative agreement to let voters correct problems with witness information on their absentee ballots without filling out an entirely new ballot .
The agreement would let voters fix certain witness information problems by filling out an affidavit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scratch .
Raymond and Black had joined the three Democratic state board members in unanimously approving the settlement , which was announced Tuesday and is subject to a judge ’ s approval .
In a letter announcing his resignation , Raymond argued that lawyers with the state attorney general ’ s office didn ’ t explain all the implications of the settlement before he signed off .
Black also said in a separate letter that he didn ’ t have a full understanding of how the ballot fixes outlined in the settlement would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement issued by state elections board spokesman Pat Gannon thanked the two for their service and said that the agency ’ s legal staff had explained the settlement to board members before they unanimously agreed to it .
Republican legislative leaders have sharply criticized the agreement that the board made in response to a lawsuit filed by advocacy group that argued absentee ballot requirements were too restrictive .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The two Republican members of North Carolina’s state elections board have resigned after signing off on a legal settlement to alter absentee ballot rules for this fall.
Their decision further accentuates the political stakes in altering this popular form of voting during the COVID-19 pandemic in the closely divided state.
Ken Raymond and David Black informed the State Board of Elections late Wednesday of the resignation, each citing in part frustration with the tentative agreement filed in court earlier this week that aimed to end litigation filed by advocacy groups and voters.
The full five-member board - Raymond, Black, and the three Democratic appointees - had signed off on the settlement last week, according to state board Chair Damon Circosta. Part of the agreement is already being carried out in state board guidance. Board members said they were worried that without a settlement, they risked broader voter security protections in state law could have been overturned by a court.
But Raymond wrote in his resignation letter that lawyers with the state Attorney General’s office didn’t explain all the implications of the settlement before he signed off.
“It is impossible to have true bipartisanship when both sides of the political aisle do not have the important and vital information needed to make the right decisions,” Raymond wrote.
With the changes unveiled Tuesday, county board officials are now telling voters they can correct problems with witness information on their absentee ballots without filling out an entirely new ballot, but rather by signing an afffidavit confirming their own identity. The changes also allow six more days for officials to receive mailed absentee ballots, as long as they are postmarked by Election Day, and will make it easier for absentee ballots to be handed in at early in-person voting sites when they open next month.
Black wrote in a separate letter that he didn’t have a full understanding of how the ballot fixes outlined in the settlement, particularly regarding witness information, would work.
Circosta said all board members were provided with the pros and the cons of settling lawsuits in a nearly three-hour meeting last week and in extensive briefings before that.
“Legal settlements are never perfect because, by their very nature, they require compromise,” Circosta wrote. “I was proud that our board was able to come together unanimously to make sure that every vote is secure and every voter is safe when they cast their ballot.”
Just over 1 million absentee ballots already have been requested in North Carolina, or more than five times the total number of mail-in ballots counted during the 2016 election in the state. Nearly 200,000 ballots have been returned and accepted so far. At least 1,700 other ballot envelopes have had incomplete witness information. One witness is required.
Black’s and Raymond’s letters focused on defending their decisions on the settlement, which has been blasted Republican legislative leaders who had intervened in the lawsuit filed by the union-affiliated North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger intend to oppose the settlement at a hearing next week to oppose the agreement.
Berger, Moore and other Republicans have portrayed the settlement as a backroom deal by the plaintiffs, whose lawsuit was bankrolled in part by national Democratic groups, Attorney General Josh Stein and Gov. Roy Cooper, whose appointees control the board. Cooper and Stein are Democrats. The Republican leaders say the settlement would essentially gut the witness requirement.
Democrats have “resorted to deceit and trickery by withholding key information from Republicans and secretly negotiating with Democratic plaintiffs to reach a collusive settlement that undoes absentee ballot fraud protections,” Berger said in a news release.
Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, who is trying to unseat Cooper in November, asked U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr on Thursday to investigate whether federal laws were violated by the “attack on the integrity of North Carolina’s elections.”
Stein, who is also seeking re-election, described it as a “negotiated compromise response” to a public health crisis, slower mail delivery and a federal judge’s order last month mandating the state have a process for voters to fix ballot envelope omissions.
“The Republican Party needs to start respecting democracy, instead of undermining it,” Stein said in a news release.
The legislature already approved absentee ballot changes this year and in 2019. They were responding to difficulties voting during the pandemic and to an absentee ballot fraud scandal in a 2018 congressional race that led to a new election.
Cooper’s chief attorney asked the state Republican Party to quickly provide candidate lists from which the governor will fill the two vacancies. The “board should work together to administer a safe, secure election,” Cooper spokesperson Ford Porter said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-24--Police: 4-year-old and 2 others wounded in shooting

LOVEJOY , Ga. ( AP ) - A 4-year-old child and two women were shot and wounded Wednesday night , @ @ @ @ @ Clayton County police were called to the scene before 9 p.m. Wednesday , news outlets @ @ @ @ @ West said a “ preliminary investigation ” suggested “ that an altercation between known parties @ @ @ @ @ shooting.
” The shooting left the child and two adults wounded .
One of the @ @ @ @ @ but the child and the second woman were expected to survive , West said .
@ @ @ @ @ s office identified the suspect as 26-year-old Karl Jordan .
The sheriff ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ in a silver 2009 Acura TL with Georgia tag RWT-7394 .
He ’ s considered @ @ @ @ @ with information on Jordan ’ s whereabouts should call the police .

LOVEJOY, Ga. (AP) - A Georgia woman has died after she, her mother and her child were shot by a man who later shot and robbed a Waffle House employee.
Police arrested 26-year-old Karl Anthony Jordan on Thursday in Stockbridge, saying he shot three people in Lovejoy on Wednesday night, plus the restaurant worker.
Police said a grandmother was sitting on her porch Wednesday night and went inside after hearing a noise. She found her daughter lying on the floor with a gunshot wound, police said Thursday, with the woman’s 4-year-old child standing over her. When the grandmother picked up the grandchild to flee, Jordan shot her and the child, with the grandmother getting away after Jordan ran out of bullets, according to police.
Investigators said Jordan then robbed a Waffle House near McDonough before dawn Thursday, shooting a female employee and taking her car. He was later taken into custody in Stockbridge.
The woman died in a hospital Thursday. The grandmother and child are expected to survive. Police say the dead woman and Jordan had a previous relationship.
Henry County police said Jordan is charged with aggravated assault and armed robbery in connection with the Waffle House robbery. Clayton County police earlier obtained warrants against Jordan for aggravated assault, but didn’t immediately announce new charges.
It wasn’t immediately clear if he has a lawyer who could comment for him.
Jordan was released from prison in January, state records show, after a year on drug and gun convictions.


washingtontimes--2020-09-24--Q&A: What were the results of Breonna Taylor investigation?


washingtontimes--2020-09-24--Police say 91-year-old man hit, killed on Salina street

SALINA , Kan. ( AP ) - A 91-year-old man has died after being hit by a car as he @ @ @ @ @ a street in Salina , police in the central Kansas community said .
The crash @ @ @ @ @ a sport utility vehicle hit another vehicle , pushing it into 91-year-old James Price , @ @ @ @ @ said the 82-year-old driver of the SUV may have lost consciousness before hitting the vehicle @ @ @ @ @ street standing next to the car that was hit , police said .
He died @ @ @ @

SALINA, Kan. (AP) - A 91-year-old man has died after being hit by a car as he stood in the middle of a street in Salina, police in the central Kansas community said.
The crash happened Monday afternoon, when a sport utility vehicle hit another vehicle, pushing it into 91-year-old James Price, investigators said. Salina police said the 82-year-old driver of the SUV may have lost consciousness before hitting the vehicle.
Price was in the street standing next to the car that was hit, police said. He died from his injuries.