washingtontimes--2020-10-14--King County moves ahead with sales tax for homeless housing

SEATTLE ( AP ) - The Metropolitan King County Council voted Tuesday to implement a 0.1 % sales tax to fund housing for people who have been chronically homeless , even after some cities in the county dropped out of the plan by quickly passing their own versions of the tax .
On Monday evening , Bellevue passed its own 0.1 % sales tax , bypassing the county ’ s collection of the revenue for its homelessness plan , The Seattle Times reported .
Bellevue joined North Bend and Maple Valley , which also voted to implement the tax Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kent , Issaquah , Covington and Snoqualmie to pass a solo tax .
As a result , King County is millions of dollars short of the original plan King County Executive Dow Constantine envisioned for housing about 2,000 people who have a disability and have struggled with homelessness .
Estimates of people who struggle with homelessness in King County range from 3,355 to 6,500 , many living outside .
The council voted to move forward on the sales tax , 8-1 , with Councilmember Reagan Dunn voting against .
“ What we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been clamoring for , which is helping get people off the street , out of doorways and alleyways , and into housing with support , ” said Councilmember Dave Upthegrove , who represents Renton and Kent .
“ It will save criminal justice costs .
It will save medical costs and will literally save lives.
” The state Legislature this year gave counties the authority to pass a 0.1 % sales tax for affordable housing and behavioral health supports by council action .
Counties had until Sept. 30 to pass the tax legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own version of the tax instead , if they chose to do so .
The decisions by the cities that chose to exempt themselves from the county tax came after months of tension between suburban cities and the county over the creation of the Regional Homeless Authority and the county ’ s emergency placement of homeless people from overcrowded shelters in local hotels and motels .
“ Really it ’ s to reserve a seat at the table for the conversation , so we as cities have a say , ” Kent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a meeting Oct. 6 , before the vote to levy the tax .

SEATTLE (AP) - The Metropolitan King County Council voted Tuesday to implement a 0.1% sales tax to fund housing for people who have been chronically homeless, even after some cities in the county dropped out of the plan by quickly passing their own versions of the tax.
On Monday evening, Bellevue passed its own 0.1% sales tax, bypassing the county’s collection of the revenue for its homelessness plan, The Seattle Times reported. Bellevue joined North Bend and Maple Valley, which also voted to implement the tax Monday night, following votes in Renton, Kent, Issaquah, Covington and Snoqualmie to pass a solo tax.
As a result, King County is millions of dollars short of the original plan King County Executive Dow Constantine envisioned for housing about 2,000 people who have a disability and have struggled with homelessness. Estimates of people who struggle with homelessness in King County range from 3,355 to 6,500, many living outside.
The council voted to move forward on the sales tax, 8-1, with Councilmember Reagan Dunn voting against.
“What we’re doing is what the public has been clamoring for, which is helping get people off the street, out of doorways and alleyways, and into housing with support,” said Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, who represents Renton and Kent. “It will save criminal justice costs. It will save medical costs and will literally save lives.”
The state Legislature this year gave counties the authority to pass a 0.1% sales tax for affordable housing and behavioral health supports by council action. Counties had until Sept. 30 to pass the tax legislation first, after which cities could implement their own version of the tax instead, if they chose to do so.
The decisions by the cities that chose to exempt themselves from the county tax came after months of tension between suburban cities and the county over the creation of the Regional Homeless Authority and the county’s emergency placement of homeless people from overcrowded shelters in local hotels and motels.
“Really it’s to reserve a seat at the table for the conversation, so we as cities have a say,” Kent Mayor Dana Ralph told council members at a meeting Oct. 6, before the vote to levy the tax.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Tavern League sues over Wisconsin bar, restaurant limits

MADISON , Wis. ( AP ) - The Tavern League of Wisconsin has sued Gov .
Tony Evers ’ administration over new limits on bar and restaurant capacity .
The lawsuit by the powerful lobbying group , filed in Sawyer County on Tuesday , seeks to immediately block enforcement of Evers ’ latest order capping customers to 25 % of the establishment ’ s capacity limit .
The Tavern League said the order amounts to a “ defacto closure.
” “ My members are good people - they ’ re hard-working .
They care about their community .
They care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobbyist Scott Stenger said .
“ They are seeing generations of their business wiped away.
” Plaintiffs include the statewide Tavern League , the Sawyer County Tavern League and the Flambeau Forest Inn in the village of Winter , the Journal Sentinel reported .
The lawsuit argues that the Flambeau Forest Inn would be forced to limit its capacity to 10 people under the state order , which would include five customers and five employees needed to operate the restaurant .
“ This would be approximately 5 % of Flambeau ’ s normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profitably under these conditions and would be forced to discontinue its business operations , ” the lawsuit said .
In response , the Democratic governor ’ s spokeswoman said the order “ is consistent with the Wisconsin Supreme Court ’ s ruling earlier this year , and we continue to ask everyone to do their part to prevent the spread of this virus by staying home , limiting travel and gatherings , and wearing face coverings whenever in public.
” The state Department of Health Services on Tuesday reported 3,279 confirmed new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set just five days earlier .
There were 34 deaths reported , also a new high , bringing the total number of people who have died to 1,508 .
To date , more than 155,000 people in Wisconsin have tested positive .

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A Wisconsin judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked an order from Gov. Tony Evers’ administration limiting the number of people who can gather in bars, restaurants and other indoor places, a move that comes as the state breaks records for new coronavirus cases, deaths and hospitalizations.
The Democratic governor’s order, issued by the Evers-appointed state health secretary Andrea Palm last week, limited the number of customers in many indoor establishments to 25% of capacity. Gatherings in indoor spaces without an occupancy limit were limited to 10 people. The order does not apply to colleges, schools, churches, polling locations, political rallies and outdoor venues.
The Tavern League of Wisconsin, the powerful lobbying group for the state’s 5,000 bars, restaurants and taverns, argued that the capacity limits amounted to “defacto closure.” It said that Palm didn’t have the legal authority to issue the order, which instead should have gone through the Republican-led Legislature’s rule-making process.
A GOP-controlled legislative committee on Monday met to begin the process of creating the rule, which would then allow the Legislature to strike it down.
Sawyer County Circuit Judge John Yackel, who blocked the order a day after the Tavern League of Wisconsin sued, set a court date for Monday. He said the hearing will give attorneys for the Evers administration a chance to argue why the order should not be put on hold while the lawsuit plays out.
Evers’ spokeswoman, Britt Cudaback, said the ruling would be challenged.
“This is a dangerous decision that leaves our state without a statewide effort to contain this virus,” she said.
Eating at a restaurant where seating capacity is not reduced and tables are not spaced at least six feet apart is in the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “highest risk” category for contracting COVID-19. By comparison, the lowest risk is purchasing food for take-out or curbside pickup, according to the CDC.
Evers put the new limits in place through Nov. 6 as the virus is surging across Wisconsin. The state opened a field hospital near Milwaukee on Wednesday to handle an overflow of patients from hospitals, which treated a record-high 1,017 COVID-19 patients on Wednesday. That broke the previous day’s record of 950 patients.
The state also broke records on Tuesday for daily new confirmed cases and deaths.
Deb Standridge, CEO of the Milwaukee field hospital, said she has been fielding calls from hospitals around the state about taking patients but that they weren’t expected to arrive until Thursday at the earliest. The temporary facility, which was built in April and later mothballed, has 50 beds but can rapidly double that number and has an overcall capacity of 530 patients, she said.
“I cannot give you a number because we are still having those conversations and hospitals are making those decisions,” Standridge said. She added that patients in Milwaukee will be near the end of their medical care and likely be within three to six days of going home.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which months ago made preliminary plans for a second field hospital in Madison and looked at other sites around the state, has been called in to “relook at those plans” in case a second or third facility is needed, said Julie Willems Van Dijk, deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health.
“It has been our fervent hope that we would never need to use the alternative care facility,” she said. “But in a crisis such as a pandemic, we must prepare for the worst and then work to try and prevent it from coming to pass.”
To date, more than 158,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 and 1,536 have died in Wisconsin since the pandemic started.
Democratic lawmakers said the attempt to undo the capacity limits order would hurt the state’s pandemic response.
“Make no mistake, if this dangerous decision stands, Wisconsin will be choosing full bars over full classrooms,” tweeted state Sen. LaTonya Johnson, of Milwaukee. “What a pathetic set of priorities to teach our children.”
Earlier this year, the conservative-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court ended Evers’ “safer at home” order. Republican lawmakers are currently suing to end the governor’s statewide mask mandate, arguing as the Tavern League has done in this lawsuit that the order exceeded Evers’ authority. A judge on Monday upheld the mask mandate, saying the Legislature has the power to strike it down if it wants to.
Evers has argued that Republicans are making it more difficult for the state to deal with the pandemic.
The Tavern League, the Sawyer County Tavern League and the Flambeau Forest Inn in the village of Winter brought the lawsuit. It argues that the Flambeau Forest Inn would be forced to limit its capacity to 10 people under the state order, which would include five customers and five employees needed to operate the restaurant.
“Flambeau could not operate profitably under these conditions and would be forced to discontinue its business operations,” the lawsuit said.
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Follow Scott Bauer on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sbauerAP


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--17-year-old faces charges in mother's assault, death

SEATTLE ( AP ) - Police said a 17-year-old boy is facing charges after his mother was assaulted and killed @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Northgate area .
KOMO-TV reports officers and medics were called to the residence @ @ @ @ @ block of NE 105th Street , at around 8:20 a.m. Tuesday after the teen called @ @ @ @ @ violence assault .
When officers arrived , the teen was sitting outside and admitted he @ @ @ @ @ said .
The victim , whose identity has not been released , was pronounced dead @ @ @ @ @ have not publicly said how the woman died or revealed a motive for the killing @ @ @ @ @ to the King County Jail , where he is expected to face charges in connection @ @ @ @ @ was not clear if bond has been set in the case .
The circumstances leading @ @ @ @ @ were under investigation .
Authorities have not said if anyone else was inside the home @ @ @ @ @

SEATTLE (AP) - Police said a 17-year-old boy is facing charges after his mother was assaulted and killed at their apartment in Seattle’s Northgate area.
KOMO-TV reports officers and medics were called to the residence, located in the 900 block of NE 105th Street, at around 8:20 a.m. Tuesday after the teen called 911 to report a domestic violence assault.
When officers arrived, the teen was sitting outside and admitted he was the suspect, police said.
The victim, whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators have not publicly said how the woman died or revealed a motive for the killing.
The suspect was taken to the King County Jail, where he is expected to face charges in connection with the slaying. It was not clear if bond has been set in the case.
The circumstances leading up to the deadly assault were under investigation. Authorities have not said if anyone else was inside the home when the attack occurred.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Louisiana man sentenced in crash that killed pregnant woman

NEW IBERIA , La .
( AP ) - A Louisiana man convicted of killing a 22-year-old pregnant woman and her 1-year-old child in a car crash has been sentenced to 50 years in prison .
Dylan Leblanc , of Youngsville , received his prison sentence Tuesday in New Iberia , according to a statement from the District Attorney ’ s Office .
He pleaded guilty in February to two counts of vehicular homicide in the August 2018 deaths of Abby Suire Sinitiere and her son , as well as feticide in the death of the fetus and four counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other children in Sinitiere ’ s car and a passenger in his own vehicle .
Prosecutors said there was alcohol in Leblanc ’ s system at the time of the crash , and alleged he was driving at speeds of about 100 mph ( 161 kph ) before he lost control of his car , crossed a median and struck Sinitiere ’ s vehicle .
His sentence includes 15 years on each of the two vehicular homicide charges , five years on the feticide charge and 15 years on an additional charge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be served consecutively , the district attorney ’ s office said .
He received five years in prison for each vehicular negligent injury charge , to be served concurrently with each other and the other sentences .

NEW IBERIA, La. (AP) - A Louisiana man convicted of killing a 22-year-old pregnant woman and her 1-year-old child in a car crash has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Dylan Leblanc, of Youngsville, received his prison sentence Tuesday in New Iberia, according to a statement from the District Attorney’s Office.
He pleaded guilty in February to two counts of vehicular homicide in the August 2018 deaths of Abby Suire Sinitiere and her son, as well as feticide in the death of the fetus and four counts of vehicular negligent injury for wounding three other children in Sinitiere’s car and a passenger in his own vehicle.
Prosecutors said there was alcohol in Leblanc’s system at the time of the crash, and alleged he was driving at speeds of about 100 mph (161 kph) before he lost control of his car, crossed a median and struck Sinitiere’s vehicle.
His sentence includes 15 years on each of the two vehicular homicide charges, five years on the feticide charge and 15 years on an additional charge of aggravated obstruction of a highway, to be served consecutively, the district attorney’s office said. He received five years in prison for each vehicular negligent injury charge, to be served concurrently with each other and the other sentences.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Cooper, Forest spar over COVID, economy at governor's debate

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper and Republican Lt. Gov .
Dan Forest traded jabs over reopening the economy and dealing with the threat of the coronavirus pandemic during North Carolina ’ s lone gubernatorial debate on Wednesday night .
As Forest highlighted his ambitions to more aggressively get kids in physical classrooms and adults back to work , Cooper noted Forest ’ s skepticism of masks and holding of large , in-person campaign events with little to no mask wearing or physical distancing - moves Cooper said contributed to a debate that looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s different because of the plexiglass separating Dan Forest and me , ” Cooper said .
“ It is there because for the last eight months , including last night , Dan Forest has been having in-person events with no masks or social distancing .
That ’ s reckless , and it endangers North Carolinians , including the staff in this room.
” Forest criticized Cooper ’ s decision to mandate masks and said North Carolinians should have the personal freedom to wear one if they choose .
“ It should be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It doesn ’ t need to be a governor ’ s mandate .
We don ’ t need a governor that treats us like 5-year-olds .
We need a governor that does protect us , but not treat us like we ’ re little kids .
Masks aren ’ t the solution to everything.
” The lieutenant governor cited comments infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci made in the early stages of the pandemic that masks are unnecessary in certain circumstances .
As more facts emerged and coronavirus transmission increased , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks reduce transmission , with some masks being more effective than others .
Fauci and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield believe masks could prove more effective than a vaccine in reducing viral spread .
He said , “ Masks are actually causing more harm than good ” and that “ we need to let all the healthy people get back to a normal way of life.
” The mild-mannered governor who has been absent from the physical campaign trail this election cycle quickly went on the offensive .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t work ?
Scientists say they don ’ t ?
” Cooper asked .
“ That is just absolutely not true .
You ’ re finding that on the dark corners of the internet.
” Cooper has come under fire by some for weak enforcement of masks and executive orders placing substantial reopening restrictions on certain businesses .
While he said some local authorities have agreed to remove unmasked retail customers for trespassing , Cooper pinned the brunt of the blame on law enforcement .
“ Law enforcement is a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooper said .
Asked if systemic racism exists , Cooper praised peaceful protests , condemned violence but did not offer a direct response to the question of whether he believes in systemic racism .
Hours before Wednesday ’ s debate , the North Carolina Republican Party shed light on another issue where it says Cooper hasn ’ t been fully transparent .
The party filed a lawsuit to compel Cooper to disclose more information about his public schedule .
Forest gave a direct answer to the question about racism .
“ No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s systemic racism , ” he said .
“ There is racism .
We should reject it at every single turn.
” Forest cited widespread support he ’ s received from law enforcement groups and routinely attacked Cooper ’ s slow reopening .
He said South Carolina has succeeded in keeping case counts steady while simultaneously reopening more parts of the economy .
He also praised Tennessee and Georgia for easing restrictions while promoting safety .
“ They ’ re learning how to live with the virus and protect the vulnerable and get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ They ’ re learning how to do that .
We have to learn how to do that in North Carolina , too.
” Cooper chastised the comparison to Georgia , noting its similar population size but 100,000 more COVID cases and nearly twice the number of deaths .
He said , “ That ’ s the kind of state you ’ d get with Dan Forest as governor : More cases , more deaths , more deaths in nursing homes .
I don ’ t think the people of North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also attacked Cooper for not giving all K-12 public school parents the option to put their kids back in classrooms .
“ Special needs kids need teachers in classrooms , ” Forest said .
“ All kids need teachers in the classroom .
That ’ s the way it ’ s supposed to be .
We ’ ve got to get back to that.
” Cooper ’ s latest reopening guidance lets local school districts decide whether to return to daily , in-person learning for elementary school students .
Middle and high school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual at least part of the time and do not have the option to offer daily instruction in physical classrooms .
Many elementary schools still offer only partial or fully remote learning .
Forest would reopen all public schools without a statewide mandate for masks or 6 feet ( 1.8 meters ) of physical distancing .
Instead , districts would be able to set their own health protocols and continue to offer remote learning options to parents who want it .
Anderson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest traded jabs over reopening the economy and dealing with the threat of the coronavirus pandemic during North Carolina’s lone gubernatorial debate on Wednesday night.
As Forest highlighted his ambitions to more aggressively get kids in physical classrooms and adults back to work, Cooper noted Forest’s skepticism of masks and holding of large, in-person campaign events with little to no mask wearing or physical distancing - moves Cooper said contributed to a debate that looked unusual to viewers.
“Tonight’s different because of the plexiglass separating Dan Forest and me,” Cooper said. “It is there because for the last eight months, including last night, Dan Forest has been having in-person events with no masks or social distancing. That’s reckless, and it endangers North Carolinians, including the staff in this room.”
Forest criticized Cooper’s decision to mandate masks and said North Carolinians should have the personal freedom to wear one if they choose.
“It should be a personal responsibility choice,” Forest said. “It doesn’t need to be a governor’s mandate. We don’t need a governor that treats us like 5-year-olds. We need a governor that does protect us, but not treat us like we’re little kids. Masks aren’t the solution to everything.”
The lieutenant governor cited comments infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci made in the early stages of the pandemic that masks are unnecessary in certain circumstances. As more facts emerged and coronavirus transmission increased, public health experts have been adamant that masks reduce transmission, with some masks being more effective than others. Fauci and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield believe masks could prove more effective than a vaccine in reducing viral spread.
During Wednesday’s debate, Forest repeated widely disputed claims that masks make coronavirus transmission worse.
He said, “Masks are actually causing more harm than good” and that “we need to let all the healthy people get back to a normal way of life.”
The mild-mannered governor who has been absent from the physical campaign trail this election cycle quickly went on the offensive.
“Really, Dan? Really? Masks don’t work? Scientists say they don’t?” Cooper asked. “That is just absolutely not true. You’re finding that on the dark corners of the internet.”
Cooper has come under fire by some for weak enforcement of masks and executive orders placing substantial reopening restrictions on certain businesses. While he said some local authorities have agreed to remove unmasked retail customers for trespassing, Cooper pinned the brunt of the blame on law enforcement.
“Law enforcement is a little hesitant to enforce the mandate,” Cooper said.
Asked if systemic racism exists, Cooper praised peaceful protests, condemned violence but did not offer a direct response to the question of whether he believes in systemic racism. Hours before Wednesday’s debate, the North Carolina Republican Party shed light on another issue where it says Cooper hasn’t been fully transparent. The party filed a lawsuit to compel Cooper to disclose more information about his public schedule.
Forest gave a direct answer to the question about racism.
“No, I don’t think there’s systemic racism,” he said. “There is racism. We should reject it at every single turn.”
Forest cited widespread support he’s received from law enforcement groups and routinely attacked Cooper’s slow reopening. He said South Carolina has succeeded in keeping case counts steady while simultaneously reopening more parts of the economy. He also praised Tennessee and Georgia for easing restrictions while promoting safety.
“They’re learning how to live with the virus and protect the vulnerable and get people back to work,” Forest said. “They’re learning how to do that. We have to learn how to do that in North Carolina, too.”
Cooper chastised the comparison to Georgia, noting its similar population size but 100,000 more COVID cases and nearly twice the number of deaths. He said, “That’s the kind of state you’d get with Dan Forest as governor: More cases, more deaths, more deaths in nursing homes. I don’t think the people of North Carolina want that, Dan.”
Forest also attacked Cooper for not giving all K-12 public school parents the option to put their kids back in classrooms.
“Special needs kids need teachers in classrooms,” Forest said. “All kids need teachers in the classroom. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. We’ve got to get back to that.”
Cooper’s latest reopening guidance lets local school districts decide whether to return to daily, in-person learning for elementary school students. Middle and high school students in public schools must still remain virtual at least part of the time and do not have the option to offer daily instruction in physical classrooms. Many elementary schools still offer only partial or fully remote learning.
Forest would reopen all public schools without a statewide mandate for masks or 6 feet (1.8 meters) of physical distancing. Instead, districts would be able to set their own health protocols and continue to offer remote learning options to parents who want it.
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Follow Anderson on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BryanRAnderson.
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Anderson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Teacher puts first aid training to use, saves choking boy

FORT WAYNE , Ind .
( AP ) - A teacher in Fort Wayne is being credited with rescuing a @ @ @ @ @ candy .
Christine Levy performed the Heimlich maneuver on a 9-year-old boy who was struggling @ @ @ @ @ Elementary School .
Levy told WANE-TV that she recently had training in the first aid @ @ @ @ @ angels were looking after me and Alan .
It ’ s something you pray you @ @ @ @ @ but instincts set in and it ’ s just survival mode , I guess , @ @ @ @ @ You can go through all of the training , but the fact that she made @ @ @ @ @ at the right time and did what she needed proves good decision making , ” @ @ @ @

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) - A teacher in Fort Wayne is being credited with rescuing a student who was choking on candy.
Christine Levy performed the Heimlich maneuver on a 9-year-old boy who was struggling to breathe Monday at Croninger Elementary School. Levy told WANE-TV that she recently had training in the first aid procedure.
“My guardian angels were looking after me and Alan. It’s something you pray you never have to do, but instincts set in and it’s just survival mode, I guess,” Levy said.
Alan McGauley’s parents gave Levy a card and flowers.
“You can go through all of the training, but the fact that she made all of the right decisions at the right time and did what she needed proves good decision making,” Scott McGauley said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Authorities: Body found after a mobile home fire in Laveen

LAVEEN , Ariz. ( AP ) - The body of an elderly man has been found after a fire Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ in Laveen , authorities said .
Phoenix Fire Department officials said it ’ s unclear @ @ @ @ @ .
The Maricopa County Sheriff ’ s Office will handle the investigation to determine how @ @ @ @ @ called 911 after seeing fire and smoke coming from the mobile home .
Fire crews @ @ @ @ @ the flames and keep the blaze from spreading to other mobile homes before a search @ @ @ @ @ .

LAVEEN, Ariz. (AP) - The body of an elderly man has been found after a fire Wednesday night at a mobile home in Laveen, authorities said.
Phoenix Fire Department officials said it’s unclear how the unidentified man died.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office will handle the investigation to determine how the fire started.
Witnesses called 911 after seeing fire and smoke coming from the mobile home.
Fire crews were able to put out the flames and keep the blaze from spreading to other mobile homes before a search led to the body discovery.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--California utility begins turning off power to more than 50,000 customers to prevent wildfires spark

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) - California utility begins turning off power to more than 50,000 customers to prevent wildfires @ @ @ @

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - California utility begins turning off power to more than 50,000 customers to prevent wildfires sparked by equipment.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--California man convicted of mailing bombs that injured 2

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) - An Oakland man was convicted of mailing bombs that exploded and injured two people in a botched revenge plot , federal authorities said Wednesday .
Ross Laverty , 59 , is facing at least 20 years in prison , the U.S. attorney ’ s office announced .
Prosecutors said DNA evidence tied Laverty to two package bombs that were mailed to homes in East Palo Alto and Alameda in the fall of 2017 .
“ In addition to his intended victims , Laverty put others , including postal workers and mail carriers in grave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anderson said .
Laverty intended one bomb for a San Mateo County corrections officer who had strip-searched him in 2014 while Laverty was in jail for drug possession , prosecutors said .
However , Laverty actually posted the bomb to another man who had the same name as the corrections officer .
“ The victim carried the package outside of his home and opened it in his back yard , causing it to detonate , inflicting injuries to him , and blasting a hole through a wood frame and fence , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A second bomb was intended for a retired Alameda police sergeant who was involved in the search of Laverty ’ s home and his arrest in 2013 , prosecutors said .
The man ’ s wife cut open the package , saw wires sticking out and threw it to the ground , where it exploded and injured her eardrums , prosecutors said .
Laverty has a long history of arrests and convictions for drug , gun and arson offenses .
He was convicted of mailing an explosive devise with the intent to injure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firearm and using an explosive during the commission of a felony .

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - An Oakland man was convicted of mailing bombs that exploded and injured two people in a botched revenge plot, federal authorities said Wednesday.
Ross Laverty, 59, is facing at least 20 years in prison, the U.S. attorney’s office announced.
Prosecutors said DNA evidence tied Laverty to two package bombs that were mailed to homes in East Palo Alto and Alameda in the fall of 2017.
“In addition to his intended victims, Laverty put others, including postal workers and mail carriers in grave danger,” U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson said.
Laverty intended one bomb for a San Mateo County corrections officer who had strip-searched him in 2014 while Laverty was in jail for drug possession, prosecutors said.
However, Laverty actually posted the bomb to another man who had the same name as the corrections officer.
“The victim carried the package outside of his home and opened it in his back yard, causing it to detonate, inflicting injuries to him, and blasting a hole through a wood frame and fence,” the U.S. attorney’s office stated.
A second bomb was intended for a retired Alameda police sergeant who was involved in the search of Laverty’s home and his arrest in 2013, prosecutors said.
The man’s wife cut open the package, saw wires sticking out and threw it to the ground, where it exploded and injured her eardrums, prosecutors said.
Laverty has a long history of arrests and convictions for drug, gun and arson offenses. He was convicted of mailing an explosive devise with the intent to injure or kill, possession of an unregistered firearm and using an explosive during the commission of a felony.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Iowa Supreme Court sides with GOP over absentee ballot forms

IOWA CITY , Iowa ( AP ) - Iowa ’ s highest court upheld a state directive Wednesday that was used to invalidate tens of thousands of absentee ballot requests mailed to voters pre-filled with their personal information .
The Iowa Supreme Court issued its ruling in favor of President Donald Trump ’ s campaign and Republican groups as Trump held an evening rally in Des Moines .
The court rejected a Democratic challenge that argued the directive issued by Republican Secretary of State Paul Pate was unconstitutional .
Pate instructed county elections commissioners in July that all absentee ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be blank in order to ensure uniformity statewide .
Auditors in three counties defied Pate ’ s guidance and mailed forms to thousands of voters with their names , addresses , dates of birth and voter pin numbers already filled in .
Voters just had to review , sign and return the forms , which the three auditors said were intended to make voting by mail as easy as possible during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Trump campaign and GOP groups filed lawsuits to invalidate those forms , saying auditors overstepped their authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed , invalidating about 70,000 applications that had been returned by voters and issuing injunctions blocking the counties from processing any others .
Affected individuals had to fill out new blank applications to request absentee ballots or vote another way .
Democratic groups argued in a separate lawsuit that Pate did not have the authority to issue the directive , and a Polk County judge agreed .
The Iowa Supreme Court put that decision on hold last week after Republicans and Pate appealed and threw it out Wednesday .
Justices agreed with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ collateral attack ” on the other court injunctions that invalidated the pre-filled forms , and would create more confusion if allowed to stand .
They rejected Democrats ’ claims that Pate ’ s directive undermined the constitutional right to vote , noting that anyone affected can take advantage of Iowa ’ s expansive early voting and Election Day opportunities .
“ In this proceeding , we are not persuaded that the obligation to provide a few items of personal information on an absentee ballot application is unconstitutional , thereby forcing us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than a month before the election , ” the court wrote in an unsigned opinion .
Pate praised the ruling , saying the court “ reaffirmed a commitment to election integrity.
” “ None of this voter confusion would have happened if not for the irresponsible and unlawful actions of the auditors in Johnson , Linn and Woodbury counties , ” he said .
Separately , the court voted 5-2 to grant a Democratic request to review the constitutionality of a new Republican-backed law that blocks county auditors from using voter registration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on absentee ballot request forms .
Unlike prior elections , the law requires auditors to contact those individuals by phone , email and mail to fill in missing information themselves .
Democrats and a Latino civil rights organization argue the law could leave thousands of requesters who can not be reached in time without access to absentee ballots .
Republicans say the law is a safeguard against fraud .
The court ordered the parties to file final briefs by Friday afternoon , signaling a decision could come before the Oct. 24 deadline to @ @ @ @ @ @

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Iowa’s highest court upheld a state directive Wednesday that was used to invalidate tens of thousands of absentee ballot requests mailed to voters pre-filled with their personal information.
The Iowa Supreme Court issued its ruling in favor of President Donald Trump’s campaign and Republican groups as Trump held an evening rally in Des Moines.
The court rejected a Democratic challenge that argued the directive issued by Republican Secretary of State Paul Pate was unconstitutional.
Pate instructed county elections commissioners in July that all absentee ballot request forms they mailed to voters must be blank in order to ensure uniformity statewide.
Auditors in three counties defied Pate’s guidance and mailed forms to thousands of voters with their names, addresses, dates of birth and voter pin numbers already filled in. Voters just had to review, sign and return the forms, which the three auditors said were intended to make voting by mail as easy as possible during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Trump campaign and GOP groups filed lawsuits to invalidate those forms, saying auditors overstepped their authority. Two judges in three separate cases agreed, invalidating about 70,000 applications that had been returned by voters and issuing injunctions blocking the counties from processing any others. Affected individuals had to fill out new blank applications to request absentee ballots or vote another way.
Democratic groups argued in a separate lawsuit that Pate did not have the authority to issue the directive, and a Polk County judge agreed.
The Iowa Supreme Court put that decision on hold last week after Republicans and Pate appealed and threw it out Wednesday. Justices agreed with the GOP that the lower court ruling was a “collateral attack” on the other court injunctions that invalidated the pre-filled forms, and would create more confusion if allowed to stand.
They rejected Democrats’ claims that Pate’s directive undermined the constitutional right to vote, noting that anyone affected can take advantage of Iowa’s expansive early voting and Election Day opportunities.
“In this proceeding, we are not persuaded that the obligation to provide a few items of personal information on an absentee ballot application is unconstitutional, thereby forcing us to rewrite Iowa’s election laws less than a month before the election,” the court wrote in an unsigned opinion.
Pate praised the ruling, saying the court “reaffirmed a commitment to election integrity.”
“None of this voter confusion would have happened if not for the irresponsible and unlawful actions of the auditors in Johnson, Linn and Woodbury counties,” he said.
Separately, the court voted 5-2 to grant a Democratic request to review the constitutionality of a new Republican-backed law that blocks county auditors from using voter registration databases to fill in any missing information on absentee ballot request forms. Unlike prior elections, the law requires auditors to contact those individuals by phone, email and mail to fill in missing information themselves.
Democrats and a Latino civil rights organization argue the law could leave thousands of requesters who cannot be reached in time without access to absentee ballots. Republicans say the law is a safeguard against fraud.
The court ordered the parties to file final briefs by Friday afternoon, signaling a decision could come before the Oct. 24 deadline to request a ballot by mail.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Lemur missing after break-in at San Francisco Zoo

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) - Someone broke into the San Francisco Zoo overnight and stole a ring-tailed lemur , @ @ @ @ @ 21-year-old male lemur named Maki was discovered missing shortly before the zoo opened to visitors @ @ @ @ @ a forced entry to the lemur enclosure and processed the scene for evidence .
They @ @ @ @ @ the public , explaining that Maki is an endangered animal that requires specialized care .
@ @ @ @ @ lemur was being circulated .
The outdoor lemur habitat , considered the largest of its @ @ @ @ @ houses seven different lemur species native to Madagascar , according to the zoo ’ s @ @ @ @ @ see the lemurs from several vantage points : from across a surrounding pond , looking @ @ @ @ @ in the trees or gazing down below from an elevated boardwalk , ” the website @ @

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Someone broke into the San Francisco Zoo overnight and stole a ring-tailed lemur, police said Wednesday.
The 21-year-old male lemur named Maki was discovered missing shortly before the zoo opened to visitors.
Investigators found evidence of a forced entry to the lemur enclosure and processed the scene for evidence. They’re seeking tips from the public, explaining that Maki is an endangered animal that requires specialized care. A photo of a ring-tailed lemur was being circulated.
Maki was born at the zoo in 1999 and has an offspring in the enclosure, zoo spokeswoman Nancy Chan said.
The outdoor lemur habitat, considered the largest of its kind in the country, houses seven different lemur species native to Madagascar, according to the zoo’s website.
“Guests can see the lemurs from several vantage points: from across a surrounding pond, looking eye to eye at lemurs in the trees or gazing down below from an elevated boardwalk,” the website says.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Man convicted in Portland train attacks must pay victims

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - A judge on Wednesday ordered a man convicted of fatally stabbing two men who confronted him during a racist rant on a Portland , Oregon , light-rail train to pay $ 12,046 for expenses incurred by some of his victims .
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that the judge ordered Jeremy Christian to pay the money in connection with the 2017 attacks .
The payments include : $ 2,439 for Demetria Hester , who Christian injured by throwing a Gatorade bottle at her eye ; $ 4,604 for Micah Fletcher , who survived after Christian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 5,000 for the family of Ricky Best , who died after Christian stabbed him in the neck .
The money already has been paid to Hester , Fletcher and Best ’ s family by the state ’ s crime victims compensation fund .
The judge ’ s order means Christian is now responsible for paying back the fund .
Prosecutors didn ’ t request any additional money , including money for the family of Taliesin Namkai-Meche , who also died when Christian stabbed him in the neck .
Multnomah County Circuit Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he must work out a plan with the Oregon Department of Corrections to reimburse the crime victims compensation fund over time .
In February , a jury found Christian guilty of two counts of first-degree murder , one count of attempted first-degree murder , second-degree assault and other charges stemming from his actions .
Christian was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A judge on Wednesday ordered a man convicted of fatally stabbing two men who confronted him during a racist rant on a Portland, Oregon, light-rail train to pay $12,046 for expenses incurred by some of his victims.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that the judge ordered Jeremy Christian to pay the money in connection with the 2017 attacks. The payments include: $2,439 for Demetria Hester, who Christian injured by throwing a Gatorade bottle at her eye; $4,604 for Micah Fletcher, who survived after Christian stabbed him in the neck; and $5,000 for the family of Ricky Best, who died after Christian stabbed him in the neck.
The money already has been paid to Hester, Fletcher and Best’s family by the state’s crime victims compensation fund. The judge’s order means Christian is now responsible for paying back the fund.
Prosecutors didn’t request any additional money, including money for the family of Taliesin Namkai-Meche, who also died when Christian stabbed him in the neck.
Multnomah County Circuit Judge Cheryl Albrecht said although Christian is indigent, he must work out a plan with the Oregon Department of Corrections to reimburse the crime victims compensation fund over time.
In February, a jury found Christian guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, second-degree assault and other charges stemming from his actions.
Christian was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Thai police disperse protesters outside PM's office

BANGKOK ( AP ) - Thai police early Thursday dispersed a group of pro-democracy protesters who camped out overnight outside the office of the prime minister to demand his resignation , leading him to implement a “ severe ” state of emergency in the capital area .
An Associated Press journalist saw riot police advance from multiple locations to force out a few hundred protesters who remained outside Government House , the seat of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha .
Protesters were seen taken away into police trucks .
The police operation came after Prayuth declared a severe state of emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move against the protests .
Thailand is technically still under a state of emergency as part of coronavirus restrictions .
Before the police dispersal , a large number of protesters had already left the area after one of the their leaders announced the end of the rally at Government House though a few hundred stayed on .
Protesters also announced that the rally would move to a different location in the capital Thursday afternoon , but deputy police spokesman Col. Kissana Phathanacharoen warned them not to do so .
Police said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state of emergency .
They have not been officially charged .
Among them were protest leaders Arnon Nampha , Parit “ Penguin ” Chiwarak and Prasiddhi Grudharochana .
“ Those who are calling for a protest later at Rajaprasong are clearly breaking the law .
Those who attend will be breaking the law .
You can not say that they are not aware of the order .
We are making it clear , ” Kissana said at a news conference .
The latest rally started on Wednesday with thousands of protesters marching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government House .
It was the third major gathering by activists who want to keep up the momentum in their campaign for democratic change .
The protesters have drawn attention because of their demands for reforms to Thailand ’ s constitutional monarchy , which they claim does not properly operate in a democratic framework .
That demand has caused a huge controversy because the royal institution has long been considered sacrosanct and a pillar of Thai identity .
It is also protected by a lese majeste law that mandates three to 15 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative royalist Thais accuse them of seeking to end the monarchy , an allegation they deny .
Before leaving Democracy Monument , several small clashes broke out between protesters and their opponents , who traded punches and threw plastic bottles as police tried to keep them apart .
The situation was complicated by King Maha Vajiralongkorn ’ s scheduled drive past the protest venue to attend a royal ceremony .
The protesters said they would make way but there was a possibility that they could at a minimum show public disrespect for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the royal family were seen on nearby streets but their occupants could not be confirmed .
Unverified video and photos on social media showed what was purported to be protesters gesturing and shouting close to the vehicles , which would be unprecedented for Thailand , where the royal family has traditionally been revered .
The king made a similar drive past the area on Tuesday after police cleared tents set up near the monument and arrested 21 people on minor charges .
The protest movement was launched in March by university students but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gripped by surges in coronavirus cases .
It came back in July , when the threat from the virus eased , and since then has again been spearheaded by students and publicized on social media .
The movement ’ s original core demands were new elections , changes in the constitution to make it more democratic , and an end to intimidation of activists .
The protesters charge that Prayuth , who as army commander led a 2014 coup that toppled an elected government , was returned to power unfairly in last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been changed to favor a pro-military party .
Protesters say a constitution promulgated under military rule is undemocratic .
Associated Press writer Busaba Sivasomboon contributed to this report .

BANGKOK (AP) - Thai police early Thursday dispersed a group of pro-democracy protesters who camped out overnight outside the office of the prime minister to demand his resignation, leading him to implement a “severe” state of emergency in the capital area.
An Associated Press journalist saw riot police advance from multiple locations to force out a few hundred protesters who remained outside Government House, the seat of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. Protesters were seen taken away into police trucks.
The police operation came after Prayuth declared a severe state of emergency in the Bangkok area to allow authorities to move against the protests. It bans unauthorized gatherings of more than five people.
Thailand is technically still under a state of emergency as part of coronavirus restrictions.
Before the police dispersal, a large number of protesters had already left the area after one of the their leaders announced the end of the rally at Government House though a few hundred stayed on. Protesters also announced that the rally would move to a different location in the capital Thursday afternoon, but deputy police spokesman Col. Kissana Phathanacharoen warned them not to do so.
Police said they arrested more than 20 people for violating the state of emergency. They have not been officially charged. Among them were protest leaders Arnon Nampha, Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak and Prasiddhi Grudharochana.
“Those who are calling for a protest later at Rajaprasong are clearly breaking the law. Those who attend will be breaking the law. You cannot say that they are not aware of the order. We are making it clear,” Kissana said at a news conference.
Human rights group Amnesty International criticized the crackdown. Its deputy regional director Ming Yu Hah urged Thai authorities to “engage in constructive dialogue with the protesters.”
“The scale of today’s early morning arrests seems completely unjustified based on yesterday’s events. The assemblies were overwhelmingly peaceful. These moves are clearly designed to stamp out dissent, and sow fear in anyone who sympathizes with the protesters’ views,” the group said in a statement.
The latest rally started on Wednesday with thousands of protesters marching from Bangkok’s Democracy Monument to Government House. It was the third major gathering by activists who want to keep up the momentum in their campaign for democratic change.
The protesters have drawn attention because of their demands for reforms to Thailand’s constitutional monarchy, which they claim does not properly operate in a democratic framework.
That demand has caused a huge controversy because the royal institution has long been considered sacrosanct and a pillar of Thai identity. It is also protected by a lese majeste law that mandates three to 15 years in prison for defaming the monarchy.
Conservative royalist Thais accuse them of seeking to end the monarchy, an allegation they deny. Before leaving Democracy Monument, several small clashes broke out between protesters and their opponents, who traded punches and threw plastic bottles as police tried to keep them apart.
The situation was complicated by King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s scheduled drive past the protest venue to attend a royal ceremony. The protesters said they would make way but there was a possibility that they could at a minimum show public disrespect for the crown. Several cars normally used by the royal family were seen on nearby streets but their occupants could not be confirmed. Unverified video and photos on social media showed what was purported to be protesters gesturing and shouting close to the vehicles, which would be unprecedented for Thailand, where the royal family has traditionally been revered.
The king made a similar drive past the area on Tuesday after police cleared tents set up near the monument and arrested 21 people on minor charges.
The protest movement was launched in March by university students but quickly put on hold as Thailand was gripped by surges in coronavirus cases. It came back in July, when the threat from the virus eased, and since then has again been spearheaded by students and publicized on social media.
The movement’s original core demands were new elections, changes in the constitution to make it more democratic, and an end to intimidation of activists.
The protesters charge that Prayuth, who as army commander led a 2014 coup that toppled an elected government, was returned to power unfairly in last year’s general election because laws had been changed to favor a pro-military party. Protesters say a constitution promulgated under military rule is undemocratic.
___
Associated Press writer Busaba Sivasomboon contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Trump campaign turns focus to virus-stricken Midwest

President Trump is campaigning hard in the Midwest , hoping states such as Iowa and Wisconsin will help him cobble together the electoral votes he needs to win a second term .
It ’ s also where the coronavirus is surging , underscoring how difficult it will be for him to get away from the pandemic ’ s shadow .
Mr. Trump says he saved Big Ten football for Hawkeye and Badger fans after a difficult year — and that help is on the way in the form of advanced therapies and a vaccine .
“ The vaccines are coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great things are coming out for our country , ” Mr. Trump said at a rally in Des Moines , Iowa .
He also said he wants to give the antibody “ cocktail ” that he received for his own infection to the rest of the country .
“ I want to give it to all of the people who qualify for it , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ We ’ re going to do it free.
” Yet Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden sees an opening , saying the uptick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a failed federal response , as he courts seniors who make up a sizable share of the population in Iowa and other battleground states .
The Midwest was largely spared early in the pandemic , as the Northeast got walloped , but it is the most worrisome region now , with Iowa and Wisconsin among the top 10 states seeing the highest number of cases per 100 residents , according to a New York Times tracker .
Mr. Trump won both states in 2016 but faces a tight race in Iowa and trails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be best for Mr. Trump to steer the conversation away from the virus as he sweeps through the Iowa capital ahead of a weekend rally in Janesville , Wisconsin .
“ Anything that keeps COVID in the state or national limelight is bad for Trump because it reminds voters of all the people who have died and their own disapproval of his response , ” said Darrell West , director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution .
“ The fact that many Midwestern states are seeing a COVID resurgence is disastrous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue in the news .
If people paid more attention to the economy or the Supreme Court nomination , those would be far better issues for Trump.
” The percentage of tests returning positive in Iowa is about 11 % .
Public health experts say localities should try to stay below 10 % to ensure they ’ re catching enough cases .
Hospitalizations in the state reached a record 473 on Tuesday , a level exceeding levels in early May , when the virus was imposing nationwide woe .
“ But President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State to offer words of comfort to those suffering , or a helping hand to the Iowans who are out of a job , or an actual plan to get the virus under control , ” Mr. Biden said Wednesday ahead of Mr. Trump ’ s rally .
“ Instead , he ’ s here to spread more lies about the pandemic and distract from his record of failure.
” Connie Schmett , co-chairwoman of the Republican Party in Polk County , which includes Des Moines , said that while her state is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic has not dented support for Mr. Trump .
They can ’ t keep enough Trump signs in the office to satisfy demand .
Mr. Trump ’ s supporters camped out overnight in tents to get a spot at Wednesday ’ s rally , and most people are not overly concerned about COVID-19 , she said .
“ The cases are up but our children are back in school — of course they are going to be up , ” she said .
“ I ’ ve known several people who ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the person and their immunity.
” Christopher B. Budzisz , an associate political science professor at Loras College in Dubuque , Iowa , said the pandemic is influencing how voters approach the election in the upper Midwest but “ their partisan lens shades how they see it.
” “ President Trump has a strong base of support here in Iowa , ” he said .
“ But worrying for the Trump campaign has to be how more independent-minded voters are viewing his performance regarding the coronavirus .
In addition , polling suggests a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women compared to men , and views on coronavirus response is part of that story.
” Mr. Trump ’ s decision to hold big campaign events is causing controversy .
“ Having mass gatherings in states where the virus is not controlled — a field hospital was constructed in Wisconsin — basically guarantees transmission and exposure will occur amongst attendees , ” said Amesh Adalja , a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security .
The Trump campaign says it is taking precautions .
It is holding the events outdoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding indoor events since the fresh air allows for easier dilution of viral particles .
It ’ s also handing out masks and encouraging people to use them .
“ President Trump wants people to be safe and take precautions , but he also realizes Americans want to safely reopen our communities , schools , and economy , and they want to hear about his vision for our future , ” said campaign spokeswoman Samantha Zager .
“ I ’ m a senior citizen and I participate in crowds and I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m required to , ” she said .
“ I have faith .
If it is my time to go , I ’ ll be there.
” She also credited Gov .
Kim Reynolds with keeping the state mostly open and encouraging individual responsibility to take appropriate precautions .
Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers , a Democrat , has taken a starkly different approach , issuing a mask mandate and ordering indoor places such as restaurants and bars to operate at 25 % capacity .
A judge temporarily blocked the order on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bars , said the order amounted to de facto closure .
Also , Republican lawmakers are contesting the governor ’ s mandate requiring masks in enclosed public spaces .

President Trump is campaigning hard in the Midwest, hoping states such as Iowa and Wisconsin will help him cobble together the electoral votes he needs to win a second term. It’s also where the coronavirus is surging, underscoring how difficult it will be for him to get away from the pandemic’s shadow.
Mr. Trump says he saved Big Ten football for Hawkeye and Badger fans after a difficult year — and that help is on the way in the form of advanced therapies and a vaccine.
“The vaccines are coming out very soon. A lot of great things are coming out for our country,” Mr. Trump said at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa.
He also said he wants to give the antibody “cocktail” that he received for his own infection to the rest of the country.
“I want to give it to all of the people who qualify for it,” Mr. Trump said. “We’re going to do it free.”
Yet Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden sees an opening, saying the uptick in cases and deaths are proof of a failed federal response, as he courts seniors who make up a sizable share of the population in Iowa and other battleground states.
The Midwest was largely spared early in the pandemic, as the Northeast got walloped, but it is the most worrisome region now, with Iowa and Wisconsin among the top 10 states seeing the highest number of cases per 100 residents, according to a New York Times tracker.
Mr. Trump won both states in 2016 but faces a tight race in Iowa and trails in Wisconsin polls. Some say it would be best for Mr. Trump to steer the conversation away from the virus as he sweeps through the Iowa capital ahead of a weekend rally in Janesville, Wisconsin.
“Anything that keeps COVID in the state or national limelight is bad for Trump because it reminds voters of all the people who have died and their own disapproval of his response,” said Darrell West, director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution. “The fact that many Midwestern states are seeing a COVID resurgence is disastrous for Trump because it keeps his worst issue in the news. If people paid more attention to the economy or the Supreme Court nomination, those would be far better issues for Trump.”
The percentage of tests returning positive in Iowa is about 11%. Public health experts say localities should try to stay below 10% to ensure they’re catching enough cases.
Hospitalizations in the state reached a record 473 on Tuesday, a level exceeding levels in early May, when the virus was imposing nationwide woe.
“But President Trump isn’t coming to the Hawkeye State to offer words of comfort to those suffering, or a helping hand to the Iowans who are out of a job, or an actual plan to get the virus under control,” Mr. Biden said Wednesday ahead of Mr. Trump’s rally. “Instead, he’s here to spread more lies about the pandemic and distract from his record of failure.”
Connie Schmett, co-chairwoman of the Republican Party in Polk County, which includes Des Moines, said that while her state is in play in the race, the pandemic has not dented support for Mr. Trump.
They can’t keep enough Trump signs in the office to satisfy demand. Mr. Trump’s supporters camped out overnight in tents to get a spot at Wednesday’s rally, and most people are not overly concerned about COVID-19, she said.
“The cases are up but our children are back in school — of course they are going to be up,” she said. “I’ve known several people who’ve had it and what happens depends on the person and their immunity.”
Christopher B. Budzisz, an associate political science professor at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, said the pandemic is influencing how voters approach the election in the upper Midwest but “their partisan lens shades how they see it.”
“President Trump has a strong base of support here in Iowa,” he said. “But worrying for the Trump campaign has to be how more independent-minded voters are viewing his performance regarding the coronavirus. In addition, polling suggests a significant divide between support for Trump among women compared to men, and views on coronavirus response is part of that story.”
Mr. Trump’s decision to hold big campaign events is causing controversy.
“Having mass gatherings in states where the virus is not controlled — a field hospital was constructed in Wisconsin — basically guarantees transmission and exposure will occur amongst attendees,” said Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
The Trump campaign says it is taking precautions. It is holding the events outdoors, which is considered far safer than holding indoor events since the fresh air allows for easier dilution of viral particles. It’s also handing out masks and encouraging people to use them.
“President Trump wants people to be safe and take precautions, but he also realizes Americans want to safely reopen our communities, schools, and economy, and they want to hear about his vision for our future,” said campaign spokeswoman Samantha Zager.
Ms. Schmett planned to attend the Des Moines rally.
“I’m a senior citizen and I participate in crowds and I don’t wear a mask unless I’m required to,” she said. “I have faith. If it is my time to go, I’ll be there.”
She also credited Gov. Kim Reynolds with keeping the state mostly open and encouraging individual responsibility to take appropriate precautions.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, has taken a starkly different approach, issuing a mask mandate and ordering indoor places such as restaurants and bars to operate at 25% capacity.
A judge temporarily blocked the order on Wednesday after the Tavern League, which represents bars, said the order amounted to de facto closure. Also, Republican lawmakers are contesting the governor’s mandate requiring masks in enclosed public spaces.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Airline crew reports jetpack flier near Los Angeles airport

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Officials are investigating a report from an airline crew member that someone was flying @ @ @ @ @ plane approached Los Angeles International Airport to land on Wednesday - the second such report @ @ @ @ @ The Federal Aviation Administration said the latest sighting was reported around 1:45 p.m. “ A @ @ @ @ @ seeing what appeared to be someone in a jetpack roughly seven miles northwest of the @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
The FAA alerted local law enforcement and is investigating the @ @ @ @ @ not elaborate .
On Aug. 29 , authorities received separate reports from two airline pilots @ @ @ @ @ a jetpack at around 3,000 feet as their planes approached LAX .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Officials are investigating a report from an airline crew member that someone was flying in a jetpack as the plane approached Los Angeles International Airport to land on Wednesday - the second such report in about six weeks.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the latest sighting was reported around 1:45 p.m.
“A China Airlines crew member reported seeing what appeared to be someone in a jetpack roughly seven miles northwest of the airport,” the FAA said in a statement. The FAA alerted local law enforcement and is investigating the report.
The statement did not elaborate.
On Aug. 29, authorities received separate reports from two airline pilots that someone was flying in a jetpack at around 3,000 feet as their planes approached LAX.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Michigan woman living in Illinois travels 300 miles to vote

DETROIT ( AP ) - A 94-year-old woman who has been caring for a sister in Illinois traveled nearly 300 @ @ @ @ @ an absentee ballot in the fall election .
“ I wanted to make sure my @ @ @ @ @ Madison said Monday .
“ This was very easy .
I could sit in my @ @ @ @ @ decided to go to Detroit after her August primary ballot arrived late .
She traveled @ @ @ @ @ a son and daughter .
“ Vote because your life depends on it , ” @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And this year it truly depends on it that you vote .
Not @ @ @ @ @ your children and their children.
” Indeed , she wore a mask with one word @ @ @

DETROIT (AP) - A 94-year-old woman who has been caring for a sister in Illinois traveled nearly 300 miles to Detroit to cast an absentee ballot in the fall election.
“I wanted to make sure my vote counted,” Mildred Madison said Monday. “This was very easy. I could sit in my wheelchair.”
Madison said she decided to go to Detroit after her August primary ballot arrived late. She traveled from the Chicago area with a son and daughter.
“Vote because your life depends on it,” Madison told FOX 2 Detroit. “And this year it truly depends on it that you vote. Not only for you but for your children and their children.”
Indeed, she wore a mask with one word: VOTE.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Man charged with setting wildfires in California forest

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - A Northern California man has been charged with serial arson in connection with four wildfires in Shasta-Trinity National Forest , authorities announced Wednesday .
Eric Michael Smith , 38 , of Redding , is accused of setting the fires in June and July in the forest in Shasta County using a “ virtually untraceable cigarette lighter or pen torch , ” according to a statement from the U.S. attorney ’ s office .
All four fires were quickly contained without causing any major damage or injuries but one shut down a freeway , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investigation into wildfires that had occurred over the past two years near a forest road north of Shasta Lake .
U.S. Forest Service and state fire investigators used hidden motion-detection cameras to identify a car and plant a tracking device on it , according to court records cited by the Sacramento Bee .
On July 23 , investigators saw Smith place wood and trash on a burning campfire and then drive away , court documents said .
Two days later , an arson fire flared in an area where Smith had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was charged last week with four counts of setting fire to federal land .
He is currently free on bond and it wasn ’ t immediately clear whether he had an attorney to speak on his behalf .
If convicted , he could face up to five years in prison and a $ 250,000 fine .
The charges come as California faces dry , windy weather that poses an extreme fire danger in the north into Friday .
California already has seen record fires this year .
More than 8,500 wildfires have burned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ square kilometers ) in California since the start of the year , most since mid-August .
Thirty-one people have died , and more than 9,200 buildings have been destroyed .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A Northern California man has been charged with serial arson in connection with four wildfires in Shasta-Trinity National Forest, authorities announced Wednesday.
Eric Michael Smith, 38, of Redding, is accused of setting the fires in June and July in the forest in Shasta County using a “virtually untraceable cigarette lighter or pen torch,” according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office.
All four fires were quickly contained without causing any major damage or injuries but one shut down a freeway, authorities said.
Smith was arrested during an investigation into wildfires that had occurred over the past two years near a forest road north of Shasta Lake.
U.S. Forest Service and state fire investigators used hidden motion-detection cameras to identify a car and plant a tracking device on it, according to court records cited by the Sacramento Bee.
On July 23, investigators saw Smith place wood and trash on a burning campfire and then drive away, court documents said.
Two days later, an arson fire flared in an area where Smith had been, according to the documents.
Smith was charged last week with four counts of setting fire to federal land. He is currently free on bond and it wasn’t immediately clear whether he had an attorney to speak on his behalf.
If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charges come as California faces dry, windy weather that poses an extreme fire danger in the north into Friday.
California already has seen record fires this year. More than 8,500 wildfires have burned more than 6,400 square miles (16,000 square kilometers) in California since the start of the year, most since mid-August. Thirty-one people have died, and more than 9,200 buildings have been destroyed.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Tennessee mayor accused of shoplifting $281 in items resigns

FAIRVIEW , Tenn. ( AP ) - A middle Tennessee mayor accused of shoplifting nearly $ 300 worth of items from a Target store has resigned from his post .
John Blade , 53 , stepped down as mayor of Fairview on Tuesday , nearly a month after he was accused of paying for just one item and stealing several others in a self-checkout lane , according to a Spring Hill Police Department report obtained by news outlets .
Blade surrendered to the Maury County Sheriff ’ s Office on Oct. 8 and was issued a citation for theft of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss prevention officer reported Blade took more items than he paid for , exited the store , returned and repeated the act again , authorities said .
He allegedly took more than 40 household goods and personal care items , according to the police report .
Blade was elected mayor in 2018 .
Fairview city officials announced the resignation but did not say whether it was linked to his theft case .
Vice Mayor Debby Rainey was named acting mayor and was set to remain in the role until the November 2022 mayoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s announcement .

FAIRVIEW, Tenn. (AP) - A middle Tennessee mayor accused of shoplifting nearly $300 worth of items from a Target store has resigned from his post.
John Blade, 53, stepped down as mayor of Fairview on Tuesday, nearly a month after he was accused of paying for just one item and stealing several others in a self-checkout lane, according to a Spring Hill Police Department report obtained by news outlets.
Blade surrendered to the Maury County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 8 and was issued a citation for theft of property, records showed.
A store loss prevention officer reported Blade took more items than he paid for, exited the store, returned and repeated the act again, authorities said. He allegedly took more than 40 household goods and personal care items, according to the police report.
Blade was elected mayor in 2018. Fairview city officials announced the resignation but did not say whether it was linked to his theft case.
Vice Mayor Debby Rainey was named acting mayor and was set to remain in the role until the November 2022 mayoral election, according to the city’s announcement.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Sheriff: Man shot during traffic stop refused to show hands

NAPA , Calif. ( AP ) - A California sheriff ’ s sergeant shot and killed a motorist during a traffic stop after the man walked toward the officer and ignored repeated instructions to stop and show his hands , authorities said Wednesday .
The Napa County Sheriff ’ s Office released body-worn camera footage of the Oct. 5 encounter that shows the motorist , Juan Adrian Garcia , advancing with his right arm behind his back for nearly a minute as Sgt .
David Ackman backs up several times while ordering the man to stop .
“ As Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deadly threat , Sergeant Ackman fired six shots at Mr. Garcia .
All six shots struck him , ” Sheriff John Robertson said during a news conference .
Ackman believed Garcia could have had a gun , Robertson said , but no weapon was found .
Garcia , 47 , died at a hospital .
Medical records show his blood alcohol level was .338 % , more than four times the legal limit , the sheriff ’ s office said .
Garcia , a Mexican national , was pulled over around 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving without headlights , Robertson said .
Garcia understood English , including the commands that were given to him by the sergeant , officials said .
Garcia ’ s family is represented by a lawyer , said sheriff ’ s Captain Cullen Dodd .
The lawyer ’ s name was not immediately released .
Ackman , a 21-year veteran of the sheriff ’ s office , repeatedly tried to de-escalate the situation , according to his training , Dodd said .
The sergeant drew his weapon when Garcia exited the car but holstered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would submit to arrest , Dodd said .
Ackman pulled the gun again when Garcia advanced on him with his hand behind his back and ignored orders to comply , Dodd said .
As part of protocol , Ackman has been placed on paid administrative leave while the shooting is investigated , the sheriff ’ s office said .

NAPA, Calif. (AP) - A California sheriff’s sergeant shot and killed a motorist during a traffic stop after the man walked toward the officer and ignored repeated instructions to stop and show his hands, authorities said Wednesday.
The Napa County Sheriff’s Office released body-worn camera footage of the Oct. 5 encounter that shows the motorist, Juan Adrian Garcia, advancing with his right arm behind his back for nearly a minute as Sgt. David Ackman backs up several times while ordering the man to stop.
“As Mr. Garcia’s pace increased, perceiving a deadly threat, Sergeant Ackman fired six shots at Mr. Garcia. All six shots struck him,” Sheriff John Robertson said during a news conference.
Ackman believed Garcia could have had a gun, Robertson said, but no weapon was found.
Garcia, 47, died at a hospital. Medical records show his blood alcohol level was .338%, more than four times the legal limit, the sheriff’s office said.
Garcia, a Mexican national, was pulled over around 10 p.m. because the sergeant noticed he was driving without headlights, Robertson said. Garcia understood English, including the commands that were given to him by the sergeant, officials said.
Garcia’s family is represented by a lawyer, said sheriff’s Captain Cullen Dodd. The lawyer’s name was not immediately released.
Ackman, a 21-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, repeatedly tried to de-escalate the situation, according to his training, Dodd said. The sergeant drew his weapon when Garcia exited the car but holstered it when it appeared that the suspect would submit to arrest, Dodd said. Ackman pulled the gun again when Garcia advanced on him with his hand behind his back and ignored orders to comply, Dodd said.
As part of protocol, Ackman has been placed on paid administrative leave while the shooting is investigated, the sheriff’s office said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Montana ridge named in honor of airmen who died in crash

BOZEMAN , Mont .
( AP ) - An area of Montana countryside where four Air Force pilots crashed and died in 1962 was named in honor of the fallen service members .
President Donald Trump signed the B-47 Designation Act Tuesday naming the area east of Paradise Valley the “ B-47 Ridge , ” the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported Tuesday .
The legislation honors Capt .
Bill Faulconer , Lt. Fred Hixenbaugh , Lt. David Sutton and Lt. Lloyd Sawyers , who died during a training mission .
The crew flew a B-47 bomber from an air base in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but never returned after the plane crashed into the ridge located north of Yellowstone National Park .
Members of the Montana congressional delegation including Republicans Rep. Greg Gianforte and Sen. Steve Daines and Democratic Sen. Jon Tester introduced the legislation in 2018 .
The U.S. Senate passed the bill in February and the House approved the provisions in September .
“ After almost six decades , it was an honor to get this bipartisan bill signed into law that will forever recognize the brave men who tragically died in the B-47 Bomber crash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - An area of Montana countryside where four Air Force pilots crashed and died in 1962 was named in honor of the fallen service members.
President Donald Trump signed the B-47 Designation Act Tuesday naming the area east of Paradise Valley the “B-47 Ridge,” the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported Tuesday.
The legislation honors Capt. Bill Faulconer, Lt. Fred Hixenbaugh, Lt. David Sutton and Lt. Lloyd Sawyers, who died during a training mission.
The crew flew a B-47 bomber from an air base in Texas on July 23, 1962, but never returned after the plane crashed into the ridge located north of Yellowstone National Park.
Members of the Montana congressional delegation including Republicans Rep. Greg Gianforte and Sen. Steve Daines and Democratic Sen. Jon Tester introduced the legislation in 2018.
The U.S. Senate passed the bill in February and the House approved the provisions in September.
“After almost six decades, it was an honor to get this bipartisan bill signed into law that will forever recognize the brave men who tragically died in the B-47 Bomber crash near Emigrant Peak,” Daines said in a statement.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--California GOP says it won't remove unofficial ballot boxes

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - With more than 1.5 million votes already cast in California , state Republican Party leaders on Wednesday said they will not comply with an order from the state ’ s chief elections official to remove unofficial ballot drop boxes from counties with competitive U.S. House races .
Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Attorney General Xavier Becerra , both Democrats , say these unofficial ballot drop boxes are illegal and have ordered Republicans to remove them by Thursday .
They worry voters will confuse these Republican boxes with the official ballot drop boxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election officials .
Party leaders have said they put these boxes in Orange , Fresno and Los Angeles counties .
Wednesday , party leaders would not say where else they have put these boxes or how many ballots they have collected from them .
But Tom Hiltachk , the party ’ s general counsel , said these boxes comply with California ’ s “ ballot harvesting ” law , which lets people collect ballots from voters and return them to county election offices to be counted .
Hiltachk said all of the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at county party headquarters , churches or retailers that have agreed to participate .
He says the boxes are locked and monitored by people .
“ The fact that it is a box does not make it illegal , ” Hiltachk said .
“ If we have to use a bag , then we ’ ll use a bag.
” Once a voter fills out a ballot , anyone can return it .
Most people mail them in prepaid envelopes provided by their county election offices .
But others place them in official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
State law defines a “ vote by mail ballot drop box ” as a “ secure receptacle established by a county or city and county elections official.
” The Secretary of State has rules about the boxes ’ design , how they should be labeled and how often ballots should be retrieved .
But county election officials decide how many boxes to have and where to put them .
Political parties will collect ballots from supporters and return them to county election offices , a practice known as “ ballot harvesting.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it ’ s legal in California .
Most of the time ballot harvesting is done by volunteers who go door to door to collect ballots from supporters .
But this year , Republicans have set up boxes for people to drop off their ballots .
Democrats , including Gov .
Gavin Newsom , have decried these boxes as an attempt to confuse voters .
A cease and desist order from the Secretary of State ’ s office noted some of these boxes were put in public places and labeled as official drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perhaps an overzealous volunteer ” for mislabeling some drop boxes as “ official.
” He said none of the boxes now carry those labels .
Hiltachk said a photo distributed by the Secretary of State ’ s Office of a drop box on a public sidewalk was just a pastor photographing the box as it was being delivered .
He said the box is actually inside the church .
“ The letter from the Democrat Secretary of State is a voter suppression effort , aimed at intimidating California Republican Party officials and volunteers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Harmeet Dhillon , an attorney and member of the Republican National Committee .
Padilla ’ s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Becerra ’ s office said it had received the Republican Party ’ s response and is reviewing it .
State law requires ballot harvesters to also sign the ballot they are delivering , but there is no penalty for not doing this .
Jessica Levinson , an election law professor at Loyola Law School , said that means voters who put ballots in these Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counted .
But that doesn ’ t mean the party couldn ’ t be held accountable , she said .
“ California is not going to discard all those ballots , ” she said .
“ Could you use that lack of penalty and essentially exploit it to your benefit ?
I guess my response is , it is still not what the law provides you should do.
” The Secretary of State ’ s Office reported Wednesday that more than 1.5 million vote-by-mail ballots have already been returned .
In 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots at this point in the election cycle .
But this year , the coronavirus has changed how people vote .
For the first time , California has mailed a ballot to every active registered voter before the election to encourage people to cast ballots remotely instead of in person during a pandemic .
“ Californians are voting early in historic numbers , ” Padilla said in a news release .
“ We knew the COVID-19 pandemic would pose significant challenges , but elections officials have prepared and voters have responded.
” This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spelling of Harmeet Dhillon ’ s last name .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - With more than 1.5 million votes already cast in California, state Republican Party leaders on Wednesday said they will not comply with an order from the state’s chief elections official to remove unofficial ballot drop boxes from counties with competitive U.S. House races.
Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Attorney General Xavier Becerra, both Democrats, say these unofficial ballot drop boxes are illegal and have ordered Republicans to remove them by Thursday. They worry voters will confuse these Republican boxes with the official ballot drop boxes put in place and monitored by county election officials.
Party leaders have said they put these boxes in Orange, Fresno and Los Angeles counties. Wednesday, party leaders would not say where else they have put these boxes or how many ballots they have collected from them.
But Tom Hiltachk, the party’s general counsel, said these boxes comply with California’s “ballot harvesting” law, which lets people collect ballots from voters and return them to county election offices to be counted.
Hiltachk said all of the party’s drop boxes are indoors either at county party headquarters, churches or retailers that have agreed to participate. He says the boxes are locked and monitored by people.
“The fact that it is a box does not make it illegal,” Hiltachk said. “If we have to use a bag, then we’ll use a bag.”
Once a voter fills out a ballot, anyone can return it. Most people mail them in prepaid envelopes provided by their county election offices. But others place them in official ballot drop boxes spread throughout the county.
State law defines a “vote by mail ballot drop box” as a “secure receptacle established by a county or city and county elections official.” The Secretary of State has rules about the boxes’ design, how they should be labeled and how often ballots should be retrieved. But county election officials decide how many boxes to have and where to put them.
Political parties will collect ballots from supporters and return them to county election offices, a practice known as “ballot harvesting.” Some states have banned this practice, but it’s legal in California.
Most of the time ballot harvesting is done by volunteers who go door to door to collect ballots from supporters. But this year, Republicans have set up boxes for people to drop off their ballots. Democrats, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, have decried these boxes as an attempt to confuse voters. A cease and desist order from the Secretary of State’s office noted some of these boxes were put in public places and labeled as official drop boxes.
Wednesday, Hiltachk blamed “perhaps an overzealous volunteer” for mislabeling some drop boxes as “official.” He said none of the boxes now carry those labels. Hiltachk said a photo distributed by the Secretary of State’s Office of a drop box on a public sidewalk was just a pastor photographing the box as it was being delivered. He said the box is actually inside the church.
“The letter from the Democrat Secretary of State is a voter suppression effort, aimed at intimidating California Republican Party officials and volunteers from gathering and delivering ballots,” said Harmeet Dhillon, an attorney and member of the Republican National Committee.
Padilla’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Becerra’s office said it had received the Republican Party’s response and is reviewing it.
State law requires ballot harvesters to also sign the ballot they are delivering, but there is no penalty for not doing this. Jessica Levinson, an election law professor at Loyola Law School, said that means voters who put ballots in these Republican drop boxes will still have their votes counted. But that doesn’t mean the party couldn’t be held accountable, she said.
“California is not going to discard all those ballots,” she said. “Could you use that lack of penalty and essentially exploit it to your benefit? I guess my response is, it is still not what the law provides you should do.”
The Secretary of State’s Office reported Wednesday that more than 1.5 million vote-by-mail ballots have already been returned. In 2016, just 150,000 people had returned their vote-by-mail ballots at this point in the election cycle.
But this year, the coronavirus has changed how people vote. For the first time, California has mailed a ballot to every active registered voter before the election to encourage people to cast ballots remotely instead of in person during a pandemic.
“Californians are voting early in historic numbers,” Padilla said in a news release. “We knew the COVID-19 pandemic would pose significant challenges, but elections officials have prepared and voters have responded.”
___
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Harmeet Dhillon’s last name.
___
Taxin reported from Orange County, California.


washingtontimes--2020-10-14--Trump whips up Iowa crowd with Hunter Biden story

President Trump complained Wednesday that social media companies are trying to “ protect ” Joseph R. Biden and fumed over reports that Twitter locked the account of his press secretary , Kayleigh McEnany , for sharing an unflattering story about the Democratic nominee .
“ They ’ re trying to protect them , they ’ re trying to protect Biden , ” he said at a rally in Des Moines .
“ They closed down her account , ” he said .
“ She ’ s the White House press secretary !
” The president is leaning into a New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show Mr. Biden ’ s son , Hunter , used his connections with a Ukrainian company , Burisma , to set up a meeting with his father , the then-vice president .
“ It turns out that they were the ones who did the Russia hoax , it was them , ” Mr. Trump said .
The president said Mr. Biden owes America an apology .
“ Because it turns out you are a corrupt politician , ” Mr. Trump said .
The Biden campaign said the meeting between Mr. Biden and Vadym @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Burisma , detailed in the report never happened .
“ We have reviewed Joe Biden ’ s official schedules from the time and no meeting , as alleged by the New York Post , ever took place , ” spokesman Andrew Bates said , according to the Politico .
Mr. Trump brought up the Hunter Biden issue with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a phone call in mid-2019 , leading to his impeachment by House Democrats , who accused him of using military aid as leverage to get a foreign nation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump won the Hawkeye State by nearly 10 points in 2016 after President Obama won it for Democrats in back-to-back elections .
This time , Mr. Trump is running neck-and-neck with Mr. Biden , though the president said he saw a better poll on his way in .
“ We ’ re up six , didn ’ t we win by 11 or something ?
” Mr. Trump said .
He did have one complaint , however .
“ It ’ s windy out here !
“ Mr .
Trump said , donning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” cap .
“ Should I take off the tie or not ?
” Mr. Trump did , and then tossed the red necktie aside .
“ Oh that feels so much better , ” he said .
“ Now we can all just relax and have a good time .
”

President Trump complained Wednesday that social media companies are trying to “protect” Joseph R. Biden and fumed over reports that Twitter locked the account of his press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, for sharing an unflattering story about the Democratic nominee.
“They’re trying to protect them, they’re trying to protect Biden,” he said at a rally in Des Moines.
“They closed down her account,” he said. “She’s the White House press secretary!”
The president is leaning into a New York Post story that says new emails show Mr. Biden’s son, Hunter, used his connections with a Ukrainian company, Burisma, to set up a meeting with his father, the then-vice president.
“It turns out that they were the ones who did the Russia hoax, it was them,” Mr. Trump said.
The president said Mr. Biden owes America an apology.
“Because it turns out you are a corrupt politician,” Mr. Trump said.
The Biden campaign said the meeting between Mr. Biden and Vadym Pozharskyi, an advisor to the board of Burisma, detailed in the report never happened.
“We have reviewed Joe Biden’s official schedules from the time and no meeting, as alleged by the New York Post, ever took place,” spokesman Andrew Bates said, according to the Politico.
Mr. Trump brought up the Hunter Biden issue with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a phone call in mid-2019, leading to his impeachment by House Democrats, who accused him of using military aid as leverage to get a foreign nation to investigate his likely 2020 opponent.
Mr. Trump won the Hawkeye State by nearly 10 points in 2016 after President Obama won it for Democrats in back-to-back elections.
This time, Mr. Trump is running neck-and-neck with Mr. Biden, though the president said he saw a better poll on his way in.
“We’re up six, didn’t we win by 11 or something?” Mr. Trump said.
He did have one complaint, however.
“It’s windy out here! “Mr. Trump said, donning a red “Make America Great Again” cap. “Should I take off the tie or not?”
Mr. Trump did, and then tossed the red necktie aside.
“Oh that feels so much better,” he said. “Now we can all just relax and have a good time.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.