washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Mother charged with manslaughter in death of 3-year-old son

NEW KENSINGTON , Pa. ( AP ) - The mother of a 3-year-old boy who died last month of suspected @ @ @ @ @ involuntary manslaughter , authorities said .
Teresa Fetterman , 23 , of New Kensington , @ @ @ @ @ reckless endangerment , two counts of aggravated assault on a child and other counts stemming @ @ @ @ @ Fetterman .
It wasn ’ t known if she has retained an attorney .
The @ @ @ @ @ a few weeks after Keith Lilly Jr. , 31 , of New Kensington , was @ @ @ @ @ assault in connection with the child ’ s death .
Authorities have said Lilly injured @ @ @ @ @ and fractures , including a fractured skull with a brain bleed .
Mikel Fetterman died @ @ @ @ @ month after he was found unresponsive .
An autopsy determined the cause of death to @ @ @ @ @ the head .

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. (AP) - The mother of a 3-year-old boy who died last month of suspected abuse has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, authorities said.
Teresa Fetterman, 23, of New Kensington, was also charged Wednesday with reckless endangerment, two counts of aggravated assault on a child and other counts stemming from the death of Mikel Fetterman. It wasn’t known if she has retained an attorney.
The counts against Teresa Fetterman come a few weeks after Keith Lilly Jr., 31, of New Kensington, was charged with homicide and sexual assault in connection with the child’s death. Authorities have said Lilly injured the boy and caused bruises and fractures, including a fractured skull with a brain bleed.
Mikel Fetterman died April 24, nearly a month after he was found unresponsive. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Former deputy faces federal underage sex charges

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. ( AP ) - A former Florida deputy accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl is facing federal charges , authorities said .
Former Clay County deputy Travis Ryan Pritchard , 36 , was arrested earlier this month by Green Cove Springs police , and federal prosecutors filed charges against him Monday of online enticement of a minor and attempted online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity .
Green Cove Springs is located just south of Jacksonville .
Pritchard began communicating with the girl through an online chat application in December after meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store , according to a criminal complaint .
The two exchanged explicit photos and eventually began having sex on a weekly basis , with Pritchard sneaking into her home after her parents went to sleep , investigators said .
The girl ’ s mother contacted Green Cove Springs police last month to report her teenage daughter was having sex with an adult man .
A detective took over the girl ’ s chat account and continued to exchange messages with Pritchard , officials said .
They made arrangements to meet at the girl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 .
The complaint said Pritchard arrived at her home in his patrol vehicle early May 2 and was arrested a short time later .

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A former Florida deputy accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl is facing federal charges, authorities said.
Former Clay County deputy Travis Ryan Pritchard, 36, was arrested earlier this month by Green Cove Springs police, and federal prosecutors filed charges against him Monday of online enticement of a minor and attempted online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Green Cove Springs is located just south of Jacksonville.
Pritchard began communicating with the girl through an online chat application in December after meeting her several months earlier at a convenience store, according to a criminal complaint. The two exchanged explicit photos and eventually began having sex on a weekly basis, with Pritchard sneaking into her home after her parents went to sleep, investigators said.
The girl’s mother contacted Green Cove Springs police last month to report her teenage daughter was having sex with an adult man. A detective took over the girl’s chat account and continued to exchange messages with Pritchard, officials said. They made arrangements to meet at the girl’s home the night of May 1. The complaint said Pritchard arrived at her home in his patrol vehicle early May 2 and was arrested a short time later.
Pritchard’s attorney didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Nearly 1 in 5 West Virginia voters request absentee ballots

CHARLESTON , W.Va. ( AP ) - Nearly 18 % of West Virginia ’ s registered voters have requested absentee @ @ @ @ @ primary election .
Secretary of State Mac Warner said Wednesday that nearly 215,000 absentee ballots @ @ @ @ @ of those ballots , or 7.1 % of registered voters , had been returned to @ @ @ @ @ voters are permitted to use an absentee mail-in ballot under the “ other medical reason @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
In-person early voting runs from May 27 through June 6 .
The last @ @ @ @ @ in the primary is May 19 .

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Nearly 18% of West Virginia’s registered voters have requested absentee ballots for the June 9 primary election.
Secretary of State Mac Warner said Wednesday that nearly 215,000 absentee ballots were requested and nearly 87,000 of those ballots, or 7.1% of registered voters, had been returned to county clerks.
All registered voters are permitted to use an absentee mail-in ballot under the “other medical reason” excuse due to the coronavirus.
In-person early voting runs from May 27 through June 6. The last day to register to vote in the primary is May 19.
___
Online:
www.GoVoteWV.com


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Donald Trump: We assume we'll have a coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year

President Trump said in a new interview that his administration is operating on the assumption that there will be a vaccine for the new coronavirus available by the end of the year , reiterating an ambitious timeline that various private companies are rushing to try to meet .
“ We ’ re of the assumption that by the end of the year we ’ re going to have a vaccine and then we have to be able to give it , to use it on most of our population , ” Mr. Trump said in an interview that aired Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll focus on elderly — we ’ re going to focus on nursing home [ s ] and senior citizen centers because … that is a very vulnerable group .
It is a terrible thing , so we ’ re going to be focused on that , ” he said .
Mr. Trump has expressed hope that schools can return in the fall , but said they might suggest that teachers over the age of 60 or with preexisting health conditions “ relax for a longer period of time.
” He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage ” done to young , healthy people .

President Trump said in a new interview that his administration is operating on the assumption that there will be a vaccine for the new coronavirus available by the end of the year, reiterating an ambitious timeline that various private companies are rushing to try to meet.
“We’re of the assumption that by the end of the year we’re going to have a vaccine and then we have to be able to give it, to use it on most of our population,” Mr. Trump said in an interview that aired Thursday on Fox Business Network.
“We’ll focus on elderly — we’re going to focus on nursing home[s] and senior citizen centers because … that is a very vulnerable group. It is a terrible thing, so we’re going to be focused on that,” he said.
Mr. Trump has expressed hope that schools can return in the fall, but said they might suggest that teachers over the age of 60 or with preexisting health conditions “relax for a longer period of time.”
He said there’s been “very little damage” done to young, healthy people.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Beshear appoints new Kentucky corrections commissioner

FRANKFORT , Ky. ( AP ) - A 36-year veteran of Kentucky ’ s corrections department has been promoted as its next commissioner at a time when the state is trying to contain a coronavirus outbreak at a prison .
Cookie Crews , who has headed the agency ’ s Health Services Division for the past eight years , was selected as state corrections commissioner by Gov .
Andy Beshear .
On Wednesday , the governor cited her long corrections career , which began as a correctional officer in 1984 .
She served as warden at four prisons before turning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assumes the commissioner ’ s role as the state tries to extinguish a COVID-19 outbreak at the Green River Correctional Complex , where the virus spread to several hundred inmates and staff .
To try to curb the outbreak at the western Kentucky prison , inmates were divided into housing units based on their health status .
“ One of the most important roles that Commissioner Crews is going to be undertaking is ensuring that we are doing everything possible to protect those at Green River , ” Beshear said during his daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has served as acting commissioner since February , will resume his role as deputy commissioner overseeing primarily the state ’ s prisons , Beshear ’ s office said in a release .

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A 36-year veteran of Kentucky’s corrections department has been promoted as its next commissioner at a time when the state is trying to contain a coronavirus outbreak at a prison.
Cookie Crews, who has headed the agency’s Health Services Division for the past eight years, was selected as state corrections commissioner by Gov. Andy Beshear.
On Wednesday, the governor cited her long corrections career, which began as a correctional officer in 1984. She served as warden at four prisons before turning her attention to health services.
Crews assumes the commissioner’s role as the state tries to extinguish a COVID-19 outbreak at the Green River Correctional Complex, where the virus spread to several hundred inmates and staff.
To try to curb the outbreak at the western Kentucky prison, inmates were divided into housing units based on their health status.
“One of the most important roles that Commissioner Crews is going to be undertaking is ensuring that we are doing everything possible to protect those at Green River,” Beshear said during his daily coronavirus briefing.
Randy White, who has served as acting commissioner since February, will resume his role as deputy commissioner overseeing primarily the state’s prisons, Beshear’s office said in a release.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Officials: Florida panther struck and killed by vehicle

LABELLE , Fla. ( AP ) - An endangered Florida panther has died after being struck by a vehicle .
@ @ @ @ @ panther death attributed to fatal collisions , out of 13 total deaths this year , @ @ @ @ @ and Wildlife Conservation Commission .
The remains of the 7-year-old male panther were found Monday @ @ @ @ @ rural road east of LaBelle , wildlife officials said .
Florida panthers once roamed the @ @ @ @ @ their habitat mostly is confined to a small region of Florida along the Gulf of @ @ @ @ @ Florida panthers remain in the wild .

LABELLE, Fla. (AP) - An endangered Florida panther has died after being struck by a vehicle.
It’s the 12th panther death attributed to fatal collisions, out of 13 total deaths this year, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The remains of the 7-year-old male panther were found Monday in Hendry County on a rural road east of LaBelle, wildlife officials said.
Florida panthers once roamed the entire Southeast, but now their habitat mostly is confined to a small region of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. Up to 230 Florida panthers remain in the wild.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Man killed in Fargo shopping center shooting identified

FARGO , N.D. ( AP ) - Police have identified the man who was fatally shot in the parking lot @ @ @ @ @ .
Anquine Lamont White , 39 , of Hawley , Minnesota , was killed and @ @ @ @ @ in a shooting Tuesday outside Northport Shopping Center , authorities said .
KFGO reports two @ @ @ @ @ police say two guns were recovered .
The name and condition of the man who @ @ @ @ @ released .
Police say they want to speak with the witness or witnesses in a @ @ @ @ @ of the shooting .

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Police have identified the man who was fatally shot in the parking lot of a Fargo shopping center.
Anquine Lamont White, 39, of Hawley, Minnesota, was killed and another man was critically wounded in a shooting Tuesday outside Northport Shopping Center, authorities said.
KFGO reports two people have been arrested and police say two guns were recovered.
The name and condition of the man who was wounded have not been released. Police say they want to speak with the witness or witnesses in a vehicle seen in the vicinity of the shooting.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--WHO chief unbowed amid attacks, Trump criticism

GENEVA ( AP ) — The World Health Organization ’ s director-general has faced many challenges during the coronavirus pandemic : racial slurs , death threats , social media caricatures — he was once depicted as a ventriloquist ’ s dummy in the hands of Chinese President Xi Jinping — and U.S. funding cuts .
Through it all , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has endeavored to rise above the troubles with a focus on one main task : Building international “ solidarity ” against an outbreak whose confirmed death toll is nearly 300,000 and that quelled economic activity in countries rich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have praised his handling of the outbreak overall , despite criticism of the U.N. health agency by the Trump administration .
Next week , Tedros ‘ track record and background will come under intensified scrutiny as WHO holds its biggest annual event — the World Health Assembly — in a “ virtual ” and abbreviated version that focuses on COVID-19 .
Critics and some analysts cite his background as a government minister in Ethiopia , with its history of authoritarian regimes .
Not long after taking office in 2017 , Tedros appointed Zimbabwe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who often traveled abroad to receive health care , as a WHO “ goodwill ambassador , ” only to revoke the appointment after a wave of outrage erupted .
Most recently , Trump has faulted WHO for being too accepting and praising of China ’ s handling of the early outbreak , wedging Tedros personally in the tense political standoff between the U.S. and China .
He has shied away from criticizing the two powerful U.N. members , and has praised both President Donald Trump and Xi — even while leaving hints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Don ’ t use this virus as an opportunity to fight against each other or score political points .
It ’ s dangerous , ” he said recently , appealing to the world .
“ It ’ s the political problem that may fuel further this pandemic.
” Tedros , 55 , knows about the punishing sides to both politics and pandemics : A malaria expert with a doctorate in microbiology from the University of Nottingham in Britain , he served as health minister and foreign minister in Ethiopia before his election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s most competitive races .
He ’ s the first WHO chief from Africa , and the first who doesn ’ t have a medical degree — seen as a hole in his resume by some critics .
Tedros was born in the city of Asmara , before it and the rest of Eritrea split from Ethiopia .
Like many Ethiopians , he goes by his first name .
A father of five , he has tweeted about riding bikes with his daughter .
A few years ago , he tried out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a heavy workload .
Years ago , Tedros was spotted as a rising star of health policy by Melinda Gates , whose charitable foundation has become WHO ’ s No .
2 donor .
He has been credited for helping expand Ethiopia ’ s health care workforce as health minister from 2005 to 2012 .
Tedros often uses wit , feigned ignorance and charm to disarm or sidestep critics .
He has drawn on the star power of Lady Gaga and garnered support from European leaders , and called Spanish Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my brother .
He bills himself “ Dr .
Tedros , ” leaning on his doctorate , and actively tweets to a million followers .
No stranger to the personal anecdote , Tedros once said it was “ pure luck ” for him to aspire to the top WHO job , noting that when he was 7 , his younger brother died from a childhood disease — and it could just as easily have been him .
Dr. Lia Tadesse , Ethiopia ’ s current health minister , who worked with Tedros when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was known for showing calm , patience and a good ear .
“ While he was a minister , he was known to really care for people who are considered at the lowest level of the strata , like the cleaner , the security guard and so on , ” she said by phone .
“ He takes time to listen to their problems , and really recognize their efforts.
” Tedros has played down death threats against him , but has stood up to defend Africa .
He has blasted the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a U.N. member state , for allegedly condoning “ racial slurs ” against him .
Taiwan ’ s current government has faced intense political pressure from rival China , and has been appealing for admission as an observer to the World Health Assembly on Monday and Tuesday .
Political sniping between the U.S. and China , and Tedros ‘ own political baggage , can make it tough to cut through the noise during a global health emergency .
“ If you criticize the WHO and Tedros , you ’ re somehow seen as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their clearly self-serving attacks to shift blame from their own failure , ” said Jeffrey Smith , director of Washington-based Vanguard Africa , a promoter of democracy .
“ On the other hand , if you defend Dr. Tedros and the WHO , you ’ re seen as somehow endorsing his comfort level with the world ’ s despots and dictators.
” “ Yes , Dr. Tedros is the product of a deeply authoritarian regime .
And he has long displayed an affinity for dictators , ” Smith said .
“ The WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And yes , the WHO also needs reform .
All of these things can be true.
” David Shinn , a U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia in the 1990s , said Tedros had a good relationship with both Beijing and Washington while Ethiopia ’ s foreign minister .
Shinn cited a “ cautionary note : ” Tedros had the job when Ethiopia relied heavily on China for economic and political support , as it does today .
“ As a result , he probably was willing to accept at face value what he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questioning as strongly as he might have what the situation really was , ” said Shinn , an adjunct professor at George Washington University ’ s Elliott School of International Affairs .
Tedros appears to have learned one key thing from his predecessor , Dr. Margaret Chan of China : Be reactive to outbreaks .
Amid the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo that ’ s now seemingly on its last legs , Tedros traveled over a dozen times to the region .
With COVID-19 , he has been omnipresent .
“ Dr .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ helm in terms of being in almost every single press conference , communicating directly with the public , tweeting — really speaking directly to people , ” said Suerie Moon , co-director of the Global Health Center at Geneva ’ s Graduate Institute .
“ He ’ s able to really humanize a situation that ’ s quite frightening for most people and be a reassuring presence , ” she said .

GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization’s director-general has faced many challenges during the coronavirus pandemic: racial slurs, death threats, social media caricatures — he was once depicted as a ventriloquist’s dummy in the hands of Chinese President Xi Jinping — and U.S. funding cuts.
Through it all, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has endeavored to rise above the troubles with a focus on one main task: Building international “solidarity” against an outbreak whose confirmed death toll is nearly 300,000 and that quelled economic activity in countries rich and poor. Many health policy experts have praised his handling of the outbreak overall, despite criticism of the U.N. health agency by the Trump administration.
Next week, Tedros’ track record and background will come under intensified scrutiny as WHO holds its biggest annual event — the World Health Assembly — in a “virtual” and abbreviated version that focuses on COVID-19.
Critics and some analysts cite his background as a government minister in Ethiopia, with its history of authoritarian regimes. Not long after taking office in 2017, Tedros appointed Zimbabwe’s then president, Robert Mugabe, who often traveled abroad to receive health care, as a WHO “goodwill ambassador,” only to revoke the appointment after a wave of outrage erupted.
Most recently, Trump has faulted WHO for being too accepting and praising of China’s handling of the early outbreak, wedging Tedros personally in the tense political standoff between the U.S. and China. He has shied away from criticizing the two powerful U.N. members, and has praised both President Donald Trump and Xi — even while leaving hints seemingly directed at Beijing and Washington.
“Don’t use this virus as an opportunity to fight against each other or score political points. It’s dangerous,” he said recently, appealing to the world. “It’s the political problem that may fuel further this pandemic.”
Tedros, 55, knows about the punishing sides to both politics and pandemics: A malaria expert with a doctorate in microbiology from the University of Nottingham in Britain, he served as health minister and foreign minister in Ethiopia before his election in 2017 in one of WHO’s most competitive races.
He’s the first WHO chief from Africa, and the first who doesn’t have a medical degree — seen as a hole in his resume by some critics.
Tedros was born in the city of Asmara, before it and the rest of Eritrea split from Ethiopia. Like many Ethiopians, he goes by his first name. A father of five, he has tweeted about riding bikes with his daughter. A few years ago, he tried out the saxophone, but give it up because of a heavy workload.
Years ago, Tedros was spotted as a rising star of health policy by Melinda Gates, whose charitable foundation has become WHO’s No. 2 donor. He has been credited for helping expand Ethiopia’s health care workforce as health minister from 2005 to 2012.
Tedros often uses wit, feigned ignorance and charm to disarm or sidestep critics. He has drawn on the star power of Lady Gaga and garnered support from European leaders, and called Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez “mi hermano”: my brother. He bills himself “Dr. Tedros,” leaning on his doctorate, and actively tweets to a million followers.
No stranger to the personal anecdote, Tedros once said it was “pure luck” for him to aspire to the top WHO job, noting that when he was 7, his younger brother died from a childhood disease — and it could just as easily have been him.
Dr. Lia Tadesse, Ethiopia’s current health minister, who worked with Tedros when he had her job, said he was known for showing calm, patience and a good ear.
“While he was a minister, he was known to really care for people who are considered at the lowest level of the strata, like the cleaner, the security guard and so on,” she said by phone. “He takes time to listen to their problems, and really recognize their efforts.”
Tedros has played down death threats against him, but has stood up to defend Africa. He has blasted the government of Taiwan, which isn’t a U.N. member state, for allegedly condoning “racial slurs” against him. Taiwan’s current government has faced intense political pressure from rival China, and has been appealing for admission as an observer to the World Health Assembly on Monday and Tuesday.
Political sniping between the U.S. and China, and Tedros’ own political baggage, can make it tough to cut through the noise during a global health emergency.
“If you criticize the WHO and Tedros, you’re somehow seen as a supporter of the Trump administration and their clearly self-serving attacks to shift blame from their own failure,” said Jeffrey Smith, director of Washington-based Vanguard Africa, a promoter of democracy. “On the other hand, if you defend Dr. Tedros and the WHO, you’re seen as somehow endorsing his comfort level with the world’s despots and dictators.”
“Yes, Dr. Tedros is the product of a deeply authoritarian regime. And he has long displayed an affinity for dictators,” Smith said. “The WHO does critical work and deserves support. And yes, the WHO also needs reform. All of these things can be true.”
David Shinn, a U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia in the 1990s, said Tedros had a good relationship with both Beijing and Washington while Ethiopia’s foreign minister. Shinn cited a “cautionary note:” Tedros had the job when Ethiopia relied heavily on China for economic and political support, as it does today.
“As a result, he probably was willing to accept at face value what he was being told by China with perhaps not questioning as strongly as he might have what the situation really was,” said Shinn, an adjunct professor at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.
Tedros appears to have learned one key thing from his predecessor, Dr. Margaret Chan of China: Be reactive to outbreaks. Amid the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo that’s now seemingly on its last legs, Tedros traveled over a dozen times to the region. With COVID-19, he has been omnipresent.
“Dr. Tedros has been very much at the helm in terms of being in almost every single press conference, communicating directly with the public, tweeting — really speaking directly to people,” said Suerie Moon, co-director of the Global Health Center at Geneva’s Graduate Institute.
“He’s able to really humanize a situation that’s quite frightening for most people and be a reassuring presence,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Tennessee gov promotes adviser to chief operating officer

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee has promoted a senior adviser to become the @ @ @ @ @ operating officer .
The Republican ’ s office says Brandon Gibson is replacing Butch Eley @ @ @ @ @ operating officer job to become the state commissioner of finance and administration .
Prior to @ @ @ @ @ Gibson served on the Tennessee Court of Appeals for more than four years .
Before @ @ @ @ @ in West Tennessee .
Eley took over as finance commissioner when Stuart McWhorter left the @ @ @ @ @ s COVID-19 Unified Command .
McWhorter is leaving that job at the end of May @ @ @ @ @ Clemson University .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has promoted a senior adviser to become the state’s next chief operating officer.
The Republican’s office says Brandon Gibson is replacing Butch Eley, who left the chief operating officer job to become the state commissioner of finance and administration.
Prior to joining the Lee administration, Gibson served on the Tennessee Court of Appeals for more than four years. Before that, she practiced law in West Tennessee.
Eley took over as finance commissioner when Stuart McWhorter left the post to lead Lee’s COVID-19 Unified Command. McWhorter is leaving that job at the end of May for a senior adviser at Clemson University.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Tennessee county adding public health jobs with fed funds

MEMPHIS , Tenn. ( AP ) - The mayor of Tennessee ’ s largest county says the health department wants to hire scores of employees from funds provided by the federal coronavirus response assistance package .
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said Tuesday a proposed $ 11.4 million expansion of the health department includes hiring four epidemiologists and about 140 new employees to work on COVID-19 data analysis and contact tracing .
More teams will be formed to focus on nursing homes and jail detainees , Harris said during an online news conference .
Nurses also will he hired to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which includes Memphis , has received nearly $ 50 million from the federal CARES Act .
The city also has received federal money .
“ Most of these positions will only exist while we have the federal funding to pay for them , ” Harris said .
The proposal has been presented to the county commission .
Also in Shelby County , district attorney Amy Weirich said grand juries could begin meeting next week .
Grand juries will be seated starting Monday , Weirich said in a statement .
For most people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms .
For some , especially older adults and those with existing health problems , it can cause severe illness , or even death .

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - The mayor of Tennessee’s largest county says the health department wants to hire scores of employees from funds provided by the federal coronavirus response assistance package.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said Tuesday a proposed $11.4 million expansion of the health department includes hiring four epidemiologists and about 140 new employees to work on COVID-19 data analysis and contact tracing.
More teams will be formed to focus on nursing homes and jail detainees, Harris said during an online news conference. Nurses also will he hired to work on testing.
Shelby County, which includes Memphis, has received nearly $50 million from the federal CARES Act. The city also has received federal money.
“Most of these positions will only exist while we have the federal funding to pay for them,” Harris said.
The proposal has been presented to the county commission.
Also in Shelby County, district attorney Amy Weirich said grand juries could begin meeting next week. Grand juries will be seated starting Monday, Weirich said in a statement.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause severe illness, or even death.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--MSHA: Death at W.Va. mine caused by lack of safety policies

MORGANTOWN , W.Va. ( AP ) - A federal investigation released Tuesday found that a lack of safety procedures at @ @ @ @ @ to a contractor being fatally run over by a trailer earlier this year .
The @ @ @ @ @ Administration said the death of 50-year-old James Campbell at the Federal No 2 Mine in @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t have effective safety and communication policies .
MSHA ’ s report said @ @ @ @ @ with Country Roads Transportation , was at the mine to load a rock truck on @ @ @ @ @ run over while in the blind spot of a tractor and trailer .
Country Roads @ @ @ @ @ employees on safety procedures that include communicating and keeping clear of mobile equipment when it @ @ @ @ @ the report .

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - A federal investigation released Tuesday found that a lack of safety procedures at a West Virginia mine led to a contractor being fatally run over by a trailer earlier this year.
The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration said the death of 50-year-old James Campbell at the Federal No 2 Mine in Morgantown happened because his company didn’t have effective safety and communication policies.
MSHA’s report said Campbell, a maintenance supervisor with Country Roads Transportation, was at the mine to load a rock truck on February 27. He was run over while in the blind spot of a tractor and trailer.
Country Roads Transportation has developed and trained employees on safety procedures that include communicating and keeping clear of mobile equipment when it is engaged, according to the report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Paul Griffiths, Dubai airport CEO: Global travel still up in air over the coronavirus

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates ( AP ) — The CEO of the world ’ s busiest airport for international travel wants to get the globe flying again , but even he acknowledges everything remains up in the air during the coronavirus pandemic .
Paul Griffiths oversees what now is a much quieter Dubai International Airport , home to the long-haul carrier Emirates and crucial to East-West travel .
The millions that once poured through the airport ’ s concourses are no longer flying as countries around the world enforce lockdowns and travel bans to fight the virus and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emirates plans to restart some flights next week , Griffiths told The Associated Press that the airport has yet to find a workable coronavirus or antibody test to administer on a massive scale to passengers .
Until a vaccine or a permanent solution to the virus exists , there could be “ quite a low level of activity for quite some time , ” he said .
“ I think the thing is there are a lot of people that are offering conjecture , whether it ’ s 18 months or two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in an interview Wednesday .
“ But the problem is it ’ s all conjecture .
The honest answer is no one really knows.
” The airport known as DXB saw 86.4 million passengers in 2019 , 6 million more than second-place Heathrow Airport in London .
That ’ s down 3 % from 2018 when Dubai had 89.1 million passengers .
But air travel this year has been disrupted by the virus .
In the first quarter , Dubai International Airport ’ s passenger numbers dropped by nearly a fifth to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cargo and repatriation flights have been flying , however .
Beginning May 21 , Emirates plans to operate flights to nine cities , including Chicago ; Frankfurt , Germany ; London ; Madrid ; Milan ; Paris ; Toronto ; and Sydney and Melbourne in Australia .
Already , attendants on Emirates flights wear gloves , masks and other protective gear .
In the airport , customers and staff alike wear masks and disposable gloves .
Thermal heat scanners look over passengers and they have experimented with both coronavirus and antibody tests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has no immediate strategy to test all passengers , like Iceland plans to do at its airport in Reykjavík .
That leaves open the possibility of an asymptomatic coronavirus carrier making it onto a flight .
“ I believe we ’ re doing everything we can to make sure that we are maintaining the integrity of the health and security and safety of our customers and staff , ” Griffiths said .
“ And as new methods become available , we will , of course , trial and adopt them if they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has taken a hard toll in Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates , a federation that includes six other sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula , among them Abu Dhabi .
Emirati officials said Thursday they ’ ve detected over 21,000 cases of the virus , with 208 deaths and more than 6,900 recoveries .
Particularly hard-hit is the Emirates ’ vast population of foreign laborers .
Ramping up activity at both Emirates and Dubai International Airport is crucial for Dubai , which created itself as a vital hub for the free movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — all things that have been disrupted by the pandemic .
The airport-based firm Dubai Duty Free , whose vast shelves of alcohol , electronics , perfumes and playthings greet bleary-eyed travelers from the world over , had sales of just-over $ 2 billion last year alone .
The airport itself has been able to hold on to its 2,650 direct employees , while having to “ suspend , reduce or terminate ” the contracts of an additional 2,450 third-party contractors , Griffiths said .
Generating revenue and reducing expenses is a priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long the disruption global travel will continue , he said .
What that future looks like remains in question .
Griffiths suggested that one way forward could be digital passports with health information — a replacement for the low-tech yellow vaccination books travelers sometimes need .
Given the pandemic ’ s uneven effects worldwide , bilateral deals may need to be struck country to country , further complicating global travel but slowing the virus ’ spread .
But Griffiths believes the world eventually will return to the airport and that the pandemic is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major events like the 1991 Gulf War , the Sept. 11 terror attacks and SARS outbreak .
“ I feel we ’ re all standing on the start line of a sprint race and we ’ re looking at the starter and waiting for that pistol to be fired , ” Griffiths said .
“ As soon as that finger tightens around the trigger , we ’ ll be ready to spring into action.
” Associated Press writer Fay Abuelgasim in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , contributed to this report .

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The CEO of the world’s busiest airport for international travel wants to get the globe flying again, but even he acknowledges everything remains up in the air during the coronavirus pandemic.
Paul Griffiths oversees what now is a much quieter Dubai International Airport, home to the long-haul carrier Emirates and crucial to East-West travel. The millions that once poured through the airport’s concourses are no longer flying as countries around the world enforce lockdowns and travel bans to fight the virus and the COVID-19 illness it causes.
Though government-owned Emirates plans to restart some flights next week, Griffiths told The Associated Press that the airport has yet to find a workable coronavirus or antibody test to administer on a massive scale to passengers. Until a vaccine or a permanent solution to the virus exists, there could be “quite a low level of activity for quite some time,” he said.
“I think the thing is there are a lot of people that are offering conjecture, whether it’s 18 months or two years or less or more,” Griffiths said in an interview Wednesday. “But the problem is it’s all conjecture. The honest answer is no one really knows.”
The airport known as DXB saw 86.4 million passengers in 2019, 6 million more than second-place Heathrow Airport in London. That’s down 3% from 2018 when Dubai had 89.1 million passengers.
But air travel this year has been disrupted by the virus. In the first quarter, Dubai International Airport’s passenger numbers dropped by nearly a fifth to 17.8 million compared to last year. Cargo and repatriation flights have been flying, however.
Beginning May 21, Emirates plans to operate flights to nine cities, including Chicago; Frankfurt, Germany; London; Madrid; Milan; Paris; Toronto; and Sydney and Melbourne in Australia. Already, attendants on Emirates flights wear gloves, masks and other protective gear.
In the airport, customers and staff alike wear masks and disposable gloves. Thermal heat scanners look over passengers and they have experimented with both coronavirus and antibody tests, Griffiths said. However, the airport has no immediate strategy to test all passengers, like Iceland plans to do at its airport in Reykjavík. That leaves open the possibility of an asymptomatic coronavirus carrier making it onto a flight.
“I believe we’re doing everything we can to make sure that we are maintaining the integrity of the health and security and safety of our customers and staff,” Griffiths said. “And as new methods become available, we will, of course, trial and adopt them if they’re effective and scalable.”
The virus has taken a hard toll in Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates, a federation that includes six other sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula, among them Abu Dhabi. Emirati officials said Thursday they’ve detected over 21,000 cases of the virus, with 208 deaths and more than 6,900 recoveries. Particularly hard-hit is the Emirates’ vast population of foreign laborers.
Ramping up activity at both Emirates and Dubai International Airport is crucial for Dubai, which created itself as a vital hub for the free movement of trade, people and money worldwide — all things that have been disrupted by the pandemic. The airport-based firm Dubai Duty Free, whose vast shelves of alcohol, electronics, perfumes and playthings greet bleary-eyed travelers from the world over, had sales of just-over $2 billion last year alone.
The airport itself has been able to hold on to its 2,650 direct employees, while having to “suspend, reduce or terminate” the contracts of an additional 2,450 third-party contractors, Griffiths said. Generating revenue and reducing expenses is a priority at a time of uncertainty over how long the disruption global travel will continue, he said.
What that future looks like remains in question.
Griffiths suggested that one way forward could be digital passports with health information — a replacement for the low-tech yellow vaccination books travelers sometimes need. Given the pandemic’s uneven effects worldwide, bilateral deals may need to be struck country to country, further complicating global travel but slowing the virus’ spread.
But Griffiths believes the world eventually will return to the airport and that the pandemic is another disruption in a long line of major events like the 1991 Gulf War, the Sept. 11 terror attacks and SARS outbreak.
“I feel we’re all standing on the start line of a sprint race and we’re looking at the starter and waiting for that pistol to be fired,” Griffiths said. “As soon as that finger tightens around the trigger, we’ll be ready to spring into action.”
___
Associated Press writer Fay Abuelgasim in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--City employees face furloughs due to the coronavirus crisis

MIRAMAR , Fla. ( AP ) - The city of Miramar in South Florida has decided to partially furlough all of its employees through the end of the year due to the coronavirus pandemic .
In a memo sent to employees on Wednesday , City Manager Vernon Hargray laid out the plan for each worker to take one furlough day per week , beginning June 11 and continuing through Dec. 9 , the Miami Herald reported .
Hargray wrote that the furloughs , which translate to one eight-hour shift taken off for each 40-hour week , are necessary to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city.. Each of the city ’ s unions have been informed of the changes and a reevaluation of the city ’ s financial situation will be completed at a later date , according to the memo .
“ I am dedicated to making sure that we retain all our employees through this unprecedented time , ” Hargray said .
“ We are hopeful that this crisis will end soon and that the City will be able to overcome its financial difficulties for the good of the City , its residents and you the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have faced similar issues .
Miami Beach furloughed 35 full-time employees and 258 part-time workers were laid off due to the financial strain of the pandemic , the newspaper reported .
Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales , City Attorney Raul Aguila and City Clerk Rafael Granado will take 10-day furloughs , while employees working for them will each take five-day furloughs .
Monroe County commissioners voted in April to furlough 61 employees due to lost tourism revenue .
And Oakland Park in Broward County announced it will furlough most city employees other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks , the Hearld reported .
That amounts to about a 10 % pay cut .

MIRAMAR, Fla. (AP) - The city of Miramar in South Florida has decided to partially furlough all of its employees through the end of the year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a memo sent to employees on Wednesday, City Manager Vernon Hargray laid out the plan for each worker to take one furlough day per week, beginning June 11 and continuing through Dec. 9, the Miami Herald reported.
Hargray wrote that the furloughs, which translate to one eight-hour shift taken off for each 40-hour week, are necessary to “protect the financial stability” of the city..
Each of the city’s unions have been informed of the changes and a reevaluation of the city’s financial situation will be completed at a later date, according to the memo.
“I am dedicated to making sure that we retain all our employees through this unprecedented time,” Hargray said. “We are hopeful that this crisis will end soon and that the City will be able to overcome its financial difficulties for the good of the City, its residents and you the employees.”
Miramar is in southwest Broward County.
Other cities across the region have faced similar issues. Miami Beach furloughed 35 full-time employees and 258 part-time workers were laid off due to the financial strain of the pandemic, the newspaper reported.
Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales, City Attorney Raul Aguila and City Clerk Rafael Granado will take 10-day furloughs, while employees working for them will each take five-day furloughs.
Monroe County commissioners voted in April to furlough 61 employees due to lost tourism revenue. And Oakland Park in Broward County announced it will furlough most city employees other than first responders for one day every two weeks, the Hearld reported. That amounts to about a 10% pay cut.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--9 Kentucky projects get Energy Department grants

FRANKFORT , Ky. ( AP ) - Grants from the U.S. Department of Energy have been awarded to nine projects in Kentucky , state officials said .
The projects aim to support education , reduce the energy burden in poor communities and improve energy security , Gov .
Andy Beshear and Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman said Wednesday in a statement .
The federal agency provided more than $ 600,000 for the projects , state officials said .
The Energy and Environment Cabinet plans to work with organizations to begin delivering the programs later this year .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research will get the largest award of $ 182,000 for an electric vehicle project in middle schools across Kentucky .
The initiatives will provide long-term benefits to Kentucky residents , Goodman said .
“ Affordable electricity is a primary driver of our economy and essential for the wellbeing of everyone .
Now more than ever in this time of the coronavirus pandemic , it is important to ensure continuing affordability and resilience of Kentucky ’ s energy resources , and to invest in energy education that integrates new technologies and practices in areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Grants from the U.S. Department of Energy have been awarded to nine projects in Kentucky, state officials said.
The projects aim to support education, reduce the energy burden in poor communities and improve energy security, Gov. Andy Beshear and Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman said Wednesday in a statement.
The federal agency provided more than $600,000 for the projects, state officials said. The Energy and Environment Cabinet plans to work with organizations to begin delivering the programs later this year.
The University of Kentucky Center For Applied Energy Research will get the largest award of $182,000 for an electric vehicle project in middle schools across Kentucky.
The initiatives will provide long-term benefits to Kentucky residents, Goodman said.
“Affordable electricity is a primary driver of our economy and essential for the wellbeing of everyone. Now more than ever in this time of the coronavirus pandemic, it is important to ensure continuing affordability and resilience of Kentucky’s energy resources, and to invest in energy education that integrates new technologies and practices in areas that support our infrastructure and families,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Michigan settles suit after landmark right to read ruling

LANSING , Mich. ( AP ) - The state of Michigan early Thursday announced a settlement in a lawsuit over poor reading skills that was filed on behalf of Detroit schoolchildren , weeks after a federal appeals court issued a groundbreaking decision recognizing a constitutional right to education and literacy .
The 2016 lawsuit that the appeals court had sent back to a federal judge in Detroit alleged that the city ’ s public schools were in “ slum-like conditions ” and “ functionally incapable of delivering access to literacy.
” Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer and the plaintiffs announced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are pleased to announce that we have reached a settlement that will help secure the right of access to literacy for students in Detroit who faced obstacles they never should have faced , ” they said .
“ This landmark court decision recognizes that every child in Michigan deserves an opportunity to obtain an education , which is essential to having a strong foundation in life and a brighter future.
” Details of the deal will be released later Thursday .
U.S. District Judge Stephen Murphy III had dismissed the case in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t guarantee a fundamental right to literacy .
But on April 23 , the appeals court said students at poor performing , dilapidated Detroit schools are entitled to a basic minimum education under the U.S. Constitution .
The decision could lead to millions of dollars in new spending .
The Republican-led Legislature recently asked the full 6th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals to set aside the 2-1 ruling .
It said managing K-12 education is a job for state and local officials , not the federal judiciary .
Whitmer , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Snyder as a defendant after being elected in 2018 .

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. (AP) - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will ask the Michigan Legislature to provide at least $94.4 million to Detroit’s public schools to settle a lawsuit that describes the city’s schools as “slum-like” and incapable of delivering access to literacy.
The settlement agreement was signed Thursday and comes weeks after a federal appeals court issued a groundbreaking decision recognizing a constitutional right to education and literacy.
Under the settlement, Whitmer must propose legislation to fund literacy-related programs and other initiatives for the Detroit Public Schools Community District. The state must also provide $280,000 to be shared by seven students named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, to be used for a high-quality literacy program or other ways to further their education.
The state also agreed to provide about $2.7 million to the district to fund literacy projects.
Education advocates have been trying for decades to win a case like this, said Derek W. Black, law professor at the University of South Carolina.
“The kids in Detroit finally won,” he said. “Now we have precedent. The principle in this case is so important to not only the children in Detroit, but also to the hopes of children elsewhere.”
Whitmer will ask the Michigan Department of Education to advise school districts statewide on their strategies, initiatives and programs to improve literacy, with special attention to reducing class, racial, and ethnic disparities.
“Students in Detroit faced obstacles to their education that inhibited their ability to read - obstacles they never should have faced,” Whitmer said in a statement. “In the future, I will remain committed to ensuring paths to literacy for children across Michigan.”
“Today’s settlement is a good start, but there’s more work to do to create paths to opportunity for our children,” she added.
In 2017, only 7% of Detroit public school eighth graders performed at or above the proficient level in reading, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The percentage of Detroit students who performed at or above the NAEP proficient level in 2019 was 6%.
The complaint filed in 2016 says “literacy is fundamental to participation in public and private life and is the core component in the American tradition of education.”
“But by its actions and inactions, the State of Michigan’s systemic, persistent, and deliberate failure to deliver instruction and tools essential for access to literacy in Plaintiffs’ schools, which serve almost exclusively low-income children of color, deprives students of even a fighting chance,” the lawsuit said.
It describes the facilities as “schools in name only, characterized by slum-like conditions and lacking the most basic educational opportunities.”
U.S. District Judge Stephen Murphy III dismissed the case in 2018, asserting the U.S. Constitution doesn’t guarantee a fundamental right to literacy.
But on April 23, the appeals court said students at poor performing, dilapidated Detroit schools are entitled to a basic minimum education under the U.S. Constitution. The decision could lead to millions of dollars in new spending.
The Republican-led Legislature recently asked the full 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to set aside the 2-1 ruling. It said managing K-12 education is a job for state and local officials, not the federal judiciary.
Whitmer, a Democrat, replaced Republican Gov. Rick Snyder as a defendant after being elected in 2018.
“The settlement opens up opportunities for students in Detroit,” Jamarria Hall, a one of the plaintiffs, said in a statement. Hall graduated in 2017 from Osborn High School.
Mark Rosenbaum, directing attorney of the Los Angeles-based Public Counsel that represented the students, said the settlement “paves the way for the state of Michigan to fulfill its moral obligation to provide equal educational opportunities to children that have been denied a fair shake for far too long.”
State Board of Education member Tiffany Tilley called it a historic settlement.
“This is going to affect education in every ZIP code across America,” said Tilley, a graduate of Detroit’s Henry Ford High School. “Now, we need to make sure to find the funding to the change the structure of how we fund schools here in Michigan.”
___
Associated Press reporter Dave Eggert contributed to this report from Lansing, Michigan.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Back-to-school could be delayed by California budget cuts

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - The deep financial hole brought on by the coronavirus is striking home for California schools after Gov .
Gavin Newsom released a dramatically revised state budget plan .
And the upcoming cuts could make it harder to resume in-classroom education for 6 million schoolchildren .
“ It ’ s asking us to do more with less , ” said Jeff Freitas , president of the California Federation of Teachers , which represents 120,000 education employees across California .
“ It makes it more difficult to get back into the classroom.
” The budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shy of $ 100 million for K-12 education , including state and federal dollars , compared with $ 103.4 billion in the current budget year .
Funding from Proposition 98 , the constitutionally mandated formula that sets how much money schools get annually , is down roughly $ 10 billion from the current budget .
Newsom said he staved off deeper cuts by tapping federal dollars , eliminating tax breaks and other methods .
Almost all students have been learning from home since mid-March , when Newsom enacted a statewide stay-at-home order in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were already scrambling for more resources for distance learning .
School leaders also expect schools to look vastly different whenever students are able to safely return to classrooms , possibly with staggered start times , smaller class sizes and different rules for recess and lunch .
Keely Bosler , Newsom ’ s director of finance , said it was hard to say exactly what the cuts would mean in each district , as they all face different financial pictures .
But she said many will be in hard positions and that cuts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bigger concerns when building the budget .
“ I do think that the amount of money that was provided to offset the reductions will be a significant help , ” she said .
Vernon Billy , chief executive officer of the California School Boards Association , said 40 % of local education agencies were considering layoffs even before the pandemic .
Furloughing or laying off staff would make it harder for schools to safely respond to the virus when students return , Freitas said .
“ I don ’ t know how you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I don ’ t know how you do cleaning with fewer custodians , ” he said .
Newsom is asking the federal government for billions more in assistance for education and other other programs .
Without it , his budget threatens roughly $ 350 million in cuts to after-school education , career and technical education , adult education block grants and other existing programs .
He now enters negotiations with lawmakers ahead of a June 30 deadline for adopting a budget .
He has also nixed about $ 1.8 billion in new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the pandemic struck .
Among them : Grants for preschool special education and child nutrition programs and programs for teacher credentialing and development .
“ Many schools that have been on the front line of serving meals to children during this crisis have exhausted their nutrition budgets and need additional support to continue operations and make critical investments , ” said Kathy Saile , director of No Kid Hungry California .
Newsom said the cuts could have been deeper .
He is using roughly $ 4 billion in federal coronavirus to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
He is also eliminating some tax breaks for individuals and businesses to bring in another $ 4.5 billion for schools .
He wants to spend several billion dollars the state had set aside to pay off long-term pension obligations to reduce the immediate pension burdens on school districts .
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon , a Democrat , called the budget grim and said he ’ ll be looking for suggestions to ease the burden on schools .
He said he will ask lawmakers and school districts “ to come forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the possibility of layoffs .
”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - In a story May 14, 2020, about the California budget, The Associated Press erroneously reported that overall K-12 spending was forecast to be nearly $100 million. The spending is nearly $100 billion.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Authorities charge 10 in alleged MS-13 deaths, other crimes

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Federal authorities on Thursday brought charges including murder , attempted murder , and murder conspiracy against 10 men accused of being part of the notorious MS-13 gang .
U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue of the Eastern District said the men were all in custody in connection to three killings and other crimes .
One was arrested Wednesday in Maryland ; five were arrested Thursday , four in New York and one in California ; and four were already in detention .
“ The murders and crimes of violence allegedly committed by these defendants are trademark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutally violent - and pose a grave danger to the residents of our communities , ” Donoghue said in a statement announcing the arrests .
One of the killings in the federal complaints was of Andy Peralta , a 17-year-old found dead in April 2018 in a Queens park .
Authorities said he was beaten , stabbed and strangled because he was mistakenly believed to part of a rival gang .
Another was Victor Alvarenga , killed in November 2018 in Queens .
Authorities said he was walking down the street when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the body and head .
The third was Abel Mosso , shot on a Queens subway platform in February 2019 .
Authorities said he was assaulted on a subway then dragged onto a station platform , with onlookers warned by his assailants not to get involved .
Donoghue said if convicted , six of the men face mandatory sentences of life in prison and are eligible for the death penalty .
Three of the men face maximum sentences of life in prison and the last man faces up to 15 years in @ @

NEW YORK (AP) - Federal authorities on Thursday brought charges including murder, attempted murder, and murder conspiracy against 10 men accused of being part of the notorious MS-13 gang.
U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue of the Eastern District said the men were all in custody in connection to three killings and other crimes. One was arrested Wednesday in Maryland; five were arrested Thursday, four in New York and one in California; and four were already in detention.
“The murders and crimes of violence allegedly committed by these defendants are trademark MS-13 offenses - cold-blooded, senseless and brutally violent - and pose a grave danger to the residents of our communities,” Donoghue said in a statement announcing the arrests.
One of the killings in the federal complaints was of Andy Peralta, a 17-year-old found dead in April 2018 in a Queens park. Authorities said he was beaten, stabbed and strangled because he was mistakenly believed to part of a rival gang.
Another was Victor Alvarenga, killed in November 2018 in Queens. Authorities said he was walking down the street when he was approached and subsequently shot multiple times in the body and head.
The third was Abel Mosso, shot on a Queens subway platform in February 2019. Authorities said he was assaulted on a subway then dragged onto a station platform, with onlookers warned by his assailants not to get involved.
Donoghue said if convicted, six of the men face mandatory sentences of life in prison and are eligible for the death penalty. Three of the men face maximum sentences of life in prison and the last man faces up to 15 years in prison.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Hawaii governor inclined to keep at-home order until June 30

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Hawaii Gov .
David Ige said Thursday he ’ s inclined to extend his “ @ @ @ @ @ end of June to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Ige said he also @ @ @ @ @ ’ s requirement that travelers arriving in the state observe 14 days of quarantine .
@ @ @ @ @ during a talk streamed live on Facebook .
Ige said he would be examining allowing @ @ @ @ @ including hair salons , barber shops and restaurants with dine-in service .
These activities carry @ @ @ @ @ virus than activities already allowed , like golfing and take-out restaurants .
Ige said the @ @ @ @ @ from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for information on how to keep @ @ @ @ @

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii Gov. David Ige said Thursday he’s inclined to extend his “safer-at-home” order through the end of June to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Ige said he also plans to maintain the state’s requirement that travelers arriving in the state observe 14 days of quarantine.
The governor explained his intentions during a talk streamed live on Facebook.
Ige said he would be examining allowing more businesses to reopen, including hair salons, barber shops and restaurants with dine-in service.
These activities carry more risk for spreading the virus than activities already allowed, like golfing and take-out restaurants.
Ige said the state would look at guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for information on how to keep employees and customers safe.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--USC to hike tuition 3.5% whether or not classrooms reopen

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - The University of Southern California will increase tuition 3.5 % for the 2020-2021 academic year whether or not it holds most classes online .
Undergraduate tuition will be set at $ 59,260 , an increase of $ 2,004 , according to Annenberg Media , a student-led news service that first reported the hike on Thursday .
USC is among many universities nationwide that closed their classrooms to students this spring and switched to online instruction to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
Some students are still living in residence halls , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain on duty .
USC is considering whether to at least partially reopen classrooms for fall if it can be done safely .
A decision may be announced in June .
School trustees approved the tuition increase before the pandemic , a USC statement said .
“ It mirrors last year ’ s change in tuition , which was among the smallest percentage increases in 50 years , ” the statement said .
The hike “ will help fund the high-quality education , broad range of outstanding academic programs and important research activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” it said .
The statement also said that the school expects to have “ significant new expenditures to ensure the health and safety ” of students , faculty and staff .
The school earlier said it was looking at safety measures such as virus testing and physically distancing students .
Student fees and tuition account for about 30 % of USC ’ s operating revenues , according to a 2019 financial statement .
The school has said it is facing an operating finance shortfall of $ 300 million to $ 500 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak .
Other university systems also are grappling with how or when to reopen .
California State University will hold most fall classes online and leave classrooms closed , Chancellor Timothy White announced Tuesday .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The University of Southern California will increase tuition 3.5% for the 2020-2021 academic year whether or not it holds most classes online.
Undergraduate tuition will be set at $59,260, an increase of $2,004, according to Annenberg Media, a student-led news service that first reported the hike on Thursday.
USC is among many universities nationwide that closed their classrooms to students this spring and switched to online instruction to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Some students are still living in residence halls, however, and critical employees such as campus police remain on duty.
USC is considering whether to at least partially reopen classrooms for fall if it can be done safely. A decision may be announced in June.
School trustees approved the tuition increase before the pandemic, a USC statement said.
“It mirrors last year’s change in tuition, which was among the smallest percentage increases in 50 years,” the statement said.
The hike “will help fund the high-quality education, broad range of outstanding academic programs and important research activities that are the hallmarks of USC,” it said.
The statement also said that the school expects to have “significant new expenditures to ensure the health and safety” of students, faculty and staff.
The school earlier said it was looking at safety measures such as virus testing and physically distancing students.
Student fees and tuition account for about 30% of USC’s operating revenues, according to a 2019 financial statement. The school has said it is facing an operating finance shortfall of $300 million to $500 million because of higher costs and lost revenue as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Other university systems also are grappling with how or when to reopen. California State University will hold most fall classes online and leave classrooms closed, Chancellor Timothy White announced Tuesday.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Tim Manning Jr., middle school teacher, on leave after Nazi, Charlottesville accusations

COLUMBIA , S.C. — A South Carolina middle school teacher was placed on leave after a social media post accused him of being a Nazi who helped make travel arrangements for white supremacists attending a 2017 rally in Charlottesville , Virginia , that ended in violence .
Lexington County School District One spokeswoman Mary Beth Hill said they were investigating racism allegations against a social studies teacher at Pleasant Hill Middle School , The Post and Courier reported Thursday .
The district didn ’ t name the teacher or elaborate on the accusations .
Tim Manning Jr. was the teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manning family lawyer Elizabeth Millender confirmed in a statement .
The thread accused Manning of having a Twitter account labeling himself a Nazi and said he made travel and lodging plans for white nationalist rally participants .
Millender said Manning had nothing to do with the “ repugnant Twitter account ” referenced by the thread .
She also said the family doesn ’ t “ sympathize in any way with , fringe or otherwise prejudicial groups or associations.
” Manning ’ s wife , Melissa , also denied the allegations Thursday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mannings are responsible for the subject social media account is tantamount to false light and will be dealt with appropriately in a legal manner , ” Millender said .
“ The Mannings are good , hardworking public servants.
” Hill said the district was taking the incident seriously .
The 2017 “ Unite the Right ” rally drew hundreds of white nationalists to protest the planned removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee .
Neo-Nazi James Alex Fields Jr. was sentenced to life for plowing his car into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injuring dozens .

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina middle school teacher was placed on leave after a social media post accused him of being a Nazi who helped make travel arrangements for white supremacists attending a 2017 rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that ended in violence.
Lexington County School District One spokeswoman Mary Beth Hill said they were investigating racism allegations against a social studies teacher at Pleasant Hill Middle School, The Post and Courier reported Thursday. The district didn’t name the teacher or elaborate on the accusations.
Tim Manning Jr. was the teacher named in a Twitter thread Wednesday, Manning family lawyer Elizabeth Millender confirmed in a statement.
The thread accused Manning of having a Twitter account labeling himself a Nazi and said he made travel and lodging plans for white nationalist rally participants.
Millender said Manning had nothing to do with the “repugnant Twitter account” referenced by the thread. She also said the family doesn’t “sympathize in any way with, fringe or otherwise prejudicial groups or associations.”
Manning’s wife, Melissa, also denied the allegations Thursday, the newspaper reported.
“Any insinuation that the Mannings are responsible for the subject social media account is tantamount to false light and will be dealt with appropriately in a legal manner,” Millender said. “The Mannings are good, hardworking public servants.”
Hill said the district was taking the incident seriously.
The 2017 “Unite the Right” rally drew hundreds of white nationalists to protest the planned removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Neo-Nazi James Alex Fields Jr. was sentenced to life for plowing his car into a crowd of anti-racism protesters during the rally, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injuring dozens.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--AP Week in Pictures, Asia

AP Week in Pictures, Asia

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and @ @ @ @ @ curated by AP photo editor Masayo Yoshida in Tokyo .

MAY 8-14, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and Pacific.
The gallery was curated by AP photo editor Masayo Yoshida in Tokyo.
Follow AP visual journalism:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews
AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Inside the Beltway: Democrats 'unfit to govern' in a crisis

The Democratic Party just can ’ t kick the epic legislation habit , creating bills which are strategically lengthy , dense and unwieldy .
This dubious art came into full flower when the 2,300-page Affordable Care Act — Obamacare — arrived at the U.S. Capitol in 2010 .
Those original hundreds of pages paved the eventual way for 20,000 more pages of regulations , according to several reports .
“ We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what ’ s in it , ” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at the time .
The sentiment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the HEROES ACT for coronavirus relief — which includes bailouts for state and local governments , extended unemployment benefits , social justice measures , tax breaks and much more .
It is a big chunk of legislation that exists in a vacuum , with no acknowledgment of the national debt , now set to reach $ 31.4 trillion in the next decade .
That amount constitutes 98 % of the gross domestic product and marks the highest percentage of this measurement since World War II .
So what are the implications here ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mammoth legislation is a cynical left-wing wish not rooted in reality .
It demonstrates that the Democrats are irresponsible and unfit to govern at a time of crisis , ” notes an editorial from the Washington Examiner .
That is something for Democratic voters in particular to remember when they step into the poll booth on Nov. 6. Who is President Trump really running against in 2020 ?
It ’ s not necessarily a solitary opponent .
Yes , there ’ s Joseph R. Biden , along with an assortment of other aggressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against ‘ Sleepy Joe Biden.
’ But I ’ m also running against the Democrat machine , ” President Trump tells Fox Business Network .
“ I ’ m running against the Democrats and I ’ m running against the media .
I ’ m running against the radical left .
I ’ m running against some really stupid Republicans that don ’ t understand how good they had it .
We have some people that claim to be Republicans and they have gone crazy — and the reason is , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump declared .
This forward-thinking term was coined by National Review columnist Jim Geraghty , who tried to imagine what is in store in the very near future .
“ Being president is going to stink for at least the next two years , and probably more — even by the historical standards of a job that appears to be powerful and glamorous but that tends to age its occupants about a decade for each term .
The task of overcoming this virus and recovering from its enormous cost in human lives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rank among the greatest challenges in American history , and for a long while , the job of the president is going to be an endless series of hard choices , picking from menus with only bad options , ’ Mr. Geraghty predicts .
IT ’ S CATCHING UP TO HIM A massive new Morning Consult poll of 27,754 registered U.S. voters conducted May 4-10 has unsettling news for the aforementioned Joe Biden .
“ Tara Reade ’ s allegation that Joe Biden sexually assaulted her when he was a senator in 1993 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have broken through to voters amid the pandemic , and it appears to be taking a toll on the former vice president ’ s popularity , ” the pollster says .
The former vice president ’ s net favorability has dropped five percentage points since late April , when Mr. Biden denied Ms. Reade ’ s allegations .
The survey reveals that 48 % of voters now have an unfavorable opinion of the White House hopeful .
His rating among women ages 30-65 also fell by six percentage points to 46 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pollster said , “ that strategists on either side of the aisle credit with fueling Democratic victories in 2018 House races.
” Broadcasters appear to selectively ignore certain stories .
They also sanitize such reports by omitting pertinent details .
Such is the case with CBS , ABC and NBC according to a new investigation by Scott Whitlock , associate editor of Newsbusters.org , a conservative press watchdog .
He found that ABC , CBS and NBC are now reluctantly covering Tara Reade ’ s aforementioned claims of Mr. Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now burying important facts that corroborate her claims .
Some examples : When a former neighbor recently spoke up to support Ms. Reade ’ s allegations , CBS offered 45 seconds of coverage while ABC and NBC skipped the development .
ABC featured an exclusive interview with Mr. Biden this week ; the assault case was discussed for a scant 39 seconds .
The discovery of a 1996 court document that augmented Ms. Reade ’ s claims was ignored by ABC and NBC , though CBS gave it 39 seconds .
“ Rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s denials , the networks should investigate each and every new detail .
In fact , this is what the candidate says he wants , ” writes Mr. Whitlock , citing Mr. Biden ’ s ABC appearance this week .
“ It ’ s the responsibility of responsible journalists like you and everyone else to go out and investigate those .
At the end of the day , the truth is the truth , ” the White House hopeful told host George Stephanopoulos .
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• 33 % of U.S. adults have a “ very unfavorable ” opinion of socialism ; 65 % of Republicans , 35 % of independents and 7 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are “ not sure ” how to describe their opinion of socialism ; 14 % of Republicans , 32 % of independents and 35 % of Democrats agree .
• 18 % have a “ somewhat favorable ” opinion ; 9 % of Republicans , 13 % of independents and 30 % of Democrats agree .
• 12 % have a “ somewhat unfavorable ” opinion ; 7 % of Republicans , 15 % of independents and 13 % of Democrats agree .
• 8 % have a “ very favorable ” opinion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of independents and 15 % of Democrats agree .
Source : An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted May 10-12 .

NEWS AND OPINION:
The Democratic Party just can’t kick the epic legislation habit, creating bills which are strategically lengthy, dense and unwieldy. This dubious art came into full flower when the 2,300-page Affordable Care Act — Obamacare — arrived at the U.S. Capitol in 2010. Those original hundreds of pages paved the eventual way for 20,000 more pages of regulations, according to several reports.
“We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what’s in it,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at the time.
The sentiment repeats itself. Mrs. Pelosi now introduces the HEROES ACT for coronavirus relief — a $3 trillion plan which includes bailouts for state and local governments, extended unemployment benefits, social justice measures, tax breaks and much more. It is a big chunk of legislation that exists in a vacuum, with no acknowledgment of the national debt, now set to reach $31.4 trillion in the next decade. That amount constitutes 98% of the gross domestic product and marks the highest percentage of this measurement since World War II.
So what are the implications here?
“At over 1,800 pages, the mammoth legislation is a cynical left-wing wish not rooted in reality. It demonstrates that the Democrats are irresponsible and unfit to govern at a time of crisis,” notes an editorial from the Washington Examiner.
That is something for Democratic voters in particular to remember when they step into the poll booth on Nov. 6.
IN THE RUNNING
Who is President Trump really running against in 2020? It’s not necessarily a solitary opponent. Yes, there’s Joseph R. Biden, along with an assortment of other aggressive competitors.
“I’m running against ‘Sleepy Joe Biden.’But I’m also running against the Democrat machine,” President Trump tells Fox Business Network.
“I’m running against the Democrats and I’m running against the media. I’m running against the radical left. I’m running against some really stupid Republicans that don’t understand how good they had it. We have some people that claim to be Republicans and they have gone crazy — and the reason is, I’ve defeated them all,” Mr. Trump declared.
FOR THE LEXICON
“The post-pandemic presidency.”
This forward-thinking term was coined by National Review columnist Jim Geraghty, who tried to imagine what is in store in the very near future.
“Being president is going to stink for at least the next two years, and probably more — even by the historical standards of a job that appears to be powerful and glamorous but that tends to age its occupants about a decade for each term. The task of overcoming this virus and recovering from its enormous cost in human lives, human health, and economic ruin will rank among the greatest challenges in American history, and for a long while, the job of the president is going to be an endless series of hard choices, picking from menus with only bad options,’ Mr. Geraghty predicts.
IT’S CATCHING UP TO HIM
A massive new Morning Consult poll of 27,754 registered U.S. voters conducted May 4-10 has unsettling news for the aforementioned Joe Biden.
“Tara Reade‘s allegation that Joe Biden sexually assaulted her when he was a senator in 1993 is one of the few non-coronavirus stories to have broken through to voters amid the pandemic, and it appears to be taking a toll on the former vice president’s popularity,” the pollster says.
The former vice president’s net favorability has dropped five percentage points since late April, when Mr. Biden denied Ms. Reade’s allegations. The survey reveals that 48% of voters now have an unfavorable opinion of the White House hopeful.
His rating among women ages 30-65 also fell by six percentage points to 46%. This is the voting bloc, the pollster said, “that strategists on either side of the aisle credit with fueling Democratic victories in 2018 House races.”
SANITIZING THE STORY
Broadcasters appear to selectively ignore certain stories. They also sanitize such reports by omitting pertinent details. Such is the case with CBS, ABC and NBC according to a new investigation by Scott Whitlock, associate editor of Newsbusters.org, a conservative press watchdog. He found that ABC, CBS and NBC are now reluctantly covering Tara Reade‘s aforementioned claims of Mr. Biden’s sexual abuse. But the networks are now burying important facts that corroborate her claims.
Some examples: When a former neighbor recently spoke up to support Ms. Reade’s allegations, CBS offered 45 seconds of coverage while ABC and NBC skipped the development. ABC featured an exclusive interview with Mr. Biden this week; the assault case was discussed for a scant 39 seconds. The discovery of a 1996 court document that augmented Ms. Reade’s claims was ignored by ABC and NBC, though CBS gave it 39 seconds.
“Rather than just repeat the presumptive Democratic nominee’s denials, the networks should investigate each and every new detail. In fact, this is what the candidate says he wants,” writes Mr. Whitlock, citing Mr. Biden’s ABC appearance this week.
“It’s the responsibility of responsible journalists like you and everyone else to go out and investigate those. At the end of the day, the truth is the truth,” the White House hopeful told host George Stephanopoulos.
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POLL DU JOUR
• 33% of U.S. adults have a “very unfavorable” opinion of socialism; 65% of Republicans, 35% of independents and 7% of Democrats agree.
• 28% are “not sure” how to describe their opinion of socialism; 14% of Republicans, 32% of independents and 35% of Democrats agree.
• 18% have a “somewhat favorable” opinion; 9% of Republicans, 13% of independents and 30% of Democrats agree.
• 12% have a “somewhat unfavorable” opinion; 7% of Republicans, 15% of independents and 13% of Democrats agree.
• 8% have a “very favorable” opinion; 4% of Republicans, 6% of independents and 15% of Democrats agree.
Source: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted May 10-12.
• Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @Harperbulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Ronald Shurer II, Medal of Honor recipient, dies at 41

WINSTON-SALEM , N.C. — Former Army Staff Sgt .
Ronald Shurer II , who received the Medal of Honor in 2018 for braving heavy gunfire to save lives in Afghanistan , has died of cancer .
He was 41 .
Miranda Shurer said her husband died Thursday in Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington , D.C. She said he was diagnosed with cancer three years ago .
Ronald Shurer II received the nation ’ s highest military honor from President Donald Trump in a formal White House ceremony attended by 250 people .
“ He was an amazing man .
Obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amazing soldier , ” Miranda Shurer said .
“ The same characteristics that made him a great teammate in Special Forces also made him a great husband and a great father and a great friend .
He was very loved.
” A native of Fairbanks , Alaska , Shurer was a senior medical sergeant in the special forces on April 6 , 2008 , when his team encountered machine gun and sniper fire and rocket-propelled grenades from militants .
Shurer stabilized one soldier , then fought his way amid gunfire up a mountain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There , he treated and stabilized four more soldiers .
Shurer helped evacuate them .
He lowered the wounded down the steep mountainside while using his body to shield them from enemy fire .
After he had loaded the wounded in an evacuation helicopter , Shurer went back up the mountain to fight .
Initially rejected by the military because of a medical condition , Shurer successfully enlisted a year after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 , 2001 .
He was promoted from sergeant to staff sergeant in late 2006 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Task Force in Afghanistan from late November 2007 to late May 2008 .
He was honorably discharged a year later .
Shurer then began a career with the Secret Service as a special agent assigned to a field office in Phoenix , Arizona , in September 2009 .
He was selected for the Secret Service ’ s counter assault team and assigned to the Special Operations Division in June 2014 .
“ Today , we lost an American Hero : Husband , Father , Son , Medal of Honor Recipient - Special Agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grateful Nation and Agency - your memory and legacy will live on forever , ” the U.S. Secret Service said in a tweet .
Miranda Shurer , citing restrictions from the coronavirus pandemic , said her husband will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery near the nation ’ s capital at a future date .
In addition to his wife , Shurer is survived by two sons .

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Former Army Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer II, who received the Medal of Honor in 2018 for braving heavy gunfire to save lives in Afghanistan, has died of cancer. He was 41.
Miranda Shurer said her husband died Thursday in Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C. She said he was diagnosed with cancer three years ago.
Ronald Shurer II received the nation’s highest military honor from President Donald Trump in a formal White House ceremony attended by 250 people.
“He was an amazing man. Obviously, he is known for being an amazing soldier,” Miranda Shurer said. “The same characteristics that made him a great teammate in Special Forces also made him a great husband and a great father and a great friend. He was very loved.”
A native of Fairbanks, Alaska, Shurer was a senior medical sergeant in the special forces on April 6, 2008, when his team encountered machine gun and sniper fire and rocket-propelled grenades from militants.
Shurer stabilized one soldier, then fought his way amid gunfire up a mountain to the lead members of the unit. There, he treated and stabilized four more soldiers. Shurer helped evacuate them. He lowered the wounded down the steep mountainside while using his body to shield them from enemy fire.
After he had loaded the wounded in an evacuation helicopter, Shurer went back up the mountain to fight.
Initially rejected by the military because of a medical condition, Shurer successfully enlisted a year after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He was promoted from sergeant to staff sergeant in late 2006 and served with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force in Afghanistan from late November 2007 to late May 2008. He was honorably discharged a year later.
Shurer then began a career with the Secret Service as a special agent assigned to a field office in Phoenix, Arizona, in September 2009. He was selected for the Secret Service’s counter assault team and assigned to the Special Operations Division in June 2014.
“Today, we lost an American Hero: Husband, Father, Son, Medal of Honor Recipient - Special Agent Ronald J. Shurer II. From a grateful Nation and Agency - your memory and legacy will live on forever,” the U.S. Secret Service said in a tweet.
Miranda Shurer, citing restrictions from the coronavirus pandemic, said her husband will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery near the nation’s capital at a future date.
In addition to his wife, Shurer is survived by two sons.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Navy hospital ship set to leave Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - A Navy hospital ship temporarily docked in Los Angeles Harbor to help during the coronavirus crisis will depart on Friday , California officials said .
The Mercy arrived at the end of March to provide beds for non-coronavirus cases to take the load off regional medical centers expecting a surge of COVID-19 patients .
“ Having successfully decompressed the health care delivery system in the Los Angeles region , ” the Mercy will return to its home port in San Diego , said a statement by the Governor ’ s Office of Emergency Services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain in the Los Angeles area to continue to help with the virus response - including four teams that will help out at skilled nursing facilities .
Officials didn ’ t release details on the timing of the departure of the massive white ship .
The Mercy , with 1,000 hospital beds and giant red crosses on its sides , was welcomed by Gov .
Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti as officials predicted hospitals could see a surge of COVID-19 cases .
However , Los Angeles hasn ’ t been overrun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mercy didn ’ t play a huge role as a safety net .
As of the end of April , the Mercy had treated a few dozen non-coronavirus patients for everything from heart and lung conditions to gastrointestinal problems .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness and lead to death , and nursing homes have been hit hard .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Navy hospital ship temporarily docked in Los Angeles Harbor to help during the coronavirus crisis will depart on Friday, California officials said.
The Mercy arrived at the end of March to provide beds for non-coronavirus cases to take the load off regional medical centers expecting a surge of COVID-19 patients.
“Having successfully decompressed the health care delivery system in the Los Angeles region,” the Mercy will return to its home port in San Diego, said a statement by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Medical personnel from the ship will remain in the Los Angeles area to continue to help with the virus response - including four teams that will help out at skilled nursing facilities.
Officials didn’t release details on the timing of the departure of the massive white ship.
The Mercy, with 1,000 hospital beds and giant red crosses on its sides, was welcomed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti as officials predicted hospitals could see a surge of COVID-19 cases.
However, Los Angeles hasn’t been overrun with virus cases, and so the Mercy didn’t play a huge role as a safety net.
As of the end of April, the Mercy had treated a few dozen non-coronavirus patients for everything from heart and lung conditions to gastrointestinal problems.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and lead to death, and nursing homes have been hit hard.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Man pleads guilty to blackmailing Montana businessman Goguen

KALISPELL , Mont .
( AP ) - A California man pleaded guilty to a single count of blackmail stemming from efforts to extort money from Montana businessman Michael Goguen .
Bryan Gregg Waterfield Nash entered the plea in U.S. District Court in Missoula May 7 , The Flathead Beacon reports .
Nash targeted the Whitefish resident in a “ steadily escalating ” campaign to to extort money from Goguen and “ destroy him personally , ” court documents said Federal prosecutors accepted the plea in exchange for dismissing multiple charges of interstate stalking and interstate communication with the intent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probationary sentence for Nash , who is free on supervised release prior to an Aug. 7 sentencing hearing .
The men had a friendly relationship prior to 2008 , when Goguen worked as a venture capitalist for Sequoia Capital Operations LLC in California , court documents said .
The relationship soured after Nash ’ s wife initiated divorce proceedings and he blamed Goguen for the dissolution .
Nash attempted to extort millions of dollars from Goguen beginning in 2013 .
Nash sent Goguen numerous emails threatening retaliation through embarrassing personal revelations , court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed against Goguen in California was determined by a judge to be part of an extortion plot .
The case did not involve Nash but appeared to fuel his extortion attempts , which extended to Goguen ’ s friends , family members and business associates .
Nash also contacted Goguen ’ s church in Whitefish by telephone and email , according to investigators .
“ The FBI has interviewed at least 20 individuals in four different states who have received harassing interstate communications from Nash , ” records said .

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) - A California man pleaded guilty to a single count of blackmail stemming from efforts to extort money from Montana businessman Michael Goguen.
Bryan Gregg Waterfield Nash entered the plea in U.S. District Court in Missoula May 7, The Flathead Beacon reports.
Nash targeted the Whitefish resident in a “steadily escalating” campaign to to extort money from Goguen and “destroy him personally,” court documents said
Federal prosecutors accepted the plea in exchange for dismissing multiple charges of interstate stalking and interstate communication with the intent to extort.
Prosecutors recommended a five-year probationary sentence for Nash, who is free on supervised release prior to an Aug. 7 sentencing hearing.
The men had a friendly relationship prior to 2008, when Goguen worked as a venture capitalist for Sequoia Capital Operations LLC in California, court documents said.
The relationship soured after Nash’s wife initiated divorce proceedings and he blamed Goguen for the dissolution.
Nash attempted to extort millions of dollars from Goguen beginning in 2013. Nash sent Goguen numerous emails threatening retaliation through embarrassing personal revelations, court records said.
A 2016 civil suit filed against Goguen in California was determined by a judge to be part of an extortion plot.
The case did not involve Nash but appeared to fuel his extortion attempts, which extended to Goguen’s friends, family members and business associates. Nash also contacted Goguen’s church in Whitefish by telephone and email, according to investigators.
“The FBI has interviewed at least 20 individuals in four different states who have received harassing interstate communications from Nash,” records said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-14--Teacher on leave after Nazi accusation; family denies ties

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - A South Carolina middle school teacher was placed on leave after a social media post accused him of being a Nazi who helped make travel arrangements for white supremacists attending a 2017 rally in Charlottesville , Virginia , that ended in violence .
Lexington County School District One spokeswoman Mary Beth Hill said they were investigating racism allegations against a social studies teacher at Pleasant Hill Middle School , The Post and Courier reported Thursday .
The district didn ’ t name the teacher or elaborate on the accusations .
Tim Manning Jr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thread Wednesday , Manning family lawyer Elizabeth Millender confirmed in a statement .
The thread accused Manning of having a Twitter account labeling himself a Nazi and said he made travel and lodging plans for white nationalist rally participants .
Millender said Manning had nothing to do with the “ repugnant Twitter account ” referenced by the thread .
She also said the family doesn ’ t “ sympathize in any way with , fringe or otherwise prejudicial groups or associations.
” Manning ’ s wife , Melissa , also denied the allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Any insinuation that the Mannings are responsible for the subject social media account is tantamount to false light and will be dealt with appropriately in a legal manner , ” Millender said .
“ The Mannings are good , hardworking public servants.
” Hill said the district was taking the incident seriously .
The 2017 “ Unite the Right ” rally drew hundreds of white nationalists to protest the planned removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee .
Neo-Nazi James Alex Fields Jr. was sentenced to life for plowing his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the rally , killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injuring dozens .

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina middle school teacher was placed on leave after a social media post accused him of being a Nazi who helped make travel arrangements for white supremacists attending a 2017 rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that ended in violence.
Lexington County School District One spokeswoman Mary Beth Hill said they were investigating racism allegations against a social studies teacher at Pleasant Hill Middle School, The Post and Courier reported Thursday. The district didn’t name the teacher or elaborate on the accusations.
Tim Manning Jr. was the teacher named in a Twitter thread Wednesday, Manning family lawyer Elizabeth Millender confirmed in a statement.
The thread accused Manning of having a Twitter account labeling himself a Nazi and said he made travel and lodging plans for white nationalist rally participants.
Millender said Manning had nothing to do with the “repugnant Twitter account” referenced by the thread. She also said the family doesn’t “sympathize in any way with, fringe or otherwise prejudicial groups or associations.”
Manning’s wife, Melissa, also denied the allegations Thursday, the newspaper reported.
“Any insinuation that the Mannings are responsible for the subject social media account is tantamount to false light and will be dealt with appropriately in a legal manner,” Millender said. “The Mannings are good, hardworking public servants.”
Hill said the district was taking the incident seriously.
The 2017 “Unite the Right” rally drew hundreds of white nationalists to protest the planned removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Neo-Nazi James Alex Fields Jr. was sentenced to life for plowing his car into a crowd of anti-racism protesters during the rally, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injuring dozens.