washingtontimes--2020-09-05--Cohen memoir casts him as 'star witness' against Trump

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Michael Cohen ’ s tell-all memoir makes the case that President Donald Trump is “ guilty of the same crimes ” that landed his former fixer in federal prison , offering a blow-by-blow account of Trump ’ s alleged role in a hush money scandal that once overshadowed his presidency .
Of all the crises Cohen confronted working for Trump , none proved as vexing as the porn actress Stormy Daniels and her claims of an extramarital affair with Trump , Cohen writes in “ Disloyal : The True Story of the Former Personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , despite his later protestations , green-lighted the $ 130,000 payment to silence Daniels ahead of the 2016 election , reasoning he would “ have to pay ” his wife a far greater sum if the affair ever became known , Cohen writes , adding the president later reimbursed him with “ fake legal fees.
” “ It never pays to settle these things , but many , many friends have advised me to pay , ” Trump said , according to Cohen .
“ If it comes out , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with my supporters .
But I bet they ’ d think it ’ s cool that I slept with a porn star.
” “ He readily admits to lying routinely but expects people to believe him now so that he can make money from book sales , ” White House spokesman Brian Morgenstern said in a statement .
“ It ’ s unfortunate that the media is exploiting this sad and desperate man to attack President Trump.
” The Associated Press obtained an early copy of the book , which is scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and other crimes , including lying to Congress , calls himself the “ star witness ” of a hush-money conspiracy that still could culminate in charges for Trump after he leaves office .
He described his new book as a “ fundamental piece of evidence ” of the president ’ s guilt .
Cohen ’ s allegations - his most detailed to date - are part of an unsparing and deeply personal put-down of Trump .
Cohen assails Trump as an “ organized crime don ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allows that he saw much of himself in a man he once considered a father figure .
“ I care for Donald Trump , even to this day , ” Cohen writes , “ and I had and still have a lot of affection for him.
” Cohen remains at a loss to explain his unswerving allegiance to a cutthroat businessman who abandoned him at the most vulnerable point in his life .
He likens his fealty to Trump to a mental illness and said he thought of himself as acting like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It seemed to ( my family ) that I wouldn ’ t listen to anyone , not even the people who loved me most , as I gradually gave up control of my mind to Trump , ” Cohen writes .
“ I confess I never really did understand why pleasing Trump meant so much to me , ” Cohen adds .
“ To this day I don ’ t have the full answer.
” Cohen says he stayed loyal to Trump for so long , despite the dirty work and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay close to his celebrity and power .
“ I was the canary in the coal mine for the millions of Americans who are still mesmerized by the power of Trump , ” Cohen writes .
The memoir offers an introspective - and at times self-loathing - apology for the role Cohen played in Trump ’ s political ascent .
He urged Trump for years to run for president but now laments that his election “ led the nation and maybe even the world to the brink of disaster.
” “ I thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attitude and the charisma to attract all kinds of voters , ” he writes .
But the real reason he wanted Trump in the White House , Cohen concedes , “ was because I wanted the power that he would bring to me.
” But Cohen expresses little to no remorse for his federal crimes , saying he was “ railroaded ” by the government and pleaded guilty after prosecutors threatened to indict his wife .
Cohen writes that Trump ’ s three oldest children came to Cohen ’ s office after Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which Trump referred to people coming to the U.S. from Mexico as rapists and murderers .
Cohen says they asked him to convince their father to drop out of the race , arguing his rhetoric was “ killing the company.
” Cohen says Trump was undeterred and unconcerned with any harm to his businesses .
“ Plus , I will never get the Hispanic vote , ” Trump said , according to Cohen .
“ Like the blacks , they ’ re too stupid to vote for Trump .
They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s treatment of women throughout the book .
He describes the married Trump ogling contestants at his Miss Universe pageant and boasting he could “ have all of them ” if he wanted .
He also claimed to have seen Trump corner and forcibly kiss women at his office .
In a far more personal episode , Cohen writes of Trump leering at Cohen ’ s then-15-year-old daughter at Trump ’ s New Jersey golf club in 2012 .
Cohen writes that when he told Trump that it was his daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she get so hot ?
” Beyond his dealings with Trump , Cohen waxes nostalgic about experiences he says informed his fierce loyalty and attack-dog persona .
The Long Island native , a Holocaust survivor ’ s son , writes of rubbing shoulders with mobsters at his uncle ’ s club , where he worked as a teen .
After witnessing a poolside shooting , he says he felt a duty to keep quiet .
A few days later , he writes , a tough-looking fellow handed him an envelope stuffed with $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicity blitz around his memoir even as he serves his federal sentence in home confinement .
A judge ruled this summer that authorities had retaliated against him , sending him back to prison in upstate New York after he was furloughed because of the coronavirus pandemic , for publishing the book ahead of the November election .
Cohen was released to home confinement in July and the government lifted a ban on him speaking publicly .
“ This story is all I have left for my wife , my children and the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writes .
Associated Press writer Hillel Italie contributed to this report .
On Twitter , follow Jim Mustian at twitter.com/jimmustian and Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak

NEW YORK (AP) - Michael Cohen’s tell-all memoir makes the case that President Donald Trump is “guilty of the same crimes” that landed his former fixer in federal prison, offering a blow-by-blow account of Trump’s alleged role in a hush money scandal that once overshadowed his presidency.
Of all the crises Cohen confronted working for Trump, none proved as vexing as the porn actress Stormy Daniels and her claims of an extramarital affair with Trump, Cohen writes in “Disloyal: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump.”
Trump, despite his later protestations, green-lighted the $130,000 payment to silence Daniels ahead of the 2016 election, reasoning he would “have to pay” his wife a far greater sum if the affair ever became known, Cohen writes, adding the president later reimbursed him with “fake legal fees.”
“It never pays to settle these things, but many, many friends have advised me to pay,” Trump said, according to Cohen. “If it comes out, I’m not sure how it would play with my supporters. But I bet they’d think it’s cool that I slept with a porn star.”
The White House called Cohen’s memoir “fan fiction.”
“He readily admits to lying routinely but expects people to believe him now so that he can make money from book sales,” White House spokesman Brian Morgenstern said in a statement. “It’s unfortunate that the media is exploiting this sad and desperate man to attack President Trump.”
The Associated Press obtained an early copy of the book, which is scheduled to be released Tuesday.
Cohen, who pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and other crimes, including lying to Congress, calls himself the “star witness” of a hush-money conspiracy that still could culminate in charges for Trump after he leaves office. He described his new book as a “fundamental piece of evidence” of the president’s guilt.
Cohen’s allegations - his most detailed to date - are part of an unsparing and deeply personal put-down of Trump. Cohen assails Trump as an “organized crime don” and “master manipulator,” but allows that he saw much of himself in a man he once considered a father figure.
“I care for Donald Trump, even to this day,” Cohen writes, “and I had and still have a lot of affection for him.”
Cohen remains at a loss to explain his unswerving allegiance to a cutthroat businessman who abandoned him at the most vulnerable point in his life. He likens his fealty to Trump to a mental illness and said he thought of himself as acting like a drug user in need of an intervention.
“It seemed to (my family) that I wouldn’t listen to anyone, not even the people who loved me most, as I gradually gave up control of my mind to Trump,” Cohen writes.
“I confess I never really did understand why pleasing Trump meant so much to me,” Cohen adds. “To this day I don’t have the full answer.”
The memoir offers an introspective - and at times self-loathing - apology for the role Cohen played in Trump’s political ascent. He urged Trump for years to run for president but now laments that his election “led the nation and maybe even the world to the brink of disaster.”
“I thought Trump was a visionary with a no-nonsense attitude and the charisma to attract all kinds of voters,” he writes. But the real reason he wanted Trump in the White House, Cohen concedes, “was because I wanted the power that he would bring to me.”
Cohen expresses little to no remorse for his federal crimes, saying he was “railroaded” by the government and pleaded guilty after prosecutors threatened to indict his wife.
He writes that Trump’s three oldest children came to Cohen’s office after Trump’s campaign announcement in 2015, in which Trump referred to people coming to the U.S. from Mexico as rapists and murderers. Cohen says they asked him to convince their father to drop out of the race, arguing his rhetoric was “killing the company.”
Cohen says Trump was unconcerned with any harm to his businesses. “Plus, I will never get the Hispanic vote,” Trump said, according to Cohen. “Like the blacks, they’re too stupid to vote for Trump. They’re not my people.”
Cohen returns to Trump’s treatment of women throughout the book.
He describes the married Trump ogling contestants at his Miss Universe pageant and boasting he could “have all of them” if he wanted. He also claimed to have seen Trump corner and forcibly kiss women at his office.
In a far more personal episode, Cohen writes of Trump leering at Cohen’s then-15-year-old daughter at Trump’s New Jersey golf club in 2012. Cohen writes that when he told Trump that it was his daughter, Trump replied: “When did she get so hot?”
Cohen also sheds light on Trump’s admiration of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he admired him most because he “had the balls to take over an entire nation and run it like it was his personal company.” But he added that Trump’s campaign had been “far too chaotic and incompetent to actually conspire with the Russian government.”
Beyond his dealings with Trump, Cohen waxes nostalgic about experiences he says informed his fierce loyalty and attack-dog persona. The Long Island native, a Holocaust survivor’s son, writes of rubbing shoulders with mobsters at his uncle’s club, where he worked as a teen. After witnessing a poolside shooting, he says he felt a duty to keep quiet. A few days later, he writes, a tough-looking fellow handed him an envelope stuffed with $500 cash.
Cohen has led a publicity blitz around his memoir even as he serves his federal sentence in home confinement. A judge ruled this summer that authorities had retaliated against him, sending him back to prison in upstate New York after he was furloughed because of the coronavirus pandemic, for publishing the book ahead of the November election.
Cohen was released to home confinement in July and the government lifted a ban on him speaking publicly.
“This story is all I have left for my wife, my children and the country I love so much,” Cohen writes.
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Associated Press national writer Hillel Italie contributed to this report.
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On Twitter, follow Jim Mustian at twitter.com/jimmustian and Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak


washingtontimes--2020-09-05--Typhoon Haishen unleashes rain, strong winds in south Japan

TOKYO ( AP ) - The second powerful typhoon to slam Japan in a week unleashed fierce winds and rain on southern islands on Sunday , blowing off rooftops and leaving homes without power as it edged northward into an area vulnerable to flooding and mudslides .
Weather officials warned that rainfall from what could be a record storm would be as fierce as a bucket of water poured over your head .
Warnings have been issued , days in advance , for people to be ready to take shelter and stock up on food and water .
Several rivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were at risk of overflowing , officials said .
The Japan Meteorological Agency said Typhoon Haishen , which means “ sea god ” in Chinese , was packing sustained winds of up to 180 kilometers ( 112 miles ) per hour as it battered Okinawa and the southern Kyushu island of Amami Oshima early Sunday .
Alerts for strong winds , waves , high tides , rainfall and lightning were issued for Amami Oshima alongside evacuation orders .
Haishen was not only powerful - equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane - but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the agency .
Haishen ’ s course is similar to Typhoon Maysak that lashed southern Japan last week , injuring dozens of people and cutting power to thousands of homes .
A cargo ship carrying 43 crew members and 5,800 cows from New Zealand capsized off the coast of Japan .
Two people were rescued , and one body recovered .
The search has been halted because of Haishen .
Haishen ’ s projected course has it hitting the Korean Peninsula later in the week .

TOKYO (AP) - The second powerful typhoon to slam Japan in a week unleashed fierce winds and rain on southern islands on Sunday, blowing off rooftops and leaving homes without power as it edged northward into an area vulnerable to flooding and mudslides.
Weather officials warned that the rainfall from what could be a record storm would be fierce. Warnings were issued days in advance for people to be ready to take shelter and stock up on food and water.
Several rivers on the main southwestern island of Kyushu were at risk of overflowing, officials said. Public broadcaster NHK TV said evacuation warnings were issued for more than 50,000 people in Okinawa and Kyushu, including Kagoshima and and Nagasaki prefectures.
News footage showed people in Kyushu starting to gather at gymnasiums, before winds gather momentum in the evening. Social distancing will be in place to guard against the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said Typhoon Haishen, which means “sea god” in Chinese, was packing sustained winds of up to 162 kilometers (100 miles) per hour after battering Okinawa and the southern Kyushu island of Amami Oshima early Sunday. Alerts for strong winds, waves, high tides, rainfall and lightning were issued for Amami Oshima alongside evacuation orders.
There were no immediate reports of any injuries in Okinawa, home to more than half of the roughly 50,000 U.S. troops based in Japan under a bilateral treaty.
Haishen was not only powerful - equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane - but also large in its reach, according to the meteorological agency.
Bullet trains were temporarily halting services, and dozens of flights were canceled. All Nippon Airways said such cancellations will continue Monday and possibly on Tuesday for flights in southern Japan, such as Yamaguchi, Kochi and Fukuoka.
Haishen’s projected course has it hitting the Korean Peninsula later in the week.
Haishen’s course is similar to Typhoon Maysak, which lashed southern Japan last week, injuring dozens of people and cutting power to thousands of homes.
A cargo ship carrying 43 crew members and 5,800 cows from New Zealand capsized off the coast of Japan. Two people were rescued, and one body was recovered. The search has been halted because of Haishen.
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Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama


washingtontimes--2020-09-05--2 killed in small plane crash in Sequoia National Park

THREE RIVERS , Calif. ( AP ) - Two people were killed after a small plane crashed in Sequoia National @ @ @ @ @ .
They were aboard a single-engine Beechcraft BE35 Bonanza that was reported overdue after departing @ @ @ @ @ California on Friday , FAA and park officials said .
Search and rescue crews found @ @ @ @ @ confirmed two fatalities at the scene .
The plane crashed in a remote wilderness area @ @ @ @ @ burned 87 square miles of forest land .
It wasn ’ t clear whether smoke @ @ @ @ @ factor in the crash .
The cause was being investigated by the FAA and the @ @ @ @ @ The plane was heading to Needles Airport in San Bernardino County when it crashed , @ @ @ @ @ .

THREE RIVERS, Calif. (AP) - Two people were killed after a small plane crashed in Sequoia National Park, authorities said Saturday.
They were aboard a single-engine Beechcraft BE35 Bonanza that was reported overdue after departing from Visalia Airport in Central California on Friday, FAA and park officials said.
Search and rescue crews found the wreckage Saturday morning and confirmed two fatalities at the scene.
The plane crashed in a remote wilderness area near a wildfire that has burned 87 square miles of forest land.
It wasn’t clear whether smoke from the fire was a factor in the crash. The cause was being investigated by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.
The plane was heading to Needles Airport in San Bernardino County when it crashed, said park spokeswoman Sintia Kawasaki-Yee.


washingtontimes--2020-09-05--Phoenix sets high-temperature record; crews rescue hikers

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Phoenix on Saturday set a high-temperature record of 115 degrees for the date as emergency crews rescued several hikers at a popular recreation area in the city .
The baking heat broke the previous record of 113 degrees set in 1945 , the National Weather Service said .
Saturday was the 14th day this year where Phoenix had a high of 115 degrees or more , topping the previous record of seven , the weather service said .
Tucson reached 107 degrees , tying a 1945 record .
The southern Arizona city was expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high of 108 , forecasters said .
Both cities and numerous other desert areas in Arizona and southern Nevada are under excessive heat warnings in effect through Monday night .
Forecasters advised limiting outdoor activity , staying inside in air-conditioned places , drinking plenty of water and checking family members and neighbors .
The Phoenix Fire Department said crews used a helicopter and ground vehicles to rescue four adults having heat-related issues in three separate incidents on Camelback Mountain .
One person was taken to a hospital for evaluation , but the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the department said .
August in Phoenix was the warmest ever with an average high temperature of 110.7 degrees and an average high of 99.1 degrees , the weather service said .

PHOENIX (AP) - Phoenix on Saturday set a high-temperature record of 115 degrees for the date as emergency crews rescued several hikers at a popular recreation area in the city.
The baking heat broke the previous record of 113 degrees set in 1945, the National Weather Service said.
Saturday was the 14th day this year where Phoenix had a high of 115 degrees or more, topping the previous record of seven, the weather service said.
Tucson reached 107 degrees, tying a 1945 record. The southern Arizona city was expected to break the record later Saturday with a high of 108, forecasters said.
Both cities and numerous other desert areas in Arizona and southern Nevada are under excessive heat warnings in effect through Monday night.
Forecasters advised limiting outdoor activity, staying inside in air-conditioned places, drinking plenty of water and checking family members and neighbors.
The Phoenix Fire Department said crews used a helicopter and ground vehicles to rescue four adults having heat-related issues in three separate incidents on Camelback Mountain.
One person was taken to a hospital for evaluation, but the other three people declined to be transported, the department said.
August in Phoenix was the warmest ever with an average high temperature of 110.7 degrees and an average high of 99.1 degrees, the weather service said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-05--Police: Crash kills 2 pedestrians using crosswalk in Boone

BOONE , N.C. ( AP ) - Law enforcement authorities in a community in North Carolina ’ s Blue Ridge @ @ @ @ @ killed Friday when they were walking on a designated crosswalk and a driver struck them @ @ @ @ @ the pedestrians were pronounced dead at the scene in Boone .
The Boone Police Department @ @ @ @ @ Lindamore , 52 , and James Leroy Lindamore Jr. , 54 , both of Frostburg @ @ @ @ @ happened around 11 p.m. Friday .
Police said the driver , Madison Jane Mahagan , @ @ @ @ @ was arrested and charged with driving while impaired .
It was not immediately clear Saturday @ @ @ @ @ who could comment on her behalf .
Authorities say the crash remains under investigation .

BOONE, N.C. (AP) - Law enforcement authorities in a community in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains say two pedestrians were killed Friday when they were walking on a designated crosswalk and a driver struck them.
Authorities on Saturday said the pedestrians were pronounced dead at the scene in Boone. The Boone Police Department identified them as Tracy Marie Lindamore, 52, and James Leroy Lindamore Jr., 54, both of Frostburg, Maryland.
The crash happened around 11 p.m. Friday. Police said the driver, Madison Jane Mahagan, 21, of Durham, was arrested and charged with driving while impaired. It was not immediately clear Saturday if she has an attorney who could comment on her behalf.
Authorities say the crash remains under investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-09-05--Northeast Nebraska man convicted of dismemberment killing

DAKOTA CITY , Neb .
( AP ) - A northeastern Nebraska man has been convicted of killing and dismembering another man after the case was repeatedly delayed over questions about his mental competence .
Andres Surber , 29 , of Wakefield , was found guilty Thursday of first-degree murder and two weapons counts in the Nov. 1 , 2016 , death of 42-year-old Kraig Kubik , the Lincoln Journal Star reports .
Authorities say Surber and Brayan Galvan-Hernandez killed Kubik at Kubik ’ s home in Emerson .
Officials believe the pair shot Kubik to death when he refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car that once belonged to Surber .
Kublk ’ s dismembered body was found in a culvert four days after he was reported missing , and other body parts of Kubik ’ s were found in the trunk of a car .
Galvan-Hernandez was convicted and sentenced to 50 to 60 years in prison in 2017 .
But Surber was found repeatedly to be mentally incompetent before a judge eventually found him stable enough to stand trial .
Surber has been diagnosed with schizophrenic effectiveness disorder with bipolar symptoms and continually talks out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prosecutors say it ’ s just an act he puts on .
Surber will be sentenced at a later date .

DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (AP) - A northeastern Nebraska man has been convicted of killing and dismembering another man after the case was repeatedly delayed over questions about his mental competence.
Andres Surber, 29, of Wakefield, was found guilty Thursday of first-degree murder and two weapons counts in the Nov. 1, 2016, death of 42-year-old Kraig Kubik, the Lincoln Journal Star reports.
Authorities say Surber and Brayan Galvan-Hernandez killed Kubik at Kubik’s home in Emerson. Officials believe the pair shot Kubik to death when he refused their demands that he give them a car that once belonged to Surber.
Kublk’s dismembered body was found in a culvert four days after he was reported missing, and other body parts of Kubik’s were found in the trunk of a car.
Galvan-Hernandez was convicted and sentenced to 50 to 60 years in prison in 2017. But Surber was found repeatedly to be mentally incompetent before a judge eventually found him stable enough to stand trial.
Surber has been diagnosed with schizophrenic effectiveness disorder with bipolar symptoms and continually talks out loud to himself during court hearings. Prosecutors say it’s just an act he puts on.
Surber will be sentenced at a later date.


washingtontimes--2020-09-05--High schools at Omaha high school quarantined due to virus

OMAHA , Neb .
( AP ) - The varsity and junior varsity football teams at Omaha Creighton Prep are @ @ @ @ @ a player tested positive for the coronavirus .
Creighton Prep said through a notice to @ @ @ @ @ news release Saturday that all activities for the varsity and JV teams are suspended for @ @ @ @ @ reported .
The school said that all players on those squads and their coaches had @ @ @ @ @ to require a self-quarantine .
Freshman and reserve ( sophomore ) football teams , the @ @ @ @ @ be affected .
The state ’ s online tracker shows that 35,661 have tested positive @ @ @ @ @ have died from it .
The 7-day rolling average of the positivity rate in Nebraska @ @ @ @ @ two weeks from 8.64 % on Aug. 21 to 11.18 % on Friday , according @ @ @ @ @ Tracking Project .

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The varsity and junior varsity football teams at Omaha Creighton Prep are in a two-week quarantine after a player tested positive for the coronavirus.
Creighton Prep said through a notice to parents and later in a news release Saturday that all activities for the varsity and JV teams are suspended for now, the Omaha World-Herald reported.
The school said that all players on those squads and their coaches had enough contact with the player to require a self-quarantine. Freshman and reserve (sophomore) football teams, the school said, will not be affected.
The state’s online tracker shows that 35,661 have tested positive for the virus and 404 have died from it. The 7-day rolling average of the positivity rate in Nebraska has risen over the past two weeks from 8.64% on Aug. 21 to 11.18% on Friday, according to data from The COVID Tracking Project.


washingtontimes--2020-09-05--Man charged in vehicle killing arrested as he fled country

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Law enforcement authorities have arrested a Minneapolis man charged with vehicular homicide at Washington Dulles @ @ @ @ @ he attempted to catch a flight to Turkey .
The 34-year-old man , Said Sharif @ @ @ @ @ of intentionally killing a 31-year-old man , Idris Ali Yussuf , in Minneapolis on Aug. @ @ @ @ @ reported .
he two men allegedly got into a dispute at a bar .
A @ @ @ @ @ ran his vehicle into Yussuf and pinned him against another vehicle , according to a @ @ @ @ @ a lane of traffic and appeared to intentionally hit Yussuf , the witness said .
@ @ @ @ @ hospital and died of head injuries the next day .
U.S. Customs and Border Protection @ @ @ @ @ airport ’ s departure gate on Aug. 28 .
He was headed to Somalia , @ @ @ @ @ Maye will be returned to Minnesota , where prosecutors said they will add a second-degree @ @ @ @ @ proceeds to trial .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Law enforcement authorities have arrested a Minneapolis man charged with vehicular homicide at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia as he attempted to catch a flight to Turkey.
The 34-year-old man, Said Sharif Maye, has been accused of intentionally killing a 31-year-old man, Idris Ali Yussuf, in Minneapolis on Aug. 24, the Star Tribune reported. he two men allegedly got into a dispute at a bar.
A witness told police that Maye ran his vehicle into Yussuf and pinned him against another vehicle, according to a criminal complaint. Maye crossed a lane of traffic and appeared to intentionally hit Yussuf, the witness said.
Yussuf was taken to the hospital and died of head injuries the next day.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested Maye at the airport’s departure gate on Aug. 28. He was headed to Somalia, according to the agency.
Maye will be returned to Minnesota, where prosecutors said they will add a second-degree murder charge if the case proceeds to trial.


washingtontimes--2020-09-05--Coronavirus cases continue to rise in South Carolina

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - New cases of the coronavirus in South Carolina continue to increase as state health officials reported 918 more as of Saturday .
The Department of Health and Environmental Control said almost 15 % of the those new cases were in Richland County as college students return to the University of South Carolina and other campuses .
DHEC also confirmed 32 new deaths related to the virus .
According to data from the Associated Press , the rolling average of daily new cases over the past two weeks has increased by about 33 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded more than 122,000 cases of COVID-19 and at least 2,738 deaths .
Richland County led the state with the most new cases - 134 as of Saturday , The State reported .
Neighboring Lexington County had 61 new confirmed cases , while Spartanburg reported 92 new cases .
Ahead of the Labor Day weekend , health experts have warned of a possible spike in cases as residents take vacations to crowded beaches and students return to schools .
The number of active COVID 19 cases on University of South Carolina ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school announced Friday .
When classes for the fall semester began a little more than two weeks ago on Aug. 20 , the university had 46 active cases .
With a student population of roughly 35,000 , that means at least one in every 25 students currently has the virus .
“ Although our total number of positive cases remains high , this week we actually saw signs of a reduced campus case load and positivity rate , ” university President Bob Caslen said .
“ Following the holiday weekend , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campus in line with the anticipated national trend.
” Caslen said the university has leased 132 rooms from a local hotel for the next month to quarantine students who have been exposed to the novel coronavirus .
Caslen has also said the university ’ s high case counts can be attributed in part to the school ’ s aggressive testing , a policy he vowed to continue .
He and other school officials have cited student behavior , especially at off-campus events , as one of the main reasons for the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a virtual town hall Wednesday he has no immediate plans to shut down campus .
State health officials have said that the virus ’ progression has been slowing significantly in areas with face mask requirements and where residents are practicing social distancing .

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - New cases of the coronavirus in South Carolina continue to increase as state health officials reported 918 more as of Saturday.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control said almost 15% of the those new cases were in Richland County as college students return to the University of South Carolina and other campuses. DHEC also confirmed 32 new deaths related to the virus.
According to data from the Associated Press, the rolling average of daily new cases over the past two weeks has increased by about 33%.
Since March, the state has recorded more than 122,000 cases of COVID-19 and at least 2,738 deaths.
Richland County led the state with the most new cases - 134 as of Saturday, The State reported. Neighboring Lexington County had 61 new confirmed cases, while Spartanburg reported 92 new cases.
Ahead of the Labor Day weekend, health experts have warned of a possible spike in cases as residents take vacations to crowded beaches and students return to schools.
The number of active COVID 19 cases on University of South Carolina’s campus has risen to 1,443, the school announced Friday. When classes for the fall semester began a little more than two weeks ago on Aug. 20, the university had 46 active cases. With a student population of roughly 35,000, that means at least one in every 25 students currently has the virus.
“Although our total number of positive cases remains high, this week we actually saw signs of a reduced campus case load and positivity rate,” university President Bob Caslen said. “Following the holiday weekend, however, we anticipate an uptick in cases on campus in line with the anticipated national trend.”
Caslen said the university has leased 132 rooms from a local hotel for the next month to quarantine students who have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.
Caslen has also said the university’s high case counts can be attributed in part to the school’s aggressive testing, a policy he vowed to continue. He and other school officials have cited student behavior, especially at off-campus events, as one of the main reasons for the spread of the virus. He also said during a virtual town hall Wednesday he has no immediate plans to shut down campus.
State health officials have said that the virus’ progression has been slowing significantly in areas with face mask requirements and where residents are practicing social distancing.


washingtontimes--2020-09-05--Feds ask court to uphold Coast Guard officer's sentence

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - Justice Department prosecutors have urged a federal appeals court to uphold a prison sentence of more than 13 years for a former Coast Guard officer accused of plotting a terrorist attack inspired by infamous mass murderers and far-right extremists .
The arguments from federal prosecutors in Maryland came in a court filing Friday , about three months after attorneys for Christopher Hasson asked the 4th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals to let him withdraw his guilty plea or else throw out his sentence .
The main area of contention in the appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maryland properly applied a terrorism enhancement to the sentence of the former lieutenant , who was not charged or convicted of a terrorism-related offense .
Hasson ’ s attorney in the appeal argued that the defendant ’ s 160-month prison term was roughly four times longer than sentencing guidelines would have called for if U.S. District Judge George Hazel had not mistakenly applied the terrorism enhancement to the sentence .
Federal prosecutors on Friday countered that Hazel properly applied the enhancement .
Prosecutors wrote that by the “ plain wording ” of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirement that the defendant have committed a federal crime of terrorism .
All that is required is that the offense involved or was intended to promote a federal crime of terrorism.
” Hasson , 51 , pleaded guilty in October to possessing unregistered and unserialized silencers , being a drug addict in possession of firearms and illegal possession of tramadol , an opioid painkiller .
He is serving his sentence at a medium-security federal correctional facility in North Carolina .
Federal prosecutors have described Hasson as a domestic terrorist and self-described white nationalist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors said Hasson appeared to be planning attacks inspired by the manifesto of Anders Behring Breivik , the Norwegian far-right terrorist who killed 77 people in a 2011 bomb-and-shooting rampage .
Prosecutors also said Hasson drew up what appeared to be a computer spreadsheet hit list naming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic presidential hopefuls , including Elizabeth Warren .
He also mentioned several network TV journalists , including MSNBC ’ s Chris Hayes and Joe Scarborough and CNN ’ s Chris Cuomo and Van Jones .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rifles , and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition , when they searched Hasson ’ s basement apartment in Silver Spring .
Hasson had faced a maximum prison sentence of 31 years at sentencing .
Hazel said he believes the officer was preparing to carry out a “ mass casualty assault as a way to act out his white nationalist views .
”

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Justice Department prosecutors have urged a federal appeals court to uphold a prison sentence of more than 13 years for a former Coast Guard officer accused of plotting a terrorist attack inspired by infamous mass murderers and far-right extremists.
The arguments from federal prosecutors in Maryland came in a court filing Friday, about three months after attorneys for Christopher Hasson asked the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to let him withdraw his guilty plea or else throw out his sentence. The main area of contention in the appeal case is whether a federal judge in Maryland properly applied a terrorism enhancement to the sentence of the former lieutenant, who was not charged or convicted of a terrorism-related offense.
Hasson’s attorney in the appeal argued that the defendant’s 160-month prison term was roughly four times longer than sentencing guidelines would have called for if U.S. District Judge George Hazel had not mistakenly applied the terrorism enhancement to the sentence. Federal prosecutors on Friday countered that Hazel properly applied the enhancement.
Prosecutors wrote that by the “plain wording” of the sentencing guidelines, “there is no requirement that the defendant have committed a federal crime of terrorism. All that is required is that the offense involved or was intended to promote a federal crime of terrorism.”
Hasson, 51, pleaded guilty in October to possessing unregistered and unserialized silencers, being a drug addict in possession of firearms and illegal possession of tramadol, an opioid painkiller. He is serving his sentence at a medium-security federal correctional facility in North Carolina.
Federal prosecutors have described Hasson as a domestic terrorist and self-described white nationalist. In an earlier court filing, prosecutors said Hasson appeared to be planning attacks inspired by the manifesto of Anders Behring Breivik, the Norwegian far-right terrorist who killed 77 people in a 2011 bomb-and-shooting rampage.
Prosecutors also said Hasson drew up what appeared to be a computer spreadsheet hit list naming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic presidential hopefuls, including Elizabeth Warren. He also mentioned several network TV journalists, including MSNBC’s Chris Hayes and Joe Scarborough and CNN’s Chris Cuomo and Van Jones.
Investigators found 15 guns, including seven rifles, and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, when they searched Hasson’s basement apartment in Silver Spring.
Hasson had faced a maximum prison sentence of 31 years at sentencing. Hazel said he believes the officer was preparing to carry out a “mass casualty assault as a way to act out his white nationalist views.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-05--A reported 515 new Arkansas coronavirus cases, 9 more dead

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - There are a reported 515 new coronavirus cases in Arkansas on Saturday and nine additional deaths due to COVID-19 , the illness caused by the virus , according to the Arkansas Department of Health .
There are a total of 64,690 total cases and 882 people have died , the health department said , an increase from 64,175 cases and 873 deaths reported Friday .
The true number of cases in Arkansas is likely higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported 5,840 active cases and that 57,968 people have recovered .
The number of newly confirmed cases on Saturday is a drop from the record 1,094 new cases reported Friday and comes as health officials said they ’ re worried about the possibility of the outbreak growing during the Labor Day weekend .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including pneumonia , and death .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - There are a reported 515 new coronavirus cases in Arkansas on Saturday and nine additional deaths due to COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
There are a total of 64,690 total cases and 882 people have died, the health department said, an increase from 64,175 cases and 873 deaths reported Friday. The true number of cases in Arkansas is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The department also reported 5,840 active cases and that 57,968 people have recovered.
The number of newly confirmed cases on Saturday is a drop from the record 1,094 new cases reported Friday and comes as health officials said they’re worried about the possibility of the outbreak growing during the Labor Day weekend.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-09-05--Bond denied for Georgia trooper charged in fatal shooting

SYLVANIA , Ga. ( AP ) - A Georgia judge has denied bond for a former Georgia State Patrol trooper accused of murder in the August shooting death of a 60-year-old Black man who refused to stop for a broken tail light .
Screven County Judge F. Gates Peed on Friday ruled that it “ would be inappropriate ” to grant bond at the moment for Jacob Gordon Thompson , given the facts of the case .
Thompson , who is white , briefly chased Julian Lewis on Aug. 7 before forcing Lewis ’ car into a ditch and fatally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in his incident report that he feared for his life and fired one shot when Lewis revved his engine and turned his steering wheel as if he wanted to ram the trooper .
Thompson was arrested a week later on a charge of felony murder and aggravated assault by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation .
He remains in custody at the Screven County Jail , near the state ’ s South Carolina border .
Attorney Francys Johnson , who is representing the Lewis family , said that Peed ’ s denial of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the current movement for racial equality in American policing .
“ The unprecedented pace of the investigation is a direct result of years of activism on these issues along with a sea-change in law enforcement leadership at the top of the GBI , ” Johnson said in a statement Friday .
“ This case is not proceeding as business as usual.
” The incident report Thompson filed says he spotted a Nissan Sentra driving with a broken tail light at about 9 p.m. and turned on his lights to initiate a traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the driver flashed both his turn signals and motioned with a hand outside his window but made no effort to stop .
Thomspon wrote that he followed the car at speeds up to 65 mph ( 105 kph ) until the vehicle rolled through a stop sign .
The trooper then performed a maneuver that forced the car into a ditch .
Thompson said he pulled alongside the vehicle and drew his gun as he got out of his cruiser .
“ At some point , I heard the engine on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high rate of speed , ” Thompson wrote in his report .
“ I activated the light on my weapon and observed the violator with both hands on the steering wheel .
I saw him wrenching the steering wheel in an aggressive back and forth manner towards me and my patrol vehicle.
” He continued : “ It appeared to me that the violator was trying to use his vehicle to injure me .
Being in fear for my life and safety , I discharged my weapon once.
” The trooper ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thompson wrote that he tried to render first aid until paramedics arrived .

SYLVANIA, Ga. (AP) - A Georgia judge has denied bond for a former Georgia State Patrol trooper accused of murder in the August shooting death of a 60-year-old Black man who refused to stop for a broken tail light.
Screven County Judge F. Gates Peed on Friday ruled that it “would be inappropriate” to grant bond at the moment for Jacob Gordon Thompson, given the facts of the case.
Thompson, who is white, briefly chased Julian Lewis on Aug. 7 before forcing Lewis’ car into a ditch and fatally shooting Lewis in the head.
Thompson wrote in his incident report that he feared for his life and fired one shot when Lewis revved his engine and turned his steering wheel as if he wanted to ram the trooper.
Thompson was arrested a week later on a charge of felony murder and aggravated assault by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. He remains in custody at the Screven County Jail, near the state’s South Carolina border.
Attorney Francys Johnson, who is representing the Lewis family, said that Peed’s denial of bond for Thompson is a positive sign for the current movement for racial equality in American policing.
“The unprecedented pace of the investigation is a direct result of years of activism on these issues along with a sea-change in law enforcement leadership at the top of the GBI,” Johnson said in a statement Friday. “This case is not proceeding as business as usual.”
The incident report Thompson filed says he spotted a Nissan Sentra driving with a broken tail light at about 9 p.m. and turned on his lights to initiate a traffic stop in rural Screven County. He said the driver flashed both his turn signals and motioned with a hand outside his window but made no effort to stop.
Thomspon wrote that he followed the car at speeds up to 65 mph (105 kph) until the vehicle rolled through a stop sign. The trooper then performed a maneuver that forced the car into a ditch. Thompson said he pulled alongside the vehicle and drew his gun as he got out of his cruiser.
“At some point, I heard the engine on the violator’s vehicle revving at a high rate of speed,” Thompson wrote in his report. “I activated the light on my weapon and observed the violator with both hands on the steering wheel. I saw him wrenching the steering wheel in an aggressive back and forth manner towards me and my patrol vehicle.”
He continued: “It appeared to me that the violator was trying to use his vehicle to injure me. Being in fear for my life and safety, I discharged my weapon once.”
The trooper’s bullet hit Lewis in the forehead. Thompson wrote that he tried to render first aid until paramedics arrived.


washingtontimes--2020-09-05--Judge recommends criminal count dismissal in duck boat case

A federal magistrate judge has recommended that criminal charges be dismissed against three men indicted over a duck boat sinking on a Missouri lake that killed 17 people two summers ago .
U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush concluded Friday that charges should be dismissed because Table Rock Lake , where the boat sank in a storm , is not considered a navigable waterway under admiralty law , KCUR reports .
A 47-count indictment unsealed in June 2019 accused Curtis Lanham , the general manager of the boat ’ s operator , Ride the Ducks Branson , and Charles Baltzell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with a variety of neglect and misconduct charges .
An earlier indictment charged the boat ’ s captain , Scott McKee , with failure to properly assess incoming weather before launching the boat and not telling passengers to use flotation devices as weather conditions worsened .
Tom Bath and Tricia Bath , the husband and wife lawyers who represented Lanham , said in an email that the boat ’ s sinking was “ a terrible tragedy.
” But they said they believed it “ was caused by a once in a lifetime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions or the failure to act on the part of Curtis or any other employees .
”

A federal magistrate judge has recommended that criminal charges be dismissed against three men indicted over a duck boat sinking on a Missouri lake that killed 17 people two summers ago.
U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush concluded Friday that charges should be dismissed because Table Rock Lake, where the boat sank in a storm, is not considered a navigable waterway under admiralty law, KCUR reports.
A 47-count indictment unsealed in June 2019 accused Curtis Lanham, the general manager of the boat’s operator, Ride the Ducks Branson, and Charles Baltzell, the manager on duty that day, with a variety of neglect and misconduct charges. An earlier indictment charged the boat’s captain, Scott McKee, with failure to properly assess incoming weather before launching the boat and not telling passengers to use flotation devices as weather conditions worsened.
Tom Bath and Tricia Bath, the husband and wife lawyers who represented Lanham, said in an email that the boat’s sinking was “a terrible tragedy.”
But they said they believed it “was caused by a once in a lifetime storm and not as a result of actions or the failure to act on the part of Curtis or any other employees.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-05--San Diego State issues stay-at-home order for students

SAN DIEGO , Calif. ( AP ) - San Diego State University has issued a stay-at-home order for students living on campus to limit the spread of COVID-19 as they return for the school year .
The order is in effect Saturday and will last through 6 a.m. Tuesday , urging students to stay home through the Labor Day weekend , KNSD-TV reported .
The announcement was made Saturday , a day after the university reported an additional 120 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases linked to students both on and off campus .
There are now 184 confirmed and probable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said those who violate the order could face disciplinary action , but it did not detail what those consequences would be .
None of the cases are related to on-campus educational activities such as classes or labs and no employees , visitors or vendors have tested positive since the campus reopened Aug. 24 .
“ We need to have an environment that allows students to understand we want them to be proactive in testing , ” university president Adela de la Torre said .
“ And if we aren ’ t able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we see around campus will not stop .
”

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (AP) - San Diego State University has issued a stay-at-home order for students living on campus to limit the spread of COVID-19 as they return for the school year.
The order is in effect Saturday and will last through 6 a.m. Tuesday, urging students to stay home through the Labor Day weekend, KNSD-TV reported.
The announcement was made Saturday, a day after the university reported an additional 120 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases linked to students both on and off campus. There are now 184 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases on campus.
The university said those who violate the order could face disciplinary action, but it did not detail what those consequences would be.
None of the cases are related to on-campus educational activities such as classes or labs and no employees, visitors or vendors have tested positive since the campus reopened Aug. 24.
“We need to have an environment that allows students to understand we want them to be proactive in testing,” university president Adela de la Torre said. “And if we aren’t able to do this, the plague of parties we see around campus will not stop.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-05--Deposed president evacuated from Mali for medical treatment

BAMAKO , Mali ( AP ) - Ibrahim Boubacar Keita , the Malian president ousted by a military coup in August , was evacuated late Saturday to the United Arab Emirates for medical treatment , a diplomat said .
The 75-year-old ’ s health has been in question since he was hospitalized following his detention for 10 days by the military junta now in power .
He left Mali with his wife , Aminata Maiga Keita , an attache , two doctors and four security agents , said the diplomat with knowledge of the situation but who insisted on not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not permitted to speak to press on the matter .
The plane was dispatched by the United Arab Emirates following a request from Malian authorities and Keita , so he can be treated at a military hospital in Abu Dhabi , the diplomat said .
Keita had been moved to his residence earlier this week after hospitalization at a private clinic under the tight security of the junta .
Leaders of the junta had said they were open to whatever treatment he needed to get , even if in another country .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee for the Salvation of the People , is now running Mali under the leadership of Col. Assimi Goita .
Keita , who was first elected in 2013 , had three years left in his term when mutinous soldiers detained him at his residence after firing shots outside the house .
Hours later , he appeared in a midnight broadcast on state television , telling Malians he would resign immediately so no blood would be shed for him to stay in power .
Officials from the junta had said Keita was being held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection .
A protest movement against Keita ’ s presidency saw tens of thousands demonstrate in the streets in the months leading up to his overthrow .
A mediation delegation led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan met with Keita while he was in military custody , and they later told journalists that Keita did not want to try to return to power .
The international community has decried Keita ’ s ouster , and the regional bloc ECOWAS has imposed sanctions on Mali , shutting borders , halting financial flows and threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was one of the demands of ECOWAS , so his evacuation for medical treatment might play favorably .
There are worries that the political vacuum brought by the coup could allow Islamic extremists to expand their reach .
A similar coup in 2012 led to the militants overrunning major towns in the north where they implemented their strict interpretation of Islamic law , such as amputating the hands of those charged with theft .
A French-led military operation in 2013 ousted the extremists but the Malian military and its partners have faced an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two French soldiers working with Operation Barkhane were reported killed in the Tessalit region of northern Mali , according to a statement from French Defense forces .
They died after their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device , it said .
France has more than 6,500 soldiers currently engaged in foreign operations , with more than 5,000 as part of Operation Barkhane , according to the defense ministry .
“ In the Sahel , France is and remains engaged alongside Mali , Burkina Faso , Mauritania , Niger and Chad in this relentless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statement said .
Associated Press writer Carley Petesch in Dakar , Senegal , contributed to this report .

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) - Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the Malian president ousted by a military coup in August, was evacuated late Saturday to the United Arab Emirates for medical treatment, a diplomat said.
The 75-year-old’s health has been in question since he was hospitalized following his detention for 10 days by the military junta now in power.
He left Mali with his wife, Aminata Maiga Keita, an attache, two doctors and four security agents, said the diplomat with knowledge of the situation but who insisted on not being quoted by name because he was not permitted to speak to press on the matter.
The plane was dispatched by the United Arab Emirates following a request from Malian authorities and Keita, so he can be treated at a military hospital in Abu Dhabi, the diplomat said.
Keita had been moved to his residence earlier this week after hospitalization at a private clinic under the tight security of the junta.
Leaders of the junta had said they were open to whatever treatment he needed to get, even if in another country.
The junta, which calls itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, is now running Mali under the leadership of Col. Assimi Goita.
Keita, who was first elected in 2013, had three years left in his term when mutinous soldiers detained him at his residence after firing shots outside the house. Hours later, he appeared in a midnight broadcast on state television, telling Malians he would resign immediately so no blood would be shed for him to stay in power.
Officials from the junta had said Keita was being held at the barracks only for his own protection. A protest movement against Keita’s presidency saw tens of thousands demonstrate in the streets in the months leading up to his overthrow.
A mediation delegation led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan met with Keita while he was in military custody, and they later told journalists that Keita did not want to try to return to power.
The international community has decried Keita’s ouster, and the regional bloc ECOWAS has imposed sanctions on Mali, shutting borders, halting financial flows and threatening further sanctions.
Keita’s release was one of the demands of ECOWAS, so his evacuation for medical treatment might play favorably.
There are worries that the political vacuum brought by the coup could allow Islamic extremists to expand their reach. A similar coup in 2012 led to the militants overrunning major towns in the north where they implemented their strict interpretation of Islamic law, such as amputating the hands of those charged with theft.
A French-led military operation in 2013 ousted the extremists but the Malian military and its partners have faced an insurgency ever since.
On Saturday, two French soldiers working with Operation Barkhane were reported killed in the Tessalit region of northern Mali, according to a statement from French Defense forces. They died after their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device, it said.
France has more than 6,500 soldiers currently engaged in foreign operations, with more than 5,000 as part of Operation Barkhane, according to the defense ministry.
“In the Sahel, France is and remains engaged alongside Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger and Chad in this relentless fight against armed terrorist groups,” the statement said.
___
Associated Press writer Carley Petesch in Dakar, Senegal, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-09-06--Thousands of businesses got critical loans during pandemic

When a large swath of Connecticut was forced to shut down during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic , state officials quickly created an emergency loan program from scratch , hoping to help small businesses - from pizza shops to yoga studios - weather the economic crisis .
Months later , records obtained by The Associated Press through a Freedom of Information Act request show the fledgling Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program ultimately funded 2,123 one-year , no-interest loans , averaging $ 19,705 a piece .
Because of the massive flood of applications , officials decided to cap loan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 75,000 originally promised when the program was launched in March - to help twice the number of businesses .
The change was made after officials had to stop accepting applications the day after the program was announced and decided to double the $ 25 million investment to $ 50 million , underwritten by the state ’ s venture capital organization .
“ I think we made the decision , and I still to this day think it was the right one .
We wanted to touch as many businesses as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Department of Economic and Community Development .
Ashley Krauss , owner of A Little Something White bridal salon in Darien , said the $ 33,330 loan she received from the state , coupled with a forgivable federal loan , helped keep her seven employees working during the two months when there were no sales .
“ I didn ’ t furlough one person , let go anybody , ” she said .
“ I ’ m proud that I was able to do that .
I ’ m appreciative of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the thing that kept me up at night while this was going on.
” Connecticut was not alone in offering struggling small businesses no- or low-interest loans , or in some cases , grants .
Florida , Louisiana , Minnesota , New Jersey , New Mexico , Washington , Utah and Pennsylvania came up with programs after the pandemic hit , while many cities , including San Francisco , Denver and Chicago , also offered loans to local businesses .
Amounts have ranged from $ 3,000 to $ 100,000 .
In Connecticut , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s loans went to minority-owned businesses and 27.6 % were issued to women-owned businesses .
Full repayment is required one year after receipt of the funds , but applicants can request a six-month extension .
While Lehman considers Connecticut ’ s program a success , it appears unlikely it will be resurrected , despite calls for more help .
He contends small businesses would benefit much more from another round of funding for the federal Paycheck Protection Program , a forgivable loan program that was in the early stages of development when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lehman said Connecticut businesses fared well in the first PPP round , with 64,629 receiving a total of $ 6.7 billion in forgivable loans , averaging $ 104,000 per loan .
Additionally , 20,000 businesses received $ 1.4 billion in Economic Injury Disaster Loans offered by the Small Business Administration .
“ So when you compare that to the financial wherewithal of the state , ” Lehman said , “ our view is , this is not a Connecticut issue .
This is a nationwide issue .
And the federal government has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve got the fiscal bazooka.
” Roughly 80 % of the Connecticut businesses that received money from the state ’ s bridge loan program also received PPP funds , said Lehman , who did not rule out the state coming up with other ways to help small businesses .
Scott Dolch , executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association , said he ’ d like Connecticut to use about $ 60 million of the $ 1.4 billion the state has received in federal coronavirus aid under the CARES Act to create a grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Connecticut restaurants can ’ t afford to take on more debt .
He noted that Rhode Island last month began doling out grants averaging $ 15,000 to small businesses that can prove they ’ ve experienced a financial hardship due to the pandemic .
Two hundred restaurants have already received funds .
“ Obviously our restaurants are going to need it into the fall and winter when we lose outdoor dining and what ’ s that going to mean , ” Dolch said .
Andrew Markowski , Connecticut state director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members also like the idea of a grant program , as well as the continued relaxation of state regulations .
Dolch has been discussing with Lehman ways to possibly adjust current restrictions on restaurants , such as swapping the current 50 % capacity limits on indoor dining with 6-foot ( 2-meter ) distances between tables .
He suggested the state might also consider paying off the bridge loans with some of the federal money .
Democratic Gov .
Ned Lamont , a former businessman , said last week he understands the constraints facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regularly hears pleas from many competing interests for a share of the federal funds Connecticut has received .
But Dolch said this is an opportunity for Connecticut to be a leader in an effort that “ will pay dividends for everybody.
” “ We understand schools need it , we understand hospitals need it , we understand that , ” Dolch said .
“ But we also understand that our small businesses are going to matter when we get through this pandemic , when we get to 2021 and 2022 .
”

When a large swath of Connecticut was forced to shut down during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, state officials quickly created an emergency loan program from scratch, hoping to help small businesses - from pizza shops to yoga studios - weather the economic crisis.
Months later, records obtained by The Associated Press through a Freedom of Information Act request show the fledgling Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program ultimately funded 2,123 one-year, no-interest loans, averaging $19,705 a piece. Because of the massive flood of applications, officials decided to cap loan amounts at $37,500 - half of the $75,000 originally promised when the program was launched in March - to help twice the number of businesses.
The change was made after officials had to stop accepting applications the day after the program was announced and decided to double the $25 million investment to $50 million, underwritten by the state’s venture capital organization.
“I think we made the decision, and I still to this day think it was the right one. We wanted to touch as many businesses as possible,” said David Lehman, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development.
Ashley Krauss, owner of A Little Something White bridal salon in Darien, said the $33,330 loan she received from the state, coupled with a forgivable federal loan, helped keep her seven employees working during the two months when there were no sales.
“I didn’t furlough one person, let go anybody,” she said. “I’m proud that I was able to do that. I’m appreciative of the money I received because that was literally the thing that kept me up at night while this was going on.”
Connecticut was not alone in offering struggling small businesses no- or low-interest loans, or in some cases, grants. Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Washington, Utah and Pennsylvania came up with programs after the pandemic hit, while many cities, including San Francisco, Denver and Chicago, also offered loans to local businesses. Amounts have ranged from $3,000 to $100,000.
In Connecticut, records show 15.4% of the state’s loans went to minority-owned businesses and 27.6% were issued to women-owned businesses. Full repayment is required one year after receipt of the funds, but applicants can request a six-month extension.
While Lehman considers Connecticut’s program a success, it appears unlikely it will be resurrected, despite calls for more help. He contends small businesses would benefit much more from another round of funding for the federal Paycheck Protection Program, a forgivable loan program that was in the early stages of development when Connecticut announced its bridge loan program.
Lehman said Connecticut businesses fared well in the first PPP round, with 64,629 receiving a total of $6.7 billion in forgivable loans, so long as they meet certain criteria, averaging $104,000 per loan. Additionally, 20,000 businesses received $1.4 billion in Economic Injury Disaster Loans offered by the Small Business Administration.
“So when you compare that to the financial wherewithal of the state,” Lehman said, “our view is, this is not a Connecticut issue. This is a nationwide issue. And the federal government has the ability to print money and they’ve got the fiscal bazooka.”
Roughly 80% of the Connecticut businesses that received money from the state’s bridge loan program also received PPP funds, said Lehman, who did not rule out the state coming up with other ways to help small businesses.
Scott Dolch, executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association, said he’d like Connecticut to use about $60 million of the $1.4 billion the state has received in federal coronavirus aid under the CARES Act to create a grant program for small businesses. He said many Connecticut restaurants can’t afford to take on more debt.
He noted that Rhode Island last month began doling out grants averaging $15,000 to small businesses that can prove they’ve experienced a financial hardship due to the pandemic. Two hundred restaurants have already received funds.
“Obviously our restaurants are going to need it into the fall and winter when we lose outdoor dining and what’s that going to mean,” Dolch said.
Andrew Markowski, Connecticut state director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, said members also like the idea of a grant program, as well as the continued relaxation of state regulations.
Dolch has been discussing with Lehman ways to possibly adjust current restrictions on restaurants, such as swapping the current 50% capacity limits on indoor dining with 6-foot (2-meter) distances between tables. He suggested the state might also consider paying off the bridge loans with some of the federal money.
Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont, a former businessman, said last week he understands the constraints facing restaurants. However, he said he regularly hears pleas from many competing interests for a share of the federal funds Connecticut has received.
But Dolch said this is an opportunity for Connecticut to be a leader in an effort that “will pay dividends for everybody.”
“We understand schools need it, we understand hospitals need it, we understand that,” Dolch said. “But we also understand that our small businesses are going to matter when we get through this pandemic, when we get to 2021 and 2022.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-06--Summer of protest: Chance for change, but obstacles exposed

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Memorial Day brought the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police , prompting hundreds of thousands of Americans to take to the streets in protest .
President Donald Trump called Floyd ’ s death a “ disgrace ” and momentum built around policing reform .
But by Labor Day , the prospects for federal legislation have evaporated .
And Trump is seeking to leverage the violence that has erupted around some of the protests to scare white , suburban voters and encourage them to back his reelection campaign .
The three-month stretch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America ’ s summer has both galvanized broad public support for the racial justice movement and exposed the obstacles to turning that support into concrete political and policy changes .
It has also clarified the choice for voters in the presidential race between Trump , who rarely mentions Floyd or other Black Americans killed by police anymore , and Democrat Joe Biden , who argues that the summer of protests can become a catalyst for tackling systemic racism .
Polls show Biden has an advantage among Americans when it comes to which candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests .
An ABC News/Ipsos poll out Friday showed that 55 % of Americans believe Trump is aggravating the situation .
When it comes to reducing violence , Americans favor Biden to Trump , 59 % to 39 % .
“ No matter what he says or what he claims , you are not safer in Donald Trump ’ s America , ” Biden said Friday .
Yet Trump ’ s campaign also sees an opportunity to appeal to some voters who may be turned off by scenes of violence cropping up around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kenosha , Wisconsin , where police shot Jacob Blake , a Black man , seven times last month .
The president has openly directed his appeals at the “ suburban housewives of America ” - especially white housewives - casting his reelection as the only thing preventing violence in cities from spilling into their neighborhoods .
Trump traveled to Kenosha this past week , thanked law enforcement for their efforts and met with people whose businesses were destroyed in fires .
He did not meet with Blake ’ s family .
Biden did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit to the city .
“ I think that there was a lot of optimism surrounding the protests this summer in the wake of George Floyd because for the first time , we were starting to see all of these white people in the United States pay a great deal of attention to police brutality and racial injustice , ” said Ashley Jardina , assistant professor of political science at Duke University , and author of the book “ White Identity Politics.
” “ But white Americans have always had a low tolerance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. , and that ’ s particularly true when they think that protests become violent or involve the destruction of property , ” Jardina added .
The majority of racial justice protests have been peaceful .
But some , including in Kenosha and Minneapolis , saw vandalism and violence .
A Trump supporter is charged with homicide in the shooting death of two protesters , and an anti-fascist shot and killed a right-wing protester in Portland , Oregon , and was later killed during his arrest by law enforcement .
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local increases in shootings , murders and other crimes in cities , including Kansas City , Missouri , Detroit , Chicago and New York , even though criminal justice experts say the spike defies easy explanation in a year when with historic unemployment and a pandemic that has killed more than 180,000 people .
Crime overall remains lower than it has been in years past and criminologists also caution against a focus on crime statistics over a short time frame , such as week-to-week or month-to-month .
Dan Cooper , a white 51-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the protests and the Black Lives Matter movement but fears the vandalism is “ playing into the right ’ s hands.
” “ A few months ago they started off in a more BLM-focused way .
It does seem like they ’ ve lost their way a little bit , ” Cooper said of the protests .
Steve DeFeo , a white 49-year-old manager at an insurance company in Edgewater , Florida , shares that concern .
He said that while he supports the protests and the Black Lives Matter movement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to inaccurately portray the movement as dangerous .
“ That message gets amplified when you go out and spray-paint and throw rocks and light fires , ” he said .
“ When you see a burnt building , that is helping the wrong side of the narrative .
It ’ s not as effective for the BLM movement and keeping their message for what it should be.
” Black Lives Matter leaders have never asked for , encouraged or condoned looting or fighting with law enforcement or police supporters on the streets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done to their communities .
Thenjiwe McHarris , a strategist with the Movement for Black Lives , a coalition of more than 150 organizations , said Trump ’ s effort was a “ desperate tactic to paint our movement a particular kind of way to stoke fear in communities across the country and to try to steal this election.
” Federal police reform stalled on Capitol Hill after an initial burst of movement .
Nationwide , since late May , there have been at least 450 pieces of policing reform proposals introduced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the National Conference of State Legislatures .
Many states had finished their normal legislative session at the time of Floyd ’ s death and are planning to address police accountability next year .
Breanna Wright , 24 , of Louisville participated in more than 20 demonstrations in her hometown , where Breonna Taylor , a Black woman , was killed by police in March .
Wright says she remains focused on turning the protests into action .
“ Everyone is putting Black Lives Matter on the street , Black Lives Matter in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That changes nothing for me because next week they ’ ll murder me on your Black Lives Matter decorated street.
” “ I mean , it ’ s cute , you ’ ve tried — thank you !
It ’ s touching that you ’ ve done that !
— but the system has to change.
” Stafford reported from Detroit and Rico from Atlanta .
Associated Press writer Emily Swanson contributed to this report .

COLLEEN LONG, KAT STAFFORD and R.J. RICO

WASHINGTON (AP) - Memorial Day brought the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, prompting hundreds of thousands of Americans to take to the streets in protest. President Donald Trump called Floyd’s death a “disgrace” and momentum built around policing reform.
But by Labor Day, the prospects for federal legislation have evaporated. And Trump is seeking to leverage the violence that has erupted around some of the protests to scare white, suburban voters and encourage them to back his reelection campaign.
The three-month stretch between the symbolic kickoff and close of America’s summer has both galvanized broad public support for the racial justice movement and exposed the obstacles to turning that support into concrete political and policy changes. It has also clarified the choice for voters in the presidential race between Trump, who rarely mentions Floyd or other Black Americans killed by police anymore, and Democrat Joe Biden, who argues that the summer of protests can become a catalyst for tackling systemic racism.
Polls show Biden has an advantage among Americans when it comes to which candidate can manage the country better through the protests. An ABC News/Ipsos poll out Friday showed that 55% of Americans believe Trump is aggravating the situation. When it comes to reducing violence, Americans favor Biden to Trump, 59% to 39%.
“No matter what he says or what he claims, you are not safer in Donald Trump’s America,” Biden said Friday.
Yet Trump’s campaign also sees an opportunity to appeal to some voters who may be turned off by scenes of violence cropping up around some of the protests, including in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where police shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, seven times last month. The president has openly directed his appeals at the “suburban housewives of America” - especially white housewives - casting his reelection as the only thing preventing violence in cities from spilling into their neighborhoods.
Trump traveled to Kenosha this past week, thanked law enforcement for their efforts and met with people whose businesses were destroyed in fires. He did not meet with Blake’s family. Biden did, on Thursday, while on a visit to the city.
“I think that there was a lot of optimism surrounding the protests this summer in the wake of George Floyd because for the first time, we were starting to see all of these white people in the United States pay a great deal of attention to police brutality and racial injustice,” said Ashley Jardina, assistant professor of political science at Duke University, and author of the book “White Identity Politics.”
“But white Americans have always had a low tolerance for protests and unrest around race in the U.S., and that’s particularly true when they think that protests become violent or involve the destruction of property,” Jardina added.
The majority of racial justice protests have been peaceful. But some, including in Kenosha and Minneapolis, saw vandalism and violence. A Trump supporter is charged with homicide in the shooting deaths of two protesters in Kenosha, and an anti-fascist shot and killed a right-wing protester in Portland, Oregon, and was later killed during his arrest by law enforcement.
Trump has also tried to link the protests to local increases in shootings, murders and other crimes in cities, including Kansas City, Missouri, Detroit, Chicago and New York, even though criminal justice experts say the spike defies easy explanation in a year with historic unemployment and a pandemic that has killed more than 180,000 people. Crime overall remains lower than it has been in years past and criminologists also caution against a focus on crime statistics over a short time frame, such as week-to-week or month-to-month.
Dan Cooper, a white 51-year-old software engineer in Portland, remains supportive of the protests and the Black Lives Matter movement but fears the vandalism is “playing into the right’s hands.”
“A few months ago they started off in a more BLM-focused way. It does seem like they’ve lost their way a little bit,” Cooper said of the protests.
Steve DeFeo, a white 49-year-old manager at an insurance company in Edgewater, Florida, shares that concern. He said that while he supports the protests and the Black Lives Matter movement, he worries that violent protesters allow others to inaccurately portray the movement as dangerous.
“That message gets amplified when you go out and spray-paint and throw rocks and light fires,” he said. “When you see a burnt building, that is helping the wrong side of the narrative. It’s not as effective for the BLM movement and keeping their message for what it should be.”
National Black Lives Matter organizers have never asked for, encouraged or condoned looting or fighting with law enforcement or police supporters on the streets, because they are protesting the violent harm done to their communities.
Thenjiwe McHarris, a strategist with the Movement for Black Lives, a coalition of more than 150 organizations, said Trump’s effort was a “desperate tactic to paint our movement a particular kind of way to stoke fear in communities across the country and to try to steal this election.”
Federal police reform stalled on Capitol Hill after an initial burst of movement. Nationwide, since late May, there have been at least 450 pieces of policing reform proposals introduced in 31 states, according to a count by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Many states had finished their normal legislative session at the time of Floyd’s death and are planning to address police accountability next year.
Breanna Wright, 24, of Louisville, Kentucky, participated in more than 20 demonstrations in her hometown, where Breonna Taylor, a Black woman, was killed by police in March. Wright says she remains focused on turning the protests into action.
“Everyone is putting Black Lives Matter on the street, Black Lives Matter in their windows,” she said. “That changes nothing for me because next week they’ll murder me on your Black Lives Matter decorated street.”
“I mean, it’s cute, you’ve tried — thank you! It’s touching that you’ve done that! — but the system has to change.”
___
Stafford reported from Detroit and Rico from Atlanta. Associated Press writer Emily Swanson contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-09-06--As pandemic raged, roadways became speedways

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) - Some drivers took advantage of roads and highways emptied by the coronavirus pandemic by pushing well past the speed limit , a trend that continues even as states try to get back to normal .
The Iowa State Patrol recorded a 101 % increase from January through August over the four-year average in tickets for speeds exceeding 100 mph , along with a 75 % increase in tickets for speeds of 25 mph or more over the posted speed limit .
California Highway Patrol officers issued more than 15,000 tickets from mid-March through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more than a 100 % increase over the same time period a year ago .
That includes a continuing spike from May on .
The most likely explanation is drivers taking advantage of more open roads because of the pandemic , said Officer Ian Hoey , a spokesman for the California agency .
The patrol planned a heavy presence over the Labor Day weekend , he said .
“ Let ’ s just slow down a bit and enjoy the day !
” the agency ’ s Santa Rosa division tweeted June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a laser speed device recording a car going 127 mph .
In Ohio , state troopers have issued 2,200 tickets since April for driving more than 100 mph , a 61 % increase over the same time period a year ago .
The highest ticketed speed was 147 mph in the Cincinnati area .
While traffic has decreased 15 % from February through July , the number of people driving more than 80 mph on Ohio roads jumped by 30 % , according to sensor data analyzed by the state Department of Transportation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trend firsthand last month when three cars raced past her on state Route 315 , an expressway through the city .
“ They were flying in the left lane and weaving around cars , ” said Poltor , who estimated their speed at between 90 and 100 mph .
“ It was terrifying to watch.
” Ohio authorities are especially troubled that speeds not only picked up in the early days of the pandemic when roads were emptier , but they ’ ve also continued even as the state reopened and roads became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen people continue to go those speeds even though there now is more traffic , which makes it even more dangerous , ” said Lt. Craig Cvetan , an Ohio patrol spokesman .
July was Ohio ’ s deadliest traffic month since 2007 , with 154 fatalities .
A temporary reduction in traffic enforcement in the early days of the pandemic may have contributed to a sense of invulnerability by some drivers .
Some Ohio police agencies - though not the patrol - eased up on pulling drivers over for minor traffic violations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition , Ohio troopers were spread thin for several weeks as they were called on to help distribute food and later provide security as protests over police brutality and racism erupted following the death in May of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
“ When people see less troopers on the roadway or they see less law enforcement out working , there is that tendency for them to start committing traffic violations , ” Cvetan said .
Vermont law enforcement officials believe an increase in the number of traffic fatalities recorded to date this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the road because of the pandemic .
So far there have been 43 traffic fatality deaths , up from 21 at the same point last year .
Utah state police saw a 23 % jump in tickets issued for going 20 mph or more over the speed limit from March through August compared with the same time period last year .
In Pennsylvania , patrol tickets for drivers exceeding 100 mph climbed in March but then stayed high from June through August , jumping 25 % during that three-month period .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mid-July message aimed at pandemic speeding .
“ Less traffic has coincided with a rise in speeding in some areas of the country , and that ’ s a problem because speeding increases the risk of crashes , and can increase crash severity as well , ” said James Owens , deputy administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a public service announcement .
Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Ryan Foley in Iowa City ; Don Thompson in Sacramento , California ; Wilson Ring in Montpelier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lake City .

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Some drivers took advantage of roads and highways emptied by the coronavirus pandemic by pushing well past the speed limit, a trend that continues even as states try to get back to normal.
The Iowa State Patrol recorded a 101% increase from January through August over the four-year average in tickets for speeds exceeding 100 mph, along with a 75% increase in tickets for speeds of 25 mph or more over the posted speed limit.
California Highway Patrol officers issued more than 15,000 tickets from mid-March through Aug. 19 for speeds exceeding 100 mph, more than a 100% increase over the same time period a year ago. That includes a continuing spike from May on.
The most likely explanation is drivers taking advantage of more open roads because of the pandemic, said Officer Ian Hoey, a spokesman for the California agency.
The patrol planned a heavy presence over the Labor Day weekend, he said.
“Let’s just slow down a bit and enjoy the day!” the agency’s Santa Rosa division tweeted June 21, along with a photo of a laser speed device recording a car going 127 mph.
In Ohio, state troopers have issued 2,200 tickets since April for driving more than 100 mph, a 61% increase over the same time period a year ago. The highest ticketed speed was 147 mph in the Cincinnati area.
While traffic has decreased 15% from February through July, the number of people driving more than 80 mph on Ohio roads jumped by 30%, according to sensor data analyzed by the state Department of Transportation.
Columbus resident Karen Poltor experienced the trend firsthand last month when three cars raced past her on state Route 315, an expressway through the city.
“They were flying in the left lane and weaving around cars,” said Poltor, who estimated their speed at between 90 and 100 mph. “It was terrifying to watch.”
Ohio authorities are especially troubled that speeds not only picked up in the early days of the pandemic when roads were emptier, but they’ve also continued even as the state reopened and roads became more congested.
“We’ve seen people continue to go those speeds even though there now is more traffic, which makes it even more dangerous,” said Lt. Craig Cvetan, an Ohio patrol spokesman.
July was Ohio’s deadliest traffic month since 2007, with 154 fatalities.
A temporary reduction in traffic enforcement in the early days of the pandemic may have contributed to a sense of invulnerability by some drivers. Some Ohio police agencies - though not the patrol - eased up on pulling drivers over for minor traffic violations to avoid spreading the coronavirus.
In addition, Ohio troopers were spread thin for several weeks as they were called on to help distribute food and later provide security as protests over police brutality and racism erupted following the death in May of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“When people see less troopers on the roadway or they see less law enforcement out working, there is that tendency for them to start committing traffic violations,” Cvetan said.
Vermont law enforcement officials believe an increase in the number of traffic fatalities recorded to date this year could be linked to fewer police on the road because of the pandemic. So far there have been 43 traffic fatality deaths, up from 21 at the same point last year.
Utah state police saw a 23% jump in tickets issued for going 20 mph or more over the speed limit from March through August compared with the same time period last year. In Pennsylvania, patrol tickets for drivers exceeding 100 mph climbed in March but then stayed high from June through August, jumping 25% during that three-month period.
The government warned drivers to slow down in a mid-July message aimed at pandemic speeding.
“Less traffic has coincided with a rise in speeding in some areas of the country, and that’s a problem because speeding increases the risk of crashes, and can increase crash severity as well,” said James Owens, deputy administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a public service announcement.
___
Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Ryan Foley in Iowa City; Don Thompson in Sacramento, California; Wilson Ring in Montpelier, Vermont; and Lindsay Whitehurst in Salt Lake City.


washingtontimes--2020-09-06--Beirut search effort sparked by dog stops, no survivor found

BEIRUT ( AP ) - A search operation of a building that collapsed during last month ’ s deadly blast in Beirut stopped on Sunday after rescue workers said they did not find any survivors .
The operation in the historic Mar Mikhail district had gripped Lebanon since Thursday , sparking hope that a survivor might be found under the rubble a month after the blast on Aug. 4 that killed 191 people and wounded nearly 6,500 .
Seven people remain missing .
The devastating explosion of nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate at the port of Beirut caused widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital is still reeling from the blast , with a quarter of a million people made homeless by the impact of the explosion on apartment buildings .
The latest rescue operation began Thursday when a dog used by a Chilean search-and-rescue team signaled the detection of a possible human pulse under the rubble of a collapsed building during a tour of streets in the area .
Rescue workers used cranes , shovels and their bare hands in a meticulous search after a pulsing signal was then detected by a device .
The black-and-white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several times a day as aid workers removed debris .
Photos of Flash , in red shoes to protect its paws , circulated on social media and the dog became a hero to many Lebanese .
The head of the Chilean team , Francisco Lermanda , told journalists at the scene late Saturday they had not found any bodies amid the rubble .
Lermanda said the pulsing signals heard might have come from of a member of the rescue team .
In past days , the Chilean team had urged people on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off their mobile phones and remain quiet for several minutes at a time to avoid interfering with their instruments .
Lermanda said they will search a sidewalk after which they will declare the operation over .
It was not clear if a search for bodies would continue .
Two days after the explosion , a French rescue team and Lebanese civil defense volunteers had searched the same building , which had a bar on the ground floor .
At the time , they had no reason to believe anyone was still at the @ @

BEIRUT (AP) - A search operation of a building that collapsed during last month’s deadly blast in Beirut stopped on Sunday after rescue workers said they did not find any survivors.
The operation in the historic Mar Mikhail district had gripped Lebanon since Thursday, sparking hope that a survivor might be found under the rubble a month after the blast on Aug. 4 that killed 191 people and wounded nearly 6,500. Seven people remain missing.
The devastating explosion of nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate at the port of Beirut caused widespread damage to several neighborhoods. The Lebanese capital is still reeling from the blast, with a quarter of a million people made homeless by the impact of the explosion on apartment buildings.
The latest rescue operation began Thursday when a dog used by a Chilean search-and-rescue team signaled the detection of a possible human pulse under the rubble of a collapsed building during a tour of streets in the area. Rescue workers used cranes, shovels and their bare hands in a meticulous search after a pulsing signal was then detected by a device.
The black-and-white 5-year-old dog named Flash inspected the building several times a day as aid workers removed debris. Photos of Flash, in red shoes to protect its paws, circulated on social media and the dog became a hero to many Lebanese.
The head of the Chilean team, Francisco Lermanda, told journalists at the scene late Saturday they had not found any bodies amid the rubble. Lermanda said the pulsing signals heard might have come from of a member of the rescue team.
In past days, the Chilean team had urged people on the streets, including journalists, to turn off their mobile phones and remain quiet for several minutes at a time to avoid interfering with their instruments.
Lermanda said they will search a sidewalk after which they will declare the operation over. It was not clear if a search for bodies would continue.
Two days after the explosion, a French rescue team and Lebanese civil defense volunteers had searched the same building, which had a bar on the ground floor. At the time, they had no reason to believe anyone was still at the site.