washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Kansas moves to block COVID-19 lawsuits, restrain governor

TOPEKA , Kan. ( AP ) - Republicans on Friday were advancing a big package in the GOP-controlled Kansas Legislature that would shield businesses and health care providers from coronavirus-related lawsuits while also taking control of the state ’ s pandemic response from Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly .
GOP leaders expected both the House and Senate to vote by dawn Friday on a sweeping bill drafted by Republicans .
It reflects their view that Kelly is moving too slowly to reopen the state ’ s economy and has been too aggressive in imposing restrictions .
She imposed a statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 and plans to lift restrictions on businesses in phases through June 23 .
Democrats strongly opposed the curbs on Kelly ’ s power .
They also were skeptical of the protections against lawsuits , fearing such measures could prevent businesses from being held accountable for negligence or misconduct , even though supporters said that wouldn ’ t happen .
On Thursday , Kelly ’ s office stopped short of saying she would veto the GOP ’ s bill , but accused Republicans of trying to “ cram ” measures through the Legislature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday for one last day in session this year after a coronavirus-mandated break that started March 20 , and they extended their last day well past midnight to get all of their work done .
“ Everything tends to be suspect , even if it comes in a package that might look pretty , ” said Rep. Stephanie Clayton , a Kansas City-area Democrat .
“ We ’ ve seen ugly and strange things happen this late.
” The Republican plan would require Kelly to get permission from legislative leaders to keep businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granted to governors during emergencies after May 31 .
Legislative leaders also would have the final say over how the state spends $ 1.25 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds .
“ The oversight ’ s always good , ” said House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins , a Wichita Republican .
“ In this situation , a lot of people think she went too far , so this is how we deal with it.
” Kansas saw coronavirus cases rise to more than 8,600 as of Thursday , with more than 200 COVID-19-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But recent increases in cases have been driven largely by outbreaks in meatpacking plants , a state prison in Lansing and in the Kansas City area .
Twenty-one of the state ’ s 105 counties reported no cases as of Wednesday , and 48 had seen no new cases within the previous two weeks .
Kelly has said she ’ s open to protecting doctors , clinics and hospitals from lawsuits over decisions to delay non-coronavirus care during the pandemic .
But shielding businesses from lawsuits is a priority of Republicans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states considering it .
“ There may be good defenses , but with a class-action lawsuit , the goal is not to get all the way to trial with a jury and a judge .
It ’ s to get past the early phases of the litigation and put the pressure on the defendant to settle , ” said Harold Kim , president of the Institute for Legal Reform , an arm of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce .
“ The immediate concern is the uncertainty .
How do you remove this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen ?
” Republicans said businesses and medical providers still could be sued over negligence or misconduct .
But the Working Kansas Alliance , a coalition of union groups , argued the bill could grant “ total immunity ” and labeled it “ dangerous.
” Rep. Jim Ward , a Wichita Democrat and attorney , said considering protections from lawsuits normally would require months of work .
“ These were significant pieces of legislation that were thrown together haphazardly and thrown together in a quilt , ” Ward said .
Because legislators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again this year after they adjourned Friday , they could not override a Kelly veto .
But Republicans hoped passing a bill would box Kelly in because her existing state of emergency , allowing her to tap broad powers for a response , remains in effect only through Memorial Day .
The bill would extend the state of emergency through May 31 , then require Kelly to get legislative leaders ’ permission to extend it .
If the state of emergency ends , some 30 orders that Kelly issued would expire .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s economy , as well as others banning evictions for people who can ’ t pay their rent during the pandemic and prohibiting utilities from cutting off services for customers who fall behind on their bills .
Many Democrats believe Kelly could declare another state of emergency .
However , state Attorney General Derek Schmidt , a Republican , issued a legal opinion late Wednesday saying that Kansas law doesn ’ t allow multiple declarations during the same emergency .
His opinion is non-binding , but could inspire legal challenges @ @ @ @ @ @

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Republicans pushed a sweeping coronavirus measure through the GOP-controlled Kansas Legislature on Friday, aiming to shield businesses and health care providers from coronavirus-related lawsuits and take control of the state’s pandemic response from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.
Some Democrats predicted Kelly would veto the bill, but she said Friday in a media briefing that she was not yet ready to announce plans for specific bill signatures or vetoes.
“Just like the entire Kansas Legislature I also haven’t had time to read or review the complex and consequential legislation they passed in the middle of the night,” she said, describing the wrap-up session as the “most embarrassing, irresponsible display of government that we have witnessed throughout this ordeal.”
Democrats objected to curbing Kelly’s power and predicted that substandard nursing homes and manufacturers of defective personal protective equipment would be shielded from being held accountable in the state’s courts.
The bill reflects Republicans’ view that Kelly is moving too slowly to reopen the state’s economy and has been too aggressive in imposing restrictions. She imposed a statewide stay-at-home order from March 30 until May 4 and plans to lift restrictions on businesses in phases through June 23.
Lawmakers had convened Thursday for one last day in session this year after a coronavirus-mandated break that started March 20, and they extended their last day into Friday morning to get all of their work done. Democrats noted repeatedly that Republicans were passing their bill after President Donald Trump said publicly that Kelly and Arkansas’ Republican governor have “done a fabulous job” in handling the pandemic in their states.
“When you elect someone to be your general in the fight, you fire them in the middle of the fight and replace them with a committee,” said Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat. “That’s not the way you win a war.”
The Republican plan would require Kelly to get permission from legislative leaders to keep businesses closed for more than 15 days or to exercise other broad powers granted to governors during emergencies after May 31. Counties that could document a case for lesser restrictions could impose them.
Kelly would not be allowed to order the confiscation of guns or to block their sale - steps she has never contemplated.
Also, legislative leaders also would have the final say over how the state spends $1.25 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds.
The votes for the bill were 27-11 in the Senate and 76-34 in the House and sent the measure to Kelly. Legislators adjourned their session immediately following the House vote, nearly 24 hours after they had convened.
Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, U.S. Senate candidate and vocal Kelly critic, argued that “financial security is just as important in our culture as health security.”
“We are here to protect Kansans’ health and to protect their pocketbooks,” Wagle said, urging colleagues to support the bill.
Kelly has said she’s open to protecting doctors, clinics and hospitals from lawsuits over decisions to delay non-coronavirus care during the pandemic. But shielding businesses from lawsuits is a priority of Republicans and business groups nationally, with Congress and other states considering it.
“There may be good defenses, but with a class-action lawsuit, the goal is not to get all the way to trial with a jury and a judge. It’s to get past the early phases of the litigation and put the pressure on the defendant to settle,” said Harold Kim, president of the Institute for Legal Reform, an arm of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The immediate concern is the uncertainty. How do you remove this cloud of liability as businesses are trying to reopen?”
But the Working Kansas Alliance, a coalition of union groups, argued the bill could grant “total immunity” and labeled it “dangerous.”
Carmichael noted that some but not all businesses, including manufacturers of personal protective equipment and nursing homes, would be protected from lawsuits for negligence over coronavirus infections. Carmichael said a “negligent Chinese manufacturer” might have more protection than a Main Street business.
Because legislators adjourned for the year, they cannot override a Kelly veto. But Republicans hoped passing a bill would box Kelly in because her existing state of emergency, allowing her to tap broad powers for a response, remains in effect only through Memorial Day.
The bill would extend the state of emergency through May 31, then require Kelly to get legislative leaders’ permission to extend it.
If the state of emergency ends, some 30 orders that Kelly issued would expire. They include orders for a phased reopening of the state’s economy, as well as others banning evictions for people who can’t pay their rent during the pandemic and prohibiting utilities from cutting off services for customers who fall behind on their bills.
Many Democrats believe Kelly could declare another state of emergency. However, state Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, issued a legal opinion late Wednesday saying that Kansas law doesn’t allow multiple declarations during the same emergency. His opinion is non-binding, but could inspire legal challenges to Kelly’s actions.
___
Heather Hollingsworth contributed to this report from Mission, Kansas. Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Vermont restaurants to open outside, with conditions

MONTPELIER , Vt. ( AP ) - Beginning Friday , Vermonters seeking to eat at restaurants once again during the @ @ @ @ @ able to do so .
The rules that take effect Friday , allow outdoor dining @ @ @ @ @ strict guidelines , including that tables be spaced a minimum of 10 feet apart and @ @ @ @ @ and a total of no more than 10 people may be seated at the same @ @ @ @ @ required and disposable or single-use condiment packages are encouraged .
Operators must maintain a log @ @ @ @ @ that contact tracing is required .
The Vermont Air National Guard will be honoring the @ @ @ @ @ workers with a flight of four F-35 fighter jets over the state ’ s hospitals @ @ @ @ @ planes will take off from the South Burlington airport about noon and then fly over @ @ @ @ @ all four corners of the state .
The entire flight is scheduled to take about @ @ @

MARSHFIELD, Vt. (AP) - Outdoor dining at restaurants was allowed in Vermont with restrictions Friday as state officials announced more reopenings after coronavirus-related shutdowns, including many health care services.
Churches may open to 25% of capacity starting Saturday, and barbers and hair salons will be permitted to reopen May 29, Gov. Phil Scott said, adding that he expected to have a time frame for gyms and spas in a week.
“I believe these steps forward will be welcome news for many. And because most Vermonters are being smart and staying safe, our data continues to show we’re moving in the right direction,” the Republican said.
Vermont continues to have the second slowest doubling rate of virus cases in the country after Hawaii, said Michael Pieciak, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation.
In the previous week, Vermont reported fewer than 20 new cases, but the state needs to watch its neighbors as it continues to reopen, he said.
New Hampshire had about 571 new cases, Massachusetts reported roughly 8,500 and New York had about 16,000 in the past seven days, Pieciak said.
“I am being very cautious about this,” said Scott, a Republican. “I don’t want to lose ground.”
Inpatient surgeries and procedures were allowed to resume with safety requirements immediately, as well as doctor’s visits and outpatient services such as alcohol and drug and mental health counseling, said Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine.
Acupuncturists, chiropractors, physical and occupational therapists, and opticians and optometrists may also reopen, he said. Dentists may do procedures that are a low risk of generating airborne particles between now and June 1, when it’s expected other procedures will be allowed, Levine said.
But traditional fairs and festivals are canceled for the season, Scott said.
“We’re just not ready for large, unstructured events with hundreds if not thousands of people coming into one area without control and ability to physically separate,” he said.
Under the outdoor dining rules effective Friday, restaurants must follow strict guidelines, including that tables be at least 10 feet (3 meters) apart and that members of only two households and no more than 10 people be seated at a table.
Disposable menus are required, and disposable or single-use condiment packages are encouraged. Operators must maintain a log of customers in the event that contact tracing is required.
___
MILITARY FLYOVER
The Vermont Air National Guard honored health care workers Friday with a flight of four F-35 fighter jets over the state’s hospitals.
The planes took off from the South Burlington airport about noon Friday and then flew over hospitals and other locations across the state. The entire flight was scheduled to take a little over an hour.
___
UNEMPLOYMENT
Vermont’s unemployment rate soared to 15.6% in April amid the coronavirus shutdowns, up from 3.1% the month before.
The national unemployment rate in April was 14.7%.
Around Vermont, the jobless rate ranged from 13.1% in White River Junction to 24.1% in Derby and Morristown-Waterbury, the state Labor Department said Friday.
“As anticipated, the monthly numbers show the tremendous economic impact of COVID-19,” interim Labor Commissioner Micheal Harrington said in a written statement. “We are seeing an unprecedented level of economic disruption in our state, nation and around the world.”
____
THE NUMBERS
The Vermont Department of Health reported two new cases of the coronavirus Friday, bringing the total to 952. The total number of deaths remained at 54 for the fifth day in a row.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--In virus chaos, some find solace, purpose in helping others

NEW YORK ( AP ) - In April , as the coronavirus was ravaging New York , Susan Jones learned her older brother had been diagnosed with a blood cancer .
His supervisor at work launched a GoFundMe page to help with costs , and Jones shared it on Facebook .
What happened next stunned her .
While Jones , who works as principal ballet mistress at American Ballet Theatre , was confident her closest friends would help , she was stunned to see scores of colleagues - some she didn ’ t even know that well , and didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother - donating , despite their own economic challenges in a struggling dance community .
Jones found herself asking : Would the response have been the same just two months earlier , before the pandemic ?
She ’ s fairly certain it wouldn ’ t .
Instead , she thinks the instinct to help shows , along with simple kindness , how people are striving to make a difference .
At a time of helplessness , she says , helping others makes a mark on a world that seems to be overwhelming all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to keep control of their lives , grasping at anything to preserve who they are , ” Jones says .
That helping others can feel good is not just an anecdotal truth but an idea backed by research , says Laurie Santos , psychology professor at Yale University and teacher of the school ’ s most popular course to date : “ Psychology and the Good Life.
” “ The intuition that helping others is the key to our well-being right now fits with science , ” Santos says .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending our time and money on other people can often make us happier than spending that same time or money on ourselves.
” “ Taking time to do something nice for someone else , ” she says , “ is a powerful strategy for improving our well-being.
” One recent day , Damien Escobar , a contemporary violinist based in New York whose touring gigs have been halted by the pandemic , was heading into a neighborhood chain drugstore when he saw a homeless man begging outside .
Escobar rifled through his pockets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he realized what the man was really seeking : a mask , so he could enter the store and buy water and essentials .
“ That blew my mind , ” says Escobar , 33 , who himself was homeless less than a decade ago , sleeping on the subways .
He also found that employees at a nearby parking garage were asking for spare masks .
“ There was a huge need here , ” he says .
He ’ d already been getting protective equipment to first responders , raising $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pivoted to a new campaign , “ Masks for the Masses , ” to get masks to the homeless and low-income families .
Escobar is clear about the benefits not only to those on the receiving end , but to himself .
“ I ’ m essentially unemployed .
I make my money on the road .
If I weren ’ t doing this I ’ d probably be stuck at home battling a bout of depression , ” he says .
“ They say once you get out of the world and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your problems don ’ t really exist anymore.
” In her practice , psychologist Catherine Lewis has often found people are happier when they can take action .
“ In the work of trauma , we know that people who have good outcomes are the people who are doing something - mobilizing , fighting back , ” she says .
“ The hardest piece is when you are stuck , confined , frozen.
” When the pandemic struck , Blake Ross , a 37-year-old mother of a toddler in New York , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market - in the field of event programming , as it happens .
During her break , she ’ d been enjoying the company of other young mothers .
Like many Manhattanites , it was the very density of the city that had led to her greatest pleasures there .
Suddenly “ all that was taken away , very swiftly.
” Ross wondered how she could remain connected with the world - not just with friends and family , but also people she didn ’ t know , those random , fortuitous encounters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She hit on the idea of a website to connect people who wanted to help with those who need it .
Taking a cue from her theater-industry background , she called her site “ Kindness of Strangers ” after the line in Tennessee Williams ’ “ A Streetcar Named Desire.
” Some 500 people from New York and around the world have signed on .
“ It ’ s been everything from ‘ I just want a friendly face to laugh with ’ to offering one-on-one yoga instruction , to an energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job-search coaching , tutoring children and reading stories , ” Ross says .
The service connected a choir teacher who wanted to keep the music going with a singer , and a librarian in Michigan with a librarian in Alaska .
Ross has partnered with Enlivant , which runs senior homes in 20 states , and has set up an adopt-a-grandparent program .
“ The essence of volunteering is that you feel wonderful after giving of yourself , ” Ross says .
“ You certainly get as much as you give.
” There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organized ones to simple scrawled signs in apartment elevator banks , from younger residents offering to go shopping for older ones .
That doesn ’ t mean , however , that traditional philanthropy is in good shape .
“ Sure , individuals and some nonprofits are stepping forward to help , ” says Marcia Stepanek , a professor in Columbia University ’ s Nonprofit Management Program .
But for the most part , she says , recent surveys of nonprofits show that donations are dropping precipitously because donors are “ skittish about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ COVID-19 is upending the sector , ” she says .
Be that as it may , many individuals are finding , in the process of reaching out to others , not only satisfaction and purpose but also perhaps a means of asserting their identity .
That ’ s how Jones , the ballet mistress , sees it .
Friends and colleagues have contributed nearly $ 6,000 to her brother ’ s care .
“ This virus has robbed us of our identities , ” she says .
Giving , she says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not alone , and lends us a sort of new identity.
” She adds : “ I ’ m feeling deeply touched to be on the receiving end of that .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - In April, as the coronavirus was ravaging New York, Susan Jones learned her older brother had been diagnosed with a blood cancer.
His supervisor at work launched a GoFundMe page to help with costs, and Jones shared it on Facebook. What happened next stunned her.
While Jones, who works as principal ballet mistress at American Ballet Theatre, was confident her closest friends would help, she was stunned to see scores of colleagues - some she didn’t even know that well, and didn’t even know she had a brother - donating, despite their own economic challenges in a struggling dance community.
Jones found herself asking: Would the response have been the same just two months earlier, before the pandemic? She’s fairly certain it wouldn’t. Instead, she thinks the instinct to help shows, along with simple kindness, how people are striving to make a difference. At a time of helplessness, she says, helping others makes a mark on a world that seems to be overwhelming all of us.
“People everywhere are trying to keep control of their lives, grasping at anything to preserve who they are,” Jones says.
That helping others can feel good is not just an anecdotal truth but an idea backed by research, says Laurie Santos, psychology professor at Yale University and teacher of the school’s most popular course to date: “Psychology and the Good Life.”
“The intuition that helping others is the key to our well-being right now fits with science,” Santos says. “There’s lots of research showing that spending our time and money on other people can often make us happier than spending that same time or money on ourselves.”
“Taking time to do something nice for someone else,” she says, “is a powerful strategy for improving our well-being.”
One recent day, Damien Escobar, a contemporary violinist based in New York whose touring gigs have been halted by the pandemic, was heading into a neighborhood chain drugstore when he saw a homeless man begging outside.
Escobar rifled through his pockets and found a dollar or two before he realized what the man was really seeking: a mask, so he could enter the store and buy water and essentials.
“That blew my mind,” says Escobar, 33, who himself was homeless less than a decade ago, sleeping on the subways. He also found that employees at a nearby parking garage were asking for spare masks.
“There was a huge need here,” he says. He’d already been getting protective equipment to first responders, raising $50,000 from a charity concert, but pivoted to a new campaign, “Masks for the Masses,” to get masks to the homeless and low-income families.
Escobar is clear about the benefits not only to those on the receiving end, but to himself.
“I’m essentially unemployed. I make my money on the road. If I weren’t doing this I’d probably be stuck at home battling a bout of depression,” he says. “They say once you get out of the world and into the world of someone else, your problems don’t really exist anymore.”
In her practice, psychologist Catherine Lewis has often found people are happier when they can take action.
“In the work of trauma, we know that people who have good outcomes are the people who are doing something - mobilizing, fighting back,” she says. “The hardest piece is when you are stuck, confined, frozen.”
When the pandemic struck, Blake Ross, a 37-year-old mother of a toddler in New York, was testing the waters to re-enter the job market - in the field of event programming, as it happens. During her break, she’d been enjoying the company of other young mothers. Like many Manhattanites, it was the very density of the city that had led to her greatest pleasures there.
Suddenly “all that was taken away, very swiftly.” Ross wondered how she could remain connected with the world - not just with friends and family, but also people she didn’t know, those random, fortuitous encounters that make city life appealing for many. She hit on the idea of a website to connect people who wanted to help with those who need it.
Taking a cue from her theater-industry background, she called her site “Kindness of Strangers” after the line in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Some 500 people from New York and around the world have signed on.
“It’s been everything from ‘I just want a friendly face to laugh with’ to offering one-on-one yoga instruction, to an energy healer, offers to buy groceries, job-search coaching, tutoring children and reading stories,” Ross says. The service connected a choir teacher who wanted to keep the music going with a singer, and a librarian in Michigan with a librarian in Alaska.
Ross has partnered with Enlivant, which runs senior homes in 20 states, and has set up an adopt-a-grandparent program.
“The essence of volunteering is that you feel wonderful after giving of yourself,” Ross says. “You certainly get as much as you give.”
There are many such initiatives, from more organized ones to simple scrawled signs in apartment elevator banks, from younger residents offering to go shopping for older ones. That doesn’t mean, however, that traditional philanthropy is in good shape.
“Sure, individuals and some nonprofits are stepping forward to help,” says Marcia Stepanek, a professor in Columbia University’s Nonprofit Management Program. But for the most part, she says, recent surveys of nonprofits show that donations are dropping precipitously because donors are “skittish about the economy as well as the job market.”
“COVID-19 is upending the sector,” she says.
Be that as it may, many individuals are finding, in the process of reaching out to others, not only satisfaction and purpose but also perhaps a means of asserting their identity. That’s how Jones, the ballet mistress, sees it. Friends and colleagues have contributed nearly $6,000 to her brother’s care.
“This virus has robbed us of our identities,” she says. Giving, she says, “makes one feel included, not alone, and lends us a sort of new identity.”
She adds: “I’m feeling deeply touched to be on the receiving end of that.”
___
Follow AP National Writer Jocelyn Noveck on Twitter at http://twitter.com/JocelynNoveckAP.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--WVU Coliseum selling old seats ahead of remodeling

MORGANTOWN , W.Va. ( AP ) - West Virginia University is selling off the old WVU Coliseum seats before installing @ @ @ @ @ , the college said this week .
WVU basketball season ticket holders can buy their @ @ @ @ @ and the general public can get them for $ 150 .
The 50-year-old seats are @ @ @ @ @ The for-sale seats only consist of the plastic seatbacks and bottoms because the way they @ @ @ @ @ bases and armrests from being included .
You can buy the seats at wvugame.com but @ @ @ @ @ during a selected date and time over the summer .
WVU says it will not @ @ @ @

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia University is selling off the old WVU Coliseum seats before installing new ones later this year, the college said this week.
WVU basketball season ticket holders can buy their own seats for $100 and the general public can get them for $150. The 50-year-old seats are being replaced this off-season.
The for-sale seats only consist of the plastic seatbacks and bottoms because the way they were installed prevents the metal bases and armrests from being included.
You can buy the seats at wvugame.com but must pick them up in-person during a selected date and time over the summer. WVU says it will not ship the seats.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Huttonsville prison virus cases reach 6

Huttonsville prison virus cases reach 6

HUTTONSVILLE , W.Va. ( AP ) - At least six people from the Huttonsville Correctional Center have now tested positive @ @ @ @ @ said Thursday .
Figures released by the state show four staffers and two inmates of @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
Officials said the four employees are recovering at home in good condition @ @ @ @ @ been quarantined since Monday .
The state corrections department reported the first case at the @ @ @ @ @ since moved to carryout widespread testing at the facility .
For most people , the @ @ @ @ @ moderate symptom .
But for others , especially older adults and those with existing health @ @ @ @ @ more severe illness , including life-threatening pneumonia .

HUTTONSVILLE, W.Va. (AP) - Widespread coronavirus testing at Huttonsville Correctional Center found 25 additional cases at the West Virginia facility, officials said Friday.
Gov. Jim Justice ordered testing for all other inmates after the new cases were confirmed, the state Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety said in a news release.
On Thursday, officials said at least six people, including four staffers and two inmates, had tested positive at the Randolph County prison. Four additional staffers are also positive, the Friday release said.
The positive staffers are all in good condition and are recovering at home, and the positive inmates are in good or fair condition in medical isolation at the facility, officials said. Friday’s results bring the total number of inmates confirmed with COVID-19 statewide to 27, all at Huttonsville. All eight active corrections staff cases in the state are also at Huttonsville.
The state corrections department reported the first case at the prison on Monday.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptom. But for others, especially older adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including life-threatening pneumonia.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--3 Kentucky students chosen as 2020 Presidential Scholars

LOUISVILLE , Ky. ( AP ) - Three Kentucky students are among the 161 high school seniors included in the @ @ @ @ @ are recognized for accomplishments in academics , the arts and career and technical education fields @ @ @ @ @ Education said in a news release .
The Kentucky students are Megan Rose Johnston of @ @ @ @ @ Raymond Micheal Suo of duPont Manual Magnet High School and Kathleen Criner of Paducah Tilghman @ @ @ @ @ selected annually based on academic success , artistic and technical excellence , essays , school @ @ @ @ @ of community service , leadership and commitment to high ideals , the release said .
@ @ @ @ @ was created in 1964 .
The Presidential Scholars Class of 2020 will be recognized this @ @ @ @ @ circumstances permit .

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Three Kentucky students are among the 161 high school seniors included in the Presidential Scholars.
The students are recognized for accomplishments in academics, the arts and career and technical education fields, the U.S. Department of Education said in a news release.
The Kentucky students are Megan Rose Johnston of Boyle County High School, Raymond Micheal Suo of duPont Manual Magnet High School and Kathleen Criner of Paducah Tilghman High School.
Scholars are selected annually based on academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts and evidence of community service, leadership and commitment to high ideals, the release said.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was created in 1964. The Presidential Scholars Class of 2020 will be recognized this summer, as public health circumstances permit.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Plans unveiled for new medical campus in Lexington

LEXINGTON , Ky. ( AP ) - Baptist Health Lexington has announced plans to build a medical campus that will @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky ’ s second-largest city .
Officials say long-term plans call for a hospital , @ @ @ @ @ other buildings containing retail and medical office space and two parking garages in Lexington .
@ @ @ @ @ billion construction project is expected to begin this year .
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton and @ @ @ @ @ Sisson made the announcement Thursday .
The medical campus is expected to create 600 to @ @ @ @ @ part of its partnership with the city , Baptist Health is giving the city three @ @ @ @ @ fire station .
The land is valued at about $ 2 million .
Baptist also @ @ @ @ @ to city employees for 20 years .
The city says flu shots for its employees @ @ @ @ @ year .
The Urban County Council gave initial approval to the plan earlier this month @

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Baptist Health Lexington has announced plans to build a medical campus that will create hundreds of jobs in Kentucky’s second-largest city.
Officials say long-term plans call for a hospital, a surgery center, 12 other buildings containing retail and medical office space and two parking garages in Lexington.
Work on the $1 billion construction project is expected to begin this year. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton and Baptist Health Lexington President William Sisson made the announcement Thursday.
The medical campus is expected to create 600 to 700 new jobs.
As part of its partnership with the city, Baptist Health is giving the city three acres for construction of a fire station. The land is valued at about $2 million.
Baptist also will provide annual flu shots to city employees for 20 years. The city says flu shots for its employees cost about $40,000 a year.
The Urban County Council gave initial approval to the plan earlier this month.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--3 Tennessee students named Presidential Scholars

MEMPHIS , Tenn. ( AP ) - Education officials say three high school seniors from Tennessee have been named to @ @ @ @ @ of U.S. Presidential Scholars .
The U.S. Department of Education said in a news release @ @ @ @ @ among the 161 high school seniors recognized for accomplishments in academics , the arts , @ @ @ @ @ fields .
The students are Benjamin Charles Perry of Merrol Hyde Magnet School in Hendersonville @ @ @ @ @ High School in Nolensville ; and Maggie A. Wilkinson of Chattanooga High Center for Creative @ @ @ @ @ scholar selections are based on academic success , artistic and technical excellence , essays , @ @ @ @ @ evidence of community service and leadership .

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Education officials say three high school seniors from Tennessee have been named to this year’s class of U.S. Presidential Scholars.
The U.S. Department of Education said in a news release Thursday that the students are among the 161 high school seniors recognized for accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.
The students are Benjamin Charles Perry of Merrol Hyde Magnet School in Hendersonville; Sydney Hummel of Nolensville High School in Nolensville; and Maggie A. Wilkinson of Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts in Ooltewah.
Presidential scholar selections are based on academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, evidence of community service and leadership.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Tennessee extends free child care, expands eligibility

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - Tennessee officials are extending free pandemic child care for essential workers until mid-August @ @ @ @ @ of workers qualify for the program .
The Tennessee Department of Human Services says the @ @ @ @ @ the financial , religious , utility and hotel industries , among others .
The offer @ @ @ @ @ network of temporary care locations .
The department will arrange payments for care with licensed @ @ @ @ @ for the initiative .
Eligible workers can apply online .
Essential workers with school-aged children @ @ @ @ @ temporary and emergency child care locations set up by the YMCA and the Boys & @ @ @ @ @ Other eligible essential workers include include employees of a health care entity , law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ officers , military , activated National Guard , human and social services workers , postal @ @ @ @ @ restaurant workers or grocery workers .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Gov. Bill Lee on Friday promised business leaders that he would send the National Guard to help their companies with COVID-19 testing should they ask for it.
Lee made the announcement while speaking on a livestream for a Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry event, where the Republican touted the state’s high testing rate while repeatedly pointing out that Tennessee was one of the first states in the country to reopen during the coronavirus outbreak.
The event was not included on Lee’s weekly public schedule.
During the middle of his remarks, Lee urged businesses to “engage in testing” as Tennessee continues to lift restrictions that were implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We will have the National Guard show up at your place and do testing with large sections of your employees,” Lee said. “It’s not only important for your employees to feel safe, but for your customers to feel safe and for Tennessee to continue to have a very good picture of the state of the virus in our general population and that can come from the private sector.”
It is unclear if businesses are already requesting and receiving testing support from the National Guard. Lee’s spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment.
Lee also said he wants to help protect businesses from lawsuits over the pandemic, pointing to his work about nine years ago leading an advocacy group that supported former GOP Gov. Bill Haslam’s tort reform agenda.
“I’ve had a longstanding belief that businesses need to be protected from frivolous and inappropriate litigation that ties them up and we want to do that certainly here,” Lee said.
Also Friday, Lee signed a new executive order allowing bars, night clubs and other limited service restaurants to reopen across most of Tennessee as long as they only serve customers at tables and follow other social distancing guidelines. Such establishment may continue carry-out and delivery service for food or drinks.
As of Friday, the state has confirmed more than 19,300 COVID-19 cases in the outbreak, including 315 deaths.
Last month, Lee began pushing to expand testing to any Tennessean regardless of whether they show traditional COVID-19 symptom when he began reopening most of the state.
Since then, he’s also required testing to be conducted on all of the residents and staff at all of the state’s 700 nursing homes, as well as require testing at all of the state’s prisons.
As of this week, 45% of nursing homes had completed testing at their facilities.
At the same time, Tennessee is currently experiencing its highest monthly unemployment rate due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Department of Labor & Workforce Development, the preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April was 14.7%.
As a result, more than a half-million jobless claims have been filed.
Meanwhile, in Memphis on Friday, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said COVID-19 testing is scheduled to increase at the county penal farm starting June 8. More than 190 cases have been reported at the Shelby County Jail, which is separate from the penal farm, the county’s prison.
In other virus-related news, Tennessee officials are extending free pandemic child care for essential workers until mid-August, while letting more categories of workers qualify for the program.
The Tennessee Department of Human Services says the expansion covers essential workers in the financial, religious, utility and hotel industries, among others.
The offer involves payment assistance and a network of temporary care locations.
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Adrian Sainz in Memphis contributed to this report.
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Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--New York eases ban on gatherings, allows up to 10 people to congregate as long as they maintain soci

NEW YORK ( AP ) - New York eases ban on gatherings , allows up to 10 people to congregate @ @ @ @ @ social distancing .

NEW YORK (AP) - New York eases ban on gatherings, allows up to 10 people to congregate as long as they maintain social distancing.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Oregon gov. approves Clackamas County phase 1 reopening

OREGON CITY , Ore. ( AP ) - Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown has given the green light to Clackamas County ’ s phase 1 reopening plan .
It will be the first of the state ’ s three most populous counties in the Portland metro area to start reopening restaurants , gyms , salons and bars with safety measures on Saturday , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
Gathering sizes are still limited to 25 people but the governor ’ s guidelines do allow malls , such as the Clackamas Town Center , to reopen if they can follow retail guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the only counties not yet approved to begin reopening .
Washington County applied Friday and is targeting a June 1 reopening date , while Multnomah County has yet to apply and is taking a more deliberative approach because of its size , population density and diversity .
The governor ’ s office said Friday that Clackamas County has met Oregon ’ s safety and preparedness prerequisites for reopening .
But according to the county ’ s reopening dashboard , that is not the case .
The governor has approved a variety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strictly meet her prerequisites .
Some elected officials in Clackamas County , such as the mayors of Oregon City and Estacada , have been loudly complaining about the shutdown of their businesses .
At least 147 people in Oregon have died from the coronavirus and 3,770 people in Oregon have tested positive for the disease .
The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients , and the vast majority recover .
But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness and death in some patients , particularly the elderly and @ @ @ @ @ @

OREGON CITY, Ore. (AP) - Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has given the green light to Clackamas County’s phase 1 reopening plan.
It will be the first of the state’s three most populous counties in the Portland metro area to start reopening restaurants, gyms, salons and bars with safety measures on Saturday, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
Gathering sizes are still limited to 25 people but the governor’s guidelines do allow malls, such as the Clackamas Town Center, to reopen if they can follow retail guidelines. That leaves Multnomah and Washington counties as the only counties not yet approved to begin reopening. Washington County applied Friday and is targeting a June 1 reopening date, while Multnomah County has yet to apply and is taking a more deliberative approach because of its size, population density and diversity.
The governor’s office said Friday that Clackamas County has met Oregon’s safety and preparedness prerequisites for reopening. But according to the county’s reopening dashboard, that is not the case. The governor has approved a variety of counties reopening plans that don’t strictly meet her prerequisites.
Some elected officials in Clackamas County, such as the mayors of Oregon City and Estacada, have been loudly complaining about the shutdown of their businesses.
At least 147 people in Oregon have died from the coronavirus and 3,770 people in Oregon have tested positive for the disease. The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients, and the vast majority recover. But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness and death in some patients, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Interior Secretary plans Grand Canyon visit for reopening

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK , Ariz. ( AP ) - Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is scheduled to be at the Grand Canyon this weekend to highlight the park ’ s partial reopening after it shuttered temporarily over coronavirus concerns .
The Grand Canyon has been opening intermittently with limited hours and services .
Entrance gates at the more popular South Rim will be open from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. until Monday .
Visitors , who will have access to some food services , hiking trails and bicycle rentals , are being encouraged to leave around sunset .
Bernhardt is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keable , whom he once worked with at the Interior ’ s Office of the Solicitor , and park staff .
Keable has been at the helm of the Grand Canyon for about two weeks .
Park officials said they ’ re following guidance from the White House , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , and state and local public health authorities and monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic while phasing in increased access .
The Grand Canyon ’ s North Rim , which usually opens in mid-May , remains closed .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes tourists through the Navajo Nation , also is closed .
Bernhardt visited a Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge and Petroglyph National Monument on the edges of Albuquerque , New Mexico , during his trip to the Southwest .
He also met with and spoke to tribal leaders in New Mexico and Arizona about the coronavirus , water supplies , the economy and access to public lands .
He joined officials in Prescott on Friday to talk about a planned solar power project in La Paz County .
-The Hualapai Tribe is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Grand Canyon National Park on June 1 .
The tribe said it will check the temperatures of tourists at Grand Canyon West , which features a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that juts out of the canyon walls , place hand sanitizer dispensers in key areas and seat fewer people in restaurants .
All employees will be tested for COVID-19 before the planned reopening , the tribe said Friday .

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) - Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is scheduled to be at the Grand Canyon this weekend to highlight the park’s partial reopening after it shuttered temporarily over coronavirus concerns.
The Grand Canyon has been opening intermittently with limited hours and services. Entrance gates at the more popular South Rim will be open from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. until Monday. Visitors, who will have access to some food services, hiking trails and bicycle rentals, are being encouraged to leave around sunset.
Bernhardt is expected to meet with park Superintendent Ed Keable, whom he once worked with at the Interior’s Office of the Solicitor, and park staff. Keable has been at the helm of the Grand Canyon for about two weeks.
Bernhardt has no planned public appearances Saturday.
Park officials said they are following guidance from the White House, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities, as well as monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic while phasing in increased access.
The Grand Canyon’s North Rim, which usually opens in mid-May, remains closed. The park’s East Rim entrance that takes tourists through the Navajo Nation, also is closed.
Bernhardt visited Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge and Petroglyph National Monument on the edges of Albuquerque, New Mexico, during his trip to the Southwest. He also met with and spoke to tribal leaders in New Mexico and Arizona about the coronavirus, water supplies, the economy and access to public lands.
He joined officials in Prescott on Friday to talk about a planned solar power project in La Paz County, and a land exchange the U.S. Bureau of Land Management approved last year that could expand mining in Pinal and Gila counties.
In other Grand Canyon developments:
-The Hualapai Tribe is preparing to open its tourist attractions west of Grand Canyon National Park on June 1. The tribe said it will check the temperatures of tourists at Grand Canyon West, which features a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that juts out of the canyon walls, place hand sanitizer dispensers in key areas and seat fewer people in restaurants. All employees will be tested for COVID-19 before the planned reopening, the tribe said Friday.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Police: 2 officers didn't help slain domestic abuse victim

LOUISVILLE , Ky. ( AP ) - Two Kentucky police officers were charged with failing to help a domestic violence victim who weeks later was allegedly killed by her boyfriend , investigators said .
Louisville Metro Police Officer Kiersten Holman and Officer Cody Luckett were charged Friday with failing to provide assistance required from law enforcement in connection with the January death of 33-year-old Amanda Berry , news outlets reported .
Police spokeswoman Jessie Halladay said Holman and Luckett had “ an encounter ” with Berry on Dec. 26 .
According to court records , Berry called police to report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , refused to let her leave the house .
She told Holman and Luckett that Sloss hit her , chased her down the street , took her back to the house and then took away her phone , authorities said .
But Holman and Luckett didn ’ t file a report nor did they arrest Sloss , authorities said .
A Public Integrity Unit investigation determined Holman and Luckett didn ’ t help Berry during their exchange .
Holman and Luckett were placed on administrative reassignment in March .
The case will move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any potential internal policy violations .
Berry was found dead in a basement on Jan. 30 .
Sloss was arrested days later and charged with murder and abuse of a corpse in connection to her death .
An arrest citation said Sloss and Berry lived together and witnesses saw Sloss “ violently beat ” Berry several times .
The citation said witnesses noticed Berry was missing and when they asked Sloss where she was , he said “ I got rid of her.
” It ’ s unclear whether Sloss or the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Two Kentucky police officers were charged with failing to help a domestic violence victim who weeks later was allegedly killed by her boyfriend, investigators said.
Louisville Metro Police Officer Kiersten Holman and Officer Cody Luckett were charged Friday with failing to provide assistance required from law enforcement in connection with the January death of 33-year-old Amanda Berry, news outlets reported.
Police spokeswoman Jessie Halladay said Holman and Luckett had “an encounter” with Berry on Dec. 26.
According to court records, Berry called police to report that her boyfriend, William L. Sloss, refused to let her leave the house. She told Holman and Luckett that Sloss hit her, chased her down the street, took her back to the house and then took away her phone, authorities said.
But Holman and Luckett didn’t file a report nor did they arrest Sloss, authorities said.
A Public Integrity Unit investigation determined Holman and Luckett didn’t help Berry during their exchange.
Holman and Luckett were placed on administrative reassignment in March. The case will move to the Professional Standards Unit to review any potential internal policy violations.
Berry was found dead in a basement on Jan. 30.
Sloss was arrested days later and charged with murder and abuse of a corpse in connection to her death.
An arrest citation said Sloss and Berry lived together and witnesses saw Sloss “violently beat” Berry several times. The citation said witnesses noticed Berry was missing and when they asked Sloss where she was, he said “I got rid of her.”
Sloss has a pretrial conference set for June 30.
It’s unclear whether Sloss or the two officers had attorneys who could comment.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Judge orders Los Angeles to move thousands of homeless

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - A federal judge on Friday ordered Los Angeles city and county to move thousands of homeless people living near freeways after an agreement on a plan fell through .
U.S. District Court Judge David O. Carter issued a preliminary injunction requiring the relocation , by Sept. 1 , of an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 people camping near freeway ramps and overpasses , saying they face a health risk emergency .
Carter ordered a status report on the relocation plan to be ready by June 12 , with updates to follow , and warned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he doesn ’ t see “ satisfactory progress.
” The city didn ’ t immediately release any comment on the ruling .
The injunction was issued in a lawsuit filed in March by the LA Alliance for Human Rights , which accused officials in greater Los Angeles of failing to comprehensively address the homelessness crisis .
A 2019 count by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority reported that there were close to 60,000 homeless people living in LA County - by far the largest single concentration in the state .
That included 36,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were up more than 10 % from the previous year .
The region has been struggling to deal with the growing problem but Carter said those living near freeways are at special risk .
They are exposed to pollution , including lead , that can shorten their life expectancy by decades and face a greater danger of being struck by a car or injured during an accident or earthquake , the judge said .
Their camps also block sidewalks , he said .
Last week , Carter gave the city and county until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for providing “ humane ” housing for the freeway-adjacent campers .
The judge said the city committed to creating 6,100 new shelter beds in the next 10 months but only if the county paid for services such as food , laundry and security .
The tentative agreement collapsed this week when L.A. refused to split what the judge called “ relatively minor costs.
” “ It is regrettable that this ongoing endeavor to develop humane and sustainable responses to the challenges of homelessness is beleaguered by a legacy of bureaucratic entanglement and gridlock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preliminary injunction , the city and county must provide shelter or alternative housing options , such as government encampments , safe parking sites or hotel and motel rooms .
The housing options must have security , showers and other hygiene facilities and enough space to maintain social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , the judge said .
The county already is renting rooms under Project Roomkey , a state program established during the pandemic to get thousands of homeless most vulnerable to COVID-19 off the streets temporarily .
Those rooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and those with existing medical conditions .
Other cities already have set up camping sites in response to the coronavirus epidemic .
In San Francisco , about 80 tents were set out on a street near City Hall as part of a “ safe sleeping village ” opened last week .
The area between the city ’ s central library and its Asian Art Museum is fenced off to outsiders , monitored around the clock and provides meals , showers , clean water and trash pickup .
Santa Rosa in Sonoma County welcomed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encampment with roughly 70 blue tents .
Portland , Oregon , has three homeless camps with city-provided sleeping bags and tents , and Maricopa County opened two parking lots to homeless campers in Phoenix .
Carter ’ s preliminary injunction says the homeless living near freeways must get advance notice before they can be removed and in the meantime , social workers and mental health workers should offer their services .
While homeless people can ’ t be forced into a shelter , the city and county will be allowed to enforce anti-camping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet from freeways .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
Associated Press writers Janie Har and Terence Chea in San Francisco contributed to this report .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A judge on Friday ordered Los Angeles city and county to move thousands of homeless people living near freeways after an agreement on a plan fell through.
U.S. District Court Judge David O. Carter issued a preliminary injunction requiring the relocation, by Sept. 1, of an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 people camping near freeway ramps and overpasses, saying they face a health risk emergency.
Carter ordered a status report on the relocation plan to be ready by June 12, with updates to follow, and warned that he would move up the deadline if he doesn’t see “satisfactory progress.”
“I’m very optimistic and I think all parties can come together,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said at an afternoon news briefing.
“I think we’re going to have a pretty historic partnership … under those broad shoulders of a federal court,” he said. “This finally is a moment where we can see in Los Angeles not just baby steps but I hope bold steps out of homelessness.”
The injunction was issued in a lawsuit filed in March by the LA Alliance for Human Rights, which accused officials in greater Los Angeles of failing to comprehensively address the homelessness crisis.
A 2019 count by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority reported that there were close to 60,000 homeless people living in LA County - by far the largest single concentration in the state. That included 36,000 within the city limits. Both figures were up more than 10% from the previous year.
The region has been struggling to deal with the growing problem but Carter said those living near freeways are at special risk. They are exposed to pollution, including lead, that can shorten their life expectancy by decades and face a greater danger of being struck by a car or injured during an accident or earthquake, the judge said.
Their camps also block sidewalks, he said.
Last week, Carter gave the city and county until Friday to come up with a plan for providing “humane” housing for the freeway-adjacent campers.
The judge said the city committed to creating 6,100 new shelter beds in the next 10 months but only if the county paid for services such as food, laundry and security. The tentative agreement collapsed this week when L.A. refused to split what the judge called “relatively minor costs.”
“It is regrettable that this ongoing endeavor to develop humane and sustainable responses to the challenges of homelessness is beleaguered by a legacy of bureaucratic entanglement and gridlock,” he added.
Under the preliminary injunction, the city and county must provide shelter or alternative housing options, such as government encampments, safe parking sites or hotel and motel rooms. The housing options must have security, showers and other hygiene facilities and enough space to maintain social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the judge said.
The county already is renting rooms under Project Roomkey, a state program established during the pandemic to get thousands of homeless most vulnerable to COVID-19 off the streets temporarily. Those rooms are reserved for those 65 and older and those with existing medical conditions.
Other cities already have set up camping sites in response to the coronavirus epidemic. In San Francisco, about 80 tents were set out on a street near City Hall as part of a “safe sleeping village” opened last week. The area between the city’s central library and its Asian Art Museum is fenced off to outsiders, monitored around the clock and provides meals, showers, clean water and trash pickup.
Santa Rosa in Sonoma County welcomed people this week to its first managed encampment with roughly 70 blue tents. Portland, Oregon, has three homeless camps with city-provided sleeping bags and tents, and Maricopa County opened two parking lots to homeless campers in Phoenix.
Carter’s preliminary injunction says the homeless living near freeways must get advance notice before they can be removed and in the meantime, social workers and mental health workers should offer their services. While homeless people can’t be forced into a shelter, the city and county will be allowed to enforce anti-camping laws to relocate them at least 500 feet from freeways.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
___
Associated Press writers Janie Har and Terence Chea in San Francisco contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Judge approves sale of Venezuela's prized US-refineries

CARACAS , Venezuela ( AP ) - A U.S. judge on Friday approved moving forward with the sale of Venezuela ’ s prized U.S.-based CITGO refineries , allowing a Canadian mining company to collect $ 1.4 billion it lost in a decade-old takeover in the South American nation by the late socialist President Hugo Chávez .
The ruling strikes a blow to Venezuela ’ s opposition led by Juan Guaidó , which was banking on profits from the Houston-based company to finance the crisis-torn nation ’ s recovery - if they were ever able to force President Nicolás Maduro from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leonard P. Stark of U.S. District Court in Delaware follows a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday that upheld an earlier ruling by Stark authorizing CITGO ’ s liquidation .
Before moving ahead with CITGO ’ s sale , the bankrupt Canadian mining company Crystallex must first get a license from U.S. Treasury officials , which had temporarily shielded Venezuela ’ s opposition from losing CITGO .
Crystallex and attorneys for Venezuela also have to agree on how it will sell CITGO , Stark ’ s latest ruling said .
Chavez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Venezuela concession and the local operations of other international companies as part of his Bolivarian revolution that has left Venezuela spiraling into deepening economic and political turmoil .
Crystallex , which went bankrupt , sued Venezuela to recover its lost investment in Venezuela .
The case is unique , because the court allowed Crystallex to attach assets of CITGO ’ s parent company , the Venezuelan state-run oil firm PDVSA , finding that Venezuela had erased the lines between the government and its oil firm .
Venezuela has owned CITGO since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has three refineries in Louisiana , Texas and Illinois in addition to a network of pipelines crisscrossing 23 states .
It provides between 5 % and 10 % of U.S. gasoline .
Guaidó , the head of Venezuela ’ s opposition-led National Assembly , claimed presidential powers in early 2019 , vowing to end Maduro ’ s rule and two decades of socialist leadership .
After the Trump administration recognized Guaidó as Venezuela ’ s legitimate leader , U.S. courts granted approval to a board appointed by the opposition to take control of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 billion .
However , more than a year later , Maduro remains in power , with firm military support at home and backing from key international allies including Russia , China and Iran .

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - A U.S. judge on Friday approved moving forward with the sale of Venezuela’s prized U.S.-based CITGO refineries, allowing a Canadian mining company to collect $1.4 billion it lost in a decade-old takeover in the South American nation by the late socialist President Hugo Chávez.
The case is critical to Venezuela’s opposition led by Juan Guaidó, which was banking on profits from the Houston-based company to finance the crisis-torn nation’s recovery - if they were ever able to force President Nicolás Maduro from power.
The order by Chief Judge Leonard P. Stark of U.S. District Court in Delaware follows a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday that upheld an earlier ruling by Stark authorizing CITGO’s liquidation.
Obstacles still remain before moving ahead with CITGO’s sale. The Canadian mining company Crystallex must first get a license from U.S. Treasury officials, which had temporarily shielded Venezuela’s opposition from losing CITGO.
Crystallex and attorneys for Venezuela also have to agree on how it will sell CITGO, Stark’s latest ruling said.
Chavez took over the gold mining firm’s Venezuela concession and the local operations of other international companies as part of his Bolivarian revolution that has left Venezuela spiraling into deepening economic and political turmoil.
Crystallex, which went bankrupt, sued Venezuela to recover its lost investment in Venezuela. The case is unique, because the court allowed Crystallex to attach assets of CITGO’s parent company, the Venezuelan state-run oil firm PDVSA, finding that Venezuela had erased the lines between the government and its oil firm.
Venezuela has owned CITGO since the 1980s as part of PDVSA. It has three refineries in Louisiana, Texas and Illinois in addition to a network of pipelines crisscrossing 23 states. It provides between 5% and 10% of U.S. gasoline.
Guaidó, the head of Venezuela’s opposition-led National Assembly, claimed presidential powers in early 2019, vowing to end Maduro’s rule and two decades of socialist leadership.
After the Trump administration recognized Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate leader, U.S. courts granted approval to a board appointed by the opposition to take control of CITGO, valued at an estimated $8 billion. However, more than a year later, Maduro remains in power, with firm military support at home and backing from key international allies including Russia, China and Iran.
The opposition led by Guaidó said in a statement that this step in the legal process was expected following the Supreme Court’s ruling. The action is a direct result of the “disastrous politics” and expropriations of Chávez and his successor, Maduro, the statement said.
“The legitimate government will continue fighting to protect our country’s assets,” the opposition statement said. “We are committed to maintain our defense on behalf of all Venezuelans.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--US intervenes in case challenging Pritzker's COVID-19  moves

CHICAGO ( AP ) - The U.S. Justice Department intervened Friday in a lawsuit challenging Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s stay-at-home order to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
The federal government filed a statement of interest in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis supporting the lawsuit filed by Republican state Rep. Darren Bailey challenging some of Pritzker ’ s actions in response to the pandemic .
The department is also challenging the moving of Bailey ’ s lawsuit to federal court and asserts Pritzker is acting in violation of Illinois law .
“ However well-intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear to reach far beyond the scope of the 30-day emergency authority granted to the Governor under Illinois law , ” Steven D. Weinhoeft , U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois , said in a written statement .
“ Even during times of crisis , executive actions undertaken in the name of public safety must be lawful.
” Bailey last month filed the lawsuit challenging Pritzker ’ s order , which included shutting down most businesses and churches .
Clay County Judge Michael McHaney ruled Bailey was not bound by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Pritzker ’ s stay-at-home order in a separate case but didn ’ t issue a statewide temporary restraining order .
Bailey is now attempting to broaden that ruling to make the order invalid for all state residents .
He contends the stay-at-home order is too restrictive and is unnecessarily jeopardizing people ’ s livelihoods .
Bailey ’ s attorney , Thomas G. DeVore , did not immediately return calls for comment .
However , he has accused Pritzker of “ forum shopping ” by sending Bailey ’ s case to federal court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to file a briefing in Clay County Circuit Court Attorney General Kwame Raoul ’ s office stated Thursday in its court filing that it was moving the case from state court because it involves U.S. constitutional rights of free religion and due process .
Annie Thompson , a spokeswoman for the office , said Friday that Raoul hand no comment on the Justice Department ’ s action .
Eric Dreiband , assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division , said in a statement that Pritzker owes it to Illinois residents to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s laws allow orders he issued in response to the pandemic .
“ The United States Constitution and state constitutions established a system of divided and limited governmental power , and they did so to secure the blessings of liberty to all people in our country , ” Dreiband said .
McHaney ’ s ruling Friday applied to a lawsuit filed by James Mainer , owner of HCL Deluxe Tan shop .
Mainer sought to have Pritzker ’ s executive order vacated , but McHaney ’ s ruling only exempted Mainer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until June 5 , when the judge will hold a hearing on a permanent injunction .
In a Friday news conference before the ruling , Pritzker said it was clear McHaney “ has his own political agenda .
”

CHICAGO (AP) - The U.S. Justice Department intervened Friday in a lawsuit challenging Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
The federal government filed a statement of interest in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis supporting the lawsuit filed by Republican state Rep. Darren Bailey challenging some of Pritzker’s actions in response to the pandemic. The department is also challenging the moving of Bailey’s lawsuit to federal court and asserts Pritzker is acting in violation of Illinois law.
“However well-intended they may be, the executive orders appear to reach far beyond the scope of the 30-day emergency authority granted to the Governor under Illinois law,” Steven D. Weinhoeft, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, said in a written statement. “Even during times of crisis, executive actions undertaken in the name of public safety must be lawful.”
Bailey last month filed the lawsuit challenging Pritzker’s order, which included shutting down most businesses and churches. Clay County Judge Michael McHaney ruled Bailey was not bound by the order.
McHaney on Friday again ruled against Pritzker’s stay-at-home order in a separate case but didn’t issue a statewide temporary restraining order.
Bailey is now attempting to broaden that ruling to make the order invalid for all state residents. He contends the stay-at-home order is too restrictive and is unnecessarily jeopardizing people’s livelihoods.
Bailey’s attorney, Thomas G. DeVore, did not immediately return calls for comment. However, he has accused Pritzker of “forum shopping” by sending Bailey’s case to federal court just hours before the governor was due to file a brief in Clay County Circuit Court.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office stated Thursday in its court filing that it was moving the case from state court because it involves U.S. constitutional rights of free religion and due process. Annie Thompson, a spokeswoman for the office, said Friday that Raoul hand no comment on the Justice Department’s action.
Eric Dreiband, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division, said in a statement that Pritzker owes it to Illinois residents to allow the state courts to determine if the state’s laws allow orders he issued in response to the pandemic.
“The United States Constitution and state constitutions established a system of divided and limited governmental power, and they did so to secure the blessings of liberty to all people in our country,” Dreiband said.
McHaney’s ruling Friday applied to a lawsuit filed by James Mainer, owner of HCL Deluxe Tan shop. Mainer sought to have Pritzker’s executive order vacated, but McHaney’s ruling only exempted Mainer and his business from the stay-at-home order until June 5, when the judge will hold a hearing on a permanent injunction.
In a Friday news conference before the ruling, Pritzker said it was clear McHaney “has his own political agenda.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--DOJ tells Illinois to handle shutdown fight in state courts

The Trump administration struck a blow for federalism Friday , filing papers in court telling Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker that the fight over his coronavirus shutdown order belongs before a state judge , not in federal court .
A state representative sued the governor last week arguing he ’ s gone beyond his powers in ordering one of the strictest shutdown orders in the country .
The lawsuit says the powers the governor is using only last for 30 days , and he ’ s extended beyond that as he tried to deal with parts of the state that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spots for COVID-19 cases .
The case was being heard by a state judge until Thursday , when Mr. Pritzker ’ s lawyers had it moved to a federal district court .
State Rep. Darren Bailey , who filed the lawsuit , accused the governor of creating arguments to try to find a friendlier judge than the state courtroom where the matter was being argued .
The federal Justice Department weighed in Friday saying the governor ’ s orders “ appear to reach far beyond ” the scope of state law , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
“ The governor of Illinois owes it to the people of Illinois to allow his state ’ s courts to adjudicate the question of whether Illinois law authorizes orders he issued to respond to COVID-19 , ” said Eric Dreiband , assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division .
He said the U.S. has a divided system of government and limited powers , both designed to preserve liberty “ especially during times of crisis.
” The department filed a “ statement of interest ” with the federal judge urging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The move is the latest step by Attorney General William P. Barr and his team to police governors ’ and local officials ’ behavior during the pandemic .
Most of the Justice Department ’ s actions have been targeted at shutdown orders seen to trample unfairly on religious practice .
In addition to the Illinois filing , Mr. Dreiband fired off a warning letter to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and the city ’ s public health director , Barbara Ferrer , warning them their that talk of a months-long shutdown could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dreiband referred to reports that Ms. Ferrer last week suggested stay-at-home orders could last another three months .
And Mr. Garcetti said Los Angeles would “ never be completely open until we have a cure.
” Mr. Dreiband said Mr. Garcetti “ clarified ” his comments , but the federal government is still worried about “ an arbitrary and heavy-handed approach.
” “ Even in times of emergency , when governments may impose reasonable and temporary restrictions , the Constitution and federal statutory law prohibit arbitrary , unreasonable actions , ” Mr. Dreiband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no pandemic exception to the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights .
”

The Trump administration struck a blow for federalism Friday, filing papers in court telling Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker that the fight over his coronavirus shutdown order belongs before a state judge, not in federal court.
A state representative sued the governor last week arguing he’s gone beyond his powers in ordering one of the strictest shutdown orders in the country.
The lawsuit says the powers the governor is using only last for 30 days, and he’s extended beyond that as he tried to deal with parts of the state that remain among the country’s hottest spots for COVID-19 cases.
The case was being heard by a state judge until Thursday, when Mr. Pritzker’s lawyers had it moved to a federal district court.
State Rep. Darren Bailey, who filed the lawsuit, accused the governor of creating arguments to try to find a friendlier judge than the state courtroom where the matter was being argued.
The federal Justice Department weighed in Friday saying the governor’s orders “appear to reach far beyond” the scope of state law, and so the matter should be decided inside the state.
“The governor of Illinois owes it to the people of Illinois to allow his state’s courts to adjudicate the question of whether Illinois law authorizes orders he issued to respond to COVID-19,” said Eric Dreiband, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division.
He said the U.S. has a divided system of government and limited powers, both designed to preserve liberty “especially during times of crisis.”
The department filed a “statement of interest” with the federal judge urging the case be fought in the state.
The move is the latest step by Attorney General William P. Barr and his team to police governors’ and local officials’ behavior during the pandemic.
Most of the Justice Department’s actions have been targeted at shutdown orders seen to trample unfairly on religious practice.
But Friday marked a turn.
In addition to the Illinois filing, Mr. Dreiband fired off a warning letter to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and the city’s public health director, Barbara Ferrer, warning them their that talk of a months-long shutdown could run afoul of the Constitution.
Mr. Dreiband referred to reports that Ms. Ferrer last week suggested stay-at-home orders could last another three months. And Mr. Garcetti said Los Angeles would “never be completely open until we have a cure.” Mr. Dreiband said Mr. Garcetti “clarified” his comments, but the federal government is still worried about “an arbitrary and heavy-handed approach.”
“Even in times of emergency, when governments may impose reasonable and temporary restrictions, the Constitution and federal statutory law prohibit arbitrary, unreasonable actions,” Mr. Dreiband wrote. “Simply put, there is no pandemic exception to the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights.”
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Nevada congressional candidate has not voted in 12 years

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - A Republican business owner running for a southern Nevada congressional seat has not voted in 12 years and did not register to vote until late 2017 , county records show .
Lisa Song Sutton , 35 , said she was busy focusing on her businesses and community work , including her stint as Miss Nevada in 2014 , and wasn ’ t very politically engaged .
Sutton said in a statement that she was previously registered in Arizona and Florida when she was in college and graduate school .
“ Upon finishing school , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building my career and businesses , ” she said in a statement .
Sutton likened herself to many Nevadans who are eligible to vote but did not register or who are registered to vote but choose not to cast ballots .
“ I have come to the realization that private sector individuals must come off the sidelines if we truly want to help our communities , ” Sutton said .
“ Many of my supporters are engaging in politics for the very first time.
” Sutton later said in an interview Friday with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she voted in was in 2008 , as a Republican .
She noted that when she announced her candidacy in an online video , she said , “ I haven ’ t always voted.
” She moved to Nevada and Las Vegas in 2010 , but did not register to vote in Clark County until December 2017 , Clark County voting records show .
Sutton said she registered in 2017 after volunteering with the Asian Community Development Council , which registered her to vote as part of its civic engagement outreach .
Sutton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by The Nevada Independent .
Sutton is running in a eight-candidate GOP primary for Nevada ’ s 4th congressional seat , currently held by Democrat Steven Horsford , the includes areas of Las Vegas and wide stretches of desert and rural towns .

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A Republican business owner running for a southern Nevada congressional seat has not voted in 12 years and did not register to vote until late 2017, county records show.
Lisa Song Sutton, 35, said she was busy focusing on her businesses and community work, including her stint as Miss Nevada in 2014, and wasn’t very politically engaged.
Sutton said in a statement that she was previously registered in Arizona and Florida when she was in college and graduate school.
“Upon finishing school, like many people, I focused on building my career and businesses,” she said in a statement.
Sutton likened herself to many Nevadans who are eligible to vote but did not register or who are registered to vote but choose not to cast ballots.
“I have come to the realization that private sector individuals must come off the sidelines if we truly want to help our communities,” Sutton said. “Many of my supporters are engaging in politics for the very first time.”
Sutton later said in an interview Friday with The Associated Press that the last election she voted in was in 2008, as a Republican. She noted that when she announced her candidacy in an online video, she said, “I haven’t always voted.”
She moved to Nevada and Las Vegas in 2010, but did not register to vote in Clark County until December 2017, Clark County voting records show.
Sutton said she registered in 2017 after volunteering with the Asian Community Development Council, which registered her to vote as part of its civic engagement outreach.
Sutton’s businesses include a bakery, a shipping store, a lingerie store and a real estate brokerage.
Sutton’s voting record was first reported by The Nevada Independent.
Sutton is running in a eight-candidate GOP primary for Nevada’s 4th congressional seat, currently held by Democrat Steven Horsford, the includes areas of Las Vegas and wide stretches of desert and rural towns.


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--Language explaining income tax issue to voters approved

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - The Illinois General Assembly has approved language that explains the pros and cons of adding a graduated rate to the income tax system .
The House on Friday adopted a joint resolution that provides for information to go to voters before the Nov. 3 election .
It received a 71-45 vote after similar overwhelming approval on Thursday by the Senate , like the House controlled by Democrats .
Voters will be asked whether to amend the state Constitution .
It requires that an income tax be flat , set at the same rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pritzker campaigned in 2018 on a graduated rate program .
It would charge higher rates on higher levels of income .
The resolution approved spells out the language that the Secretary of State must mail to all voters this fall to explain the ballot question and provide arguments in favor and against .
It includes the contention that the current system unfairly benefits the very rich while the new system would assess those making $ 250,000 or less at the current 4.95 % rate or less .
Arguments against are that Illinois ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and needs to be straightened out before lawmakers get more revenue .

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois General Assembly has approved language that explains the pros and cons of adding a graduated rate to the income tax system.
The House on Friday adopted a joint resolution that provides for information to go to voters before the Nov. 3 election. It received a 71-45 vote after similar overwhelming approval on Thursday by the Senate, like the House controlled by Democrats.
Voters will be asked whether to amend the state Constitution. It requires that an income tax be flat, set at the same rate for everyone. Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker campaigned in 2018 on a graduated rate program. It would charge higher rates on higher levels of income.
The resolution approved spells out the language that the Secretary of State must mail to all voters this fall to explain the ballot question and provide arguments in favor and against.
It includes the contention that the current system unfairly benefits the very rich while the new system would assess those making $250,000 or less at the current 4.95% rate or less. Arguments against are that Illinois’ fiscal management has been awry for decades and needs to be straightened out before lawmakers get more revenue.
___
The resolution is SJR1.
Notification’s content: https://bit.ly/3cVrlxL


washingtontimes--2020-05-22--24 workers at Vancouver fruit plant have coronavirus

VANCOUVER , Wash. ( AP ) - Two dozen employees at a Vancouver , Washington , food processing company have been sickened with the coronavirus , officials said .
It may be the Portland area ’ s biggest workplace outbreak reported thus far , excluding the health care sector , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
Firestone Pacific Foods CEO Josh Hinerfeld said the company had its first confirmed case midday Sunday and learned of two more later that afternoon .
The Vancouver plant shut down Monday but the infection total has grown .
Firestone employs 150 people altogether , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a major source of infection across the country .
There have been workplace outbreaks in Astoria and Albany in Oregon , in eastern Washington near the Tri-Cities and at plants near Boise and in Weiser , Idaho .
Firestone processes frozen fruit including raspberries , mangos , cherries and blueberries , among others .
Hinerfeld said the company took steps to protect employees before the outbreak , including social distancing , temperature checks , providing masks to employees and offering expanded sick leave .
Clark County ’ s public health department didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it is looking into the situation .
As businesses in Oregon and Washington reopen amid a gradual loosening of coronavirus restrictions , Hinerfeld said his company ’ s experience should serve as a cautionary tale .
He said he is working with government health and labor authorities to engineer additional safeguards .
“ We thought we had a pretty good plan in place and boy , it bit us in the rear end , ” he said .
“ This genie is not back in the bottle .
”

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - Two dozen employees at a Vancouver, Washington, food processing company have been sickened with the coronavirus, officials said.
It may be the Portland area’s biggest workplace outbreak reported thus far, excluding the health care sector, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
Firestone Pacific Foods CEO Josh Hinerfeld said the company had its first confirmed case midday Sunday and learned of two more later that afternoon. The Vancouver plant shut down Monday but the infection total has grown. Firestone employs 150 people altogether, according to Hinerfeld.
Food processing facilities have emerged as a major source of infection across the country. There have been workplace outbreaks in Astoria and Albany in Oregon, in eastern Washington near the Tri-Cities and at plants near Boise and in Weiser, Idaho.
Firestone processes frozen fruit including raspberries, mangos, cherries and blueberries, among others. Hinerfeld said the company took steps to protect employees before the outbreak, including social distancing, temperature checks, providing masks to employees and offering expanded sick leave.
Clark County’s public health department didn’t have immediate comment Friday but said it is looking into the situation.
As businesses in Oregon and Washington reopen amid a gradual loosening of coronavirus restrictions, Hinerfeld said his company’s experience should serve as a cautionary tale. He said he is working with government health and labor authorities to engineer additional safeguards.
“We thought we had a pretty good plan in place and boy, it bit us in the rear end,” he said. “This genie is not back in the bottle.”