washingtontimes--2020-07-22--Inside the Beltway: Joe Biden's 'big lead' now on a slow fade

The news media has been fixated — no , make that obsessed — with the idea that Joseph R. Biden has a spectacular “ double-digit ” lead over President Trump in the 2020 race .
The coverage produced narratives suggesting voters were now enamored by Mr. Biden ’ s slow and reliable pace .
There was much talk that the coronavirus pandemic , the flagging economy and social unrest had taken its toll on Mr. Trump ’ s popularity .
But a few other narratives are emerging .
“ Experts warn Biden ’ s lead in polls doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted a recent National Public Radio report , citing Democratic strategists who fretted over the level of voter enthusiasm for Mr. Biden and other factors .
“ Despite polling lead , Biden still has work to do with Black and younger voters , ” said NBC News while a Monmouth University Poll declared “ secret Trump voters ” would be a factor in the election .
A brand new survey , however , ratchets up the odds .
Mr. Biden ’ s much ballyhooed lead has shrunk to nothing , according to Rasmussen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2,500 likely U.S. voters released Wednesday .
All factors considered , the rivals are now running “ neck and neck , ” said the pollster .
A previous version of the poll a week ago found that Mr. Biden led Mr. Trump with 50 % of the vote , compared to the president ’ s 40 % .
Things change .
The new survey finds Mr. Biden with 47 % of the vote , Mr. Trump has 45 % .
Another 5 % prefer some other candidate while 4 % remain undecided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent or undecided voters also suggest that the race is not a shoo-in for the former vice president .
“ The new survey finds Trump with 81 % of the Republican vote .
Biden has the support of 74 % of Democrats .
Biden continues to lead among voters not affiliated with either major party .
This week , it ’ s Biden 47 % , Trump 36 % .
But 17 % of these voters like another candidate or are undecided , ” the poll analysis said .
The survey of 2,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19-21 .
President Trump ’ s nimble campaign has responded to the ongoing political controversy over Goya Foods with a bold , Spanish-language ad campaign .
It struck back with TV and radio ads released Wednesday — highlighting “ Democrats ’ shameful smear campaign against Goya Foods , a beloved Hispanic-owned family business.
” Progressive critics organized an instant boycott of the company after CEO Robert Unanue recently called Mr. Trump a “ blessing ” to the nation .
A “ buy-cott ” and a very successful GoFundMe drive for Goya followed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company and Mr. Trump .
“ As both English and Spanish-language media have reported , the Democrats ’ attacks on Goya have backfired .
Just like Joe Biden said that Black Americans who support the president ‘ ain ’ t Black , ’ Democrats are trying to shame one of America ’ s largest Hispanic-owned business , ” the campaign said .
“ Amid growing leftist intolerance , violence , and calls to cut police funding , Biden ’ s silence is deafening .
He continues to hide while prominent supporters of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and open-borders extremist Julian Castro — viciously go after a Hispanic business that employs thousands of people , offers academic scholarships to our kids , and operates humanitarian missions to help the people of Cuba , Venezuela , and Puerto Rico , ” said the campaign — which already has a well-organized “ Latinos for Trump ” outreach in place .
This catchy name is actually President Trump ’ s plan with the Department of Heath and Human Services to deliver at least 300 million doses of a safe , effective vaccine against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration has invested $ 135.9 billion on all COVID-19 efforts .
Part of that effort supports academic teams and six pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies all at work on a vaccine , with promising developments .
Makers of glass and plastic vials , personal protection equipment and cotton swabs are also included on this broad national team .
It is only a matter of weeks before the nation ’ s schools are due to open .
Open them , says John Hinderaker , founder of PowerLineBlog.com “ It seems almost incredible that in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being given to keeping the public schools closed in the fall .
Given that the coronavirus is rarely dangerous to children — less so , in fact , than the average seasonal flu — it is hard to understand the rationale for continued school closures , ” writes Mr. Hinderaker .
He also cites a new British study which found that there has not been “ a single confirmed case of a teacher catching coronavirus ” from a student , anywhere in the world .
“ Teachers ’ unions are the main proponents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some teachers and administrators would like to be paid in full for working relatively little , ” continues Mr. Hinderaker , who has done his own research .
“ The experience with online learning when schools closed last Spring was poor .
When I interviewed Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota two weeks ago , she said that in her state , which has relatively high educational standards , somewhere between 20 % and 30 % of all students were never heard from once learning went exclusively online .
They never logged on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have seen similar numbers in other states , ” Mr. Hinderaker said .
• 97 % of U.S. adults want police officers to have “ good relations with the community ” ; 96 % of Republicans , 98 % of independents and 98 % of Democrats agree .
• 96 % want management practices changed so “ officer abuses are punished ’ : 91 % of Republicans , 96 % of independents and 99 % of Democrats agree .
• 82 % favor community-based alternatives such as “ violence intervention ” ; 62 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independents and 97 % of Democrats agree .
• 47 % favor reducing police budget and “ shifting money to social programs ” ; 5 % of Republicans , 46 % of independents and 78 % of Democrats agree .
• 15 % favor “ abolishing police departments ” ; 1 % of Republicans , 12 % of independents and 27 % of Democrats agree .
Source : A Gallup poll of 36,463 U.S. adults conducted June 23-July 6 and released Wednesday .

NEWS AND OPINION:
The news media has been fixated — no, make that obsessed — with the idea that Joseph R. Biden has a spectacular “double-digit” lead over President Trump in the 2020 race.
The coverage produced narratives suggesting voters were now enamored by Mr. Biden’s slow and reliable pace. There was much talk that the coronavirus pandemic, the flagging economy and social unrest had taken its toll on Mr. Trump’s popularity.
But a few other narratives are emerging.
“Experts warn Biden’s lead in polls doesn’t mean Democrats should be optimistic,” noted a recent National Public Radio report, citing Democratic strategists who fretted over the level of voter enthusiasm for Mr. Biden and other factors.
“Despite polling lead, Biden still has work to do with Black and younger voters,” said NBC News while a Monmouth University Poll declared “secret Trump voters” would be a factor in the election.
A brand new survey, however, ratchets up the odds. Mr. Biden’s much ballyhooed lead has shrunk to nothing, according to Rasmussen Reports’ weekly White House Watch survey of 2,500 likely U.S. voters released Wednesday. All factors considered, the rivals are now running “neck and neck,” said the pollster.
A previous version of the poll a week ago found that Mr. Biden led Mr. Trump with 50% of the vote, compared to the president’s 40%. Things change. The new survey finds Mr. Biden with 47% of the vote, Mr. Trump has 45%. Another 5% prefer some other candidate while 4% remain undecided. Deeper numbers and the influence of independent or undecided voters also suggest that the race is not a shoo-in for the former vice president.
“The new survey finds Trump with 81% of the Republican vote. Biden has the support of 74% of Democrats. Biden continues to lead among voters not affiliated with either major party. This week, it’s Biden 47%, Trump 36%. But 17% of these voters like another candidate or are undecided,” the poll analysis said.
The survey of 2,500 likely voters was conducted July 15-16 and 19-21.
EL PRESIDENTE
President Trump‘s nimble campaign has responded to the ongoing political controversy over Goya Foods with a bold, Spanish-language ad campaign. It struck back with TV and radio ads released Wednesday — highlighting “Democrats’ shameful smear campaign against Goya Foods, a beloved Hispanic-owned family business.”
Progressive critics organized an instant boycott of the company after CEO Robert Unanue recently called Mr. Trump a “blessing” to the nation. A “buy-cott” and a very successful GoFundMe drive for Goya followed, launched by those who supported both the company and Mr. Trump.
“As both English and Spanish-language media have reported, the Democrats’ attacks on Goya have backfired. Just like Joe Biden said that Black Americans who support the president ‘ain’t Black,’ Democrats are trying to shame one of America’s largest Hispanic-owned business,” the campaign said.
“Amid growing leftist intolerance, violence, and calls to cut police funding, Biden’s silence is deafening. He continues to hide while prominent supporters of his campaign — including socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and open-borders extremist Julian Castro — viciously go after a Hispanic business that employs thousands of people, offers academic scholarships to our kids, and operates humanitarian missions to help the people of Cuba, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico,” said the campaign — which already has a well-organized “Latinos for Trump” outreach in place.
FOR THE LEXICON
“Operation Warp Speed.”
This catchy name is actually President Trump‘s plan with the Department of Heath and Human Services to deliver at least 300 million doses of a safe, effective vaccine against COVID-19 by January 2021. The Trump administration has invested $135.9 billion on all COVID-19 efforts. Part of that effort supports academic teams and six pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies all at work on a vaccine, with promising developments. Makers of glass and plastic vials, personal protection equipment and cotton swabs are also included on this broad national team.
OPEN THE SCHOOLHOUSE
It is only a matter of weeks before the nation’s schools are due to open. Open them, says John Hinderaker, founder of PowerLineBlog.com
“It seems almost incredible that in a number of states, serious consideration is being given to keeping the public schools closed in the fall. Given that the coronavirus is rarely dangerous to children — less so, in fact, than the average seasonal flu — it is hard to understand the rationale for continued school closures,” writes Mr. Hinderaker.
He also cites a new British study which found that there has not been “a single confirmed case of a teacher catching coronavirus” from a student, anywhere in the world.
“Teachers’ unions are the main proponents of continued school closings, apparently because some teachers and administrators would like to be paid in full for working relatively little,” continues Mr. Hinderaker, who has done his own research.
“The experience with online learning when schools closed last Spring was poor. When I interviewed Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota two weeks ago, she said that in her state, which has relatively high educational standards, somewhere between 20% and 30% of all students were never heard from once learning went exclusively online. They never logged on, never completed an assignment. I have seen similar numbers in other states,” Mr. Hinderaker said.
POLL DU JOUR
• 97% of U.S. adults want police officers to have “good relations with the community”; 96% of Republicans, 98% of independents and 98% of Democrats agree.
• 96% want management practices changed so “officer abuses are punished’: 91% of Republicans, 96% of independents and 99% of Democrats agree.
• 82% favor community-based alternatives such as “violence intervention”; 62% of Republicans, 81% of independents and 97% of Democrats agree.
• 47% favor reducing police budget and “shifting money to social programs”; 5% of Republicans, 46% of independents and 78% of Democrats agree.
• 15% favor “abolishing police departments”; 1% of Republicans, 12% of independents and 27% of Democrats agree.
Source: A Gallup poll of 36,463 U.S. adults conducted June 23-July 6 and released Wednesday.
• Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-22--Man charged with 1973 killing of California girl dies

SANTA ANA , Calif. ( AP ) - A Colorado man charged with strangling an 11-year-old California girl in 1973 died Wednesday at an Orange County hospital , authorities said .
James Neal of Monument , Colorado , was being held at the maximum-security Theo Lacy Facility in Orange , but the 73-year-old was transferred to a hospital in May because of an illness , according to a statement from the county Sheriff ’ s Department .
It didn ’ t state the nature of his illness .
He was pronounced dead at 5:15 a.m. “ There are no suspicious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decedent .
The inmate was not exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 , ” the statement said .
Neal was charged with killing Linda O ’ Keefe in Newport Beach .
The girl vanished in July 1973 while walking home from summer school .
She was last seen talking to a stranger in a van .
The next day , she was found strangled , her body tossed in a ditch , authorities said .
Neal , then known as James Albert Layton Jr. , was living with his family in the Newport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved to Florida shortly after the killing and changed his name , authorities said .
In addition to murder , Neal was charged with committing lewd and lascivious acts on two girls under age 14 .
Authorities say those crimes happened between 1995 and 2004 in Riverside County east of Los Angeles .
He pleaded not guilty in March .
“ The pursuit of justice is never-ending , and in this case the hunt for a child rapist and murderer lasted more than 46 years and transcended generations of law enforcement officers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
“ The death of James Neal prior to putting him on trial for Linda ’ s rape and murder robs the O ’ Keefe family of the justice they so deserve and deprives the law enforcement officers of the satisfaction that they finally got their culprit.
” Newport Beach Police Chief Jon Lewis said he hoped that the long efforts of investigators to find the girl ’ s killer “ have been able to bring a measure of closure to Linda ’ s family , friends , and @ @ @ @

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - A Colorado man charged with strangling an 11-year-old California girl in 1973 died Wednesday at an Orange County hospital, authorities said.
James Neal of Monument, Colorado, was being held at the maximum-security Theo Lacy Facility in Orange, but the 73-year-old was transferred to a hospital in May because of an illness, according to a statement from the county Sheriff’s Department. It didn’t state the nature of his illness.
He was pronounced dead at 5:15 a.m.
“There are no suspicious circumstances and no signs of trauma to the decedent. The inmate was not exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19,” the statement said.
Neal was charged with killing Linda O’Keefe in Newport Beach. The girl vanished in July 1973 while walking home from summer school. She was last seen talking to a stranger in a van. The next day, she was found strangled, her body tossed in a ditch, authorities said.
Neal, then known as James Albert Layton Jr., was living with his family in the Newport Beach area at the time. He moved to Florida shortly after the killing and changed his name, authorities said.
Investigators identified Neal as a suspect using genealogical DNA.
In addition to murder, Neal was charged with committing lewd and lascivious acts on two girls under age 14. Authorities say those crimes happened between 1995 and 2004 in Riverside County east of Los Angeles.
He pleaded not guilty in March.
“The pursuit of justice is never-ending, and in this case the hunt for a child rapist and murderer lasted more than 46 years and transcended generations of law enforcement officers,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement. “The death of James Neal prior to putting him on trial for Linda’s rape and murder robs the O’Keefe family of the justice they so deserve and deprives the law enforcement officers of the satisfaction that they finally got their culprit.”
Newport Beach Police Chief Jon Lewis said he hoped that the long efforts of investigators to find the girl’s killer “have been able to bring a measure of closure to Linda’s family, friends, and loved ones.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-22--Oregon seeks restraining order against federal agents in Portland

PORTLAND , Ore. — Attorneys for Oregon argued Wednesday for a restraining order against federal agents deployed to quell protests in Portland - a standoff that some legal experts have warned could lead to a constitutional crisis in an election year .
A federal judge heard arguments from the state and the U.S. government in a lawsuit filed by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum , who accuses federal agents of arresting protesters without probable cause , whisking them away in unmarked cars and using excessive force .
Federal authorities have disputed those allegations .
The lawsuit is part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal agents to Portland and announcing they ’ d also be going to Chicago and Albuquerque , New Mexico , to fight rising crime , a move that ’ s deepening the country ’ s already considerable political divide .
Democratic mayors of 15 cities condemned the use of the agents in a letter to the U.S. attorney general .
The court hearing focused on the actions of more than 100 federal agents responding to protests outside Portland ’ s Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse , which has been a target for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injustice following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police .
The motion for a temporary restraining order asks U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman to command agents from the Department of Homeland Security , the Customs and Border Patrol , the Federal Protective Service and the U.S .
Marshals Service to immediately stop detaining protesters without probable cause , to identify themselves and their agency before arresting anyone , and to explain why an arrest is taking place .
During the hearing - held by videoconference because of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents have the right to defend the courthouse but argued that they had overstepped .
Rosenblum , the state attorney general , said she was asking the court to “ declare it not acceptable for federal officers to use unconstitutional , police state-type acts to detain citizens of Oregon without cause.
” David Morrell , an attorney for the U.S. government , called the motion “ extraordinary ” and told the court it was based solely on “ a few threadbare declarations ” from witnesses and a Twitter video .
“ The Hatfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , calling the protests “ dangerous and volatile.
” It ’ s not clear when Mosman will rule , but he challenged the state on whether it had the standing to ask for the restraining order .
The judge noted that past legal decisions have required a state to establish a very high bar - “ quasi-sovereign interest ” - to successfully sue the U.S. government .
Attorneys for Oregon contended they had met that bar because the actions of the federal agents could erode residents ’ trust in all law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Morrell , the U.S. government attorney , disputed that , saying successful lawsuits usually involved issues that affected many people , not “ highly individual interests ” like the arrests .
The lawsuit is one of several filed over authorities ’ response to the Portland protests .
On Thursday , a judge will hear arguments in a legal challenge that the American Civil Liberties Union filed on behalf of journalists and legal observers who say they were targeted and attacked by Portland police while documenting demonstrations .
A freelance photographer covering the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affidavit that he was beaten with batons , chemical irritants and hit with rubber bullets .
U.S. Judge Michael Simon previously ruled that journalists and legal observers are exempt from police orders requiring protesters to disperse once an unlawful assembly has been declared .
Federal lawyers say that journalists should have to leave when ordered .
The Portland City Council on Wednesday banned city police from cooperating with federal agents or knowingly arresting reporters or legal observers .
Meanwhile , a fence went up around the federal courthouse , where protesters and federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly tried to break into the building and set fires around it , and the federal agents drove them back with tear gas and stun grenades , police said .
Far from tamping down the unrest in Portland , the presence of federal agents has energized the nightly protests .
Mayor Ted Wheeler ’ s office said he would attend the protests Wednesday night and there would be “ some form of dialogue ” with the demonstrators .
The Democrat has vocally opposed the federal presence in Portland but has still faced harsh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including fellow council members , have accused him of not reining in local police , who used tear gas before federal agents arrived .
Others , including business leaders , have condemned him for not bringing the situation under control .
One group that has been prominent in the protests , the Pacific Northwest Youth Liberation Front , told the mayor to stay away .
The use of federal agents against the wishes of local officials - and the threat that it might be done elsewhere - was deepening the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up a constitutional crisis months ahead of the presidential election .
The standoff could escalate after Trump announced Wednesday that he would be sending federal agents to combat crime in Chicago and Albuquerque , New Mexico , which are both led by Democrats .
The mayors of Chicago , Portland and other Democratic-led cities objected to such deployments and called them politically motivated in a letter to Attorney General William Barr and Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf .
Federal authorities have defended their response , saying officials in Oregon had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop the vandalism against the the U.S. courthouse and violence against federal officers .
Wolf said Tuesday that agents have been assaulted with lasers , bats , fireworks , bottles and other weapons .
While he said federal agencies have made 43 arrests since July 4 , he disputed they were done by unidentified agents , noting they have the word “ police ” on their uniforms .
Among the protesters was Maureen Healy , who joined a march Monday as people sang songs and chanted the names of Black lives lost .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ line of authorities wearing camouflage and dark outfits advance on the crowd .
Protesters retreated , and Healy said she heard bangs , saw smoke and was struck by a projectile .
She went to the hospital with a black eye , a cut to her face and a possible concussion .
“ I was protesting peacefully , so why did federal troops shoot me in the head ?
” asked Healy , 52 , who is chairwoman of the history department at Lewis & Clark College .
Associated Press writers Sara Cline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Long and Ben Fox in Washington contributed to this report .

PORTLAND, Ore. — Attorneys for Oregon argued Wednesday for a restraining order against federal agents deployed to quell protests in Portland — a standoff that some legal experts have warned could lead to a constitutional crisis in an election year.
A federal judge heard arguments from the state and the U.S. government in a lawsuit filed by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, who accuses federal agents of arresting protesters without probable cause, whisking them away in unmarked cars and using excessive force. Federal authorities have disputed those allegations.
The lawsuit is part of the growing pushback to President Donald Trump sending federal agents to Portland and announcing they’d also be going to Chicago and Albuquerque, New Mexico, to fight rising crime, a move that’s deepening the country’s already considerable political divide. Democratic mayors of 15 cities condemned the use of the agents in a letter to the U.S. attorney general.
The court hearing focused on the actions of more than 100 federal agents responding to protests outside Portland’s Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse, which has been a target for more than 50 nights of demonstrations against racial injustice following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
The motion for a temporary restraining order asks U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman to command agents from the Department of Homeland Security, the Customs and Border Patrol, the Federal Protective Service and the U.S. Marshals Service to immediately stop detaining protesters without probable cause, to identify themselves and their agency before arresting anyone, and to explain why an arrest is taking place.
During the hearing - held by videoconference because of the coronavirus pandemic - the state acknowledged that federal agents have the right to defend the courthouse but argued that they had overstepped.
Rosenblum, the state attorney general, said she was asking the court to “declare it not acceptable for federal officers to use unconstitutional, police state-type acts to detain citizens of Oregon without cause.”
David Morrell, an attorney for the U.S. government, called the motion “extraordinary” and told the court it was based solely on “a few threadbare declarations” from witnesses and a Twitter video.
“The Hatfield courthouse did not damage itself,” he said, calling the protests “dangerous and volatile.”
It’s not clear when Mosman will rule, but he challenged the state on whether it had the standing to ask for the restraining order. The judge noted that past legal decisions have required a state to establish a very high bar — “quasi-sovereign interest” — to successfully sue the U.S. government.
Attorneys for Oregon contended they had met that bar because the actions of the federal agents could erode residents’ trust in all law enforcement, including state and city officers.
Morrell, the U.S. government attorney, disputed that, saying successful lawsuits usually involved issues that affected many people, not “highly individual interests” like the arrests.
The lawsuit is one of several filed over authorities’ response to the Portland protests. On Thursday, a judge will hear arguments in a legal challenge that the American Civil Liberties Union filed on behalf of journalists and legal observers who say they were targeted and attacked by Portland police while documenting demonstrations. A freelance photographer covering the protests for The Associated Press submitted an affidavit that he was beaten with batons, chemical irritants and hit with rubber bullets.
U.S. Judge Michael Simon previously ruled that journalists and legal observers are exempt from police orders requiring protesters to disperse once an unlawful assembly has been declared. Federal lawyers say that journalists should have to leave when ordered.
The Portland City Council on Wednesday banned city police from cooperating with federal agents or knowingly arresting reporters or legal observers.
Meanwhile, a fence went up around the federal courthouse, where protesters and federal agents had clashed again overnight. Protesters repeatedly tried to break into the building and set fires around it, and the federal agents drove them back with tear gas and stun grenades, police said.
Far from tamping down the unrest in Portland, the presence of federal agents has energized the nightly protests.
Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office said he would attend the protests Wednesday night and there would be “some form of dialogue” with the demonstrators. The Democrat has vocally opposed the federal presence in Portland but has still faced harsh criticism from many sides. Some, including fellow council members, have accused him of not reining in local police, who used tear gas before federal agents arrived. Others, including business leaders, have condemned him for not bringing the situation under control.
One group that has been prominent in the protests, the Pacific Northwest Youth Liberation Front, told the mayor to stay away.
The use of federal agents against the wishes of local officials - and the threat that it might be done elsewhere - was deepening the country’s already considerable political divides and potentially setting up a constitutional crisis months ahead of the presidential election. The standoff could escalate after Trump announced Wednesday that he would be sending federal agents to combat crime in Chicago and Albuquerque, New Mexico, which are both led by Democrats.
The mayors of Chicago, Portland and other Democratic-led cities objected to such deployments and called them politically motivated in a letter to Attorney General William Barr and Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf.
Federal authorities have defended their response, saying officials in Oregon had been unwilling to work with them to stop the vandalism against the the U.S. courthouse and violence against federal officers.
Wolf said Tuesday that agents have been assaulted with lasers, bats, fireworks, bottles and other weapons. While he said federal agencies have made 43 arrests since July 4, he disputed they were done by unidentified agents, noting they have the word “police” on their uniforms.
Among the protesters was Maureen Healy, who joined a march Monday as people sang songs and chanted the names of Black lives lost.
Just after midnight, she saw a line of authorities wearing camouflage and dark outfits advance on the crowd. Protesters retreated, and Healy said she heard bangs, saw smoke and was struck by a projectile. She went to the hospital with a black eye, a cut to her face and a possible concussion.
“I was protesting peacefully, so why did federal troops shoot me in the head?” asked Healy, 52, who is chairwoman of the history department at Lewis & Clark College.
___
Associated Press writers Sara Cline in Salem, Oregon, and Colleen Long and Ben Fox in Washington contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-07-22--No jail for ex-officer who didn't report urinal licking

HONOLULU ( AP ) - A former Honolulu police officer was sentenced to three years of probation Wednesday for failing to report a fellow officer who forced a homeless man to lick a public urinal .
Reginald Ramones resigned from the Honolulu Police Department before pleading guilty last year to knowing that John Rabago , who has also left the force , committed a civil rights violation but didn ’ t inform authorities about it .
Rabago was sentenced last week to four years in prison .
The two officers had responded to a nuisance complaint in 2018 when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a public restroom .
Ramones didn ’ t intervene when Rabago forced the man to lick the urinal .
Ramones didn ’ t report Rabago ’ s actions and deleted text messages between the two officers , U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi said .
But Kobayashi said Ramones later took responsibility and cooperated with prosecutors , which prompted Rabago to plead guilty to depriving the man of his civil rights .
Under sentencing guidelines , Kobayashi could have sentenced Ramones to up to six months of incarceration .
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a step toward giving an incentive to officers who feel pressure not to report colleagues for misconduct .
Ramones apologized to the victim and said he ’ s ashamed and remorseful .
“ I failed him , ” Ramones said .
“ I took an oath to serve and protect , which I did not uphold .
”

HONOLULU (AP) - A former Honolulu police officer was sentenced to three years of probation Wednesday for failing to report a fellow officer who forced a homeless man to lick a public urinal.
Reginald Ramones resigned from the Honolulu Police Department before pleading guilty last year to knowing that John Rabago, who has also left the force, committed a civil rights violation but didn’t inform authorities about it.
Rabago was sentenced last week to four years in prison.
The two officers had responded to a nuisance complaint in 2018 when they found the homeless man in a stall in a public restroom.
Ramones didn’t intervene when Rabago forced the man to lick the urinal.
Ramones didn’t report Rabago’s actions and deleted text messages between the two officers, U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi said.
But Kobayashi said Ramones later took responsibility and cooperated with prosecutors, which prompted Rabago to plead guilty to depriving the man of his civil rights.
Under sentencing guidelines, Kobayashi could have sentenced Ramones to up to six months of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Brady recommended probation, noting the sentence would be a step toward giving an incentive to officers who feel pressure not to report colleagues for misconduct.
Ramones apologized to the victim and said he’s ashamed and remorseful.
“I failed him,” Ramones said. “I took an oath to serve and protect, which I did not uphold.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-22--California buys more masks, but some workers still lack

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California will spend $ 315 million more to buy hundreds of millions of protective masks as the coronavirus continues to ravage the state , Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday .
A new contract with Chinese manufacturer BYD will provide the state 120 million tight-fighting N95 respirator masks and 300 million looser-fitting surgical masks .
California ’ s initial $ 1 billion deal with the company was signed in April .
The state will soon launch a competitive bidding process to try to get even more protective masks at lower prices and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment , Newsom said .
“ We decided to think outside the box , we did something big and bold , ” he said during a news conference at a Sacramento warehouse where masks and orher protective equipment are stored .
But as he promoted California ’ s efforts , he acknowledged the equipment isn ’ t always getting to the workers who need it , something he blamed on hospital systems and local governments .
The administration will be “ more aggressive ” in making sure masks reach front -line workers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending out an unprecedented number of masks , I want to make sure those masks are going to our front line workers , ” Newsom said , after sharing that the president of the National Union of Health Care Workers , Sal Rosselli , told him some health workers were getting only two to three N95 masks per week .
The California Nurses Association wants nurses to get a new N95 mask for every patient .
“ We have got to address that issue and I want folks to know we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility , ” Newsom said .
Brian Ferguson , a spokesman for the Governor ’ s Office of Emergency Services , could not immediately provide more details on what the state will do to improve distribution to workers .
The state has shipped 86.4 million N95 masks and nearly 300 million surgical masks , according to the administration .
Those masks have gone to hospital workers , first responders , farm and factory workers , and nursing home employees .
The state also has given away 17 million surgical masks to other states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Alaska , Newsom said .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency , which Newsom praised as a “ spectacular ” partner , provided tens of millions of masks for sale to hospitals and others who needed them , he said .
The state gives masks to county emergency offices and medical coordinators as well as to associations that represent certain industries of essential workers , such as dentists or grocery workers , Ferguson said .
Counties submit requests to the state for equipment as they need it and then distribute it to hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations for the California Nurses Association , said many hospitals aren ’ t adequately distributing personal protective equipment to nurses .
“ We can have a steady flow of all the PPE that the contracts provide , but if the employers aren ’ t actually giving the nurses the masks that they need … then it doesn ’ t matter how much supply that we get , ” she said .
The California Hospital Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The deal with BYD was California ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic began .
Newsom announced the deal for 200 million masks per month in mid-April , but twice the first shipment of N95 masks failed to meet a deadline for federal certification .
BYD refunded California about a quarter-billion dollars at one point before the masks earned federal approval in June and began shipping .
California paid $ 3.30 per mask for N95s and 55 cents per surgical mask under the old contract .
The new extension is $ 2.13 and 20 cents , respectively .
The state also has entered into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including more masks , gowns , gloves and safety goggles .
This story has been corrected to say it was Sal Rosselli , president of the National Union of Health Care Workers , not a hospital worker , who told Newsom the anecdote about workers getting two to three mask per week .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California will spend $315 million more to buy hundreds of millions of protective masks as the coronavirus continues to ravage the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday.
A new contract with Chinese manufacturer BYD will provide the state 120 million tight-fighting N95 respirator masks and 300 million looser-fitting surgical masks. California’s initial $1 billion deal with the company was signed in April.
The state will soon launch a competitive bidding process to try to get even more protective masks at lower prices and is encouraging manufacturers within the state to make equipment, Newsom said.
“We decided to think outside the box, we did something big and bold,” he said during a news conference at a Sacramento warehouse where masks and other protective equipment are stored.
But as he promoted California’s efforts, he acknowledged the equipment isn’t always getting to the workers who need it, something he blamed on hospital systems and local governments. The administration will be “more aggressive” in making sure masks reach front -line workers, Newsom said.
“We’re sending out an unprecedented number of masks. I want to make sure those masks are going to our front line workers,” Newsom said, after sharing that the president of the National Union of Health Care Workers, Sal Rosselli, told him some health workers were getting only two to three N95 masks per week. The California Nurses Association wants nurses to get a new N95 mask for every patient.
“We have got to address that issue and I want folks to know we’re not naive to that challenge and that responsibility,” Newsom said.
Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, could not immediately provide more details on what the state will do to improve distribution to workers.
Carmela Coyle, president of the California Hospital Association, challenged Newsom’s comments suggesting hospitals are not appropriately distributing equipment to workers. Hospitals can only access the state supply of protective equipment through local and regional coordinators and only when the hospital is dangerously low on gear, she said. Hospitals distribute gear based on guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, she said.
“The governor’s comments today suggested a new and different standard,” she said.
The state has shipped 86.4 million N95 masks and nearly 300 million surgical masks, according to the administration. Those masks have gone to hospital workers, first responders, farm and factory workers, and nursing home employees. The state also has given away 17 million surgical masks to other states, including Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and Alaska, Newsom said.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which Newsom praised as a “spectacular” partner, provided tens of millions of masks for sale to hospitals and others in need of them, he said.
The state gives masks to county emergency offices and medical coordinators as well as to associations that represent certain industries of essential workers, such as dentists or grocery workers, Ferguson said. Counties submit requests to the state for equipment as they need it and then distribute it to hospitals.
Stephanie Roberson, head of government relations for the California Nurses Association, said many hospitals aren’t adequately distributing personal protective equipment to nurses.
“We can have a steady flow of all the PPE that the contracts provide, but if the employers aren’t actually giving the nurses the masks that they need … then it doesn’t matter how much supply that we get,” she said.
The deal with BYD was California’s most high-profile deal for protective equipment since the pandemic began. Newsom announced the deal for 200 million masks per month in mid-April, but twice the first shipment of N95 masks failed to meet a deadline for federal certification.
BYD refunded California about a quarter-billion dollars at one point before the masks earned federal approval in June and began shipping.
California paid $3.30 per mask for N95s and 55 cents per surgical mask under the old contract. The new extension is $2.13 and 20 cents, respectively.
The state also has entered into multiple other contracts for protective equipment, including more masks, gowns, gloves and safety goggles.
__
This story has been corrected to say it was Sal Rosselli, president of the National Union of Health Care Workers, not a hospital worker, who told Newsom the anecdote about workers getting two to three mask per week.


washingtontimes--2020-07-22--Mississippi Corrections Department investigates inmate death

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - The Mississippi Department of Corrections said Wednesday that it is investigating the @ @ @ @ @ the South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Leakesville .
Nathaniel Bryan Taylor , 32 , was @ @ @ @ @ Greene County Hospital on Wednesday and was pronounced dead in the emergency room .
An @ @ @ @ @ Taylor was at least the 54th Mississippi inmate to die since late December .
Several @ @ @ @ @ violence in late December and early January .
The U.S. Justice Department announced in February @ @ @ @ @ ’ s prison system .
Taylor was serving 20 years for four convictions .
He @ @ @ @ @ Washington County and armed robbery , possession of stolen property and possession of a firearm @ @ @ @ @ Leflore County .
He was sentenced April 4 , 2015 , for the first conviction @ @ @ @ @ , for the other three crimes .

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The Mississippi Department of Corrections said Wednesday that it is investigating the death of an inmate at the South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Leakesville.
Nathaniel Bryan Taylor, 32, was taken by ambulance to the Greene County Hospital on Wednesday and was pronounced dead in the emergency room. An autopsy will be done.
Taylor was at least the 54th Mississippi inmate to die since late December. Several inmates died during outbursts of violence in late December and early January. The U.S. Justice Department announced in February that it is investigating Mississippi’s prison system.
Taylor was serving 20 years for four convictions. He was convicted of robbery in Washington County and armed robbery, possession of stolen property and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in Leflore County. He was sentenced April 4, 2015, for the first conviction and Feb. 12, 2016, for the other three crimes.


washingtontimes--2020-07-22--Arizona court backs eviction ban for people hurt in pandemic

PHOENIX ( AP ) - An Arizona judge has upheld Gov .
Doug Ducey ’ s moratorium on the evictions of people who have had trouble paying their rent after becoming ill or losing work because of the coronavirus .
The Maricopa County Superior Court judge disagreed Wednesday with a property management company ’ s argument that the governor ’ s action exceeded his authority or was unconstitutional .
Gregory Real Estate Management sued Ducey this month , asking the court to allow it to evict a family from in a rental home in Surprise over unpaid rent , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8,000 .
A legal representative for the firm did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment .
Ducey recently extended the moratorium until Oct. 31 .
Initially scheduled to expire July 22 , the ban is supposed to ensure people won ’ t lose their homes if they get COVID-19 or lose their jobs during pandemic restrictions .
Housing advocates say it ’ s too early to end the ban because most of the government money set aside to help pay rents and mortgages still hasn ’ t been doled out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifted or are about to end moratoriums on rent payments and foreclosures designed to get people through the pandemic and its economic fallout .

PHOENIX (AP) - An Arizona judge has upheld Gov. Doug Ducey’s moratorium on the evictions of people who have had trouble paying their rent after becoming ill or losing work because of the coronavirus.
The Maricopa County Superior Court judge disagreed Wednesday with a property management company’s argument that the governor’s action exceeded his authority or was unconstitutional.
Gregory Real Estate Management sued Ducey this month, asking the court to allow it to evict a family from in a rental home in Surprise over unpaid rent, which the firm says has now reached $8,000. A legal representative for the firm did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.
Ducey recently extended the moratorium until Oct. 31. Initially scheduled to expire July 22, the ban is supposed to ensure people won’t lose their homes if they get COVID-19 or lose their jobs during pandemic restrictions. Housing advocates say it’s too early to end the ban because most of the government money set aside to help pay rents and mortgages still hasn’t been doled out.
States from Nevada to Virginia have recently lifted or are about to end moratoriums on rent payments and foreclosures designed to get people through the pandemic and its economic fallout.


washingtontimes--2020-07-22--Southwest will test thermal cameras at Dallas Love Field

DALLAS ( AP ) - Southwest Airlines will test thermal cameras for spotting people with fevers beginning next month at the Dallas airport as it tries to convince people to fly during the coronavirus pandemic , officials said Wednesday .
The trial could run up to three months , but readings captured by the cameras won ’ t be linked to individual travelers , said officials with the city and the Dallas-based airline .
The trial will evaluate the cameras , where equipment should be placed , and how thermal screening would affect traffic flows at security checkpoints at Dallas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city representatives will then decide on additional testing .
The airline did not say when readings could be tied to individuals .
A spokesman said that the airline will tell customers and employees about any changes to current procedures at the airport .
Scott Halfmann , the airline ’ s vice president of safety and security , said the test “ could be an important , additional layer of precaution that Southwest can offer customers , ” which he said is especially important during the virus pandemic .
The Transportation Safety Administration is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airports .
Airlines like the idea , but health officials warn that it would not detect people who have COVID-19 but don ’ t show symptoms .
COVID-19 is the illness caused by the new coronavirus .
The city of Dallas owns Love Field , and Southwest controls most of the gates at its hometown airport .

DALLAS (AP) - Southwest Airlines will test thermal cameras for spotting people with fevers beginning next month at the Dallas airport as it tries to convince people to fly during the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Wednesday.
The trial could run up to three months, but readings captured by the cameras won’t be linked to individual travelers, said officials with the city and the Dallas-based airline.
The trial will evaluate the cameras, where equipment should be placed, and how thermal screening would affect traffic flows at security checkpoints at Dallas Love Field.
Southwest said it and city representatives will then decide on additional testing. The airline did not say when readings could be tied to individuals. A spokesman said that the airline will tell customers and employees about any changes to current procedures at the airport.
Scott Halfmann, the airline’s vice president of safety and security, said the test “could be an important, additional layer of precaution that Southwest can offer customers,” which he said is especially important during the virus pandemic.
The Transportation Safety Administration is considering taking passengers’ temperatures at other airports. Airlines like the idea, but health officials warn that it would not detect people who have COVID-19 but don’t show symptoms. COVID-19 is the illness caused by the new coronavirus.
The city of Dallas owns Love Field, and Southwest controls most of the gates at its hometown airport.


washingtontimes--2020-07-22--Top lobbying firms report over 25% increase in revenue

Lobbyists are cashing in on Congress ’ debates about how to spend trillions of dollars on coronavirus relief legislation .
New second-quarter federal lobbying reports showed top firms ’ revenues up more than 25 % year-over-year and dozens of new lobbying clients flowing in amid the massive coronavirus relief packages moving through Congress .
Millions of workers across the country are struggling to survive , but lobbyists are enjoying unexpected success .
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck said its revenue was up 28 % over 2019 ’ s second quarter and the firm signed 26 new clients during the quarter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top-grossing federal lobbying firm in the country for the quarter .
Brownstein government relations chairman Marc Lampkin said one of the firm ’ s new clients is Go Live Together , a coalition that represents thousands of businesses in the live events , trade shows , and conferences realm .
Mr. Lampkin said many of those businesses and other new clients did not need to reach lawmakers previously and his firm is the modern-day interpretation of what the Founding Fathers imagined for citizens looking to petition their government .
“ The need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more necessary than in the COVID era when so many people who have come to us have been in companies or industries that have generally never come to Washington before , ” Mr. Lampkin said .
“ But they ’ re in desperate need to understand how these programs work and what ’ s the best , fastest way to either , A : access programs that are already in place , or to tell the government the story of their needs.
” The dramatic revenue growth was not limited to a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firms in Washington saw dramatic increases in their revenues .
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld reported revenue for the first half of the year 26 % greater than during the same time last year .
K & L Gates government affairs counselor Darrell Conner said he was expecting a “ slow ” summer and fall as is typical for a presidential election year .
But the pandemic triggered an “ unprecedented ” amount of work for his firm , and he said K & L Gates saw its second-quarter revenue up 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ For the first half of 2020 , our [ Lobbying Disclosure Act ] revenues were up about 9 percent compared to the first six months in 2019 , ” Mr. Conner said in an email .
“ Pretty much anything dealing with the government ’ s response to the coronavirus , our team was involved in it for clients — health care ; PPP loan assistance ; Federal Reserve funding and other economic relief ; workforce support ; government guidance on compliance ; economic support for individual industry sectors ; etc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the administration are now talking about another package.
” Some lobbying firms declined to draw connections between their revenue growth and specific coronavirus-related matters , and said that all clients are effectively coronavirus-focused now .
Project On Government Oversight general counsel Scott H. Amey said the trillions of dollars of new spending naturally attracted lobbyists but it can be difficult to trace lobbyists ’ influence over legislation and regulation .
“ It ’ s difficult to match lobbying efforts to specific outcomes , but there is little doubt that D.C. connections pay dividends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight protections that benefit the public , ” Mr. Amey said in an email .
The negotiations over a new coronavirus relief package will produce more work for lobbyists , especially those advocating for older adults .
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living said Tuesday that they want $ 100 billion more routed to the Department of Health and Human Services ’ Provider Relief Fund to benefit nursing homes , which have been hard hit by the coronavirus .
Mr. Lamkin said his clients are primarily looking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with parents ’ child care needs in the coming months .

Lobbyists are cashing in on Congress’ debates about how to spend trillions of dollars on coronavirus relief legislation.
New second-quarter federal lobbying reports showed top firms’ revenues up more than 25% year-over-year and dozens of new lobbying clients flowing in amid the massive coronavirus relief packages moving through Congress.
Millions of workers across the country are struggling to survive, but lobbyists are enjoying unexpected success.
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck said its revenue was up 28% over 2019’s second quarter and the firm signed 26 new clients during the quarter. At $12.9 million, Brownstein was the top-grossing federal lobbying firm in the country for the quarter.
Brownstein government relations chairman Marc Lampkin said one of the firm’s new clients is Go Live Together, a coalition that represents thousands of businesses in the live events, trade shows, and conferences realm. Mr. Lampkin said many of those businesses and other new clients did not need to reach lawmakers previously and his firm is the modern-day interpretation of what the Founding Fathers imagined for citizens looking to petition their government.
“The need for advocates in Washington has never been more necessary than in the COVID era when so many people who have come to us have been in companies or industries that have generally never come to Washington before,” Mr. Lampkin said. “But they’re in desperate need to understand how these programs work and what’s the best, fastest way to either, A: access programs that are already in place, or to tell the government the story of their needs.”
The dramatic revenue growth was not limited to a single firm. Many of the top lobbying firms in Washington saw dramatic increases in their revenues.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld reported revenue for the first half of the year 26% greater than during the same time last year.
K&L Gates government affairs counselor Darrell Conner said he was expecting a “slow” summer and fall as is typical for a presidential election year. But the pandemic triggered an “unprecedented” amount of work for his firm, and he said K&L Gates saw its second-quarter revenue up 15% over 2019’s second quarter.
“For the first half of 2020, our [Lobbying Disclosure Act] revenues were up about 9 percent compared to the first six months in 2019,” Mr. Conner said in an email. “Pretty much anything dealing with the government’s response to the coronavirus, our team was involved in it for clients — health care; PPP loan assistance; Federal Reserve funding and other economic relief; workforce support; government guidance on compliance; economic support for individual industry sectors; etc. And of course, Congress and the administration are now talking about another package.”
Some lobbying firms declined to draw connections between their revenue growth and specific coronavirus-related matters, and said that all clients are effectively coronavirus-focused now. Project On Government Oversight general counsel Scott H. Amey said the trillions of dollars of new spending naturally attracted lobbyists but it can be difficult to trace lobbyists’ influence over legislation and regulation.
“It’s difficult to match lobbying efforts to specific outcomes, but there is little doubt that D.C. connections pay dividends and they often head off transparency and oversight protections that benefit the public,” Mr. Amey said in an email.
The negotiations over a new coronavirus relief package will produce more work for lobbyists, especially those advocating for older adults.
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living said Tuesday that they want $100 billion more routed to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Provider Relief Fund to benefit nursing homes, which have been hard hit by the coronavirus.
Mr. Lamkin said his clients are primarily looking for liability protection and the government to help with parents’ child care needs in the coming months.
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-22--Terry McAuliffe: Only people voting for Donald Trump are family members, campaign workers

Former Virginia Gov .
Terry McAuliffe on Wednesday predicted a 50-state landslide for Joe Biden .
In an appearance on CNN , the former Clinton administration official said that by Election Day , President Trump would have only the support of the thousands of people who work on his campaign .
And his relatives .
“ The trajectory that Trump ’ s going on , the only people who will be supporting Donald Trump are his family and those that work on his campaign .
They ’ re pretty much the same people nowadays , ” Mr. McAuliffe said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting increased support from former President Barack Obama , whom he characterized as an invincible vote getter .
“ President Obama is one of the most popular politicians in the country , if not the most popular , ” he said .
“ Before the COVID crisis , he hit nearly 60 % of Americans [ saying ] he was a better president than Donald Trump.
” He denied that there was any possible downside , as the CNN host suggested there might be , to Mr. Biden tying himself to his former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ folks .
I think for independents , who greatly admired the work that President Obama had done , for those independents out there and other individuals who may have voted for Trump before , saying ‘ Oh let ’ s give it a try.
’ They ’ ve seen what they saw with Obama and Biden , ” the former Virginia governor said .
While Mr. McAuliffe cautioned that “ the election is more than 100 days away ” and Democrats have to “ run like we ’ re 20 points down , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ everywhere.
” “ Biden is leading everywhere , ” he said .
“ There ’ s not a lot of movement there for new Trump voters .
”

Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe on Wednesday predicted a 50-state landslide for Joe Biden.
In an appearance on CNN, the former Clinton administration official said that by Election Day, President Trump would have only the support of the thousands of people who work on his campaign. And his relatives.
“The trajectory that Trump’s going on, the only people who will be supporting Donald Trump are his family and those that work on his campaign. They’re pretty much the same people nowadays,” Mr. McAuliffe said.
He based that prediction of Mr. Biden getting increased support from former President Barack Obama, whom he characterized as an invincible vote getter.
“President Obama is one of the most popular politicians in the country, if not the most popular,” he said. “Before the COVID crisis, he hit nearly 60% of Americans [saying] he was a better president than Donald Trump.”
He denied that there was any possible downside, as the CNN host suggested there might be, to Mr. Biden tying himself to his former boss.
“I think it energizes folks. I think for independents, who greatly admired the work that President Obama had done, for those independents out there and other individuals who may have voted for Trump before, saying ‘Oh let’s give it a try.’ They’ve seen what they saw with Obama and Biden,” the former Virginia governor said.
While Mr. McAuliffe cautioned that “the election is more than 100 days away” and Democrats have to “run like we’re 20 points down,” he said that pro-Democratic are occurring “everywhere.”
“Biden is leading everywhere,” he said. “There’s not a lot of movement there for new Trump voters.”
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-22--BCA identifies Crystal officer injured after pursuit

CRYSTAL , Minn. ( AP ) - The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified a Crystal police officer who @ @ @ @ @ was being injured during a vehicle chase last week .
The BCA said Wednesday that @ @ @ @ @ veteran of Crystal Police Department .
Donahue has been released from the hospital and is @ @ @ @ @ standard administrative leave .
The incident started shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday when a state @ @ @ @ @ vehicle for a speed violation on Interstate 94 .
The driver was boxed in by @ @ @ @ @ police in Crystal .
The BCA said as officers were trying to take the suspects @ @ @ @ @ tried to flee and hit and ran over Donahue , in addition to damaging several @ @ @ @ @ Tribune reports the BCA said the initial investigation indicated that Donahue fired at the suspect @ @ @ @ @ .
One suspect was treated for superficial injuries at the scene , but it ’ @ @ @ @ @ was hurt .

CRYSTAL, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified a Crystal police officer who fired her weapon while she was being injured during a vehicle chase last week.
The BCA said Wednesday that Jessica Donahue is a 19-year veteran of Crystal Police Department. Donahue has been released from the hospital and is recovering. She is on standard administrative leave.
The incident started shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday when a state trooper tried to stop a vehicle for a speed violation on Interstate 94. The driver was boxed in by the State Patrol and Crystal police in Crystal. The BCA said as officers were trying to take the suspects into custody, the vehicle tried to flee and hit and ran over Donahue, in addition to damaging several police vehicles.
The Star Tribune reports the BCA said the initial investigation indicated that Donahue fired at the suspect vehicle after it hit her. One suspect was treated for superficial injuries at the scene, but it’s unclear how that person was hurt.


washingtontimes--2020-07-22--Child abduction, forced labor scandal widens in south Mexico

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - A scandal involving the abduction and exploitation of young children in a colonial Mexican city popular with tourists widened Wednesday when prosecutors released additional evidence that an adult apparently used other children to help kidnap a missing 2-year-old boy .
The search for Dylan Esaú Gómez Pérez led prosecutors in southern Chiapas state , on the Guatemalan border , to a house in San Cristobal de las Casas where 23 abducted children were being kept in deplorable conditions and forced to sell trinkets and handicrafts in the street .
But Dylan , who turns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
Reviewing surveillance cameras , state prosecutor Jorge Llaven said that a boy and a girl , both apparently around 12 , were seen talking to a woman who is a suspect in the June 30 abduction .
Llaven identified the woman as only as “ Ofelia , ” and offered a $ 13,500 reward for information about the location of her or the missing boy .
In photos from cameras , the boy and the girl enter the public market where Dylan ’ s mother worked in the colonial city .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then the girl takes Dylan by the back of the jacket and walks out of the market with him .
The girl is later seen returning alone , apparently having handed the missing boy over to someone else .
Llaven said Tuesday that a search carried out Monday , apparently related to Dylan ’ s disappearance , had revealed a house where children - most between 2 and 15 years old , but three infants aged between 3 and 20 months - were forced to sell things on the street .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a certain minimum amount of money for the right to get food and a place to sleep at the house , ” Llaven said .
San Cristobal is a picturesque , heavily Indigenous city that is popular among tourists .
It is not unusual to see children and adults hawking local crafts like carvings and embroidered cloth on its narrow cobblestone streets .
But few visitors to the city suspected that some of the kids doing the selling had been snatched from their families .
The Chiapas state prosecutors ’ office said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced through physical and psychological violence to sell handicrafts in the center of the city , ” adding the kids showed signs of “ malnutrition and precarious conditions.
” According to video presented by the prosecutors , many of them slept on what appeared to be sheets of cardboard and blankets on a cement floor .
Three other women have been detained in that case and may face human trafficking and forced labor charges .
Dylan was with his mother , Juana Pérez , at the market on the day he was snatched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City to ask President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to help find her son , works at the market selling fruit and vegetables .
She said her son would sometimes wander off to play , but that no children had ever been snatched from the market before .
The boy ’ s father emigrated to California to find work , and thus Pérez , 23 , has had to care for Dylan and his sister by herself .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - A scandal involving the abduction and exploitation of young children in a colonial Mexican city popular with tourists widened Wednesday when prosecutors released additional evidence that an adult apparently used other children to help kidnap a missing 2-year-old boy.
The search for Dylan Esaú Gómez Pérez led prosecutors in southern Chiapas state, on the Guatemalan border, to a house in San Cristobal de las Casas where 23 abducted children were being kept in deplorable conditions and forced to sell trinkets and handicrafts in the street.
But Dylan, who turns 3 in November, was not among them.
Reviewing surveillance cameras, state prosecutor Jorge Llaven said that a boy and a girl, both apparently around 12, were seen talking to a woman who is a suspect in the June 30 abduction. Llaven identified the woman as only as “Ofelia,” and offered a $13,500 reward for information about the location of her or the missing boy.
In photos from cameras, the boy and the girl enter the public market where Dylan’s mother worked in the colonial city. Dylan appears to follow the boy, and then the girl takes Dylan by the back of the jacket and walks out of the market with him. The girl is later seen returning alone, apparently having handed the missing boy over to someone else.
Llaven said Tuesday that a search carried out Monday, apparently related to Dylan’s disappearance, had revealed a house where children - most between 2 and 15 years old, but three infants aged between 3 and 20 months - were forced to sell things on the street.
“Moreover, they were forced to return with a certain minimum amount of money for the right to get food and a place to sleep at the house,” Llaven said.
San Cristobal is a picturesque, heavily Indigenous city that is popular among tourists. It is not unusual to see children and adults hawking local crafts like carvings and embroidered cloth on its narrow cobblestone streets.
But few visitors to the city suspected that some of the kids doing the selling had been snatched from their families.
The Chiapas state prosecutors’ office said in a statement the children “were forced through physical and psychological violence to sell handicrafts in the center of the city,” adding the kids showed signs of “malnutrition and precarious conditions.”
According to video presented by the prosecutors, many of them slept on what appeared to be sheets of cardboard and blankets on a cement floor. Three other women have been detained in that case and may face human trafficking and forced labor charges.
Dylan was with his mother, Juana Pérez, at the market on the day he was snatched.
Pérez, who traveled to Mexico City to ask President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to help find her son, works at the market selling fruit and vegetables. She said her son would sometimes wander off to play, but that no children had ever been snatched from the market before.
The boy’s father emigrated to California to find work, and thus Pérez, 23, has had to care for Dylan and his sister by herself.


washingtontimes--2020-07-23--Overland Park city councilman charged with domestic battery

OVERLAND PARK , Kan. ( AP ) - Prosecutors have charged an Overland Park city councilman with one count of @ @ @ @ @ show Scott Hamblin , 42 , was arrested after police were called to his home @ @ @ @ @ of a disturbance , the Kansas City Star reported .
A police incident report said @ @ @ @ @ contact with a person “ in a rude , insulting or angry manner , ” @ @ @ @ @ Hamblin was drunk at the time .
Police reported damage to drywall in the home @ @ @ @ @ .
Hamblin was booked into jail late Tuesday night .
He pleaded not guilty to @ @ @ @ @ appearance Wednesday afternoon and was released on bond .
A diversion hearing in the case @ @ @ @ @ 16 .
Hamblin did not immediately return a message left Thursday by The Associated Press @ @ @

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) - Prosecutors have charged an Overland Park city councilman with one count of domestic battery.
Court documents show Scott Hamblin, 42, was arrested after police were called to his home Tuesday night for a report of a disturbance, the Kansas City Star reported.
A police incident report said Hamblin was accused of physical contact with a person “in a rude, insulting or angry manner,” and police indicated they believed Hamblin was drunk at the time. Police reported damage to drywall in the home. No injuries were reported.
Hamblin was booked into jail late Tuesday night. He pleaded not guilty to the charge in a court appearance Wednesday afternoon and was released on bond. A diversion hearing in the case has been set for Sept. 16.
Hamblin did not immediately return a message left Thursday by The Associated Press seeking comment.


washingtontimes--2020-07-23--Bates contingency would house students in local hotels

LEWISTON , Maine ( AP ) - Bates College is considering putting up students in local hotels as it tries @ @ @ @ @ safely house students in a pandemic .
The Maine college told students recently it is @ @ @ @ @ to our existing housing resources ” to ensure everyone has a place to stay .
@ @ @ @ @ sure we can house our new and returning students , ” spokeswoman Mary Pols told @ @ @ @ @ college also needs extra beds for students who may fall ill .
Adding to the @ @ @ @ @ unclear how many of its 1,800 students are going to show up at its Lewiston @ @ @ @ @ month .
More than 3,700 Mainers have tested positive for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ deaths stood at 118 .
For most people , the virus causes mild or moderate @ @ @ @ @ especially older adults and the infirm , it can cause more severe illness and can @ @ @ @

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) - Bates College is considering putting up students in local hotels as it tries to figure out where to safely house students in a pandemic.
The Maine college told students recently it is “working quickly to add to our existing housing resources” to ensure everyone has a place to stay.
“We need to make sure we can house our new and returning students,” spokesperson Mary Pols told the Sun Journal. The college also needs extra beds for students who may fall ill.
Adding to the difficulty: It’s unclear how many of its 1,800 students are going to show up at its Lewiston campus starting in about a month.
In other news related to the pandemic in Maine:
NEW CASES
Maine officials reported an increase of 14 to its total tally of confirmed new cases of the virus on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases in the state since the pandemic began to more than 3,700. The number of deaths held steady at 118.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause more severe illness and can lead to death.
___
CARE FACILITY OUTBREAK
A long-term care facility in Lewiston is the site of 11 reported cases of coronavirus, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention director Nirav Shah said Thursday.
The cases at Marshwood Center include eight residents and three staff members, Shah said. He said the state is in the early stages of an investigation of the outbreak at the facility.
The first positive resident case was discovered on Monday and everyone was tested on Tuesday, said Richard Feifer, chief medical officer for Genesis Healthcare, the owner of Marshwood. He said all residents and staff will be retested on Friday.
“We also continue to follow the direction of the Maine Department of Health in an effort to contain and minimize the spread of the virus,” Feifer said.
___
UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS
The Maine Department of Labor recorded some 2,200 initial claims for state unemployment insurance for the week ending July 18. There were 1,600 initial claims for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, the department said.
Those claims represent about 2,300 individuals filing an initial claim. More than 4,000 individuals filed initial claims during the last full week of June.
The new claims arrived as the state is continuing to combat fraudulent claims. The department said it also canceled about 1,300 initial claims and 195 weekly certifications that were deemed fraudulent during the same week.
The department has received about 20,000 reports of unemployment impostor fraud.


washingtontimes--2020-07-23--Virus surge interrupts hopes for a swift economic recovery

The worsening COVID pandemic risks choking off the U.S. economy ’ s fragile recovery and turn what some investors hoped would be a sprint back to normal into a long hard slog .
States like California that had begun to take tentative steps to reopen their stores and restaurants are reversing course , while states across the Sunbelt that balked at taking preventative measures in the Spring are having to quickly backtrack as the number of Americans being hospitalized or dying from the virus hits new records almost daily .
“ This is not a normal crisis in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Kristina Hooper , chief global market strategist for Invesco .
With consumer spending , by far the biggest motor of the U.S. economy , still far below last year ’ s level , Hooper added , “ This is an environment in which there is going to be a need for more fiscal stimulus or you could see a real hit to consumers.
” The U.S. has already spent $ 3 trillion propping up the economy since the pandemic struck in March .
After suffering the worst loss of jobs since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking halting steps at rehiring in May and June .
Still , new jobless claims have surpassed 1 million for over four months , and have been worsening in Florida , California and other states that have seen a spike in virus cases since they started reopening businesses .
Prior to the pandemic , just 200,000 people sought unemployment assistance in a typical week .
And recently Florida reported a single-day record of 156 deaths , and nearly 14,000 new cases , mirroring a broader trend that has seen the national death rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 states , and 22 states have either paused or reversed efforts to reopen their economies , according to Bank of America .
“ The biggest question mark right now in the market is the recovery in the economy versus virus cases , ” said Stephanie Link , chief investment strategist at Hightower .
Despite the worsening pandemic , investors just celebrated the best return on their S & P ; 500 stock portfolios in over two decades in the second quarter , helped by the Federal Reserve ’ s almost limitless supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soar to unprecedented heights , some analysts signal caution .
“ The renewed spread of the virus and degree of community infection means the pace of recovery we ’ ve had is just not going to be able to hold up anymore , ” said James McCann , senior global economist at Aberdeen Standard Investments .
Technology is one sector that investors can still count on , said Sameer Samana , senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute .
Companies that allow people to work remotely or order goods online will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Samana said .
Health care companies , either working on a vaccine or making diagnostic tests for the virus , will likely also stay strong , he added .

The worsening COVID pandemic risks choking off the U.S. economy’s fragile recovery and turn what some investors hoped would be a sprint back to normal into a long hard slog.
States like California that had begun to take tentative steps to reopen their stores and restaurants are reversing course, while states across the Sunbelt that balked at taking preventative measures in the Spring are having to quickly backtrack as the number of Americans being hospitalized or dying from the virus hits new records almost daily.
“This is not a normal crisis in terms of data we have to monitor,” said Kristina Hooper, chief global market strategist for Invesco. With consumer spending, by far the biggest motor of the U.S. economy, still far below last year’s level, Hooper added, “This is an environment in which there is going to be a need for more fiscal stimulus or you could see a real hit to consumers.”
The U.S. has already spent $3 trillion propping up the economy since the pandemic struck in March. After suffering the worst loss of jobs since the Great Depression, companies seemed to be taking halting steps at rehiring in May and June.
Still, new jobless claims have surpassed 1 million for over four months, and have been worsening in Florida, California and other states that have seen a spike in virus cases since they started reopening businesses. Prior to the pandemic, just 200,000 people sought unemployment assistance in a typical week.
And recently Florida reported a single-day record of 156 deaths, and nearly 14,000 new cases, mirroring a broader trend that has seen the national death rate spike. Infections are now climbing in 40 states, and 22 states have either paused or reversed efforts to reopen their economies, according to Bank of America.
“The biggest question mark right now in the market is the recovery in the economy versus virus cases,” said Stephanie Link, chief investment strategist at Hightower.
Despite the worsening pandemic, investors just celebrated the best return on their S&P 500 stock portfolios in over two decades in the second quarter, helped by the Federal Reserve’s almost limitless supply of cheap money. As equity valuations soar to unprecedented heights, some analysts signal caution.
“The renewed spread of the virus and degree of community infection means the pace of recovery we’ve had is just not going to be able to hold up anymore,” said James McCann, senior global economist at Aberdeen Standard Investments.
Technology is one sector that investors can still count on, said Sameer Samana, senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.
Companies that allow people to work remotely or order goods online will likely remain go-to picks for investors, Samana said. Health care companies, either working on a vaccine or making diagnostic tests for the virus, will likely also stay strong, he added.


washingtontimes--2020-07-23--Fargo police looking for suspect in apartment stabbing

FARGO , N.D. ( AP ) - Police in Fargo are looking for a suspect in a stabbing .
The @ @ @ @ @ ’ s apartment Wednesday and told her that her car ’ s alarm was going @ @ @ @ @ .
The woman and her friend went to investigate the alarm .
Officials said that @ @ @ @ @ found the man in the apartment .
The woman ‘ s friend confronted the suspect @ @ @ @ @ say the injuries are not life-threatening .
The suspect fled from the apartment and has @ @ @ @

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Police in Fargo are looking for a suspect in a stabbing.
The male suspect buzzed a woman’s apartment Wednesday and told her that her car’s alarm was going off, according to police.
The woman and her friend went to investigate the alarm. Officials said that when they returned, they found the man in the apartment.
The woman ‘s friend confronted the suspect and was stabbed. Police say the injuries are not life-threatening.
The suspect fled from the apartment and has not been located.


washingtontimes--2020-07-23--VIRUS DIARY: Pandemic life, captured digitally (literally)

NEW YORK ( AP ) - In journalism , when we ’ re trying to explain a complicated story , we often start with raw data .
How many ?
How much ?
How long ?
How far ?
I decided to use this same approach to document my life during the lockdown .
I began working from home in mid-March .
Since then , I have left my one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan ’ s Washington Heights neighborhood only for exercise and to buy groceries and other necessities .
As someone who is generally a homebody , lockdown really hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for me .
If you ’ re lucky enough to still have your job , lockdown has its opportunities .
You take up a new hobby , learn a new skill or get those projects done that you ’ ve been putting off .
Of course , you can also feel pangs of guilt for not taking full advantage of those opportunities .
I ’ ve done my share of that .
My Great American Novel remains unwritten .
Everyone ’ s lockdown story is a bit different .
Here are some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance from my apartment to the park that marks the furthest limit of my travels since the lockdown began : 1/2 mile Number of times I ’ ve gone to that park : 5 Approximate area I have lived my life in since mid-March , in acres : 41 Number of times I ’ ve been in a car : 0 Number of times I ’ ve used any form of conveyance other than the elevator in my apartment building : 0 Approximate number of hours I spent each day commuting to and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours I used in the April-May 2019 billing cycle : 103 Kilowatt hours I used in the April-May 2020 billing cycle , my first full month of working from home : 145 Kilowatt hours I used in the May-June 2019 billing cycle - the month that I typically start using the air conditioner : 174 Kilowatt hours I used in the May-June 2020 billing cycle , the first month that I worked from home while using the air conditioner : 352 Number of steps I took on an average day in 2019 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an average day in June 2020 : 1,162 Number of times I went to the gym between the time I joined in early January and when it closed in mid-March : 25 Number of pounds I lost during that time : 7.8 Number of pounds I ’ ve gained since then : 10.8 Number of times I ’ ve taken money out of an ATM : 1 Number of times I ’ ve used cash to pay for something other than to fill the card needed to operate the laundry machines in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a lecture series on the Black Death that I added to my Amazon Prime Video queue thinking it was a two- or three-part documentary : 24 Number of those half-hour lectures that I watched : 24 Rank of reading books among the leisure activities I hoped to do more of during lockdown : 1 Number of books I have purchased on my Kindle since lockdown began : 3 Number of those books I have read in their entirety : 1 Number of pairs of shoes that I own : 6 Number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Number of cloth masks I tried to make : 1 Number of those attempts that were successful : 0 Number of weeks I let my beard grow when the lockdown began : 7 Cost of a beard trimmer I bought on Amazon ( probably while I was watching the lecture series on the Black Death ) : $ 22.99 Number of times I used it to trim my beard : 1 Number of times I used it to shave off most of my beard before finishing the job with a razor : 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showcases the coronavirus pandemic through the eyes of Associated Press journalists around the world .
Dave Clark is the mobile editor at The Associated Press .
Follow him on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/dclark5

NEW YORK (AP) - In journalism, when we’re trying to explain a complicated story, we often start with raw data. How many? How much? How long? How far?
I decided to use this same approach to document my life during the lockdown.
I began working from home in mid-March. Since then, I have left my one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood only for exercise and to buy groceries and other necessities.
As someone who is generally a homebody, lockdown really hasn’t been much of a hardship for me. If you’re lucky enough to still have your job, lockdown has its opportunities. You take up a new hobby, learn a new skill or get those projects done that you’ve been putting off.
Of course, you can also feel pangs of guilt for not taking full advantage of those opportunities. I’ve done my share of that. My Great American Novel remains unwritten.
Everyone’s lockdown story is a bit different. Here are some of the numbers that tell mine.
___
Approximate distance from my apartment to the park that marks the furthest limit of my travels since the lockdown began: 1/2 mile
Number of times I’ve gone to that park: 5
Approximate area I have lived my life in since mid-March, in acres: 41
Number of times I’ve been in a car: 0
Number of times I’ve used public transportation: 0
Number of times I’ve used a bicycle: 0
Number of times I’ve used any form of conveyance other than the elevator in my apartment building: 0
Approximate number of hours I spent each day commuting to and from my job pre-pandemic: 2
Kilowatt hours I used in the April-May 2019 billing cycle: 103
Kilowatt hours I used in the April-May 2020 billing cycle, my first full month of working from home: 145
Percentage change year over year: +40.8
Kilowatt hours I used in the May-June 2019 billing cycle - the month that I typically start using the air conditioner: 174
Kilowatt hours I used in the May-June 2020 billing cycle, the first month that I worked from home while using the air conditioner: 352
Percentage change year-over year: +102.3
Number of steps I took on an average day in 2019: 5,092
Number of steps I took on an average day in June 2020: 1,162
Percentage change: -77.2
Number of times I went to the gym between the time I joined in early January and when it closed in mid-March: 25
Number of pounds I lost during that time: 7.8
Number of pounds I’ve gained since then: 10.8
Number of times I’ve taken money out of an ATM: 1
Number of times I’ve used cash to pay for something other than to fill the card needed to operate the laundry machines in my apartment building: 1
Number of episodes in a lecture series on the Black Death that I added to my Amazon Prime Video queue thinking it was a two- or three-part documentary: 24
Number of those half-hour lectures that I watched: 24
Rank of reading books among the leisure activities I hoped to do more of during lockdown: 1
Number of books I have purchased on my Kindle since lockdown began: 3
Number of those books I have read in their entirety: 1
Number of pairs of shoes that I own: 6
Number I have worn during lockdown: 1
Number of cloth masks that I own: 2
Number of cloth masks I tried to make: 1
Number of those attempts that were successful: 0
Number of weeks I let my beard grow when the lockdown began: 7
Cost of a beard trimmer I bought on Amazon (probably while I was watching the lecture series on the Black Death): $22.99
Number of times I used it to trim my beard: 1
Number of times I used it to shave off most of my beard before finishing the job with a razor: 1
___
Virus Diary, an occasional feature, showcases the coronavirus pandemic through the eyes of Associated Press journalists around the world. Dave Clark is the mobile editor at The Associated Press. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dclark5


washingtontimes--2020-07-23--Charlotte, Mecklenburg County ban late-night alcohol sales

CHARLOTTE , N.C. ( AP ) - Officials in Charlotte , Mecklenburg County and a handful of other towns are restricting alcohol sales after 11 p.m. to help fight the spread of the coronavirus .
The Charlotte Observer reports that the ban starts Thursday night .
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department leaders have said they will enforce the order .
Other towns that said they will enact such an order include Davidson , Matthews , Mint Hill and Pineville .
Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio said officials are enacting the restrictions after seeing videos of people in restaurants and bars not wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is unfortunate that we must take these steps due to the poor decisions by some bad actors , ” Diorio said during a news conference .
“ We hope that by taking this step , we can begin to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
” The order is set to run until Aug. 7 .
But it could be rescinded earlier or extended past that date .
Restaurants that don ’ t sell booze can still operate under their normal hours assuming they follow social distancing and mask requirements @

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Officials in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and a handful of other towns are restricting alcohol sales after 11 p.m. to help fight the spread of the coronavirus.
The Charlotte Observer reports that the ban starts Thursday night. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department leaders have said they will enforce the order.
Other towns that said they will enact such an order include Davidson, Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville.
Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio said officials are enacting the restrictions after seeing videos of people in restaurants and bars not wearing masks or practicing social distancing.
“It is unfortunate that we must take these steps due to the poor decisions by some bad actors,” Diorio said during a news conference. “We hope that by taking this step, we can begin to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”
The order is set to run until Aug. 7. But it could be rescinded earlier or extended past that date.
Restaurants that don’t sell booze can still operate under their normal hours assuming they follow social distancing and mask requirements.


washingtontimes--2020-07-23--Lawsuit dropped against officer, city, in fatal shooting

CLAREMONT , N.H. ( AP ) - The mother of a man who was fatally shot by a police officer in New Hampshire in 2016 has dropped a lawsuit against the former officer and the city where it happened .
“ This case was taking a really serious emotional toll on the family , ” Jared Bedrick , an attorney representing Cody LaFont ’ s mother , told the Valley News in an interview Wednesday .
Bedrick said the emotional strain of the case , coupled with the likelihood that it would not go in front of a jury for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were the main reasons for dropping the lawsuit .
LaFont ’ s mother , Tracy McEachern , said in her lawsuit that her son was suffering severe depression when he called police for help at his house in Claremont in 2016 , and that Kibbe and his supervisor should have known that .
The lawsuit accused Kibbe of excessive force .
Authorities said LaFont was holding a handgun and walking toward Kibbe , who fired three shots after LaFont ignored commands to drop the weapon .
Brian Cullen , an attorney representing Kibbe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an email Wednesday .
But he wrote that his client was put in an “ untenable position ” because LaFont did not drop the gun .
“ Officer Kibbe is glad to have this matter finally closed , even though it will never truly be behind him , ” Cullen wrote .
The New Hampshire Attorney General ’ s Office initially ruled that Kibbe was “ legally justified ” in shooting LaFont but amended the finding in October after Kibbe ’ s credibility was called into question in an unrelated case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooting “ legally justified ” but also could not disprove Kibbe ’ s self-defense claim .
Kibbe had been sentenced to 90 days in jail in 2019 for performing an illegal search of a suspect ’ s room in the unrelated case .
He ’ s no longer a police officer .

CLAREMONT, N.H. (AP) - The mother of a man who was fatally shot by a police officer in New Hampshire in 2016 has dropped a lawsuit against the former officer and the city where it happened.
“This case was taking a really serious emotional toll on the family,” Jared Bedrick, an attorney representing Cody LaFont’s mother, told the Valley News in an interview Wednesday.
Bedrick said the emotional strain of the case, coupled with the likelihood that it would not go in front of a jury for a long time due to COVID-19, were the main reasons for dropping the lawsuit.
LaFont’s mother, Tracy McEachern, said in her lawsuit that her son was suffering severe depression when he called police for help at his house in Claremont in 2016, and that Kibbe and his supervisor should have known that. The lawsuit accused Kibbe of excessive force.
Authorities said LaFont was holding a handgun and walking toward Kibbe, who fired three shots after LaFont ignored commands to drop the weapon.
Brian Cullen, an attorney representing Kibbe, called the shooting “tragic” in an email Wednesday. But he wrote that his client was put in an “untenable position” because LaFont did not drop the gun.
“Officer Kibbe is glad to have this matter finally closed, even though it will never truly be behind him,” Cullen wrote.
The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office initially ruled that Kibbe was “legally justified” in shooting LaFont but amended the finding in October after Kibbe’s credibility was called into question in an unrelated case, saying it could no longer could deem the shooting “legally justified” but also could not disprove Kibbe’s self-defense claim.
Kibbe had been sentenced to 90 days in jail in 2019 for performing an illegal search of a suspect’s room in the unrelated case. He’s no longer a police officer.