washingtontimes--2020-05-30--O.J. Simpson takes aim at Fox News for interviewing Mark Fuhrman about George Floyd protests

O.J .
Simpson took offense with Fox News late Friday over the person the network booked to speak about recent protests sparked by the death of an armed black man killed in police custody .
Mark Fuhrman , a white former Los Angeles Police Department detective whose documented use of the N-word took center stage during Mr. Simpson ’ s historic double-murder trial , discussed the unrest during the latest episode of the opinion program hosted by conservative commentator Laura Ingraham , prompting a fiery reply from Mr. Simpson on social media later Friday .
Mr. Simpson took to Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearance on “ The Ingraham Angle , ” tagging Fox News in a tweet where the former football star made his objections known .
Mr. Simpson ’ s post on the platform also included a short video in which he recalled how it emerged during his 1995 criminal trial that Mr. Fuhrman had been recorded saying the N-word dozens of times in the years leading into his involvement in the murder case .
Referencing specific examples of explicit things Mr. Fuhrman said , Mr. Simpson said the 68-year-old retired LAPD detective has previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ And Fox think that this is the guy who should be on TV talking about this subject ?
” Mr. Simpson asked .
Mr. Fuhrman was among the first authorities on the scene where the bodies of Mr. Simpson ’ s ex-wife and a friend were found murdered in June 1994 .
He later testified for the prosecution when Mr. Simpson stood trial for their deaths the following year , and defense lawyers pounced upon his past usage of racial slurs while gunning for their client ’ s acquittal .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having used the N-word during the previous decade .
Lawyers representing Mr. Simpson later obtained evidence indicating otherwise in the form of interviews in which the detective said the epithet dozens of times on tape .
Jurors were eventually read two excerpts from those recordings before ultimately acquitting the former athlete .
Mr. Furhman later pleaded no contest to a related count of perjury and was sentenced to three years of probation .
Fox News currently list him on its website as a forensic and crime scene network for the channel .
Ms. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest episode during a discussion about the recent death of George Floyd and the protests it has sparked in several major U.S. cities .
Floyd , 46 , died after a member of the Minneapolis Police Department kneeled on his neck for several minutes Monday during an incident that was caught on camera and accordingly ignited outrage across the country , evidence by protests in the Twin Cities and elsewhere that have at times become violent and resulted in brazen acts of arson and looting .
“ This is on video a slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somebody grinding somebody ’ s face into the pavement until they ’ re dead , ” Mr. Fuhrman said during the segment .
“ That being said , it is horrific but you can ’ t dilute the justice by more rioting.
” The police officer , Derek Chauvin , was fired by the MPD following Florid ’ s death and was criminally charged Friday with third-degree murder .
and second-degree manslaughter .
Mr. Simpson , 72 , joined Twitter last June .
His profile on the platform is followed by more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video he tweeted about Fox News was viewed more than 800,000 times in under 18 hours .
Acquitted of the murder charges in 1995 , Mr. Simpson later served nearly nine years in prison for convictions related to a 2007 robbery .

O.J. Simpson took offense with Fox News late Friday over the person the network booked to speak about recent protests sparked by the death of an armed black man killed in police custody.
Mark Fuhrman, a white former Los Angeles Police Department detective whose documented use of the N-word took center stage during Mr. Simpson’s historic double-murder trial, discussed the unrest during the latest episode of the opinion program hosted by conservative commentator Laura Ingraham, prompting a fiery reply from Mr. Simpson on social media later Friday.
Mr. Simpson took to Twitter after learning about Mr. Fuhrman’s appearance on “The Ingraham Angle,” tagging Fox News in a tweet where the former football star made his objections known.
“Mark Fuhrman?” Mr. Simpson tweeted. “@FoxNews are you serious???”
Mr. Simpson’s post on the platform also included a short video in which he recalled how it emerged during his 1995 criminal trial that Mr. Fuhrman had been recorded saying the N-word dozens of times in the years leading into his involvement in the murder case.
Referencing specific examples of explicit things Mr. Fuhrman said, Mr. Simpson said the 68-year-old retired LAPD detective has previously said some “horrible, horrible stuff.”
“And Fox think that this is the guy who should be on TV talking about this subject?” Mr. Simpson asked.
Mr. Fuhrman was among the first authorities on the scene where the bodies of Mr. Simpson’s ex-wife and a friend were found murdered in June 1994. He later testified for the prosecution when Mr. Simpson stood trial for their deaths the following year, and defense lawyers pounced upon his past usage of racial slurs while gunning for their client’s acquittal.
Under cross-examination in court, Mr. Fuhrman denied having used the N-word during the previous decade. Lawyers representing Mr. Simpson later obtained evidence indicating otherwise in the form of interviews in which the detective said the epithet dozens of times on tape. Jurors were eventually read two excerpts from those recordings before ultimately acquitting the former athlete.
Mr. Furhman later pleaded no contest to a related count of perjury and was sentenced to three years of probation. Fox News currently list him on its website as a forensic and crime scene network for the channel.
Ms. Ingraham spoke with Mr. Fuhrman during her latest episode during a discussion about the recent death of George Floyd and the protests it has sparked in several major U.S. cities.
Floyd, 46, died after a member of the Minneapolis Police Department kneeled on his neck for several minutes Monday during an incident that was caught on camera and accordingly ignited outrage across the country, evidence by protests in the Twin Cities and elsewhere that have at times become violent and resulted in brazen acts of arson and looting.
“This is on video a slow and really painful thing to watch of somebody grinding somebody’s face into the pavement until they’re dead,” Mr. Fuhrman said during the segment. “That being said, it is horrific but you can’t dilute the justice by more rioting.”
The police officer, Derek Chauvin, was fired by the MPD following Florid’s death and was criminally charged Friday with third-degree murder. and second-degree manslaughter.
Mr. Simpson, 72, joined Twitter last June. His profile on the platform is followed by more than 900,000 other accounts, and the video video he tweeted about Fox News was viewed more than 800,000 times in under 18 hours.
Acquitted of the murder charges in 1995, Mr. Simpson later served nearly nine years in prison for convictions related to a 2007 robbery.


washingtontimes--2020-05-31--Videos of eagle family getting more views during pandemic

GLENWOOD SPRINGS , Colo. ( AP ) - Outside Kirby Wynn ’ s home in Glenwood Springs , a bald eagle battles a pair of ravens mid-flight for the prized and still dripping-wet trout clutched in the majestic raptor ’ s talons .
Shaking off the scavengers , the eagle glides into its nest resting atop the dead branches of a tree overlooking the Roaring Fork Valley , where two hungry eaglets - not yet sporting the iconic white bald head of their parents - gleefully bounce in anticipation of the incoming feast .
“ I ’ ve seen this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 , casually quipped .
“ Sometimes , the eagle wins .
Sometimes , the ravens do.
” A lifelong outdoor enthusiast , Wynn and his wife were thrilled when a mating pair of bald eagles began building their nest about two football fields away from their back porch .
“ Before the pandemic , we ’ d have people over for a barbecue and eagle watching right here in the backyard , ” he explained .
Even before COVID-19 swept the nation , Wynn live-streamed videos of his winged neighbors , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s seen increased interest with some videos being viewed by more than 1,000 people .
With a 60x spotting scope , typically used for hunting , and a special attachment for his phone ’ s camera , Wynn shares his access to the eagles via Zoom and Facebook .
“ It ’ s an enjoyable , relaxing thing to see , ” he explained .
“ I thought it would be a nice thing to offer the community , especially in these trying times.
” A Garfield County employee , Wynn followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 95 and moved to Glenwood Springs about 7 years ago .
“ I ’ m an outdoorsy kind of person , ” he said , explaining he regularly hunts and helps raise funding for wildlife conservation .
“ I ’ ve been out and about running around the mountains since I was a kid.
” Colorado ’ s abundant public lands and ample wildlife keep him rooted in the Western Slope , and the nearby bald eagle family so close to home is the icing on the cake .
“ We first noticed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , ” he said .
“ Then , come spring ( 2019 ) , three eaglets hatched.
” By August , the fledglings left to seek their fortunes elsewhere , and the nest was all but empty .
Wynn and his wife thought that might be the end of it .
But come November , the parents returned and started rebuilding for a new brood with two eaglets hatching this spring .
“ I think one of the most interesting things I ’ ve learned over this time is fledglings actually take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feathers bald eagles are known for , ” Wynn said .
Bald eagles gradually acquire their white plumage as they mature throughout a period of five years , according to the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service ( USFWS ) .
The raptors can live about 30 years , weigh about 14 pounds and have a wingspan of up to 8 feet .
Once an endangered species , bald eagles were originally shielded by the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 , which was amended to include golden eagles in 1962 , USFWS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Randy Hampton said the species has recovered in recent decades .
“ Bald eagles are in a lot of places throughout Colorado and have become really common , ” Hampton said .
“ It ’ s actually a pretty good success story , because that wasn ’ t the case in the ’ 60s and ’ 70s.
” The bald eagle population is growing so rapidly Hampton was not able to immediately access an accurate count of the birds making their home in Colorado .
If seen in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a safe distance .
“ You ’ ll see them mostly along rivers and along waterways , ” Hampton said .
“ Bottom line : Enjoy the view , but also give them space.
” Conscious of the bird ’ s protected status , Wynn does not reveal their location , though he said several people have asked .
“ I just tell them it ’ s in the Glenwood area , ” he said , “ and it ’ s on private land , which is true.
” While his house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granting a decent view of the nest through a pair of binoculars , Wynn said a nearby trail leads to a higher vantage point on the opposite side of the nest , allowing him to film from an elevated viewpoint as well .
“ When they ’ re young and fluffy , they ’ re really cool to see , ” he said .
“ But I think what surprised me most was how long they stay in the nest after they learn to fly.
” Once hatched , he said the young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first testing their wings , but even after mastering flight , they hang around the nest for a month or more .
Watching the birds has become so ingrained in Wynn ’ s day-to-day that he often leaves his phone at home to live-stream the eagles , so he can check in on them at work .
While he ’ s unsure if they will return again after August , Wynn said he ’ d welcome the sight .
“ The natural world is part of what I enjoy in life , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be viewed on his Facebook page or in the Facebook groups Roaring Fork Road and Weather and Roaring Fork Swap .

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Outside Kirby Wynn’s home in Glenwood Springs, a bald eagle battles a pair of ravens mid-flight for the prized and still dripping-wet trout clutched in the majestic raptor’s talons.
Shaking off the scavengers, the eagle glides into its nest resting atop the dead branches of a tree overlooking the Roaring Fork Valley, where two hungry eaglets - not yet sporting the iconic white bald head of their parents - gleefully bounce in anticipation of the incoming feast.
“I’ve seen this more than once,” Wynn, 50, casually quipped. “Sometimes, the eagle wins. Sometimes, the ravens do.”
A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Wynn and his wife were thrilled when a mating pair of bald eagles began building their nest about two football fields away from their back porch.
“Before the pandemic, we’d have people over for a barbecue and eagle watching right here in the backyard,” he explained.
Even before COVID-19 swept the nation, Wynn live-streamed videos of his winged neighbors, but in the past few months, he’s seen increased interest with some videos being viewed by more than 1,000 people.
With a 60x spotting scope, typically used for hunting, and a special attachment for his phone’s camera, Wynn shares his access to the eagles via Zoom and Facebook.
“It’s an enjoyable, relaxing thing to see,” he explained. “I thought it would be a nice thing to offer the community, especially in these trying times.”
Going bald
A Garfield County employee, Wynn followed a job opportunity to Colorado in ’95 and moved to Glenwood Springs about 7 years ago.
“I’m an outdoorsy kind of person,” he said, explaining he regularly hunts and helps raise funding for wildlife conservation. “I’ve been out and about running around the mountains since I was a kid.”
Colorado’s abundant public lands and ample wildlife keep him rooted in the Western Slope, and the nearby bald eagle family so close to home is the icing on the cake.
“We first noticed the parents building a nest around November 2018,” he said. “Then, come spring (2019), three eaglets hatched.”
By August, the fledglings left to seek their fortunes elsewhere, and the nest was all but empty. Wynn and his wife thought that might be the end of it.
But come November, the parents returned and started rebuilding for a new brood with two eaglets hatching this spring.
“I think one of the most interesting things I’ve learned over this time is fledglings actually take a few years to grow the white feathers bald eagles are known for,” Wynn said.
Bald eagles gradually acquire their white plumage as they mature throughout a period of five years, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The raptors can live about 30 years, weigh about 14 pounds and have a wingspan of up to 8 feet.
Once an endangered species, bald eagles were originally shielded by the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940, which was amended to include golden eagles in 1962, USFWS states on its website.
But Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Randy Hampton said the species has recovered in recent decades.
“Bald eagles are in a lot of places throughout Colorado and have become really common,” Hampton said. “It’s actually a pretty good success story, because that wasn’t the case in the ’60s and ’70s.”
The bald eagle population is growing so rapidly Hampton was not able to immediately access an accurate count of the birds making their home in Colorado.
If seen in the wild, he encouraged people to observe from a safe distance.
“You’ll see them mostly along rivers and along waterways,” Hampton said. “Bottom line: Enjoy the view, but also give them space.”
Leaving the nest?
Conscious of the bird’s protected status, Wynn does not reveal their location, though he said several people have asked.
“I just tell them it’s in the Glenwood area,” he said, “and it’s on private land, which is true.”
While his house is located at a lower elevation, granting a decent view of the nest through a pair of binoculars, Wynn said a nearby trail leads to a higher vantage point on the opposite side of the nest, allowing him to film from an elevated viewpoint as well.
“When they’re young and fluffy, they’re really cool to see,” he said. “But I think what surprised me most was how long they stay in the nest after they learn to fly.”
Once hatched, he said the young eaglets grow for about 12 weeks before first testing their wings, but even after mastering flight, they hang around the nest for a month or more.
Watching the birds has become so ingrained in Wynn’s day-to-day that he often leaves his phone at home to live-stream the eagles, so he can check in on them at work.
While he’s unsure if they will return again after August, Wynn said he’d welcome the sight.
“The natural world is part of what I enjoy in life,” he said.
Wynn’s videos can be viewed on his Facebook page or in the Facebook groups Roaring Fork Road and Weather and Roaring Fork Swap.


washingtontimes--2020-05-31--Wyoming coach part of NCAA talks on football amid COVID-19

CASPER , Wyo .
( AP ) - Craig Bohl is spending more time than most coaches these days dabbling in technology .
Not only does Wyoming ’ s coach have his own assistants and players to keep tabs on , but he ’ s also a member of the NCAA ’ s Division I Football Competition Committee and serves on the American Football Coaches Association Board of Trustees .
With the upcoming college football season in limbo amid the coronavirus pandemic , that means frequent Zoom meetings with commissioners , athletic directors and coaches nationwide are part of Bohl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t count all the times he has picked up the phone to call some of his coaching peers around the Mountain West , the Casper Star-Tribune reports .
“ A lot of communication , ” Bold told the Star-Tribune in a phone interview .
“ We ’ re throwing out a lot of different ideas , and there ’ s a lot of probing .
A lot of people asking what everybody else is doing .
Everybody wants to bring back football in a safe manner , and there ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
A lot of really good dialogue .
Not a ton of hard and fast decisions , though.
” Bohl said he normally hops on a conference call with the MW once a week , which is usually spearheaded by the league ’ s commissioner , Craig Thompson .
The same goes for calls with the competition committee , which also includes Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin and Stanford coach David Shaw .
The AFCA board holds a conference call every other week , Bohl said .
Regardless of which call he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation remains focused on contingency plans for the season , though a recent ruling by the NCAA has inspired more confidence that teams will be able to get in a full 12-game schedule this fall .
College sports ’ governing body voted to lift the moratorium on voluntary on-campus workouts for student-athletes .
Some athletes are in the process of reporting to campus to begin those workouts next month .
Wyoming was the first school to publicly announce it would start phasing its athletes back on campus following the NCAA ’ s vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to UW ’ s campus will be required to quarantine for 14 days before starting workouts .
“ I think it ’ s realistic , ” Bohl said of playing a 12-game regular season .
But how soon athletes around the country are actually able to return to their respective campuses is up to each school and conference , meaning not every program ’ s athletes are going to resume workouts at the same time .
The Southeastern Conference isn ’ t allowing its football players to continue voluntary workouts until June 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Big 12 has announced it will start allowing voluntary workouts on June 15 , though one of its most prominent football members , Oklahoma , has decided to wait until July 1 to begin .
It ’ s also anyone ’ s guess as to when teams will actually be allowed to start organized practices .
Bohl said three different models ( four weeks , six weeks and eight weeks ) have been discussed as to how long teams will need to adequately prepare for the season , adding four weeks has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncertainty has made ongoing discussions about contingency plans necessary should teams not be able to start their seasons in late August or early September as scheduled .
Those talks have included playing a shortened season that eliminates non-conference games and moving the season to the spring , but Bohl said an effort to keep the schedule as normal as possible is the top priority among commissioners , coaches and athletic directors he ’ s joined on calls .
“ Some of it comes down to the region of the country , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the season when you can if the opponents you are playing are in that position as opposed to saying , ‘ OK , let ’ s just not have a non-conference and play conference games , ’ ” Bohl said .
“ That was bantered around .
I don ’ t think that ’ s getting much traction right now .
I ’ m confident in saying there ’ s a strong appetite to starting the season on time if everybody ’ s ready.
” If teams that are scheduled to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t start their schedules at the same time , Bohl said allowing Football Bowl Subdivision teams to replace that opponent with a Football Championship Subdivision opponent and then counting the result toward bowl eligibility — even if it ’ s the second FCS opponent on a team ’ s slate — is an alternative that ’ s being discussed “ extensively.
” Currently , FBS teams can only count one FCS game toward their win total for bowl eligibility .
Such a move would have to be approved by the Division I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competition committee is scheduled to have another call Thursday .
“ I think everybody wants to know that if we have to make some adjustments this year to play 12 games , let ’ s do what we can , ” Bohl said .
“ We may not be able to do that , but try to provide as much flexibility as we can to do that.
” Of course , unless campuses are reopened , there may not be any games played .
UW has extended online course delivery through the summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for course instruction this fall , though the university plans to request federal stimulus money in anticipation of reopening .
What if some MW schools opened their campuses but others didn ’ t ?
Would the teams at the fully operational universities still play the upcoming season ?
Bohl said there was “ significant talk ” about the topic once the California State University system , which includes MW members San Diego State , Fresno State and San Jose State , announced earlier this month that classes at its 23 campuses would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , along with school presidents Joseph Castro ( FSU ) , Mary Papazian ( SJSU ) and Adela de la Torre ( SDSU ) issued a joint statement in response to that announcement , saying “ more determinations are necessary ” within the framework of academics and public safety and that “ no decisions on athletics have been made.
” Bohl acknowledged a decision about playing a season without all of the league ’ s members would be made by university presidents .
What Bohl does know is the possibility of getting any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is essentially a “ non-starter , ” he said .
UW was one of many schools forced to cancel spring drills before getting a single practice in , and Bohl told the Star-Tribune then that getting some of those practices back in the form of organized team activities this summer was an idea that was gaining traction among MW coaches .
Bohl said summer OTAs are an idea that ’ s still being discussed periodically , but with college football already dealing with a condensed schedule , he isn ’ t holding his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not counting on that , but if that ’ s there , we ’ ll take advantage of those opportunities to do some OTA work , ” Bohl said .
At this point , Bohl is just hoping the Cowboys are able to go through a full preseason camp in anticipation of playing FCS member Weber State in their Sept. 5 opener as scheduled .
“ I think there ’ s a real impetus to be able to play , ” Bohl said .
“ I ’ m relatively confident we ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not be all the 12 that are on our schedule right now , but I ’ m confident we ’ ll get to be able to play 12 .
”

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) - Craig Bohl is spending more time than most coaches these days dabbling in technology.
Not only does Wyoming’s coach have his own assistants and players to keep tabs on, but he’s also a member of the NCAA’s Division I Football Competition Committee and serves on the American Football Coaches Association Board of Trustees. With the upcoming college football season in limbo amid the coronavirus pandemic, that means frequent Zoom meetings with commissioners, athletic directors and coaches nationwide are part of Bohl’s weekly routine.
That doesn’t count all the times he has picked up the phone to call some of his coaching peers around the Mountain West, the Casper Star-Tribune reports.
“A lot of communication,” Bold told the Star-Tribune in a phone interview. “We’re throwing out a lot of different ideas, and there’s a lot of probing. A lot of people asking what everybody else is doing. Everybody wants to bring back football in a safe manner, and there’s just different perspectives from different parts of the country. A lot of really good dialogue. Not a ton of hard and fast decisions, though.”
Bohl said he normally hops on a conference call with the MW once a week, which is usually spearheaded by the league’s commissioner, Craig Thompson. The same goes for calls with the competition committee, which also includes Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin and Stanford coach David Shaw. The AFCA board holds a conference call every other week, Bohl said.
Regardless of which call he’s on, much of the conversation remains focused on contingency plans for the season, though a recent ruling by the NCAA has inspired more confidence that teams will be able to get in a full 12-game schedule this fall. College sports’ governing body voted to lift the moratorium on voluntary on-campus workouts for student-athletes.
Some athletes are in the process of reporting to campus to begin those workouts next month. Wyoming was the first school to publicly announce it would start phasing its athletes back on campus following the NCAA’s vote, though athletes that choose to return to UW’s campus will be required to quarantine for 14 days before starting workouts.
“I think it’s realistic,” Bohl said of playing a 12-game regular season.
But how soon athletes around the country are actually able to return to their respective campuses is up to each school and conference, meaning not every program’s athletes are going to resume workouts at the same time. The Southeastern Conference isn’t allowing its football players to continue voluntary workouts until June 8 — a week later than Wyoming. The Big 12 has announced it will start allowing voluntary workouts on June 15, though one of its most prominent football members, Oklahoma, has decided to wait until July 1 to begin.
It’s also anyone’s guess as to when teams will actually be allowed to start organized practices. Bohl said three different models (four weeks, six weeks and eight weeks) have been discussed as to how long teams will need to adequately prepare for the season, adding four weeks has been established as the minimum.
That uncertainty has made ongoing discussions about contingency plans necessary should teams not be able to start their seasons in late August or early September as scheduled. Those talks have included playing a shortened season that eliminates non-conference games and moving the season to the spring, but Bohl said an effort to keep the schedule as normal as possible is the top priority among commissioners, coaches and athletic directors he’s joined on calls.
“Some of it comes down to the region of the country, but I believe the needle is moving to opening up the season when you can if the opponents you are playing are in that position as opposed to saying, ‘OK, let’s just not have a non-conference and play conference games,’” Bohl said. “That was bantered around. I don’t think that’s getting much traction right now. I’m confident in saying there’s a strong appetite to starting the season on time if everybody’s ready.”
If teams that are scheduled to play each other early in the season can’t start their schedules at the same time, Bohl said allowing Football Bowl Subdivision teams to replace that opponent with a Football Championship Subdivision opponent and then counting the result toward bowl eligibility — even if it’s the second FCS opponent on a team’s slate — is an alternative that’s being discussed “extensively.” Currently, FBS teams can only count one FCS game toward their win total for bowl eligibility.
Such a move would have to be approved by the Division I Football Oversight Committee. Bohl said the competition committee is scheduled to have another call Thursday.
“I think everybody wants to know that if we have to make some adjustments this year to play 12 games, let’s do what we can,” Bohl said. “We may not be able to do that, but try to provide as much flexibility as we can to do that.”
Of course, unless campuses are reopened, there may not be any games played. UW has extended online course delivery through the summer but has yet to announce its plan for course instruction this fall, though the university plans to request federal stimulus money in anticipation of reopening.
What if some MW schools opened their campuses but others didn’t? Would the teams at the fully operational universities still play the upcoming season? Bohl said there was “significant talk” about the topic once the California State University system, which includes MW members San Diego State, Fresno State and San Jose State, announced earlier this month that classes at its 23 campuses would be held online only this fall.
Thompson, along with school presidents Joseph Castro (FSU), Mary Papazian (SJSU) and Adela de la Torre (SDSU) issued a joint statement in response to that announcement, saying “more determinations are necessary” within the framework of academics and public safety and that “no decisions on athletics have been made.” Bohl acknowledged a decision about playing a season without all of the league’s members would be made by university presidents.
What Bohl does know is the possibility of getting any extra organized practice time at this point is essentially a “non-starter,” he said. UW was one of many schools forced to cancel spring drills before getting a single practice in, and Bohl told the Star-Tribune then that getting some of those practices back in the form of organized team activities this summer was an idea that was gaining traction among MW coaches.
Bohl said summer OTAs are an idea that’s still being discussed periodically, but with college football already dealing with a condensed schedule, he isn’t holding his breath.
“We’re certainly not counting on that, but if that’s there, we’ll take advantage of those opportunities to do some OTA work,” Bohl said.
At this point, Bohl is just hoping the Cowboys are able to go through a full preseason camp in anticipation of playing FCS member Weber State in their Sept. 5 opener as scheduled.
“I think there’s a real impetus to be able to play,” Bohl said. “I’m relatively confident we’ll have 12 games in. Now they may not be all the 12 that are on our schedule right now, but I’m confident we’ll get to be able to play 12.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-31--Massachusetts ban on sale of flavored tobacco to take effect

BOSTON ( AP ) - A statewide ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products , including menthol cigarettes , is set to take effect on Monday .
Massachusetts became the first state to approve such a ban when Republican Gov .
Charlie Baker signed the bill in November .
The law applies to the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Massachusetts retail stores and online .
The new law specifically restricts the sale of the products to licensed smoking bars such as cigar bars and hookah lounges , where they ’ ll only be allowed to be consumed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cigarettes and flavored e-cigarettes , cigars , pipe tobacco and chewing tobacco .
Anti-smoking groups hailed the ban , arguing that flavored tobacco products attract young people .
They said menthol cigarettes are no different .
Convenience stores are among those who oppose the law .
Massachusetts ’ decision to extend the ban to menthol flavors has been contentious in part because studies have shown menthol cigarettes are consumed disproportionately by minorities , which some activists have warned could lead to disproportionate police enforcement in the black community .
The law also places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaping products , gives public health officials new authority to regulate the products and requires health insurers to cover tobacco cessation counseling .

BOSTON (AP) - A statewide ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, is set to take effect on Monday.
Massachusetts became the first state to approve such a ban when Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed the bill in November.
The law applies to the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Massachusetts retail stores and online.
The new law specifically restricts the sale of the products to licensed smoking bars such as cigar bars and hookah lounges, where they’ll only be allowed to be consumed on-site. The restriction extends to menthol cigarettes and flavored e-cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco and chewing tobacco.
Anti-smoking groups hailed the ban, arguing that flavored tobacco products attract young people. They said menthol cigarettes are no different.
Convenience stores are among those who oppose the law.
Massachusetts’ decision to extend the ban to menthol flavors has been contentious in part because studies have shown menthol cigarettes are consumed disproportionately by minorities, which some activists have warned could lead to disproportionate police enforcement in the black community.
The law also places a 75% excise tax on nicotine vaping products, gives public health officials new authority to regulate the products and requires health insurers to cover tobacco cessation counseling.


washingtontimes--2020-05-31--Competitors working together as Yellowstone preps to reopen

BOZEMAN , Mont .
( AP ) - The Montana entrances to Yellowstone are still closed , but that hasn ’ t stopped several Big Sky tour companies from teaming up to be ready when those gates do open .
The five tour companies - Big Sky Adventures & Tours , Discover Yellowstone Tours , Yellowstone Scenic Tours , Yellowstone Tour Guide and Yellowstone Touring Company - are normally in competition to get tourists on their vehicles and into the park .
But this year is far from normal .
“ It makes more sense for us to work together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common plan so people feel safe , ” said Andrea Saari , a co-owner and guide with Big Sky Adventures and Tours .
The five companies got together to create a COVID-19 operating plan to submit to the park , a requirement for all commercial business going in and out of Yellowstone .
Each company submitted its own copy and , in a memo dated May 17 , the park accepted Big Sky Adventures & Tours ’ operating plan .
“ We took that template that was sent to us by the park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we created common answers and tried to brainstorm and talk through potential scenarios and situations that might arise and how we would deal with it , ” Saari said .
The plan states that , in addition to always-available hand sanitizer and frequent sanitization of equipment , the companies will only be accepting tour groups of people already traveling together , like families .
Tour groups will also be asked to fill out a self-assessment tool with any symptoms of sickness they may have and will have their temperatures taken before the tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also log information that might be helpful in contact tracing in the case of a guest or guide testing positive after a tour .
Saari said that a lot of business for tour companies comes by way of referrals from hotel front desks and concierge services , and having one set of guidelines for all five companies will make that information easier to keep track of and share with guests and potential customers .
She also didn ’ t want to confuse guests , who might be getting information from several companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yellowstone has its own set of rules for tour companies to abide by during its phased opening , including keeping groups to 10 or fewer , counting guides .
Saari said she ’ s thankful that the park shares what information it has , but that it ’ s been tough not knowing exactly when the Montana entrances will open .
“ It ’ s kind of frustrating to watch Jackson and Cody be able to open and we still don ’ t know when Montana ’ s going to open , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just so important for everybody to work together so we do create safe travel opportunities , because people have been cooped up and national parks are a great place to get away and be socially distanced outside .
”

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - The Montana entrances to Yellowstone are still closed, but that hasn’t stopped several Big Sky tour companies from teaming up to be ready when those gates do open.
The five tour companies - Big Sky Adventures & Tours, Discover Yellowstone Tours, Yellowstone Scenic Tours, Yellowstone Tour Guide and Yellowstone Touring Company - are normally in competition to get tourists on their vehicles and into the park.
But this year is far from normal.
“It makes more sense for us to work together and put aside competition and make a common plan so people feel safe,” said Andrea Saari, a co-owner and guide with Big Sky Adventures and Tours.
The five companies got together to create a COVID-19 operating plan to submit to the park, a requirement for all commercial business going in and out of Yellowstone. Each company submitted its own copy and, in a memo dated May 17, the park accepted Big Sky Adventures & Tours’ operating plan.
“We took that template that was sent to us by the park service that had to be approved and we created common answers and tried to brainstorm and talk through potential scenarios and situations that might arise and how we would deal with it,” Saari said.
The plan states that, in addition to always-available hand sanitizer and frequent sanitization of equipment, the companies will only be accepting tour groups of people already traveling together, like families. Tour groups will also be asked to fill out a self-assessment tool with any symptoms of sickness they may have and will have their temperatures taken before the tour during a safety briefing.
The companies will also log information that might be helpful in contact tracing in the case of a guest or guide testing positive after a tour.
Saari said that a lot of business for tour companies comes by way of referrals from hotel front desks and concierge services, and having one set of guidelines for all five companies will make that information easier to keep track of and share with guests and potential customers. She also didn’t want to confuse guests, who might be getting information from several companies before deciding which one to book.
Yellowstone has its own set of rules for tour companies to abide by during its phased opening, including keeping groups to 10 or fewer, counting guides.
Saari said she’s thankful that the park shares what information it has, but that it’s been tough not knowing exactly when the Montana entrances will open.
“It’s kind of frustrating to watch Jackson and Cody be able to open and we still don’t know when Montana’s going to open,” Saari said. “It’s just so important for everybody to work together so we do create safe travel opportunities, because people have been cooped up and national parks are a great place to get away and be socially distanced outside.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-31--Jacob Frey, Minneapolis mayor, under fire for George Floyd protests response

MINNEAPOLIS — First-term Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey appeared to be doing everything right .
He worked with the city ’ s booming business community and the City Council .
He reached out to minority neighborhoods and advocated for affordable housing .
He implemented stricter disciplinary measures against police who violated the city ’ s body camera policy .
When George Floyd , a handcuffed black man , died Monday after a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes and ignored his “ I can ’ t breathe ” pleas , Frey quickly expressed outrage and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Four officers were fired the next day , and on Friday , Officer Derek Chauvin was charged in Floyd ’ s death .
But Frey ’ s leadership is being questioned after police failed to quell several nights of rioting , fires and ransacking of local businesses that followed Floyd ’ s death .
Frey , who pleaded for calm , also approved the decision to abandon the city ’ s 3rd Precinct station on Thursday night , surrendering it to protesters who set fire to the building .
The night the station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference after hours of criticism on social media for a police response that didn ’ t confront the violence despite the activation of the National Guard .
As he began talking , one reporter snapped , “ What ’ s the plan here ?
” Frey struggled to answer , and the next morning , Gov .
Tim Walz - like Frey , a Democrat - criticized the “ abject failure ” of the city ’ s response and said the state had taken control .
President Donald Trump took to Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Radical Left Mayor ” and threatened to get involved .
By early Saturday morning , it was Walz who found himself struggling with the enormity of the challenge , conceding that he didn ’ t have enough people to cope with the protests and moving to mobilize another 1,000 Guard members .
Walz also took pains to praise Frey , who appeared alongside him after another night of unrest .
Some wonder whether Frey ’ s approach to the crisis might damage his chances for reelection next year .
The 38-year-old former lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member took office in 2018 after defeating Betsy Hodges , whose time as mayor was marred by two high-profile police shootings .
The 2015 shooting of 24-year-old black resident Jamar Clark after a scuffle with two white police officers set off weeks of protests ; neither officer was charged .
The 2017 shooting of unarmed Australia native Justine Ruszczyk Damond , who had called 911 to report a possible sexual assault behind her house , provoked an international outcry .
The black officer in that case was convicted of third-degree murder and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigned partly on a promise to add police officers .
But a City Council committee this spring voted against applying for a federal grant to hire 10 new officers for traffic enforcement , with one member saying he worried it would exacerbate racial disparities in vehicle stops .
Community activist Mel Reeves , who said he has led rallies to protest Floyd ’ s killing , refused to discuss the mayor ’ s response except to say that Frey had been “ put in a difficult position.
” He said the black community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do the right thing .
“ The mayor is new , and he said all the right things , ” Reeves said .
“ This is not about the mayor ; it ’ s about the police department.
” The day after the 3rd Precinct fire , University of Minnesota political science professor Larry Jacobs said Frey was “ out of his depth ” and “ clearly unable to understand what he has to do to restore order while also creating the kind of healing that has to happen in Minneapolis.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent a powerful message ” that the city was not in control .
“ There needs to be another message : ‘ Here is the line and order will be maintained , ’ ” said Jacobs .
“ You ’ ve got businesses that are just shocked without words to see property going up in flames , often with no police intervention at all .
You have the black community ( that has ) heard his words but does not believe them .
“ He worked really hard at those relationships and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think a lot of residents are unnerved by the violence and the chaos.
” Jonathan Weinhagen , president and CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber , said the mayor still has his support , and that many businesses damaged by the violent protests , including those owned by minorities and immigrants , want to rebuild .
“ There is a lot of fear right now .
If your store has been hit , you feel violated , ” said Weinhagen , adding that some businesses already were suffering because of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see some light and this hit.
” But he believes the mayor is “ leading with his values ” and getting a lot of things right , including requesting the Guard assistance and implementing a curfew Friday and Saturday nights .
Jacobs , the political scientist , said Frey has been energetic , upbeat and dynamic , effectively leading the fast-growing city .
But his inexperience with crisis management has shown .
“ Until about a week ago , he looked to be on glide path to reelection , and within a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s crumbled , ” Jacobs said .

MINNEAPOLIS — First-term Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey appeared to be doing everything right.
He worked with the city’s booming business community and the City Council. He reached out to minority neighborhoods and advocated for affordable housing. He implemented stricter disciplinary measures against police who violated the city’s body camera policy.
When George Floyd, a handcuffed black man, died Monday after a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes and ignored his “I can’t breathe” pleas, Frey quickly expressed outrage and called for charges against the officer. Four officers were fired the next day, and on Friday, Officer Derek Chauvin was charged in Floyd’s death.
But Frey’s leadership is being questioned after police failed to quell several nights of rioting, fires and ransacking of local businesses that followed Floyd’s death. Frey, who pleaded for calm, also approved the decision to abandon the city’s 3rd Precinct station on Thursday night, surrendering it to protesters who set fire to the building.
The night the station burned, Frey appeared at an early-morning news conference after hours of criticism on social media for a police response that didn’t confront the violence despite the activation of the National Guard. As he began talking, one reporter snapped, “What’s the plan here?” Frey struggled to answer, and the next morning, Gov. Tim Walz - like Frey, a Democrat - criticized the “abject failure” of the city’s response and said the state had taken control. President Donald Trump took to Twitter to call Frey a “very weak Radical Left Mayor” and threatened to get involved.
By early Saturday morning, it was Walz who found himself struggling with the enormity of the challenge, conceding that he didn’t have enough people to cope with the protests and moving to mobilize another 1,000 Guard members. Walz also took pains to praise Frey, who appeared alongside him after another night of unrest.
Some wonder whether Frey’s approach to the crisis might damage his chances for reelection next year. The 38-year-old former lawyer, community organizer and one-term City Council member took office in 2018 after defeating Betsy Hodges, whose time as mayor was marred by two high-profile police shootings.
The 2015 shooting of 24-year-old black resident Jamar Clark after a scuffle with two white police officers set off weeks of protests; neither officer was charged. The 2017 shooting of unarmed Australia native Justine Ruszczyk Damond, who had called 911 to report a possible sexual assault behind her house, provoked an international outcry. The black officer in that case was convicted of third-degree murder and is serving a 12 1/2-year term.
Frey campaigned partly on a promise to add police officers. But a City Council committee this spring voted against applying for a federal grant to hire 10 new officers for traffic enforcement, with one member saying he worried it would exacerbate racial disparities in vehicle stops.
Community activist Mel Reeves, who said he has led rallies to protest Floyd’s killing, refused to discuss the mayor’s response except to say that Frey had been “put in a difficult position.” He said the black community doesn’t trust police and prosecutors to do the right thing.
“The mayor is new, and he said all the right things,” Reeves said. “This is not about the mayor; it’s about the police department.”
The day after the 3rd Precinct fire, University of Minnesota political science professor Larry Jacobs said Frey was “out of his depth” and “clearly unable to understand what he has to do to restore order while also creating the kind of healing that has to happen in Minneapolis.”
He said abandoning the police station “sent a powerful message” that the city was not in control.
“There needs to be another message: ‘Here is the line and order will be maintained,’” said Jacobs. “You’ve got businesses that are just shocked without words to see property going up in flames, often with no police intervention at all. You have the black community (that has) heard his words but does not believe them.
“He worked really hard at those relationships and they appear to be in tatters. And I think a lot of residents are unnerved by the violence and the chaos.”
Jonathan Weinhagen, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber, said the mayor still has his support, and that many businesses damaged by the violent protests, including those owned by minorities and immigrants, want to rebuild.
“There is a lot of fear right now. If your store has been hit, you feel violated,” said Weinhagen, adding that some businesses already were suffering because of the coronavirus restrictions. “They were just beginning to see some light and this hit.”
But he believes the mayor is “leading with his values” and getting a lot of things right, including requesting the Guard assistance and implementing a curfew Friday and Saturday nights.
Jacobs, the political scientist, said Frey has been energetic, upbeat and dynamic, effectively leading the fast-growing city. But his inexperience with crisis management has shown.
“Until about a week ago, he looked to be on glide path to reelection, and within a week, his mayorship looks like it’s crumbled,” Jacobs said.
___
Webber reported from Fenton, Michigan.


washingtontimes--2020-05-31--Coronavirus alters hurricane shelter plans

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - Shelters that open during dangerous hurricanes may look and operate differently this storm season , state emergency officials said , as the new coronavirus complicate response plans .
Across the coastal United States , concerns over COVID-19 has added a new complication to response planning as emergency officials prepare for the hurricane season that officially starts Monday .
Forecasters are predicting that it could be a busier than average hurricane season .
Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Hastings said coronavirus is altering response planning .
He said the state will look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing , or the use of non-congregant sheltering where possible .
“ The primary sheltering will now be non-congregant sheltering .
That is what we ’ d like to do in a hurricane but it ’ s challenging because that may not be an option in all rural areas of Alabama , ” Hastings said .
He said the state may need to open more shelters in order to comply with social distancing guidelines .
“ Under a COVID environment you are probably going to have to reduce your occupancy , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuation shelters .
During 2017′s Hurricane Irma , Florida residents fleeing the storm bunked at the Acadome on the campus of Alabama State University , one of many shelters operated by the Red Cross .
“ We are going to have to make safety protocols for people who are coming into the shelter , taking temperatures and making sure everyone has face masks available as well as hand sanitizers and everything , ” Annette Rowland , regional director of communications and marketing fir the American Red Cross Alabama-Mississippi .
She said they may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are two options that we have .
One is putting people in hotels instead of opening shelters .
And if we open shelters , that we are going to have to consider the social distancing , ” Rowland said .
Hastings urged people to being planning now about where they may go if they must evacuate .
And if a dangerous hurricane is churning toward the Alabama coast , people should continue to flee the dangerous storm .
Emergency officials gave the same message during tornado season .
“ If your life is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - regardless of the fear of COVID-19 .
You really shouldn ’ t have fear of COVID-19 .
You should have respect for COVID-19 , ” Hastings said .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Shelters that open during dangerous hurricanes may look and operate differently this storm season, state emergency officials said, as the new coronavirus complicate response plans.
Across the coastal United States, concerns over COVID-19 has added a new complication to response planning as emergency officials prepare for the hurricane season that officially starts Monday. Forecasters are predicting that it could be a busier than average hurricane season.
Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Hastings said coronavirus is altering response planning. He said the state will look at opening more shelters, to allow social distancing, or the use of non-congregant sheltering where possible.
“The primary sheltering will now be non-congregant sheltering. That is what we’d like to do in a hurricane but it’s challenging because that may not be an option in all rural areas of Alabama,” Hastings said.
He said the state may need to open more shelters in order to comply with social distancing guidelines.
“Under a COVID environment you are probably going to have to reduce your occupancy,” he said.
The American Red Cross operates evacuation shelters. During 2017′s Hurricane Irma, Florida residents fleeing the storm bunked at the Acadome on the campus of Alabama State University, one of many shelters operated by the Red Cross.
“We are going to have to make safety protocols for people who are coming into the shelter, taking temperatures and making sure everyone has face masks available as well as hand sanitizers and everything,” Annette Rowland, regional director of communications and marketing fir the American Red Cross Alabama-Mississippi.
She said they may look at hotel options.
“Those are two options that we have. One is putting people in hotels instead of opening shelters. And if we open shelters, that we are going to have to consider the social distancing,” Rowland said.
Hastings urged people to being planning now about where they may go if they must evacuate.
And if a dangerous hurricane is churning toward the Alabama coast, people should continue to flee the dangerous storm. Emergency officials gave the same message during tornado season.
“If your life is threatened, you need to seek shelter - regardless of the fear of COVID-19. You really shouldn’t have fear of COVID-19. You should have respect for COVID-19,” Hastings said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-31--Many states scrambling to update hurricane plans for virus

Officials across the U.S. South are still scrambling to adjust their hurricane plans to the coronavirus .
The big unknown : Where will people fleeing storms go ?
The Associated Press surveyed more than 70 counties and states from Texas to Virginia , with more than 60 % of coastal counties saying as of late May that they ’ re still solidifying plans for public hurricane shelters .
They ’ re also altering preparations for dealing with the sick and elderly , protective equipment and cleanup costs .
In Georgia ’ s McIntosh County , south of Savannah , Emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic would be a “ nightmare.
” He worried about social distancing at shelters and on buses used to get people out .
“ I ’ d love to be able to tell you we ’ ve got that answered right now , ” Poppell said .
“ It ’ s a work in progress.
” Hurricane season officially starts Monday , though Tropical Storms Arthur and Bertha arrived early .
Forecasters are expecting a busier-than-normal season .
“ Everything that we do will be affected in one way or another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Florida Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz said .
Many counties are taking federal advice and hope to use hotels as smaller-scale shelters , while others plan to use more parts of schools besides large gymnasiums .
Still others , especially in Louisiana , plan for big shelters with more social distancing .
Officials emphasize that shelters are last resorts , urging people to stay with friends or in hotels .
But massive unemployment is making the expense of hotels less feasible .
“ Our biggest change to our hurricane plan is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelter those that have to evacuate ?
How are going to shelter those that are positive COVID patients ?
There are multiple ideas that we are considering right now , ” Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Director Greg Michel said .
During tornadoes in April , the state used hotels as shelters , which was good practice for hurricane season , he said .
Most counties surveyed said they ’ re still figuring out shelters .
While that may sound worrisome , it could be beneficial because emergency managers need to update plans as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina disaster expert Susan Cutter said .
“ Disasters are not going to stop for COVID-19 , ” Brad Kieserman , an American Red Cross executive , told reporters in May .
“ Hope is not a plan .
And we ’ ve got to plan for tens of thousands of people to evacuate in the face of hurricanes and wildfires and other disasters.
” Some officials acknowledged they aren ’ t as ready for storm season as they were a year ago because of the virus .
Others were more confident .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ preparedness for Craven County ( North Carolina ) is 50 % or lower as we still have not finalized shelter options , ” said Stanley Kite , emergency services director of the county hit by 2018 ’ s Hurricane Florence .
“ Before COVID-19 , would have estimated 90 % .
” Shelters were the most mentioned worry , but comfort levels with other aspects of hurricane preparations varied , reflecting the difference in how states plan for disasters .
Having enough staff for shelters is a persistent problem locally and nationally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management chief Jeff Goldberg .
Protective equipment is the biggest shortfall in several North Carolina counties .
Money is always an issue , with counties often waiting for federal reimbursement .
Handling nursing homes , hospitals and COVID-19 patients “ is one of the most difficult challenges and would require a larger state response , ” said Jeffrey Johnson , fire chief in Newport News , Virginia .
Other places downplayed concerns .
Orleans Parish , where 2005 ’ s Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans , has added social distancing and protective equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ otherwise “ essentially unchanged .
It ’ s a good plan , ” said Collin Arnold , head of the city ’ s emergency preparedness office .
A year ago , officials in North Carolina ’ s Beaufort County would have rated their readiness going into hurricane season at a 95 on a 0-to-100 scale .
With the virus , that ’ s down to 75 .
Brad Baker , emergency management director of Florida ’ s Santa Rosa County , gave the same numbers “ because there ’ s a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Texas , which was swamped by 2017 ’ s Hurricane Harvey , officials said they were at a 95 going into hurricane season last year .
Now , it ’ s below 80 , emergency management coordinator Melissa Munguia said .
If another Harvey brings 50 inches ( 127 centimeters ) of rain , she said the same reinforcements won ’ t arrive because “ everybody ’ s been working their personnel for many hours for over 100 days.
” Florida officials were far more upbeat .
“ While COVID-19 complicates things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I think Florida is as prepared as ever before in response to a hurricane , ” said Moskowitz , the state emergency management chief .
In Louisiana , disaster officials said they ’ re used to “ overlapping emergencies , and you just have to plow through.
” They anticipate making adjustments , “ but it ’ s hard to pin down what those changes will be , ” said Mike Steele , spokesman for the state ’ s emergency preparedness office .
By August and September , typically the height of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of infections and social distancing requirements may have changed , he said .
Coping with a hurricane is hard , and the coronavirus “ is going to make it a little bit more difficult , ” Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Pete Gaynor told reporters in May .
But he said FEMA has hired 500 people since March and has a record of nearly $ 80 billion in its disaster fund .
Vice President Mike Pence told President Donald Trump on Thursday that the federal government would ensure state and local authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr. President , we ’ re ready.
” Academics who study disasters aren ’ t so sure .
“ I don ’ t think they ( federal officials ) are doing the job they should be doing .
I worry about their ability to handle a very large hurricane in addition to COVID-19 , ” University of South Carolina ’ s Cutter said .
She and others said mixed messages on the coronavirus means some people aren ’ t believing what they ’ re hearing from Washington in an emergency .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now because we don ’ t trust the federal government , ” Cutter said .
Between the pandemic , a crashing economy and patchy federal responses to three 2017 hurricanes , people should prepare for little help from the government , Virginia Commonwealth University emergency preparedness professor Hans-Louis Charles said .
Experts also worry that it could take longer to return to normal after a hurricane .
Search and rescue teams , utility workers who restore power lines and volunteers who help clean up may be slowed or not respond at all because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
That and other issues may mean a storm that in the past caused $ 12 billion in insured damage , like 2018 ’ s Hurricane Michael , may cost 20 % more , catastrophic risk modeler Karen Clark said .
While many officials are still trying to figure out shelters , they said if people are told to evacuate in a hurricane , residents must go .
Storm surge is more dangerous than the virus , officials said .
“ In hurricane season , we can ’ t have mixed messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone , your plan is to evacuate if ordered to do so by local officials , ” former FEMA director Craig Fugate said .
“ This message will not change , COVID or no COVID .
”

Officials across the U.S. South are still scrambling to adjust their hurricane plans to the coronavirus. The big unknown: Where will people fleeing storms go?
The Associated Press surveyed more than 70 counties and states from Texas to Virginia, with more than 60% of coastal counties saying as of late May that they’re still solidifying plans for public hurricane shelters. They’re also altering preparations for dealing with the sick and elderly, protective equipment and cleanup costs.
In Georgia’s McIntosh County, south of Savannah, Emergency Management Agency Director Ty Poppell said evacuations during the pandemic would be a “nightmare.” He worried about social distancing at shelters and on buses used to get people out.
“I’d love to be able to tell you we’ve got that answered right now,” Poppell said. “It’s a work in progress.”
Hurricane season officially starts Monday, though Tropical Storms Arthur and Bertha arrived early. Forecasters are expecting a busier-than-normal season.
“Everything that we do will be affected in one way or another, big and/or small, by COVID-19,” Florida Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz said.
Many counties are taking federal advice and hope to use hotels as smaller-scale shelters, while others plan to use more parts of schools besides large gymnasiums. Still others, especially in Louisiana, plan for big shelters with more social distancing.
Officials emphasize that shelters are last resorts, urging people to stay with friends or in hotels. But massive unemployment is making the expense of hotels less feasible.
“Our biggest change to our hurricane plan is sheltering. How are we going to shelter those that have to evacuate? How are going to shelter those that are positive COVID patients? There are multiple ideas that we are considering right now,” Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Director Greg Michel said.
During tornadoes in April, the state used hotels as shelters, which was good practice for hurricane season, he said.
Most counties surveyed said they’re still figuring out shelters.
While that may sound worrisome, it could be beneficial because emergency managers need to update plans as the pandemic changes, University of South Carolina disaster expert Susan Cutter said.
“Disasters are not going to stop for COVID-19,” Brad Kieserman, an American Red Cross executive, told reporters in May. “Hope is not a plan. And we’ve got to plan for tens of thousands of people to evacuate in the face of hurricanes and wildfires and other disasters.”
Some officials acknowledged they aren’t as ready for storm season as they were a year ago because of the virus. Others were more confident.
“We feel the current rating of preparedness for Craven County (North Carolina) is 50% or lower as we still have not finalized shelter options,” said Stanley Kite, emergency services director of the county hit by 2018’s Hurricane Florence. “Before COVID-19, would have estimated 90%.”
Shelters were the most mentioned worry, but comfort levels with other aspects of hurricane preparations varied, reflecting the difference in how states plan for disasters. Having enough staff for shelters is a persistent problem locally and nationally, said Walton County, Florida, emergency management chief Jeff Goldberg.
Protective equipment is the biggest shortfall in several North Carolina counties. Money is always an issue, with counties often waiting for federal reimbursement. Handling nursing homes, hospitals and COVID-19 patients “is one of the most difficult challenges and would require a larger state response,” said Jeffrey Johnson, fire chief in Newport News, Virginia.
Other places downplayed concerns. Orleans Parish, where 2005’s Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, has added social distancing and protective equipment to a 10-year-old plan that’s otherwise “essentially unchanged. It’s a good plan,” said Collin Arnold, head of the city’s emergency preparedness office.
A year ago, officials in North Carolina’s Beaufort County would have rated their readiness going into hurricane season at a 95 on a 0-to-100 scale. With the virus, that’s down to 75. Brad Baker, emergency management director of Florida’s Santa Rosa County, gave the same numbers “because there’s a lot of unknowns with COVID.”
In Nueces County, Texas, which was swamped by 2017’s Hurricane Harvey, officials said they were at a 95 going into hurricane season last year. Now, it’s below 80, emergency management coordinator Melissa Munguia said. If another Harvey brings 50 inches (127 centimeters) of rain, she said the same reinforcements won’t arrive because “everybody’s been working their personnel for many hours for over 100 days.”
Florida officials were far more upbeat.
“While COVID-19 complicates things and you have to plan around COVID-19, I think Florida is as prepared as ever before in response to a hurricane,” said Moskowitz, the state emergency management chief.
In Louisiana, disaster officials said they’re used to “overlapping emergencies, and you just have to plow through.”
They anticipate making adjustments, “but it’s hard to pin down what those changes will be,” said Mike Steele, spokesman for the state’s emergency preparedness office. By August and September, typically the height of Louisiana’s hurricane season, the number of infections and social distancing requirements may have changed, he said.
Coping with a hurricane is hard, and the coronavirus “is going to make it a little bit more difficult,” Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Pete Gaynor told reporters in May. But he said FEMA has hired 500 people since March and has a record of nearly $80 billion in its disaster fund.
Vice President Mike Pence told President Donald Trump on Thursday that the federal government would ensure state and local authorities can handle hurricanes. “Bottom line, Mr. President, we’re ready.”
Academics who study disasters aren’t so sure.
“I don’t think they (federal officials) are doing the job they should be doing. I worry about their ability to handle a very large hurricane in addition to COVID-19,” University of South Carolina’s Cutter said.
She and others said mixed messages on the coronavirus means some people aren’t believing what they’re hearing from Washington in an emergency.
“I think our lives are in danger now because we don’t trust the federal government,” Cutter said.
Between the pandemic, a crashing economy and patchy federal responses to three 2017 hurricanes, people should prepare for little help from the government, Virginia Commonwealth University emergency preparedness professor Hans-Louis Charles said.
Experts also worry that it could take longer to return to normal after a hurricane. Search and rescue teams, utility workers who restore power lines and volunteers who help clean up may be slowed or not respond at all because of concerns over virus exposure, experts said. That and other issues may mean a storm that in the past caused $12 billion in insured damage, like 2018’s Hurricane Michael, may cost 20% more, catastrophic risk modeler Karen Clark said.
While many officials are still trying to figure out shelters, they said if people are told to evacuate in a hurricane, residents must go. Storm surge is more dangerous than the virus, officials said.
“In hurricane season, we can’t have mixed messages. If you live in an evacuation zone, your plan is to evacuate if ordered to do so by local officials,” former FEMA director Craig Fugate said. “This message will not change, COVID or no COVID.”
___
Contributing are: Jonathan Drew, Ben Finley, Alan Suderman, Meg Kinnard, Sudhin Thanawala, Brendan Farrington, Tamara Lush, Curt Anderson, Michael Schneider, Terry Spencer, Kelli Kennedy, Freida Frisaro, Adriana Gomez Licon, David Fischer, Kimberly Chandler, Emily Wagster Pettus, Janet McConnaughey, Paul Weber and Kevin Freking.


washingtontimes--2020-05-31--Kellie Chauvin, Derek Chauvin's wife, not sister of Tou Thao, divorce lawyer says

Amid reports that the wife of the white officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd filed for divorce , false social media posts emerged claiming her brother was among the officers involved in the arrest .
“ THE PLOT THICKENS !
” shouted a Facebook post Saturday claiming that Derek Chauvin ’ s wife , Kellie Chauvin , was the sister of an officer captured on video standing by as the 46-year-old black man cried out for help .
But Kellie Chauvin is not the sister of Tou Thao , one of the officers on the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chauvin ’ s brother .
I would GREATLY appreciate help putting that rumor to rest , ” Amanda Mason-Sekula , her divorce lawyer , said in an email .
“ Her family has been harassed and threatened based on multiple incorrect reports.
” Kellie Chauvin , who competed for the title of Mrs. Minnesota in 2018 with the hope of becoming the first Hmong winner , does have a brother , but it ’ s not Thao .
Her brother is a police officer in St. Paul , said Mason-Sekula , adding he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ’ s death .
Both Kellie Chauvin and Thao are Asian .
Kellie Chauvin was born in Laos in 1974 .
Her family fled to Thailand in 1977 following the war .
Posts making the false claim spread across Twitter , Facebook and YouTube , with the rumor swirling in Minneapolis ’ Hmong community .
The widely shared posts included side-by-side photos of Thao , Chauvin and Kellie Chauvin .
Derek Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of the Floyd , which has lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence .
All four officers involved in the arrest were fired .
“ Kellie Chauvin is the wife of Derek Chauvin , Tou Thao is Kellie Chauvin ’ s brother , ” said one post on Instagram with more than 3,000 likes .
False information surrounding Floyd ’ s death has snowballed on social media amid protests calling for justice in the killing of Floyd who had recently moved to Minneapolis to start a new life for himself .
Charges have not been filed against Thao and the other officers at the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 for alleged excessive force , according to online records obtained by The Associated Press .
According to the lawsuit , Lamar Ferguson claimed that in 2014 Thao and his partner stopped him and beat him up while he was on his way to his girlfriend ’ s house .
The lawsuit was settled for $ 25,000 .
Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak contributed to this report .

Amid reports that the wife of the white officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd filed for divorce, false social media posts emerged claiming her brother was among the officers involved in the arrest.
“THE PLOT THICKENS!” shouted a Facebook post Saturday claiming that Derek Chauvin’s wife, Kellie Chauvin, was the sister of an officer captured on video standing by as the 46-year-old black man cried out for help.
But Kellie Chauvin is not the sister of Tou Thao, one of the officers on the scene.
“Tou Thao is NOT Ms. Chauvin’s brother. I would GREATLY appreciate help putting that rumor to rest,” Amanda Mason-Sekula, her divorce lawyer, said in an email. “Her family has been harassed and threatened based on multiple incorrect reports.”
Kellie Chauvin, who competed for the title of Mrs. Minnesota in 2018 with the hope of becoming the first Hmong winner, does have a brother, but it’s not Thao. Her brother is a police officer in St. Paul, said Mason-Sekula, adding he was not involved in any aspect of Floyd’s death.
Both Kellie Chauvin and Thao are Asian. Kellie Chauvin was born in Laos in 1974. Her family fled to Thailand in 1977 following the war.
Posts making the false claim spread across Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, with the rumor swirling in Minneapolis’ Hmong community. The widely shared posts included side-by-side photos of Thao, Chauvin and Kellie Chauvin. Derek Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of the Floyd, which has lead to days of protests in the U.S. and violence. All four officers involved in the arrest were fired.
“Kellie Chauvin is the wife of Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao is Kellie Chauvin’s brother,” said one post on Instagram with more than 3,000 likes.
False information surrounding Floyd’s death has snowballed on social media amid protests calling for justice in the killing of Floyd who had recently moved to Minneapolis to start a new life for himself.
Charges have not been filed against Thao and the other officers at the scene. Thao was sued in federal court in 2017 for alleged excessive force, according to online records obtained by The Associated Press. According to the lawsuit, Lamar Ferguson claimed that in 2014 Thao and his partner stopped him and beat him up while he was on his way to his girlfriend’s house. The lawsuit was settled for $25,000.
___
Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-31--George Floyd's body returning to Houston, mayor says

HOUSTON — The mayor of Houston said Saturday that the body of George Floyd , whose death after a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck during an arrest has sparked protests across the U.S , will be returning to the city where he grew up .
Floyd was a Houston native before moving to Minnesota .
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said at a news conference that Floyd ’ s body would be coming back to Houston but provided no additional details .
His family has not announced funeral plans .
“ This is the same city that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his body will be returning to this city , ” Turner said .
“ And so the focus needs to be on supporting and uplifting this family.
” Turner spoke alongside Houston Police Chief Art Acevdeo , who said his department had arrested more than 130 people since protests began Friday in the nation ’ s fourth-largest city .
Floyd , 46 , grew up in Houston ’ s Third Ward , one of the city ’ s predominantly black neighborhoods .
At 6 feet , 6 inches , Floyd emerged as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School and played in the 1992 state championship game in the Houston Astrodome .
Yates lost to Temple , 38-20 .
Floyd ’ s death Monday and other police killings of black men have fueled tense demonstrations nationwide .
The white police officer who held his knee to Floyd ’ s neck as he begged for air was arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter .
But many protesters are demanding the arrests of the three other officers involved .

HOUSTON — The mayor of Houston said Saturday that the body of George Floyd, whose death after a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck during an arrest has sparked protests across the U.S, will be returning to the city where he grew up.
Floyd was a Houston native before moving to Minnesota. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said at a news conference that Floyd’s body would be coming back to Houston but provided no additional details. His family has not announced funeral plans.
“This is the same city that George Floyd grew up in. And his body will be returning to this city,” Turner said. “And so the focus needs to be on supporting and uplifting this family.”
Turner spoke alongside Houston Police Chief Art Acevdeo, who said his department had arrested more than 130 people since protests began Friday in the nation’s fourth-largest city.
Floyd, 46, grew up in Houston’s Third Ward, one of the city’s predominantly black neighborhoods. At 6 feet, 6 inches, Floyd emerged as a star tight end for Jack Yates High School and played in the 1992 state championship game in the Houston Astrodome. Yates lost to Temple, 38-20.
Floyd’s death Monday and other police killings of black men have fueled tense demonstrations nationwide.
The white police officer who held his knee to Floyd’s neck as he begged for air was arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. But many protesters are demanding the arrests of the three other officers involved.


washingtontimes--2020-05-31--AMERICAN DIARY: To be black and a journalist at this moment

For many Americans , “ space ” means leaving the Earth ’ s atmosphere and exploring the galaxy .
They think of this weekend ’ s Space X launch .
Or going where no one has gone before on “ Star Trek.
” But the concept of space has a different meaning for African Americans .
It ’ s about finding places in American society - white society - where we are free to just be .
Those spaces have been shrinking in recent months .
With the flames lit in Minneapolis spreading to other cities after yet another black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like only an airhole was left .
I am tired .
Tired of how routine violence against African Americans at the hands of white people has been and continues to be .
Angry as a journalist that this has happened so often that we all know the angles that must be covered , the questions to be asked , the stories to be written .
Angrier still that as an African American journalist , I must explain , again and again , how dehumanizing this all is .
And I think : Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shouldn ’ t I be doing something to stop the racism , the violence against us ?
For years , my identities as an African American and a journalist have been in sync .
Growing up , I was curious ( my family would say nosy ) .
I read my hometown newspaper religiously and watched the evening news .
I especially loved how journalists used facts to shine a light on the world ’ s injustices while also telling stories people needed to know to make decisions in their lives .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minority journalism workshop and my career choice was set .
But in recent times , the dissonance between the two parts of me has grown louder .
I woke up Tuesday morning to video of George Floyd , a handcuffed man , struggling for breath while a police officer pressed a knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air .
Bystanders captured the video and can be heard increasingly pleading with the officer , Derek Chauvin , and three others to come to his aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated .
“ I can ’ t breathe , ” said George Floyd .
My heart broke .
And I cried .
But as a journalist , I had to put my individual feelings on the back burner .
I immediately shared that horrible video to make sure my colleagues were responding to the story quickly and covering the anger arising online , on the streets of Minneapolis and beyond .
I did my part .
But inside , I went from anger to rage to exhaustion .
The week ’ s misery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black man asked a white woman in Central Park to leash her dog .
Birdwatcher Christian Cooper pulled out his phone .
On it , he captured Amy Cooper calling police to report she was being threatened by “ an African American man.
” In the words of Yogi Berra , it was deja vu all over again for black folks .
Cooper was later fired by the investment firm where she worked .
The birdwatcher said he felt targeted - just like Ahmaud Arbery , a black jogger in Georgia .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son chased him through their neighborhood and shot him in February .
No charges were filed until two months later , after video of the shooting leaked online .
On Friday , I awoke to the words of the president of the United States : “ When the looting starts , the shooting starts , ” he tweeted , summoning the civil rights era with a phrase used in the 1960s by a Miami police chief and by George Wallace , an aggressive segregationist .
If African Americans being killed by police is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drumbeat of aggressions for existing in white spaces is the steady rhythm .
No driving while black .
No swimming while black .
No picnicking while black .
No shopping while black .
No standing while black .
No sleeping while black .
No breathing while black .
No being me while black .
And all this while the coronavirus stalks black bodies , killing us disproportionately .
Doctors talk about our illnesses , but they don ’ t delve into the systemic inequalities that bring them to bear .
Being sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is one space where we are welcome : jobs that , during the pandemic , have been deemed essential .
We keep subways and buses moving , grocery stores stocked , food delivery services humming while many white-collar workers stay home .
And white men hang governors in effigy for not reopening fast enough as African American deaths rise .
Barack Obama , the nation ’ s first and only black president , tackled what getting back to normal means for African Americans in a statement Friday about George Floyd ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that for millions of Americans , being treated differently on account of race is tragically , painfully , maddeningly ‘ normal , ’ ” he said , “ whether it ’ s while dealing with the health care system , or interacting with the criminal justice system , or jogging down the street , or just watching birds in a park.
” Part of me wants to go off and join the fight .
To put aside my journalistic reserve and give full voice to my anger , my disappointment that my country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its lofty ideals of equality and justice .
To build a brighter future like it seemed on “ Star Trek , ” where races , nationalities and even species lived together in mutual respect and Lt. Uhura ’ s presence as a respected , competent black officer assured little Amanda of her place among them .
But I ’ m doing my part right where I am .
I ’ m telling stories that help readers understand the world around them .
I ’ m sharing the voices of the unheard and holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important , I am working to make our newsrooms more accurately reflect the communities we cover and to make our storytelling and our decision-making more inclusive .
My voice is the voice of facts and context .
My voice is the hope that they can bring the understanding and , eventually , the equality that my country ’ s founding documents promise .
My space is the newsroom .
Amanda Barrett is a deputy managing editor at The Associated Press in New York .
Follow her on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/AmandaB1201 .

For many Americans, “space” means leaving the Earth’s atmosphere and exploring the galaxy. They think of this weekend’s SpaceX launch. Or going where no one has gone before on “Star Trek.”
But the concept of space has a different meaning for African Americans. It’s about finding places in American society - white society - where we are free to just be. Those spaces have been shrinking in recent months. With the flames lit in Minneapolis spreading to other cities after yet another black man’s death, it felt like only an airhole was left.
I am tired. Tired of how routine violence against African Americans at the hands of white people has been and continues to be. Angry as a journalist that this has happened so often that we all know the angles that must be covered, the questions to be asked, the stories to be written. Angrier still that as an African American journalist, I must explain, again and again, how dehumanizing this all is.
And I think: Is doing this kind of job enough? Shouldn’t I be doing something to stop the racism, the violence against us?
For years, my identities as an African American and a journalist have been in sync. Growing up, I was curious (my family would say nosy). I read my hometown newspaper religiously and watched the evening news. I especially loved how journalists used facts to shine a light on the world’s injustices while also telling stories people needed to know to make decisions in their lives. As a teenager, I attended a two-week minority journalism workshop and my career choice was set.
But in recent times, the dissonance between the two parts of me has grown louder.
I woke up Tuesday morning to video of George Floyd, a handcuffed man, struggling for breath while a police officer pressed a knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air. Bystanders captured the video and can be heard increasingly pleading with the officer, Derek Chauvin, and three others to come to his aid.
I heard echoes of Eric Garner repeated. “I can’t breathe,” said George Floyd. My heart broke. And I cried. But as a journalist, I had to put my individual feelings on the back burner.
I immediately shared that horrible video to make sure my colleagues were responding to the story quickly and covering the anger arising online, on the streets of Minneapolis and beyond. I did my part. But inside, I went from anger to rage to exhaustion.
The week’s misery had begun on Memorial Day when a black man asked a white woman in Central Park to leash her dog. Birdwatcher Christian Cooper pulled out his phone. On it, he captured Amy Cooper calling police to report she was being threatened by “an African American man.”
In the words of Yogi Berra, it was deja vu all over again for black folks. Cooper was later fired by the investment firm where she worked.
The birdwatcher said he felt targeted - just like Ahmaud Arbery, a black jogger in Georgia. He was killed when a white father and son chased him through their neighborhood and shot him in February. No charges were filed until two months later, after video of the shooting leaked online.
On Friday, I awoke to the words of the president of the United States: “When the looting starts, the shooting starts,” he tweeted, summoning the civil rights era with a phrase used in the 1960s by a Miami police chief and by George Wallace, an aggressive segregationist.
If African Americans being killed by police is the throughline of our times, then the drumbeat of aggressions for existing in white spaces is the steady rhythm. No driving while black. No swimming while black. No picnicking while black. No shopping while black. No standing while black. No sleeping while black. No breathing while black.
No being me while black.
And all this while the coronavirus stalks black bodies, killing us disproportionately. Doctors talk about our illnesses, but they don’t delve into the systemic inequalities that bring them to bear. Being sick while black is dangerous, too.
There is one space where we are welcome: jobs that, during the pandemic, have been deemed essential. We keep subways and buses moving, grocery stores stocked, food delivery services humming while many white-collar workers stay home. And white men hang governors in effigy for not reopening fast enough as African American deaths rise.
Barack Obama, the nation’s first and only black president, tackled what getting back to normal means for African Americans in a statement Friday about George Floyd’s death.
“We have to remember that for millions of Americans, being treated differently on account of race is tragically, painfully, maddeningly ‘normal,’” he said, “whether it’s while dealing with the health care system, or interacting with the criminal justice system, or jogging down the street, or just watching birds in a park.”
Part of me wants to go off and join the fight. To put aside my journalistic reserve and give full voice to my anger, my disappointment that my country doesn’t always live up to its lofty ideals of equality and justice. To build a brighter future like it seemed on “Star Trek,” where races, nationalities and even species lived together in mutual respect and Lt. Uhura’s presence as a respected, competent black officer assured little Amanda of her place among them.
But I’m doing my part right where I am. I’m telling stories that help readers understand the world around them. I’m sharing the voices of the unheard and holding those in power accountable. Just as important, I am working to make our newsrooms more accurately reflect the communities we cover and to make our storytelling and our decision-making more inclusive.
My voice is the voice of facts and context. My voice is the hope that they can bring the understanding and, eventually, the equality that my country’s founding documents promise.
My space is the newsroom.
I’m good here.
___
Amanda Barrett is a deputy managing editor at The Associated Press in New York. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/AmandaB1201.