washingtontimes--2020-08-30--City department attempts to return to normalcy in Virginia

STAUNTON , Va. ( AP ) - After COVID-19 wrecked programs and recent flooding has taken out facilities , the Staunton Department of Parks and Recreation has tried to resume some kind of normality .
Some things , like adult soccer and softball leagues have reemerged , but according to the department ’ s director , Chris Tuttle , things have a long way to go before everything is back in order .
First there was pandemic that basically shut down the department in March .
Then there was the summer flooding which damaged the city ’ s most popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although Tuttle admits that he is still getting estimates to repair the damage , he thinks the figure will eventually come in between $ 60,000 and $ 100,000 .
“ It depends on how extensive the damage is , ” he said .
Tuttle noted at the duck pond , the sidewalks were damaged .
“ Water got under it , and a small section was washed out , ” he said .
He also said that the foot bridge connecting the duck pond and old bear cages lost half of its side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s one of the oldest bridges in the park , ” he recalled .
“ We hope to return it back.
” The miniature train in the park , the Gypsy Express , also suffered considerable damage , especially to its track .
A committee that handles the facility is working on that .
All three baseball fields suffered considerable damage , particularly to the fencing .
More damage was done at the Gypsy Express and at the duck pond to the fencing .
Tuttle said that he is receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pools , there ’ s also a lot of work to be done .
“ There ’ s a lot of muck and mud to drain out and clean out , ” Tuttle said .
“ This is the first time ( flood ) water has ever gotten into the pool.
” The flooding comes on top of the virus , which has completely altered recreation from what it used to be like .
“ What we ’ ve had to do is a recommitment on how to operate our programs with guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do and what we can ’ t do , ” Tuttle said .
“ How do we play a role when our citizens are at home ?
And we do have an answer through social media .
We ’ ve offered programs online , like helpful hints for arts and crafts for small children.
” The recreation director also said the department developed a video on various activities you could do in the park such as walking and biking .
“ We were not in the office , so we developed these remotely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one was closed in the park except biking , walking and family picnicking .
“ Fishing was still open but everything else - golf , skateboard park , the gym and tennis courts were closed .
Then phase two and three came along , and things started to open , but it was the new normal .
Signage never seen before had to be out , like social distancing requirements .
“ How fortunate Staunton is to have two large parks for walking , running and exercising .
It gave some people a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s spring/summer 26-page activity guide had just been issued when the virus came on the scene , and just about every program in it had to be canceled .
With that , 21 part-time people , who were the main instructors and staff for those programs lost their jobs .
“ We hope as things improve to gradually bring back those people , ” Tuttle said .
Within the planned spring/summer programming were over two dozen new activities .
Old traditional ones , like trips , summer camp , before and after school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all went by the boards with COVID-19 .
Now , getting back to some degree of normalcy has included opening facilities in the park such as ball fields , the skate park , tennis and basketball courts , the golf course and the gym .
“ For golf , we ’ ve had good participation since it opened , ” the recreation director said .
“ Golf lends itself to social distancing.
” At the Gypsy Hill gym , an exercise class with proper distancing inaugurated its reopening .
“ We ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuttle said .
Still , many former activities remained closed .
At the top of the list are the swimming pools in both Gypsy Hill and Montgomery Hall parks .
“ We felt for staff and public safety we couldn ’ t adhere to the standards to open , ” Tuttle said .
“ Everything that drives my recommendations is on safety , and I have absolutely no regrets .
There was a lot of research to make this determination .
“ The regulations were so stringent , including numbers , spacing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was lawn chairs and social distancing which would be difficult at the Gypsy Hill and Montgomery Hall pools .
“ I realize the impact it had .
It ’ s something I didn ’ t take lightly .
Swimming is one thing we like to do .
It ’ s a tradition in Staunton.
” Activities this year at the bandstand also were canceled , but Tuttle said phase three has lessened restrictions .
“ We can now have an event , but it must be under 250 counting performers and audience .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wiped out this year was the summer concert series which included no Jazz in the Park , no Praise in the Park or no Wednesday Night Bluegrass .
Also , the long-standing Stonewall Brigade Band was unable to perform earlier this summer .
“ It ’ s been quiet all summer , and it just doesn ’ t feel normal , ” Tuttle said .
But things might be trying to return to some degree of normalcy there too .
The Stonewall Brigade Band has just resumed its weekly Monday night performances at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue through September .
When it comes to team sports , they have gradually begun again under strict limitations .
Although there was no Kiwanis Baseball this year , or youth football , the 13-18 Babe Ruth League has begun playing at Moxie Stadium with a late summer league , and there is also adult soccer and softball underway with seven mens and six co-ed softball teams , and 19 soccer teams .
“ I was pleasantly surprised , ” James Corbett , who handles athletics for the recreation department , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be back to some kind of normalcy.
” Looking to the future , one thing that may be a casualty is the department ’ s program brochure .
“ That ’ s another challenge , ” Tuttle said .
“ We won ’ t have one until we have some flexibility on what to offer .
It may be a while.
” One thing he thinks will happen will be the annual Christmas decorations in Gypsy Hill Park , the Holiday Lights .
“ I see that happening , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Also the horticultural landscape for the city should continue unaffected .
“ You can ride around town , and you won ’ t see any changes in our planning in the landscaping , ” he noted .
Despite all the changes , Tuttle has nothing but praise for his staff both in recreation and park maintenance .
“ The parks are in great shape , ” Tuttle said .
“ Even our recreation staff has jumped in and mowed .
Our staff has gone outside their normal duties to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the department to have a staff like this is truly a blessing .
It ’ s not just a job , it ’ s a passion .
I ’ ve had 34 years in it , and 30 have been here .
“ Recreation now is more important than ever , ” Tuttle concluded .
“ It ’ s an escape , it ’ s a relief .
We are adapting , and we will come out stronger on the other end .
”

STAUNTON, Va. (AP) - After COVID-19 wrecked programs and recent flooding has taken out facilities, the Staunton Department of Parks and Recreation has tried to resume some kind of normality.
Some things, like adult soccer and softball leagues have reemerged, but according to the department’s director, Chris Tuttle, things have a long way to go before everything is back in order.
First there was pandemic that basically shut down the department in March. Then there was the summer flooding which damaged the city’s most popular recreation facility, Gypsy Hill Park.
Although Tuttle admits that he is still getting estimates to repair the damage, he thinks the figure will eventually come in between $60,000 and $100,000.
“It depends on how extensive the damage is,” he said.
Tuttle noted at the duck pond, the sidewalks were damaged. “Water got under it, and a small section was washed out,” he said.
He also said that the foot bridge connecting the duck pond and old bear cages lost half of its side when it collapsed into the creek. “It’s one of the oldest bridges in the park,” he recalled. “We hope to return it back.”
The miniature train in the park, the Gypsy Express, also suffered considerable damage, especially to its track. A committee that handles the facility is working on that.
All three baseball fields suffered considerable damage, particularly to the fencing. More damage was done at the Gypsy Express and at the duck pond to the fencing. Tuttle said that he is receiving estimates for repairs.
At the swimming pools, there’s also a lot of work to be done. “There’s a lot of muck and mud to drain out and clean out,” Tuttle said. “This is the first time (flood) water has ever gotten into the pool.”
The flooding comes on top of the virus, which has completely altered recreation from what it used to be like.
“What we’ve had to do is a recommitment on how to operate our programs with guidelines from the government, what we can do and what we can’t do,” Tuttle said.
“How do we play a role when our citizens are at home? And we do have an answer through social media. We’ve offered programs online, like helpful hints for arts and crafts for small children.”
The recreation director also said the department developed a video on various activities you could do in the park such as walking and biking.
“We were not in the office, so we developed these remotely through zoom programs. Everything through phase one was closed in the park except biking, walking and family picnicking.
“Fishing was still open but everything else - golf, skateboard park, the gym and tennis courts were closed. Then phase two and three came along, and things started to open, but it was the new normal. Signage never seen before had to be out, like social distancing requirements.
“How fortunate Staunton is to have two large parks for walking, running and exercising. It gave some people a sense of normalcy.”
The department’s spring/summer 26-page activity guide had just been issued when the virus came on the scene, and just about every program in it had to be canceled. With that, 21 part-time people, who were the main instructors and staff for those programs lost their jobs.
“We hope as things improve to gradually bring back those people,” Tuttle said.
Within the planned spring/summer programming were over two dozen new activities. Old traditional ones, like trips, summer camp, before and after school care, personal development and senior programs all went by the boards with COVID-19.
Now, getting back to some degree of normalcy has included opening facilities in the park such as ball fields, the skate park, tennis and basketball courts, the golf course and the gym.
“For golf, we’ve had good participation since it opened,” the recreation director said. “Golf lends itself to social distancing.”
At the Gypsy Hill gym, an exercise class with proper distancing inaugurated its reopening. “We’ll gradually bring things back there,” Tuttle said.
Still, many former activities remained closed.
At the top of the list are the swimming pools in both Gypsy Hill and Montgomery Hall parks.
“We felt for staff and public safety we couldn’t adhere to the standards to open,” Tuttle said. “Everything that drives my recommendations is on safety, and I have absolutely no regrets. There was a lot of research to make this determination.
“The regulations were so stringent, including numbers, spacing and lifeguards added another element. Then there was lawn chairs and social distancing which would be difficult at the Gypsy Hill and Montgomery Hall pools.
“I realize the impact it had. It’s something I didn’t take lightly. Swimming is one thing we like to do. It’s a tradition in Staunton.”
Activities this year at the bandstand also were canceled, but Tuttle said phase three has lessened restrictions.
“We can now have an event, but it must be under 250 counting performers and audience. And they must maintain social distancing.”
Wiped out this year was the summer concert series which included no Jazz in the Park, no Praise in the Park or no Wednesday Night Bluegrass. Also, the long-standing Stonewall Brigade Band was unable to perform earlier this summer.
“It’s been quiet all summer, and it just doesn’t feel normal,” Tuttle said.
But things might be trying to return to some degree of normalcy there too. The Stonewall Brigade Band has just resumed its weekly Monday night performances at the bandstand, and those are slated to continue through September.
When it comes to team sports, they have gradually begun again under strict limitations.
Although there was no Kiwanis Baseball this year, or youth football, the 13-18 Babe Ruth League has begun playing at Moxie Stadium with a late summer league, and there is also adult soccer and softball underway with seven mens and six co-ed softball teams, and 19 soccer teams.
“I was pleasantly surprised,” James Corbett, who handles athletics for the recreation department, said. “I’m really excited to be back to some kind of normalcy.”
Looking to the future, one thing that may be a casualty is the department’s program brochure.
“That’s another challenge,” Tuttle said. “We won’t have one until we have some flexibility on what to offer. It may be a while.”
One thing he thinks will happen will be the annual Christmas decorations in Gypsy Hill Park, the Holiday Lights.
“I see that happening, as well as the scarecrow contest at Halloween,” he said.
Also the horticultural landscape for the city should continue unaffected. “You can ride around town, and you won’t see any changes in our planning in the landscaping,” he noted.
Despite all the changes, Tuttle has nothing but praise for his staff both in recreation and park maintenance.
“The parks are in great shape,” Tuttle said. “Even our recreation staff has jumped in and mowed. Our staff has gone outside their normal duties to get the job done. For the director of the department to have a staff like this is truly a blessing. It’s not just a job, it’s a passion. I’ve had 34 years in it, and 30 have been here.
“Recreation now is more important than ever,” Tuttle concluded. “It’s an escape, it’s a relief. We are adapting, and we will come out stronger on the other end.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--World War II veteran in Maryland looks back on service

FREDERICK , Md .
( AP ) - A little more than 75 years ago , David Guralnik was on a ship headed to Japan , preparing for a land invasion after spending years fighting for the U.S. Army in North Africa , France and Germany .
His service in World War II was already extensive , but Guralnik knew back then that heavy fighting still lay ahead .
Thousands of U.S. warships were traveling to the island country , and U.S. forces controlled the air , but Japanese soldiers would not give up easily .
But then , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General George M. Randall , imparted some news in early August : the United States had dropped a “ very powerful bomb on one of the bigger cities in Japan.
” That bomb turned out to be the atomic bomb on Hiroshima .
Three days later , the U.S. dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki .
And then Japan surrendered , ending the fighting in World War II .
“ Once they surrendered , we thought , hey , we ’ re getting to go home at last , ” Guralnik said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and screaming and everything else.
” Before Guralnik had been on that ship , he spent multiple years as a specialist with the Army ’ s 142nd Ordnance Battalion , fixing parts for tanks and artillery .
He said his training prior to the war at the Frankford Arsenal served him well during the war .
When he was 21 , he and a bunch of friends were compelled to serve after seeing the scenes at Pearl Harbor in 1941 .
He then spent four years in the Army , and quickly rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his experience at Frankford , and also teaching others overseas on artillery and tank repair work .
Guralnik remembers being thankful when he knew the war was going to end , especially after being sent to fight in Japan after the fighting in Europe ended .
“ Before we heard the dropping of this powerful bomb , I remember being with the group of other soldiers and wondering what ’ s going to happen , ” Guralnik said .
“ We made it over in Europe , we lucked out … luckily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my outfit made it … we were in several battles where we could have not ( made it ) .
” “ We just felt wonderful , we were going to get to go home in one piece , ” he said .
“ Even though it was many , many years ago , I can remember this like it was this morning.
” Guralnik , now 99 , lives in Country Meadows , a retirement community just southeast of Frederick .
His daughter Betsy Maymon and other relatives visit when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations because of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ I ’ m pretty proud of him , he ’ s in his late 90s and he ’ s very active , ” Maymon said .
“ And he ’ s very sharp for his age … I ’ m very proud of his war stories , and his participation in the service.
” Guralnik believes many more lives would have been lost if the United States had to invade Japan .
After the bombs were dropped , he was deployed to the Philippines to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Japanese Army there , before heading to Yokohama as the occupying Army .
The Japanese army was ruthless , and would have died fighting rather than surrender , he added .
“ Had we not dropped the bombs … we would have lost many thousands of men going in , but they would have lost five times as ( many ) men , ” Guralnik said .
“ Our Air Force would have bombed the place to bits.
” After his time in Japan , he made it back to the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , California .
He then went on to work for Veterans Affairs for several years .
“ I just thanked God that I made it , ” he said about landing in California , adding , with a laugh : “ I mean I got knocked around a little rolling in and out of tanks … so I was thrilled I came out in one piece.
” About two-and-a-half years ago , Guralnik realized something at Country Meadows : there might be enough veterans to form a group .
So he approached management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light on the idea .
Guralnik had been involved in multiple groups when he lived in New Jersey before moving to Maryland .
“ I know what to do , I know who to talk to , ” Guralnik said of how he pitched the idea .
“ I said , ’ What I need from you is a list of all the veterans and their phone numbers … they all said , ’ Absolutely !
” and they loved it.
” Staff at Country Meadows said they already had two luncheons for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded that idea , hosting three a year and scheduling a special speaker for each one , before the coronavirus pandemic brought that to a halt .
“ Dave is a very personable man , and for each luncheon Dave created the agenda , secured the speaker , and ran the show with minimal help from the staff at Country Meadows , ” according to a statement from staff .
Debbie Savageau , director of marketing at Country Meadows , said it ’ s nice to see Guralnik ’ s efforts in coordinating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these wonderful men and women , ( some of whom truly struggle to stand ) , stand and salute their flag and their fallen comrades during the playing of taps , brings tears to many of our eyes who have the privilege of being a part of these lunches , ” Savageau wrote in an email .
Guralnik estimates there were around 30-40 veterans in the group when he started .
Some have died , while some have been added on , but he ’ s thankful for their participation and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his service , there ’ s one fact he thinks is unique-and a result of his work repairing tanks and artillery throughout North Africa and Europe .
“ We were one of the very , very few outfits that both had served a lot in Europe and then in the east in the Pacific , ” Guralnik said .
“ There are not many soldiers that served in World War II that served in both places .
”

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) - A little more than 75 years ago, David Guralnik was on a ship headed to Japan, preparing for a land invasion after spending years fighting for the U.S. Army in North Africa, France and Germany.
His service in World War II was already extensive, but Guralnik knew back then that heavy fighting still lay ahead. Thousands of U.S. warships were traveling to the island country, and U.S. forces controlled the air, but Japanese soldiers would not give up easily.
But then, the captain of the ship, the USS General George M. Randall, imparted some news in early August: the United States had dropped a “very powerful bomb on one of the bigger cities in Japan.”
That bomb turned out to be the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Three days later, the U.S. dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki. And then Japan surrendered, ending the fighting in World War II.
“Once they surrendered, we thought, hey, we’re getting to go home at last,” Guralnik said. “Everybody was very, very happy and screaming and everything else.”
Before Guralnik had been on that ship, he spent multiple years as a specialist with the Army’s 142nd Ordnance Battalion, fixing parts for tanks and artillery. He said his training prior to the war at the Frankford Arsenal served him well during the war.
When he was 21, he and a bunch of friends were compelled to serve after seeing the scenes at Pearl Harbor in 1941. He then spent four years in the Army, and quickly rose to the rank of master sergeant because of his experience at Frankford, and also teaching others overseas on artillery and tank repair work.
Guralnik remembers being thankful when he knew the war was going to end, especially after being sent to fight in Japan after the fighting in Europe ended.
“Before we heard the dropping of this powerful bomb, I remember being with the group of other soldiers and wondering what’s going to happen,” Guralnik said. “We made it over in Europe, we lucked out … luckily I made it, and several guys in my outfit made it … we were in several battles where we could have not (made it).”
“We just felt wonderful, we were going to get to go home in one piece,” he said. “Even though it was many, many years ago, I can remember this like it was this morning.”
Guralnik, now 99, lives in Country Meadows, a retirement community just southeast of Frederick. His daughter Betsy Maymon and other relatives visit when they can, due to the restrictions and regulations because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m pretty proud of him, he’s in his late 90s and he’s very active,” Maymon said. “And he’s very sharp for his age … I’m very proud of his war stories, and his participation in the service.”
Guralnik believes many more lives would have been lost if the United States had to invade Japan. After the bombs were dropped, he was deployed to the Philippines to find and attack any lingering presence of the Japanese Army there, before heading to Yokohama as the occupying Army.
The Japanese army was ruthless, and would have died fighting rather than surrender, he added.
“Had we not dropped the bombs … we would have lost many thousands of men going in, but they would have lost five times as (many) men,” Guralnik said. “Our Air Force would have bombed the place to bits.”
After his time in Japan, he made it back to the United States, and remembered landing at Wilmington, California. He then went on to work for Veterans Affairs for several years.
“I just thanked God that I made it,” he said about landing in California, adding, with a laugh: “I mean I got knocked around a little rolling in and out of tanks … so I was thrilled I came out in one piece.”
STARTING A VETS GROUP
About two-and-a-half years ago, Guralnik realized something at Country Meadows: there might be enough veterans to form a group.
So he approached management, who quickly gave him the green light on the idea. Guralnik had been involved in multiple groups when he lived in New Jersey before moving to Maryland.
“I know what to do, I know who to talk to,” Guralnik said of how he pitched the idea. “I said, ’What I need from you is a list of all the veterans and their phone numbers … they all said, ’Absolutely!” and they loved it.”
Staff at Country Meadows said they already had two luncheons for veterans each year, but that Guralnik expanded that idea, hosting three a year and scheduling a special speaker for each one, before the coronavirus pandemic brought that to a halt.
“Dave is a very personable man, and for each luncheon Dave created the agenda, secured the speaker, and ran the show with minimal help from the staff at Country Meadows,” according to a statement from staff.
Debbie Savageau, director of marketing at Country Meadows, said it’s nice to see Guralnik’s efforts in coordinating the events.
“To see all of these wonderful men and women, (some of whom truly struggle to stand), stand and salute their flag and their fallen comrades during the playing of taps, brings tears to many of our eyes who have the privilege of being a part of these lunches,” Savageau wrote in an email.
Guralnik estimates there were around 30-40 veterans in the group when he started. Some have died, while some have been added on, but he’s thankful for their participation and for their conversation.
When he looks back on his service, there’s one fact he thinks is unique-and a result of his work repairing tanks and artillery throughout North Africa and Europe.
“We were one of the very, very few outfits that both had served a lot in Europe and then in the east in the Pacific,” Guralnik said. “There are not many soldiers that served in World War II that served in both places.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Experts seek blood samples to identify Kosovo  war missing

PRISTINA , Kosovo ( AP ) - The European Union ’ s mission in Kosovo on Sunday called on ethnic Albanians in the country to give blood samples to help identify the remains of people missing for more than two decades since they were taken away by Serb police and paramilitary forces .
The EU Rule of Law Mission , or EULEX , established in Kosovo after the 2008 independence declaration , made the call on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances .
Kosovar authorities say 1,643 ethnic Albanians are still unaccounted-for since the 1998-1999 armed uprising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bloody Serb crackdown and an international humanitarian crisis .
It ended after a NATO bombing campaign .
Initially , 10,000 people were reported as dead and some 6,500 missing , but authorities who have recovered remains from mass graves say only 1,643 people now remain unaccounted-for .
EULEX expert Tarja Formisto said the lack of new and credible information on the exact location of graves has made the process of locating the remains very difficult .
Some of the missing are believed to be in mass graves , others buried individually in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To add to the problem , Formisto said that some families of the missing refuse to provide samples for DNA analysis .
“ I estimate that up to 20 missing persons could be identified through DNA if the families of all missing persons provide blood samples , ” she said .
The EU mission has conducted 656 field operations over about a decade , resulting in the identification of the remains of 316 individuals previously listed as missing .
Only eight cases were solved in 2019 , and so far this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been traced .
The International Committee of the Red Cross in Kosovo , too , urged Kosovars , Serbs and the international community to work harder in the identification process .
“ The main obstacle to a swifter progress is the lack of new information that could lead to new grave sites , ” said ICRC ’ s Kosovo head , Agim Gashi .
Local experts want the international community to exert more pressure on the Serbian government .
Kosovo declared independence in 2008 , and Serbia does not recognize it as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain high .
But efforts to identify remains from both sides of the brutal war have gone on slowly in both Serbia and Kosovo to determine if missing individuals can be declared dead and the remains repatriated .
“ The international community should exploit any tool at its disposal to exert pressure on Serbia and enlighten the fate of the missing and every crime in Kosovo , ” said Kosovar President Hashim Thaci .
In a separate event related to the war , Kosovar authorities inaugurated a plaque marking a visit to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headed by Bob Dole , which “ stamped U.S. support on the Albanians ’ rights in former Yugoslavia , up to liberation , independence and state-building in Kosovo , ” said a Foreign Ministry statement .
“ Since that time the United States of America has stood by the Kosovo people , ” said Foreign Minister Meliza Haradinaj Stublla at the ceremony in the downtown area of the capital , Pristina .

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) - The European Union’s mission in Kosovo on Sunday called on ethnic Albanians in the country to give blood samples to help identify the remains of people missing for more than two decades since they were taken away by Serb police and paramilitary forces.
The EU Rule of Law Mission, or EULEX, established in Kosovo after the 2008 independence declaration, made the call on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
Kosovar authorities say 1,643 ethnic Albanians are still unaccounted-for since the 1998-1999 armed uprising by ethnic Albanian separatists that led to a bloody Serb crackdown and an international humanitarian crisis. It ended after a NATO bombing campaign.
Initially, 10,000 people were reported as dead and some 6,500 missing, but authorities who have recovered remains from mass graves say only 1,643 people now remain unaccounted-for.
EULEX expert Tarja Formisto said the lack of new and credible information on the exact location of graves has made the process of locating the remains very difficult. Some of the missing are believed to be in mass graves, others buried individually in clandestine graves in cemeteries and other sites.
To add to the problem, Formisto said that some families of the missing refuse to provide samples for DNA analysis.
“I estimate that up to 20 missing persons could be identified through DNA if the families of all missing persons provide blood samples,” she said.
The EU mission has conducted 656 field operations over about a decade, resulting in the identification of the remains of 316 individuals previously listed as missing.
Only eight cases were solved in 2019, and so far this year the whereabouts of only three people have been traced.
The International Committee of the Red Cross in Kosovo, too, urged Kosovars, Serbs and the international community to work harder in the identification process.
“The main obstacle to a swifter progress is the lack of new information that could lead to new grave sites,” said ICRC’s Kosovo head, Agim Gashi.
Local experts want the international community to exert more pressure on the Serbian government.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008, and Serbia does not recognize it as a separate state. Tensions between the two remain high. But efforts to identify remains from both sides of the brutal war have gone on slowly in both Serbia and Kosovo to determine if missing individuals can be declared dead and the remains repatriated.
“The international community should exploit any tool at its disposal to exert pressure on Serbia and enlighten the fate of the missing and every crime in Kosovo,” said Kosovar President Hashim Thaci.
In a separate event related to the war, Kosovar authorities inaugurated a plaque marking a visit to the country by U.S. senators in 1990, headed by Bob Dole, which “stamped U.S. support on the Albanians’ rights in former Yugoslavia, up to liberation, independence and state-building in Kosovo,” said a Foreign Ministry statement.
“Since that time the United States of America has stood by the Kosovo people,” said Foreign Minister Meliza Haradinaj Stublla at the ceremony in the downtown area of the capital, Pristina.
___
Semini reported from Tirana, Albania.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--UN labor body: Qatar 'dismantles' kafala employment system

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates ( AP ) - New labor rules in the energy-rich nation of Qatar “ effectively dismantles ” the country ’ s long-criticized “ kafala ” employment system , a U.N. labor body said Sunday .
The International Labor Organization said as of now , migrant workers can change jobs before the end of their contracts without obtaining the permission of their current employers .
Qatar also has adopted a minimum monthly wage of 1,000 Qatari riyals ( $ 275 ) for workers , which will take affect some six months after the law is published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the ILO said .
The minimum wage rule requires employers to pay allowances for housing and food as well if they don ’ t provide those for their workers .
Qatar , whose citizens enjoy one of the world ’ s highest per-capita incomes due to its natural gas reserves , partially ended the “ kafala ” system in 2018 .
That system ties workers to their employers , who had say over whether they could leave their jobs or even the country .
Qatar is being transformed by a building boom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas wealth .
Like other energy-rich Gulf nations with relatively small local populations , Qatar relies on well over a million guest workers , many of them drawn from South Asian nations including India and Nepal .
Rights activists long have criticized the “ kafala ” system as allowing abuses of those foreign workers .
This comes as Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the Arabian Peninsula nation .
Having the winning bid for the soccer tournament brought renewed attention to laborers ’ rights in Qatar .

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - New labor rules in the energy-rich nation of Qatar “effectively dismantles” the country’s long-criticized “kafala” employment system, a U.N. labor body said Sunday.
The International Labor Organization said as of now, migrant workers can change jobs before the end of their contracts without obtaining the permission of their current employers.
Qatar also has adopted a minimum monthly wage of 1,000 Qatari riyals ($275) for workers, which will take effect some six months after the law is published in the country’s official gazette, the ILO said. The minimum wage rule requires employers to pay allowances for housing and food as well if they don’t provide those for their workers.
Amnesty International praised the move as “an encouraging sign that Qatar may finally be heading in the right direction,” although employers still can file criminal charges against “absconding” employees, meaning those who left their jobs without permission.
“We call on Qatar to go further with these reforms, including removing the charge of absconding, to make sure that the rights of all workers are fully protected,” Amnesty official Steve Cockburn said in a statement.
Qatar, whose citizens enjoy one of the world’s highest per-capita incomes due to its natural gas reserves, partially ended the “kafala” system in 2018. That system ties workers to their employers, who had say over whether they could leave their jobs or even the country.
Qatar is being transformed by a building boom fueled by its vast oil and natural gas wealth. Like other energy-rich Gulf nations with relatively small local populations, Qatar relies on well over a million guest workers, many of them drawn from South Asian nations including India and Nepal. Rights activists long have criticized the “kafala” system as allowing abuses of those foreign workers.
This comes as Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the Arabian Peninsula nation. Having the winning bid for the soccer tournament brought renewed attention to laborers’ rights in Qatar.
Meanwhile Sunday, the United Arab Emirates announced it now requires private employers to grant new fathers five paid days off after the birth of a child.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Lebanese Hezbollah says it's open to reformist government

BEIRUT ( AP ) - The head of Lebanon ’ s Hezbollah said Sunday his group supports the formation of a government that would be able to improve economic conditions in the crisis-stricken country and undertake major reforms .
Hassan Nasrallah said his group is also open to calls from France for a new political contract in Lebanon , on condition that all Lebanese sects are on board .
The speech came on the eve of a meeting by Lebanese parliamentary blocs deciding to name a new prime minister and also ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron ’ s arrival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Macron ’ s second visit to the former French protectorate in less than a month .
Macron has offered French support after the devastating Aug. 4 port explosion in Beirut and has also pressed Lebanese officials to formulate a new political pact to lift the country out of its political stalemates , entrenched corruption and years of mismanagement .
The Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah , which has a dominant role in Lebanon ’ s politics , has come under intense criticism and public scrutiny as the country faces multiple devastating crises .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured over 6,000 .
Parts of the capital were devastated and the port , a main trade channel for the small country dependent on imports , was badly damaged .
An unprecedented economic crisis had already cost the Lebanese currency more than 80 % of its value , driving unemployment , poverty and inflation through the roof .
Coronavirus infections and deaths have also spiked , causing concerns and pushing authorities to reintroduce some restrictions on economic and social activities that have largely been ignored amid the slump .
Feeling the pressure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political vacuum .
“ Whether in naming a prime minister or forming a government , we will be cooperative and facilitate getting the country out of a vacuum , ” he said in a speech Sunday .
He snubbed criticism that Hezbollah stands in the way of reforms .
“ Some hypocrites and liars say that Hezbollah is an obstacle to reforms , ” he said .
“ We support reforms that go as far as possible.
” Prime Minister Hassan Diab ’ s government , backed by Hezbollah and its allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in Beirut ’ s port where they had been stored for six years .
Under Lebanese laws , the president consults with parliamentary blocs to name a prime minister and the candidate who gets the most support is asked to form the new Cabinet .
However , the country ’ s divided political groups have failed to name a candidate , who according to Lebanon ’ s sectarian-based power sharing system , has to be a Sunni Muslim .
The consultations are to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said he has no plans to stand for the post .
Lebanon is often bogged down in prolonged behind-closed doors political haggling over picking consensus candidates for top political posts .
At one point , the country remained without a president for over two years .

BEIRUT (AP) - Lebanon’s ambassador to Germany appeared slated to become the crisis-stricken country’s next prime minister after getting the support of senior Sunni politicians on Sunday.
Mustapha Adib was named by four former prime ministers on the eve of binding consultations between the president and parliamentary blocs on their choice for the post.
The announcement came a day before French President Emmanuel Macron was due to arrive for a two day-visit, during which he is expected to press Lebanese officials to formulate a new political pact to lift the country out of its multiple crises, political stalemates, and entrenched corruption and of mismanagement.
It’s Macron’s second visit to the former French protectorate in less than a month. He came days after the devastating Aug. 4 blast in the port of Beirut that killed 190 people, wounded 6,000 and pulverized parts of the capital.
The government resigned less than a week after the blast.
Earlier Sunday, the head of the powerful Hezbollah group Hassan Nasrallah said his Shiite organization will cooperate and facilitate the formation of a government that would be able to improve economic conditions and undertake major reforms. Hezbollah and its allies backed the outgoing government.
Adib is the only name to emerge so far as a favorite for the post of prime minister, who according to Lebanon’s sectarian-based power sharing system has to be a Sunni Muslim. The candidate who gets the most support is asked to form the new Cabinet but Lebanon’s divided political class has often been bogged down over who holds senior political posts.
“The target of political and national action at this stage must be to save Lebanon from what is suffering from,” said Fouad Siniora, a former prime minister, reading a joint statement.
The Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which has a dominant role in Lebanon’s politics, has come under intense criticism and public scrutiny as the country faces multiple devastating crises.
An unprecedented economic crisis had already cost the Lebanese currency more than 80% of its value, driving unemployment, poverty and inflation through the roof.
Coronavirus infections and deaths have also spiked, causing concerns and pushing authorities to reintroduce some restrictions on economic and social activities that have largely been ignored amid the slump. And the recent explosion badly damaged the port of Beirut, a main trade channel for the small country dependent on imports.
Feeling the pressure, Nasrallah promised Hezbollah will cooperate to avoid a political vacuum.
“Whether in naming a prime minister or forming a government, we will be cooperative and facilitate getting the country out of a vacuum,” he said in a speech Sunday.
Nasrallah said his group is also open to calls from France for a new political contract in Lebanon, on condition that all Lebanese factions are on board.
On Sunday, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia said more than half of Lebanon’s population is at risk of failing to access basic food needs by the end of 2020, amid an average annual inflation rate expected to reach 50% compared to 2.9% in 2019.
ESCWA said the average price of food products has increased by 141% between July 2019 and 2020, and that it expects the Beirut explosion to further drive up basic food prices.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab’s government, backed by Hezbollah and its allies, resigned on Aug. 10, six days after nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in Beirut’s port,A where they had been stored for six years.
Adib, who has been Lebanon’s ambassador to Germany since 2013, served as an advisor to one of Lebanon’s former Prime Ministers, Najib Mikati. He took part in the committee in charge of writing Lebanon’s new electoral law in 2005 and 2006, and acted as his chief of Cabinet in 2011.
Mikati resigned in 2013 at the height of the Syrian war after a two-year stint as prime minister in a government dominated by Hezbollah group and its allies. The war next door had increased sectarian tension between Lebanon’s political rivals who supported opposite sides of the Syrian conflict.
Adib, 48 and a native of the northern city of Tripoli, holds a PhD in law and political sciences and had taught in universities in Lebanon and France.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Maine's bear hunting season commences this year's bait use

AUGUSTA , Maine ( AP ) - The busiest part of Maine ’ s annual bear hunt starts Monday in @ @ @ @ @ Maine ’ s bear hunt lasts almost three months , but the busiest part is @ @ @ @ @ in which it ’ s legal to lure bears with bait .
That starts Monday @ @ @ @ @ .
The hunt lasts until Nov. 28 , but slows down considerably when the baiting @ @ @ @ @ officials have encouraged residents to participating in outdoor activities such as hunting this year amid @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve asked hunters to practice social distancing precautions , which shouldn ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ s vast woods .
Maine has a large and growing population of black bears , @ @ @ @ @ said the hunt is necessary to keep it under control .

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - The busiest part of Maine’s annual bear hunt starts Monday in forests around the state.
Maine’s bear hunt lasts almost three months, but the busiest part is the section of the season in which it’s legal to lure bears with bait. That starts Monday and lasts to Sept. 26.
The hunt lasts until Nov. 28, but slows down considerably when the baiting season is over. Maine officials have encouraged residents to participating in outdoor activities such as hunting this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
They’ve asked hunters to practice social distancing precautions, which shouldn’t be too hard in Maine’s vast woods. Maine has a large and growing population of black bears, and state wildlife managers have said the hunt is necessary to keep it under control.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--State getting more funds to help opioid response program

CONCORD , N.H. ( AP ) - New Hampshire is getting more funds as part of its state opioid response program to help people with substance abuse disorders .
The state said Friday the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will provide the first year of funding as part of a two-year , $ 56 million award to New Hampshire to continue the successes achieved during the state ’ s first two years of funding for the program .
New Hampshire received more than $ 55 million during the initial phase of funding .
Last year , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statewide access to services and ensure that no one in the state has to travel more than an hour to begin the process toward recovery .
“ We are grateful for additional support from our federal partners to continue the success of all of the programs that have been stood up and enhanced , including the Doorways program , ” Gov .
Chris Sununu said in a statement .
“ Since the Doorways launched , about 15,000 residents have received a clinical evaluation , referred to treatment or received naloxone .
The system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to continue to ensure that these critical services will be available to help any resident seeking help for their substance use .
”

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire is getting more funds as part of its state opioid response program to help people with substance abuse disorders.
The state said Friday the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will provide the first year of funding as part of a two-year, $56 million award to New Hampshire to continue the successes achieved during the state’s first two years of funding for the program.
New Hampshire received more than $55 million during the initial phase of funding. Last year, it launched Doorways-NH to provide comprehensive, 24/7 statewide access to services and ensure that no one in the state has to travel more than an hour to begin the process toward recovery.
“We are grateful for additional support from our federal partners to continue the success of all of the programs that have been stood up and enhanced, including the Doorways program,” Gov. Chris Sununu said in a statement.
“Since the Doorways launched, about 15,000 residents have received a clinical evaluation, referred to treatment or received naloxone. The system works, and this funding will be used to continue to ensure that these critical services will be available to help any resident seeking help for their substance use.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Festival planned for painting of Black Lives Matter mural

BENNINGTON , Vt. ( AP ) - People planning the painting of a Black Lives Matter street mural in Bennington @ @ @ @ @ oriented celebration of the event .
The Sunday event in Bennington will include food , @ @ @ @ @ to create the mural in front of the town office building .
Designer Beth Newman @ @ @ @ @ community ’ s Black , Indigenous and people of color to know they matter and @ @ @ @ @ No previous art skills are needed , ” she told the Bennington Banner .
The @ @ @ @ @ the edge of South Street that fronts the office building entrance .
Artists will sketch @ @ @ @ @ volunteers will apply the paint .
Town Manager Stuart Hurd told the Select Board the @ @ @ @ @ 300 people to attend .

BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) - People planning the painting of a Black Lives Matter street mural in Bennington will be holding a family oriented celebration of the event.
The Sunday event in Bennington will include food, music and a collaborative effort to create the mural in front of the town office building.
Designer Beth Newman says the organizers wanted the community’s Black, Indigenous and people of color to know they matter and that they care.
“No previous art skills are needed,” she told the Bennington Banner.
The mural will be created along the edge of South Street that fronts the office building entrance. Artists will sketch out the design and the volunteers will apply the paint.
Town Manager Stuart Hurd told the Select Board the group is expecting up to 300 people to attend.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Ahead of Kentucky Derby, worker shortage looms for trainers

LOUISVILLE , Ky. ( AP ) - The Trump administration ’ s immigration squeeze and the hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic threaten to leave the horse racing industry short of workers , racing officials warn as they prepare for a reconfigured Kentucky Derby .
The racing world ’ s premier event , rescheduled to take place Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs in Louisville , hasn ’ t been severely hampered by the looming labor shortage so far .
But trainers and advocates say President Donald Trump ’ s executive order extending the federal government ’ s March suspension of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an air of uncertainty in a business that relies heavily on an immigrant workforce .
“ It ’ s such a moving target that can change so rapidly , ” trainer Dale Romans said .
“ I don ’ t plan on continuing my business , much less have growth , if I can ’ t plan on a labor force consistently year after year.
” Romans , the second-winningest trainer in Churchill ’ s history , put the problem bluntly .
When people can ’ t get into the country and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial jobs of feeding and caring for horses , he said , “ There ’ s nobody out there to do the work.
” The number of available workers is difficult to determine , as is the impact of the coronavirus .
Many trainers in the racing industry rely on the H-2B visa program to supply immigrant workers legally , but many jobs go to undocumented workers as the demand for visas often outpaces the established cap of 66,000 .
The visa ban through the end of the year and the pandemic have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and arrests for illegal crossings on the Mexican border have dipped well below last year ’ s levels .
The work is every day , year-round with no allowances for bad weather or a pandemic .
In the busy days leading up to the Derby , workers in the backside area of Churchill Downs wake up in the early morning to start preparing horses for upcoming races .
Generally tasked with caring for four or five horses each , workers clean and water stalls , walk horses after tough workouts , and make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conditions and low pay in the industry worry advocates such as Evy Peña , communications directer of the Center for Migrant Rights .
In the past two years , two training centers were ordered to pay migrant workers tens of thousands of dollars for lost wages and poor living conditions .
These risks are elevated now , Peña said , and trainers and racetracks should be doing more to protect workers .
Peña argues that H-2B visa workers have less legal protection than their American counterparts .
They risk losing their jobs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being hired again under the program if they complain .
The horse industry also has a stake in workers being hired again .
A steady stream of migrant workers are rehired year after year .
Trainers and owners have come to view them as dependable workers , and some say American workers who are hired often quit after a few days or weeks .
Low pay is part of the problem , contends Elisabeth Jensen , the executive vice president of the Kentucky Equine Education Project , an organization that supports the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re also working with our employers to help them understand that it ’ s not like it was 20 years ago , ” she said .
“ They ’ re competing with the Amazons and the other people who are able to offer more financially.
” Take a backside worker at Churchill Downs as an example .
A worker hired under the H-2B visa program makes roughly $ 11.50 an hour on average , according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor .
Amazon employees make $ 15 per hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage , which is $ 7.25 an hour .
For Romans , the typical rhythm of a working day at the track or the stables makes it difficult to change working times to fit the demands of American workers .
“ A horse has got to eat three times a day .
They have to train during certain hours of the day because the races are during the afternoon , ” Romans said .
“ So it ’ s basically impossible to change when they don ’ t have to be there , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker shortage can have a ripple effect throughout the industry .
The number of workers often determines the number of horses a trainer can take on .
To accommodate the number of horses with a limited supply of workers , trainers have to work with fewer horses .
The sale and breeding of horses is affected , as well as the number of horses that end up on the racetrack .
This month , the U.S. Department of State issued new guidance that allows more foreign workers to enter the U.S. , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s unlikely to change things this year , said Elizabeth Conley Buckley , an immigration attorney based in Lexington .
“ This exemption to the executive order is not going to help them because they never got visas , ” she said .
“ So they have been dealing with any kind of staff they can put together from college students to day workers , whatever they can find.
” Racing industry applications for work visas are outnumbered by applicants in hospitality , construction and landscaping industries .
This is why Buckley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendants reclassified as agricultural workers .
“ My clients were all successful this year , but across the board , it was pretty terrible , ” she said .
“ Major horse trainers were not able to get H-2B visas at all.
” But even if such changes were made , the coronavirus pandemic also has limited travel between countries where many workers come from .
For instance , a large proportion of workers employed by Buckley ’ s clients come from Guatemala , and the country has not opened up and continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mays , a project manager at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce , is in charge of developing a local workforce for the horse industry .
She ’ s optimistic about bringing more American workers into the industry but insists that the need for migrant workers would still exist when that day comes .
“ There ’ s still not enough people , even if you get all of the local talent to be engaged in the industry , our industry is very labor-intensive , and it takes a lot of manpower to happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horses don ’ t take holidays ; they don ’ t care what the weather is outside.
” Hudspeth Blackburn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - The Trump administration’s immigration squeeze and the hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic threaten to leave the horse racing industry short of workers, racing officials warn as they prepare for a reconfigured Kentucky Derby.
The racing world’s premier event, rescheduled to take place Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, hasn’t been severely hampered by the looming labor shortage so far. But trainers and advocates say President Donald Trump’s executive order extending the federal government’s March suspension of certain types of work visas has added to an air of uncertainty in a business that relies heavily on an immigrant workforce.
“It’s such a moving target that can change so rapidly,” trainer Dale Romans said. “I don’t plan on continuing my business, much less have growth, if I can’t plan on a labor force consistently year after year.”
Romans, the second-winningest trainer in Churchill’s history, put the problem bluntly. When people can’t get into the country and nobody else steps forward to take the crucial jobs of feeding and caring for horses, he said, “There’s nobody out there to do the work.”
The number of available workers is difficult to determine, as is the impact of the coronavirus. Many trainers in the racing industry rely on the H-2B visa program to supply immigrant workers legally, but many jobs go to undocumented workers as the demand for visas often outpaces the established cap of 66,000. The visa ban through the end of the year and the pandemic have made crossing the border more challenging, and arrests for illegal crossings on the Mexican border have dipped well below last year’s levels.
The work is every day, year-round with no allowances for bad weather or a pandemic. In the busy days leading up to the Derby, workers in the backside area of Churchill Downs wake up in the early morning to start preparing horses for upcoming races. Generally tasked with caring for four or five horses each, workers clean and water stalls, walk horses after tough workouts, and make sure they are healthy and fed.
Conditions and low pay in the industry worry advocates such as Evy Peña, communications directer of the Center for Migrant Rights. In the past two years, two training centers were ordered to pay migrant workers tens of thousands of dollars for lost wages and poor living conditions.
These risks are elevated now, Peña said, and trainers and racetracks should be doing more to protect workers.
Peña argues that H-2B visa workers have less legal protection than their American counterparts. They risk losing their jobs, immigration status and possibly the opportunity of being hired again under the program if they complain.
The horse industry also has a stake in workers being hired again. A steady stream of migrant workers are rehired year after year. Trainers and owners have come to view them as dependable workers, and some say American workers who are hired often quit after a few days or weeks.
Low pay is part of the problem, contends Elisabeth Jensen, the executive vice president of the Kentucky Equine Education Project, an organization that supports the state’s horse industry.
“We’re also working with our employers to help them understand that it’s not like it was 20 years ago,” she said. “They’re competing with the Amazons and the other people who are able to offer more financially.”
Take a backside worker at Churchill Downs as an example. A worker hired under the H-2B visa program makes roughly $11.50 an hour on average, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor. Amazon employees make $15 per hour. Both pay higher than Kentucky minimum wage, which is $7.25 an hour.
For Romans, the typical rhythm of a working day at the track or the stables makes it difficult to change working times to fit the demands of American workers.
“A horse has got to eat three times a day. They have to train during certain hours of the day because the races are during the afternoon,” Romans said. “So it’s basically impossible to change when they don’t have to be there, to make it more comfortable.”
A worker shortage can have a ripple effect throughout the industry. The number of workers often determines the number of horses a trainer can take on. To accommodate the number of horses with a limited supply of workers, trainers have to work with fewer horses. The sale and breeding of horses is affected, as well as the number of horses that end up on the racetrack.
This month, the U.S. Department of State issued new guidance that allows more foreign workers to enter the U.S., but with the season nearly up, it’s unlikely to change things this year, said Elizabeth Conley Buckley, an immigration attorney based in Lexington.
“This exemption to the executive order is not going to help them because they never got visas,” she said. “So they have been dealing with any kind of staff they can put together from college students to day workers, whatever they can find.”
Racing industry applications for work visas are outnumbered by applicants in hospitality, construction and landscaping industries. This is why Buckley would like to see grooms and stable attendants reclassified as agricultural workers.
“My clients were all successful this year, but across the board, it was pretty terrible,” she said . “Major horse trainers were not able to get H-2B visas at all.”
But even if such changes were made, the coronavirus pandemic also has limited travel between countries where many workers come from. For instance, a large proportion of workers employed by Buckley’s clients come from Guatemala, and the country has not opened up and continues to struggle with the pandemic.
Laurie Mays, a project manager at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, is in charge of developing a local workforce for the horse industry. She’s optimistic about bringing more American workers into the industry but insists that the need for migrant workers would still exist when that day comes.
“There’s still not enough people, even if you get all of the local talent to be engaged in the industry, our industry is very labor-intensive, and it takes a lot of manpower to happen,” Mays said. “The horses don’t take holidays; they don’t care what the weather is outside.”
___
Hudspeth Blackburn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--After victories, Medicaid expansion revisited in Mississippi

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - After voters expanded Medicaid in conservative states like Missouri and Oklahoma , health care advocates are renewing a push for expansion in Mississippi and other Southern states where Republican leaders have long been opposed .
They say the changing tide has followed rising income inequality , joblessness and pressure from hospitals in economic turmoil - issues exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic .
“ There have been , in the last two years , votes on Medicaid expansion in some of the most conservative , Republican-leaning states in the country , and Medicaid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eliot Fishman , senior director of Health Policy at Families USA , a health care advocacy organization .
Fishman spoke Thursday during an online forum about Medicaid expansion hosted by the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program and the Mississippi Center for Justice .
Medicaid expansion is an option under the health care overhaul that then-President Barack Obama signed into law in 2010 .
Many Democratic-controlled states agreed to expansion , mainly for people whose jobs don ’ t provide health insurance .
However , since Republican Donald Trump became president in January 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Oklahoma , Maine and most recently Missouri have approved Medicaid expansion by ballot measures .
In Virginia , legislators passed Medicaid expansion after Democrats gained power .
“ This is clearly an issue which you can no longer shut down voter interest by just saying the word ‘ Obamacare , ’ ” Fishman said .
“ That power has waned.
” There are now 12 states - including Mississippi , Georgia , Alabama , Texas , South Carolina , North Carolina , Tennessee and Florida - that have not expanded Medicaid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Medicaid Expansion , ” is aiming to put pressure on the holdouts .
Medicaid is a government health insurance program for the needy , aged , blind and disabled , and it is paid by state and federal money .
Because Mississippi is poor , the federal government pays nearly 78 % of the cost .
Under expansion , the federal government pays 90 % of the cost in any state .
About 25 % of Mississippi ’ s nearly 3 million residents are already enrolled in Medicaid , and opponents have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people taking part in a government program .
Roy Mitchell , executive director of the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program , said hospitals are in desperate need of the dollars .
Uncompensated care costs in Mississippi exceed $ 600 million annually , according to a 2019 statement from the Mississippi Hospital Association .
“ Let ’ s face it , providers are businessmen .
Despite their marketing , they are inherently out to make a profit , and they are going to have to wake up in Mississippi , ” Mitchell said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good job of doing that.
” Addressing ailing hospitals has been controversial .
Republican Gov .
Tate Reeves and leaders in the Republican-controlled Mississippi Legislature have opposed Medicaid expansion .
Reeves has said money should go instead to federally funded community health centers that help people in need .
Reeves has said repeatedly that the pandemic has not changed his mind about expansion .
And Republican House Speaker Philip Gunn told reporters this month that he also remains opposed .
The Mississippi Hospital Association in 2019 proposed “ Mississippi Cares , ” which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was modeled after an Indiana program enacted under then-Gov .
Mike Pence .
It would expand Medicaid eligibility while setting $ 20 monthly premium payments and copays .
The proposal gained no traction during this year ’ s Mississippi legislative session .
While advocates for Medicaid expansion say they are hopeful , they acknowledge difficulties .
Out of the 12 nonexpansion states , Mississippi and Florida are the only two with a ballot initiative process .
Mississippi law says that for an initiative to be placed on the ballot , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and those must be evenly divided among the five congressional districts that Mississippi used 20 years ago .
Even if signature-gathering is successful , the earliest a proposal is likely to be on the ballot is November 2022 .
“ For all the stars to align in a ballot initiative … there ’ s got to be a commitment on the part of providers in Mississippi , I think , and we have to also look realistically at the amount of resources that it takes to do a ballot initiative , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainly not out of reach.
” Leah Willingham is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - After voters expanded Medicaid in conservative states like Missouri and Oklahoma, health care advocates are renewing a push for expansion in Mississippi and other Southern states where Republican leaders have long been opposed.
They say the changing tide has followed rising income inequality, joblessness and pressure from hospitals in economic turmoil - issues exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
“There have been, in the last two years, votes on Medicaid expansion in some of the most conservative, Republican-leaning states in the country, and Medicaid expansion has never lost,” said Eliot Fishman, senior director of Health Policy at Families USA, a health care advocacy organization.
Fishman spoke Thursday during an online forum about Medicaid expansion hosted by the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program and the Mississippi Center for Justice.
Medicaid expansion is an option under the health care overhaul that then-President Barack Obama signed into law in 2010. Many Democratic-controlled states agreed to expansion, mainly for people whose jobs don’t provide health insurance.
However, since Republican Donald Trump became president in January 2017, voters in Idaho, Nebraska, Utah, Oklahoma, Maine and most recently Missouri have approved Medicaid expansion by ballot measures. In Virginia, legislators passed Medicaid expansion after Democrats gained power.
“This is clearly an issue which you can no longer shut down voter interest by just saying the word ‘Obamacare,’ ” Fishman said. “That power has waned.”
There are now 12 states - including Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida - that have not expanded Medicaid. A newly formed collaborative, “Southerners for Medicaid Expansion,” is aiming to put pressure on the holdouts.
Medicaid is a government health insurance program for the needy, aged, blind and disabled, and it is paid by state and federal money. Because Mississippi is poor, the federal government pays nearly 78% of the cost.
Under expansion, the federal government pays 90% of the cost in any state.
About 25% of Mississippi’s nearly 3 million residents are already enrolled in Medicaid, and opponents have said they don’t want more people taking part in a government program.
Roy Mitchell, executive director of the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program, said hospitals are in desperate need of the dollars. Uncompensated care costs in Mississippi exceed $600 million annually, according to a 2019 statement from the Mississippi Hospital Association.
“Let’s face it, providers are businessmen. Despite their marketing, they are inherently out to make a profit, and they are going to have to wake up in Mississippi,” Mitchell said. “I’m sure COVID did a good job of doing that.”
Addressing ailing hospitals has been controversial. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves and leaders in the Republican-controlled Mississippi Legislature have opposed Medicaid expansion. Reeves has said money should go instead to federally funded community health centers that help people in need.
Reeves has said repeatedly that the pandemic has not changed his mind about expansion. And Republican House Speaker Philip Gunn told reporters this month that he also remains opposed.
The Mississippi Hospital Association in 2019 proposed “Mississippi Cares,” which it called Medicaid reform but not expansion. It was modeled after an Indiana program enacted under then-Gov. Mike Pence. It would expand Medicaid eligibility while setting $20 monthly premium payments and copays. The proposal gained no traction during this year’s Mississippi legislative session.
While advocates for Medicaid expansion say they are hopeful, they acknowledge difficulties.
Out of the 12 nonexpansion states, Mississippi and Florida are the only two with a ballot initiative process.
Mississippi law says that for an initiative to be placed on the ballot, at least 106,190 certified signatures must be gathered, and those must be evenly divided among the five congressional districts that Mississippi used 20 years ago. Even if signature-gathering is successful, the earliest a proposal is likely to be on the ballot is November 2022.
“For all the stars to align in a ballot initiative … there’s got to be a commitment on the part of providers in Mississippi, I think, and we have to also look realistically at the amount of resources that it takes to do a ballot initiative,” Mitchell said. “But it is certainly not out of reach.”
___
Leah Willingham is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
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Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Zimbabwe investigates mysterious deaths of 11 elephants

HARARE , Zimbabwe ( AP ) - Zimbabwe ’ s parks authorities in Zimbabwe are investigating the death of 11 elephants in a forest in the west of the country , a parks spokesman said Sunday .
The carcasses of the elephants were discovered on Friday in Pandamasue Forest , located between Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls .
Blood samples have been taken to a laboratory for analysis to determine the cause of their deaths , Tinashe Farawo , spokesman of the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority , said .
The dead elephants were found with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out poaching .
In recent years poachers in Zimbabwe have poisoned dozens of elephants and then have taken their ivory tusks to sell them to illegal traders .
“ We can only ascertain the cause of death after the tests .
But we have ruled out cyanide poisoning , ” Farawo told The Associated Press .
“ Only elephants were affected , no vultures or any other animals were affected .
Initial tests show that it is not cyanide .
We are also ruling out poachers because the tusks were intact.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appears similar to the deaths last month of more than 275 elephants in neighboring Botswana .
Scientists are still investigating the deaths of the elephants in Botswana ’ s Okavango Delta area and poaching , poisoning and anthrax have been ruled out .
Botswana has the world ’ s largest elephant population , estimated at 156,000 and Zimbabwe has the second largest , estimated at 85,000 .
Last year about 200 elephants in Zimbabwe died of starvation as a result of the country ’ s drought .

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - Zimbabwe’s parks authorities in Zimbabwe are investigating the death of 11 elephants in a forest in the west of the country, a parks spokesman said Sunday.
The carcasses of the elephants were discovered on Friday in Pandamasue Forest, located between Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls. Blood samples have been taken to a laboratory for analysis to determine the cause of their deaths, Tinashe Farawo, spokesman of the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, said.
The dead elephants were found with the tusks still on their bodies, ruling out poaching. In recent years poachers in Zimbabwe have poisoned dozens of elephants and then have taken their ivory tusks to sell them to illegal traders.
“We can only ascertain the cause of death after the tests. But we have ruled out cyanide poisoning,” Farawo told The Associated Press. “Only elephants were affected, no vultures or any other animals were affected. Initial tests show that it is not cyanide. We are also ruling out poachers because the tusks were intact.”
The mysterious deaths of the elephants in Zimbabwe appears similar to the deaths last month of more than 275 elephants in neighboring Botswana. Scientists are still investigating the deaths of the elephants in Botswana’s Okavango Delta area and poaching, poisoning and anthrax have been ruled out.
Botswana has the world’s largest elephant population, estimated at 156,000 and Zimbabwe has the second largest, estimated at 85,000. Last year about 200 elephants in Zimbabwe died of starvation as a result of the country’s drought.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Thai royalists rally in riposte to anti-government movement

BANGKOK ( AP ) - About 1,000 people gathered in a Bangkok sports arena on Sunday , swearing to defend Thailand ’ s monarchy from a student-led mass movement that they believe is a threat to the institution ’ s existence .
Calling themselves “ Thai Pakdee , ” or “ Loyal Thai , ” most were dressed in yellow shirts - a color closely associated with the monarchy and the ruling establishment .
Some clutched portraits of current King Maha Vajiralongkorn and of his late revered father , King Bhumibhol Adulyadej , while others waved giant national flags .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gather momentum across Thailand , posing the strongest challenge yet to the rule of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha .
The former army chief first took power in a coup in 2014 , then retained it in an election last year widely seen as rigged to all but guarantee his victory .
Speakers at Sunday ’ s rally pledged to protect the monarchy and the nation .
Videos were shown , one of which extolled King Maha ’ s role in fighting communism in the 1970s , when a jungle insurgency threatened the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight shoulder to shoulder with brothers and sisters who share the same beliefs , to protect the beloved institution , ” said one speaker , Patiyut Tongpajong .
Speaking to the media before the program began , Thai Pakdee leader Warong Dechgitvigrom , a former Member of parliament , said their aim was “ to educate the people.
” The protesters that the royalist movement is responding to have three core demands : holding new elections , amending the constitution and ending the intimidation of critics of the government .
But some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stirred controversy with an unprecedented call for reform of the monarchy , which they see as out of touch and unaccountable .
The institution has traditionally been treated as beyond reproach .
It is also protected by strict defamation laws that can bring punishment of 15 years in prison .
Even though the anti-government protesters have called for the reform of the monarchy , not its abolition , the supporters of Thai Pakdee believe a line has been unacceptably crossed .
Retiree Somporn Suklert enthusiastically cheered the speeches and clutched a “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t care if you talk about politics .
You can protest about the government – go ahead and do so .
But do not touch the monarchy , ” she said .
“ We can not let that happen .
That ’ s why so many of us came out today and you will see more.
” Samacha Sinlapakob , a 39-year-old office worker , teared up as he spoke about the situation .
“ The groups criticize and defame the monarchy and spread misinformation with baseless facts , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear they are attacking the top institution of the country.
” While those at the anti-government events are mainly young students , those at Sunday ’ s rally appeared overwhelmingly to be retirees .
Fears are rising that Thailand could be on the verge of renewed political violence , with the students showing no inclination to compromise and the prime minister replacing his earlier conciliatory tone with a stern warning of impending chaos and a country engulfed in flames .
In the past 15 years , political polarization has led to sometimes chaotic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as with security forces .
The stirring of pro-monarchy groups adds another element into what is becoming a volatile mix , fueling concern about the possibility of confrontations at a large anti-government rally planned for Sept. 19 .

BANGKOK (AP) - About 1,000 people gathered in a Bangkok sports arena on Sunday, swearing to defend Thailand’s monarchy from a student-led mass movement that they believe is a threat to the institution’s existence.
Calling themselves “Thai Pakdee,” or “Loyal Thai,” most were dressed in yellow shirts - a color closely associated with the monarchy and the ruling establishment. Some clutched portraits of current King Maha Vajiralongkorn and of his late revered father, King Bhumibhol Adulyadej, while others waved giant national flags.
The gathering took place as anti-government protests gather momentum across Thailand, posing the strongest challenge yet to the rule of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. The former army chief first took power in a coup in 2014, then retained it in an election last year widely seen as rigged to all but guarantee his victory.
Speakers at Sunday’s rally pledged to protect the monarchy and the nation. Videos were shown, one of which extolled King Maha’s role in fighting communism in the 1970s, when a jungle insurgency threatened the country’s stability.
“I promise to fight shoulder to shoulder with brothers and sisters who share the same beliefs, to protect the beloved institution,” said one speaker, Patiyut Tongpajong.
Speaking to the media before the program began, Thai Pakdee leader Warong Dechgitvigrom, a former Member of parliament, said their aim was “to educate the people.”
The protesters that the royalist movement is responding to have three core demands: holding new elections, amending the constitution and ending the intimidation of critics of the government.
But some of the anti-government movement’s leaders stirred controversy with an unprecedented call for reform of the monarchy, which they see as out of touch and unaccountable.
The institution has traditionally been treated as beyond reproach. It is also protected by strict defamation laws that can bring punishment of 15 years in prison.
Even though the anti-government protesters have called for the reform of the monarchy, not its abolition, the supporters of Thai Pakdee believe a line has been unacceptably crossed.
Retiree Somporn Suklert enthusiastically cheered the speeches and clutched a “We love the King” scarf.
“I don’t care if you talk about politics. You can protest about the government – go ahead and do so. But do not touch the monarchy,” she said. “We cannot let that happen. That’s why so many of us came out today and you will see more.”
Samacha Sinlapakob, a 39-year-old office worker, teared up as he spoke about the situation.
“The groups criticize and defame the monarchy and spread misinformation with baseless facts,” he said. “It’s clear they are attacking the top institution of the country.”
While those at the anti-government events are mainly young students, those at Sunday’s rally appeared overwhelmingly to be retirees.
Fears are rising that Thailand could be on the verge of renewed political violence, with the students showing no inclination to compromise and the prime minister replacing his earlier conciliatory tone with a stern warning of impending chaos and a country engulfed in flames.
In the past 15 years, political polarization has led to sometimes chaotic street clashes between contending political blocs, as well as with security forces.
The stirring of pro-monarchy groups adds another element into what is becoming a volatile mix, fueling concern about the possibility of confrontations at a large anti-government rally planned for Sept. 19.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Postal chief DeJoy has long leveraged connections, dollars

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - During its search for a new postmaster general , the U.S .
Postal Service Board of Governors was presented with 53 candidates screened by an outside company .
Not on the list : Louis DeJoy , who ultimately got the job .
Instead , in what Democrats call a breach of protocol and blatant cronyism , DeJoy ’ s name was added as a contender by the board member leading the search , John Barger .
He was acting on behalf of the board ’ s chairman , Robert “ Mike ” Duncan , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeJoy and his wife through work on a White House advisory group .
DeJoy , Barger and Duncan were prominent donors to President Donald Trump and other Republicans .
How exactly DeJoy was hired is among the questions Congress is trying to unravel as lawmakers scrutinize a series of operational changes at the Postal Service that have resulted in widespread mail delays and fears that the agency will not be able to handle an expected surge in mail-in ballots this fall as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
Democrats say they also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin , who met with Duncan and other Republicans on the agency ’ s board while the selection of the new postmaster general was underway .
The Trump administration denies any impropriety in the selection of DeJoy , a former supply chain CEO who is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades not to be a career postal employee .
Mnuchin has said he had no involvement , though his heightened interest in the Postal Service has raised questions given Trump ’ s focus on mail-in voting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of records related to DeJoy , revealing a driven businessman who turned his father ’ s trucking company into a national logistics operator , clashed with labor unions and forged political connections that eased his path into lucrative government contracting .
His prolific giving to organizations and GOP candidates , including $ 1.2 million to Trump , has also drawn a spotlight to the transactional appearance of some of his contributions .
His wife , Aldona Wos , is a prominent donor as well , and has been nominated by Trump to serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is pending .
The records reviewed by the AP reveal a pattern of DeJoy ’ s family winning coveted opportunities after making generous contributions .
In one instance , DeJoy ’ s son , Andrew , secured a slot on Duke University ’ s tennis team in 2014 while his parents wrote a series of large checks to the school ’ s athletic department .
The team was ranked 14th in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association and drew a host of top national and international prospects .
But Andrew DeJoy was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a walk-on freshman months after the season started .
“ It was a dream of mine since I was very little , but I wasn ’ t expecting to play , ” Andrew DeJoy said in an interview published by the school ’ s athletic department in 2015 .
“ I just emailed the coach and said I was willing to work hard over the summer if there was spot .
Luckily … In the fall , things just worked out.
” In the years before Andrew DeJoy enrolled , the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year to Duke .
But in 2014 they escalated their giving with a $ 737,000 contribution , according to tax records .
The money helped finance the Blue Devil Tower , a massive glass-encased addition to the school ’ s football stadium , which includes the DeJoy Family Club , a “ first-class ” banquet hall overlooking the field with space for 600 people .
During Andrew DeJoy ’ s second year on the team , his family gave another $ 462,000 to Duke .
The donations continued during the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least $ 2.2 million .
Duke athletic department spokesman Art Chase declined to comment .
A representative of the family ’ s foundation did not respond to a request for comment .
It wasn ’ t the first time the family tapped its largess before receiving positions of importance .
Wos , DeJoy ’ s wife and a physician who immigrated to the U.S. from Poland , was appointed President George W. Bush ’ s ambassador to Estonia after she helped raise over $ 200,000 for his 2004 campaign .
Granting ambassadorships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top donors .
She donated more than $ 35,000 to Trump ’ s reelection before he announced that he would nominate her to be his next ambassador to Canada .
Louis DeJoy also saw his federal work pick up while his wife served as Bush ’ s envoy to Estonia .
Between 2003 and 2009 , his company New Breed Logistics was awarded contracts worth $ 59 million , according to federal spending data During the 2012 governor ’ s election in North Carolina , DeJoy , Wos and more than 60 employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ routed more than $ 165,000 to the campaign of Republican Pat McCrory .
The donations were made at a time when contribution limits prevented individual contributors from giving more than $ 8,000 to a candidate in an election cycle .
“ They ’ ve never asked for anything for their involvement , ” said McCrory , adding that DeJoy and Wos are also generous philanthropists and “ don ’ t just write checks ” and “ put their sweat equity behind everything they do.
” Wos was selected in 2013 to serve as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Health and Human Services under McCrory , where she had a rocky tenure until stepping down in 2015 .
Her time there included the troubled roll out of a new computer system , which delayed the issuance of food stamps , sent Medicaid cards containing private information to the wrong recipients and put government funding in jeopardy .
There are also questions about DeJoy ’ s relationship with labor while in the private sector , given that he now oversees an agency where many of his 650,000 workers are unionized .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was sanctioned multiple times by federal regulators for violating labor laws .
In 1994 , the National Labor Relations Board found the company was “ motivated by anti-union animus ” when it quietly hired nonunion employees at a California facility , a finding upheld by a federal appellate court .
The company was also ordered to pay $ 22,000 in back wages to 23 workers in North Carolina in 2006 after it was cited for 40 labor and hour violations , records show .
In 2015 , a federal appellate court upheld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was ordered to pay to four workers who were fired after reporting sexual harassment by a supervisor in 2008 .
The company had fought the claim for years , seeking to lower the amount it was required to pay .
Though DeJoy was a Trump donor , it remains unclear exactly how he emerged as the top contender to lead the Postal Service .
Mnuchin has denied that he or other Treasury Department officials played a role in recruiting or suggesting DeJoy to the Postal Service board of governors , which is comprised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 letter to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York , Mnuchin that he was “ surprised ” to learn DeJoy was a finalist .
Still , Mnuchin has been keenly interested in postal operations since at least 2018 , when Trump named him to lead a task force to evaluate ways to stem billions of dollars in losses at the agency .
A December 2018 report urged removal of current price caps for mail and packages not deemed as “ essential postal services.
” David C. Williams , a former Postal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as vice chairman of the board of governors in April after it became clear DeJoy would be hired , said Mnuchin was using a multibillion-dollar line of credit with the Postal Service as leverage to take effective control over labor agreements , prices and contracts with Amazon and other large shippers .
“ The Treasury was using that responsibility to make demands that I believed would turn the Postal Service into a political tool , ending its long history as an apolitical public infrastructure , ″ Williams told the Congressional Progressive Caucus at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ fact sheet ” issued in response to Williams ’ s claims , the Treasury said it plays an important role overseeing federal loans to the Postal Service .
Outstanding loans to the agency stand at $ 14.4 billion , with $ 10 billion more in lending authority included in an economic rescue law approved by Congress in March .
That loan should be finalized in coming weeks .
In its fact sheet , the Treasury said Mnuchin ’ s dealings with the board of governors were routine and part of his obligation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creditor .
But S. David Fineman , a former chairman of the board of governors , described Mnuchin ’ s involvement with the service as “ unprecedented ” and said many questions remain about why drastic changes were put in place so soon after DeJoy became postmaster general .
“ You put together this piece and you put together that piece and it just doesn ’ t add up , ” Fineman said .
DeJoy “ didn ’ t strike me as a serious candidate , ” Williams said , calling DeJoy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governor Barger actually helped him finish a number of sentences before he got stuck ” during one interview , Williams recalled .
Barger disputed that .
“ Louis DeJoy - after all of our interviews and our vetting and deep dives into his background - showed himself to be an uncommonly strong leader , ” he told the Los Angeles Times .
DeJoy won unanimous , bipartisan support from the board of governors when he was hired in May .
Rep. Gerald Connolly , D-Va. , said Mnuchin should testify before Congress - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his role in DeJoy ’ s hiring and the operational changes .
DeJoy “ should never been hired , ” Connolly said .
“ We don ’ t need a Trump donor at the Postal Service.
” The Associated Press produced this coverage with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York .

MATTHEW DALY, BRIAN SLODYSKO and ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE

WASHINGTON (AP) - During its search for a new postmaster general, the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors was presented with 53 candidates screened by an outside company. Not on the list: Louis DeJoy, who ultimately got the job.
Instead, in what Democrats call a breach of protocol and blatant cronyism, DeJoy’s name was added as a contender by the board member leading the search, John Barger. He was acting on behalf of the board’s chairman, Robert “Mike” Duncan, a former Republican National Committee chairman who knew DeJoy and his wife through work on a White House advisory group. DeJoy, Barger and Duncan were prominent donors to President Donald Trump and other Republicans.
How exactly DeJoy was hired is among the questions Congress is trying to unravel as lawmakers scrutinize a series of operational changes at the Postal Service that have resulted in widespread mail delays and fears that the agency will not be able to handle an expected surge in mail-in ballots this fall as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Democrats say they also want to learn more about the role of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who met with Duncan and other Republicans on the agency’s board while the selection of the new postmaster general was underway.
The Trump administration denies any impropriety in the selection of DeJoy, a former supply chain CEO who is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades not to be a career postal employee. Mnuchin has said he had no involvement, though his heightened interest in the Postal Service has raised questions given Trump’s focus on mail-in voting.
The Associated Press reviewed hundreds of pages of records related to DeJoy, revealing a driven businessman who turned his father’s trucking company into a national logistics operator, clashed with labor unions and forged political connections that eased his path into lucrative government contracting.
His prolific giving to organizations and GOP candidates, including $1.2 million to Trump, has also drawn a spotlight to the transactional appearance of some of his contributions. His wife, Aldona Wos, is a prominent donor as well, and has been nominated by Trump to serve as ambassador to Canada; her nomination is pending.
The records reviewed by the AP reveal a pattern of DeJoy’s family winning coveted opportunities after making generous contributions.
In one instance, DeJoy’s son, Andrew, secured a slot on Duke University’s tennis team in 2014 while his parents wrote a series of large checks to the school’s athletic department. The team was ranked 14th in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association and drew a host of top national and international prospects. But Andrew DeJoy was not one of them when he joined as a walk-on freshman months after the season started.
Duke athletic department spokesman Art Chase declined to comment. A representative of the family’s foundation did not respond to a request for comment.
Wos, DeJoy’s wife and a physician who immigrated to the United States from Poland, was appointed President George W. Bush’s ambassador to Estonia after she helped raise over $200,000 for his 2004 campaign. Granting ambassadorships is a common way presidents reward their top donors. She donated more than $35,000 to Trump’s reelection before he announced that he would nominate her to be his next ambassador to Canada.
Louis DeJoy also saw his federal work pick up while his wife served as Bush’s envoy to Estonia. Between 2003 and 2009, his company New Breed Logistics was awarded contracts worth $59 million, according to federal spending data
During the 2012 governor’s election in North Carolina, DeJoy, Wos and more than 60 employees of New Breed from eight different states routed more than $165,000 to the campaign of Republican Pat McCrory.
“They’ve never asked for anything for their involvement,” said McCrory, adding that DeJoy and Wos are also generous philanthropists and “don’t just write checks” and “put their sweat equity behind everything they do.”
Wos was selected in 2013 to serve as the head of North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services under McCrory, where she had a rocky tenure until stepping down in 2015.
There are also questions about DeJoy’s relationship with labor while in the private sector, given that he now oversees an agency where many of his 650,000 workers are unionized. New Breed, the company he founded, was sanctioned multiple times by federal regulators for violating labor laws.
Though DeJoy was a Trump donor, it remains unclear exactly how he emerged as the top contender to lead the Postal Service. Mnuchin has denied that he or other Treasury Department officials played a role in recruiting or suggesting DeJoy to the Postal Service board of governors, which is comprised of Trump appointees. In an Aug. 21 letter to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York, Mnuchin that he was “surprised” to learn DeJoy was a finalist.
Still, Mnuchin has been keenly interested in postal operations since at least 2018, when Trump named him to lead a task force to evaluate ways to stem billions of dollars in losses at the agency.
David C. Williams, a former Postal Service inspector general who said he resigned as vice chairman of the board of governors in April after it became clear DeJoy would be hired, said Mnuchin was using a multibillion-dollar line of credit with the Postal Service as leverage to take effective control over labor agreements, prices and contracts with Amazon and other large shippers.
In a “fact sheet” issued in response to Williams’s claims, the Treasury said it plays an important role overseeing federal loans to the Postal Service. Outstanding loans to the agency stand at $14.4 billion, with $10 billion more in lending authority included in an economic rescue law approved by Congress in March. That loan should be finalized in coming weeks.
DeJoy won unanimous, bipartisan support from the board of governors when he was hired in May.
DeJoy “should never been hired,″ Connolly said. “We don’t need a Trump donor at the Postal Service,″ said Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va. “We don’t need a Trump donor at the Postal Service.”
_
The Associated Press produced this coverage with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Trump to visit violence-battered Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Tuesday

President Trump will travel to Kenosha , Wisconsin , on Tuesday to survey damage from rioting and violent street protests @ @ @ @ @ .
White House deputy press secretary said the president will meet with local law-enforcement officials @ @ @ @ @ scene of street violence since the police shooting last week of Jacob Blake , a @ @ @ @ @ had a knife during a domestic disturbance .
Businesses have been burned in the city @ @ @ @ @ fatally shot last week , allegedly by a 17-year-old man from Illinois , Kyle Rittenhouse @

President Trump will travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Tuesday to survey damage from rioting and violent street protests, the White House said.
White House deputy press secretary said the president will meet with local law-enforcement officials.
Kenosha has been the scene of street violence since the police shooting last week of Jacob Blake, a Black man whom authorities said had a knife during a domestic disturbance.
Businesses have been burned in the city, and two demonstrators were fatally shot last week, allegedly by a 17-year-old man from Illinois, Kyle Rittenhouse.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.