washingtontimes--2020-05-18--Obama, Trump fight for White House as Biden sits on sidelines

Forget about Joseph R. Biden .
The race for The White House in 2020 looks more and more like a contest between President Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama .
The former president has returned to politics with a vengeance , inserting himself in ways previously unthinkable for those who have occupied the Oval Office and calling his successor a lawless incompetent .
Along the way , Mr. Obama has upstaged his former sidekick and shifted the narrative of the 2020 presidential race from “ Biden takes on Trump ” to “ Obama era versus the Trump years.
” It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcomed by Mr. Trump , who is more than happy to talk about how his administration ’ s efforts have been held back by the failings and political machinations of his predecessor on everything from the economy to the coronavirus pandemic to the Russia investigation .
In recent days , that ’ s meant Mr. Trump pushing what he calls “ Obamagate , ” an unsubstatiated suggestion Mr. Obama led an illegal conspiracy to persecute and prosecute him and his aides during the 2016 presidential campaign .
The 44th and 45th presidents — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been on a collision course for years , dating to Mr. Trump ’ s pursuit of the “ birther ” theories questioning Mr. Obama ’ s qualifications for the White House in 2008 .
That then led to Mr. Obama ’ s skewering of Mr. Trump at the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner .
Mr. Obama later watched as Mr. Trump became president and began unraveling the legacy of his eight years in office — freezing U.S. participation in the Paris climate accord , canceling the massive free-trade Trans-Pacific Partnership , puncturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deportation amnesty for illegal immigrant “ Dreamers.
” “ President Obama has to be stung at the leveling of his administration ’ s deeds , ” said Mike McKenna , a former top aide in the Trump White House .
“ Pretty much everything they did , the Trump administration has undone , and usually added in some salt for the wounds .
So part of this is personal.
” Plus , Mr. Obama has more skin in the game this time than he did in 2016 , with Mr. Biden on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wins , that wasn ’ t the case with Hillary , ” Mr. McKenna said .
The Obama team , meanwhile , says Mr. Trump ’ s obsession with his predecessor “ eats him alive inside.
” “ Trump ’ s fact-free fixation on Obama dating back to birtherism is so absurd and stupid that it would be comic if it wasn ’ t so tragic , ” Benjamin J. Rhodes , a former deputy national security adviser under Mr. Obama , recently said on Twitter .
Mr. Obama had already been notably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticizing his successor , but with Mr. Biden now the party ’ s presumptive nominee , Mr. Obama has become more vocal .
First , in a leaked conference call , he said the decision to drop prosecution of former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn was an affront to “ our basic understanding of rule of law.
” He continued his assault in a pair of commencement speeches over the weekend , blasting Mr. Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus crisis .
“ More than anything , this pandemic has fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that so many of the folks in charge know what they ’ re doing , ” Mr. Obama said .
The Trump administration , meanwhile , declassified information showing almost 40 top Obama officials — including Mr. Biden himself — sought to “ unmask ” Mr. Flynn in 2017 , by tying his name to secretly surveilled conversations with a top Russian official .
“ The Obama Administration is turning out to be one of the most corrupt and incompetent in U.S. history , ” Mr. Trump said on Twitter .
He added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe are the reasons I am in the White House !
!
!
” Mr. Trump has demanded the Republican-controlled Senate explore his theory that Mr. Flynn was targeted as part of a broader Obama administration “ deep state coup ” to undermine him and his administration , an alleged plot Mr. Trump has dubbed “ Obamagate.
” But Attorney General William P. Barr on Monday said he doesn ’ t see an ongoing Justice Department probe resulting in a criminal investigation of either Mr. Biden or Mr. Obama , though it could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Democratic National Committee member from New Hampshire , said Mr. Trump is trying to “ smear ” Mr. Obama because he feels threatened and has “ hated ” him since the correspondents ’ dinner .
“ Cheap psychology ?
Yes , but Trump has spent three years trying to eviscerate Obama ’ s legacy , ” Ms. Sullivan said .
“ Also , Trump has a real problem with projection — he obsessively projects his failings onto everyone else.
” Doug Heye , a GOP strategist , said Mr. Trump also sees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Clearly Trump spoils for a fight and when he does he knows the media is going to cover that fight to a great extent , ” Mr. Heye said .
“ So if the conversation for an hour throughout the day on TV is about Obama and Trump fighting each other and not that 89,000 Americans are dead , you ’ ve changed the conversation , and his base loves it.
” Steve Cochran , a Democratic National Committee member from Virginia , said Mr. Trump is “ insanely jealous of Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not — handsome , respected , popular and an effective leader who brings out the best in people , inspiring them to succeed.
” Both men are aware of the stakes .
“ If Obama wins this round , Trump knows he loses , ” Mr. Cochran said .
Former Republican Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia said Mr. Obama has taken a more partisan role as an ex-president than predecessors such as George W. Bush , who left office promising to remain mum and did so until deep into the Obama years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to be supportive and he held his tongue , ” Mr. Davis said .
“ That is what people used to do and I think it is an example of how politics has just gotten more polarized and more partisan and this is a reflection of that.
” Mr. Davis said he wasn ’ t shocked by Mr. Obama ’ s vociferous emergence , given that Mr. Biden is not the most “ dynamic ” candidate .
“ He gives a fireside chat and the fire goes out , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an exciting candidate .
So someone has to excite the base.
” YouGov , a polling outfit , says 56 % of Americans have a positive opinion of Mr. Obama , significantly higher than Mr. Biden ’ s 40 % .
Yet at this point in his first term , Mr. Obama ’ s job approval rating was just 47 % , according to Gallup .
Mr. Trump bests him at 49 % approval .

Forget about Joseph R. Biden. The race for The White House in 2020 looks more and more like a contest between President Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama.
The former president has returned to politics with a vengeance, inserting himself in ways previously unthinkable for those who have occupied the Oval Office and calling his successor a lawless incompetent.
Along the way, Mr. Obama has upstaged his former sidekick and shifted the narrative of the 2020 presidential race from “Biden takes on Trump” to “Obama era versus the Trump years.”
It’s a recast of the contest welcomed by Mr. Trump, who is more than happy to talk about how his administration’s efforts have been held back by the failings and political machinations of his predecessor on everything from the economy to the coronavirus pandemic to the Russia investigation.
In recent days, that’s meant Mr. Trump pushing what he calls “Obamagate,” an unsubstantiated suggestion that Mr. Obama led an illegal conspiracy to persecute and prosecute him and his aides during the 2016 presidential campaign.
The 44th and 45th presidents — both historic in their own ways — have been on a collision course for years, dating to Mr. Trump’s pursuit of the “birther” theories questioning Mr. Obama’s qualifications for the White House in 2008. That then led to Mr. Obama’s skewering of Mr. Trump at the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner.
Mr. Obama later watched as Mr. Trump became president and began unraveling the legacy of his eight years in office — freezing U.S. participation in the Paris climate accord, canceling the massive free-trade Trans-Pacific Partnership, puncturing Obamacare and attempting to revoke the DACA deportation amnesty for illegal immigrant “Dreamers.”
“President Obama has to be stung at the leveling of his administration’s deeds,” said Mike McKenna, a former top aide in the Trump White House. “Pretty much everything they did, the Trump administration has undone, and usually added in some salt for the wounds. So part of this is personal.”
Plus, Mr. Obama has more skin in the game this time than he did in 2016, with Mr. Biden on the ballot.
“He cares whether Biden wins, that wasn’t the case with Hillary,” Mr. McKenna said.
The Obama team, meanwhile, says Mr. Trump’s obsession with his predecessor “eats him alive inside.”
“Trump’s fact-free fixation on Obama dating back to birtherism is so absurd and stupid that it would be comic if it wasn’t so tragic,” Benjamin J. Rhodes, a former deputy national security adviser under Mr. Obama, recently said on Twitter.
Mr. Obama had already been notably more active than most past presidents in criticizing his successor, but with Mr. Biden now the party’s presumptive nominee, Mr. Obama has become more vocal.
First, in a leaked conference call, he said the decision to drop prosecution of former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn was an affront to “our basic understanding of rule of law.”
He continued his assault in a pair of commencement speeches over the weekend, blasting Mr. Trump’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
“More than anything, this pandemic has fully torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing,” Mr. Obama said.
The Trump administration, meanwhile, declassified information showing almost 40 top Obama officials — including Mr. Biden himself — sought to “unmask” Flynn in 2017, by tying his name to secretly surveilled conversations with a top Russian official.
“The Obama Administration is turning out to be one of the most corrupt and incompetent in U.S. history,” Mr. Trump said on Twitter.
He added: “Remember, he and Sleepy Joe are the reasons I am in the White House!!!”
Mr. Trump has demanded the Republican-controlled Senate explore his theory that Flynn was targeted as part of a broader Obama administration “deep state coup” to undermine him and his administration, an alleged plot Mr. Trump has dubbed “Obamagate.”
But Attorney General William P. Barr on Monday said he doesn’t see an ongoing Justice Department probe resulting in a criminal investigation of either Mr. Biden or Mr. Obama, though it could snare others.
Kathleen Sullivan, a former Democratic National Committee member from New Hampshire, said Mr. Trump is trying to “smear” Mr. Obama because he feels threatened and has “hated” him since the correspondents’ dinner.
“Cheap psychology? Yes, but Trump has spent three years trying to eviscerate Obama’s legacy,” Ms. Sullivan said. “Also, Trump has a real problem with projection — he obsessively projects his failings onto everyone else.”
Doug Heye, a GOP strategist, said Mr. Trump also sees value in distraction amid the coronavirus.
“Clearly Trump spoils for a fight and when he does he knows the media is going to cover that fight to a great extent,” Mr. Heye said. “So if the conversation for an hour throughout the day on TV is about Obama and Trump fighting each other and not that 89,000 Americans are dead, you’ve changed the conversation, and his base loves it.”
Steve Cochran, a Democratic National Committee member from Virginia, said Mr. Trump is “insanely jealous of Barack Obama because Obama is everything he is not — handsome, respected, popular and an effective leader who brings out the best in people, inspiring them to succeed.”
Both men are aware of the stakes.
“If Obama wins this round, Trump knows he loses,” Mr. Cochran said.
Former Republican Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia said Mr. Obama has taken a more partisan role as an ex-president than predecessors such as George W. Bush, who left office promising to remain mum and did so until deep into the Obama years.
“He stayed out of it, tried to be supportive and he held his tongue,” Mr. Davis said. “That is what people used to do and I think it is an example of how politics has just gotten more polarized and more partisan and this is a reflection of that.”
Mr. Davis said he wasn’t shocked by Mr. Obama’s vociferous emergence, given that Mr. Biden is not the most “dynamic” candidate.
“He gives a fireside chat and the fire goes out,” he said. “His strength isn’t as an exciting candidate. So someone has to excite the base.”
YouGov, a polling outfit, says 56% of Americans have a positive opinion of Mr. Obama, significantly higher than Mr. Biden’s 40%.
Yet at this point in his first term, Mr. Obama’s job approval rating was just 47%, according to Gallup. Mr. Trump bests him at 49% approval.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-18--Official: Two people shot at Jeep Weekend in Texas

GALVESTON , Texas ( AP ) - Two men were shot when a man fired into a group of people during a Texas event , a police official said .
The shooting happened Saturday during Jeep Weekend on Crystal Beach in Bolivar Peninsula , Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said .
It is an annual event for Jeep enthusiasts .
“ A group of men started fighting and it transferred over to females fighting , ” Trochesset said .
“ When the women were fighting , a husky male discharged a firearm.
” Trochesset added that the injured men were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Branch for surgery on Sunday .
Their condition was not immediately known .
No arrests were made following the shooting , but the investigation remains ongoing .
Trochesset said more than a 100 people were jailed for unrelated crimes by Sunday morning .
Most of the arrests were for misdemeanor crimes , including driving while intoxicated , according to police records .
Crystal Beach residents started an online petition to end Jeep Weekend after 113 people were arrested last year .
But the event was still promoted on some community event calendars .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas General Land Office reopened beaches on May 1 after they were closed due to the coronavirus outbreak .
But many Democrats and public health experts warn that reopening the state too soon could cost lives .
But Republicans support opening businesses and public areas .
Joey Roy and his girlfriend Aloha Flake visited Crystal Beach this past weekend .
“ We take precautions and of course , we ’ re safe but at the same time , we got ta live , ” 46-year-old Roy said .
“ This is our right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is why America is great .
”

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) - Two men were shot when a man fired into a group of people during a Texas event, a police official said.
The shooting happened Saturday during Jeep Weekend on Crystal Beach in Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said. It is an annual event for Jeep enthusiasts.
“A group of men started fighting and it transferred over to females fighting,” Trochesset said. “When the women were fighting, a husky male discharged a firearm.”
Trochesset added that the injured men were airlifted to the University of Texas Medical Branch for surgery on Sunday. Their condition was not immediately known.
No arrests were made following the shooting, but the investigation remains ongoing.
Trochesset said more than a 100 people were jailed for unrelated crimes by Sunday morning. Most of the arrests were for misdemeanor crimes, including driving while intoxicated, according to police records.
Crystal Beach residents started an online petition to end Jeep Weekend after 113 people were arrested last year. But the event was still promoted on some community event calendars.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas General Land Office reopened beaches on May 1 after they were closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. But many Democrats and public health experts warn that reopening the state too soon could cost lives. But Republicans support opening businesses and public areas.
Joey Roy and his girlfriend Aloha Flake visited Crystal Beach this past weekend.
“We take precautions and of course, we’re safe but at the same time, we gotta live,” 46-year-old Roy said. “This is our right. This is why we live here. This is why America is great.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-18--Hubbard asks Supreme Court to reconsider ethics conviction

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - Lawyers for former House Speaker Mike Hubbard have asked the Alabama Supreme Court to reconsider a decision upholding his ethics conviction .
Hubbard ’ s attorneys are seeking a rarely granted reversal of a court decision .
His attorneys argued that state prosecutors stretched the meaning of the Alabama ethics law and that parts of the law were unclear .
“ Deprivation of liberty is fair only if the defendant crossed a legal line that was clearly ascertainable to him in advance .
This case presents nothing of that sort , ” attorneys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Alabama Supreme Court last month overturned five of the ethics convictions while upholding six others .
Hubbard was for years one of the state ’ s most powerful politicians until the conviction ended his career .
Hubbard , the architect of the GOP ’ s takeover of the Alabama Legislature in 2010 , was a legislator from Auburn and former chairman of the Alabama Republican Party .
He was elected House speaker soon after the Republicans consolidated their control but was automatically removed from office after his felony conviction .
Prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to obtain clients and investments for his businesses .
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said last month that Hubbard ’ s actions were “ corrupt and betrayed the public trust.
” His defense lawyers maintained the transactions were all above-board .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Lawyers for former House Speaker Mike Hubbard have asked the Alabama Supreme Court to reconsider a decision upholding his ethics conviction.
Hubbard’s attorneys are seeking a rarely granted reversal of a court decision. His attorneys argued that state prosecutors stretched the meaning of the Alabama ethics law and that parts of the law were unclear.
“Deprivation of liberty is fair only if the defendant crossed a legal line that was clearly ascertainable to him in advance. This case presents nothing of that sort,” attorneys wrote in the motion filed last month.
The Alabama Supreme Court last month overturned five of the ethics convictions while upholding six others.
Hubbard was for years one of the state’s most powerful politicians until the conviction ended his career.
Hubbard, the architect of the GOP’s takeover of the Alabama Legislature in 2010, was a legislator from Auburn and former chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. He was elected House speaker soon after the Republicans consolidated their control but was automatically removed from office after his felony conviction.
Prosecutors accused Hubbard of monetizing his public office to obtain clients and investments for his businesses. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said last month that Hubbard’s actions were “corrupt and betrayed the public trust.” His defense lawyers maintained the transactions were all above-board.


washingtontimes--2020-05-18--Democrats, Republicans channel agendas into coronavirus rescue bill approach

The 14 House Democrats who almost sunk House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s $ 3 trillion coronavirus rescue bill provided a glimpse at the calculations the party is making ahead of the election .
Both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill are channeling their agendas into their coronavirus approach ; campaigning for November without hitting the physical campaign trail .
“ Nothing is not political for six months out of a presidential election , ” Republican strategist Ford O ’ Connell told The Washington Times .
With the massive Democrat-led package dead on arrival in the Senate , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Republicans block her attempts to move more legislation across the finish line .
However , the number of defections within her own party put a wrinkle in that message .
Progressives were frustrated that the bill doesn ’ t do more on unemployment or health care , while moderates thought there are too many unrelated items that are known poison bills for the GOP .
Most of the 14 Democrats that broke rank and voted against the bill — with the notable exception of top progressive Rep. Pramila Jayapal — were from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
It ’ s these frontline districts that were key to the Democrats retaking the majority , and vital as they go on defense in November .
“ Unfortunately , many Members of Congress — including some in my own party — have decided to use this package as an opportunity to make political statements and propose a bill that goes far beyond pandemic relief and has no chance at becoming law , further delaying the help so many need .
Therefore , I will respectfully vote against this bill , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement Friday .
“ At this time , we must come together to build a targeted , timely relief package that avoids partisan posturing and instead prioritizes combatting our nationwide public health emergency , addressing catastrophic unemployment rates , and protecting the security of the next generation , ” she added .
The package would provide more than $ 800 billion for state and local governments — a major priority for Democrats that didn ’ t make it into previous rescue bills .
It includes another round of direct payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per family member and up to $ 6,000 per household , and extends the $ 600 in additional weekly federal unemployment benefits through January .
The bill would allow some undocumented immigrants to receive the stimulus checks .
Additionally , the bill would expand access to voting by mail by saying states can ’ t impose additional requirements on otherwise eligible voters to cast an absentee ballot through the mail .
Another $ 175 billion would go to rent and mortgage subsidies and $ 25 billion would prop up the struggling U.S. Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years a $ 10,000 cap on the state and local tax deduction , a prized benefit for generally higher-income residents in blue , high-tax states .
The cap was imposed as part of the 2017 GOP tax cuts .
Brad Bannon , a D.C.-based Democratic strategist , said the issue that Mrs. Pelosi needs to take into account for these members was the hefty price tag .
“ I think the dollar figure is probably is a concern , especially in swing districts .
But on the other hand , you have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented disaster with the body towns and the job losses , ” he told The Washington Times .
“ Urgent times , urgent actions.
” Which Mrs. Pelosi has been doing .
“ The chairman of the Fed has told us to think big .
It ’ s never going to be cheaper , he said , because the cost of interest is so low .
The cost of credit is so low , ” she said on the House floor Friday .
“ I say not to act now is not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is irresponsible because it ’ s only going to cost more .
More in terms of lives , livelihoods , cost to the budget , cost to our democracy.
” Mr. Bannon said that message of urgency is at the heart of the Democratic strategy , contrasting with the GOP focus on China and the economic rebound via lifting lockdown orders .
“ The Democratic message is simple .
We ’ re in a crisis and we need immediate action to help the people who were affected by the crisis , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty mixed : blame it on China , we have to go slow on the relief package .
That ’ s a tough sale.
” “ I think voters see Republicans as dragging their feet in terms of responding to an urgent crisis .
And it ’ s only going to get worse , ” he added .
Mr. O ’ Connell argued Democrats are trying to make the November election a referendum on the coronavirus to shore up their party ’ s chances to defeat President Trump on the national scale and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republicans want to do is , they want to be seen as good managers quarterbacking the coronavirus response , so that the money goes to those who are most in need .
What the Republicans see right now of what ’ s killing America is a lack of commerce , rather than the coronavirus , ” he said .
“ What the Democrats are hoping the primary question is , ‘ Do you think Trump did a bad job on the coronavirus response ?
’ ” “ If coronavirus , in most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primarily a health issue to primarily an economic issue , then Donald Trump is going to win , ” he added .
A recent CNN poll , showed that only 36 % of Americans approve of how the president has handled the pandemic .
Top Republicans — including Mr. Trump and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — have accused the Democrats of holding onto the lockdown policies for “ political purposes ” and hurt the economy before November .
Ultimately , Mr. Bannon argued that claim gets back to key point Democrats are trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling the pandemic .
“ The buck stops here on the president ’ s desk , ” he said .
“ And the reality is , Americans are very displeased with the president ’ s handling of coronavirus with good reason .
He was slow to recognize the threat and slow to react when once he acknowledged it exists .
So that ’ s very fertile ground for Democrats .
”

The 14 House Democrats who almost sunk House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s $3 trillion coronavirus rescue bill provided a glimpse at the calculations the party is making ahead of the election.
Both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill are channeling their agendas into their coronavirus approach; campaigning for November without hitting the physical campaign trail.
“Nothing is not political for six months out of a presidential election,” Republican strategist Ford O’Connell told The Washington Times.
With the massive Democrat-led package dead on arrival in the Senate, it was a strong messaging effort from Mrs. Pelosi as Republicans block her attempts to move more legislation across the finish line.
However, the number of defections within her own party put a wrinkle in that message.
Progressives were frustrated that the bill doesn’t do more on unemployment or health care, while moderates thought there are too many unrelated items that are known poison bills for the GOP.
Most of the 14 Democrats that broke rank and voted against the bill — with the notable exception of top progressive Rep. Pramila Jayapal — were from conservative-leaning districts that President Trump won in 2016.
It’s these frontline districts that were key to the Democrats retaking the majority, and vital as they go on defense in November.
“Unfortunately, many Members of Congress — including some in my own party — have decided to use this package as an opportunity to make political statements and propose a bill that goes far beyond pandemic relief and has no chance at becoming law, further delaying the help so many need. Therefore, I will respectfully vote against this bill,” Rep. Abigail Spanberger, Virginia Democrat, said in a statement Friday.
“At this time, we must come together to build a targeted, timely relief package that avoids partisan posturing and instead prioritizes combatting our nationwide public health emergency, addressing catastrophic unemployment rates, and protecting the security of the next generation,” she added.
The package would provide more than $800 billion for state and local governments — a major priority for Democrats that didn’t make it into previous rescue bills.
It includes another round of direct payments to Americans of up to $1,200 per family member and up to $6,000 per household, and extends the $600 in additional weekly federal unemployment benefits through January. The bill would allow some undocumented immigrants to receive the stimulus checks.
Additionally, the bill would expand access to voting by mail by saying states can’t impose additional requirements on otherwise eligible voters to cast an absentee ballot through the mail.
Another $175 billion would go to rent and mortgage subsidies and $25 billion would prop up the struggling U.S. Post Office.
The bill eliminates for two years a $10,000 cap on the state and local tax deduction, a prized benefit for generally higher-income residents in blue, high-tax states. The cap was imposed as part of the 2017 GOP tax cuts.
Brad Bannon, a D.C.-based Democratic strategist, said the issue that Mrs. Pelosi needs to take into account for these members was the hefty price tag.
“I think the dollar figure is probably is a concern, especially in swing districts. But on the other hand, you have to make the argument — this is an unprecedented disaster with the body towns and the job losses,” he told The Washington Times. “Urgent times, urgent actions.”
Which Mrs. Pelosi has been doing.
“The chairman of the Fed has told us to think big. It’s never going to be cheaper, he said, because the cost of interest is so low. The cost of credit is so low,” she said on the House floor Friday. “I say not to act now is not only irresponsible in a humanitarian way — It is irresponsible because it’s only going to cost more. More in terms of lives, livelihoods, cost to the budget, cost to our democracy.”
Mr. Bannon said that message of urgency is at the heart of the Democratic strategy, contrasting with the GOP focus on China and the economic rebound via lifting lockdown orders.
“The Democratic message is simple. We’re in a crisis and we need immediate action to help the people who were affected by the crisis,” he said. “The GOP message is pretty mixed: blame it on China, we have to go slow on the relief package. That’s a tough sale.”
“I think voters see Republicans as dragging their feet in terms of responding to an urgent crisis. And it’s only going to get worse,” he added.
Mr. O’Connell argued Democrats are trying to make the November election a referendum on the coronavirus to shore up their party’s chances to defeat President Trump on the national scale and secure the down-ballot votes.
“What the Republicans want to do is, they want to be seen as good managers quarterbacking the coronavirus response, so that the money goes to those who are most in need. What the Republicans see right now of what’s killing America is a lack of commerce, rather than the coronavirus,” he said. “What the Democrats are hoping the primary question is, ‘Do you think Trump did a bad job on the coronavirus response?’”
“If coronavirus, in most people’s minds, goes from primarily a health issue to primarily an economic issue, then Donald Trump is going to win,” he added.
A recent CNN poll, showed that only 36% of Americans approve of how the president has handled the pandemic.
Top Republicans — including Mr. Trump and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — have accused the Democrats of holding onto the lockdown policies for “political purposes” and hurt the economy before November.
Ultimately, Mr. Bannon argued that claim gets back to key point Democrats are trying to make — is the president effectively handling the pandemic.
“The buck stops here on the president’s desk,” he said. “And the reality is, Americans are very displeased with the president’s handling of coronavirus with good reason. He was slow to recognize the threat and slow to react when once he acknowledged it exists. So that’s very fertile ground for Democrats.”
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-18--Washington dentists, doctors can expand access to patients

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee announced Monday that dentists and doctors ’ offices can reopen immediately for non-urgent treatment if coronavirus safety protocols are in place , including adequate personal protective equipment for workers .
Each medical or dental practice will determine whether it is ready to expand access to patients , and will have to implement policies including limiting the number of people in waiting rooms and conducting temperature checks .
Each facility also must develop a plan that allows for a possible reduction of services if there is an increase of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strain on the health care system .
“ It ’ s critical that providers use good judgment in expanding access to elective care , ” he said .
Washington ’ s stay-at-home order - in place since March 23 - has been extended through at least May 31 and the state is in the early stages of a four-phase lifting of restrictions .
Inslee has already eased some restrictions across the state , allowing the resumption of existing construction , fishing and golf , and the reopening of most state parks , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There will be a minimum of three weeks between each phase , but rural counties that meet certain metrics are allowed to apply to speed up the process .
On Monday , Asotin County became the 10th county given the go-ahead to enter the second phase of reopening .
Among the things allowed in phase two are hair salons and barbers reopening and restaurants at half capacity , with tables of no larger than five people .
Inslee said that while he hopes the rest of the state can move to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can not guarantee when that will happen.
” “ That will depend on the status of the virus , ” he said .
“ If we were to make the wrong decision , a premature decision , this thing could just bounce right back up.
” More than 18,600 people in Washington state have tested positive for the coronavirus and at least 1,002 have died .
The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients , and the vast majority recover .
But it is highly contagious and can cause severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions .

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Monday that dentists and doctors’ offices can reopen immediately for non-urgent treatment if coronavirus safety protocols are in place, including adequate personal protective equipment for workers.
Each medical or dental practice will determine whether it is ready to expand access to patients, and will have to implement policies including limiting the number of people in waiting rooms and conducting temperature checks. Each facility also must develop a plan that allows for a possible reduction of services if there is an increase of COVID-19 in its region that puts a strain on the health care system.
“It’s critical that providers use good judgment in expanding access to elective care,” he said.
Washington’s stay-at-home order - in place since March 23 - has been extended through at least May 31 and the state is in the early stages of a four-phase lifting of restrictions. Inslee has already eased some restrictions across the state, allowing the resumption of existing construction, fishing and golf, and the reopening of most state parks, as well as curbside pickup for retail sales.
There will be a minimum of three weeks between each phase, but rural counties that meet certain metrics are allowed to apply to speed up the process. On Monday, Asotin County became the 10th county given the go-ahead to enter the second phase of reopening. Among the things allowed in phase two are hair salons and barbers reopening and restaurants at half capacity, with tables of no larger than five people.
Inslee said that while he hopes the rest of the state can move to the second phase on June 1, “we cannot guarantee when that will happen.”
“That will depend on the status of the virus,” he said. “If we were to make the wrong decision, a premature decision, this thing could just bounce right back up.”
More than 18,600 people in Washington state have tested positive for the coronavirus and at least 1,002 have died. The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients, and the vast majority recover. But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness and death in some patients, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.


washingtontimes--2020-05-18--Nevada governor recall backers lose bid for deadline waiver

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - A recall drive against Nevada Gov .
Steve Sisolak appeared doomed Monday , after a federal judge in Las Vegas declined to waive the deadline for a signature-gathering campaign aimed at qualifying a removal measure for the ballot .
Fight for Nevada , the group seeking the ballot measure , formed in 2019 and began collecting signatures in February .
It blames the Democratic governor for gun control legislation , restrictions on the transfer of private property , limits on private water wells and other issues .
County election officials are tallying names submitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are enough to qualify for the November ballot , state election official Wayne Thorley said .
The count is set to end Wednesday .
The group needs nearly 244,000 valid signatures of registered voters , but reported it had gathered fewer than 16,000 when the governor enacted stay-at-home orders and business closures in mid-March .
U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware on Friday rejected a request for an indefinite extension of the 90-day signature-gathering period .
Nothing prevents the group from beginning the process anew , the judge added .
Robert Barnes , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recall drive is not finished .
“ The court ’ s order allows for a new recall effort , and if that effort is prevented by restraints on petitions , then we will have strong grounds for suit , ” Barnes said .
The court filing for the deadline extension blamed Sisolak for thwarting signature-gathering by closing businesses and issuing the stay-at-home orders involving the coronavirus .
The group also alleges Sisolak favors a state income tax , but he told state lawmakers during his State of the State message in January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes no new taxes .

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A recall drive against Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak appeared doomed Monday, after a federal judge in Las Vegas declined to waive the deadline for a signature-gathering campaign aimed at qualifying a removal measure for the ballot.
Fight for Nevada, the group seeking the ballot measure, formed in 2019 and began collecting signatures in February. It blames the Democratic governor for gun control legislation, restrictions on the transfer of private property, limits on private water wells and other issues.
County election officials are tallying names submitted by the group to see if there are enough to qualify for the November ballot, state election official Wayne Thorley said. The count is set to end Wednesday.
The group needs nearly 244,000 valid signatures of registered voters, but reported it had gathered fewer than 16,000 when the governor enacted stay-at-home orders and business closures in mid-March.
U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware on Friday rejected a request for an indefinite extension of the 90-day signature-gathering period. Nothing prevents the group from beginning the process anew, the judge added.
Robert Barnes, an attorney for Fight for Nevada, vowed the recall drive is not finished.
“The court’s order allows for a new recall effort, and if that effort is prevented by restraints on petitions, then we will have strong grounds for suit,” Barnes said.
The court filing for the deadline extension blamed Sisolak for thwarting signature-gathering by closing businesses and issuing the stay-at-home orders involving the coronavirus.
The group also alleges Sisolak favors a state income tax, but he told state lawmakers during his State of the State message in January that his $8.8 billion two-year budget includes no new taxes.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Record number of absentee ballots returned in Sioux Falls

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
( AP ) - The city clerk in Sioux Falls says a record number of absentee ballots have been returned ahead of the June 2 election .
About 14,500 absentee ballots have been mailed to voters so far , and nearly 6,230 have been returned , the Argus Leader reported .
By comparison , there were about 6,600 absentee ballots combined cast in 2018 between the regular election and runoff election that decided the mayoral race .
City Clerk Tom Greco said the high number is the result of a decision by the Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot applications to all registered voters in South Dakota in late April .
Also , not having to go to the polls on Election Day provided a level of comfort for voters concerned about contracting the coronavirus , Greco said .
“ It definitely did have an appreciable impact , particularly because they sent the postage paid envelope , ” he said .
“ Before , my concern that I had was the impact on voter participation because at the time people weren ’ t thinking about the election.
” The city election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - The city clerk in Sioux Falls says a record number of absentee ballots have been returned ahead of the June 2 election.
About 14,500 absentee ballots have been mailed to voters so far, and nearly 6,230 have been returned, the Argus Leader reported.
By comparison, there were about 6,600 absentee ballots combined cast in 2018 between the regular election and runoff election that decided the mayoral race.
City Clerk Tom Greco said the high number is the result of a decision by the Secretary of State’s Office to send absentee ballot applications to all registered voters in South Dakota in late April.
Also, not having to go to the polls on Election Day provided a level of comfort for voters concerned about contracting the coronavirus, Greco said.
“It definitely did have an appreciable impact, particularly because they sent the postage paid envelope,” he said. “Before, my concern that I had was the impact on voter participation because at the time people weren’t thinking about the election.”
The city election also coincides with the South Dakota primary election.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Coastal town to vote on $470K marketing request amid virus

HILTON HEAD ISLAND , S.C. ( AP ) - A town council in coastal South Carolina is expected to vote on whether to grant a local chamber of commerce $ 470,000 to help market the area to tourists as it recovers from the effects of the coronavirus .
This isn ’ t the first time the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce has asked for money from the Town of Hilton Head Island , but it is the largest request , The Island Packet reported .
The chamber was allocated $ 175,000 after Hurricane Dorian , and after Tropical Storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post-disaster advertising budget .
Town Manager Steve Riley had approved those post-disaster funds without going through the council first .
This time , the request isn ’ t as time-sensitive and the council wants to further discuss how the money will be spent , Riley said .
The campaign , called “ Save the Summer Campaign - Escape to America ’ s Favorite Island , ” was seeking to spend most of the funds on paid media , social advertising and search engine marketing .
The vote is scheduled for June 16 .

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) - A town council in coastal South Carolina is expected to vote on whether to grant a local chamber of commerce $470,000 to help market the area to tourists as it recovers from the effects of the coronavirus.
This isn’t the first time the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce has asked for money from the Town of Hilton Head Island, but it is the largest request, The Island Packet reported.
The chamber was allocated $175,000 after Hurricane Dorian, and after Tropical Storm Florence, from the town’s post-disaster advertising budget.
Town Manager Steve Riley had approved those post-disaster funds without going through the council first. This time, the request isn’t as time-sensitive and the council wants to further discuss how the money will be spent, Riley said.
The campaign, called “Save the Summer Campaign - Escape to America’s Favorite Island,” was seeking to spend most of the funds on paid media, social advertising and search engine marketing.
The vote is scheduled for June 16.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Republican state attorneys general tell Michael Flynn's judge to dismiss case

A group of 15 Republican state attorneys general late Monday filed a motion calling for a federal judge to drop the case against President Trump ’ s former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn .
The group , led by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost , also warned U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan , who is overseeing the Flynn case , to stay out of politics .
Earlier this month , the Justice Department filed a motion to dismiss the Flynn case , arguing the FBI did not have a sufficient basis to interview Flynn and statements he made during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into alleged ties between Russia and the Trump campaign .
The statements Flynn made during his interview with the FBI eventually led to his prosecution for lying to investigators .
He initially pleaded guilty , but later relented and sought to withdraw that plea .
Judge Sullivan appears to be resisting the Justice Department ’ s push to abandon the Flynn case .
Last week , he appointed a retired federal judge to review the Justice Department ’ s argument and evaluate whether Flynn could be held in contempt .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Justice Department , which is part of the Executive Branch , has the sole authority to drop criminal charges .
“ There was no reason to issue these orders because this Court has no say in the federal government ’ s decision not to prosecute , ” they wrote .
“ Simply put , the decision not to pursue a criminal conviction is vested in the executive branch alone — and neither the legislature nor the judiciary has any role in the executive ’ s making of that decision.
” But they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court “ into the Justice Department ’ s exercise of prosecutorial discretion.
” “ The court should grant the motion [ to dismiss ] without commentary on the decision to charge or not to charge , because such punditry disrobes the judiciary of its cloak of impartiality.
” The brief Monday is the latest in what is expected to be a slew of third parties weighing in on the Flynn case .
Judge Sullivan said earlier this month he would allow interesting parties to opine about the case , an unusual move in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Yost , the brief was signed by attorneys general from Alabama , Alaska , Arkansas , Florida , Georgia , Indiana , Louisiana , Mississippi , Missouri , Oklahoma , South Carolina , Texas , Utah and West Virginia .

A group of 15 Republican state attorneys general late Monday filed a motion calling for a federal judge to drop the case against President Trump’s former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.
The group, led by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, also warned U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, who is overseeing the Flynn case, to stay out of politics.
Earlier this month, the Justice Department filed a motion to dismiss the Flynn case, arguing the FBI did not have a sufficient basis to interview Flynn and statements he made during the interview were not material to the broader investigation into alleged ties between Russia and the Trump campaign.
The statements Flynn made during his interview with the FBI eventually led to his prosecution for lying to investigators. He initially pleaded guilty, but later relented and sought to withdraw that plea.
Judge Sullivan appears to be resisting the Justice Department’s push to abandon the Flynn case. Last week, he appointed a retired federal judge to review the Justice Department’s argument and evaluate whether Flynn could be held in contempt.
The state attorneys general in their filing argued that the Justice Department, which is part of the Executive Branch, has the sole authority to drop criminal charges.
“There was no reason to issue these orders because this Court has no say in the federal government’s decision not to prosecute,” they wrote. “Simply put, the decision not to pursue a criminal conviction is vested in the executive branch alone — and neither the legislature nor the judiciary has any role in the executive’s making of that decision.”
But they also warned Judge Sullivan against inserting the court “into the Justice Department’s exercise of prosecutorial discretion.”
“The court should grant the motion [to dismiss] without commentary on the decision to charge or not to charge, because such punditry disrobes the judiciary of its cloak of impartiality.”
The brief Monday is the latest in what is expected to be a slew of third parties weighing in on the Flynn case. Judge Sullivan said earlier this month he would allow interesting parties to opine about the case, an unusual move in a criminal proceeding.
In addition to Mr. Yost, the brief was signed by attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Old Dominion University president announces retirement plans

NORFOLK , Va. ( AP ) - A Virginia university ’ s longest-serving president announced Monday that he will step down from the role next year .
Old Dominion University President John Broderick , 64 , is set to retire during the summer of 2021 at the end of his 13th year leading the Norfolk school , according to a statement from the university .
Broderick has worked at the university in different roles for more than 25 years .
Broderick told the campus community in an emailed statement that he would continue to help guide the school through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that he timed his announcement to “ avoid any distractions to the work of the spring semester.
” “ It clearly is a time where we can not lose sight of our need to support students and one another , including securing resources , as we chart a path that will look dramatically different for the foreseeable future , ” he wrote .
“ I assure you … that my commitment will not waver.
” The university ’ s Board of Visitors will have more than a year to complete a search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential search committee were set to be announced at its June 18 meeting , according to Lisa Smith , the rector of the board .
Broderick said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family in his retirement .
Old Dominion announced last month that it was planning to reopen its campus to students this fall after transitioning to online learning for the spring and summer semesters amid the coronavirus pandemic .

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - A Virginia university’s longest-serving president announced Monday that he will step down from the role next year.
Old Dominion University President John Broderick, 64, is set to retire during the summer of 2021 at the end of his 13th year leading the Norfolk school, according to a statement from the university. Broderick has worked at the university in different roles for more than 25 years.
Broderick told the campus community in an emailed statement that he would continue to help guide the school through the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, and that he timed his announcement to “avoid any distractions to the work of the spring semester.”
“It clearly is a time where we cannot lose sight of our need to support students and one another, including securing resources, as we chart a path that will look dramatically different for the foreseeable future,” he wrote. “I assure you … that my commitment will not waver.”
The university’s Board of Visitors will have more than a year to complete a search for the next leader. Members of the presidential search committee were set to be announced at its June 18 meeting, according to Lisa Smith, the rector of the board.
Broderick said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family in his retirement.
Old Dominion announced last month that it was planning to reopen its campus to students this fall after transitioning to online learning for the spring and summer semesters amid the coronavirus pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Dartmouth-Hitchcock expands telehealth for Crohn's disease

LEBANON , N.H. ( AP ) - Dartmouth-Hitchcock is creating a virtual center to improve treatment of Crohn ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
The health system will use a grant from the Leona M. and Harry B.
@ @ @ @ @ its telemedicine program for inflammatory bowel disease .
The new virtual center , based at @ @ @ @ @ , New Hampshire , will serve patients in Vermont , New Hampshire and Maine .
@ @ @ @ @ of specialists for Crohn ’ s disease is especially acute in rural communities .

LEBANON, N.H. (AP) - Dartmouth-Hitchcock is creating a virtual center to improve treatment of Crohn’s disease across northern New England.
The health system will use a grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to expand its telemedicine program for inflammatory bowel disease. The new virtual center, based at Dartmouth-Hitcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, will serve patients in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
Officials say a nationwide shortage of specialists for Crohn’s disease is especially acute in rural communities.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Company makes 'bumper tables' for restaurants amid virus

OCEAN CITY , Md .
( AP ) - A company in Baltimore has created “ bumper tables ” designed to allow people to practice social distancing while eating and talking in outdoor settings amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The inflated tube tables created by Revolution Event Design & Production were debuted at Fish Tales , a restaurant in Ocean City , Maryland , on Saturday , news outlets reported .
The tables are designed with a hole in the middle to accommodate people around 4 to 6 feet ( 1 to 2 meters ) tall .
Participants can then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the bottom of the table and maintain a 6-foot ( 2-meter ) distance from each other .
“ We wanted to come up with a creative and fun way to keep everyone safe and compliant , but still bring back the social and festive and party aspect of the event , ” Erin Cermak , the CEO of Revolution Event Design & Production , told the Baltimore Sun .
Shawn Harman , the owner of Fish Tales , said he and his wife have purchased 10 bumper tables from Cermak ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order 40 more tables so customers can enjoy their food and remain distanced while dining in the restaurant ’ s parking lot .
“ If you come in to get a pound of shrimp and a beer , you can stand in one of these and walk around and look at things and talk to people , ” Harman said .
He said the reception to the bumper tables was positive when his family and friends took them out for a trial run outside his restaurant Saturday .
“ There are other restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have contacted us to get information to order them , ” Harman said .
Cermak , who is the cousin of Harman ’ s wife , told the Baltimore Sun that many restaurants , cafes , and even a sports franchise have contacted her after news outlets reported on the tables .
She said her company can customize them for businesses and also rent them out per day .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) - A company in Baltimore has created “bumper tables” designed to allow people to practice social distancing while eating and talking in outdoor settings amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The inflated tube tables created by Revolution Event Design & Production were debuted at Fish Tales, a restaurant in Ocean City, Maryland, on Saturday, news outlets reported. The tables are designed with a hole in the middle to accommodate people around 4 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) tall. Participants can then move themselves around using the wheels attached to the bottom of the table and maintain a 6-foot (2-meter) distance from each other.
“We wanted to come up with a creative and fun way to keep everyone safe and compliant, but still bring back the social and festive and party aspect of the event,” Erin Cermak, the CEO of Revolution Event Design & Production, told the Baltimore Sun.
Shawn Harman, the owner of Fish Tales, said he and his wife have purchased 10 bumper tables from Cermak’s company. Harman said he plans to order 40 more tables so customers can enjoy their food and remain distanced while dining in the restaurant’s parking lot.
“If you come in to get a pound of shrimp and a beer, you can stand in one of these and walk around and look at things and talk to people,” Harman said. He said the reception to the bumper tables was positive when his family and friends took them out for a trial run outside his restaurant Saturday.
“There are other restaurants in other parts of the country that have contacted us to get information to order them,” Harman said.
Cermak, who is the cousin of Harman’s wife, told the Baltimore Sun that many restaurants, cafes, and even a sports franchise have contacted her after news outlets reported on the tables. She said her company can customize them for businesses and also rent them out per day.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Retailers open, many report light customer traffic

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Retail stores and shopping malls are open for the first time in two months , but many retailers are reporting light foot traffic , even with precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
Gov .
Tim Walz eased his stay-at-home order this month allowing the retailers to reopen at 50 percent capacity .
Patina specialty stores owner Christine Ward says despite opening all eight stores across the Twin Cities , it ’ s not much different than if they were closed .
“ We ’ ve had maybe a couple people at each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for sure , ” she said .
New business strategies include face masks and customer service shields , the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported .
Apparel store owner Corey Roberts , in White Bear Lake , said online orders and curbside pickups have kept his business , The Minnesotan , afloat .
Roberts reopened his store Monday , but said he knows he ’ ll have to do more than open his doors .
“ The entire COVID-19 experience is making our business strategies better , because we ’ ve got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ We ’ re going to look back and be almost grateful that we had to go through this .
It should be an advantage for us on the other side .
”

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Retail stores and shopping malls are open for the first time in two months, but many retailers are reporting light foot traffic, even with precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Gov. Tim Walz eased his stay-at-home order this month allowing the retailers to reopen at 50 percent capacity.
Patina specialty stores owner Christine Ward says despite opening all eight stores across the Twin Cities, it’s not much different than if they were closed.
“We’ve had maybe a couple people at each store. It’s not sustainable, for sure,” she said.
New business strategies include face masks and customer service shields, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported.
Apparel store owner Corey Roberts, in White Bear Lake, said online orders and curbside pickups have kept his business, The Minnesotan, afloat.
Roberts reopened his store Monday, but said he knows he’ll have to do more than open his doors.
“The entire COVID-19 experience is making our business strategies better, because we’ve got to win those customers back,” he said. “We’re going to look back and be almost grateful that we had to go through this. It should be an advantage for us on the other side.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Joe Biden hires former Harris aide to help with Latino outreach

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Joseph R. Biden ’ s presidential campaign is bringing on the granddaughter of civil rights leader César Chávez as a senior adviser to help with Latino outreach and building out its operation in the states .
Some Latino leaders have criticized the Biden campaign , saying it ’ s not doing enough to reach out to the key demographic group .
The new adviser , Julie Chavez Rodriguez , previously worked as co-national political director on California Sen. Kamala D. Harris ’ s presidential campaign and was her California state director before that .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseeing the White House ’ s engagement with LGBT , Latino , veteran , youth , education , labor and progressive leaders .
She ’ s joining Cristóbal Alex , a former president of the Latino Victory Fund , who serves as Biden ’ s senior adviser for issues involving Hispanic voters .
Biden is viewed with skepticism by some Latinos for his ties to deportation policies during the Obama administration .
He struggled with Latino outreach throughout the Democratic presidential primary , facing pro-immigration protesters , and last November his most senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raising concerns that the campaign hadn ’ t focused enough on Latino voters .
Indeed , Latino voters strongly sided with Bernie Sanders during the Democratic primary .
But the Biden campaign has ramped up its outreach to Latinos in recent weeks .
Earlier this month , Biden held an online event with the League of United Latin American Citizens at which he focused on the poor conditions experienced by workers at meatpacking plants , many of whom , he noted , are black or Latino .
His campaign is reportedly working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men .
And this month , Biden also spoke with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as she was named to a unity task force aimed at bridging the gap between Biden and Sanders supporters .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joseph R. Biden’s presidential campaign is bringing on the granddaughter of civil rights leader César Chávez as a senior adviser to help with Latino outreach and building out its operation in the states.
Some Latino leaders have criticized the Biden campaign, saying it’s not doing enough to reach out to the key demographic group.
The new adviser, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, previously worked as co-national political director on California Sen. Kamala D. Harris’s presidential campaign and was her California state director before that. She also served in the Obama administration, overseeing the White House’s engagement with LGBT, Latino, veteran, youth, education, labor and progressive leaders.
She’s joining Cristóbal Alex, a former president of the Latino Victory Fund, who serves as Biden’s senior adviser for issues involving Hispanic voters.
Biden is viewed with skepticism by some Latinos for his ties to deportation policies during the Obama administration. He struggled with Latino outreach throughout the Democratic presidential primary, facing pro-immigration protesters, and last November his most senior Latina aide quit the campaign after reportedly raising concerns that the campaign hadn’t focused enough on Latino voters.
Indeed, Latino voters strongly sided with Bernie Sanders during the Democratic primary.
But the Biden campaign has ramped up its outreach to Latinos in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Biden held an online event with the League of United Latin American Citizens at which he focused on the poor conditions experienced by workers at meatpacking plants, many of whom, he noted, are black or Latino.
His campaign is reportedly working on a multimillion-dollar outreach plan focused on Latino men. And this month, Biden also spoke with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as she was named to a unity task force aimed at bridging the gap between Biden and Sanders supporters.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Florida woman charged after toddler overdoses on drugs

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - A Florida woman allowed a toddler in her care to overdose on cocaine and possibly fentanyl , authorities said .
Nicole Ciufi , 33 , was arrested early Monday and charged with child neglect , the Palm Beach Post reported .
Ciufi told police she had been alone with the 13-month-old child Sunday evening at her West Palm Beach apartment .
Her relationship to the child was redacted from a report .
At some point , the toddler appeared to be struggling to breathe , officials said .
Ciufi called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a medication used to block the effects of opioids , to revive the toddler , police said .
A doctor told police that tests showed cocaine in the child ’ s system .
The doctor also suspected fentanyl , but test results for the potent pain killer weren ’ t immediately available .
The child ’ s condition wasn ’ t reported .
Ciufi told investigators she didn ’ t know how drugs would have ended up in the child ’ s system .
She said she didn ’ t think she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her system , but records didn ’ t indicate whether she was tested .
Ciufi was released from jail on $ 1,000 bond .
Jail records didn ’ t list an attorney .

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A Florida woman allowed a toddler in her care to overdose on cocaine and possibly fentanyl, authorities said.
Nicole Ciufi, 33, was arrested early Monday and charged with child neglect, the Palm Beach Post reported.
Ciufi told police she had been alone with the 13-month-old child Sunday evening at her West Palm Beach apartment. Her relationship to the child was redacted from a report.
At some point, the toddler appeared to be struggling to breathe, officials said. Ciufi called for an ambulance.
Hospital staff used Narcan, a medication used to block the effects of opioids, to revive the toddler, police said. A doctor told police that tests showed cocaine in the child’s system. The doctor also suspected fentanyl, but test results for the potent pain killer weren’t immediately available. The child’s condition wasn’t reported.
Ciufi told investigators she didn’t know how drugs would have ended up in the child’s system. She said she didn’t think she’d test positive for drugs in her system, but records didn’t indicate whether she was tested.
Ciufi was released from jail on $1,000 bond. Jail records didn’t list an attorney.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Ohio prison inmate convicted in slaying of fellow inmate

LEBANON , Ohio ( AP ) - An Ohio prison inmate who confessed to killing a fellow inmate in a @ @ @ @ @ has been convicted in the slaying and sentenced to death .
A three-judge panel found @ @ @ @ @ murder and two other felonies on Monday , taking about an hour to reach their @ @ @ @ @ automatically be appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court .
The Findlay man ’ s attorneys @ @ @ @ @ defense .
Drain had waived his right to a jury trial and pleaded no contest @ @ @ @ @ from the April 2019 slaying of 29-year-old Christopher Richardson .
Both were then inmates at @ @ @ @ @ .
The Columbus Dispatch reported in July 2019 that it had received a letter from @ @ @ @ @ s slaying .
Drain was serving a life term at the time for a 2016 @ @

LEBANON, Ohio (AP) - An Ohio prison inmate who confessed to killing a fellow inmate in a letter sent to a newspaper has been convicted in the slaying and sentenced to death.
A three-judge panel found Joel Drain guilty of aggravated murder and two other felonies on Monday, taking about an hour to reach their decision. The verdict will automatically be appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court.
The Findlay man’s attorneys presented little evidence in his defense. Drain had waived his right to a jury trial and pleaded no contest to the charges that stemmed from the April 2019 slaying of 29-year-old Christopher Richardson. Both were then inmates at a state prison near Lebanon.
The Columbus Dispatch reported in July 2019 that it had received a letter from Drain confessing to Richardson’s slaying. Drain was serving a life term at the time for a 2016 slaying.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Treasury Dept. slow to dole out coronavirus rescue money for airlines: Report

The Treasury Department has not yet doled out any of the $ 46 billion that was set aside for airlines and businesses deemed critical to national security that was part of the $ 2.2 trillion rescue package Congress passed in March , according to a report released on Monday .
The bill , known as the CARES Act , set aside $ 500 billion for Treasury to lend to businesses and state and local governments .
Of that money , up to $ 25 billion was set aside for passenger air carriers and other eligible businesses , up to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and up to $ 17 billion was available for businesses “ critical to maintaining national security.
” Any unused money out of that tranche can be used to support emergency lending facilities established by the Federal Reserve .
“ The Treasury has not disbursed any of the $ 46 billion it can use to provide loans and loan guarantees to the airline industry and businesses critical to maintaining national security , ” said the initial report from the Congressional Oversight Commission , which was established to oversee the stimulus funding .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and loans to airlines through another section of the CARES Act .
The report also asks when the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve expect a new “ Main Street Lending Program ” that the Fed announced in recent weeks to start operating .
Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell are scheduled to be on Capitol Hill to testify on Tuesday .

The Treasury Department has not yet doled out any of the $46 billion that was set aside for airlines and businesses deemed critical to national security that was part of the $2.2 trillion rescue package Congress passed in March, according to a report released on Monday.
The bill, known as the CARES Act, set aside $500 billion for Treasury to lend to businesses and state and local governments.
Of that money, up to $25 billion was set aside for passenger air carriers and other eligible businesses, up to $4 billion was for cargo air carries, and up to $17 billion was available for businesses “critical to maintaining national security.”
Any unused money out of that tranche can be used to support emergency lending facilities established by the Federal Reserve.
“The Treasury has not disbursed any of the $46 billion it can use to provide loans and loan guarantees to the airline industry and businesses critical to maintaining national security,” said the initial report from the Congressional Oversight Commission, which was established to oversee the stimulus funding.
The report said Treasury has issued some grants and loans to airlines through another section of the CARES Act.
The report also asks when the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve expect a new “Main Street Lending Program” that the Fed announced in recent weeks to start operating.
Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell are scheduled to be on Capitol Hill to testify on Tuesday.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Tropical Storm Arthur spins out to sea, will drench Bermuda

Tropical Storm Arthur moved further out to sea Tuesday and was expected to dissipate into a depression before dumping heavy rain on Bermuda later in the week .
The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season sent rain over North Carolina Monday and forecasters warned to expect dangerous surf and rip currents for another day along parts of the U.S. East Coast .
The storm had top sustained winds of 60 mph ( 95 kmh ) Tuesday morning , and was moving east-northeast at 15 mph ( 24 kmh ) on a path that would carry its center over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The storm represented another early start for the Atlantic hurricane season .
Arthur formed Saturday in waters off Florida , marking the sixth straight year that a named storm has developed before June 1 .
By late Monday , storm watches and warnings in effect for parts of the North Carolina coast were canceled .
North Carolina Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry said conditions were stable apart from some minor flooding in the Outer Banks , and no other serious problems had been reported to the state , but he warned that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the storm pushes out to sea .

Tropical Storm Arthur moved further out to sea Tuesday and was expected to dissipate into a depression before dumping heavy rain on Bermuda later in the week.
The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season sent rain over North Carolina Monday and forecasters warned to expect dangerous surf and rip currents for another day along parts of the U.S. East Coast.
The storm had top sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kmh) Tuesday morning, and was moving east-northeast at 15 mph (24 kmh) on a path that would carry its center over the island of Bermuda on Thursday.
The storm represented another early start for the Atlantic hurricane season. Arthur formed Saturday in waters off Florida, marking the sixth straight year that a named storm has developed before June 1.
By late Monday, storm watches and warnings in effect for parts of the North Carolina coast were canceled.
North Carolina Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry said conditions were stable apart from some minor flooding in the Outer Banks, and no other serious problems had been reported to the state, but he warned that people should remain cautious around the water even as the storm pushes out to sea.
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Follow Drew at www.twitter.com/JonathanLDrew


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--15-year-old charged in fatal shooting of Fitchburg teen

MADISON , Wis. ( AP ) - A 15-year-old boy is accused of fatally shooting another teen he tried to @ @ @ @ @ last summer , according to a criminal complaint .
The complaint filed Monday in Dane @ @ @ @ @ first-degree intentional homicide in the death of 17-year-old Shay Watson .
The complaint relies on @ @ @ @ @ dealer who said he was present when the shooting took place in the garage of @ @ @ @ @ 25 .
The informant , known only as JDN in the complaint , told investigators @ @ @ @ @ bag of marijuana from Watson and as the two struggled , Sanders pulled out a @ @ @ @ @ the head , the State Journal reported .
Though Sanders is a juvenile , homicide @ @ @ @ @ which juveniles are charged as adults in Wisconsin .
Sanders is being held on $ @ @ @ @ @ , Murali Jasti , declined to comment on his client ’ s behalf .

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A 15-year-old boy is accused of fatally shooting another teen he tried to rob of marijuana in Fitchburg last summer, according to a criminal complaint.
The complaint filed Monday in Dane County charges Myjee Sanders with first-degree intentional homicide in the death of 17-year-old Shay Watson.
The complaint relies on information from an alleged drug dealer who said he was present when the shooting took place in the garage of Watson’s home Aug. 25.
The informant, known only as JDN in the complaint, told investigators Sanders tried to grab a bag of marijuana from Watson and as the two struggled, Sanders pulled out a gun and shot Watson in the head, the State Journal reported.
Though Sanders is a juvenile, homicide is among the crimes for which juveniles are charged as adults in Wisconsin. Sanders is being held on $500,000 bond.
Sanders attorney, Murali Jasti, declined to comment on his client’s behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Song critical of Polish leader disappears from hit chart

WARSAW , Poland ( AP ) - A song took aim at an alleged abuse of power by Poland ’ s ruling party leader , Jaroslaw Kaczynski .
It rose to the top of the chart of a public radio station .
Then it disappeared .
The public broadcaster is now accused of censorship .
The scandal , which has been a top issue of public debate in recent days , has prompted several resignations from the station , Radio Trojka , and left some musicians vowing to boycott it .
The affair has created new worries about media freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party won power in 2015 , it has used public media as a propaganda tool in violation of its mandate to be neutral .
In the past five years , Poland has fallen in the World Press Freedom Index from 18th to 62nd place .
Kaczynski isn ’ t himself accused of ordering the removal of the song from a listener-voted chart , and members of the government have also been critical of what happened .
Instead , the song ’ s removal is seen as the kind of self-censorship that happens by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards are under threat .
Wojciech Mann , a journalist who left Radio Trojka in March , said the story played out at the bottom of a “ a ladder of fear ” where Kaczynski sits at the top .
The song , “ My Pain is Better Than Yours , ” is by singer and songwriter Kazik Staszewski , known better as just Kazik .
The lyrics of the folk rock song describe an April 10 visit by Kaczynski to Warsaw ’ s Powazki Cemetery that infuriated many Poles because cemeteries in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the coronavirus pandemic .
It was the 10th anniversary of the plane crash in Russia that killed his twin brother , President Lech Kaczynski , and 95 others .
Kaczynski was driven in a limousine and protected by bodyguards as he entered the closed cemetery to visit his mother ’ s grave and a memorial to his brother and other crash victims .
The song doesn ’ t mention Kaczynski ’ s name , but it speaks of limousines , bodyguards and a visit by one person alone to a closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pain , everyone else slid into poverty , ” the song says .
The song was voted the No .
1 song of the week on Friday by listeners .
But the next day it disappeared from the website .
Station director Tomasz Kowalczewski said it was removed because of irregularities in voting .
But a Trojka journalist this week said that management ordered him to stop airing the song .
The station has been in operation since 1962 .
Under communism it played rock music geared at the youth and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than other censored media .
One of the journalists who quit in protest over the the weekend , Marcin Kydrynski , said he couldn ’ t recognize the station anymore .
Kazik ’ s song is now in fourth place on the chart .
Culture Minister Piotr Glinski said he disapproved of the song , but also its removal .
But Glinski also said he believed the whole scandal could be a “ provocation , ” suggesting that people against the government were setting it up to look bad .

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - A song took aim at an alleged abuse of power by Poland’s ruling party leader, Jaroslaw Kaczynski. It rose to the top of the chart of a public radio station. Then it disappeared.
The public broadcaster is now accused of censorship. The scandal, which has been a top issue of public debate in recent days, has prompted several resignations from the station, Radio Trojka, and left some musicians vowing to boycott it.
The affair has created new worries about media freedom in Poland. Since Kaczynski’s party won power in 2015, it has used public media as a propaganda tool in violation of its mandate to be neutral. In the past five years, Poland has fallen in the World Press Freedom Index from 18th to 62nd place.
Kaczynski isn’t himself accused of ordering the removal of the song from a listener-voted chart, and members of the government have also been critical of what happened. Instead, the song’s removal is seen as the kind of self-censorship that happens by overzealous underlings in a system where democratic standards are under threat.
Wojciech Mann, a journalist who left Radio Trojka in March, said the story played out at the bottom of a “a ladder of fear” where Kaczynski sits at the top.
The song, “My Pain is Better Than Yours,” is by singer and songwriter Kazik Staszewski, known better as just Kazik.
The lyrics of the folk rock song describe an April 10 visit by Kaczynski to Warsaw’s Powazki Cemetery that infuriated many Poles because cemeteries in the country were closed to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It was the 10th anniversary of the plane crash in Russia that killed his twin brother, President Lech Kaczynski, and 95 others. Kaczynski was driven in a limousine and protected by bodyguards as he entered the closed cemetery to visit his mother’s grave and a memorial to his brother and other crash victims.
The song doesn’t mention Kaczynski’s name, but it speaks of limousines, bodyguards and a visit by one person alone to a closed cemetery.
“You alone can soothe the pain, everyone else slid into poverty,” the song says.
The song was voted the No. 1 song of the week on Friday by listeners. But the next day it disappeared from the website. Station director Tomasz Kowalczewski said it was removed because of irregularities in voting.
But a Trojka journalist this week said that management ordered him to stop airing the song.
The station has been in operation since 1962. Under communism it played rock music geared at the youth and was given some leeway to be more independent than other censored media. One of the journalists who quit in protest over the the weekend, Marcin Kydrynski, said he couldn’t recognize the station anymore.
Kazik’s song is now in fourth place on the chart.
Culture Minister Piotr Glinski said he disapproved of the song, but also its removal. But Glinski also said he believed the whole scandal could be a “provocation,” suggesting that people against the government were setting it up to look bad.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Washington corrections officer dies from COVID-19

TUMWATER , Wash. ( AP ) - The Washington State Department of Corrections has announced that a corrections officer has @ @ @ @ @ worked in the Minimum Security Unit of the Monroe Correctional Complex , which has had @ @ @ @ @ cases of COVID-19 in the incarcerated population .
Morse told a shift commander April 24 @ @ @ @ @ and three days later the 65-year-old tested positive for the disease , officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ had been identified in contact tracing as having interacted with an incarcerated male in the @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , according to officials .
“ It is a tragedy to lose a member @ @ @ @ @ and correctional family , ” said Stephen Sinclair , Secretary of Corrections .
“ Our @ @ @ @ @ Morse ’ s grieving family and the sacrifice they have made.
” Authorities said Morse @ @ @ @ @ since October 2003 .
As of Monday , nine staffers and 18 inmates at Monroe @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 , officials said .

TUMWATER, Wash. (AP) - The Washington State Department of Corrections has announced that a corrections officer has died from COVID-19.
Correctional officer Berisford Morse died Sunday, KOMO-TV reported.
Morse worked in the Minimum Security Unit of the Monroe Correctional Complex, which has had more than a dozen positive cases of COVID-19 in the incarcerated population.
Morse told a shift commander April 24 he had symptoms of COVID-19 and three days later the 65-year-old tested positive for the disease, officials said. Earlier that month, Morse had been identified in contact tracing as having interacted with an incarcerated male in the minimum security unit who had COVID-19, according to officials.
“It is a tragedy to lose a member of our public safety community and correctional family,” said Stephen Sinclair, Secretary of Corrections. “Our hearts go out to Officer Morse’s grieving family and the sacrifice they have made.”
Authorities said Morse had worked for the department since October 2003.
As of Monday, nine staffers and 18 inmates at Monroe Correctional Complex had tested positive for COVID-19, officials said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Evacuations urged in parts of mid-Michigan due to flooding

EDENVILLE , Mich. ( AP ) - People living along two mid-Michigan lakes and parts of the Tittabawassee River were @ @ @ @ @ early Tuesday following heavy rains that put pressure on dams in the area .
Midland @ @ @ @ @ series of alerts saying the Edenville and Sanford dams were at risk of failing , @ @ @ @ @ Lake , Wixom Lake and other area waterways should evacuate .
Shelters were set up @ @ @ @ @ County Emergency Management later said that the dams were “ structurally sound.
” It said @ @ @ @ @ spillgates couldn ’ t be controlled , however , so evacuation measures remained in place @ @ @ @ @ in Gladwin County , the National Weather service issued a flash flood warning for the @ @ @ @ @ Dam .
And other parts of the state saw isolated flooding following heavy rains in @ @ @

EDENVILLE, Mich. (AP) - Rapidly rising water overtook dams and forced the evacuation of about 10,000 people in central Michigan, where the governor said one downtown could be “under approximately 9 feet of water” by Wednesday.
For the second time in less than 24 hours, families living along the Tittabawassee River and connected lakes in Midland County were ordered to leave home.
The National Weather Service on Tuesday evening urged anyone near the river to seek higher ground following “castastrophic dam failures” at the Edenville Dam, about 140 miles (225.31 kilometers) north of Detroit, and the Sanford Dam, about seven miles (11.26 kilometers) downriver.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen said downtown Midland, a city of 42,000 about 8 miles (12.87 kilometers) downstream from the Sanford Dam, faced an especially serious flooding threat. Dow Chemical Co.’s main plant sits on the city’s riverbank.
“In the next 12 to 15 hours, downtown Midland could be under approximately 9 feet of water,” the governor said. “We are anticipating an historic high water level.”
Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Midland County and urged residents threatened by the flooding to find a place to stay with friends or relatives or to seek out one of several shelters that opened across the county. She encouraged people to do their best to take precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus, such as wearing a face covering and observing social distancing “to the best of your ability.”
“This is unlike anything we’ve seen in Midland County,” she said. ”If you have a family member or loved one who lives in another part of the state, go there now.”
Emergency responders went door-to-door early Tuesday morning warning residents living near the Edenville Dam of the rising water. Some residents were able to return home, only to be told to leave again following the dam’s breach several hours later. The evacuations include the towns of Edenville, Sanford and parts of Midland, according to Selina Tisdale, spokeswoman for Midland County.
“We were back at home and starting to feel comfortable that things were calming down,” said Catherine Sias, who lives about 1 mile (1.61 kilometers) from the Edenville Dam and first left home early Tuesday morning. “All of a sudden we heard the fire truck sirens going north toward the dam.”
Sias, 45, said emergency alerts then began coming on her cellphone and people started calling to make sure she was safe.
“While packing, there were tons of police and fire trucks going up and down the roads,” she added. “As far as I know, all of our neighbors got out.”
While driving along a jammed M-30, the state highway that’s the main road through Edenville and that crosses the river north of town, Sias saw the rushing Tittabawassee River. “It was very dramatic, very fast and full of debris,” she said.
Dow Chemical has activated its emergency operations center and will be adjusting operations as a result of current flood stage conditions, spokeswoman Rachelle Schikorra said in an email.
“Dow Michigan Operations is working with its tenants and Midland County officials and will continue to closely monitor the water levels on the Tittabawassee River,” Schikorra said.
In 2018, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission revoked the license of the company that operated the Edenville Dam due to non-compliance issues that included spillway capacity and the inability to pass the most severe flood reasonably possible in the area.
The Edenville Dam, which was built in 1924, was rated in unsatisfactory condition in 2018 by the state. The Sanford Dam, which was built in 1925, received a fair condition rating.
Both dams are in the process of being sold.
There were 19 high hazard dams in unsatisfactory or poor condition in Michigan in 2018, ranking 20th among the 45 states and Puerto Rico for which The Associated Press obtained condition assessments.
Flood warnings in Michigan were issued following widespread rainfall of 4 to 7 inches (10.2 to 17.8 centimeters) since Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Heavy runoff pushed rivers higher.
The Tittabawassee River was at 30.5 feet (9.3 meters) and rising Tuesday night - flood stage is 24 feet (7.3 meters). It was expected to crest Wednesday morning at a record of about 38 feet (11.6 meters).
The heavy rains early in the week also caused flooding elsewhere in the region. In Chicago, water that flooded some areas downtown was receding Tuesday, but Larry Langford, a fire department spokesman, said that he did not expect power to be restored at the iconic Willis Tower for days because the rains caused the building’s subbasements to fill with as much as 25 feet (7.6 meters) of water. The building was closed to tenants and visitors.


washingtontimes--2020-05-19--Cost of spreading virus weighed on Home Depot in early 2020

ATLANTA ( AP ) - The cost of the spreading coronavirus pandemic dragged on profits early in the year at Home Depot .
The world ’ s biggest home improvement chain upped compensation for employees , extended dependent care benefits and waived related co-pays .
That set Home Depot back by $ 850 million in pre-tax expenses , or about 60 cents per share .
The cost of sales rose 7.3 % in the quarter , which surged 7.1 % as homeowners rushed to pick up essential supplies .
But on Tuesday , Home Depot pulled its financial guidance for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the spread and duration of the virus , or its impact on spending .
For the three months ended May 3 , Home Depot Inc. earned $ 2.25 billion , or $ 2.08 per share .
Industry analysts had expected $ 2.26 per share.
, according to a survey by Zacks Investment Research .
Last year , the Atlanta company earned $ 2.51 billion , or $ 2.27 .
Revenue increased to $ 28.26 billion , from $ 26.38 billion , beating Wall Street ’ s estimate of $ 27.61 billion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ year rose 6.4 % .
In the U.S. , they climbed 7.5 % .

ATLANTA (AP) - The cost of the spreading coronavirus pandemic dragged on profits early in the year at Home Depot.
The world’s biggest home improvement chain upped compensation for employees, extended dependent care benefits and waived related co-pays. That set Home Depot back by $850 million in pre-tax expenses, or about 60 cents per share.
The cost of sales rose 7.3% in the quarter, which surged 7.1% as homeowners rushed to pick up essential supplies.
But on Tuesday, Home Depot pulled its financial guidance for the year with so much still unknown about the spread and duration of the virus, or its impact on spending.
Shares dropped 2.6% before the opening bell.
For the three months ended May 3, Home Depot Inc. earned $2.25 billion, or $2.08 per share. Industry analysts had expected $2.26 per share., according to a survey by Zacks Investment Research.
Last year, the Atlanta company earned $2.51 billion, or $2.27.
Revenue increased to $28.26 billion, from $26.38 billion, beating Wall Street’s estimate of $27.61 billion.
Sales at stores open at least a year rose 6.4%. In the U.S., they climbed 7.5%.