washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Philippines deports US Marine in transgender killing

MANILA , Philippines ( AP ) - A U.S. Marine convicted of killing a Filipino transgender woman was deported Sunday after a presidential pardon cut short his detention in a case that renewed outrage over a pact governing American military presence in the Philippines .
Lance Cpl .
Joseph Scott Pemberton left a message to President Rodrigo Duterte and to the family of Jennifer Laude , who he was convicted of killing in 2014 after finding out that she was a transgender in a motel northwest of Manila .
The message ’ s content will be released after his departure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Philippine immigration officers and American security personnel escorted the 25-year-old Marine from his cell in the main military camp in metropolitan Manila to the airport , where he boarded a military aircraft .
Ahead of the flight , he was subjected to a coronavirus test , which turned negative , immigration spokeswoman Dana Sandoval told The Associated Press .
On Monday , Duterte granted an “ absolute and unconditional pardon ” to Pemberton in a move that caught many by surprise .
The Philippine leader has long been a vocal critic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to China and Russia .
Duterte ’ s pardon was condemned by left-wing and LGBTQ groups .
Debate has brewed whether the Marine , whose detention was arranged under the treaty allies ’ Visiting Forces Agreement , can be covered by a Philippine law that grants shorter jail terms to ordinary prisoners for good conduct .
The Regional Trial Court in Olongapo city , which handled Pemberton ’ s case , ruled that the law covers Pemberton and ordered authorities on Sept. 1 to release him early for good conduct .
But Laude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice separately appealed , blocking his early release from a maximum prison term of up to 10 years .
He has served about half of that .
Duterte said he granted the pardon because Pemberton was not treated fairly after his early release , which he said the Marine may have deserved , was blocked .
The court order rekindled perceptions that American military personnel who run afoul of Philippine laws can get special treatment under the Visiting Forces Agreement , or VFA , which provides the legal terms for temporary visits by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat exercises .
Pemberton , an anti-tank missile operator from New Bedford , Massachusetts , was one of thousands of American and Philippine military personnel who participated in joint exercises in the country in 2014 .
He and a few other Marines were on leave after the exercises and met Laude and her friends at a bar in Olongapo , a city known for its nightlife outside Subic Bay , a former U.S. Navy base .
Laude was later found dead , her head slumped in a toilet bowl in a motel room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had checked in .
A witness told investigators that Pemberton said he choked Laude after discovering she was transgender .
In December 2015 , a judge convicted Pemberton of homicide , not the more serious charge of murder that Philippine prosecutors sought .
The judge said at the time that factors such as cruelty and treachery had not been proven .
The VFA could have been abrogated last month if Duterte had not delayed an earlier decision to terminate the pact after President Donald Trump expressed readiness to help the Philippines deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said his country can survive without America .
If the VFA had been scrapped , it would have removed a legal basis for Pemberton ’ s detention in the military camp and created pressure for him to be moved to one of the country ’ s notoriously overcrowded and high-risk prisons for ordinary criminals .

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - A U.S. Marine convicted of killing a Filipino transgender woman was deported Sunday after a presidential pardon cut short his detention in a case that renewed outrage over a pact governing American military presence in the Philippines.
Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton said in a farewell message that he was “extremely grateful” to President Rodrigo Duterte for pardoning him and expressed his “most sincere sympathy” to the family of Jennifer Laude, who he was convicted of killing in 2014 in a motel northwest of Manila after finding out that she was transgender.
In his nearly six years of confinement, Pemberton said he spent “much time contemplating the many errors” he committed the night Laude died. “He wishes he had the words to express the depth of his sorrow and regret,” according to Pemberton’s message, which was issued by his lawyer, Rowena Garcia-Flores.
Virginia Suarez, the Laude family’s lawyer, said in a statement that she wishes Pemberton “peace of mind,” and hopes that he has learned “the value of life and dignity regardless of gender and nationality.”
Philippine immigration officers and American personnel escorted the 25-year-old Pemberton, who was in handcuffs and wearing a face mask, from his cell in the main military camp in Manila to the airport, where he boarded a military aircraft. He was put on an immigration blacklist and will be banned from returning to the country, said immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval.
The U.S. Embassy said that “all legal proceedings in the case took place under Philippine jurisdiction and law,” and that “Pemberton fulfilled his sentence as ordered by Philippine courts.”
On Monday, Duterte granted an “absolute and unconditional pardon” to Pemberton in a move that caught many by surprise. The Philippine leader has long been a vocal critic of U.S. security policies while reaching out to China and Russia.
Duterte’s pardon was condemned by left-wing and LGBTQ groups.
Debate has brewed over whether the Marine, whose detention was arranged under the treaty allies’ Visiting Forces Agreement, or VFA, can be covered by a Philippine law that grants shorter jail terms to ordinary prisoners for good conduct.
The Regional Trial Court in Olongapo city, which handled Pemberton’s case, ruled that the law covers Pemberton and ordered authorities on Sept. 1 to release him early for good conduct. But Laude’s family and the Department of Justice separately appealed, blocking his early release from a maximum prison term of up to 10 years.
Duterte said he granted the pardon because Pemberton was not treated fairly after his early release, which he said the Marine may have deserved, was blocked.
The court order rekindled perceptions that American military personnel who run afoul of Philippine laws can get special treatment under the VFA, which provides the legal terms for temporary visits by U.S. forces to the country for large-scale combat exercises.
Pemberton, an anti-tank missile operator from New Bedford, Massachusetts, was one of thousands of American and Philippine military personnel who participated in joint exercises in the Philippines in 2014.
He and a few other Marines were on leave after the exercises and met Laude and her friends at a bar in Olongapo, a city known for its nightlife outside Subic Bay, a former U.S. Navy base.
Laude was later found dead, her head slumped in a toilet bowl in a motel room, where witnesses said she and Pemberton had checked in. A witness told investigators that Pemberton said he choked Laude after discovering she was transgender.
In December 2015, a judge convicted Pemberton of homicide, not the more serious charge of murder that Philippine prosecutors sought. The judge said at the time that factors such as cruelty and treachery had not been proven.
The VFA could have been abrogated last month if Duterte had not delayed an earlier decision to terminate the pact after President Donald Trump expressed readiness to help the Philippines deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Philippine leader has said his country can survive without America.
If the VFA had been scrapped, it would have removed a legal basis for Pemberton’s detention in the military camp and created pressure for him to be moved to one of the country’s notoriously overcrowded and high-risk prisons.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Three more bodies located in rubble of Northern California fire, bringing death toll from recent Cal

CHICO , Calif. ( AP ) - Three more bodies located in rubble of Northern California fire , bringing death @ @ @ @ @ to 22 .

CHICO, Calif. (AP) - Three more bodies located in rubble of Northern California fire, bringing death toll from recent California blazes to 22.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Australia minister warns foreign journalists amid China spat

SYDNEY ( AP ) - A senior Australian government minister on Sunday warned foreign journalists working in the country they might come under the scrutiny of federal agencies if they provide a “ slanted view ” of Australian affairs .
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton made the comments during a television interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corp. , referring to journalists reporting to “ a particular community.
” While he didn ’ t mention China , Dutton ’ s comments come after the evacuation from China last week of Australian journalists Bill Birtles and Mike Smith , who sheltered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police .
Australian Cheng Lei , who works as a business anchor for CGTN , China ’ s English-language state broadcaster , earlier was taken into custody .
“ If people are here as journalists and they ’ re reporting fairly on the news , then that ’ s fine , ” Dutton told ABC TV ’ s Insiders program .
He said reporters shouldn ’ t provide “ a slanted view to a particular community.
” Dutton wouldn ’ t confirm reports four Chinese journalists were questioned by Australia ’ s national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said there had been “ ASIO activity.
” “ Where ASIO has sufficient grounds for the execution of a search warrant or for activities otherwise , then they ’ ll undertake that activity , ” he said .
“ If people are masquerading as journalists or business leaders or whoever they might be and there ’ s evidence that they are acting in a contrary nature to Australian law , then ASIO and the Australian Federal Police and other agencies will act.
” He said there is no evidence that action by Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk .
Asked about Cheng Lei , he said “ we want to work very closely with the Chinese in relation to that matter and we ’ ll continue to do that.
” Beijing accused Australia of an interference in China ’ s internal affairs and judicial sovereignty for providing diplomatic protection to Birtles , who reports for the ABC , and Smith , who works for the Australian Financial Review .
“ Australia ’ s actions in organizing the two journos to hide in the embassy completely exceeds the scope of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Chinese legal case , ” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said .

SYDNEY (AP) - A senior Australian government minister on Sunday warned foreign journalists working in the country they might come under the scrutiny of federal agencies if they provide a “slanted view” of Australian affairs.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton made the comments during a television interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corp., referring to journalists reporting to “a particular community.”
While he didn’t mention China, Dutton’s comments come after the evacuation from China last week of Australian journalists Bill Birtles and Mike Smith, who sheltered in Australian diplomatic compounds after being questioned by police. Australian Cheng Lei, who works as a business anchor for CGTN, China’s English-language state broadcaster, earlier was taken into custody.
“If people are here as journalists and they’re reporting fairly on the news, then that’s fine,” Dutton told ABC TV’s Insiders program. He said reporters shouldn’t provide “a slanted view to a particular community.”
Dutton wouldn’t confirm reports four Chinese journalists were questioned by Australia’s national security agency ASIO in June, but said there had been “ASIO activity.”
“Where ASIO has sufficient grounds for the execution of a search warrant or for activities otherwise, then they’ll undertake that activity,” he said.
“If people are masquerading as journalists or business leaders or whoever they might be and there’s evidence that they are acting in a contrary nature to Australian law, then ASIO and the Australian Federal Police and other agencies will act.”
He said there is no evidence that action by Australian agencies had put Australian journalists in China at risk. Asked about Cheng Lei, he said “we want to work very closely with the Chinese in relation to that matter and we’ll continue to do that.”
Beijing accused Australia of an interference in China’s internal affairs and judicial sovereignty for providing diplomatic protection to Birtles, who reports for the ABC, and Smith, who works for the Australian Financial Review.
“Australia’s actions in organizing the two journos to hide in the embassy completely exceeds the scope of consular protection and in fact is interference in a Chinese legal case,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Docs: Pandemic makes regular flu shot even more important

OGDEN , Utah ( AP ) - As if COVID-19 weren ’ t enough to worry about , flu season is gearing up , giving those already jittery about every cough and sneeze more to fret over .
Is the sore throat due to the flu or COVID-19 ?
What about those aches and pains ?
Accordingly , Utah health officials are urging the public , now more than ever , to get vaccinated against the flu .
“ It is more important than ever to get your flu shot this season !
This year we will be facing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is still not fully preventable confounded by the COVID-19 pandemic , ” said Filip Roos , chief medical officer for Ogden Regional Medical Center .
The added urgency stems in part from the symptoms the ailments share and concerns about confusing them .
“ Many of the symptoms of influenza and COVID-19 are similar , and it can be difficult to figure out which infection a person has , ” said Tamara Sheffield , medical director of community health and prevention for Intermountain Healthcare .
“ Symptoms that the two infections share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chills , fatigue , achiness .
People with COVID-19 sometimes have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and sometimes have a loss of taste or smell , while people with influenza rarely have those symptoms .
Headaches are more common in influenza than in COVID-19 .
Both occasionally show symptoms of sore throat , runny or stuffy nose or diarrhea.
” What ’ s more , Roos said , vaccinating will keep instances of flu down , tempering the number of hospitalizations required for the ailment , thereby reserving medical resources to deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is calling for a dramatic increase nationwide in flu vaccinations .
Intermountain Healthcare facilities , accordingly , are bracing and preparing .
McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden is an Intermountain Healthcare facility .
“ We have been asked to vaccinate hundreds of thousands more people in Utah against influenza than we usually do , ” Sheffield said .
To do so , “ Intermountain Healthcare clinics and pharmacies have ordered extra vaccine and are creating extended hours , flu vaccine clinics and drive-up events to provide as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities.
” Already , signs are popping up outside pharmacies offering flu shots .
The public may call the Weber-Morgan Health Department at 801-399-7252 to make an appointment to get a shot , with a drive-through clinic scheduled for Oct. 1 , according to Lori Buttars , the department spokesperson .
But surveillance for the flu begins in earnest in early October , with the seasonal case count typically peaking in January or February , though it can come earlier or later , said Trevor Warner , spokesman for the Davis County Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want people to understand is that they need to get a flu shot , and then get a COVID-19 shot whenever it becomes available !
” Warner said in an email .
Roos said Utah Department of Health guidelines call for those with COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms to test for COVID-19 as a precaution .
At the same time , Warner noted that it can be hard to differentiate between the ailments without a test .
“ Again , if you are sick stay home .
Treat any flu-like symptoms like they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precautions outlined by the Department of Health .
This includes self-isolation for up to 14 days , ” Roos said .
Sheffield said the CDC will soon be offering more detailed guidance on contending with influenza amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
The CDC already has a slew of information online differentiating between influenza and COVID-19 at cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm .
Health experts continue to recommend social distancing , frequent hand washing and use of face coverings to guard against COVID-19 .
The COVID-19 case count for Weber and Morgan counties totaled 176 for the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the week before , according to Weber-Morgan Health Department data .
Since early August , the weekly case count has hovered between 150 and 206 , a far cry from the peak of 413 for the week ending July 18 .
Similarly , the weekly case count in Davis County has settled at a lower level than the peak of 438 for the week ending July 18 .
From 200 cases for the week ending Aug. 15 , the weekly total has increased to 269 for the week ending last Saturday .

OGDEN, Utah (AP) - As if COVID-19 weren’t enough to worry about, flu season is gearing up, giving those already jittery about every cough and sneeze more to fret over.
Is the sore throat due to the flu or COVID-19? What about those aches and pains?
Accordingly, Utah health officials are urging the public, now more than ever, to get vaccinated against the flu.
“It is more important than ever to get your flu shot this season! This year we will be facing a bigger challenge than ever - seasonal influenza that is still not fully preventable confounded by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Filip Roos, chief medical officer for Ogden Regional Medical Center.
The added urgency stems in part from the symptoms the ailments share and concerns about confusing them.
“Many of the symptoms of influenza and COVID-19 are similar, and it can be difficult to figure out which infection a person has,” said Tamara Sheffield, medical director of community health and prevention for Intermountain Healthcare. “Symptoms that the two infections share are a dry cough, fever and chills, fatigue, achiness. People with COVID-19 sometimes have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and sometimes have a loss of taste or smell, while people with influenza rarely have those symptoms. Headaches are more common in influenza than in COVID-19. Both occasionally show symptoms of sore throat, runny or stuffy nose or diarrhea.”
What’s more, Roos said, vaccinating will keep instances of flu down, tempering the number of hospitalizations required for the ailment, thereby reserving medical resources to deal with COVID-19 cases.
Sheffield said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is calling for a dramatic increase nationwide in flu vaccinations. Intermountain Healthcare facilities, accordingly, are bracing and preparing. McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden is an Intermountain Healthcare facility.
“We have been asked to vaccinate hundreds of thousands more people in Utah against influenza than we usually do,” Sheffield said. To do so, “Intermountain Healthcare clinics and pharmacies have ordered extra vaccine and are creating extended hours, flu vaccine clinics and drive-up events to provide as much flu vaccine as possible to our communities.”
Already, signs are popping up outside pharmacies offering flu shots. The public may call the Weber-Morgan Health Department at 801-399-7252 to make an appointment to get a shot, with a drive-through clinic scheduled for Oct. 1, according to Lori Buttars, the department spokesperson.
But surveillance for the flu begins in earnest in early October, with the seasonal case count typically peaking in January or February, though it can come earlier or later, said Trevor Warner, spokesman for the Davis County Health Department. “The important message we want people to understand is that they need to get a flu shot, and then get a COVID-19 shot whenever it becomes available!” Warner said in an email.
Roos said Utah Department of Health guidelines call for those with COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms to test for COVID-19 as a precaution. At the same time, Warner noted that it can be hard to differentiate between the ailments without a test.
“Again, if you are sick stay home. Treat any flu-like symptoms like they are COVID-19 and make sure to follow all precautions outlined by the Department of Health. This includes self-isolation for up to 14 days,” Roos said.
Sheffield said the CDC will soon be offering more detailed guidance on contending with influenza amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC already has a slew of information online differentiating between influenza and COVID-19 at cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm.
Health experts continue to recommend social distancing, frequent hand washing and use of face coverings to guard against COVID-19.
The COVID-19 case count for Weber and Morgan counties totaled 176 for the week ending last Saturday, down from 206 the week before, according to Weber-Morgan Health Department data. Since early August, the weekly case count has hovered between 150 and 206, a far cry from the peak of 413 for the week ending July 18.
Similarly, the weekly case count in Davis County has settled at a lower level than the peak of 438 for the week ending July 18. From 200 cases for the week ending Aug. 15, the weekly total has increased to 269 for the week ending last Saturday.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Virginia lieutenant governor enters race for governor

FAIRFAX , Va. ( AP ) - Virginia Lt. Gov .
Justin Fairfax formally kicked off his campaign for governor Saturday , a year after facing two allegations of sexual assault .
Fairfax delivered a campaign speech at the Old Court House in Fairfax in northern Virginia .
In February 2019 , Fairfax faced calls for his resignation from fellow Democrats after two women publicly accused him of sexual assault .
Meredith Watson , who attended Duke University with Fairfax , said he raped her in 2000 .
Vanessa Tyson , a California professor , said Fairfax forced her to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004 .
Fairfax has denied the allegations and accused the women of being part of a “ smear campaign ” to end his political career .
“ The voters are incredibly smart .
They see through this kind of destructive , politically motivated kind of politics .
And they are ready to move to higher ground , ” he told The Associated Press this week .
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Debra Katz , Tyson ’ s attorney , renewed calls for a public hearing by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats have previously rejected those calls .
“ Apparently Lt .
Governor Fairfax believes that the citizens of the Commonwealth have forgotten about the serious and credible allegations of sexual assault made against him by Dr. Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson and about his deplorable treatment of them after they came forward , ” Katz said in a statement .
Fairfax , the second African American elected to statewide office in Virginia , has repeatedly likened the accusations against him to the lynching of African Americans during the Jim Crow era , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systemic racism .
On Sunday , Fairfax is scheduled to speak at Fort Monroe in Hampton , where in 1619 the first enslaved Africans in English North America arrived 401 years ago .
The sexual assault allegations against Fairfax were made soon after Gov .
Ralph Northam faced calls for his resignation over the disclosure of a racist photo in his medical school yearbook .
Northam says he was not in the image , but acknowledged he had worn blackface for a Michael Jackson costume when he took part in a 1984 dance @ @ @ @

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) - Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax formally kicked off his campaign for governor Saturday, a year after facing two allegations of sexual assault.
Fairfax delivered a campaign speech at the Old Court House in Fairfax in northern Virginia.
In February 2019, Fairfax faced calls for his resignation from fellow Democrats after two women publicly accused him of sexual assault.
Meredith Watson, who attended Duke University with Fairfax, said he raped her in 2000. Vanessa Tyson, a California professor, said Fairfax forced her to perform oral sex when they both attended the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004.
Fairfax has denied the allegations and accused the women of being part of a “smear campaign” to end his political career.
“The voters are incredibly smart. They see through this kind of destructive, politically motivated kind of politics. And they are ready to move to higher ground,” he told The Associated Press this week.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Debra Katz, Tyson’s attorney, renewed calls for a public hearing by the General Assembly on the allegations. Democrats have previously rejected those calls.
“Apparently Lt. Governor Fairfax believes that the citizens of the Commonwealth have forgotten about the serious and credible allegations of sexual assault made against him by Dr. Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson and about his deplorable treatment of them after they came forward,” Katz said in a statement.
Fairfax, the second African American elected to statewide office in Virginia, has repeatedly likened the accusations against him to the lynching of African Americans during the Jim Crow era, and said they are a product of ongoing systemic racism.
On Sunday, Fairfax is scheduled to speak at Fort Monroe in Hampton, where in 1619 the first enslaved Africans in English North America arrived 401 years ago.
Fairfax was elected Virginia’s lieutenant governor in 2017.
The sexual assault allegations against Fairfax were made soon after Gov. Ralph Northam faced calls for his resignation over the disclosure of a racist photo in his medical school yearbook. Northam says he was not in the image, but acknowledged he had worn blackface for a Michael Jackson costume when he took part in a 1984 dance contest in Texas.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--New Mexico county that didn't have any COVID cases now has 2

New Mexico officials on Saturday reported 100 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases , including the second in a rural county that went months without any reported cases .
The cases reported Saturday raised the statewide total to 26,661 cases .
Three additional deaths raised the death toll to 821 .
De Baca County in thinly populated cattle country of east-central New Mexico on Thursday lost its status as the only county in the state without a reported COVID-19 case .
Fort Sumner , the county seat of De Baca County , is 143 miles ( 230 kilometers ) east of Albuquerque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reported COVID-19 case for two months after Mora County reported its first on July 10 .
As of Saturday , only two other counties , both in rural northeastern New Mexico , still had case totals in the single digits : Harding with two and Mora with seven .
The state reported its first three COVID-19 cases on March 11 .
Bernalillo County ( Albuquerque ) , Dona Ana County ( Las Cruces ) plus McKinley ( Gallup ) and San Juan ( Farmington ) counties in northwestern New Mexico together account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three-fifths of the current statewide total .
The deaths reported Saturday included a man in his 60s from Bernalillo County , a man in his 70s from Lea County and a man in his 30s from McKinley County .
According to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press , seven-day rolling averages for New Mexico of new daily cases and daily deaths both dropped over the past two weeks .
The average of daily new cases went from 138 on Aug. 28 to 88 on Friday while the average of new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .

New Mexico officials on Saturday reported 100 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, including the second in a rural county that went months without any reported cases.
The cases reported Saturday raised the statewide total to 26,661 cases. Three additional deaths raised the death toll to 821.
De Baca County in thinly populated cattle country of east-central New Mexico on Thursday lost its status as the only county in the state without a reported COVID-19 case.
Fort Sumner, the county seat of De Baca County, is 143 miles (230 kilometers) east of Albuquerque.
De Baca County stood alone without a reported COVID-19 case for two months after Mora County reported its first on July 10.
As of Saturday, only two other counties, both in rural northeastern New Mexico, still had case totals in the single digits: Harding with two and Mora with seven.
The state reported its first three COVID-19 cases on March 11.
Bernalillo County (Albuquerque), Dona Ana County (Las Cruces) plus McKinley (Gallup) and San Juan (Farmington) counties in northwestern New Mexico together account for over 16,500 cases, or about three-fifths of the current statewide total.
The deaths reported Saturday included a man in his 60s from Bernalillo County, a man in his 70s from Lea County and a man in his 30s from McKinley County.
According to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press, seven-day rolling averages for New Mexico of new daily cases and daily deaths both dropped over the past two weeks.
The average of daily new cases went from 138 on Aug. 28 to 88 on Friday while the average of new deaths went from 4.3 to 3.6.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Durham police cite driver in crash that killed toddler

DURHAM , N.C. ( AP ) - Police in North Carolina have cited a woman in a head-on collision that @ @ @ @ @ an 18-month-old boy days later .
Durham police said the crash happened on Sept. 2 @ @ @ @ @ Parker of Durham was driving a 2012 Ford Fusion the wrong way on a dual @ @ @ @ @ into a 2006 Cadillac Escalade driven by 62-year-old Manley Mitchell of Durham .
The toddler @ @ @ @ @ a passenger in Parker ’ s vehicle .
He died as a result of his @ @ @ @ @ police sad Parker was cited for misdemeanor death by vehicle , driving the wrong way @ @ @ @ @ , driving without a license , failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision and @ @ @ @

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Police in North Carolina have cited a woman in a head-on collision that led to the death of an 18-month-old boy days later.
Durham police said the crash happened on Sept. 2. They said 48-year-old Miriam Parker of Durham was driving a 2012 Ford Fusion the wrong way on a dual lane highway and crashed head-on into a 2006 Cadillac Escalade driven by 62-year-old Manley Mitchell of Durham.
The toddler, Jeremiah Scott, was a passenger in Parker’s vehicle. He died as a result of his injuries.
On Saturday, police sad Parker was cited for misdemeanor death by vehicle, driving the wrong way on a dual lane highway, driving without a license, failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision and child restraint violations.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Arkansas reports 631 new coronavirus cases, 11 deaths

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - Arkansas health officials on Saturday reported 631 new confirmed cases of @ @ @ @ @ deaths from the illness caused by the virus .
The Arkansas Department of Health figures @ @ @ @ @ cases since the pandemic began in March now total 68,542 .
The actual number of @ @ @ @ @ higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be @ @ @ @ @ .
The state ’ s fatalities from COVID-19 now total 964 and the number of @ @ @ @ @ to 381 .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms @ @ @ @ @ a cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially @ @ @ @ @ existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death @

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas health officials on Saturday reported 631 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 11 more deaths from the illness caused by the virus.
The Arkansas Department of Health figures show the state’s cases since the pandemic began in March now total 68,542. The actual number of cases in Arkansas is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The state’s fatalities from COVID-19 now total 964 and the number of people hospitalized fell by 11 to 381.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Iowa reports 793 more coronavirus cases, 8 more deaths.

DES MOINES , Iowa ( AP ) - Health officials are reporting 793 new coronavirus cases and eight more deaths @ @ @ @ @ that the new positive cases that had been reported as of 10 a.m. Saturday brought @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic began .
Among those case , 52,932 people have recovered and 1,216 have @ @ @ @ @ reporting an 8.8 % positivity rate over the last 14 days .
But four Iowa @ @ @ @ @ greater than 15 % over the last 14 days .
The high rate allows public @ @ @ @ @ , Bremer and Plymouth counties to apply for a waiver to provide 100 % virtual @ @ @ @ @ counties report a positivity rate greater than 20 % .
Fourteen-day positivity rates in Johnson @ @ @ @ @ to 13.6 % and 13.5 % respectively , after reporting positivity rates greater than 20 @ @ @ @ @ Also , three more long-term care facilities are reporting COVID-19 outbreaks in the state .
@ @ @ @ @ state ’ s COVID-19 deaths have happened within long-term care facilities .

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Health officials are reporting 793 new coronavirus cases and eight more deaths in Iowa.
KCCI-TV reports that the new positive cases that had been reported as of 10 a.m. Saturday brought the total to 73,547 since the pandemic began. Among those case, 52,932 people have recovered and 1,216 have died.
Health officials are reporting an 8.8% positivity rate over the last 14 days. But four Iowa counties report a positivity rate greater than 15% over the last 14 days. The high rate allows public schools in Sioux, Lyon, Bremer and Plymouth counties to apply for a waiver to provide 100% virtual learning. Sioux and Lyon counties report a positivity rate greater than 20%.
Fourteen-day positivity rates in Johnson and Story counties have dropped to 13.6% and 13.5% respectively, after reporting positivity rates greater than 20% earlier this week.
Also, three more long-term care facilities are reporting COVID-19 outbreaks in the state. More than half of the state’s COVID-19 deaths have happened within long-term care facilities.
https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/health/coping-with-covid-19-iowa-hospitals-drew-nearly-1b-in-medicare-advances-20200912?utm_campaign=snd-autopi


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Police: Man shot after striking officer with baseball bat

BUFFALO , N.Y. ( AP ) - Buffalo police say man wielding a baseball bat was shot and critically wounded after striking an officer in the arm .
Police Capt .
Jeff Rinaldo said police were responding to a mental health call just before 3 p.m. Saturday when they encountered the man holding the bat and acting erratically .
Police followed the man for several blocks , attempting to get the bat away from him , using pepper spray on more than one occassion , Rinaldo said .
The man swung and struck one of the officers and was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swing again , Rinaldo said .
The suspect was taken to Erie County Medical Center , where he was listed Saturday evening in critical but stable condition , police said .
Rinaldo said one of the officers that responded was a crisis intervention officer .
He declined to say whether the use of force was appropriate .
“ Part of our investigation will be to determine what brought the officers there ; how they handled it ; attempts at de-escalation and what led to the eventual shooting of the suspect , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s too early for me to make a call one way or another.
” He said said police body camera footage is being reviewed as part of the investigation into the shooting .

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Buffalo police say man wielding a baseball bat was shot and critically wounded after striking an officer in the arm.
Police Capt. Jeff Rinaldo said police were responding to a mental health call just before 3 p.m. Saturday when they encountered the man holding the bat and acting erratically.
Police followed the man for several blocks, attempting to get the bat away from him, using pepper spray on more than one occassion, Rinaldo said.
The man swung and struck one of the officers and was shot in the abdomen as he attempted to swing again, Rinaldo said.
The suspect was taken to Erie County Medical Center, where he was listed Saturday evening in critical but stable condition, police said.
Rinaldo said one of the officers that responded was a crisis intervention officer. He declined to say whether the use of force was appropriate.
“Part of our investigation will be to determine what brought the officers there; how they handled it; attempts at de-escalation and what led to the eventual shooting of the suspect,” he said. “So, it’s too early for me to make a call one way or another.”
He said said police body camera footage is being reviewed as part of the investigation into the shooting.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Louisiana judge found guilty of crimes against juveniles

LAPLACE , La .
( AP ) - A Louisiana judge was convicted Saturday of four sex crimes involving juveniles .
Prosecutors said Perilloux groomed friends of his daughters as young as 14 and inappropriately touched several of them .
Perrilloux denied touching any of the girls , who he said were like daughters to him .
The verdicts ended a trial in which three young woman alleged state District Judge Elzey “ Jeff ” Perrilloux touched them inappropriately .
Perrilloux denied the accusations as did his two daughters , who were present at the time of some of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported .
The six-member jury deliberated for an hour before finding Perilloux , 53 , guilty on three felony counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile .
All of them were underage teens at the time of the episodes , which occurred during Perilloux ’ s first year in office .
Waldron scheduled sentencing for Oct. 15 .
The felony counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile carry sentences of up to seven years in prison .
Perilloux ’ s trial began Tuesday in the same courtroom where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the 40th Judicial District .
He has been suspended for more than two years pending the outcome of the criminal case .

LAPLACE, La. (AP) - A Louisiana judge was convicted Saturday of four sex crimes involving juveniles.
Prosecutors said Perilloux groomed friends of his daughters as young as 14 and inappropriately touched several of them. Perrilloux denied touching any of the girls, who he said were like daughters to him.
The verdicts ended a trial in which three young woman alleged state District Judge Elzey “Jeff” Perrilloux touched them inappropriately. Perrilloux denied the accusations as did his two daughters, who were present at the time of some of their father’s alleged crimes, The Times Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported.
The six-member jury deliberated for an hour before finding Perilloux, 53, guilty on three felony counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. All of them were underage teens at the time of the episodes, which occurred during Perilloux’s first year in office.
Ad hoc Judge Dennis Waldron found Perilloux guilty of a fourth count, misdemeanor sexual battery.
Waldron scheduled sentencing for Oct. 15. The felony counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile carry sentences of up to seven years in prison.
Perilloux’s trial began Tuesday in the same courtroom where he was sworn in as a judge for the 40th Judicial District. He has been suspended for more than two years pending the outcome of the criminal case.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Suspect arrested in Kentucky in Kansas double homicide

JUNCTION CITY , Kan. ( AP ) - Authorities have arrested a second suspect in a Kansas double homicide after @ @ @ @ @ Junction City , Kansas , police said in a news release Friday that Nathaniel Roderick @ @ @ @ @ Radcliff , Kentucky , on a warrant for suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder @ @ @ @ @ of 21-year-old Dylan Spencer and 19-year-old Aaron Villarreal .
He is awaiting extradition .
Another @ @ @ @ @ , was arrested in June in his hometown of Talladega , Alabama , also on @ @ @ @ @ first-degree murder .

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (AP) - Authorities have arrested a second suspect in a Kansas double homicide after finding him in Kentucky.
Junction City, Kansas, police said in a news release Friday that Nathaniel Roderick Holmes was arrested Wednesday in Radcliff, Kentucky, on a warrant for suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder in the May 7 deaths of 21-year-old Dylan Spencer and 19-year-old Aaron Villarreal. He is awaiting extradition.
Another suspect, 18-year-old Dontavion Wright, was arrested in June in his hometown of Talladega, Alabama, also on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Infectious disease specialist dies after 4-month COVID fight

FRANKFORT , Ky. ( AP ) - A prominent Kentucky infectious disease specialist who was hailed by the governor as a “ front line hero ” has died after a nearly four-month battle against COVID-19 .
Dr. Rebecca Shadowen , who tested positive for the virus on May 13 , died on Friday night , Med Center Health in Bowling Green said .
Gov .
Andy Beshear tweeted Saturday that he was “ heartbroken ” to hear of her death and urged people to follow her advice and “ wear a mask in her honor.
” Connie Smith , president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Shadowen “ will forever be remembered as a nationally recognized expert who provided the very best care for our patients and community .
She was a dear friend to many.
” Before contracting the virus , Shadowen led Med Center Health ’ s work in National Institute of Health trials of patients ’ treatment for the virus , according to media reports .
Shadowen had said she believed she contracted the virus after an elderly family member received care at home from an infected caregiver .
“ COVID-19 does not discriminate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities , ” Shadowen said when announcing in the spring that she had tested positive for the virus .
While battling the virus , she surprised members of the Bowling Green–Warren County Coronavirus Workgroup by joining in a conference call , telling the group : “ It ’ s a great day to be alive.
” She stressed the importance of wearing a mask in public .
In his social media tribute Saturday , Beshear referred to Shadowen as a “ front line hero who worked tirelessly to protect the lives of others.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus cases in Kentucky , including 81 people who are 18 and younger .
The state ’ s total number of cases surpassed 56,410 since the start of the pandemic .
He reported 13 more virus-related deaths , raising the total statewide death count to 1,057 .
The state ’ s closely watched positivity rate - a seven-day rolling figure reflecting the average number of tests coming back positive for COVID-19 - declined to 4.14 % , the governor said .
“ Our positivity rate is down from yesterday but we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Beshear said .
Meanwhile , the state ’ s public health commissioner , Dr. Steven Stack , urged people to take precautions for the flu season as a way to help in the fight against the coronavirus .
“ As we wait for a vaccine , there ’ s one thing we can do , ” he said .
“ We can get an immunization that already exists : the flu vaccine .
Protecting ourselves against the flu is more important than ever .
An influenza outbreak on top of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and winter.
” For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal .
The vast majority of people recover .

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A prominent Kentucky infectious disease specialist who was hailed by the governor as a “front line hero” has died after a nearly four-month battle against COVID-19.
Dr. Rebecca Shadowen, who tested positive for the virus on May 13, died on Friday night, Med Center Health in Bowling Green said. Gov. Andy Beshear tweeted Saturday that he was “heartbroken” to hear of her death and urged people to follow her advice and “wear a mask in her honor.”
Connie Smith, president and CEO of Med Center Health, said Shadowen “will forever be remembered as a nationally recognized expert who provided the very best care for our patients and community. She was a dear friend to many.”
Before contracting the virus, Shadowen led Med Center Health’s work in National Institute of Health trials of patients’ treatment for the virus, according to media reports.
Shadowen had said she believed she contracted the virus after an elderly family member received care at home from an infected caregiver.
“COVID-19 does not discriminate in its ability to penetrate our homes and communities,” Shadowen said when announcing in the spring that she had tested positive for the virus.
While battling the virus, she surprised members of the Bowling Green–Warren County Coronavirus Workgroup by joining in a conference call, telling the group: “It’s a great day to be alive.” She stressed the importance of wearing a mask in public.
In his social media tribute Saturday, Beshear referred to Shadowen as a “front line hero who worked tirelessly to protect the lives of others.”
Also Saturday, Beshear reported 721 new coronavirus cases in Kentucky, including 81 people who are 18 and younger. The state’s total number of cases surpassed 56,410 since the start of the pandemic.
He reported 13 more virus-related deaths, raising the total statewide death count to 1,057.
The state’s closely watched positivity rate - a seven-day rolling figure reflecting the average number of tests coming back positive for COVID-19 - declined to 4.14%, the governor said.
“Our positivity rate is down from yesterday but we need to continue to push that number down,” Beshear said.
Meanwhile, the state’s public health commissioner, Dr. Steven Stack, urged people to take precautions for the flu season as a way to help in the fight against the coronavirus.
“As we wait for a vaccine, there’s one thing we can do,” he said. “We can get an immunization that already exists: the flu vaccine. Protecting ourselves against the flu is more important than ever. An influenza outbreak on top of the COVID-19 pandemic could be disastrous this fall and winter.”
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.
___
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Protesters march in Milwaukee demanding justice for Blake

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - Members of Jacob Blake ’ s family were among about 100 protesters a rally in Milwaukee on Saturday in the wake of the Black man ’ s shooting by police .
Blake was shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha police officer on Aug. 23 during a dispute and is paralyzed from the waist down .
The shooting sparked days of protest and unrest in Kenosha as demonstrators clashed with law enforcement .
In Milwaukee , Blake ’ s uncle , Justin , said his nephew is “ holding on ” and called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer who shot him .
Maria Hamilton marched with the crowd to Red Arrow Park , the scene where her son Dontre was killed in 2014 by a Milwaukee police officer .
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports many protesters came with long stem red roses and one by one laid them at Hamilton ’ s feet at Red Arrow Park .
While the death of her son caused dozens of marches around Milwaukee , this time Hamilton was marching for Jacob Blake and alongside members of his family .
Hamilton urged the marchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their undying love for human life .
”

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Members of Jacob Blake’s family were among about 100 protesters a rally in Milwaukee on Saturday in the wake of the Black man’s shooting by police.
Blake was shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha police officer on Aug. 23 during a dispute and is paralyzed from the waist down. The shooting sparked days of protest and unrest in Kenosha as demonstrators clashed with law enforcement.
In Milwaukee, Blake’s uncle, Justin, said his nephew is “holding on” and called for the arrest of the Kenosha police officer who shot him.
Maria Hamilton marched with the crowd to Red Arrow Park, the scene where her son Dontre was killed in 2014 by a Milwaukee police officer.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports many protesters came with long stem red roses and one by one laid them at Hamilton’s feet at Red Arrow Park.
While the death of her son caused dozens of marches around Milwaukee, this time Hamilton was marching for Jacob Blake and alongside members of his family.
Hamilton urged the marchers to keep protesting and thanked them “for their undying love for human life.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Citing COVID-19, attorney seeks release of man in abuse case

YORK , Pa. ( AP ) - The attorney for a Pennsylvania man accused of severely beating five of his seven young children is seeking his client ’ s release from prison , saying he contracted COVID-19 at the facility .
The York Dispatch reports that defense attorney Clarence Allen argues that 73-year-old Charles Benjamin “ should be allowed to recover at home.
” Allen said his client has risk factors including Parkinson ’ s disease , high blood pressure , diabetes and thyroid issues .
Benjamin was to have gone on trial Monday , but the proceedings were postponed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speak with his client , who is in quarantine .
Authorities accused Benjamin in March 2019 of having beaten the children - who ranged in age from 2 to 6 - with items including a board , belt and curtain rod , inflicting injuries that left scars and required medical treatment .
Authorities say a pair of infant twins were spared from the alleged abuse .
He was scheduled to plead guilty earlier this year to aggravated assault and child endangerment in exchange for a recommendation for a sentence of 185 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time served .
But a judge rejected his plea after he said in court that he “ didn ’ t do anything.
” The children ’ s mother , 26-year-old Janay Fountain , earlier pleaded guilty to child endangerment in exchange for a sentence of 338 days to 23 months , which allowed her immediate release , followed by five years ’ probation .

YORK, Pa. (AP) - The attorney for a Pennsylvania man accused of severely beating five of his seven young children is seeking his client’s release from prison, saying he contracted COVID-19 at the facility.
The York Dispatch reports that defense attorney Clarence Allen argues that 73-year-old Charles Benjamin “should be allowed to recover at home.” Allen said his client has risk factors including Parkinson’s disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and thyroid issues.
Benjamin was to have gone on trial Monday, but the proceedings were postponed after his attorney said he was unable to speak with his client, who is in quarantine.
Authorities accused Benjamin in March 2019 of having beaten the children - who ranged in age from 2 to 6 - with items including a board, belt and curtain rod, inflicting injuries that left scars and required medical treatment. Authorities say a pair of infant twins were spared from the alleged abuse.
He was scheduled to plead guilty earlier this year to aggravated assault and child endangerment in exchange for a recommendation for a sentence of 185 days to 23 months, which amounted to time served. But a judge rejected his plea after he said in court that he “didn’t do anything.”
The children’s mother, 26-year-old Janay Fountain, earlier pleaded guilty to child endangerment in exchange for a sentence of 338 days to 23 months, which allowed her immediate release, followed by five years’ probation.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--AP Source: Big Ten presidents to discuss starting football

Big Ten university presidents will meet Sunday to hear a presentation about playing a fall football season after all — maybe as soon as late October — amid pressure to kick off from parents , players , coaches and even the president .
A person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press the Big Ten ’ s Return to Competition Task Force met Saturday .
The medical subcommittee , comprised of athletic directors , doctors and athletic training staffers , made a presentation to a subgroup of presidents and chancellors .
The presentation included improvements in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The person , speaking on condition of anonymity because the Big Ten was not planning to make any announcements about its efforts to return to play , said it was a “ positive meeting ” that led to the scheduling of a presentation to the full group of presidents and chancellors Sunday .
The presentation will cover medical , television and scheduling plans for football , the person said .
A vote to start a season is not guaranteed on Sunday but could happen in the coming days .
The news was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another person involved in the Big Ten ’ s return to play planning told AP that allowing schools to opt out of playing if the presidents do decide to proceed with a fall season has been discussed among the task force .
If things move quickly , the Big Ten could start an eight-game season in about a month , and still compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff .
While some Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conference teams began their seasons Saturday , and more will next week , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off until Sept. 26 .
The Big Ten postponed its fall season Aug. 11 because of concerns about playing through the coronavirus pandemic , with presidents and chancellors voting 11-3 in favor .
Ohio State , Iowa and Nebraska voted against postponement .
The conference and first-year Commissioner Kevin Warren have faced push back from inside and out ever since .
Parents of players have demonstrated on campuses and in front of the Big Ten offices outside Chicago .
A group of Nebraska players filed a lawsuit against the conference to overturn the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump called Warren to encourage the conference to reconsider .
The Republican president and his Democratic opponents have tried to blame each other for college football going dormant across much of the Midwest , which includes several battleground state considered key in the November election .
Within the conference , Ohio State coach Ryan Day released a statement Thursday asking the Big Ten to provide more clarity about its decision to postpone .
Penn State coach James Franklin made similar comments in a radio interview .
Day ’ s Buckeyes were No .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Franklin ’ s Nittany Lions were No .
7 .
Follow Ralph D. Russo at https : //twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http : //www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/

Big Ten football might be making a comeback.
Big Ten university presidents will meet Sunday to hear a presentation about playing a fall football season after all — maybe as soon as mid-October — amid pressure to kick off from parents, players, coaches and even the president.
A person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press the Big Ten’s Return to Competition Task Force met Saturday. The medical subcommittee, comprised of athletic directors, doctors and athletic training staffers, made a presentation to a subgroup of eight presidents and chancellors. The presentation included improvements in the availability of rapid, daily COVID-19 testing.
The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Big Ten was not making its efforts to return to play public, said it was a “positive meeting” that led to the scheduling of another presentation to the full group of 14 presidents and chancellors Sunday.
The presentation will cover medical, television and scheduling plans for football, the person said. A vote to start a season is not guaranteed on Sunday but could happen in the coming days. The news was first reported by Yahoo! Sports.
Another person involved in the Big Ten’s return to play planning told AP that allowing schools to opt out of playing if the presidents do decide to give the go-ahead to a fall season has been discussed among the task force.
If things move quickly, the Big Ten could start an eight-game season in about a month, and still compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff. While some Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conference teams began their seasons Saturday, and more will next week, the Southeastern Conference is not scheduled to kick off until Sept. 26.
The Big Ten postponed its fall season Aug. 11 because of concerns about playing through the coronavirus pandemic, with presidents and chancellors voting 11-3 in favor. Ohio State, Iowa and Nebraska voted against postponement.
The conference and first-year Commissioner Kevin Warren have faced push back from inside and out ever since. Parents of players have demonstrated on campuses and in front of the Big Ten offices outside Chicago. A group of Nebraska players filed a lawsuit against the conference to overturn the decision not to play.
President Donald Trump called Warren to encourage the conference to reconsider. The Republican president and his Democratic opponents have tried to blame each other for college football going dormant across much of the Midwest, which includes several battleground states considered key in the November election.
Within the conference, Ohio State coach Ryan Day released a statement Thursday asking the Big Ten to provide more clarity about its decision to postpone. Penn State coach James Franklin made similar comments in a radio interview.
Day’s Buckeyes were No. 2 in the AP preseason Top 25. Franklin’s Nittany Lions were No. 7.
___
Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Missouri police pursuit ends in 4-vehicle crash; 8 injured

ST. CHARLES , Mo .
( AP ) - Eight people were taken to hospitals after a police pursuit of @ @ @ @ @ a four-vehicle crash in the St. Louis area , authorities say .
The St. Louis @ @ @ @ @ police say officers spotted the stolen car around 3:15 p.m. Friday and tried to stop @ @ @ @ @ girl who was behind the wheel fled and caused the pileup a few minutes later @ @ @ @ @ .
The girl and her passengers - two 15-year-old boys and a 13-year-old boy - @ @ @ @ @ with occupants of two other vehicles .
None of their injuries were life threatening .

ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) - Eight people were taken to hospitals after a police pursuit of a stolen car ended in a four-vehicle crash in the St. Louis area, authorities say.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that St. Charles police say officers spotted the stolen car around 3:15 p.m. Friday and tried to stop it. But the 17-year-old girl who was behind the wheel fled and caused the pileup a few minutes later while driving the wrong direction.
The girl and her passengers - two 15-year-old boys and a 13-year-old boy - were taken to hospitals along with occupants of two other vehicles. None of their injuries were life threatening.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Authorities: 1 dead in shooting at Indiana shopping mall

MISHAWAKA , Ind .
( AP ) - A shooting at a northern Indiana mall left one person dead and sent shoppers running for safety , authorities said .
St. Joseph County Coroner Michael McGann said Saturday evening that one person was killed in the shooting about 3 p.m. at University Park Mall in Mishawaka .
He did not release further details or the identity of the person killed .
Police also did not release information on a possible shooting suspect .
The shooting prompted the evacuation of the mall in the city just east of South Bend .
Officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afterward .
Videos posted on social media showed people running out of the mall in the seconds after the shooting .
Renee Dominik , 44 , told the South Bend Tribune that she was in a mall play area with her husband and two children when she heard gunfire .
“ I heard a bang and saw people running , ” she said .
“ I thought it was maybe a tornado.
” Dominik said a shoe store employee directed people to take cover inside , and she and her family joined about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the back of the store before they later left .

MISHAWAKA, Ind. (AP) - A shooting at a northern Indiana mall left one person dead and sent shoppers running for safety, authorities said.
St. Joseph County Coroner Michael McGann said Saturday evening that one person was killed in the shooting about 3 p.m. at University Park Mall in Mishawaka. He did not release further details or the identity of the person killed.
Police also did not release information on a possible shooting suspect.
The shooting prompted the evacuation of the mall in the city just east of South Bend. Officers remained posted around the mall for hours afterward.
Videos posted on social media showed people running out of the mall in the seconds after the shooting.
Renee Dominik, 44, told the South Bend Tribune that she was in a mall play area with her husband and two children when she heard gunfire.
“I heard a bang and saw people running,” she said. “I thought it was maybe a tornado.”
Dominik said a shoe store employee directed people to take cover inside, and she and her family joined about 35 others who rushed into a room in the back of the store before they later left.


washingtontimes--2020-09-12--Toddler injured in fall from rail trail

Toddler injured in fall from rail trail

VERNON , Conn. ( AP ) - A toddler was seriously injured Saturday in a fall from a cliff near @ @ @ @ @ in Vernon .
The accident occurred just before noon as the child was walking on @ @ @ @ @ and other children , police said .
Local police , firefighters and EMS responders all @ @ @ @ @ Washington Street and Brookview Drive .
The child was taken to Connecticut Children ’ s @ @ @ @ @ what police described as serious injuries .
No one else was hurt .

VERNON, Conn. (AP) - A toddler was seriously injured Saturday in a fall from a cliff near the rails to trails path in Vernon.
The accident occurred just before noon as the child was walking on the trail with an adult and other children, police said.
Local police, firefighters and EMS responders all were called to scene near Washington Street and Brookview Drive.
The child was taken to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford with what police described as serious injuries.
No one else was hurt.


washingtontimes--2020-09-13--Black New England Conference to discuss women's leadership

PORTSMOUTH , N.H. ( AP ) - This year ’ s Black New England Conference is going online and is @ @ @ @ @ leadership and activism .
The theme of the conference is “ Black Women Rock : @ @ @ @ @ and Political Change.
” It is scheduled for Sept. 25-26 .
Speakers and discussion leaders @ @ @ @ @ an actress and activist who created the DIVA Foundation devoted to AIDS advocacy ; Susan @ @ @ @ @ of National CARES Mentoring movement and editor-in-chief emerita of Essence Magazine ; Andrea Jenkins , @ @ @ @ @ politician , writer , performance artist , poet , and transgender activist ; state Sen. @ @ @ @ @ , the first openly lesbian member of the Nevada Legislature ; CaShawn Thompson , creator @ @ @ @ @ and Democratic U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley , the first Black woman elected to Congress from @ @ @ @ @ Trail of New Hampshire and Southern New Hampshire University are hosting the conference .
The @ @ @ @ @ be accessed at : http : //blackheritagetrailnh.org/2020bnec/ .

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) - This year’s Black New England Conference is going online and is discussing Black women’s leadership and activism.
The theme of the conference is “Black Women Rock: Leading the Charge for Social and Political Change.” It is scheduled for Sept. 25-26.
Speakers and discussion leaders include Sheryl Lee Ralph, an actress and activist who created the DIVA Foundation devoted to AIDS advocacy; Susan Taylor, founder and CEO of National CARES Mentoring movement and editor-in-chief emerita of Essence Magazine; Andrea Jenkins, an American policy aide, politician, writer, performance artist, poet, and transgender activist; state Sen. Patricia Ann Spearman of Nevada, the first openly lesbian member of the Nevada Legislature; CaShawn Thompson, creator of Black Girl Magic; and Democratic U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, the first Black woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts.
The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire and Southern New Hampshire University are hosting the conference.
The schedule and conference registration can be accessed at: http://blackheritagetrailnh.org/2020bnec/.


washingtontimes--2020-09-13--Illinois community can keep its iconic Cold War missile

RANTOUL , Ill. ( AP ) - A central Illinois community that was facing the impending loss of its iconic Minuteman missile can keep the Cold War relic under a last-minute arrangement with the Air Force .
Three days before the planned dismantling of Rantoul ’ s first-generation Minuteman missile , Mayor Chuck Smith announced Friday that the Air Force will hand over upkeep of the missile to the village .
After the missile is renovated , it will then be transferred back to the National Museum of the Air Force and loaned to the village , The News-Gazette reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the village would not be allowed to maintain the missile , and it was scheduled to dismantled on Monday .
But U.S. Rep. John Shimkus , R-Illinois , and an aide were able to convince the Air Force to change its mind .
“ It ’ s the Rantoul rocket .
We ’ ve got to do this , ” Shimkus said he told an Air Force colonel , who then began making calls .
The missile was installed at the west entrance of the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place after the Air Force closed the base in 1993 .
Rantoul VFW Commander Justin Penrod said he was “ ecstatic ” that the missile won ’ t be scrapped .
“ Now , we ’ ve just got to move forward and start getting people interested to push for a landmark and see if we can get the federal funding to preserve it .
I ’ m glad they listened to us , ” he said .

RANTOUL, Ill. (AP) - A central Illinois community that was facing the impending loss of its iconic Minuteman missile can keep the Cold War relic under a last-minute arrangement with the Air Force.
Three days before the planned dismantling of Rantoul’s first-generation Minuteman missile, Mayor Chuck Smith announced Friday that the Air Force will hand over upkeep of the missile to the village.
After the missile is renovated, it will then be transferred back to the National Museum of the Air Force and loaned to the village, The News-Gazette reported.
The Air Force had previously held that the village would not be allowed to maintain the missile, and it was scheduled to dismantled on Monday. But U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Illinois, and an aide were able to convince the Air Force to change its mind.
“It’s the Rantoul rocket. We’ve got to do this,” Shimkus said he told an Air Force colonel, who then began making calls.
The missile was installed at the west entrance of the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, in 1966. It had remained in place after the Air Force closed the base in 1993.
Rantoul VFW Commander Justin Penrod said he was “ecstatic” that the missile won’t be scrapped.
“Now, we’ve just got to move forward and start getting people interested to push for a landmark and see if we can get the federal funding to preserve it. I’m glad they listened to us,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-13--Maine PUC seeks standard offer proposals for ratepayers

HALLOWELL , Maine ( AP ) - The Maine Public Utilities Commission is soliciting so-called “ standard offer ” proposals @ @ @ @ @ Power and Versant Power .
The standard offer is the default that consumers pay for @ @ @ @ @ choose a different provider for themselves .
The PUC said the standards offers cover for @ @ @ @ @ proposals are due next month .
PUC Chairman Bartlett noted that standard offer prices have @ @ @ @ @ lower this year compared to last year reflecting electricity supply and demand conditions in New @ @ @ @ @ offer prices that result from this process will be announced later this year .

HALLOWELL, Maine (AP) - The Maine Public Utilities Commission is soliciting so-called “standard offer” proposals for customers of Central Maine Power and Versant Power.
The standard offer is the default that consumers pay for electricity unless they elect to choose a different provider for themselves. The PUC said the standards offers cover for the coming year, and proposals are due next month.
PUC Chairman Bartlett noted that standard offer prices have been about 20% lower this year compared to last year reflecting electricity supply and demand conditions in New England.
The new standard offer prices that result from this process will be announced later this year.


washingtontimes--2020-09-13--4 communities labeled as high risk for West Nile virus

BOSTON ( AP ) - Four communities in Middlesex County are now considered high risk for the West Nile virus , health officials said .
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced four more human cases of the West Nile virus , bringing the total number in the state this year to seven .
All four people were exposed in Middlesex County , officials said .
The health department said Cambridge , Newton , Somerville and Watertown have been elevated to high risk for the mosquito-borne disease .
Concord , Lexington , Lincoln , Sudbury , Waltham , Wayland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also in Middlesex County , are now considered moderate risk .
Dighton , Fall River , and Swansea in Bristol County are also moderate risk .
There were five human cases of West Nile virus infection in Massachusetts last year .
The health department says most people with West Nile Virus have no symptoms , which can include fever and flu-like illness .
People over the age of 50 are at a greater risk for serious illness .
Health officials are encouraging residents to take precautions , such as wearing mosquito repellent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoors and draining standing water around homes , where mosquitoes breed .

BOSTON (AP) - Four communities in Middlesex County are now considered high risk for the West Nile virus, health officials said.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced four more human cases of the West Nile virus, bringing the total number in the state this year to seven. All four people were exposed in Middlesex County, officials said.
The health department said Cambridge, Newton, Somerville and Watertown have been elevated to high risk for the mosquito-borne disease.
Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Sudbury, Waltham, Wayland, Weston, and Winchester, which are also in Middlesex County, are now considered moderate risk. Dighton, Fall River, and Swansea in Bristol County are also moderate risk.
There were five human cases of West Nile virus infection in Massachusetts last year.
The health department says most people with West Nile Virus have no symptoms, which can include fever and flu-like illness. People over the age of 50 are at a greater risk for serious illness.
Health officials are encouraging residents to take precautions, such as wearing mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeves and long pants when outdoors and draining standing water around homes, where mosquitoes breed.


washingtontimes--2020-09-13--Illinois website for hunters includes safety tips and rules

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - Illinois hunters looking for details on the season , licenses or regulations have @ @ @ @ @ .
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has launched a website called “ Hunt Illinois.
@ @ @ @ @ on places to hunt , along with hunting and trapping regulations , wildlife management and @ @ @ @ @ new Hunt Illinois website is an easy-to-use one-stop resource for hunters to find just about @ @ @ @ @ about planning a hunt , no matter the species , no matter the season , @ @ @ @ @ program manager at IDNR , said in a statement .
State officials worked on the @ @ @ @ @ Rivers Research and Education Center and received funding from the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife @ @ @ @ @

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois hunters looking for details on the season, licenses or regulations have a new website to consult.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has launched a website called “ Hunt Illinois.”
Hunters can get details on places to hunt, along with hunting and trapping regulations, wildlife management and conservation programs.
“The new Hunt Illinois website is an easy-to-use one-stop resource for hunters to find just about everything they need to know about planning a hunt, no matter the species, no matter the season,” Jared Duquette, a program manager at IDNR, said in a statement.
State officials worked on the site with the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center and received funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Restoration Program.


washingtontimes--2020-09-13--Black scientists highlight racism in the lab and the field

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - University of Washington ecologist Christopher Schell is studying how coronavirus shutdowns have affected wildlife in Seattle and other cities .
But when planning fieldwork , he also thinks about how he ’ s perceived in neighborhoods where he installs wildlife cameras .
“ I wear the nerdiest glasses I have and often a jacket that has my college logo , so that people don ’ t mistake me for what they think is a thug or hooligan , ” said Schell , who is African American .
The recent episode of a white woman calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York ’ s Central Park shocked many people .
But for Black environmental scientists , worrying about whether they are likely to be harassed or asked to justify their presence while doing fieldwork is a familiar concern .
Tanisha Williams , a botanist at Bucknell University , knows exactly which plants she ’ s looking for .
But after being questioned by strangers in public parks , Williams , who is Black , has started carrying her field guides with her .
“ I ’ ve been quizzed by random strangers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring my wildflower books and botanical field guides , trying to look like a scientist .
It ’ s for other people .
I wouldn ’ t otherwise lug these books.
” Overt harassment and subtle intimidation during fieldwork compound the discrimination that Black scientists and those from other underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds already feel in academic settings .
Now researchers in the environmental sciences are increasingly raising issues of discrimination and marginalization in the wake of a national reckoning on race .
They are also pointing out how a lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or incomplete research .
A National Science Foundation survey found that in 2016 , scholars who identified as Black or African American were awarded just 6 % of all doctorates in life sciences , and less than 3 % of doctorates in physical and Earth sciences .
Students who identified as Hispanic or Latino were awarded less than 8 % of doctorates in life sciences and about 5 % of doctorates in physical and Earth sciences .
According to the most recent census , Black people make up 13.4 % of the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The issue is not lack of interest ” on the part of students from the underrepresented groups , said the University of Washington ’ s Scott Freeman , who studies educational pipelines to degrees in science , technology , engineering or math .
But many of those students come from families with fewer financial resources and face gaps in access to secondary education that is geared toward the sciences or college preparation .
Those factors can influence how well they perform in freshman general chemistry - considered a gateway course for pursuing these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible to decrease the impact of these disadvantages by adjusting teaching styles , such as replacing traditional large lectures with hands-on learning , according to Freeman ’ s research .
And students from underrepresented backgrounds who overcome initial obstacles are “ hyper persistent ” in their studies , continuing at higher rates in STEM fields compared with their white peers , he found .
Addressing these gaps has taken on new urgency as the U.S. confronts systemic racism in the wake of nationwide protests after the death of George Floyd at the hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer of the Society for Conservation Biology North America , one panel was devoted to “ why conservation science needs to prioritize racial and social justice.
” Hundreds of scientists have joined a wider discussion among academics about racism , posting their personal experiences of discrimination under the Twitter hashtag # BlackintheIvory , referring to the ivory tower .
But environmental scientists must confront discrimination not just in the halls of academia but in the field as well .
Carnivore ecologist Rae Wynn-Grant , a fellow at the National Geographic Society , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aside ” when her fieldwork takes her to places where she encounters racist symbols .
While driving in rural Maryland to study bears , Wynn-Grant , who is Black , passed several Confederate flags and a cloth doll of a lynched man hanging from a tree .
“ This is the extra labor Black people have to do in order to participate in something they ’ re interested in , ” she said .
Many researchers say that exposing middle school and high school students to scientists from diverse backgrounds is essential to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the only Black botanist I ’ d heard of was George Washington Carver , ” said Williams , the scientist at Bucknell , who helped organize a Twitter campaign to highlight the achievements of Black botanists .
Itumeleng Moroenyane , a doctoral student at the National Institute of Scientific Research in Quebec , grew up in post-apartheid South Africa and said he was the only Black botany student in his university ’ s graduating class .
Moroenyane now makes it a priority to mentor younger Black scholars .
Corina Newsome said her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school internship at the Philadelphia Zoo , where a zookeeper who mentored her was the first Black scientist she had met .
Now an ornithologist at Georgia Southern University , Newsome , who is Black , said institutions can promote diversity by helping students find mentors and offering paid internships .
“ To enter wildlife studies , you are often expected to do a lot of free labor and free internships early in your career , ” she said .
“ This automatically excludes many people.
” Empowering ecologists and other researchers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scientists say .
Deja Perkins , a Black conservation biologist at North Carolina State University , has studied gaps in how community-science bird-watching projects are conducted in wealthy and poor communities .
“ It ’ s a problem if data from poor neighborhoods isn ’ t collected , and that shapes wildlife management plans , ” she said .
The University of Washington ’ s Schell noted that Black scientists have led the field of urban ecology to examine crucial questions about how redlining - racial discrimination in mortgage-lending practices - has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have more or less green space and biodiversity .
“ Who you are affects the questions you ask and the type of data that ’ s being collected , ” Schell said .
“ We can not understand how our natural world interacts with our cities without understanding the problems and legacy of racism.
” The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

WASHINGTON (AP) - University of Washington ecologist Christopher Schell is studying how coronavirus shutdowns have affected wildlife in Seattle and other cities. But when planning fieldwork, he also thinks about how he’s perceived in neighborhoods where he installs wildlife cameras.
“I wear the nerdiest glasses I have and often a jacket that has my college logo, so that people don’t mistake me for what they think is a thug or hooligan,” said Schell, who is African American.
The recent episode of a white woman calling the police on a Black birder in New York’s Central Park shocked many people. But for Black environmental scientists, worrying about whether they are likely to be harassed or asked to justify their presence while doing fieldwork is a familiar concern.
Tanisha Williams, a botanist at Bucknell University, knows exactly which plants she’s looking for. But after being questioned by strangers in public parks, Williams, who is Black, has started carrying her field guides with her.
“I’ve been quizzed by random strangers,” she said. “Now I bring my wildflower books and botanical field guides, trying to look like a scientist. It’s for other people. I wouldn’t otherwise lug these books.”
Overt harassment and subtle intimidation during fieldwork compound the discrimination that Black scientists and those from other underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds already feel in academic settings.
Now researchers in the environmental sciences are increasingly raising issues of discrimination and marginalization in the wake of a national reckoning on race. They are also pointing out how a lack of diversity among scientists can lead to flawed or incomplete research.
A National Science Foundation survey found that in 2016, scholars who identified as Black or African American were awarded just 6% of all doctorates in life sciences, and less than 3% of doctorates in physical and Earth sciences. Students who identified as Hispanic or Latino were awarded less than 8% of doctorates in life sciences and about 5% of doctorates in physical and Earth sciences. According to the most recent census, Black people make up 13.4% of the population, and Latinos 18.5%.
“The issue is not lack of interest” on the part of students from the underrepresented groups, said the University of Washington’s Scott Freeman, who studies educational pipelines to degrees in science, technology, engineering or math. But many of those students come from families with fewer financial resources and face gaps in access to secondary education that is geared toward the sciences or college preparation. Those factors can influence how well they perform in freshman general chemistry - considered a gateway course for pursuing these so-called STEM majors.
It’s possible to decrease the impact of these disadvantages by adjusting teaching styles, such as replacing traditional large lectures with hands-on learning, according to Freeman’s research. And students from underrepresented backgrounds who overcome initial obstacles are “ hyper persistent ” in their studies, continuing at higher rates in STEM fields compared with their white peers, he found.
Addressing these gaps has taken on new urgency as the U.S. confronts systemic racism in the wake of nationwide protests after the death of George Floyd at the hands of police.
At a meeting this summer of the Society for Conservation Biology North America, one panel was devoted to “why conservation science needs to prioritize racial and social justice.” Hundreds of scientists have joined a wider discussion among academics about racism, posting their personal experiences of discrimination under the Twitter hashtag #BlackintheIvory, referring to the ivory tower.
But environmental scientists must confront discrimination not just in the halls of academia but in the field as well.
Carnivore ecologist Rae Wynn-Grant, a fellow at the National Geographic Society, said she has to put her “feelings aside” when her fieldwork takes her to places where she encounters racist symbols. While driving in rural Maryland to study bears, Wynn-Grant, who is Black, passed several Confederate flags and a cloth doll of a lynched man hanging from a tree.
“This is the extra labor Black people have to do in order to participate in something they’re interested in,” she said.
Many researchers say that exposing middle school and high school students to scientists from diverse backgrounds is essential to combating systemic racism.
“Growing up, the only Black botanist I’d heard of was George Washington Carver,” said Williams, the scientist at Bucknell, who helped organize a Twitter campaign to highlight the achievements of Black botanists.
Itumeleng Moroenyane, a doctoral student at the National Institute of Scientific Research in Quebec, grew up in post-apartheid South Africa and said he was the only Black botany student in his university’s graduating class. Moroenyane now makes it a priority to mentor younger Black scholars.
Corina Newsome said her passion for biology started during a high school internship at the Philadelphia Zoo, where a zookeeper who mentored her was the first Black scientist she had met.
Now an ornithologist at Georgia Southern University, Newsome, who is Black, said institutions can promote diversity by helping students find mentors and offering paid internships. “To enter wildlife studies, you are often expected to do a lot of free labor and free internships early in your career,” she said. “This automatically excludes many people.”
Empowering ecologists and other researchers from diverse backgrounds can improve the research itself, scientists say.
Deja Perkins, a Black conservation biologist at North Carolina State University, has studied gaps in how community-science bird-watching projects are conducted in wealthy and poor communities.
“It’s a problem if data from poor neighborhoods isn’t collected, and that shapes wildlife management plans,” she said.
The University of Washington’s Schell noted that Black scientists have led the field of urban ecology to examine crucial questions about how redlining - racial discrimination in mortgage-lending practices - has shaped urban landscapes, influencing which neighborhoods have more or less green space and biodiversity.
“Who you are affects the questions you ask and the type of data that’s being collected,” Schell said. “We cannot understand how our natural world interacts with our cities without understanding the problems and legacy of racism.”
___
Follow Larson at www.twitter.com/larsonchristina.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


washingtontimes--2020-09-13--Afghanistan peace talks marred by gunfights, IEDs

Long-awaited “ inter-Afghan ” peace talks between the Taliban and the U.S.-backed government in Kabul began this weekend , but continued violence across Afghanistan threatened to overshadow the historic gathering .
Afghan government representatives said that in the hours immediately before and after the peace negotiations formally began in Doha , Qatar , on Saturday , the Taliban launched a series of attacks against Afghan security forces and planted more than a dozen IEDs across the countryside .
“ The Taliban have not decreased their violence and offensive attacks ” in Afghanistan , Fawad Aman , spokesman for the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Twitter post .
Mr. Aman told Reuters that the government hoped the Taliban would reduce the number of attacks once peace talks began , but instead the group has continued ramping up violence .
Taliban officials also confirmed some of the attacks , with a spokesman for the group saying on Twitter that insurgent fighters clashed with an “ enemy convoy ” near the city of Kunduz .
At least 12 people were killed in that fight , the Taliban said .
Against that backdrop , the two sides are meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political arrangement meant to end decades years of war inside the country .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in Doha for the talks .
The inter-Afghan dialogue is a key part of the landmark pact the Trump administration struck with the Taliban last February .
The deal called for a drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan in exchange for the Taliban vowing that Afghanistan would never again be used as a safe haven for terrorist groups such as al Qaeda .
The Taliban also agreed to stop attacks on American personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out a formal ceasefire between the Afghan government and Taliban .
Reaching such a ceasefire deal is at the top of the agenda in Doha this weekend .
Abdullah Abdullah , the chairperson of Afghanistan ’ s High Council for National Reconciliation , called for a “ humanitarian ceasefire ” on Saturday .
“ I believe that if we give hands to each other and honestly work for peace , the current ongoing misery in the country will end , ” he said , as quoted by Al Jazeera .
Mr. Pompeo met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged both sides to come to an agreement .
“ Secretary Pompeo urged the Taliban to seize this opportunity to forge a political settlement and reach a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire , ” State Department spokesperson Cale Brown said in a statement .
“ He welcomed Afghan leadership and ownership of the effort to end 40 years of war and ensure that Afghanistan is not a threat to the United States or its allies.
” The U.S. already has withdrawn thousands of troops from Afghanistan as part of the peace process .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another reduction , down from 8,500 to between 4,000 and 5,000 .

Long-awaited “inter-Afghan” peace talks between the Taliban and the U.S.-backed government in Kabul began this weekend, but continued violence across Afghanistan threatened to overshadow the historic gathering.
Afghan government representatives said that in the hours immediately before and after the peace negotiations formally began in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, the Taliban launched a series of attacks against Afghan security forces and planted more than a dozen IEDs across the countryside.
“The Taliban have not decreased their violence and offensive attacks” in Afghanistan, Fawad Aman, spokesman for the country’s Ministry of Defense, said in a Twitter post.
Mr. Aman told Reuters that the government hoped the Taliban would reduce the number of attacks once peace talks began, but instead the group has continued ramping up violence. Taliban officials also confirmed some of the attacks, with a spokesman for the group saying on Twitter that insurgent fighters clashed with an “enemy convoy” near the city of Kunduz.
At least 12 people were killed in that fight, the Taliban said.
Against that backdrop, the two sides are meeting in Doha this weekend to hammer out a political arrangement meant to end decades years of war inside the country. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in Doha for the talks.
The inter-Afghan dialogue is a key part of the landmark pact the Trump administration struck with the Taliban last February. The deal called for a drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan in exchange for the Taliban vowing that Afghanistan would never again be used as a safe haven for terrorist groups such as al Qaeda.
The Taliban also agreed to stop attacks on American personnel, but the agreement did not lay out a formal ceasefire between the Afghan government and Taliban. Reaching such a ceasefire deal is at the top of the agenda in Doha this weekend.
Abdullah Abdullah, the chairperson of Afghanistan’s High Council for National Reconciliation, called for a “humanitarian ceasefire” on Saturday.
“I believe that if we give hands to each other and honestly work for peace, the current ongoing misery in the country will end,” he said, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
Mr. Pompeo met with Taliban officials over the weekend and urged both sides to come to an agreement.
“Secretary Pompeo urged the Taliban to seize this opportunity to forge a political settlement and reach a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire,” State Department spokesperson Cale Brown said in a statement. “He welcomed Afghan leadership and ownership of the effort to end 40 years of war and ensure that Afghanistan is not a threat to the United States or its allies.”
The U.S. already has withdrawn thousands of troops from Afghanistan as part of the peace process. The White House is expected to soon announce another reduction, down from 8,500 to between 4,000 and 5,000.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.